The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation

• The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation, based in St Louis, MO, supports a wide range of causes including cultural and arts institutions, museums, a zoo, parks, schools and universities, hospitals and health organisations, and social-service, child-welfare, youth, food-support and faith organisations, so many small nonprofits working in these fields across the United States could find their work fits.
• Most grant dollars have gone to Missouri, with St Louis organisations prominent, though organisations in other states have also received grants.
• A realistic request would sit in the $20,000 to $300,000 range, as about 8 in 10 of its 137 grants fall there, with a median grant of $50,000, though the largest grant was about $655,000.
• Applicants should prepare a complete proposal, including an application form and a two-page cover letter, by the June 1 deadline, with final grant decisions made by November 30.
• With 97% of its grant dollars going to organisations it had also funded previously, this looks like a relationship-led foundation where repeat applicants feature heavily, so bear this pattern in mind when deciding how to pitch a first approach; only charities outside the United States are told not to apply.

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

• Missouri Historical Society · General operating
  $531,5052024 tax year
• Forest Park Forever · General operating
  $500,0002024 tax year
• Saint Louis Zoo · General operating
  $450,0002024 tax year
• Micds · General operating
  $393,8072024 tax year
• Saint Luke's Health Corporation · General operating
  $393,8072024 tax year
• Missouri Botanical Garden · General operating
  $393,8072024 tax year
• Cardinal Glennon · General operating
  $250,0002024 tax year
• Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition · General operating
  $250,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.