B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation
Preselected recipients only
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation is a private foundation in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. In tax year 2025 it gave $715,686 in 36 grants; the typical grant was $9,196 and the largest $140,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$715,686
- Number of grants36
- Typical grant$9,196
- Largest grant$140,000
- Assets$23.3 million
- New grantees36%
Giving in 2025 was down from $720,779 the year before.
36% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $938,372 | 33 | $16.6 million |
| 2024 | $720,779 | 40 | $17.4 million |
| 2025 | $715,686 | 36 | $23.3 million |
How to apply
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Ohio.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 29 | $674,536 |
| Florida | 3 | $26,000 |
| North Carolina | 3 | $13,900 |
| New York | 1 | $1,250 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Museum of Natural History | $130,000 transforming the world of discovery campaign$10,000 annual fund | $140,000 |
| Case Western Reserve University | Entrepreneurship through acquisition/weatherhead school of management ames family principle scholarship | $108,000 |
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation | Cleveland clinic children's signature event: $1,046.33ames family philanthropic fund: $100,000velosano: $1,000 | $102,046 |
| Hope Ignites Northeastern Oh (Boys Hope Girls Hope) | $42,900 drive fore hope$4,000 evening of hope$2,826 velosano$11,671 general | $61,397 |
| Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center | Fieldstone farm programs | $50,000 |
| Partnership Schools | General | $25,000 |
| University Hospitals | $25,000 palliative care and hospice fund | $25,000 |
| Cleveland State University Foundation | The ames family scholarship | $25,000 |
| Rescue Village | General | $17,000 |
| Hathaway Brown School | $1,000 unrestricted fund$1,250 faculty excellence fund$1,400 infant & toddler center$2,000 playground fund - lighting the way$10,000 ames principle scholarship fund | $15,650 |
| Hillcrest YMCA | $15,000 capital improvements to the roof | $15,000 |
| Johns's Island Foundation | General | $15,000 |
| Children's Hunger Alliance | General | $10,000 |
| Playhouse Square Foundation | General | $10,000 |
| Riverside Theatre | General | $10,000 |
| The Cleveland Museum of Art | General | $10,000 |
| Two Foundation | Annual appeal fund | $10,000 |
| Creative Living for Life | Ursuline sisters capital campaign | $10,000 |
| Western Reserve Land Conservancy | $2,215 general$3,000 construction of grimm's gazebo$3,178 white north | $8,393 |
| White Memorial Presbyterian Church | $1,000 general$2,000 weekday school$5,000 wds fundraiser | $8,000 |
| Wake Forest University | General | $5,500 |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | Ohio wesleyan fund - promise scholarship | $5,000 |
| Piano Cleveland | $2,500 a grand brunch gala fund the need$2,500 cleveland international piano competition | $5,000 |
| The Gathering Place | Operating support - annual fund campaign | $5,000 |
| Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center | Signs of growth campaign | $5,000 |
| Kent State University | 2026 annual fashion show - sponsorship | $3,800 |
| Rahab Ministries | General | $2,000 |
| Gesu Catholic School | Fall fundraiser | $1,700 |
| Colgate University Treasurers Office | The campaign for the third century | $1,250 |
| Gilmour Academy | Weber stadium renovation - turf and track replacement | $1,250 |
| Cleveland Ballet | General | $1,200 |
| Western Reserve Historical Society | American dream, immigrants and the business of fashion exhibit (costume wing) | $1,000 |
| Vero Beach Police Foundation Inc | Vero beach police k-9 memorial | $1,000 |
| Hockey Players in Business Inc | General | $1,000 |
| Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas | General | $400 |
| Kirtland Country Club Scholarship Fund | The kcc scholarship fund | $100 |
Officers and trustees
- Richard S Ames
- Cynthia Ames Huffman
- Camille Tighe
Questions people ask
Does B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation give?
$715,686 in tax year 2025, across 36 grants, with a typical grant of $9,196.
Who runs B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Richard S Ames (President), Cynthia Ames Huffman (Vice President and Secretary) and Camille Tighe (Trustee).
What does B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and arts and culture.