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Sauerland Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,260,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: Varies (Average: $34,286)
  • Geographic Focus: Ohio (emphasis on Cincinnati and Cleveland), with some national reach

Contact Details

Address: 600 Falls Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
Phone: (440) 247-2881
Email: Not publicly available
Website: No public website

Overview

The Sauerland Foundation was established in 1994 as a family foundation in Ohio and received tax-exempt status in December 1995. With current assets totaling approximately $28.8 million (2024), the foundation has experienced significant growth from around $3 million in 2015. The foundation is managed by three trustees—John, Paul, and Robert Sauerland, sons of Franz L. Sauerland and Elizabeth Ellen (Ivins) Sauerland. The foundation focuses on a wide range of charitable purposes including the environment, natural resources, philanthropy, science, public safety, crime prevention, community and economic development, housing development, and human services. While primarily focused on Ohio nonprofits, particularly in the Cincinnati and Cleveland areas, the foundation has supported initiatives across multiple U.S. states. The foundation has shown steady growth in its grantmaking, increasing from 18 awards in 2020 to 51 awards in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Sauerland Foundation operates as a private non-operating foundation making grants on an ongoing basis. There are no structured grant programs or tiers—each application is evaluated individually based on the charitable purpose.

  • General Charitable Grants: Average award of $34,286, with total annual giving of approximately $2.26 million distributed among 51 grants (2024 data)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis—no fixed deadlines

Priority Areas

  • Environment and natural resources
  • Philanthropy and voluntarism
  • Science and technology
  • Public safety and crime prevention
  • Community and economic development
  • Housing development
  • Human services
  • General charitable purposes

What They Don't Fund

The foundation requires applicants to be qualified charitable organizations under IRS regulations. Beyond this requirement, no specific restrictions or limitations on awards are publicly documented in their filings.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • John Sauerland: Serves as trustee. John has additional philanthropic involvement as a Board Trustee for the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. He has extensive experience in the insurance industry, serving as Chief Financial Officer at Progressive Insurance.
  • Paul Sauerland: Serves as trustee, based in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
  • Robert Sauerland: Serves as trustee, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

All three trustees contribute their time without compensation. The foundation maintains a lean operational structure with no paid officers or staff, directing 98.2% of its expenses directly to charitable disbursements.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Sauerland Foundation does not maintain a public website or formal online application portal. According to their tax filings, requests may be made by providing information regarding the charitable purpose and other pertinent information.

Application Requirements:

  • Must be a qualified charitable organization under IRS regulations
  • Provide information about the organization's charitable purpose
  • Include other pertinent information about the organization and proposed use of funds

Contact Method: Applications should be directed to the foundation at 600 Falls Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022, or by phone at (440) 247-2881.

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a rolling basis with no fixed application deadlines. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation has increased its grantmaking activity from 18 awards in 2020 to 51 awards in 2024, suggesting growing capacity and willingness to support more organizations.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions are documented. Organizations may submit requests as appropriate to their charitable needs.

Application Success Factors

As a private family foundation operating without a formal public application process, success likely depends on several factors:

Geographic Alignment: The foundation has stated emphasis on Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio, though they have supported organizations across multiple U.S. states. Ohio-based organizations, particularly those in the Cincinnati and Cleveland metropolitan areas, appear to be priority recipients.

Charitable Purpose Clarity: The foundation requires clear information about the charitable purpose of the organization and the specific use of funds. Applications should clearly articulate how the grant would support qualified charitable activities.

Qualified Charitable Status: Organizations must be recognized as qualified charities under IRS regulations (typically 501(c)(3) organizations).

Broad Mission Alignment: The foundation supports a wide range of charitable purposes rather than focusing narrowly on specific issues. Organizations working in environment, community development, human services, public safety, or other charitable areas may all be considered.

Relationship Building: As a family foundation without a formal application process, building awareness of your organization with the trustees may be beneficial, though specific guidance on this is not publicly available.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Family foundation with growing assets: The Sauerland Foundation has grown from $3 million (2015) to nearly $29 million (2024) in assets, with corresponding growth in the number of grants awarded annually.

  • No formal application deadlines: The foundation operates on a rolling basis, allowing organizations to apply when they have a specific need rather than waiting for annual deadlines.

  • Geographic preference for Ohio: While the foundation has supported organizations across multiple states, there is stated emphasis on Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Average grant size around $34,000: With 51 grants totaling $2.26 million in 2024, the average award was approximately $34,286, though individual grants may vary significantly.

  • Simple application requirements: The foundation asks for information about charitable purpose and other pertinent information, suggesting a relatively straightforward application process compared to foundations with extensive formal requirements.

  • High efficiency in grantmaking: With 98.2% of expenses going to charitable disbursements, the foundation maintains a lean operation focused on directing resources to charitable purposes.

  • Broad charitable interests: The foundation supports a wide range of causes rather than specializing in a narrow field, making it potentially accessible to diverse types of charitable organizations.

References

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