Foundations that fund arts and culture in Kentucky
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Kentucky in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc
- $178,000 to Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Inc, Louisville: Kentucky derby festival
- $98,270 to Fund for the Arts Inc, Louisville: Fund for the arts
- $20,000 to Kentucky Science Center, Louisville: Celebration of science 2024
The Gheens Foundation Inc
- $100,000 to Fund for the Arts, Louisville: Mission delivery support
- $50,000 to The Kentucky Science Center Inc, Louisville: Uniquely human
- $25,000 to Commonwealth Fund for Ket Inc, Lexington: Louisville production center project
How to apply: An online application can be found at gheensfoundation.org.
Deadlines: Submission deadlines are quarterly. Specific dates can be found at gheensfoundation.org.
Restrictions: Grants are only awarded to nonprofit organizations whose missions impact the greater louisville metro area and lafourche and terrebone parishes in louisiana, the home communities of mr. And mrs. Edwin gheens. In some instances, nonprofit...
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation
- $1,270,000 to Luther F Carson Four Rivers Center Inc, Paducah: Sponsor & support cultural events
- $50,000 to National Quilt Museum, Paducah: Enhance local cultural activities
- $25,000 to River Discovery Center, Paducah: Enhance local cultural opportunities
How to apply: See guidelines at www.carsonmyre.org
Deadlines: See guidelines
Restrictions: See guidelines
Nisource Charitable Foundation
- $10,000 to The Living Arts & Science Center, Lexington: Corporate donation
- $5,000 to Lexarts, Lexington: Corporate donation
- $4,200 to Commonwealth Fund for Ket Inc, Lexington: Corporate donation
How to apply: See nisource charitable foundation mission statement & administrative guidelines
Deadlines: See nisource charitable foundation mission statement & administrative guidelines
Restrictions: See nisource charitable foundation mission statement & administrative guidelines
American Water Charitable Foundationinc
- $6,000 to Lexington History Museum Inc, Lexington: General purpose
- $4,000 to Living Arts & Science Center Inc, Lexington: General purpose
- $4,000 to Friends of Mcconnell Springs Inc, Lexington: General purpose
How to apply: See application forms on internal company web site
Deadlines: No set deadlines
Restrictions: Must be 501(c)(3) charitable organization that furthers the charitable purposes of the foundation.
James Graham Brown Foundation Inc
- $500,000 to Kentucky Educational Television Foundation, Lexington: Expansion of new/larger studio and production space
- $500,000 to J B Speed Art Museum, Louisville: Speed art park
- $250,000 to Art Center of the Bluegrass, Danville: Creation of the glass museum
How to apply: See "for grantseekers" section on jgbf.org
Deadlines: See "for grantseekers" section on jgbf.org
Restrictions: See "for grantseekers" section on jgbf.org
The R C Durr Foundation Inc 541 Buttermilk Pike Suite 500
- $61,000 to Dinsmore Homestead Foundation, Burlington: General support
- $14,000 to Wave Foundation, Covington: General support
- $4,000 to Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center, Covington: General support
How to apply: Letter request
Restrictions: Priority is given to charities located in the northern kentucky/cincinnati, ohio area.
Lester E Yeager Charitable Trust B
- $6,250 to Owensboro Symphony Orchestra Inc, Owensboro: Symphony safari is an educational program that allows 300 school children and their...
- $5,000 to Riverpark Center Inc, Owensboro: Art education programs such as art teaches kids series by covering critical aspects...
- $3,000 to Henderson Area Arts Alliance, Henderson: Funding for art shows and summar camp for area children
How to apply: Four compelted copies of the four page applicaiton for grant and a one page cover letter should be mailed to po box 964. Items to include with the applicaiton include but are not limited to affirmation/determination letter from the irs, three year history financial report and a...
Deadlines: October 15th
Restrictions: Exempt organization must be a 501(c)(3) and provide documentation of such from the irs and any grants disbursed should be used for the purpose indicated on the applicaiton submitted
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $100,000 to Actors Theatre of Louisville Inc, Louisville: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $60,000 to Kentucky Dance Council Inc, Louisville: General operating support for dance productions and activities
- $15,000 to Flashback Theater Co, Somerset: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
E Rhodes and Leona B Carpenter Foundation
- $82,000 to Shakertown Revisited Inc, Auburn: Help with the costs of replacing the roof and hvac system at the south union hotel.
- $30,000 to Arts of Southern Kentucky, Bowling Green: Help with the costs for two years of its school day matinee program.
- $1,526 to Arts for All Kentucky Inc, Bowling Green: Help with the cost of providing adults with disabilities in logan county a therapeutic...
How to apply: See grant making guidelines as of 1/19/24 on website and prior to that date 6/21/19 available upon request.
Deadlines: January 31, july 15
Restrictions: See grant making guidelines as of 1/19/24 on website and prior to that date 6/21/19 available upon request.
Laura G Turner Charitable Foundation Inc
- $60,000 to Owsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum Foundation Inc, Louisville: Museum exhibit and educational initiatives
- $5,000 to Kentucky Center for the Arts Foundation Inc, Louisville: Kentucky's governor's school for the arts
- $5,000 to Kentucky Center for the Arts Foundation Inc, Louisville: Program support for governor's scholars for the arts program
How to apply: Application form provided by the foundation. Include: documentation of tax exempt status, lists of officers & directors, most recent audited financial statement, internal financial statements and operating budget, projected budget.
Restrictions: No grants for: individuals, loans, travel, or seminars, government agencies, political purposes, dinner events, other private foundations, telethons.
The King's Daughters and Sons Foundation of Kentucky Inc
- $9,984 to Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort: Golf cart for those with limited mobility
- $5,324 to The Living Arts & Science Center, Lexington: Update digital lab with 14 laptops, 2 printers, and charging station
- $2,500 to Bluegrass Youth Ballet, Lexington: Purchase 75 folding chairs and rack
How to apply: Applicants are required to submit an application with supporting documentation by september 30th of each year. Applicant must provide proof of its 501(c)(3) exemption and a copy of its most recently filed form 990.
Deadlines: September 30
Restrictions: Applicants should be kentucky based or provide services to kentucky residents and be involved in providing care or other services to the elderly, handicapped, or disadvantaged or be an educational institution foundation providing education...
Cralle Foundation Inc
- $5,000 to Radio Eye Inc, Lexington: General operating costs
- $5,000 to Kentucky Science Center, Louisville: General operating costs
- $5,000 to Louisville Academy of Music Inc, Louisville: General operating costs
How to apply: Email info@thecrallefoundation.org for an application.
Restrictions: Charitable
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
- $300,000 to Actors Theatre of Louisville Inc, Louisville: To support transformative leadership within the american theater
- $250,000 to Faulkner Morgan Archive Inc, Lexington: To support general operations
Restrictions: Activities supported by foundation grants must be charitable, educational or scientific under the provisions of the u.s. Internal revenue code and the treasury regulations.
Louise Taft Semple Foundation
- $50,000 to Wave Foundation Inc, Newport: General
- $15,000 to The Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center Inc, Covington: General
How to apply: Please refer to the website: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/grant-seekers/louise-taft-semple-foundation/ for specific grant guidelines and deadlines
Deadlines: Website: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/grant-seekers/louise-taft-semple-foundation/
Restrictions: Please refer to the website: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/grant-seekers/louise-taft-semple-foundation/ for specific grant guidelines and deadlines
The Norton Foundation Inc
- $15,000 to Louisville Academy of Music Inc, Louisville: General operations
- $10,000 to Actors Theatre of Louisville Inc, Louisville: General operations
How to apply: The application must include an outline of the project, a budget of all income & expenses and a copy of the irs determination letter verifying the organization's exempt status. The applications are filed in triplicate and are maintained by the foundation's executive director.
Deadlines: Quarterly
Restrictions: No grants are made to individuals or private foundations. Local charitable needs are given first priority.
The Josephine Ardery Foundation Inc
- $15,000 to Ludlow Historic Society, Ludlow: Preservation of historic buildings
- $5,000 to Dry Stone Conservancy, Lexington: Preserve historic walls in ky
How to apply: Written request for grant to include type of project, location of building, amount requested and pictures of what is to be restored
Deadlines: Semi annual dates
Restrictions: No specific limit
Keeneland Foundation Inc
- $7,000 to Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation Inc, Lexington: General operating grant
- $5,000 to Lexington History Museum, Lexington: General operating grant
How to apply: Completed grant application found on keeneland.com with cover letter in required format, proposed project budget and operating budget for the current year, list of board directors with addresses and business affiliations, irs 501(c)(3) letter, resume and salary of executive...
Deadlines: 1st quarter - march 1, 2nd quarter - june 1, 3rd quarter - september 1, 4th quarter - november 1
Restrictions: Funding will not be granted for the following requests: -from individuals -from political entities -for annual operating support -from primary and secondary schools -from fraternal or veterans organizations, unless the gift is in support...
The Lyndon & Helen M Schmid Charitable Foundation Inc
- $5,000 to Louisville Orchestra, Louisville: General purpose
- $5,000 to Kentucky Opera Association Inc, Louisville: General purpose
How to apply: Request should be made on the tax exempt organization's letterhead and provide the following information: public or private foundation status, including irs code section under which the exempt organization operates; the specific amount(s) of funds requested, and specifically how...
Restrictions: Institutions of higher learning, hospitals and medical facilities, recognized religious entities and churches, institutions or associations dedicated for the relief of the poor, such as habitat for humanity, and other similar or like...
Robert & Evelyn Hewlett Morgan Family Foundation Inc
- $4,710 to Create Princeton, Princeton: Financial aid - summer theater camp grades 6-8
- $2,500 to Fredonia Valley Heritage Society, Fredonia: Financial aid - new fencing for buddy rogers park
How to apply: Request application forms provided by the foundation
Deadlines: March 31st
Restrictions: Restricted to caldwell county, kentucky
V V Cooke Foundation Corporation
- $5,000 to Fund for the Arts, Louisville: Unrestricted
- $1,000 to Jacob School Heritage Inc, Louisville: Unrestricted
How to apply: Eight copies of the application are required together with a single copy of the applicant's irs 501(c)(3) letter.
Deadlines: Mid january, april, july, and october
Restrictions: Grants are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations located primarily in the louisville, ky area and grant purposes must be religious, educational, civic or humanitarian in nature. 509(a)(3) organizations do not qualify for our grants.
Ppl Foundation
- $2,500 to American Printing House for the Blind Inc, Louisville: Program support
- $1,000 to Commonwealth Theatre Center Inc, Louisville: Program support
How to apply: Applications are publicly available online at pplcares.com
Deadlines: Deadlines vary for different programs throughout the year, with final deadline occurring on sept. 15
Restrictions: Awards are limited to organizations operating within the company's service territory.
Trim Masters Charitable Foundation Inc
- $1,500 to Great American Brass Band Festival, Danville: Brass band festival 2025
- $1,000 to West T Hill Community Theatre, Danville: Irish summer camps
How to apply: Applications for funding may be obtained from dale kihlman. Applications identify the amount and purposes for which funding is sought and contact information and must be accompanied by a copy of either the letter form the irs granting the applicant 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or...
Deadlines: There is no specific deadline for funding requests.
Restrictions: Grants are made in support of charitable, scientific, literary, and educational programs to qualifying charitable organizations and governmental entities located in areas near any one of five specific trim masters facilities. Those...
William M Wood Foundation
- $400,000 to Louisville Orchestra, Louisville: Unrestricted general
How to apply: Written or verbal requests accepted, no specific form needed
Jasteka Foundation
- $275,000 to The Louisville Orchestra, Louisville: General contribution
How to apply: No prescribed format
Deadlines: No
Restrictions: No
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