Berea College
Berea College is a public charity based in Berea, Kentucky, and was formed in 1855. Its mission is to transform the lives of students and families by admitting students of high promise and low means and covering costs beyond the student and family responsibility specified through the FAFSA, without packaging loans.
Berea College at a glance
In short: Berea College gave $890K across 47 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Kentucky. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $890,489
- -0.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 47
- -7.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,947
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $2,281,399,170
- +8.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (7 of 47, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (62% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Berea College
- Contact
Mailing address: Lincoln Hall 220, Berea, KY 40404
Phone: (859) 985-3082
Website: https://berea.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Berea College funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hindman Settlement School ($65K). Together the top 10 received $390K.
Grant Size Distribution
233 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 217 grants of 233 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants were concentrated in the Appalachian region: 62% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky, 17% to West Virginia, 16% to Tennessee, 4% to Virginia, and 1% to Alabama. The Appalachian Fund describes its focus as central Appalachia and the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding areas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Berea College open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 47 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 77% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+18%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $675K (2020) to $2.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 47 grants totaling $890K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hindman Settlement School Hindman, KY | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $65,081 |
| Step by Step Inc Charleston, WV | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $49,594 |
| Scott Christian Care Center Oneida, TN | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $42,169 |
| High Rocks Educational Corp Hillsboro, WV | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $40,822 |
| Pine Mountain Settlement School Bledsoe, KY | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $40,250 |
| Red Bird Mission Beverly, KY | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $32,000 |
| Appalachian NE-TN Resource Johnson City, TN | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $31,997 |
| New Opportunity School for Women Berea, KY | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $30,000 |
| Virginia Tech Foundation Inc Critz, VA | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $29,033 |
| Lincoln County Family Resource West Hamlin, WV | Support of organization working to improve general welfare within the appalachian region | $28,961 |
Ready to take the next step with Berea College?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,281,399,170 | $212,253,438 | $129,898,158 | $890,489 | 47 | $138,009,707 |
| 2024 | $2,105,673,831 | $139,250,388 | $121,442,033 | $891,839 | 51 | $65,583,930 |
| 2023 | $1,976,552,784 | $157,457,303 | $134,094,613 | $1,985,162 | 55 | $31,504,233 |
| 2022 | $1,868,201,097 | $243,070,272 | $155,512,051 | $755,187 | 42 | $99,875,932 |
| 2021 | $2,041,975,072 | $183,290,342 | $140,537,796 | $729,187 | 38 | $67,124,670 |
| 2020 | $1,637,313,850 | $205,202,087 | $142,734,145 | $674,823 | 38 | $73,646,124 |
| 2019 | $1,616,301,681 | $250,780,527 | $132,494,271 | $707,306 | 42 | $140,586,963 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Berea College’s stated mission centers on serving students of high promise and low means and covering costs beyond the student and family responsibility specified through the FAFSA without loans. Its reported institutional programs include instruction, student services, residence halls and food service, and academic support.
The Appalachian Fund focuses on improving the general education, health, and well-being of people in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding areas. It generally runs two annual competitions: one for health, education, and social services, and another for targeted folk arts and cultures. The college describes the fund as supporting nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life in central Appalachia.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Hindman Settlement School says it provides educational and service opportunities for mountain communities while keeping people mindful of their heritage. Step by Step says it works with communities in southern West Virginia through dialogue, education and the arts, wellness, local leadership, resources, and service. High Rocks says its mission is to educate, empower, and inspire young people in West Virginia. Pine Mountain Settlement School describes its work as experiential education focused on environmental literacy, sustainable agriculture, and Appalachian people, art, and culture. Red Bird Mission describes its work as economic and community development through a school and outreach ministries; Red Bird Clinic says it provides medical and dental services in an underserved area. New Opportunity School for Women says it works to improve the educational, financial, and personal circumstances of under-resourced Appalachian women.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Berea College reported 47 grants totaling $890,489. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $65,081, with a median of $15,000. The largest awards included $65,081 to Hindman Settlement School, $49,594 to Step by Step, $42,169 to Scott Christian Care Center, $40,822 to High Rocks Educational Corporation, and $40,250 to Pine Mountain Settlement School. The listed grant purpose for these awards was support of organizations working to improve general welfare within the Appalachian region.
The Appalachian Fund website says it welcomes proposals from potential partners and provides application and reporting guidelines through its Application Process page. It describes separate annual competitions for health, education, and social services, and for targeted folk arts and cultures. The website notes that application and reporting processes may change, including for returning grantees. It does not specify application materials or a deadline in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Stephanie Bowling Zeigler as chair and Samantha Earp as vice chair. Trustees listed include E. Allumsvicki, Vance Blade, Anne Berry Bonnyman, Joseph John Bridy, Stephen Campbell, Dwayne Compton, Charles Crowe, and Bill Daugherty. The Appalachian Fund website lists Cheryl Nixon, president of Berea College, and Davey King, director of the Appalachian Fund, as ex officio members of its advisory council.
Berea College is led by Nixon Cheryl L., President on every filing since 2024; 18 of 47 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Nixon Cheryl L.
President
On filings since 2024
60 hrs/week
$236K (2024) → $431K (2025)
Kennison Monica
Chair of Nursing
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$152K (2019) → $190K (2025)
Pearce Jan
Chair of Computer Science
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$143K (2025)
Sowers Nancy
Chair of Economics & Business
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$134K (2025)
Zeigler Stephanie Bowling
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allumsvicki E.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Blade Vance
Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2020
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bonnyman Anne Berry
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bridy Joseph John
Trustee
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Campbell Stephen
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Crowe Charles
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fleming John E.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Flowers Michael D.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenkins Scott M.
Director
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennings Glenn R.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Johnson Shawn C. D.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lowe Jr Eugene Y.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roop Dennis R.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Seabury Ii Charles Ward
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sloan David
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thompson Tyler S.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tuan Rocky S.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tuffour Emmanuel A.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daugherty Bill
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dean Donna J.
Trustee
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robbins William L.
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lane Brenda W.
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Torres Megan
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Compton Dwayne
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gallardo Yoli
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gentry Jodi D.
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phillips Robert
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amburgey Jeffrey S.
Vice President for Finance
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$170K (2019) → $220K (2025)
Berry Chad
Vice President for Alumni, Communications & Philanthropy
Academic Vice President & Dean of Faculty → Vice President for Alumni & College Relations, 2020
Vice President for Alumni & College Relations → Vice President for Alumni, Communications & Philanthropy, 2021
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$186K (2019) → $288K (2025)
Lawson Steve
Associate Vice President for Human Resources
Associate Vice President Human Resources → Associate Vice President for Human Resources, 2020
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$120K (2019) → $146K (2025)
Roelofs Lyle D.
Former Officer
President → President Emeritus, 2024
President Emeritus → Former Officer, 2025
On filings since 2019
$347K (2019) → $281K (2025)
Singleton Derrick
Vice President for Operations & Sustainability
Vice President Operations & Sustainability → Vice President for Operations & Sustainability, 2020
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$171K (2019) → $206K (2025)
Thompson Teri
Chief Strategy Officer
Vice President Strategic Initiatives → Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, 2020
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives → Chief Strategy Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$108K (2019) → $172K (2025)
Wilson Ii Judge B.
Secretary & General Counsel
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$244K (2019) → $287K (2025)
Saderholm Matt
Dean of Faculty
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$126K (2020) → $185K (2025)
Mack Dwayne
Vice President for Diversity Equity Inclusion
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$96K (2021) → $134K (2025)
Steele Scott
Provost
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$135K (2021) → $207K (2025)
Robinson Collis
Dean of Labor
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$61K (2022) → $133K (2025)
Logsdon Phillip
Chief Information Officer
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$125K (2023) → $145K (2025)
Teresa Davis
Senior Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy
Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni & Philanthropy → Senior Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$152K (2024) → $159K (2025)
Poynter Barry
Vice President for Accounting
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$114K (2025)
Earp Samantha
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Armstrong Celeste (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Beason Charlotte F. (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Chow David H. (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Pride Miriam (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Richardson William B. (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Shelton David E. (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Armstrong Cassie Chambers (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Gary Mahoney (2024) — Professor of Engineering Technologies & Applied Design
- Former: Gus Gerassimides (2024) — Interim Vice President for Student Life
- Former: Norris John David (2024) — Professor & Co-Dir of Epg
- Former: Hackbert Peter (2019–2023) — Professor & Co-Dir of Epg
- Former: Barbour Channell (2020–2023) — Vice President for Student Life · Filing note: Through May 2023
- Former: Davis Teresa (2021–2023) — Senior Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy
- Former: Gerassimides Gus (2023) — Vice President for Student Life · Filing note: Started May 2023
- Former: Asante Sylvia (2019–2022) — Dean of Labor · Filing note: Until 123121
- Former: Gentry Dreama (2019–2022) — Executive Director Ext Funded Program
- Former: Lampton Nancy (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Olinger Betty H. (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Culbreth M. Elizabeth (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Koh Ken (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Phillips Thomas W. (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Strong-Leek Linda (2019–2021) — Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion
- Former: Wallace Diane Artist (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Yahng Robert T. (2019–2021) — Chair
- Former: Tuffuor Emmanuel A. (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Burnside Virgil (2019–2020) — Former Vice President for Labor & Student Life
- Former: Chen Huapei (2019–2020) — Chief Information Officer
- Former: Douglas Bernadine (2019–2020) — Vice President for Alumni & College Relations
- Former: Hall Donna S. (2019–2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $431K, to Nixon Cheryl L (President). 18 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Berea College
How much does Berea College give each year?
Berea College gave $890K across 47 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $892K across 51 grants.
What is Berea College's typical grant size?
Berea College's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $18,947, across 47 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Berea College that year got $17K on average.
Where does Berea College give grants?
Berea College gives mostly in Kentucky: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were West Virginia (17%) and Tennessee (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hazard, KY (5 grants), Lexington, KY (4 grants), Charleston, WV (3 grants) and Johnson City, TN (3 grants).
Does Berea College give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Berea College's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (47 of 47) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Berea College's largest grantees?
Berea College's largest 2025 grantees include Hindman Settlement School ($65,081), Step by Step Inc ($49,594) and Scott Christian Care Center ($42,169), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Berea College?
Berea College reported $2.3B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $212.3M.
What does Berea College fund?
Berea College’s stated mission centers on serving students of high promise and low means and covering costs beyond the student and family responsibility specified through the FAFSA without loans. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Berea College?
Berea College has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check berea.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Berea College's EIN?
Berea College's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-0444650. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 28, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Berea College's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Berea College funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/berea-college-morg_051c15f2e0ed4d319acf572088134b57
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_610444650_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Berea College funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/berea-college-morg_051c15f2e0ed4d319acf572088134b57},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Berea College's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Berea College down — hundreds of funders to go?