← Back to US Funders Directory

Unnewehr Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

Unnewehr Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,360,000 (2024 charitable disbursements)
  • Total Assets: $55.4M (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 91 grants awarded (2023)
  • Grant Range: Estimated $1,000 - $100,000+ (based on known grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Cincinnati, OH region
  • Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
5084 Wooster Rd Unit 100
Cincinnati, OH 45226-2392

EIN: 87-4782817

Note: This foundation does not appear to have a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Unnewehr Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2022 and granted tax-exempt status by the IRS in November 2022. Despite being newly formed, the foundation has substantial assets of $55.4 million and distributed $3.36 million in charitable disbursements in 2024. The foundation made 91 grants in 2023, totaling approximately $2.34 million.

The foundation appears to be connected to the Unnewehr family, which has deep roots in Cincinnati's German-American community. Mary Elizabeth Unnewehr serves as President, and the leadership includes multiple members of the Verkamp family, suggesting a multigenerational family foundation. The Unnewehr name has historical significance in Cincinnati philanthropy—Mary Elizabeth Unnewehr was the sister of the late Margaret Unnewehr Schott, former owner of the Cincinnati Reds, who established the prominent Marge & Charles J. Schott Foundation.

As a private family foundation, the Unnewehr Family Foundation appears to make grants based on trustee discretion rather than through a competitive public application process.

Funding Priorities

Known Grant Recipients

Based on available public records, the foundation has supported:

  • Santa Maria Community Services - $10,000 for general operating fund (Q4 2023)
    • Santa Maria serves Greater Cincinnati's Price Hill community, helping families attain educational, financial, and health goals

Geographic Focus

The foundation appears to focus primarily on the Greater Cincinnati, OH region, consistent with the family's historical ties to the area.

Potential Priority Areas

While the foundation has not published explicit funding priorities, the family's historical connection to Catholic education and German-American cultural institutions may inform their giving. The related Schott Foundation has supported:

  • Catholic education institutions
  • Community social services
  • Educational programs
  • German-American cultural preservation

Note: These are inferred patterns based on limited public information and family history. The Unnewehr Family Foundation has not published official funding priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Based on 2024 Form 990 filings, the foundation's officers include:

  • Mary Elizabeth Unnewehr - President (Compensation: $95,000)
  • John R. Verkamp - Treasurer (Compensation: $95,000)
  • Charles Verkamp - Vice President (Compensation: $95,000)
  • George Verkamp - Vice President (Compensation: $95,000)
  • Stephanie Midkiff - Secretary (Compensation: $95,000)

The Verkamp family has a long history in Cincinnati business and philanthropy. The Verkamp Corporation was founded in 1930 as a distributor of domestic and industrial gas, and family members have been active supporters of Xavier University and other Cincinnati institutions.

Earlier references (2023) also mentioned Frank Crane III and Carlotta C. Wider as trustees, though these individuals were not listed in the 2024 officer compensation data.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the trustees rather than through competitive applications from the general public.

The foundation made 91 grants in 2023, suggesting active grantmaking despite the lack of a formal application process. These grants likely go to organizations known to the trustees or identified through their networks and community involvement.

Decision Timeline

No public information is available regarding decision timelines, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applicants, as the foundation does not maintain an open application process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation operates through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Family foundation structure: Grants are likely awarded to organizations with existing relationships to the Unnewehr and Verkamp families
  • Substantial resources: With $55.4M in assets and $3.36M in annual giving, this is a well-resourced foundation despite being newly established
  • Cincinnati focus: Geographic emphasis appears to be the Greater Cincinnati region where the family has historical roots
  • Active grantmaking: Despite no public process, the foundation made 91 grants in 2023, demonstrating consistent charitable activity
  • Potential alignment: Organizations serving Catholic education, German-American cultural preservation, community social services, or Cincinnati-area causes may align with family interests based on historical patterns
  • Relationship-based: As with most private family foundations, building authentic relationships within Cincinnati's philanthropic community may be the only pathway to consideration

References

← Back to US Funders Directory