Sutphin Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,723,809 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $235,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Greater Cincinnati area (OH/KY) with some national reach

Contact Details

• Address: 300 Fifth Avenue, 27th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Website: None identified

Overview

The Sutphin Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1995 with current assets of approximately $36.8 million. The foundation distributes roughly $2.7 million annually through 72-99 grants per year. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the foundation focuses its philanthropy primarily on the Greater Cincinnati area, including Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio and Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky. The foundation's mission centers on supporting social service, cultural, educational, and health-oriented programs that enhance the vitality of the Greater Cincinnati area and the lives of its citizens.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not appear to operate specific named grant programs but provides general support grants ranging from $5,000 to $235,000, with an average grant size of approximately $29,847.

Priority Areas

• Education initiatives
• Health and healthcare programs
• Human services
• Youth development
• Cultural programs
• Social service organizations

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Contact the foundation for detailed restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by three trustees who each dedicate minimal time (approximately one hour per week) without compensation:

• Christina S. Kohnen - Trustee
• Wendy Ritch - Trustee
• Stuart B. Sutphin IV - Trustee

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted using the Greater Cincinnati Common Grant Application. The foundation provides an "Information for Grant Applicants" document available upon request. The specific application portal or submission method is not publicly detailed.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for information about review schedules and notification methods.

Success Rates

Application success rates are not publicly available. The foundation awarded between 72-99 grants annually in recent years.

Reapplication Policy

No public information is available regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

While specific guidance from the foundation is not publicly available, successful applicants should:

• Demonstrate clear alignment with the foundation's geographic focus on Greater Cincinnati
• Show how their programs enhance community vitality
• Focus on education, health, human services, or cultural programming
• Submit applications through the Greater Cincinnati Common Grant Application system
• Request and review the foundation's "Information for Grant Applicants" document before applying

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation maintains a relatively consistent giving pattern of $2-3 million annually
• Average grant size of approximately $30,000 suggests mid-sized organizational support
• Geographic focus on Greater Cincinnati is primary, though some national giving occurs
• Limited public information suggests building relationships may be important
• Use of the Greater Cincinnati Common Grant Application indicates collaboration with regional funders
• With only three trustees managing significant assets, decision-making is likely streamlined
• Request the foundation's application guidance document early in the process

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sutphin Family Foundation (accessed February 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report Database - Sutphin Family Foundation (accessed February 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Sutphin Family Foundation (accessed February 2026)
• GrantStation Database - Sutphin Family Foundation (accessed February 2026)
• Foundation Directory - Candid (accessed February 2026)