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The Aultman Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.0M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.0M
Decision Time
5mo

The Aultman Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately $40,000-$50,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 4-6 months (applications Jan-Feb, decisions summer)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $15,000
  • Geographic Focus: Carroll, Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties in Ohio

Contact Details

Website: https://aultmanfoundation.org

Grants Contact: Benjamin Alderfer, Grants Officer

Main Office: Aultman Health Foundation 2600 Sixth Street SW Canton, OH 44710

Overview

The Aultman Foundation was established in May 2007 by Aultman Health Foundation to raise and administer funds supporting education and wellness outreach programming that improves community health. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed $2.38 million in grants to area nonprofits. The foundation operates as part of the broader Aultman Health System, which has served northeast Ohio for over 130 years. Under the leadership of President and CEO Rob Mullen (appointed July 2024) and Board Chair Shannon English-Hexamer, the foundation focuses its strategic grant-making on two priority areas: access to healthcare and mental health services. The foundation is governed by a community-based board that includes healthcare professionals, business leaders, and community advocates, emphasizing local accountability and responsiveness to regional health needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates one annual grant program with applications accepted January 1 - February 28 each year. Recent grant cycles have awarded:

  • 2025: $49,583 to 11 organizations
  • 2024: $39,168 to 4 organizations
  • 2022: $50,000 to 14 organizations

Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $15,000, with most awards falling between $3,000 and $5,000.

Priority Areas

The foundation currently focuses on two strategic priority areas:

Access to Healthcare: Programs and services that expand community access to high-quality, affordable, holistic, and culturally relevant healthcare, including initiatives that improve coordination of care to ensure equitable access.

Mental Health Services: Access to mental health care programs, substance use disorder services, and suicide prevention initiatives.

Recent funded projects include:

  • QPR suicide prevention training programs
  • Free and low-cost medication access through charitable pharmacies
  • Counseling services for first responders
  • Primary care expansion in underserved communities
  • Transportation services for cancer patients
  • Addiction recovery housing
  • Equine therapy programs
  • Human trafficking victim support
  • Pediatric care coordination

What They Don't Fund

The foundation typically does not fund:

  • Capital projects or building campaigns
  • Endowments
  • Fundraising events or sponsorships
  • Direct support to individuals
  • Food, clothing, or housing assistance programs
  • Utility assistance
  • Projects outside their five-county service area
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Chair: Shannon English-Hexamer
Vice Chair: Dan Flowers
Secretary & Treasurer: Tia Cernava
Women's Board President: Carman D'Agostino

Board Members: Eric Belden, Evrim Fulmer, Mario Giganti, Anthony Lapinto, Rob Mullen (Aultman Health System President & CEO), Greg Luntz, Kevin Pete, Diane Robinson, Dr. Sabrina Shilad, Ryan Stenger, Tom Winkhart

Key Leadership

Rob Mullen, President & CEO, Aultman Health System
Mullen assumed leadership of Aultman Health System in July 2024, bringing 15 years of experience with AultCare and Aultman in legal affairs, risk management, and strategy, plus 15 years serving the U.S. House of Representatives. A native of the Canton area, Mullen emphasizes community accountability and mission-driven decision-making.

Key quotes from Mullen:

  • "We remain committed to our mission to our community by remaining independent and committed to our patients, employer groups, enrollees, students and team members."
  • "We'll build on the success and momentum that Rick has had, but particularly we'll continue our efforts to stay independent with our accountability and service to the community."

Benjamin Alderfer, Grants Officer
Alderfer serves as the primary contact for grant inquiries and manages the application process.

Foundation Values

Former Board Chair Jeaneen McDaniels stated: "These annual grant awards are critical to Aultman's mission and our 130-year commitment to our community."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Window: January 1 - February 28 (annually)

Application Method:

  1. Download the TAF Grant Application from aultmanfoundation.org/home/grants/apply/
  2. Complete the application form with required attachments
  3. Email to grants@aultman.com during the January-February submission window

Application Limit: Organizations may submit one grant application request per year to be considered for funding in that year.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, organizations must:

  • Hold 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS
  • Address at least one priority area (Access to Healthcare or Mental Health Services)
  • Impact one or more of the five counties: Carroll, Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas, or Wayne

Decision Timeline

  • Application Period: January 1 - February 28
  • Review Period: March - June
  • Decision Announcement: Summer (typically June-September)
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 4-6 months from submission to decision

Funding decisions are made by The Aultman Foundation Board of Directors during their summer meeting. Applicants are notified of decisions via email.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose its success rate or the total number of applications received. Based on recent grant cycles:

  • 2025: 11 organizations funded
  • 2024: 4 organizations funded
  • 2022: 14 organizations funded

The foundation notes that it receives multiple requests annually and is unable to fulfill every request.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply annually. The foundation welcomes applications from previous grantees as well as new organizations. There is no indicated waiting period for unsuccessful applicants to reapply.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities

The foundation has narrowed its focus to two specific priority areas—Access to Healthcare and Mental Health Services. Successful applications clearly demonstrate how proposed projects address one or both of these priorities within the defined service area.

Recent Funding Patterns

Analysis of 2022, 2024, and 2025 grant awards reveals successful projects include:

Mental Health & Wellness:

  • Suicide prevention training (QPR programs)
  • Counseling services for specific populations (first responders, trauma survivors)
  • Social-emotional learning programs
  • Peer support groups
  • Expressive arts therapy for youth

Access to Care:

  • Mobile healthcare services
  • Free/low-cost medications
  • Primary care expansion
  • Transportation to medical appointments
  • Pediatric care coordination
  • Services for underserved/vulnerable populations

Vulnerable Populations Focus: Many funded projects specifically serve homeless populations, human trafficking victims, at-risk youth, veterans, uninsured individuals, and minority communities.

Project Specificity

Successful applications demonstrate clear, specific project goals rather than general operating support. Applications should detail:

  • Specific services or programs to be funded
  • Target population and number to be served
  • Measurable outcomes
  • Connection to community health needs in the five-county area

Community Health Impact

The foundation's mission emphasizes community health improvement. Successful applications show direct impact on health outcomes and address documented community health needs in northeast Ohio.

Modest Budget Requests

Given the foundation's annual giving of approximately $40,000-$50,000 distributed across multiple organizations, successful requests typically fall in the $2,000-$15,000 range, with most grants between $3,000-$5,000.

Special Recognition

The foundation awards the Vicki Haines Legacy Award to one grantee organization whose project enhanced lives and displayed excellence of service. Recent recipients include the Viola Startzman Clinic (2023) and Tuscarawas Clinic for the Working Uninsured (2022).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply within the narrow window: The strict January 1 - February 28 application period requires advance planning. Late applications are not accepted.

  • Demonstrate clear alignment: With only two priority areas (Access to Healthcare and Mental Health Services), applications must explicitly show how the project addresses these specific focus areas.

  • Geographic specificity matters: Projects must serve residents of Carroll, Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas, or Wayne counties. Be specific about which counties and how many residents will benefit.

  • Keep budget requests modest: With typical grants of $3,000-$5,000 and annual giving around $40,000-$50,000 total, request amounts that are proportionate to the foundation's capacity.

  • Focus on vulnerable populations: Recent funding patterns show strong support for projects serving homeless individuals, trauma survivors, at-risk youth, uninsured populations, and other underserved communities.

  • Be patient with timeline: With decisions made in summer (4-6 months after submission), plan project timelines accordingly and don't expect immediate funding.

  • One application per year: Choose your strongest project that aligns with priorities rather than submitting multiple proposals.

References

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