Rosenthal Family Foundation

The Rosenthal Family Foundation is a high-impact family foundation led by Richard "Dick" Rosenthal, a Cincinnati business leader who built his fortune as president and owner of F&W Publishing Corp. (publisher of Writer's Digest and Writer's Market). The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no public application process, distributing approximately $2.2 million annually across roughly 21 grants.

How to position for funding:

1. Build a relationship through shared networks. The Rosenthals are deeply embedded in Cincinnati's civic fabric. Richard Rosenthal has been recognized as AFP Cincinnati's Philanthropist of the Year (2016) and received the Cincinnati Art Museum's 2023 Cincinnati Art Award. Engage through boards and events where the family is active — particularly the Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, and Ohio Innocence Project circles.

2. Align with their core values. The foundation's grantmaking reveals a clear set of values: access to justice (Ohio Innocence Project, Legal Aid Society, ACLU), access to arts and culture (Cincinnati Art Museum free admission, Contemporary Arts Center, Playhouse in the Park), and lifting up vulnerable populations (Freestore Food Bank, First Step Home, Women Helping Women). Frame your work around expanding access and removing barriers.

3. Demonstrate Cincinnati impact. Nearly all grants go to organizations with deep Cincinnati roots. National organizations that receive funding (ACLU, Teach for America) have strong local chapters. Your organization must demonstrate clear, measurable impact within Greater Cincinnati.

4. Seek introductions from current grantees. Since grants are invitation-only, the most realistic path is through warm introductions from organizations already in the portfolio. The foundation supports a tight-knit group of about 20 organizations, many of which have received multi-year support.

The Rosenthal Family Foundation has shown remarkably consistent funding patterns over the past several years, reflecting a disciplined, relationship-driven approach to philanthropy.

Grant Size Distribution (2024): - 2 grants at $400,000 (University of Cincinnati Foundation, Ohio Innocence Project) - 4 grants at $200,000-$210,000 (Playhouse in the Park, Contemporary Arts Center, Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Legal Aid Society) - 1 grant at $130,000 (Freestore Food Bank) - 4 grants at $100,000 (ACLU, First Step Home, Planned Parenthood SW Ohio, one other) - 3 grants at $75,000 (Her Cincinnati, Working in Neighborhoods, Women Helping Women) - 3 grants at $50,000 (ArtsWave, OTR Community Housing, United Way) - 1 grant at $40,000 (Jewish Federation of Cincinnati) - 3 grants at $25,000-$35,000 (Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub, A Mindful Moment, BYOC Camps)

Key patterns:

• Concentration at the top: The two largest grants ($400K each) account for 37% of total giving. The top 6 grants account for 74% of all distributions.
• Stable grantee roster: The foundation supports approximately 20-26 organizations per year, with the core roster remaining largely the same year over year.
• All grants listed as "unrestricted": This is a major signal — the foundation trusts its grantees and provides general operating support rather than restricting funds to specific programs.
• Growing total giving: Assets grew from $6.5M (2012) to $27.7M (2024), and giving has scaled accordingly from roughly $1.0M to $2.2M annually.
• Payout rate: The foundation distributed approximately 7.8% of assets in 2024, well above the IRS-required 5% minimum, indicating genuine philanthropic commitment rather than asset preservation.
• Revenue mix: 71% from asset sales, 26% from dividends, indicating an actively managed investment portfolio.
• Zero officer compensation: Both Richard and Jennie Rosenthal serve without pay, meaning virtually all expenses go to charitable purposes (93% charitable disbursement rate).

The Rosenthal Family Foundation operates in a competitive philanthropic landscape in Greater Cincinnati. Here is how it compares to peer family foundations in the region:

Key takeaways for grant seekers:

• The Rosenthal Foundation punches above its weight. With $27.7M in assets, it distributes $2.2M (7.8% payout), significantly higher than the Millstone Fund's 2.0% payout on $131M in assets. This signals a foundation focused on impact rather than perpetual growth.
• Smaller but more concentrated. While the Dater Foundation spreads $5.8M across 158 grants (averaging ~$37K each), the Rosenthal Foundation makes fewer, larger bets — averaging $103K per grant. This means each grantee relationship is higher-value and harder to break into.
• Invitation-only is the key barrier. Among comparable Cincinnati foundations, the Rosenthal Foundation is the only one that does not accept unsolicited applications. The Pfau Foundation accepts applications through the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and both Dater and Haile have formal grant processes.
• If you cannot access Rosenthal funding, consider these alternatives. The Dater Foundation is the most accessible peer for Cincinnati-area nonprofits focused on children and youth. The Haile Foundation offers the largest grants for arts and community development. The Pfau Foundation is the closest in size and serves youth with disabilities.

The Rosenthal Family Foundation has maintained an active and impactful presence in Greater Cincinnati philanthropy in recent years:

2024 Grantmaking: The foundation distributed $2,175,000 across 21 grants in its most recent fiscal year, continuing its focus on arts, social justice, and human services. The two largest grants of $400,000 each went to the University of Cincinnati Foundation and the Ohio Innocence Project, reflecting the family's deep commitment to higher education and criminal justice reform in Cincinnati.

2023 Cincinnati Art Award: The Cincinnati Art Museum honored Richard "Dick" Rosenthal with the 2023 Cincinnati Art Award, recognizing decades of family contributions to the arts in Cincinnati and beyond. The Rosenthal family's gift permanently providing free daily general admission to the museum — now celebrating its 20th anniversary — remains one of the most transformative philanthropic acts in the city's history.

Ohio Innocence Project — Continued Major Support: The Ohio Innocence Project remains one of the foundation's two largest ongoing commitments at $400,000 in 2024. This builds on the Rosenthals' landmark $15 million gift to UC Law (the largest ever for any innocence program in the country), which established the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice. The Institute has helped exonerate dozens of wrongfully convicted individuals.

Financial Growth: The foundation's assets have grown substantially, from approximately $20.9M in 2018 to $27.7M in 2024, allowing increased grantmaking capacity. 2019 was a notable year with $7.75M in contributions received and assets peaking near $30M.

Stable Grantee Relationships: The foundation has maintained consistent support for its core group of grantees, with organizations like the Freestore Food Bank (which named a road after Richard Rosenthal), Playhouse in the Park, and the Contemporary Arts Center appearing as regular recipients across multiple years.

Expanding Social Justice Focus: Recent grantees like Her Cincinnati ($75,000), Working in Neighborhoods ($75,000), and Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub ($35,000) suggest the foundation is gradually expanding its portfolio to include newer organizations focused on equity, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

The Rosenthal Family Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, which means the typical application strategy does not apply. Here is a realistic playbook for organizations seeking their support:

1. Understand that cold outreach will not work. The foundation does not have a public application form, published guidelines, or a grants portal. It does not accept unsolicited proposals. Sending a letter or email out of the blue is unlikely to result in funding.

2. Get on their radar through shared community involvement. Richard Rosenthal is deeply involved in Cincinnati civic life. Organizations that share board members, attend the same events, or collaborate with current Rosenthal grantees are far more likely to receive consideration. Key networks include: - Cincinnati Art Museum board and events - Contemporary Arts Center community - Ohio Innocence Project supporters and events - Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Cincinnati chapter - Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

3. Ask a current grantee for an introduction. The most effective path to Rosenthal funding is a warm introduction from an executive director or board member at one of the 20+ organizations they already fund. If your mission overlaps with theirs, reach out and ask if they would be willing to make an introduction.

4. Demonstrate alignment with their values. When you do get the opportunity to present your work, emphasize: - Access and equity: The Rosenthals' signature gift was removing the barrier of admission fees at the Art Museum. Show how your work removes barriers. - Cincinnati roots: Nearly 100% of grants go to Greater Cincinnati organizations. - Justice and fairness: The Ohio Innocence Project, ACLU, Legal Aid Society, and HOME reflect a deep commitment to systemic change. - Unrestricted trust: The foundation gives unrestricted grants, meaning they fund organizations, not just programs. Demonstrate strong organizational leadership, financial health, and a track record of impact.

5. Be patient and build for the long term. The foundation's grantee roster changes slowly. Organizations that receive funding tend to stay in the portfolio for years with increasing support. Position your organization as a long-term partner, not a one-time grant recipient.

6. Alternative Cincinnati funding sources to pursue now: While building toward Rosenthal funding, apply to these accessible foundations with overlapping interests: - Charles H. Dater Foundation — Accepts applications; focuses on children, arts, education - Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation — Open applications; arts, community development - Daniel & Susan Pfau Foundation — Apply through Greater Cincinnati Foundation; youth focus - Greater Cincinnati Foundation — Community foundation with multiple grant programs - ArtsWave — For arts and culture organizations specifically