The J.W. And M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Its stated focus is Muskingum County and student development, especially school and youth-organisation field trips, conference attendance, and sports, arts and academic camps, so work of that kind fits best.
- For-profit entities are not funded, so those should not apply.
- Half of its 330 grants to organisations were $12,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fall between $1,000 and $75,000; that band is typical rather than a cap, so a request within it is realistic.
- Small-grant requests go through the cycle that runs from 1 to 31 August, medium requests start with a letter of inquiry, and letters for larger requests are submitted from 1 to 31 October, so plan around those dates and show what you have already raised, since the foundation aims to provide only the last dollars needed.
- In the filing, 88% of grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had funded before, so a first-time applicant should expect strong competition, though the foundation still considers new requests.
Overview
The J.W. And M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation is a US private foundation based in Zanesville, OH.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation seeks to enhance and empower lives in Muskingum County, and its founders wished the assets to help organisations, individuals and community projects that subscribe to principles of hard work, diligent effort, and prudent and conservative management. It gives particular attention to activities that help students broaden their sights through travel, training and experience, including school and youth-organisation field trips, conference attendance, and sports, arts and academic camps. Eligible organisational applicants include 501(c)(3) organisations, accredited educational institutions and governmental entities operating in Muskingum County. For student groups, the foundation asks what students have done towards fundraising and how much they have earned. It encourages organisations to explore other funding opportunities and fundraising first, aiming to provide the last dollars needed to turn a worthwhile project into reality.
Themes
- Student development
Geographic Focus
Muskingum County.
What They Don't Fund
- For-profit entities
How to apply
For medium-sized grants, organisations submit a letter of inquiry to explore being invited to enter the grant process.
Deadlines:
- The small-grant cycle opens on 1 August and closes on 31 August.
- Letters of inquiry for larger requests are submitted between 1 and 31 October.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 330 grants to organisations were $12,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- Applicants are asked to explore other funding and fundraising before requesting a grant; the foundation aims to provide the last dollars needed for a worthwhile project.
- The grants committee mindfully considers letters of inquiry for medium-sized grants.
- Medium-grant applicants may be asked to meet or call to clarify or add information.
- For larger requests, the foundation considers whether funds are available and whether a project aligns with its goals before inviting a prospectus and staff meeting.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
2 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 10% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 88% of grant dollars went to organisations The J.W. And M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 9% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 118 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $10,039 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Muskingum County Library System · Library renovation; water cooling station$1,001,0002025 tax year
- City of Zanesville Community Development · Secrest auditorium project$1,000,0002025 tax year
- Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center · Education; food truck$500,0002025 tax year
- Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio · Community support$420,0002025 tax year
- Muskingum Valley Park District · Community support$338,3722025 tax year
- Genesis Healthcare Foundation · Hospice; sponsor$306,2502025 tax year
- Muskingum Behavioral Health · General fund$196,5452025 tax year
- Zanesville City Schools · Education; athletics$193,7692025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Cleary Gray Plosser — Director
- John Straker Jr — Director
- William E Straker — Director
- William Plosser — Director
- Jordan Chandler — Director
- Laura Brewer — Director
- Sam Henderson — Director
- Anne Plosser — Director
- Jane Straker — Director
- Susan Straker Holdren — President & Treasurer
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $5,494,710 | $4,566,167 | $101,954,213 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $5,336,246 | $4,528,435 | $113,858,259 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $7,040,487 | $5,943,502 | $124,691,584 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The J.W. And M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (740) 453-2220
- info@strakerfoundation.org
- Zanesville, OH
- strakerfoundation.org
Applying to The J.W. And M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (740) 453-2220
- info@strakerfoundation.org
- Zanesville, OH
- strakerfoundation.org