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The R.C. Durr Foundation, Inc.

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M
Decision Time
3mo

The R.C. Durr Foundation, Inc.

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,869,645 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $85.9M (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 126 grants (2023)
  • Grant Range: $545 - $547,000
  • Median Grant: $9,000
  • Decision Time: Within 90 days
  • Geographic Focus: Northern Kentucky (12 counties)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.durrfoundation.com/

Application Contact:

Mailing Address:

  • 541 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 500
  • Crescent Springs, KY 41017

Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=durr

Note: The foundation does not accept telephone inquiries.

Overview

The R.C. Durr Foundation was established in September 1993 by R.C. Durr (1919-2007), a successful entrepreneur, lifelong Northern Kentucky resident, and quiet philanthropist. The foundation was permanently endowed upon Durr's death in May 2007. Since 2007, the foundation has distributed more than $25 million across over 1,100 grants to improve the quality of life in Northern Kentucky. The foundation focuses on education, social services, and community development, with secondary consideration for public healthcare initiatives. In 2023, the foundation awarded $3.87 million across 126 grants, with assets totaling $85.9 million. The foundation operates with a three-member board that meets quarterly to review applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with year-round rolling applications:

  • Primary Focus Areas: Education, social services, and community development ($545 - $547,000 range)
  • Secondary Focus: Public healthcare in the Northern Kentucky region
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via online portal, with pre-application summary required

Project Preferences: The foundation gives preference to specific projects or programs over general operating or capital campaigns. Priority is given to initiatives that are:

  • New or innovative
  • Measurable with stated goals
  • Demonstrate effectiveness and innovation
  • Serve as models for others
  • Show evidence of collaboration
  • Demonstrate long-term viability

Priority Areas

Education: Scholarships and educational programs

Social Services:

  • Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation programs
  • Services for children and elderly individuals
  • Support for people with developmental disabilities
  • Medical and dental care for low-income populations

Community Development: Programs that enhance quality of life in Northern Kentucky

Healthcare: Public health services (secondary consideration)

Religious Organizations: Community-serving programs by religious organizations are eligible

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly will NOT support:

  • Individual grants
  • Political causes or candidates
  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or national origin
  • Grants to other foundations or endowments
  • Fundraising events, sponsorships, and benefit activities
  • Raffle tickets or advertising purchases
  • Capital projects (buildings/infrastructure)

Geographic Limitation: Must serve one or more of the twelve Northern Kentucky counties: Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Mason, Owen, Pendleton, and Robertson

Governance and Leadership

Board Structure: Three-member board that meets quarterly to consider grant requests

Wilbert L. Ziegler – President & CEO

Ziegler has directed the foundation since its establishment in 1993. He served as R.C. Durr's attorney for almost 40 years and was instrumental in forming the foundation from a legal perspective. When Durr established the foundation, he appointed Ziegler, himself, and Robert Zapp (a well-known retired Kentucky banker) to the board. Upon Durr's death in 2007, Ziegler was elected President of the Board of Directors.

Ziegler is the President and senior member of Ziegler & Schneider, P.S.C. law firm in Northern Kentucky. He is a lifelong Northern Kentucky resident with extensive civic involvement, having served on boards including BAWAC, Inc., New Perceptions, Inc., University of Cincinnati, Inc., Thomas More University, Northern Kentucky Independent Health District, and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (past president). He resides in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.

Robert Zapp - Board member (retired banker)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis year-round through a two-step process:

Step 1: Pre-Application Submit a 1-page pre-application summary proposal to Jean H. Mize at JMize@DurrFoundation.com. This preliminary step helps determine alignment with foundation goals before investing time in a full application.

Step 2: Full Application Once invited, applicants complete a full application via the online portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=durr. Applications can be saved and edited before submission, but cannot be accessed after final submission.

Required Documentation:

  • Organization name, executive contact, address, phone, and email
  • IRS 501(c)(3) designation letter (for private nonprofits)
  • Board member list and executive summary
  • Detailed project budget
  • Implementation schedule
  • Evaluation methods (when appropriate)
  • List of all other funding sources and amounts

Eligibility: Limited to private non-profit organizations and public tax-exempt organizations operating under IRC Section 501(c)(3).

Decision Timeline

  • Review Process: Applications are reviewed upon receipt and compared against organizational mission and funding priorities
  • Response Time: Normally within 90 days
  • Board Meetings: Quarterly
  • Notification: Approved proposals advance to board meetings; others receive decline letters. Successful applicants receive commitment letters.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation accepts applications year-round on a rolling basis. Organizations may reapply; however, specific waiting periods for declined applications are not publicly stated. The foundation reviews each application on its merits regardless of previous submission history.

Application Success Factors

Pre-Application Strategy: The required 1-page pre-application summary is a critical screening tool. Use this opportunity to clearly and concisely demonstrate alignment with the foundation's mission and funding priorities before investing time in a full application.

Project Focus Over Operations: The foundation explicitly states that "specific projects or programs otherwise meeting the guidelines are given preference over general operating or capital campaigns." Applications should focus on discrete, measurable projects rather than general operating support.

Innovation and Measurability: Priority is given to projects that are new or innovative with clearly stated, measurable goals. Applications should demonstrate how the project will be evaluated and how outcomes will be measured.

Collaboration and Sustainability: Strong applications demonstrate collaboration with other organizations and show evidence of long-term viability beyond the grant period. The foundation looks for projects that can serve as models for others.

Geographic Specificity: Clearly articulate which of the twelve eligible Northern Kentucky counties will be served and how the project will improve quality of life in those communities.

Recent Grant Examples (2022 data provides insight into funding patterns):

  • Kentucky 4-H Foundation: $547,000
  • Thomas More University: $503,000
  • Master Provisions Inc: $500,000
  • Children's Home of Northern Kentucky: $388,000
  • Dinsmore Homestead Foundation: $330,000

These examples show the foundation supports both large institutions and community-based programs, with significant variation in grant amounts.

Trustee Discretion: The foundation's guidelines note that "trustees reserve discretion to consider compelling proposals outside stated guidelines," suggesting that exceptionally strong applications may receive consideration even if they don't perfectly fit standard criteria.

No Telephone Inquiries: The foundation does not accept telephone inquiries. All contact must be via email through Jean H. Mize, emphasizing the importance of clear written communication.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start with the pre-application: The 1-page summary to Jean H. Mize is your screening opportunity—make it count by clearly demonstrating alignment with Northern Kentucky quality of life improvements
  • Focus on specific projects: General operating support and capital campaigns are explicitly deprioritized; frame your request around a discrete, innovative program with measurable outcomes
  • Demonstrate long-term thinking: Show evidence of sustainability beyond the grant period and potential for collaboration or serving as a model for other organizations
  • Know your geography: You must serve one or more of the twelve specified Northern Kentucky counties—be explicit about which counties benefit and how
  • Wide grant range allows flexibility: With grants ranging from $545 to $547,000 (median $9,000), the foundation supports projects of varying sizes—tailor your request to actual project needs
  • 90-day timeline: Plan for a three-month decision window from submission to response
  • Written communication only: No phone calls accepted—all inquiries and applications must be submitted via email or the online portal

References

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