Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation Grant Program

The Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation is a private philanthropic organization established in 2004 by Elsa M. Heisel Sule, a television industry businesswoman from Northern Kentucky. The foundation operates from Greater Cincinnati and serves the tri-state area of Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. It provides funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to support charitable programs and projects within a 70-mile radius of downtown Cincinnati. The foundation emphasizes its commitment to programmatic support rather than capital campaigns and aims to address changing community needs through grants focused on education, health, community development, and cultural enrichment. To apply for funding, applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), which can be submitted at any time. However, the cycle in which the LOI is reviewed depends on the submission date: deadlines are February 15, May 15, and August 15. If approved, the applicant will be invited to submit a full grant application by April 1, July 1, or October 1, depending on the corresponding review cycle. LOIs are reviewed within approximately three weeks after the submission deadline. The Foundation’s Board meets three times annually in April, July, and October to make funding decisions. Applicants are notified of decisions in May, August, or November, respectively. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with an annual operating budget not exceeding $10 million. Endowments must not exceed $12 million. Organizations are ineligible if they are individuals, offer endowed scholarships, or act as conduit/bundled regrants. Programs already completed will not be funded. Grants generally cover a one-year period unless otherwise noted and cannot be used for general operating expenses unless embedded within a program or project budget. After receiving a grant, a follow-up report is required 6 to 12 months later or at the project’s conclusion. The foundation emphasizes funding programs that align with its core values and priorities, such as supporting diverse funding sources, active and diverse boards, employee well-being, and the delivery of living wages. Grants are offered to organizations that do not discriminate and demonstrate strong organizational structure and sustainability. Organizations receiving funding for three consecutive years or more than $20,000 in two calendar years must observe a one-year application hiatus. Applications must be submitted through the foundation’s online portal. Only one account should be created per organization. A site visit is typically conducted as part of the review process. The grant agreement and follow-up evaluation must be completed via the online system. For inquiries or support, applicants may contact Jordan Klette-Cusher, Grants Manager & Program Officer, at jjklette-cusher@elsa-trust.org or call 513-335-4798. The foundation’s address is 334 Beechwood Rd, Suite 550, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41047.