Friedlander Family Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,200,000 - $1,500,000
• Success Rate: 12% (for new applicants)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $100 - $600,000
• Geographic Focus: Primary focus on Cincinnati/Ohio, with grants across 20+ U.S. states

Contact Details

Address: 600 Vine Street, Suite 2100, Cincinnati, OH 45202-2466

Phone: 513-621-4612

Note: As a private family foundation, direct contact information beyond the phone number is not publicly available.

Overview

The Friedlander Family Fund is a private foundation established in 1968 in Ohio, with tax-exempt status dating to 1958. With assets of approximately $13.8 million, the foundation distributes $1.2-$1.5 million annually in grants. The foundation takes a broad approach to philanthropy with no narrowly specified subject focus, supporting initiatives across the arts, education, health, Jewish organizations, and human services. Led by the Friedlander family through multiple generations, the foundation operates with trustee discretion in making grant decisions, evaluating organizations based on their effectiveness in carrying out their missions. While primarily focused on Cincinnati-area organizations, the foundation also supports initiatives in over 20 states across the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Friedlander Family Fund does not operate structured grant programs with specific application cycles. Instead, it makes discretionary grants based on trustee judgment. Recent grants demonstrate funding across multiple sectors:

Recent Notable Grants (2024):

• Cincinnati Ballet: $600,000
• Emergency Family Assistance Association: $125,000
• Cincinnati Public Radio: $100,000
• Cincinnati Art Museum: $50,000

The foundation awarded 65 grants in 2024, with grant amounts ranging from approximately $100 to $600,000.

Priority Areas

Based on historical grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

• Arts & Culture: Including performing arts (ballet, theater, orchestras), museums, and public radio
• Education: Both K-12 schools and higher education institutions
• Health & Human Services: Emergency assistance organizations, family services, and healthcare institutions
• Jewish Organizations: Synagogues, Jewish community centers, Jewish educational institutions, and cultural programs
• Community Development: Local civic initiatives and neighborhood projects

Geographic Focus

While headquartered in Cincinnati with a strong local focus, the foundation supports organizations across: AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, NH, NY, OH, OR, SC, and VA, with major grants in Cincinnati, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's exclusions are not explicitly published, but as a private family foundation operating on trustee discretion, they do not typically fund:

• Individuals (except through institutional programs like Xavier University's student travel grants)
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities
• Organizations that do not qualify for 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors/Trustees:

• Ellen Friedlander: President/Director
• David Friedlander: Vice President/Director
• Lynne Friedlander: Vice President/Director
• Melissa M. La Corte: Secretary/Treasurer (compensated at $24,000 annually)

The foundation operates as a family-managed entity with decisions made through trustee discretion rather than external advisory committees or competitive review panels. Grants are awarded based on "directors' judgment" of organizations effectively carrying out their mission, according to foundation filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Friedlander Family Fund does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are typically awarded through trustee discretion based on the board's knowledge of organizations and their work.

However, data indicates that the foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding. This suggests that while there is no formal application portal, the foundation does consider organizations with which it does not have pre-existing relationships.

Organizations interested in being considered for funding should contact the foundation by phone at 513-621-4612 to inquire about the possibility of submitting a proposal or letter of inquiry.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish decision timelines. As a private foundation operating on trustee discretion, grant decisions are likely made on a rolling basis throughout the year rather than on fixed cycles.

Success Rates

• New Applicants: 12% success rate
• Total Grants Awarded: 65 grants in 2024

The 12% success rate for new applicants suggests that while competitive, the foundation is accessible to organizations that align with its funding priorities and can demonstrate effective mission delivery.

Reapplication Policy

No public reapplication policy is available. Given the foundation's ongoing relationships with multiple grantees (evidenced by repeat funding to organizations like Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Art Museum), successful grantees appear able to receive continued support.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not publish specific application guidance, analysis of grantmaking patterns reveals several factors that appear to influence funding decisions:

Organizational Effectiveness: Foundation documents state that grants are made based on "directors' judgment" of organizations effectively carrying out their mission. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate clear mission alignment, measurable outcomes, and effective program delivery.

Cincinnati Connection: The strongest pattern in grantmaking is support for Cincinnati-based organizations. Major recent grants have supported pillars of Cincinnati's cultural and social services infrastructure, including the Cincinnati Ballet ($600,000), Emergency Family Assistance Association ($125,000), Cincinnati Public Radio ($100,000), and Cincinnati Art Museum ($50,000).

Established Organizations: Grant recipients tend to be well-established institutions with strong track records rather than startup organizations or pilot programs.

Jewish Community Ties: The foundation shows particular interest in Jewish organizations, educational programs, and cultural initiatives, consistent with the family's community connections.

Arts & Culture: Significant funding flows to arts and cultural institutions, particularly those with broad community impact such as performing arts centers, museums, and public media.

General Operating Support: The foundation appears to favor general operating support over restricted project grants, suggesting confidence in organizational leadership and mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Private foundation with no public application process: Contact the foundation by phone to inquire about possibility of consideration rather than submitting unsolicited proposals
• Cincinnati focus matters: Organizations based in Cincinnati or serving Cincinnati communities have a significant advantage
• 12% new applicant success rate: While competitive, the foundation does fund new organizations, suggesting accessibility for compelling proposals
• Broad but strategic giving: Despite funding across multiple sectors, patterns show concentrated support for arts/culture, Jewish community, and human services
• Trustee discretion is key: Decisions are made based on board judgment of organizational effectiveness rather than competitive scoring or formal review processes
• Large grant potential: While grants range from $100 to $600,000, the foundation has demonstrated willingness to make transformational six-figure gifts to organizations it supports
• Relationship-based grantmaking: Success likely depends on the foundation's confidence in organizational leadership and track record, suggesting value in cultivation and relationship-building over time

References

• Cause IQ: Friedlander Family Fund Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/friedlander-family-fund,316023791/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Grantable: Friedlander Family Fund Foundation Profile & Grants. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/friedlander-family-fund-us-foundation-316023791 (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Friedlander Family Fund Form 990-PF Filings. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/316023791 (Accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory Online: Friedlander Family Fund. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=FRIE086 (Accessed January 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2023 and 2024