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Morrow Foundation is a private corporation based in MAINEVILLE, OH. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1997. The principal officer is Thomas T Peyton. It holds total assets of $2.2M. Annual income is reported at $265K. Total assets have grown from $85K in 2011 to $2.3M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 3 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2016 to 2023. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Minnesota, Ohio and Missouri. According to available records, Morrow Foundation has made 16 grants totaling $1M, with a median grant of $74K. Individual grants have ranged from $23K to $87K, with an average award of $65K. The foundation has supported 4 unique organizations. Grants have been distributed to organizations in Minnesota and Ohio and Missouri. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
## Funder Overview & Approach Strategy
The Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation (SMLF) is a private family foundation incorporated in Ohio (EIN 41-1859316), headquartered in Maineville, OH. Established in 2017 in memory of Susan Morrow, it is operated by the Morrow family and takes a deeply personal, relationship-driven approach to grantmaking. Board members personally visit grantee sites and publish letters of appreciation publicly — a marker of a high-touch, trust-based philanthropy model.
With total assets of ~$2.2M, SMLF is a small but active grantmaker. It supplements endowment income with donor contributions and an annual fundraising event (the "Susan Morrow Drive to Survive" golf tournament). The foundation's legal registered name is "Morrow Foundation" but it operates publicly as the Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation.
Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations only. Applications submitted via online form at morrowfoundation.org (accessible alternative available). Rolling admissions — no fixed annual deadline.
Geographic Priority: Western and Eastern coasts of the United States (documented grantees in California, New York, South Carolina). Ohio-based organizations also funded.
## Funding Patterns & Program Areas
SMLF funds across six distinct program pillars:
1. Ovarian Cancer Research & Early Detection — The foundation's flagship cause. Recent recipients include Vanderbilt University Medical Center (ovarian cancer screening research, 2025). The annual Drive to Survive golf tournament specifically raises funds for this pillar.
2. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) — Supports youth and adults with IDD. Documented grantees include therapeutic riding programs (Monterey Bay Horsemanship and Therapeutic Center, CA).
3. Veterans Support — Addresses veteran trauma and reintegration. Documented grantees: Saratoga WarHorse (NY) and Shelter-to-Soldier (San Diego, CA).
4. Animal Welfare — Supports rescue and rehabilitation. Documented grantee: Noah's Arks Rescue (Okatie, SC).
5. Early Childhood Education & the Arts — Nature/science education, theater, and youth clubs. Documented grantees: MEarth Hilton Bialek Habitat (Carmel, CA), Ariel Theater, Lisa Stiles-Gyllenhammer Boys & Girls Club.
6. Trades & Technical Education — Vocational alternatives to four-year college.
Estimated Grant Range: $1,000–$25,000 per award (based on ~$2.2M asset base; typical 5–7% payout = ~$110,000–$155,000 annual grantmaking capacity). No minimum/maximum published.
## Peer Comparison
| Foundation | Assets | Focus Areas | Geo Priority | Est. Grant Range | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation | $2.2M | Ovarian cancer, IDD, veterans, arts, animal welfare | West/East US coasts | $1K–$25K | Rolling |
| Riviera Health Foundation (OH) | ~$3M | Health, medical research | Ohio | $5K–$50K | Annual |
| Findlay-Hancock County CF (OH) | ~$80M | Community, education, health | NW Ohio | $1K–$100K+ | Bi-annual |
| Samaritan Health Foundation (OH) | ~$5M | Health, human services | Ohio | $5K–$30K | Annual |
| Leo Yassenoff Foundation (OH) | ~$18M | Jewish community, arts, social services | Central Ohio | $2.5K–$50K | Quarterly |
SMLF is notably smaller than most Ohio community foundations but uniquely mission-driven toward ovarian cancer research — a niche that sets it apart. Its personal, site-visit grantmaking style resembles peer family foundations rather than institutional grantmakers. The rolling deadline and small award size make it accessible to emerging organizations that larger funders may overlook.
## Recent Activity
The foundation has been consistently active since 2017 and is expanding its fundraising events to grow grantmaking capacity for the ovarian cancer pillar specifically.
## Application Tips & Prospect Fit
Best-fit applicants: - Organizations conducting or supporting ovarian cancer early detection research (strongest alignment — Vanderbilt-level science partnerships are documented) - Programs serving adults/youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), especially experiential or therapeutic models - Veterans trauma recovery programs (equine therapy, service dogs, peer support, reintegration) - Animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations (especially those serving emergency/surgical needs) - Early childhood education programs with hands-on, nature-based, or STEM components - Performing arts education and community theater - Vocational/trades training as alternative to four-year college
Application guidance: 1. Apply via the online form at morrowfoundation.org — rolling cycle means no deadline pressure 2. Write with personal voice and specific outcomes; the board personally visits grantees and values authentic relationships 3. For ovarian cancer research: emphasize early detection methodology or screening innovation 4. Request amounts in the $5,000–$20,000 range for best fit with foundation scale 5. 501(c)(3) status is a hard eligibility requirement 6. Geographic priority is West Coast and East Coast; California, New York, and South Carolina organizations are confirmed grantees
Key insight: SMLF is small and family-run — relationship-building and follow-up after an initial grant may be more impactful than a cold application. The foundation actively celebrates its grantees online; highlight measurable community impact and mission resonance in proposals.
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Smallest Grant
$23K
Median Grant
$74K
Average Grant
$65K
Largest Grant
$87K
Based on 8 grants from the most recent 990-PF filing.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
## Funding Patterns & Program Areas SMLF funds across six distinct program pillars:.
Morrow Foundation has distributed a total of $1M across 16 grants. The median grant size is $74K, with an average of $65K. Individual grants have ranged from $23K to $87K.
## Funder Overview & Approach Strategy The Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation (SMLF) is a private family foundation incorporated in Ohio (EIN 41-1859316), headquartered in Maineville, OH. Established in 2017 in memory of Susan Morrow, it is operated by the Morrow family and takes a deeply personal, relationship-driven approach to grantmaking. Board members personally visit grantee sites and publish letters of appreciation publicly — a marker of a high-touch, trust-based philanthropy model.
Morrow Foundation is headquartered in MAINEVILLE, OH. While based in OH, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 3 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan J Anderson | DIR/FDTN MGR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Donald N Peterson | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Lisa Elliot | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$290K
Total Assets
$2.3M
Fair Market Value
$5.7M
Net Worth
$2.3M
Grants Paid
$280K
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$217K
Distribution Amount
$274K
Total: $2.1M
Total Grants
16
Total Giving
$1M
Average Grant
$65K
Median Grant
$74K
Unique Recipients
4
Most Common Grant
$87K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami UniversitySCHOLARSHIP FUND | Oxford, OH | $87K | 2022 |
| John Burroughs SchoolSCHOLARSHIP FUND | St Louis, MO | $87K | 2022 |
| University Of Mn FoundationSOCIETY OF WOMEN IN ENGINEERING | Minneapolis, MN | $81K | 2022 |
| Minnesota Historical SocietyEDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | St Paul, MN | $32K | 2022 |