Meet the Foundation
The Henzi Foundation is a family-run, volunteer-driven organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio, committed to helping families during their most difficult moments. Founded by the family of Frankie Antunes and dedicated volunteers, we serve families throughout the Greater Cincinnati area and beyond.
Our Team
Rachel Henzi - Treasurer & Mother
Rachel is the backbone of the foundation. Driven by her own loss, she ensures that every dollar raised goes toward changing the world for grieving families. Her personal experience with loss gives her deep empathy and understanding of what families need during this time.
Joseph Henzi - President & Brother
Joe co-founded the organization to create a lasting impact beyond corporate life. He works hand-in-hand with Rachel to lead The Frankie Fund, bringing organizational expertise and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
Sadie Antunes - Vice President & Sister
Sadie is the champion of the "little guy," pushing the foundation to maintain the highest ethical standards and inclusivity. Her advocacy ensures that we serve all families without discrimination, staying true to our mission of providing relief regardless of circumstances.
Our Commitment
As a family-run organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio, we understand the weight of loss. We've created The Henzi Foundation not just to honor Frankie's memory, but to ensure that other families in our community and beyond don't have to face the added burden of financial stress during their grief. Every decision we make is guided by this principle: dignity, compassion, and transparency.
Our Impact
Turning Grief into Grace
The loss of a child is an emotional tsunami. In 2025, it has also become a financial catastrophe. With funeral costs rising over 11% in the last three years, families are often forced to choose between debt and dignity.
The Henzi Foundation steps into that gap.
We have already distributed over $14,000 in direct aid as of 2025 and this keeps growing. We do not cut checks to parents; we pay funeral homes and service providers directly. This ensures two things: complete transparency for our donors and one less administrative burden for a heartbroken mother or father.
We are a family-run organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and we are proud to be able to help grieving families in our community and surrounding areas. We pay for the foundation's expenses so your donation goes to a funeral home or service provider directly.
We've given away more than $14,000 directly to families in need throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.
2022 Giving Example:
In 2022 we were able to reach out to 6 families with the money we raised, writing checks directly to the funeral homes listed below. Names of the children withheld, for obvious reasons.
- Walker Funeral Homes (Feb & May 2022) - $2,082
- Spring Grove Funeral Home (August 2022) - $200
- Draeger Lagendorf Funeral Home (August 2022) - $500
- Fisher Eddington Funeral Home (December 2022) - $500
- Preston Charles Funeral Home (December 2022) - $1,000
It is unfortunate that these children were lost, but we are grateful for the support and the ability to write these checks.
On average we're able to give $713 to a family, but we should be giving more. Luckily we were able to pay out more than $4,282 to these families in the Greater Cincinnati area to ease the burden of their child's funeral costs - for that I'm grateful.
How to Contact Us
We're here to help families in Cincinnati, Ohio, Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana, and surrounding communities who are facing the loss of a child. Our goal is to become a nationwide charity to serve families across the United States.
When to Contact Us
Please reach out to us if you:
- Need financial assistance for funeral costs after losing a child
- Have questions about our services or how we can help
- Want to learn more about our mission and impact
- Are interested in supporting our work through donations or volunteering
- Are interested in sponsoring or partnering with us to help us expand nationwide
- Know a family in the Greater Cincinnati area, Northern Kentucky, or Southeastern Indiana who could benefit from our assistance
How to Reach Us
The best way to contact us is through our contact form. We typically respond within 24-48 hours during business days.
For urgent matters related to funeral assistance, please use our contact form and indicate the urgency in your message. We understand that time-sensitive situations require prompt attention, and we do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
What to Include in Your Message
When contacting us for assistance, please include:
- Your name and contact information
- A brief description of your situation
- The name of the funeral home or service provider
- Any questions you have about our process
Please note: We maintain complete confidentiality and respect the privacy of all families we serve. All information shared with us is kept strictly confidential.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you respond to assistance requests?
We typically respond to all inquiries within 24-48 hours during business days. For urgent situations related to funeral assistance, we prioritize these requests and do our best to respond as quickly as possible. Please indicate the urgency in your contact form submission.
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and primarily serve the Greater Cincinnati area, including Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana (including communities like Rising Sun, Indiana). We have helped families throughout this tri-state region.
Our goal is to become a nationwide charity and expand our reach to help families across the United States. While we currently focus on the Greater Cincinnati tri-state area, we consider assistance requests from families in other locations on a case-by-case basis as our resources allow.
How can I sponsor or partner with The Henzi Foundation?
We would love to partner with businesses, organizations, and individuals who want to help us expand our reach and become a nationwide charity. Sponsorships and partnerships are crucial to helping us serve more families in need.
If you're interested in sponsoring our work, partnering with us, or learning more about how your organization can support our mission, please contact us and let us know about your interest. We're always looking for ways to grow our impact and help more families during their most difficult moments.
How do you maintain confidentiality?
We take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. All information shared with us is kept strictly confidential. We never share personal information about the families we serve, and we work directly with funeral homes and service providers to maintain privacy throughout the process.