The Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation is seeking applications for its grant program.
Donor Name: Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation Grant
State: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/15/2026
Size of the Grant: More than $100 Million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation is a Charitable Trust established in 2004 by Elsa Heisel Sule, a native of Northern Kentucky. It is an independent philanthropic foundation that makes grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies that have qualified charitable purposes, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, primarily in the tri-state areas of Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.
Focus Areas
Priorities
- The foundation is committed to providing financial support to agencies whose operating budget does not exceed 10 million
- The foundation prefers to fund programs and projects as compared to capital campaigns. If you are seeking funding for a capital campaign it is recommended to reach out to foundation staff prior to submission.
- The board values organizations that prioritize employee well being and the ability to receive a living wage. They will fund salaries.
- They will not consider funding for any group that discriminates on the basis of age, race, nationality, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, or religious beliefs.
- The board considers the agency’s ability to show diverse funding and revenue sources for the organization and for the program or project that you seek funding.
- The board values an agency’s active Board of Directors functions at a governing level and that financially contributes and is diverse in terms of skills, demographics, gender, age, and experience.
- The board values agencies which demonstrate good organizational structure, financial stability and sustainability.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any 501(c)(3) organization may apply through open, focus-area-based process—no prior approval is required. Applicants should select the focus area that best fits the category of your program. You may apply once per calendar year.
- A Non profit must use the Grant Funds to operate programs and benefit those they serve within 60 miles of Downtown Cincinnati
- Organizations should not apply if their unrestricted endowment exceeds 15 million
- They will not consider funding for programs or projects that have already concluded.
Ineligibility
They will not make grants to
- Individuals
- Endowed Scholarships
- Conduit/Bundled regrants
- The foundation does not make grants for general operating expenses except for those embedded into a program or project’s operating budget
For more information, visit Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation.
