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Huntington Foundation

Annual Giving
$22.5M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $22.5M (2024)
  • Decision Time: Varies by region and program; typically 1-2 months from submission
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: 14-state footprint (primarily Ohio and Michigan, plus North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin)
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

General Inquiries:

Central Ohio Community Development Relationship Manager:

Overview

The Huntington Foundation (EIN: 31-1681542) is the corporate foundation of Huntington Bancshares, established in 1999 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. With total assets of $3.1M and annual giving of approximately $22.5M in 2024, the Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Huntington Bank's community investment strategy. The Foundation operates across a 14-state footprint, with primary concentration in Ohio (459 banking offices) and Michigan (290 banking offices). Huntington's broader community commitment includes a $40 billion, five-year plan (expanded from an original $20 billion) focused on affordable housing, economic development, and supporting historically resource-limited communities. The Foundation supports initiatives that improve self-sufficiency, quality of life, and advance social and economic equality in communities where Huntington operates.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates through an invitation-only model with various program streams, including:

  • Community Revitalization and Stabilization: Supporting neighborhood development and infrastructure
  • Affordable Housing: Enabling first-time home buyers and creating generational wealth through home ownership
  • Economic and Community Development: Workforce development, business support (especially minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses)
  • Community Services: Human services, health, education, family support, and civic/cultural programs

Priority Areas

  • Arts and culture
  • Education and youth empowerment
  • Health and community wellbeing
  • Employment and workforce development
  • Hunger and food security
  • Human services
  • Affordable housing
  • Racial and social equity programs with demonstrated commitment to fairness, justice, and equality
  • Programs serving low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals and families

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the Foundation prioritizes organizations with 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) tax-exempt status serving communities within Huntington's operational footprint.

Governance and Leadership

The Huntington Foundation operates under the governance of Foundation Trustees and/or Committees who evaluate grants for alignment with the Foundation's purpose. Specific trustee information is not publicly available. The bank's corporate leadership includes Chairman, President, and CEO Stephen D. Steinour, who leads the overall community commitment strategy.

Huntington's stated purpose is to "make people's lives better, help businesses thrive and strengthen the communities we serve."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Huntington Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants require an invitation from a Huntington Community representative to apply. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited grant applications directly through a public portal.

Organizations interested in partnership opportunities are encouraged to:

  1. Contact their local Community Development Relationship Manager (CDRM) for their region
  2. For general inquiries, contact philanthropy@huntington.com

Community Development Relationship Managers are assigned by region:

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking Huntington Foundation support should focus on building relationships with their regional Community Development Relationship Manager. Huntington identifies potential grantees through its network of CDRMs who work directly with communities in their assigned regions. The bank maintains an online grant portal (hunt.iphiview.com) for invited organizations to register, apply, and track applications once invited.

Decision Timeline

  • Huntington's regional leadership teams typically meet monthly to evaluate grant applications
  • Review timeframes vary based on submission timing, time of year, and region
  • Some specific grant programs operate on quarterly review cycles (March, June, September, December) with submission deadlines the month prior
  • Other programs review semi-annually (June and December) with April 25th and October 25th deadlines
  • Some programs accept applications on the 20th of January, April, July, and October
  • Typical decision time ranges from 1-2 months from submission deadline
  • Applicants are informed in writing of grant decisions

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented and likely vary by program and region.

Application Success Factors

Organizations invited to apply should focus on:

Alignment with Huntington's Strategic Priorities: Demonstrate how your work directly addresses community revitalization, affordable housing, economic development, or serves low- and moderate-income populations within Huntington's footprint.

Geographic Relevance: Ensure your organization operates within Huntington's 14-state banking footprint, with strongest opportunities in Ohio and Michigan where the bank has the most substantial presence.

Demonstrated Impact on Equity: Huntington has explicitly committed to "supporting racial and social equity programs with a demonstrated commitment to equitable actions that contribute to fairness, justice, and equality for all people." Applications should clearly articulate equity outcomes.

Recent Example Projects Funded:

  • NCInnovation received a $500,000 pledge to turn university research into commercial solutions
  • Women's Center for Economic Opportunity (Columbus) received support to empower diverse women business owners
  • $2.5M Digital Inclusion Fund commitment over five years for statewide initiatives
  • Unison Health's Whitney Manor (Toledo) for permanent supportive housing
  • Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation's Homebuyers Assistance Program

Tax-Exempt Status: Organizations must hold 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) designation.

National Partnership Organizations: Huntington maintains ongoing relationships with organizations including Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Urban League.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: You cannot apply directly; focus on building relationships with your regional Community Development Relationship Manager first
  • Geographic targeting: Strongest opportunities in Ohio and Michigan; ensure you operate within Huntington's 14-state footprint
  • Equity focus is critical: Demonstrate measurable commitment to serving low- and moderate-income populations and advancing racial and social equity
  • Relationship-driven: Huntington identifies grant recipients through its network of regional CDRMs who know their communities
  • Part of larger commitment: The Foundation's $22.5M annual giving sits within Huntington's broader $40B community plan, creating opportunities for aligned organizations
  • Multiple review cycles: Depending on the specific program, reviews may be monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual
  • Contact early: Reach out to your regional CDRM well before you need funding to explore partnership potential

References

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