The Eric And Jane Nord Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $11,472,000 (2024)
Number of Grants: 32 awards (2024)
Average Grant Size: $358,500
Geographic Focus: Primarily Northeast Ohio (Oberlin, Lorain County, Cleveland area)
Foundation Type: Private foundation
Application Method: Invitation only (no unsolicited proposals accepted)

Contact Details

Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund

Address: P.O. Box 546, Oberlin, Ohio 44074
Phone: 440-774-3812
Fax: 440-774-8607
Email: info@ericjanenordfdn.org
Website: www.ericjanenordfnd.org
Tax Filing Address: 1650 Market St Ste 4000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7311

Overview

The Eric and Jane Nord Foundation (also known as the Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund) was established in 1984 in Ohio and is currently registered as a private foundation in Philadelphia, PA (EIN: 34-1465569). The foundation was created by Eric T. Nord (1917-2008), co-founder of Nordson Corporation, and his wife Jane Baker-Nord to support their philanthropic vision. Eric Nord served as President of Nordson from 1954 to 1974, growing it from a small local business to a publicly traded multinational corporation. Together, Eric and Jane were instrumental in creating four major philanthropic resources in northern Ohio: the Nord Family Foundation, the Nordson Corporation Foundation, the Eric and Jane Nord Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County. The foundation continues under the leadership of their daughters, Virginia "Gini" Nord Barbato (President of the Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund) and Emily McClintock. The foundation focuses on building "knowledge and capacity within our communities of place and concern," with significant support for education, the arts, environmental conservation, and social services. The foundation has received recognition through various awards, including Jane B. Nord receiving The Cleveland Orchestra's Distinguished Service Award in 2023 for her exceptional commitment to music education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund makes grants to organizations qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in four primary areas. Grant amounts vary significantly, from modest grants to major commitments in the millions:

Education: $3-8 million (major capital gifts and endowments for higher education, K-12 education programs, STEM initiatives)
Arts & Culture: $1.5-7 million (museum programs, orchestral education, arts education positions)
Environment: Grant amounts vary (specific grant sizes not publicly documented)
Social Services: Grant amounts vary (specific grant sizes not publicly documented)

Recent Major Commitments:

Case Western Reserve University (2025): $15 million split among three initiatives: $8 million for the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, $4 million for the Baker-Nord Institute for the Humanities, and $3 million for the Nord Family Emerging Scholars Program
Cleveland Orchestra (2023): $7 million to endow the Jane B. and Eric T. Nord Education Concerts in perpetuity and provide transportation subsidies for Title I school students
Pratt Institute (2025): $5 million for the Eric and Jane Nord Family Endowed Internship Fund
Lorain County Community College (2024): $5 million for the Eric & Jane Nord STEM Discovery Institute
Oberlin College: $1.5 million to endow the Curator of Education position at Allen Memorial Art Museum

Priority Areas

Education:

Higher education capital projects and endowments
K-12 education access and programming
STEM education and career preparation
Student financial support and internship opportunities
Education leadership positions and professional development

Arts:

Music education and youth concert programs
Museum education programs and curator positions
Arts access for underserved communities
Performance arts and cultural institutions

Environment:

Environmental conservation initiatives
Organizations addressing environmental concerns

Social Services:

Community-based social service programs
Organizations serving community needs

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership and board members. This means organizations cannot apply directly without an established relationship or invitation from the foundation.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

Virginia "Gini" Nord Barbato: President of the Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund; daughter of Eric and Jane Nord; serves on multiple prestigious boards including Chair of Cleveland Museum of Art Board of Trustees, Case Western Reserve University Board of Trustees, Frick Collection, Metropolitan Opera, Cleveland Orchestra, and Ideastream Public Media
Jane Baker-Nord: Co-founder (with late husband Eric T. Nord); continues active involvement in philanthropic activities; recipient of Cleveland Orchestra's Distinguished Service Award (2023)
Emily McClintock: Daughter of Eric and Jane Nord; member of Oberlin College Board of Trustees; involved in foundation governance

Foundation Legacy: The foundation is connected to the broader Nord family philanthropic network, which includes the Nord Family Foundation (separate entity serving Lorain County, Ohio). Thomas McClintock is also involved in Nord Family Foundation governance.

About the Founders: Eric T. Nord (1917-2008) was a mechanical engineer from Case Institute of Technology who co-founded Nordson Corporation in 1954 with his brother Evan and father Walter. Under his leadership as President (1954-1974) and later Chairman and CEO, Nordson grew from less than $1 million in annual sales to a multinational corporation. Eric was granted more than 25 U.S. patents for his inventions. Eric and Jane Nord's philanthropic vision resulted in more than $100 million of support for charitable and educational causes, particularly in northern Ohio. Oberlin College awarded Eric an honorary Doctor of Science Degree for his contributions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

According to the foundation's official website: "The Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund does not consider unsolicited grant proposals."

All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations through the discretion of the foundation's leadership and board members. Organizations cannot submit applications directly without being solicited by the foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

The Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund identifies grantees through pre-existing relationships and the network connections of their board members. Specific pathways include:

Board Connections: The foundation's leadership serves on numerous prestigious boards, which provides insight into potential relationship-building opportunities:

Virginia "Gini" Nord Barbato serves on boards of: Cleveland Museum of Art (Chair), Case Western Reserve University, Frick Collection, Metropolitan Opera, Cleveland Orchestra, and Ideastream Public Media
Emily McClintock serves on: Oberlin College Board of Trustees
Jane Baker-Nord maintains long-standing relationships with Cleveland Orchestra and Oberlin College

Geographic and Institutional Focus: The foundation has demonstrated a strong preference for:

Organizations in Northeast Ohio (Oberlin, Lorain County, Cleveland area)
Institutions with which the Nord family has historical connections (Oberlin College, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Orchestra)
Higher education institutions with strong STEM or humanities programs
Cultural institutions focused on education and community access

Documented Relationship Development: The foundation's giving history shows they build long-term relationships with organizations rather than making one-time grants. For example, their support for Cleveland Orchestra included multiple gifts over time: 2013 ($2.25 million education endowment), 2019 (Education Concert Access Fund), 2022 (Jane B. and Eric T. Nord Education Fund), 2023 ($7 million education concerts endowment), and 2024 (Education Leadership and Internship Fund).

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, as grants are made at the discretion of foundation leadership rather than through scheduled application cycles. Given the foundation's focus on major institutional gifts and endowments, grant commitments likely involve extended discussion and relationship development periods.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. All grants are made through invitation only.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no public application process. Organizations develop ongoing relationships with the foundation over time rather than submitting periodic applications.

Application Success Factors

While this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals clear preferences that could inform relationship-building strategies:

Institutional Priorities:

Education-Focused: Nearly all major grants emphasize educational outcomes - whether supporting student access, endowing faculty positions, or creating education programs within arts institutions
Endowment Preference: The foundation consistently funds endowed positions and programs that create lasting institutional capacity (Curator of Education at Oberlin, Vice President of Education at Cleveland Orchestra, professorships at Case Western Reserve)
Capital and Infrastructure: Significant support for capital projects that enable educational missions (CWRU's Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, Lorain County Community College's STEM Discovery Institute)

Target Beneficiaries:

Student Access: Strong focus on removing barriers for students, particularly through transportation subsidies, free concert access for Title I schools, and internship funding for unpaid opportunities
K-12 and Youth: Major investments in programs serving young people (Cleveland Orchestra education concerts reaching 45,000 students annually)
Higher Education: Preference for supporting undergraduate and graduate education through scholarships, internships, and enhanced learning environments

Geographic and Relationship Factors:

Northeast Ohio Focus: Overwhelming majority of grants benefit Oberlin, Lorain County, and Cleveland area organizations
Long-term Relationships: Pattern of multiple gifts to the same institutions over decades (Cleveland Orchestra, Case Western Reserve, Oberlin College)
Family Connections: Eric Nord graduated from Case Institute of Technology (now CWRU); family has deep roots in Oberlin and northern Ohio

Naming Recognition: The foundation's major gifts typically result in named programs, positions, or facilities (Jane B. and Eric T. Nord Education Concerts, Eric and Jane Nord Family Professorship, Eric & Jane Nord STEM Discovery Institute, Eric and Jane Nord Family Endowed Internship Fund).

Foundation's Own Words: The foundation emphasizes building "knowledge and capacity within our communities of place and concern," reflecting Eric and Jane Nord's commitment to community service and institutional strengthening.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation Only: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals - all grants are made through pre-existing relationships and at the discretion of foundation leadership
Northeast Ohio Priority: Geographic focus is heavily concentrated in Oberlin, Lorain County, and Cleveland area - organizations outside this region are unlikely prospects
Education is Central: Virtually all grants have an educational component, whether supporting student access, endowing education positions, or funding educational programming
Think Long-term and Large-scale: The foundation favors endowments and capital projects over annual operating support, with major grants ranging from $1.5-15 million
Board Networks Matter: Foundation leadership serves on boards of major cultural and educational institutions - these existing relationships appear to drive grantmaking decisions
Student Access and Equity: Strong preference for programs that remove financial barriers for students, particularly those from underserved communities
Institutional Capacity Building: Focus on endowed positions, infrastructure, and programs that create lasting institutional change rather than short-term projects

References

Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund Official Website. "About the Fund." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.ericjanenordfnd.org/
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "The Eric And Jane Nord Foundation." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/341465569
Grantmakers.io. "Profile - The Eric and Jane Nord Foundation." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/341465569-the-eric-and-jane-nord-foundation/
Instrumentl. "The Eric and Jane Nord Foundation | 990 Report." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-eric-and-jane-nord-foundation
Case Western Reserve University. "Nord family commits $15M to Case Western Reserve." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://thedaily.case.edu/nord-family-commits-15m-to-case-western-reserve/
Crain's Cleveland Business. "Cleveland Orchestra announces $7M gift from Jane B. Nord and the Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund." March 2023. https://www.crainscleveland.com/arts-entertainment/7m-gift-cleveland-orchestra-will-fund-student-education-concerts
Oberlin College and Conservatory. "The Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Donates $1.5 Million to Endow Curator of Education Position at Allen Memorial Art Museum." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.oberlin.edu/news/eric-jane-nord-family-fund-donates-15-million-endow-curator-education-position-allen-memorial
Lorain County Community College. "Lorain County Community College Foundation Celebrates $5 Million Gift to Establish Eric & Jane Nord STEM Discovery Institute." 2024. https://www.lorainccc.edu/newsroom/lorain-county-community-college-foundation-celebrates-5-million-gift-to-establish-eric-jane-nord-stem-discovery-institute/
Pratt Institute. "The Nord Family Establishes Pratt's First Endowed Fund to Support Student Internships." 2025. https://www.pratt.edu/news/the-nord-family-establishes-pratts-first-endowed-fund-to-support-student-internships/
Nordson Corporation. "Nordson's History | Founded in 1954." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.nordson.com/en/about-us/our-history
MarketScreener. "NORDSON CORP: Entrepreneur, Inventor, Industrialist and Philanthropist Eric T. Nord Passes Away." June 20, 2008. https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/NORDSON-CORPORATION-10175/news/NORDSON-CORP-Entrepreneur-Inventor-Industrialist-and-Philanthropist-Eric-T-Nord-Passes-Away-528971/
Cleveland Museum of Art. "The Cleveland Museum of Art Names Virginia 'Gini' Barbato Chair of the Board of Trustees." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.clevelandart.org/about/press/cleveland-museum-art-names-virginia-gini-barbato-chair-board-trustees
Nord Family Foundation. "Trustees." Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.nordff.org/trustees