Fifth Third Union Trust Co Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $22.6 million (2024)
• Assets: $13.3 million
• Decision Time: 4-5 months (application to award)
• Grant Range: Varies by program; Ohio Valley Foundation grants up to $25,000
• Geographic Focus: Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Piqua regions

Contact Details

Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank

• Website: 53.com/foundationoffice
• Email: foundationoffice@53.com
• Phone: Contact through Fifth Third Bank

Application Period: Typically October 1 - November 22 annually for grants awarded the following April

Overview

The Fifth Third Union Trust Co Foundation (EIN 31-6024135) was established in 1951 and is one of over 300 private and corporate foundations for which Fifth Third Bank serves as trustee, co-trustee, or agent. The foundation is part of the Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, which traces its roots to the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust established in 1903, making it one of the oldest foundation offices in the United States. In 2024, the foundation distributed $22.6 million in charitable grants, representing 99.4% of its expenses. The Foundation Office collectively grants over $30 million annually across all managed foundations. The foundation focuses on creating strong, vibrant communities and providing pathways to opportunity through support for education, arts and culture, community development, and health and human services programs in the Greater Cincinnati region and surrounding areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation participates in two main application processes administered by the Foundation Office:

• Regional Application: For organizations applying for grants from multiple foundations administered through The Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank. Grant amounts vary by foundation.

• Ohio Valley Foundation: Funds small equipment, technology, and capital improvement projects in the Ohio Valley region, with grants up to $25,000.

Application Method: Annual application period (typically October 1 - November 22) for grants awarded the following April.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports programs in the following areas:

• Education: Youth education programs, educational initiatives
• Arts and Culture: Arts organizations, cultural programs
• Community Development: Community reinvestment activities, programs that strengthen communities
• Health and Human Services: Healthcare services, human services programs, basic-needs organizations including shelters and counseling centers
• Financial Literacy: Programs promoting financial education
• Homeownership and Housing: Housing initiatives
• Job Creation: Employment and workforce development programs
• Environmental Projects: Nature conservation and environmental preservation
• Children and Youth: Programs beneficial to children and youth development

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Government or government agencies
• Public or private K-12 schools
• Athletic, band, and other booster clubs
• Events such as walks, runs, dinners, and galas

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by Fifth Third Bank, N.A., which serves as trustee. The bank's Foundation Office team reviews grant requests and manages the application process for over 300 private family foundations.

Trustee Compensation: The trustee (Fifth Third Bank N.A.) received $169,587 in compensation in 2024 for managing the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations that operate in Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Piqua and are designated under section 501(c)(3) and subsections 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), and 509(a)(3) Types I and II by the Internal Revenue Service.

Application Process:

1. Applications are accepted annually during a specific window (typically October 1 - November 22)
2. Organizations apply through the Foundation Office's online system at 53.com/foundationoffice
3. Applications submitted during this period are reviewed for grants to be awarded the following April
4. Organizations may apply only once within any 12-month period
5. Organizations can choose between the Regional Application (for general grants) or the Ohio Valley Foundation Application (for equipment, technology, and capital projects up to $25,000)

Decision Timeline

• Application Window: Approximately 7-8 weeks (October 1 - November 22)
• Review Period: November through March
• Award Notification: Grants awarded by April 1 (approximately 4-5 months from application submission)
• Total Timeline: Allow a minimum of 6-12 months for the complete grantmaking process from initial planning to award

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, in 2021, the Foundation Office made 356 awards across all managed foundations. In 2023, ten private family foundations in The Foundation Office awarded $6.9 million in grants.

Reapplication Policy

• Organizations may apply only once within any 12-month period
• Important: A waiting period of three years is required for prior grant recipients who received $10,000 or more from any funding source administered by The Foundation Office
• Organizations that received less than $10,000 may reapply after one year

Application Success Factors

Success in securing grants from foundations managed by the Foundation Office depends on several key factors:

Alignment with Foundation Priorities: Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed program aligns with the foundation's focus areas of education, arts and culture, community development, or health and human services. Many of the individual foundations managed by the Foundation Office have specific donor-identified interests, so understanding which foundation aligns best with your mission is crucial.

Geographic Fit: Organizations must operate in the Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, or Piqua regions. Projects should demonstrate clear benefit to these communities.

Organizational Readiness: Ensure your organization has proper 501(c)(3) designation under subsections 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) Types I and II before applying.

Program Over Events: The Foundation Office does not fund events such as walks, runs, dinners, or galas. Applications should focus on programmatic work with measurable outcomes.

Timing and Planning: With the application window opening in October and grants awarded in April, organizations should plan ahead. The Foundation Office recommends allowing 6-12 months for the complete grantmaking process.

Previous Grant Recipients: If your organization has received $10,000 or more from any foundation managed by The Foundation Office in the past three years, you are not eligible to apply. Track your grant history carefully to avoid ineligible applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Single Annual Application Window: Mark your calendar for the October 1 - November 22 application period. Missing this window means waiting another year.

• One Application Per Year Maximum: You can only apply once within any 12-month period, so make your application count. Choose carefully between the Regional Application and Ohio Valley Foundation application based on your project needs.

• Three-Year Waiting Period for Larger Grants: If you've received $10,000 or more from any Foundation Office-managed foundation, you must wait three years before reapplying.

• No Event Funding: Don't apply for walks, runs, galas, or other fundraising events. Focus on programmatic work.

• Geographic Restriction: Your organization must operate in Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, or Piqua. Projects outside these areas are not eligible.

• 4-5 Month Decision Timeline: Plan for grants awarded in April if you apply during the October-November window. Budget and program planning should account for this timeline.

• Multiple Foundations, One Application: The Regional Application allows your request to be considered by multiple foundations managed by the Foundation Office, increasing your chances of funding, but you won't know which specific foundation(s) will fund you.

References

• Fifth Third Bank Foundation Office website: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/personal-banking/about/in-the-community/foundation-office-at-fifth-third-bank.html (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Fifth Third Union Trust Co Foundation (EIN 31-6024135): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/316024135 (Accessed January 2026)
• Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank Grant Application Process announcement, October 2024: https://ir.53.com/news/news-details/2024/Foundation-Office-at-Fifth-Third-Bank-Grant-Application-Process-Open-from-Oct.-1--Nov.-22/default.aspx (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Fifth Third Union Trust Co Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/fifth-third-union-trust-co-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• Movers & Makers article "Fifth Third-managed foundations grant $6.5M," January 2023: https://moversmakers.org/2023/01/18/fifth-third-managed-foundations-grant-6-5m/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Contact email: foundationoffice@53.com