C E and S Foundation Inc
C E and S Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky. Its grantmaking is largely focused on Louisville, with some support for other communities connected to the Foundation, and aims to help people become resilient and prepared to engage and thrive.
C E and S Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: C E and S Foundation Inc gave $4.5M across 59 grants in 2024 (avg $77K), mostly in Kentucky. 15% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,537,971
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 59
- -13.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $76,915
- +19.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $45,000
- Total assets
- $77,295,552
- +3.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (9 of 59, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to C E and S Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Review the Grantseekers information on the Foundation’s website and use its online form to inquire about a potential partnership. The filing identifies Executive Director Tess McNair as the inquiry contact and directs applicants to the website for application information. Award restrictions are described on the website’s Areas of Focus page.
- Review Cycle
- None listed on the 2024 filing.
- Deadline
- None listed on the 2024 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Tess P Mcnair Executive Director
Mailing address: 101 South 5Th Street Suite 1650, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 583-0546
Website: https://cesfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from C E and S Foundation Inc
Who C E and S Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was EVOLVE502 Scholars Foundation Inc ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
293 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 165 grants of 293 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says its grantmaking is largely focused on Louisville, Kentucky, and a few other communities connected to the Foundation. In 2024, 80% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky, 9% to Maine, 4% to Vermont, 3% to Virginia, and 1% to Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is C E and S Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 59 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $82K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 78% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 79% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 142% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.4M (2023) to $35.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 59 grants totaling $4.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EVOLVE502 Scholars Foundation Inc Louisville, KY | General Operating Support, EVOLVE502 Scholarship | $1,000,000 |
| Bates College Lewiston, ME | Current Use Scholarships, Russel Street Field Project | $425,000 |
| Jewish Family and Career Services Louisville, KY | Family & household stability collaborative, career services for refugees & immigrants | $260,000 |
| President and Fellows of Middlebury College Middlebury, VT | Middlebury language schools scholarship endowment, middlebury language schools scholarship fund | $200,000 |
| Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) of Greater Louisville Inc Louisville, KY | Ymca - early learning readiness program, ymca black achievers | $185,000 |
| Rita June Foundation Inc Louisville, KY | Bezos Academies of Louisville | $150,000 |
| Play Cousins Collective Louisville, KY | Strengthening foundations: enhancing capacity for greater impact, consulting with sagebird | $129,500 |
| Maryhurst Louisville, KY | Out-of-School Time Behavioral Health Pilot | $125,000 |
| The Cabbage Patch Settlement House Inc Louisville, KY | Assessing youth and family development, family and youth development program | $125,000 |
| Neighborhood House Inc Louisville, KY | Youth thrive implementation, appreciation for work to advance the out-of-school time sector and professional development | $118,200 |
Ready to take the next step with C E and S Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $77,295,552 | $3,723,414 | $4,826,026 | $4,537,971 | 59 | $5,342,322 | $3,128,795 | $3,751,538 |
| 2023 | $74,663,120 | $2,318,995 | $5,155,325 | $4,376,144 | 68 | $5,132,743 | $1,343,065 | $3,590,406 |
| 2022 | $71,830,360 | $40,434,993 | $35,714,914 | $35,580,434 | 56 | $4,850,720 | $405,904 | $3,823,678 |
| 2021 | $78,080,293 | $15,282,598 | $21,496,058 | $21,666,211 | 51 | $4,489,379 | $3,365,842 | $4,229,595 |
| 2020 | $74,952,437 | $3,352,803 | $4,599,012 | $5,444,795 | 59 | — | $2,650,197 | $3,358,683 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, C E and S Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to identify, fund, and nurture initiatives that enhance the living conditions and prospects of identifiable people and promote the flourishing of the communities it serves.
Its five focus areas are caregiver engagement for early childhood learning; social-emotional support for children from birth through grade 12; academic support for children in kindergarten through grade 12; family and household stability; and postsecondary education success. The Foundation describes its postsecondary work as removing financial barriers for graduates of Jefferson County Public Schools, primarily through the Evolve502 Scholarship Fund, and supporting students’ academic and social-emotional needs.
The 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations and purposes. For example, Evolve502 Scholars Foundation received a grant for general operating support and the Evolve502 Scholarship. Play Cousins Collective, which describes itself as a family-centered grassroots organization focused on community healing, caregiver support, civic engagement, and youth enrichment, received support for capacity-building work. Neighborhood House, which describes itself as a whole-family community center in Louisville’s West End, received support for youth and family development initiatives.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 59 grants totaling $4,537,971. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $45,000. Notable awards included $1,000,000 to Evolve502 Scholars Foundation for general operating support and the Evolve502 Scholarship; $425,000 to Bates College for current-use scholarships and the Russel Street Field Project; and $260,000 to Jewish Family and Career Services for its Family & Household Stability Collaborative and career services for refugees and immigrants. Other awards included $200,000 to Middlebury College for scholarship purposes and $185,000 to the YMCA of Greater Louisville for early learning readiness and Black Achievers.
The Foundation’s website describes an approach that includes exploratory conversations, questions for prospective grantseekers, proposal submission, proposal review, and reporting. Its 2024 filing directs applicants to the website’s Grantseekers information for application materials and identifies the executive director as the contact for inquiries. The website also encourages potential partners to contact the Foundation through its online form with a brief description of their work rather than submit unsolicited proposals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carol L. Jones as president and director; Tess P. McNair as executive director and secretary; Sara Kelley as treasurer; and Matthew L. Jones, David A. Jones Jr., and Mary Gwen Wheeler as directors.
C E and S Foundation Inc is led by Tess P. McNair, Executive Director & Secretary since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tess P. McNair
Executive Director & Secretary
Executive Director → Executive Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$218K (2020) → $280K (2024)
Carol L. Jones
President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David A. Jones Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew L. Jones
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Gwen Wheeler
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Kelley
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: David Wessel (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Daniel H. Jones (2020–2021) — Secretary & Director
- Former: Susan T. Jones (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $280K, to Tess P McNair (Executive Director, Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about C E and S Foundation Inc
How much does C E and S Foundation Inc give each year?
C E and S Foundation Inc gave $4.5M across 59 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.4M across 68 grants.
What is C E and S Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
C E and S Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $45,000, and its average grant was $76,915, across 59 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from C E and S Foundation Inc that year got $46K on average.
Where does C E and S Foundation Inc give grants?
C E and S Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maine (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (39 grants) and Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does C E and S Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 36% of C E and S Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 59) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are C E and S Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
C E and S Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include EVOLVE502 Scholars Foundation Inc ($1,000,000), Bates College ($425,000) and Jewish Family and Career Services ($260,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is C E and S Foundation Inc?
C E and S Foundation Inc reported $77.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does C E and S Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to identify, fund, and nurture initiatives that enhance the living conditions and prospects of identifiable people and promote the flourishing of the communities it serves. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from C E and S Foundation Inc?
Review the Grantseekers information on the Foundation’s website and use its online form to inquire about a potential partnership. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is C E and S Foundation Inc's EIN?
C E and S Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2466943. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in C E and S Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
James Graham Brown Foundation Inc
Louisville, KY
The James Graham Brown Foundation funds education, community and economic development, civic and cultural assets, and health and well-being in Louisville and across Kentucky. Its 2024 grants ranged from $450 to $1.5 million, with a median of $202,500; Louisville Responsive Community Grants generally range from $150,000 to $500,000. The profile describes concept-paper submissions for some programs and says Quality of Life applications are by invitation; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted generally.
Assets
$391.0M
Grants
50
Total Given
$14.9M
The Gheens Foundation Inc
Louisville, KY
The Gheens Foundation funds primarily public urban education, human and social services, quality of place, and the arts in metropolitan Louisville and Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $400,000, with a median of $25,000, and it accepts unsolicited requests through an online application process.
Assets
$161.4M
Grants
157
Total Given
$6.3M
The Community Foundation of Louisville Corporate Depository Inc
Louisville, KY
The Community Foundation of Louisville supports 501(c)(3) organizations and charitable projects, with grants spanning human services, youth, education, health, housing, and philanthropy. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,157 to $720,515, with a median of $12,000; most funding went to Kentucky, particularly Louisville and some surrounding areas. It offers open application processes for specific programs, but the profile does not state whether it accepts general unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.3M
Grants
128
Total Given
$4.3M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Brown-Forman Foundation
Louisville, KY
The Brown-Forman Foundation funds arts and culture, lifelong learning, and community well-being, with a strong focus on Louisville and grants going to Kentucky organizations. Recent grants ranged from $25,000 to $1 million, with a median of $80,000. Its materials are mixed on unsolicited requests: a program listing says it does not accept them, while its guidelines say eligible nonprofits may apply once per fiscal year.
Assets
$111.1M
Grants
56
Total Given
$9.8M
Metro United Way Inc
Louisville, KY
Metro United Way funds programs focused on children’s development and education, household stability, and equitable opportunity, including basic services. Its grants serve seven counties in Kentucky and Indiana; in 2025, awards ranged from $5,337 to $1 million, with a median of $15,000. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$46.4M
Grants
124
Total Given
$5.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Kentucky
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). C E and S Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/c-e-and-s-foundation-inc-morg_93affd54fa69434e8c4ad8aa6adafb31
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_592466943_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{C E and S Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/c-e-and-s-foundation-inc-morg_93affd54fa69434e8c4ad8aa6adafb31},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 C E and S Foundation Inc'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.
C E and S Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?