Louise Taft Semple Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,830,750 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly reviews (3-4 months)
• Grant Range: Average $32,928 (specific range not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: Cincinnati, Ohio (primary)

Contact Details

Website: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/lts/
Phone: (513) 381-1848
Grant Inquiries: Jamie Markle - jmarkle@ignitephilanthropy.com
Mailing Address: 308 E. 8th Street, 4th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Overview

Founded in 1941, the Louise Taft Semple Foundation is a well-established private foundation with approximately $24 million in assets dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Cincinnati. The foundation honors the legacy of Louise Taft Semple (1879-1961), daughter of Charles Phelps Taft and a major patron of Cincinnati's cultural institutions. In 2024, the foundation awarded $1,830,750 across 56 grants, continuing its 83-year tradition of supporting arts, culture, and education. The foundation primarily funds arts and cultural organizations, with secondary support for private education emphasizing arts enrichment. Grant administration is professionally managed through Ignite Philanthropy, ensuring consistent processes and standards.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have named grant programs but accepts proposals for:

• Project and program funding (primary focus)
• Capital improvement proposals (considered case-by-case)
• Endowment requests (rare circumstances only)

Priority Areas

1. Arts & Cultural Organizations (majority of funding)

   • Performing arts groups
   • Visual arts institutions
   • Museums and galleries
   • Cultural enrichment programs

2. Elementary and Secondary Private Education

   • Specifically for arts education and cultural enrichment
   • Not general education funding

3. Civic and Community Projects (when funding available)

4. Environmental Initiatives (when funding available)

What They Don't Fund

• General operating expenses
• Individual scholarships
• Projects already completed
• Organizations outside 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chairman: Dudley S. Taft, Sr. - President of Taft Broadcasting

Trustees:

• Robert Lawrence - CEO of Local TV LLC
• Michael S. McGraw - President & CEO of R.G. McGraw Insurance Agency
• Hope R. Taft - Community & International Non-Profit Volunteer (wife of former Ohio Governor Bob Taft)
• Thomas Woodall Taft - Director of Development at Taft Broadcasting

All trustees serve without compensation. The foundation's grant-making process is managed by Ignite Philanthropy, providing professional program management services.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Initial Contact Required: Contact Jamie Markle at jmarkle@ignitephilanthropy.com to confirm eligibility and discuss your proposal
2. Application Portal: After initial approval, access will be provided to Ignite Philanthropy's application portal
3. Proposal Review: Up to 12 proposals reviewed at each quarterly trustee meeting

Decision Timeline

• Review Schedule: Quarterly trustee meetings
• Processing Time: Approximately 3-4 months from submission to decision
• Meeting Capacity: Maximum 12 proposals reviewed per quarter

Success Rates

Success rate data not publicly disclosed. The foundation awarded 56 grants in 2024, 59 in 2023, and 72 in 2022.

Reapplication Policy

Important: Organizations must wait two years between proposals, regardless of whether the previous application was approved or declined. This policy is strictly enforced.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's history and funding patterns:

• Strong Cincinnati Connection: While the foundation has funded projects outside Cincinnati, the vast majority of grants support Greater Cincinnati organizations. The foundation's mission explicitly states programs must "benefit the people of Cincinnati, Ohio."

• Arts and Culture Emphasis: Given Louise Taft Semple's personal history as a major patron of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Art Museum, proposals with strong arts components receive priority consideration.

• Project-Specific Funding: The foundation prefers funding specific projects or programs rather than general operations. Clearly define your project's scope, timeline, and measurable outcomes.

• Educational Arts Integration: For schools, emphasize how your proposal promotes arts education and cultural enrichment rather than general academic programs.

• Professional Presentation: With only 12 proposals reviewed per quarter and professional management through Ignite Philanthropy, ensure your proposal meets high professional standards.

• Advance Planning: The two-year waiting period between applications means organizations must be strategic about timing and comprehensive in their requests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact First: Always initiate contact with Jamie Markle before preparing a full proposal to confirm eligibility and understand current priorities • Arts Focus Essential: Frame proposals around arts, culture, and cultural enrichment even when addressing education or community needs • Cincinnati Impact: Clearly articulate how your project benefits Cincinnati residents, even if your organization operates more broadly • Project Clarity: Define specific projects with clear budgets and timelines rather than requesting general support • Strategic Timing: Plan applications carefully given the two-year restriction between proposals and quarterly review schedule • Professional Management: Recognize that Ignite Philanthropy's involvement ensures consistent standards and professional review processes • Historical Legacy: Understanding Louise Taft Semple's personal interests in symphony, art museums, and cultural institutions can inform proposal positioning

References

• Ignite Philanthropy - Louise Taft Semple Foundation Page: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/lts/ (accessed March 2024)
• Ignite Philanthropy - Foundation History: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/ltshistory/ (accessed March 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF Filings 2021-2024: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/310653526
• Candid Foundation Directory Profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=SEMP001
• IRS Form 990-PF (2023): Filed June 24, 2024
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/louise-taft-semple-foundation,310653526/
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/louise-taft-semple-foundation