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Reinberger Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,098,471 (2023)
  • Decision Time: 1 month for LOI response; ~6 weeks for full proposal
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $125,000
  • Geographic Focus: Northeast Ohio (Cuyahoga County) and Franklin County (Columbus)
  • Total Assets: $59,759,570
  • Grants Awarded: 130 organizations in 2023

Contact Details

Address: 30000 Chagrin Blvd., #300, Cleveland, OH 44124

Contact: Karen Hooser, President
Phone: (216) 292-2790
Email: info@ReinbergerFoundation.org
Website: https://reinbergerfoundation.org/
Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=reinberger

Pre-Application Support: Organizations that have not received funding in the past 5 years are required to have a conversation with Karen Hooser before applying.

Overview

The Reinberger Foundation was established in 1968 by Clarence T. Reinberger and his wife Louise Fischer Reinberger. Clarence Reinberger began his business career in the 1920s as a pioneer in the automobile replacement parts field and became Chairman of the Board of Genuine Parts Company. Since beginning its grantmaking in 1970, the foundation has distributed over $138 million to the nonprofit community. The foundation's mission is "to help underserved individuals move toward self-sufficiency as well as to provide opportunities for enrichment in the communities we serve." Although the founders had no children, the foundation continues to be managed by several generations of the Reinberger family. In 2023, the trustees distributed $3,098,471 in grants to 130 organizations, with grant amounts ranging from $3,000 to $100,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates three primary grant programs with rotating annual cycles:

  • Education - LOIs accepted December 16 to March 14 annually. Supports schools and programs serving low-income populations both in and out of school time, adult education/literacy, and workforce development. Typical awards: $2,000 - $125,000.

  • Human Services - LOIs accepted April 15 to July 15 annually. Focuses on housing stability, food insecurity, and family violence programs. Typical awards: $2,000 - $125,000.

  • Arts, Culture & Humanities - LOIs accepted August 15 to November 17 annually. Supports museums, visual arts, performing arts, arts education, and public recreation. Typical awards: $2,000 - $125,000.

All programs use a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process followed by invitation to submit full proposals.

Priority Areas

Education:

  • Schools serving low-income populations
  • In-school and out-of-school time programs
  • Adult education and literacy
  • Workforce development

Human Services:

  • Housing stability initiatives
  • Food insecurity programs
  • Family violence support and prevention

Arts, Culture & Humanities:

  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Visual and performing arts
  • Arts education
  • Public recreation

Geographic Focus: Northeast Ohio with emphasis on Cuyahoga County, and Franklin County focusing on Columbus, Ohio. Note: For Education 2025, the foundation is not reviewing requests for the Akron area.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals - No grants are given to individuals
  • Geographic restrictions - Organizations must provide services within Ohio, specifically in designated counties
  • Multiple grants - Organizations typically receive only one grant per calendar year
  • Organizations without recent funding - While not excluded, organizations that haven't received funding in the past 5 years must have a conversation with the foundation before applying

The foundation has supported capital campaigns and endowments in the past, including endowing the Cleveland Orchestra's principal bass chair and supporting capital expansion initiatives.

Governance and Leadership

Karen R. Hooser, President - Joined her father, William C. Reinberger, as a trustee in 1992 and became president in 2009. She represents the foundation on the civic collaborative board of the Fund for Our Economic Future and received recognition as a Distinguished Citizen of the Western Reserve in 2011. Contact: (216) 292-2790 or info@ReinbergerFoundation.org.

Trustees: The board consists of four grandchildren of William Reinberger as well as one of his daughters, maintaining the family's multi-generational commitment to the foundation's mission.

William C. Reinberger (Trustee Emeritus, deceased 2019): Began his work in philanthropy in 1970 alongside his twin brother Robert. His career as an automotive engineer at TRW provided a strong counterbalance to his understanding of nonprofit institutions in Greater Cleveland. He served for over 45 years before moving to Trustee Emeritus in 2015.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a two-stage application process beginning with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI):

  1. Create an Account and Take Eligibility Quiz: Visit https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=reinberger
  2. Submit Letter of Inquiry: Complete the online LOI by the deadline for your program area
  3. Receive Email Confirmation: You will receive confirmation of submission
  4. Wait for Foundation Response: The foundation responds within one month of the LOI deadline
  5. Full Proposal (if invited): If requested, applicants have 1 month to prepare and submit a full proposal

Important Pre-Application Note: "Priority will be given to those organizations that have received support in the past 5 years, and if the foundation has not made a grant to an organization in the past 5 years they would like a conversation prior to application." Contact Karen Hooser at (216) 292-2790 or info@ReinbergerFoundation.org to discuss your request.

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Response: Within 1 month of the program deadline
  • Full Proposal Preparation: 1 month allowed
  • Full Proposal Response: Approximately 45 days from submission deadline
  • Grant Award: Organizations receive only one grant per calendar year

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation approved and/or distributed grants to 130 organizations. While specific application numbers are not publicly available, the foundation's preference for organizations with prior funding relationships suggests that success rates may be higher for previous grantees. The foundation made:

  • 2023: 129 awards
  • 2022: 133 awards
  • 2021: 139 awards

Reapplication Policy

Organizations generally receive only one grant per calendar year. Organizations that have not received funding in the past 5 years must contact the foundation for a conversation before applying. The foundation accepts reapplications from previously funded organizations and shows a clear preference for maintaining ongoing relationships with grantees.

Application Success Factors

Priority Given to Prior Grantees: The foundation explicitly states that "priority will be given to those organizations that have received support in the past 5 years." This indicates a strong preference for maintaining ongoing relationships with proven partners.

Required Pre-Application Conversation for New Applicants: Organizations without funding in the past 5 years must speak with Karen Hooser before applying. This conversation requirement serves as both a screening mechanism and an opportunity to build rapport. Use this conversation to:

  • Demonstrate alignment with the foundation's mission to help underserved individuals move toward self-sufficiency
  • Show clear evidence of serving populations in Cuyahoga or Franklin County
  • Explain your organization's track record and capacity

Mission Alignment is Critical: The foundation's mission focuses on helping "underserved individuals move toward self-sufficiency" and providing "opportunities for enrichment." Applications should clearly demonstrate how programs serve underserved populations and promote self-sufficiency or community enrichment.

Geographic Specificity Matters: The foundation has a clear geographic focus. Applications should demonstrate strong ties to and service delivery in Northeast Ohio (particularly Cuyahoga County) or Franklin County (Columbus area). Be aware of year-specific geographic priorities (e.g., Education 2025 excluded Akron area requests).

One Grant Per Year Limit: Organizations typically receive only one grant per calendar year. Applicants should carefully consider timing and which program to apply to, ensuring the request represents the organization's highest priority need.

Clear Program Categories: Applications should fit clearly within one of the three program areas (Education, Human Services, or Arts/Culture/Humanities) and align with the specific priorities listed for that category.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Relationship matters most: With explicit preference for organizations funded within the past 5 years, building and maintaining a relationship with the foundation is the most critical success factor. New applicants must initiate contact with Karen Hooser before applying.

  • Timing is strategic: Each program area has specific LOI windows that rotate annually. Plan ahead to submit during the appropriate window for your program type.

  • Focus on underserved populations: Applications must demonstrate clear service to underserved individuals and show how the program promotes self-sufficiency or community enrichment.

  • Geographic precision required: Ensure your organization provides services specifically within Cuyahoga County (Cleveland area) or Franklin County (Columbus area), and clearly articulate this in your application.

  • One shot per year: With only one grant per organization per calendar year, make your request count. Choose your highest priority program and ensure the ask is well-justified.

  • Response timeline is efficient: The foundation responds to LOIs within one month and to full proposals within approximately 45 days, making it a relatively quick decision-maker compared to many funders.

  • Pre-application conversation is mandatory for newcomers: If you haven't received funding in 5+ years, the required conversation with Karen Hooser is not optional. Prepare thoroughly for this conversation as it's your opportunity to make a first impression.

References

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