Skip to content
Randolph J and Estelle M Dorn Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Randolph J and Estelle M Dorn Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$1.2M
Granted FY2023
45
Grants FY2023
1
States reached
$300k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02Its granteesRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2021 to 2025.

Philanthropy$1.1MArts & Culture$627kEducation$335kCommunity Improvement$297kHealth$223kHuman Services$138kPublic Benefit$80kYouth Development$78kOther$0
02FY2023 · 45 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 45 grants below total $1,027,829, the rows itemized in this filing. The $1,161,329 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $133,500 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 · FY2023

  • Under $10k20 grants · $75k
  • $10k–50k20 grants · $330k
  • $50k–250k4 grants · $323k
  • $250k+1 grant · $300k
$10,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$27M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Erie County Community Foundation$300,000
Sandusky State Theatre$122,500
Sandusky Library/Follett House Museum Foundation$100,000
Sandusky City School District$50,000
Erie County Economic Development Corp Charitable Fund$50,000
Old House Guild of Sandusky$32,350
Put-in-Bay Township Park District$25,000
Ohgo$25,000
Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter$20,000
Hayes Presidential Library & Museums$20,000
Western Reserve Land Conservancy$20,000
United Church Homes$20,000
Erie County Economic Development Corp Charitable Fund$18,000
Sandusky City School District$15,500
Back to the Wild$15,000
02Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

79%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.6M · 28 repeat orgs$440k to everyone else

28 repeat relationships: 21 still active in FY2023, 7 since wound down; 17 grantees were first funded in FY2023 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

28
16

Total granted

$1.6M
$160k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+10%
+25%

Still filing today

57%
25%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2023, 61% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $280k went to new ones.

50%100%’21’22’23
RenewedFirst-time

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

’21’22’23
Arts & CultureEducationEnvironmentHuman ServicesCrime & LegalAnimalsOther
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

  • EC
    ERIE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHARITABLE FUND
    3× · 2021–2023 · $297k · revenue +10%
  • WR
    WESTERN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY
    3× · 2021–2023 · $60k · revenue +49%
  • SH
    SAFE HARBOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER INC
    3× · 2021–2023 · $60k · revenue +3%

Funded once

  • BG
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO EDUCATION COALITION
    one grant, 2022 · $25k · revenue +25%
  • BA
    Boys and Girls Club of Erie County6
    one grant, 2021 · $25k
  • PL
    Perkins Local School District
    one grant, 2021 · $22k
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.

03Its 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
Lake Erie Shores and Islands

To develop and implement a marketing plan to grow the region's tourism economy through promotion of the region and thereby increase visitor spending in the region.

Community Improvement
2
Environment Erie

A non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, enhancement, and sustainable development of the lake erie watershed in pennsylvania.

—
3
Ohio United Way

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

Philanthropy
4
Portage Development Board

To coordinate and promote economic development on a county wide basis among all of the political subdivisions of portage county, ohio.

Public Benefit
5
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Ohio Valley Inc

Helping individuals live with dignity through the final stage of life.

Human Services
6
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc

Erie canalway heritage fund, inc. works to preserve the extraordinary canal corridor heritage, to promote the corridor as a world class tourism destination, and to foster vibrant communities connected by the waterway.

Community Improvement
7
Library Association of Sandusky Ohio

Giving all people opportunities to enrich their lives.

Education
8
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio

To inspire people to embrace their callings in creation and community by connecting people with nature and faith.

—
9
Lake Erie Islands Historical Society

Preserve, interpret and educate our community and our visitors on the rich history of the lake erie islands.

Environment
10
Orrville United Way Inc

The orrville united way improves lives by unitiing people and resources to advance the common good in orrville, dalton and marshallville in eastern wayne county ohio. our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent future problems…

—
11
Erie Community Foundation

The erie community foundation works to improve the quality of life for all in our region by evaluating and addressing community issues, building permanent charitable endowments, and by promoting philanthropic and community leadership.

Philanthropy
12
Fund for Our Economic Future of Northeast Ohio

The fund for our economic future is a creative space for philanthropic funders and civic leaders to explore what matters and implement what works to achieve equitable economic growth, emphasizing systemic, long-term change.

Community Improvement
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Erie County Community Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Cancer Services Fka Cancer Services of Erie County. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

30 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. 30 of the 62 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)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
29/30
Grantees still filing
16/30
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ERIE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHARITABLE FUND: $297,195 · OtherERIE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHARITABLE FUNDSandusky City School District: $218,000 · OtherSandusky City School DistrictERIE COUNTY ALCOHOL DRUG ADDICTIO: $175,000 · OtherERIE COUNTY ALCOHOL DRUG ADDICTIOSandusky Library/Follett House Museum Foundation: $100,000 · OtherSandusky Library/Follett House Museum FoundationSAFE HARBOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER INC: $60,000 · OtherHayes Presidential Library & Museums: $50,000 · Other+39 more: $491,415 · Other+39 moreERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $1,076,230 · PhilanthropyERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONSANDUSKY STATE THEATRE INC: $395,000 · Arts & CultureSANDUSKY STATE …THE MUSEUM OF CAROUSEL ART & HISTORY: $20,850 · Arts & Culture+3 more: $23,500 · Arts & Culture+3 moreWESTERN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY: $60,000 · EnvironmentLAKE ERIE FOUNDATION: $5,000 · EnvironmentLAKE ERIE ISLANDS NATURE AND WILDLIFE CENTER: $5,000 · EnvironmentOH-GO: $65,000 · Public BenefitSANDUSKY EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $15,000 · EducationTHE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES: $15,000 · EducationBowling Green State University Foundation Inc: $10,000 · EducationFirelands Christian Academy: $6,500 · EducationUNITED CHURCH HOMES INC: $20,000 · Human ServicesSTEIN HOSPICE SERVICE INC: $12,000 · Human ServicesBerlin Township Farmers & Hunters Conservation Club: $3,195 · Human Services
Other$1,391,610Philanthropy$1,076,230Arts & Culture$439,350Environment$70,000Public Benefit$65,000Education$46,500Human Services$35,195

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $1,076,230 over 3y, 22% of budgetSANDUSKY STATE THEATRE INC: $395,000 over 3y, 2.7% of budgetERIE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHARITABLE FUND: $297,195 over 3y, 15% of budgetOH-GO: $65,000 over 3y, 3.0% of budgetWESTERN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY: $60,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetSAFE HARBOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER INC: $60,000 over 3y, 7.6% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO EDUCATION COALITION: $25,000 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetKINSHIP INCORPORATED: $25,000 over 2y, 9.0% of budgetTHE MUSEUM OF CAROUSEL ART & HISTORY: $20,850 over 2y, 10.0% of budgetUNITED CHURCH HOMES INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFLAT ROCK HOMES INC: $20,000 over 2y, 1.8% of budgetCANCER SERVICES FKA CANCER SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY: $19,665 over 2y, 2.9% of budgetSANDUSKY EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $15,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetIsland Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary Inc: $15,000 over 3y, 2.5% of budgetBACK TO THE WILD INC: $15,000 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetTHE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES: $15,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetSTEIN HOSPICE SERVICE INC: $12,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBowling Green State University Foundation Inc: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetUNITED WAY OF ERIE COUNTY INC: $10,000 over 1y, 3.8% of budgetJUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTHWESTERN OHIO: $10,000 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetHarbourtown Fine Arts Center: $10,000 over 1y, 7.9% of budgetFirelands Christian Academy: $6,500 over 3y, 2.9% of budgetLAKE ERIE FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetLAKE ERIE ISLANDS NATURE AND WILDLIFE CENTER: $5,000 over 1y, 2.1% of budgetABILITY WORKS INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE FOUNDATION FOR FIRELANDS: $4,500 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetSANDUSKY CONCERT ASSOCIATION INC: $3,500 over 1y, 20% of budgetBerlin Township Farmers & Hunters Conservation Club: $3,195 over 2y, 2.1% 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.

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.

The Mylander Fdn-2001Sidney Frohman Founda…Erie County Community…The Michelle Wightman…The Cleveland Foundat…Sam S Stein and Rose …The Wm M & a Cafaro F…The Albert G & Olive …Toledo Community Foun…Firstenergy FoundationThe Murray & Murray C…David and Jacquie Cla…
The Mylander Fdn-2001OH47.4× affinity20 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Mylander Fdn-2001 · Sidney Frohman Foundation · Erie County Community Foundation · The Michelle Wightman-Karrie Wieber Charitable Foundation · The Cleveland Foundation · Sam S Stein and Rose Stein Foundation · The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation · The Albert G & Olive H Schlink Foundation · Toledo Community Foundation Inc · Firstenergy Foundation · The Murray & Murray Charitable Foundation · David and Jacquie Clark Family Fund

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.
04Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Randolph J and Estelle M Dorn Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Randolph J and Estelle M Dorn 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 62 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-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2023, released 2023. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Possibly out of date. A more recent filing (FY2025) is on record and reports $1.3M of grant expense with no grantee named in the published copy. A private foundation itemizes every grant it makes, so a return carrying none has filed its list as an attachment that the public copy does not include. The figures above are therefore from FY2023, the most recent year this funder’s grantee list reached the public record.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Randolph J and Estelle M Dorn’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