Covenant Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• EIN: 31-1225037
• Annual Giving: $5.4-10.1 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Not specified
• Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation

Contact Details

Address: 3777 W Fork Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45247-7575

Phone: 513-661-3100

Website: No public website identified

Note: As a private family foundation, direct contact information beyond the phone number is not publicly available.

Overview

The Covenant Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1987 and based in Cincinnati, Ohio. With total assets exceeding $109 million and annual charitable disbursements ranging from $5.4 to $10.1 million, the foundation represents a significant philanthropic presence in the region. The foundation focuses on giving to organizations that further Christian missions with a meaningful evangelical component. Operating as a family foundation, it is governed by a board of directors including Timothy E. Johnson, Janet L. Johnson, Timothy C. Gehner, and Scott Wyckoff, all of whom serve without compensation. The foundation dedicates an exceptional 99.5% of its expenses to charitable disbursements, demonstrating a strong commitment to its mission. As a private foundation, it operates primarily through trustee discretion rather than through a public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Covenant Foundation operates as a private family foundation without publicly defined grant programs or tiers. Financial data indicates the foundation has made significant charitable disbursements:

• 2024: $10,134,803 in charitable disbursements
• 2020: $5,393,107 in grants paid

Specific grant amounts, ranges, and program categories are not publicly disclosed.

Priority Areas

The foundation's core focus is:

• Christian Missions: Organizations that further Christian missions with a meaningful evangelical component
• General Operating Support: The foundation has been noted to primarily fund general operating expenses

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented. As a private family foundation focused on evangelical Christian missions, organizations outside this religious focus are unlikely to be considered.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The foundation is governed by a board of directors that includes:

• Timothy E. Johnson, Director
• Janet L. Johnson, Director
• Timothy C. Gehner, Director
• Scott Wyckoff, Director

All directors serve without compensation, which is consistent with the foundation's approach of dedicating virtually all resources to charitable giving.

Governance Structure

As a private family foundation classified under section 501(c)(3), the foundation has operated for over 35 years under the governance of its board, which exercises discretion in grantmaking decisions based on the foundation's mission to support evangelical Christian organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Covenant Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants based on trustee discretion. No formal application portal, published application guidelines, or request for proposal (RFP) processes are publicly available. The foundation appears to identify and support organizations aligned with its mission through the relationships and knowledge of its board members.

Organizations seeking funding from private family foundations of this type typically cannot submit unsolicited applications through a formal process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As a private family foundation making grants at trustee discretion, the foundation does not publish decision timelines or board meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation does not publish data on the number of requests received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available. No information exists regarding whether organizations previously declined for funding may be reconsidered.

Application Success Factors

Limited Public Information Available

Due to the private nature of this family foundation and the absence of a public application process, specific guidance on what makes organizations successful in securing funding is not publicly documented.

Based on the foundation's publicly stated mission and structure:

• Alignment with Mission: Organizations must further Christian missions with a meaningful evangelical component
• Established Relationships: As a private family foundation operating on trustee discretion, existing relationships with board members or previous grantees may be significant factors
• Financial Stewardship: Given that the foundation focuses on general operating support, demonstrating sound financial management and mission alignment would likely be important
• Geographic Considerations: While no specific geographic restrictions are published, the foundation's Cincinnati base may influence its grantmaking

No direct quotes from foundation leadership or specific guidance for applicants are publicly available.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications through a formal process
• Evangelical Christian Focus: Only organizations furthering Christian missions with a meaningful evangelical component align with the foundation's stated purpose
• Substantial Assets: With over $109 million in assets and $5-10 million in annual giving, this is a significant funder when grants are made
• Trustee Discretion: Grantmaking decisions are made at the discretion of the board of directors
• Limited Public Information: The foundation does not maintain a public website, publish grant guidelines, or disclose grant recipients publicly
• Form 990-PF Research Recommended: Organizations seeking to understand the foundation's grantmaking patterns should review publicly available Form 990-PF tax returns, which list grant recipients
• Direct Contact: The only public contact method is the phone number (513-661-3100); there is no guarantee that unsolicited inquiries will receive responses

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Covenant Foundation (EIN 31-1225037). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311225037 (Accessed February 9, 2026)

2. Cause IQ - Covenant Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/covenant-foundation,311225037/ (Accessed February 9, 2026)

3. Candid Foundation Directory - Covenant Foundation Inc. Available at: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=COVE017 (Accessed February 9, 2026)

4. Charity Navigator - Covenant Foundation Profile (EIN 311225037). Available at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/311225037 (Accessed February 9, 2026)

5. Nonprofit Locator - Covenant Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. Available at: https://nonprofitlocator.org/organizations/oh/cincinnati/311225037-covenant-foundation (Accessed February 9, 2026)

6. Tax Exempt World - Covenant Foundation. Available at: https://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=679087 (Accessed February 9, 2026)

Note: Financial data represents the most recent information available from IRS Form 990 filings as of the research date. Specific grant recipient information can be found in the foundation's Form 990-PF returns available through the IRS or nonprofit databases listed above.