Brighten Your Future
Brighten Your Future is a private foundation based in Logan, Ohio. Founded in 1988, it provides need-based educational grants to eligible Logan High School graduates to help them continue their education beyond high school.
Brighten Your Future at a glance
In short: Brighten Your Future gave $131K across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $131,070
- +11.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- +22.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,048
- -9.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,250
- Total assets
- $2,639,492
- +3.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Brighten Your Future
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing instructs students to complete the standard FAF form and forward it to schools for verification. The website also provides a grant application PDF. The filing names Kimberly Norway as the contact for the application process.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists July 1 for annual documentation submissions. The 2024 filing states that forms are due May 31. Both dates are past application deadlines as of October 2, 2026.
- Deadline
- The website lists July 1 for annual documentation submissions.
- Contact
Application contact: Kimberly Norway
Mailing address: PO Box 991, Logan, OH 43138
Phone: (740) 707-6288
Website: https://brightenyourfuturelogan.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Brighten Your Future funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Christian Swart ($3K).
Organizations only. It also paid 42 individual scholarships ($127,820), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
165 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 165 grants of 165 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website’s stated eligibility centers on graduates of Logan High School and the Logan-Hocking community. In filing year 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio and 2% to recipients in Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
How Brighten Your Future gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+16%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 144% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $89K (2019) to $131K (2025). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $131K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 42 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $127,820 |
| Christian Swart Logan, OH | Scholarship | $3,250 |
Ready to take the next step with Brighten Your Future?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,639,492 | $229,085 | $180,275 | $131,070 | 43 | $174,033 | $170,496 | $120,484 |
| 2024 | $2,553,084 | $164,559 | $166,832 | $117,528 | 35 | $47,850 | $108,544 | $121,650 |
| 2023 | $2,452,451 | $176,794 | $165,460 | $115,025 | 30 | $49,118 | $75,029 | $117,971 |
| 2022 | $2,384,951 | $214,247 | $158,461 | $112,949 | 26 | $12,352 | $124,305 | $124,416 |
| 2021 | $2,639,748 | $777,514 | $129,573 | $89,524 | 31 | — | $93,649 | $107,516 |
| 2019 | $1,776,795 | $154,503 | $129,247 | $88,588 | 51 | — | $69,302 | $85,971 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Brighten Your Future reported a distributable amount of $120K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Brighten Your Future’s stated objective is to help Logan High School graduates access higher education by providing financial assistance. The website describes awards as based solely on need, determined using FAFSA and related information. Its guidelines describe calculating need using student resources, gifts and grants, Stafford self-help aid, and school costs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $131,070. Grants ranged from $180 to $3,250, with a median of $3,250. Its largest reported grants were $3,250 scholarships to individual recipients. In 2024, it reported 35 grants totaling $117,528; in 2023, it reported 30 grants totaling $115,025.
The website says students must have an acceptable GPA, be accepted at a fully accredited institution, verify summer employment, and submit a recent grade report, the intended school’s financial aid award letter, and a Student Aid Report. Applicants must be graduates of Logan High School since 1988 and submit documentation annually. The 2024 filing says students who qualify under the standard FAF form and are graduates of the Logan Hocking School District qualify for available scholarships, subject to the number of applicants and available funding.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert Lilley as president and James Robinson as treasurer. It lists Joe Murtha, Christy Bosch, Chad Grow, Jane Hall, Mackenzie Shaw, Vikki Davidson, Lee Howdyshell, and Jim Roush as trustees.
The website identifies Kimberly Norway as executive director. Its governance page also lists Abby Saving as vice president and Greg Vermillion as secretary.
Brighten Your Future is led by Kim Norway, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2019); none of the 20 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kim Norway
Executive Director
Trustee → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$12K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Robert Lilley
President
Trustee → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nanette Swinehart
Trustee
Executive Director → Exutive Director, 2022
Exutive Director → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$18K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Bj Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edgar Penrod
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Vermillion
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janey Saving
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Roush
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Murtha
Trustee
V-President → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Risch
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Gerstner
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Howdyshell
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Hall
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Stimmel
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Grow
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christy Bosch
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mackenzie Shaw
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vikki Davidson
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abagail Saving
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Robinson
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Charles Taylor (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Dick Brant (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jim Robinson (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Kenneth Dille (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Monte Bainter (2019–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Van Cardaras (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: William R. Heath (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Larry Kienzle (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Courtney Snipes (2021) — 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 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $12K, to Kim Norway (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Brighten Your Future
How much does Brighten Your Future give each year?
Brighten Your Future gave $131K across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $118K across 35 grants.
What is Brighten Your Future's typical grant size?
Brighten Your Future's median grant in 2025 was $3,250, and its average grant was $3,048, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Brighten Your Future give grants?
Brighten Your Future gives mostly in Ohio: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Brighten Your Future give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Brighten Your Future's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (43 grants).
How large is Brighten Your Future?
Brighten Your Future reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $174K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $120K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Brighten Your Future fund?
Brighten Your Future’s stated objective is to help Logan High School graduates access higher education by providing financial assistance. The website describes awards as based solely on need, determined using FAFSA and related information. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Brighten Your Future?
The 2024 filing instructs students to complete the standard FAF form and forward it to schools for verification. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Brighten Your Future's EIN?
Brighten Your Future's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1255015. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Brighten Your Future's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Ohio
Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association
Columbus, OH
OCCRRA funds Ohio organizations serving child care, early learning, and youth development, including through program-specific stabilization and access grants. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,960 to $50,970, with a median of $30,060. Organizations apply for assistance and are reviewed against program criteria; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the information provided.
Assets
$6.3M
Grants
4
Total Given
$118K
Columbus Foundation
Columbus, OH
The Columbus Foundation supports a broad range of nonprofit work, including arts, education, health, basic needs, neighborhoods, and capacity building, primarily in central Ohio. Its 2024 grants had a median of $21,471, though amounts varied widely. Most grants are directed by donors and aren’t made through an application process, but some specific programs accept applications.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
1,747
Total Given
$242.7M
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation funds nonprofits working on education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, and related regional needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though amounts vary widely; specific opportunities include awards of up to $35,000 for Resilient Communities and up to $450,000 through the Neighborhood Development Fund. It lists RFP and letter-of-intent opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,408
Total Given
$184.4M
The Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The Cleveland Foundation funds education, human services, neighborhoods and housing, health, arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and other community priorities, primarily through grants to nonprofits in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $17.5 million, with a median of about $30,700. It accepts applications year-round through its standard grant process, with deadlines determining which cycle an application enters.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
1,016
Total Given
$184.2M
The Scripps Howard Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The foundation supports journalism education and related programs that foster informed, engaged communities, including journalism fellowships and environmental and technology-focused journalism initiatives. In 2024, grants ranged from $25 to $675,706, with a median of $1,250; funding was concentrated in Maryland and Washington, D.C., followed by Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$69.4M
Grants
819
Total Given
$7.4M
Nisource Charitable Foundation
Columbus, OH
The NiSource Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits addressing safety, workforce and economic development, environmental stewardship, STEM and energy education, and basic needs in communities across Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $60 to $2.1 million, with a median of $3,000. The filing directs applicants to contact the Foundation for application materials and deadlines; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$43.0M
Grants
683
Total Given
$7.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Brighten Your Future'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.
Brighten Your Future down — hundreds of funders to go?