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John B and Dareth Gerlach Foundation at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Public charity

John B and Dareth Gerlach Foundation

The JOHN B AND DARETH GERLACH FOUNDATION is a supporting organization of the columbus foundation.

$475k
Granted FY2025still arriving
13
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$140k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Education$1.8MHealth$1.1MEnvironment$303kFood & Nutrition$260kHuman Services$235kYouth Development$200kArts & Culture$197kHousing & Shelter$185kOther$0
02FY2025 · 13 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 13 grants below total $465,000, the rows itemized in this filing. The $475,000 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $10,000 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2025

  • $10k–50k11 grants · $265k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $200k
$25,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$28M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION$140,000
OHIO UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION$60,000
STAR HOUSE$40,000
LIFECARE ALLIANCE$40,000
CREATIVE LIVING INC$35,000
FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS$30,000
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL OHIO$25,000
I KNOW I CAN$25,000
COLUMBUS EARLY LEARNING CENTERS$20,000
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL OHIO INC$20,000
NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION$10,000
GRANGE INSURANCE AUDUBON CENTER$10,000
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN OHIO$10,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY17–25, $368k) land where the poverty rate runs at 15%, against an area that typically sits at 13%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 13%NEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $5k → 15%NEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $5k → 15%NEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $5k → 15%NEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $5k → 15%NEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $8k → 15%NEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $8k → 15%NEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $8k → 15%AMERICAN RED CROSS OHIO BUCKEYE REGION: $50k → 15%AMERICAN RED CROSS OHIO BUCKEYE REGION: $25k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $35k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $35k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $30k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $25k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $25k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $25k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $25k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $25k → 15%CREATIVE LIVING INC: $25k → 15%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

98%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$4.7M · 19 repeat orgs$100k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +71% since the first grant, against -6% for those funded once.

19 repeat relationships: 12 still active in FY2025, 7 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

19
1

Total granted

$4.7M
$100k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+71%
-6%

Still filing today

95%
100%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
EducationHuman ServicesEnvironmentFood & NutritionPhilanthropyArts & CultureOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • OS
    OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
    9× · 2017–2025 · $1.8M · revenue +36%
  • The Ohio University Foundation
    9× · 2017–2025 · $640k · revenue +200%
  • LA
    LIFECARE ALLIANCE
    9× · 2017–2025 · $380k · revenue +81%

Funded once

  • CM
    COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART
    one grant, 2017 · $100k · revenue -6%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Columbus Zoological Park Association

Empowering people. saving wildlife.

Animals
2
Ohio United Way

To strengthen the capacity of United Ways across Ohio and to advance the common good for Ohioans.

Philanthropy
3
Oberlin College

Oberlin College and Conservatory educate students for lives of intellectual, musical and artistic rigor and breadth, sustained inquiry, creativity and innovation, and leadership. Oberlin aims to prepare graduates with the knowledge,…

Education
4
Capital University

Capital university transforms lives by empowering an inclusive community of learners through engaging academic, co-curricular, and professional experiences.

Education
5
United Way of Central Ohio Inc

United way of central ohio is the local organization that harnesses the power of communities working together - people, nonprofits, businesses and government - to create a stronger, more equitable central ohio. see schedule o.we do this…

Philanthropy
6
Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati museum center inspires people of all ages to learn more about our world through science, regional history, and educational, engaging and meaningful experiences.

Arts & Culture
7
Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce

Advancing a thriving central ohio commmunity by serving as a catalyst for all businesses to grow and flourish. our mission pillars are connections, government relations, strategic business solutions and talent/workforce.

—
8
Colorado State University Foundation

See schedule o colorado state university foundation assists in the promotion, development, and enhancement of facilities and educational programs and enhancements of faculty, students, and alumni of colorado state university (csu). this is…

Education
9
Philanthropy Ohio

To lead and equip ohio philanthropy to be effective partners for change in our communities.

Philanthropy
10
Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Inc

Central indiana corporate partnership (cicp) is an alliance of indiana's business and research university leaders coming together to foster long-term prosperity for the region. cicp's mission is to transform the economy of indiana in order…

Community Improvement
11
Ohio State Bar Association

The ohio state bar association (the "association") is an unincorporated voluntary non-profit organization. the association was formed to promote justice and advance the interests of the legal profession.

—
12
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

As a trusted and connected partner, we inspire generous people to invest in a more equitable and vibrant region now and for generations to come.

Philanthropy
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Columbus Foundation; the most unlike its peers is National Audubon Society Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

22 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 22 of the 23 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
22/22
Grantees still filing
16/22
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $1,825,000 · EducationOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONThe Ohio University Foundation: $640,000 · EducationThe Ohio University Foundation+2 more: $95,000 · EducationI KNOW I CAN: $225,000 · OtherI KNOW I CANBIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL OHIO INC: $225,000 · OtherBIG BROTHERS BIG SIS…SOUTH SIDE LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT CENTER: $145,000 · OtherSOUTH SIDE LEARNING …Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio Inc: $135,000 · OtherRonald McDonald Hous…THE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $60,000 · OtherTHE NATURE CONSERVAN…NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $52,500 · OtherNATIONAL PARK FOUNDA…COLUMBUS EARLY LEARNING CENTERS: $40,000 · Other+2 more: $40,000 · OtherSTAR HOUSE: $225,000 · PhilanthropySTAR HOUS…COLUMBUS FOUNDATION: $200,000 · PhilanthropyCOLUMBUS …LIFECARE ALLIANCE: $380,000 · Food & NutritionCREATIVE LIVING INC: $250,000 · Human ServicesAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $75,000 · Human ServicesNEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $42,500 · Human ServicesFRIENDS OF THE CONSERVATORY: $197,000 · EnvironmentNATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC: $67,500 · EnvironmentCOLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART: $100,000 · Arts & CultureUPPER ARLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $100,000 · Community Improvement
Education$2,560,000Other$922,500Philanthropy$425,000Food & Nutrition$380,000Human Services$367,500Environment$264,500Arts & Culture$100,000Community Improvement$100,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $1,825,000 over 9y, 0.1% of budgetThe Ohio University Foundation: $640,000 over 9y, 0.2% of budgetLIFECARE ALLIANCE: $380,000 over 9y, 0.4% of budgetCREATIVE LIVING INC: $250,000 over 9y, 4.3% of budgetI KNOW I CAN: $225,000 over 9y, 0.4% of budgetBIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL OHIO INC: $225,000 over 9y, 0.6% of budgetSTAR HOUSE: $225,000 over 9y, 1.2% of budgetCOLUMBUS FOUNDATION: $200,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE CONSERVATORY: $197,000 over 9y, 1.8% of budgetSOUTH SIDE LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT CENTER: $145,000 over 7y, 1.8% of budgetRonald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio Inc: $135,000 over 9y, 0.2% of budgetCOLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART: $100,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetUPPER ARLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $100,000 over 1y, 3.5% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS INC: $75,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $75,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC: $67,500 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $60,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $52,500 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetNEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER: $42,500 over 7y, 0.8% of budgetCOLUMBUS EARLY LEARNING CENTERS: $40,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetWELLINGTON SCHOOL: $20,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetGrandview Heights Marble Cliff Education Foundation: $20,000 over 2y, 7.9% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds The Ohio University Foundation ↗
  • Who funds LIFECARE ALLIANCE ↗
  • Who funds CREATIVE LIVING INC ↗
  • Who funds I KNOW I CAN ↗
  • Who funds BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL OHIO INC ↗
  • Who funds STAR HOUSE ↗
  • Who funds COLUMBUS FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds FRIENDS OF THE CONSERVATORY ↗
  • Who funds SOUTH SIDE LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT CENTER ↗
  • Who funds Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio Inc ↗
  • Who funds COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART ↗
  • Who funds UPPER ARLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS INC ↗
  • Who funds American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches ↗
  • Who funds NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC ↗
  • Who funds THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ↗
  • Who funds NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds NEW DIRECTIONS CAREER CENTER ↗
  • Who funds COLUMBUS EARLY LEARNING CENTERS ↗
  • Who funds WELLINGTON SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds Grandview Heights Marble Cliff Education Foundation ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Columbus FoundationUnited Way of Central…American Electric Pow…Ingram-White Castle F…Siemer Family Foundat…Harry C Moores Founda…Cardinal Health Found…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…Encova Foundation of …L Brands FoundationColumbus Jewish Found…Crane Family Foundati…
Columbus FoundationOH26× affinity11 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Columbus Foundation · United Way of Central Ohio Inc · American Electric Power Foundation · Ingram-White Castle Foundation · Siemer Family Foundation · Harry C Moores Foundation · Cardinal Health Foundation · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · Encova Foundation of Ohio · L Brands Foundation · Columbus Jewish Foundation · Crane Family Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization John B and Dareth Gerlach Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from John B and Dareth Gerlach Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%6%13%19%25%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    11report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–25%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to John B and Dareth Gerlach Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to John B and Dareth Gerlach Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 23 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on John B and Dareth Gerlach’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home