The Veale Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $7,342,850 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $10,000 - $20,000,000
Average Grant: $141,209
Geographic Focus: Primarily Northeast Ohio (with some support extending to DC, FL, GA, IN, ME, NY)
Total Assets: $121 million+

Contact Details

Address: 30195 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 310, Pepper Pike, OH 44124

Phone: (216) 255-3166

Email: programs@vealefound.org (for Youth Entrepreneurship Forum inquiries)

Overview

The Veale Foundation was established in 1964 by Harriet and Tinkham Veale with a mission to improve the quality of life for others by making charitable donations primarily to organizations located in Northeast Ohio. The foundation honors the legacy of Tinkham Veale II (Case Institute of Technology '37), a successful businessman and philanthropist who, in the 1960s, co-founded Alco Standard Corporation, which specialized in acquiring small companies and helping them succeed through strategic capital and direction. With assets exceeding $121 million, the foundation distributed approximately $7.3 million across 52 grants in 2023, with a median grant of $10,000. The foundation's strategic approach emphasizes entrepreneurship, healthcare transformation, education, and community development. Under the leadership of Chairman Daniel P. Harrington, the foundation has demonstrated a commitment to systemic change, particularly in healthcare innovation and youth entrepreneurship development. The Veale family and foundation have contributed more than $76 million to Case Western Reserve University alone, supporting multiple facilities including an entrepreneurship institute, university center, and athletic facilities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Institutional Grants: $100,000 - $20,000,000 The foundation makes transformational gifts to major institutions, particularly in Northeast Ohio. These grants support strategic initiatives in healthcare transformation, education, and infrastructure development.

Youth Entrepreneurship Grants: Typically $10,000 - $130,000 Grants to high schools and organizations supporting entrepreneurship education programs through the Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum (VYEF). Established in 2012, VYEF now reaches 7,000 students annually at 22 different private and public high schools.

General Charitable Grants: $10,000 - $300,000 Support for established nonprofit organizations in Northeast Ohio working in education, human services, civic and community development, and healthcare.

Application Method: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are awarded at the discretion of trustees.

Priority Areas

Healthcare Transformation: A primary focus area emphasizing value-based care, technology innovation, and systemic improvements to reduce costs, enhance quality, and eliminate waste. Recent major commitments include $23.5 million to University Hospitals for healthcare transformation initiatives.

Youth Entrepreneurship: Supporting high school entrepreneurship education through VYEF, which provides competitions, workshops, field trips, internships, and market opportunities for students. The program aims to position Northeast Ohio as a leader in high school entrepreneurial development.

Higher Education: Substantial support for Case Western Reserve University and other regional universities, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship, engineering, and science. Recent commitments include $20 million for CWRU's Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building.

Human and Social Services: General support for nonprofit organizations serving community needs in Northeast Ohio.

Civic and Community Development: Support for initiatives that strengthen communities and contribute to regional economic development.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's geographic focus is primarily Northeast Ohio, with limited support extending to other states.

Governance and Leadership

Daniel P. Harrington serves as Chairman of The Veale Foundation. All trustees serve without compensation.

Harrington has articulated the foundation's vision, stating that healthcare transformation initiatives align with "the vision Tink Veale had for his foundation and Northeast Ohio." Regarding the foundation's healthcare work, he noted: "Healthcare transformation is challenging and complex, but UH knows that it is work worth doing," expressing enthusiasm about "the impact – both quantitative and qualitative" achieved through the foundation's healthcare initiatives.

The foundation operates on the principle established in 1964 of improving the quality of life for the citizens of Northeast Ohio, with particular emphasis on entrepreneurship as reflected in Tinkham Veale II's legacy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Veale Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees based on alignment with the foundation's mission and strategic priorities.

The foundation identifies grant recipients through:

Pre-existing relationships with major institutions in Northeast Ohio
Strategic initiatives aligned with the founder's vision
Invitation-only opportunities identified by trustees
Established partnerships, particularly in healthcare and education sectors

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model rather than an application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations on the Foundation's Radar:

Alignment with Tinkham Veale II's Legacy: Projects that embody entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and strategic thinking resonate with the foundation's core values. As Chairman Harrington noted, initiatives should align with "the vision Tink Veale had for his foundation and Northeast Ohio."

Northeast Ohio Impact: The foundation prioritizes organizations and initiatives that directly improve quality of life in Northeast Ohio and contribute to regional economic development and human capital retention.

Transformational Potential: The foundation's major grants demonstrate a preference for systemic change over incremental improvements. Recent examples include the $23.5 million commitment to University Hospitals for healthcare transformation and $20 million to CWRU for an interdisciplinary science and engineering building.

Focus on Youth and Entrepreneurship: Organizations working in high school entrepreneurship education have clear opportunities through the Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum network. Programs that help students develop entrepreneurial mindsets, business skills, and real-world experience align with core priorities.

Healthcare Innovation: Projects addressing healthcare's "largest issues with technology and innovation," particularly those focused on value-based care, cost reduction, quality enhancement, and waste elimination, align with stated priorities.

Multi-Year Impact Vision: The foundation's major commitments suggest they value long-term, sustained impact over short-term projects. The $23.5 million to University Hospitals includes multiple phases of support over time.

Recent Grant Examples:

University Hospitals: $5 million (2023) for general fund; $10 million for Veale Healthcare Transformation Institute (multi-year)
Case Western Reserve University: $1.3 million (2023) for Veale Institute & Engineering School; $20 million commitment for Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building
Youth Opportunities Unlimited: $130,000 for E CITY participation in VYEF
Lake Ridge Academy: $10,000 for Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process exists - The foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model with invitation-only grantmaking. Building relationships with trustees and being visible in Northeast Ohio philanthropic circles is essential.
Geographic focus is critical - While some out-of-state grants are made, the foundation's primary commitment is to improving quality of life in Northeast Ohio. Organizations outside this region should not expect funding.
Entrepreneurship is central - Whether in healthcare innovation, youth education, or higher education, the entrepreneurial spirit of Tinkham Veale II permeates the foundation's priorities. Frame proposals around innovation, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial approaches.
Think transformational, not incremental - The foundation's grant range ($10,000 to $20 million) and major commitments suggest they're interested in systemic change and transformational impact rather than small programmatic support.
Healthcare transformation is a major priority - The $23.5 million commitment to University Hospitals signals sustained interest in healthcare innovation, particularly value-based care models and technology-driven solutions.
Youth entrepreneurship has an established pathway - High schools in Northeast Ohio can engage through the Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum, which provides a structured approach to accessing foundation support for entrepreneurship education.
Long-term relationships matter - Major grant recipients like Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals have received multiple gifts over many years, suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships with proven impact.

References

All sources accessed December 23, 2025