If you would like a downloadable/printable document to prepare your application, click here. This is for your purposes only, your final application should be submitted via the form liked above.
The following suggestions will assist the Foundation trustees to better understand the merit of each request when grant amounts are determined. Each applicant will be advised whether or not a grant has been approved. If approved, checks are mailed by March 15.
Annual Foundation grants are determined in February. To be considered for the previous calendar year, applications must be sent by February 1. (e.g. applications recieved throughout 2025 and early 2026 will be reviewed in March 2026)
A copy of the Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax exempt determination letter must be included. A completed Grant Application and Information Form is also required. If additional information would be helpful, it may be supplied in a brief letter of explanation. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals.
The Foundation’s principle interests are included in our mission statement: To empower underserved populations through small grants in support of literacy, healthcare, reduction of poverty, and the promotion of social and environmental justice.
As requests for support exceed available funds, be realistic when specifying the amount desired, indicating whether the grant will be used for equipment, special programs, or some other purpose.
If the amount needed for the planned use is not fully funded, how will the Richard L. and Freda K. Flerlage Foundation grant be used?
Grants are not continued automatically but new requests may be submitted in the future.
Successful applicants must report exactly how the funds were used. This should be done as quickly as possible but not longer than one year after receipt of a grant. Without this report, further applications from the organization will not be considered.
100 Friends, California & Worldwide
Breakthrough, Cincinnati, OH
Community Matters, Cincinnati, OH
Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
The East End Adult Education Center, Cincinnati, OH
Every Library
FLOW, For Love of Water, Traverse City, MI
Give Like A Mother, Cincinnati, OH
Gorman Heritage Farm, OH
Henry Hosea House Soup Kitchen, KY
The Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati DBA Queen City Book Bank
Mentoring Plus, Cincinnati, OH
Michigan Advocacy Project
Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
National Writers Series, MI
On the Ground Global, Traverse City, MI
GiGi's Playhouse, Cincinnati, OH
Soaring Unlimited, Michigan and Haiti
Scrap2Home, Cincinnati, OH
The Tandana Foundation, Cincinnati, OH
Title Track, MI
Transform, Cincinnati, OH
Unadilla Community Farm Education Center, West Edmeston, NY
UpSpring, Cincinnati, OH
World Central Kitchen
We are a small family foundation, when possible we aim to support organizations with relatively small operating funds where our small grants will have their greatest possible impact.
Our average grant is $3,200
(based on all grants made 2014-2023)
We are proud to support important work in toward justice, equality and sustainability regardless of geographic location. From Michigan to Myanmar and many places in between.
As board members, we also keep our hearts close to home with particular interest for work being done in our home communities of:
Traverse City, Michigan | Cincinnati, Ohio | Ithaca, New York
Congratulations on receiving a grant from the Richard L. and Freda K. Flerlage Foundation!
Please complete the form below to acknowledge receipt of the grant and verify the intended use of the funds.