Margaret And Robert Walter Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,130,100 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle
• Grant Range: $500 - $10,000,000+ (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Central Ohio (with some Boston, MA support)

Contact Details

No direct contact information is publicly available. The foundation operates as a supporting organization of The Columbus Foundation and does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations must be invited to apply.

For general inquiries about supporting foundations:

• Parent Organization: The Columbus Foundation
• Website: https://columbusfoundation.org
• Phone: (614) 251-4000

Overview

The Margaret and Robert Walter Foundation, established in 1997 as a supporting organization of The Columbus Foundation, represents the philanthropic vision of Robert D. Walter (founder of Cardinal Health) and his wife Margaret "Peggy" Walter. With total assets exceeding $104 million and annual giving of approximately $4 million, the foundation focuses on transformational giving in central Ohio. The foundation's philosophy centers on spreading kindness and creating lasting community impact through strategic investments in education, children's health and well-being, family stabilization, arts and humanities, and social services. In 2022, they created the Center for HumanKindness in collaboration with The Columbus Foundation to inspire acts of kindness and strengthen social connections throughout the community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Gifts of Kindness Fund (Established 2014): $500 - $3,000

• One-time emergency grants for individuals facing unexpected hardships
• Distributed through nearly 50 nonprofit partner organizations
• Over $6 million distributed to more than 3,300 households since inception
• Covers essential expenses: housing, transportation, medical bills, utilities

HumanKindness Prize (Created 2022): $10,000 per recipient

• Unrestricted grants recognizing nonprofits exemplifying kindness
• Annual awards to central Ohio organizations

Major Transformational Gifts: Up to $10,000,000+

• Capital campaigns, programming support, and infrastructure development
• Example: $10 million to Columbus Museum of Art (2015)

Standard Grant Program: Variable amounts

• Quarterly review cycle for invited organizations
• Capital grants, programming grants, scholarships, campaign matches, seed grants

Priority Areas

• Education (pre-K through college)
• Children's health and well-being
• Family stabilization
• Arts and humanities
• Social services
• Emergency assistance for families in crisis

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Founders:

• Robert D. Walter: Founded Cardinal Health in 1971, growing it from a small regional food distributor to a Fortune 19 company before retiring as Chairman in 2008. Ohio University alumnus (BS Mechanical Engineering, 1967).
• Margaret "Peggy" Walter: Ohio University alumna (BFA, 1967), Columbus Museum of Art docent since 1971, Board of Trustees member since 1994, active in children's and arts initiatives.

The foundation operates as a supporting organization of The Columbus Foundation with no direct employees, utilizing Columbus Foundation staff for management and operations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grant applications are accepted on a quarterly basis upon invitation only.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking to be considered for future invitations should:

• Build relationships with The Columbus Foundation staff who manage the supporting foundation's operations
• Demonstrate strong alignment with core focus areas of education, children's health, or family stabilization
• Show measurable impact in central Ohio communities
• Consider becoming a partner organization for the Gifts of Kindness Fund program
• Network with current recipient organizations like settlement houses and community centers that have received funding
• Demonstrate potential for transformational impact rather than incremental change

Decision Timeline

Quarterly review cycle for invited applications

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only basis

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations must be invited to apply

Application Success Factors

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

• Transformational Potential: The foundation seeks to make significant, lasting impacts rather than small incremental changes
• Kindness-Centered Approach: Organizations that exemplify compassion and human-centered services align with the foundation's HumanKindness initiative
• Central Ohio Focus: Strong preference for organizations serving the Columbus region
• Collaborative Spirit: Willingness to work through partner organizations, particularly for emergency assistance programs
• Prevention Orientation: Programs that prevent one setback from causing chronic instability resonate with their Gifts of Kindness philosophy
• Demonstrated Track Record: The foundation tends to support established organizations with proven impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - direct applications will not be accepted
• Building relationships with The Columbus Foundation is essential as they manage this supporting organization
• Focus areas are clearly defined: education, children's health, family stabilization, arts/humanities, and social services
• The foundation values transformational giving over small grants - think big picture impact
• Geographic focus is primarily central Ohio with limited support in Boston, MA
• Consider partnership opportunities through the Gifts of Kindness Fund if serving individuals in crisis
• The foundation's emphasis on kindness and human connection should be reflected in any eventual invitation-based proposals

References

• Cause IQ - Margaret and Robert Walter Foundation profile (Accessed February 9, 2026) https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/walter-family-foundation,311491083/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 filings (Accessed February 9, 2026) https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311491083
• The Columbus Foundation - Supporting Our Neighbors Through Gifts of Kindness (Accessed February 9, 2026) https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/supporting-our-neighbors-through-gifts-of-kindness
• The Columbus Foundation - A Decade of Spreading Kindness (Accessed February 9, 2026) https://columbusfoundation.org/at-the-table-blog/a-decade-of-spreading-kindness-through-the-gifts-of-kindness-fund
• The Columbus Foundation - Center for HumanKindness (Accessed February 9, 2026) https://columbusfoundation.org/building-social-capital/center-for-humankindness
• Charity Navigator - Foundation Rating and Profile (Accessed February 9, 2026) https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/311491083
• Columbus Museum of Art - Margaret M. Walter Wing Announcement (2015) https://www.columbusmuseum.org/blog/2015/08/31/columbus-museum-art-announces-margaret-m-walter-wing/
• Instrumentl - 990 Reports Analysis (Accessed February 9, 2026) https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/margaret-and-robert-walter-foundation