B J Killian Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker LOUISVILLE, KY EIN: 31-1077598

The B J Killian Foundation is a private foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky, established in 1983 in honor of B.J. Killian (1917-1965). The foundation focuses on supporting non-profit corporations that demonstrate effectiveness and efficient use of resources for serving those in need.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$7.5M

+2.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$510K

+2.0% YoY

Grant Count

-3.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$20K

+6.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, B J Killian Foundation reported a distributable amount of $436K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Primary funding areas include:

Education
Human Services
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Kentucky and Missouri.

Grant Distribution by State

Kentucky $2.3M (94%)

Missouri $140K (6%)

States

Kentucky Missouri

Cities

Bowling GreenFrankfortLexingtonLouisvilleOwensboroSt Louis

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

Total Assets: $7,506,272
Total Giving: $510,000
Total Revenues: $763,206
Total Expenses: $584,935
Investment Income and Dividends: $227,726

Staffing: 0 employees

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$7,506,272	$7,328,613	$7,509,074
Revenue	$763,206	$378,579	$120,119
Expenses	$584,935	$557,989	$660,267
Qualifying Distributions	$510,900	$500,996	$581,194
Net Investment Income	$692,604	$321,939	$127,992
Distributable Amount	$435,746	$447,156	$462,474

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

142 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Owensboro Communtiy College ($55,000), Apollo High School ($35,000), Senior Community Center ($35,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
BOULWARE MISSION INC OWENSBORO, KY	GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES	$15,000
CLIFF HAGAN BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OWENSBORO, KY	GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES	$20,000
GIRLS INC OWENSBORO, KY	GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES	$20,000
OASIS OWENSBORO, KY	GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES	$15,000
NEW BEGINNINGS OWENSBORO, KY	GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES	$10,000
ST JOSEPH'S PEACE MISSION OWENSBORO, KY	GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES	$15,000
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE OWENSBORO, KY	DESIGNATED FOR FIELD	$30,000
OWENSBORO RIVERPARK CENTER OWENSBORO, KY	GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES	$20,000
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (STLOUIS) ST LOUIS, MO	DESIGNATED FOR NANCY WILSON	$30,000
GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS LOUISVILLE, KY	GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES	$25,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
MARY ROGERS	TRUSTEE, PART-TIME	1	—
MILDRED KILLIAN	TRUSTEE, PART-TIME	1	—
JAMES D TOLER	TRUSTEE, PART-TIME	1	—
PEGGY GARDNER	TRUSTEE, PART-TIME	1	—
DAVID L YEWELL	TRUSTEE, PART-TIME	1	—

Contact Information

Address: PO Box 34290, Louisville, KY 40232-4290
Telephone: 502-625-1076

Frequently Asked Questions

What does B J Killian Foundation fund?

The foundation's stated purpose is "the betterment of non-profit corporations who have demonstrated the highest degree of effectiveness and the efficient use of resources for the benefit of those who are in need." Primary funding areas include: • Education • Human Services • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

How do I apply for a grant from B J Killian Foundation?

**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $7,500 to $55,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 32 grants in 2024, with a total giving amount of $510,000. **Recent Grants (2024):** • Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County: $35,000 (For Meals on Wheels) • Kentucky Wesleyan College: $30,000 (Designated for Field) • Help Office of Owensboro: $25,000 (General Charitable Purposes)

Where does B J Killian Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Kentucky and Missouri.

What size grants does B J Killian Foundation award?

In 2024, B J Killian Foundation awarded 25 grants totaling $510K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is B J Killian Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, B J Killian Foundation reported a distributable amount of $436K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.