OVERVIEW: The H.C.S. Foundation supports health, education, human services, religion and the arts in Ohio.
IP TAKE: The H.C.S. Foundation is an under the radar funder that funds throughout the Buckeye State. Even though this foundation does not have much of a web presence, it is an accessible grantmaker for groups in a wide variety of focus areas. However, the foundation does not provide much guidance about what it looks for in grant proposals, so applicants might consider calling or writing to introduce themselves before submitting a request.
PROFILE: Established in 1959, the H.C.S. Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the foundation of Harold C. Schott (1907-1977), who was a financier and industrialist who created a business empire in Cleveland and elsewhere in the Midwest. Schott and his brother owned multiple industrial companies, including Cleveland Pneumatic Tool, U.S. Air Compressor Co. and Champion Machine & Forging Co. The founder never married and was active with Catholic Charities during his lifetime. Today, the foundation funds local efforts for health, education, human services, religion and the arts.
Grants for Community Development
The H.C.S. Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, past tax records indicate that it funds a variety of different causes at the local level, including community development programs and human services organizations. The foundation has been a significant contributor to the United Way.
Previous grantees in this space include Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus, Santa Maria Community Services, The Children’s Home of Cincinnati Ohio, Starfire Council of Greater Cincinnati, Freestore-Foodbank, Last Mile Food Rescue, Women Helping Women of Hamilton County, and Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
According to recent 990s, the foundation’s support for education is primarily centered on elementary and secondary school students; however, some institutions of higher education and organizations that provide mentorship and other education services see support as well.
Accelerate Great Schools received a $1 million grant in 2020. Other past grant recipients include St Edward High School, Covington Catholic High School, Life Learning Center, Cristo Rey Columbus High School, Springer School and Center, Adopt a Class Foundation, Walnut Hills High School Alumni Foundation, Xavier University, and Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
Grants for Arts and Culture, and Arts Education
H.C.S. does not appear to have formal focus areas; however, tax records show that it gives consistently to area arts groups, including music, theater, visual arts, and arts education, as well as historical and cultural organizations.
Arts and culture grantees include Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Baseball Museum, The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education, ArtsWave, Cincinnati Fire Museum, and Taft Museum of Art.
Grants for Public Health and Access
The H.C.S. Foundation has a demonstrated interest in funding organizations that eliminate barriers to social and health care due to disabilities and chronic illnesses; however, it supports healthcare broadly as well. The Christ Hospital Foundation received grants for $2 million in both 2017 and 2022. Other grantees include Craig and Frances Lindner Center of Hope, Cincinnati Cancer Center, American Heart Association, and Good Samaritan Hospital Free Clinic.
Important Grant Details
Grants range between about $5,000 and $300,000. The most common amount is $50,000. The foundation gave over $8 million in grants in a recent year and held more than $188 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records.
Grantmaking primarily focuses on Ohio communities.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant requests from nonprofits.
It has a September 1 deadline for proposals.
Grantees will be notified in December.
Direct general questions to the staff at 216-781-3502.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
1801 E 9th St Ste 1105
Cleveland, OH 44114-3110
216-781-3502
