The Gessner Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Gessner Family Foundation is a private foundation in Columbus, Ohio. In tax year 2024 it gave $1.4 million in 28 grants; the typical grant was $37,125 and the largest $291,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$1.4 million
- Number of grants28
- Typical grant$37,125
- Largest grant$291,000
- Assets$31.5 million
- New grantees4%
Giving in 2024 was up from $1.3 million the year before.
4% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.3 million | 37 | $30.1 million |
| 2024 | $1.4 million | 28 | $31.5 million |
How to apply
The Gessner Family 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 The Gessner Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Ohio.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 24 | $1.4 million |
| South Carolina | 1 | $25,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $15,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $10,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity | Emergency mortgage subsidy program in western stark county & support for the massillon ohio tremont corridor habitat renewal project | $291,000 |
| Massillon Heritage Foundation | Historic preservation | $100,000 |
| Spring Hill Farm | Historic preservation | $100,000 |
| Stark Economic Development Board | For the professional office of "strengthening stark" | $100,000 |
| The Massillon Museum | General operations | $100,000 |
| St John's United Church of Christ | General operations | $75,000 |
| Boys' & Girls' Club of Massillon | Capital campaign and general operations | $60,000 |
| Stark State College Foundation | Ruth hess-williams scholarship | $60,000 |
| Akron Canton Regional Food Bank | General operations | $50,000 |
| Massillon Public Library | General operations | $50,000 |
| United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties | General operations | $50,000 |
| Friends of Massillon Public Library | General operations | $40,000 |
| Refuge of Hope Ministries | General operations | $40,000 |
| Jump Start Inc | Stark economic development plan | $38,750 |
| Massillon Cemetery Association | General operations | $35,500 |
| Beacon Charitable Pharmacy | General operations | $35,000 |
| Artful Living and Learning | For use in massillon city schools | $30,000 |
| Vantage Aging Meals on Wheels | General operations to be used in western stark county and wayne county | $30,000 |
| The Medical University of South Carolina | Support of a research fellow in rheumetology and imunology department | $25,000 |
| Kent State University Foundation | General operations in western stark county and wayne county | $20,000 |
| Kennedy Center | General operations | $15,000 |
| Starkfresh | General operations | $15,000 |
| A Place to Be | General operations | $10,000 |
| Boys' & Girls' Club of Wooster | General operations | $10,000 |
| Mountain Rescue Aspen Inc | General operations | $10,000 |
| Sam Center | General operations | $10,000 |
| Stark County Diaper Bank | General operations | $10,000 |
| Stark County Humane Society | General operations | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Susan R Gessner
- Robert B Gessner
- Elizabeth A McAllister
- Richard W Gessner Jr
- Larry McAllister
- Katherine Gessner
Questions people ask
Does The Gessner Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Gessner Family Foundation give?
$1.4 million in tax year 2024, across 28 grants, with a typical grant of $37,125.
Who runs The Gessner Family Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Susan R Gessner (President), Robert B Gessner (Treasurer), Elizabeth A McAllister (Secretary) and Richard W Gessner Jr (Director) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does The Gessner Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and community development.