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James J And Joan A Gardner Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $3.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,500,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,051,000
  • Geographic Focus: Ohio (primarily Cincinnati), Florida (Key Largo), South Carolina

Contact Details

Overview

The James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation is a major private foundation established in 1994 that has distributed over $109 million to nearly 300 non-profit organizations over three decades. With assets of approximately $74 million, the foundation maintains an active grant-making program focused on education, healthcare, Catholic organizations, and social services. Founded by Jim and Joan Gardner "driven by their faith," the foundation's mission centers on "the care of the poor in the most abandoned places." The foundation has gained significant recognition for transformative gifts, including over $50 million to UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and $15 million to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for mental health services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Grant Program: $5,000 - $3,051,000+ (annual application cycle)
  • Major multi-year commitments considered for transformative projects
  • Application via online portal (opens January 2026 for next cycle)

Priority Areas

  • Education (K-12 and higher education)
  • Christian and Roman Catholic churches and organizations
  • Healthcare and medical research (especially neuroscience)
  • Mental and behavioral health services
  • Social services for vulnerable populations
  • Human services and youth development
  • Parks and conservation
  • Philanthropy, voluntarism & grantmaking

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Grants under $5,000
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus (except under special circumstances)
  • Organizations that have been denied within the past year

Governance and Leadership

The foundation was established by James J. "Jim" Gardner (deceased 2013), former Vice President and General Manager of Cintas Corporation, and Joan A. Gardner (deceased 2019), who lived with Parkinson's disease. Jim served on Xavier University's Presidential Advisory Council and University of Cincinnati's President's Advisory Council. The foundation is now managed by a Board of Trustees, with family members continuing involvement in supported organizations. Laura Mueller, a trustee, serves on the Accelerate Great Schools board. The foundation's philanthropic philosophy emphasizes faith-driven giving, dignity and compassion for vulnerable populations, and finding cures for diseases.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Organizations must create an account at www.gardnerfamilyfoundation.com to access the online application system. Applicants can preview applications and save drafts before final submission. The 2025 grant cycle is closed; the next cycle opens in January 2026.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. The foundation reviews applications submitted during open grant cycles.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 71 grants in 2023, 81 in 2022, and 69 in 2021. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations denied during any grant cycle are not eligible to reapply for at least one full year from the original grant application date.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving history and stated priorities:

  • Geographic alignment is critical: Highest priority goes to organizations in communities where trustees live (Cincinnati, OH and Key Largo, FL)
  • Faith-based alignment matters: The foundation explicitly supports Catholic and Christian organizations, with numerous grants to Catholic institutions
  • Focus on vulnerable populations: Projects serving "the poor in the most abandoned places" align with the foundation's core mission
  • Transformative potential: The foundation makes major multi-million dollar commitments for projects with significant community impact
  • Healthcare innovation: Strong preference for neuroscience, mental health, and medical research initiatives, particularly related to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
  • Educational equity: Support for programs ensuring quality education access for at-risk youth
  • Multi-year sustainability: Foundation considers long-term commitments for projects demonstrating sustained impact potential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation is a major philanthropic force with $7.5 million in annual giving and a history of transformative gifts exceeding $50 million for single initiatives
  • Geographic location in Cincinnati or Key Largo significantly increases funding likelihood - organizations outside these areas face an uphill battle
  • Catholic and Christian organizations receive preferential consideration aligned with founders' faith-driven mission
  • Healthcare proposals should emphasize neuroscience, mental health, or disease research connections given the foundation's major investments in these areas
  • The one-year waiting period for denied applications means first impressions matter - ensure strong alignment before applying
  • Multi-year funding is possible for exceptional projects, as demonstrated by their long-term commitments to major institutions
  • Applications open only during specific cycles (next: January 2026), so timing and preparation are essential

References

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