Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Paducah, Kentucky. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in areas including cultural events, health care, Christian ministry and education, and services for people in need.
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation gave $8.9M across 152 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in Kentucky. 5% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,886,025
- -2.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 152
- -7.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $58,461
- +5.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $55,855,073
- -5.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (8 of 152, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (76% 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 Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact Clay Howerton and consult the foundation’s guidelines for application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions.
- Contact
Application contact: Clay Howerton
Mailing address: P O Box 194, Paducah, KY 42002-0194
Phone: (270) 883-1966
Email: clay@carsonmyre.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Luther F Carson Four Rivers Center Inc ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
835 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 594 grants of 835 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky. The next-largest state shares were North Carolina and Florida at 3% each, and Texas and Indiana at 2% each. The 2024 recipients listed include organizations in Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Arkansas, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 152 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 152 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $59K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 89% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 260% 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 $8.9M (2024) to $11.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 152 grants totaling $8.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Luther F Carson Four Rivers Center Inc Paducah, KY | Sponsor & Support Cultural Events | $1,270,000 |
| Baptist Health Paducah Foundation Paducah, KY | Support New Heart Center | $600,000 |
| First Baptist Church Paducah, KY | Christian Ministry | $300,000 |
| Paducah Symphony Orchestra Paducah, KY | Sponsor & Support Cultural Events | $300,000 |
| French Africian Christian Education Foundation Inc Benton, KY | Give Aid and Gospel Message to Needy | $250,000 |
| Market House Theatre Paducah, KY | Local Educational Plays | $225,000 |
| Community Kitchen Paducah, KY | To Provide Christian Outreach to Poor | $200,000 |
| Community Christian Academy School System Louisville, KY | Support Christian Education | $200,000 |
| Mercy Health Foundation-Lourdes Paducah, KY | Christian Ministry - Chaplain for Palliative Care | $200,000 |
| World Missions and Evangelism (Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches) Benton, KY | Christian Ministry - Overseas Ministry | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation?
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 | $55,855,073 | $6,716,134 | $9,635,128 | $8,886,025 | 152 | $8,886,025 | $6,302,725 | $3,422,082 |
| 2023 | $59,182,239 | $4,075,748 | $9,783,962 | $9,075,600 | 164 | $9,075,600 | $3,613,190 | $3,492,174 |
| 2022 | $64,848,106 | $3,767,951 | $11,632,817 | $10,557,043 | 173 | $10,557,043 | $3,285,615 | $3,916,878 |
| 2021 | $72,587,857 | $8,781,396 | $9,822,290 | $8,951,154 | 168 | $8,951,154 | $8,243,736 | $4,473,342 |
| 2020 | $73,819,805 | $3,743,188 | $11,982,972 | $11,136,616 | 178 | — | $3,230,770 | $4,328,553 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for cultural organizations, health care, churches and Christian ministries, education, and human services. For example, the foundation gave $1.27 million to the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center, whose mission is to present live performances and cultural experiences that are entertaining, educational, and beneficial to the region. The Paducah Symphony Orchestra, which received $300,000, says its mission is to enhance appreciation of music and the region’s cultural reputation.
Other grants included support for a hospital heart center, Christian education, and outreach to people in need. Among organizations receiving grants outside Kentucky, Samaritan’s Purse describes its work as providing spiritual and physical aid to people facing hardship around the world; Starfish Orphan Ministry says it supports orphaned children through education, humanitarian aid, and other support.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 152 grants totaling $8,886,025. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,270,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest awards included $1,270,000 to the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center for cultural events; $600,000 to Baptist Health Paducah Foundation for a new heart center; and $300,000 each to First Baptist Church for Christian ministry and the Paducah Symphony Orchestra for cultural events. Other notable grants included $250,000 to French African Christian Education Foundation and $225,000 to Market House Theatre.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists J. William Howerton, Paducah Bank Trust Co, Kim Blinkhorn, J. Robert Milford, and W. Clay Howerton as trustees.
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
J. Robert Milford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $27K (2024)
J. William Howerton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
16 hrs/week
$65K (2020) → $71K (2024)
Kim Blinkhorn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Paducah Bank Trust CO
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $27K (2024)
W. Clay Howerton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
24 hrs/week
$86K (2020) → $93K (2024)
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 $93K, to W Clay Howerton (Trustee). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation
How much does Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation give each year?
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation gave $8.9M across 152 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.1M across 164 grants.
What is Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $58,461, across 152 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation that year got $45K on average.
Where does Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation give grants?
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Kentucky: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Paducah, KY (41 grants), Louisville, KY (15 grants), Benton, KY (7 grants) and Mayfield, KY (5 grants).
Does Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 152 grants with a stated purpose on Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Fund Christian Ministry" (25 grants), "Christian Outreach to the Poor" (11 grants) and "To Preserve America's Judeo-Christian Heritage" (10 grants).
Who are Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Luther F Carson Four Rivers Center Inc ($1,270,000), Baptist Health Paducah Foundation ($600,000) and First Baptist Church ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation?
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation reported $55.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for cultural organizations, health care, churches and Christian ministries, education, and human services. For example, the foundation gave $1.27 million to the Luther F. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation?
Contact Clay Howerton and consult the foundation’s guidelines for application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4597768. 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 23, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 23, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/carson-myre-charitable-foundation-morg_1052dfd69d144d2281b31d422c11013b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364597768_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/carson-myre-charitable-foundation-morg_1052dfd69d144d2281b31d422c11013b},
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 Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation'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.
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