Blue Sky Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation based in New Albany, Indiana. Established in 2001, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a Private Grantmaking Foundation. The foundation is among the top funders in New Albany, ranking second by total giving in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$293K
-53.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
-27.2% YoY
Grant Count
15
-21.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$219K
-7.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Blue Sky Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement on file. However, its grantmaking reflects a diverse range of focus areas including:
- Education
- Environment and natural resources
- Water resources
- Animal welfare
- Science and technology
- Community and economic development
- Religion (specifically Christianity)
- Human services
- Youth development and youth services
Grantmaking
The foundation made 16 grants in 2023, with notable recipients including:
Grant Range
s have varied significantly, ranging from approximately $106 to $5,725,718. The foundation's grantmaking activity has been substantial, with total giving of $3,279,750 reported in recent filings.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and internationally, with documented activity in:
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- West Virginia
Specific cities where the foundation has supported work include Bloomington, Boulder, Clarksville, Evansville, Harpers Ferry, Jeffersonville, Louisville, New Albany, New York, Portland, Seattle, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $292,932
- 2023: $625,232
Annual Giving:
- 2024: $3,279,750 (total giving)
- 2023: $4,005,585 (total revenues)
Expenses:
- 2024: $3,333,033
- 2023: $4,588,518
Liabilities:
- 2024: $0
The foundation operates with no employees and maintains a lean operational structure. Investment income and dividends have been minimal, with the foundation primarily supported by grants and contributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $292,932 | $625,232 | $1,208,165 |
| Revenue | $3,000,733 | $4,005,585 | $2,506,697 |
| Expenses | $3,333,033 | $4,588,518 | $11,015,502 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,279,750 | $4,505,582 | $10,933,018 |
| Net Investment Income | $733 | $5,585 | $6,697 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,336 | $45,522 | $259,988 |
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
88 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include New Life Ministries ($2,500,000), Northside Christian Church ($250,000), River Heritage Conservancy ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARUKAH ANIMAL INTERNATIONAL SAUSALITO, CA | GENERAL FUNDS | $30,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN INDIANA INC NEW ALBANY, IN | GENERAL FUNDS | $43,000 |
| DISCOVERY INSTITUTE SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL FUNDS | $10,000 |
| FORGET ME NOT MINISTRIES HARPERS FERRY, WV | GENERAL FUNDS | $10,000 |
| HOOSIERS FOR GOOD INC BLOOMINGTON, IN | GENERAL FUNDS | $100,000 |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST NEW ALBANY, IN | GENERAL FUNDS | $10,000 |
| IU FOUNDATION BLOOMINGTON, IN | GENERAL FUNDS | $250 |
| KENTUCKY HUMANE SOCIETY LOUISVILLE, KY | GENERAL FUNDS | $10,000 |
| NADUS FILMS INC LOUISVILLE, KY | GENERAL FUNDS | $31,500 |
| NEW LIFE MINISTRIES UNDERWOOD, IN | GENERAL FUNDS | $2,500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership team includes:
- John B. Shine – President and Director
- Jane Shine – Director
- Rudy Spencer – Executive Director (full-time, working without compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN B SHINE | PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JANE SHINE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RUDY SPENCER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been recognized for significant charitable contributions. In recent years, it has broken charitable giving records, with reports indicating donations of $775,000 in a single year. The foundation continues to be an active funder in its region and beyond.
BluSky Foundation Breaks Charitable Giving Record with $775,000 in DonationsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Blue Sky Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement on file. However, its grantmaking reflects a diverse range of focus areas including: • Education • Environment and natural resources • Water resources • Animal welfare • Science and technology • Community and economic development • Religion (specifically Christianity) • Human services • Youth development and youth services
How do I apply for a grant from Blue Sky Foundation Inc?
**Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 16 grants in 2023, with notable recipients including: • Recenter Ministries: $1,000,000 • NF2 Biosolutions: $350,000 • Northside Christian Church: $250,000 **Grant Amounts:** Grant sizes have varied significantly, ranging from approximately $106 to $5,725,718. The foundation's grantmaking activity has been substantial, with total giving of $3,279,750 reported in recent filings. **Financial Activity:** In 2024, the foundation reported revenues of $3…
Where does Blue Sky Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and internationally, with documented activity in: • Colorado • District of Columbia • Illinois • Indiana • Kentucky • New York • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Washington • West Virginia Specific cities where the foundation has supported work include Bloomington, Boulder, Clarksville, Evansville, Harpers Ferry, Jeffersonville, Louisville, New Albany, New York, Portland, Seattle, and Washington.
What size grants does Blue Sky Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Blue Sky Foundation Inc awarded 15 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $219K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Blue Sky Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Blue Sky Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $8K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Blue Sky Foundation Inc's EIN?
Blue Sky Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2153383. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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