Catholic Education Foundation Inc
Catholic Education Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Louisville, Kentucky. Formed in 1995, it supports Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville, primarily by providing tuition assistance to families who cannot afford the full cost of Catholic elementary school.
Catholic Education Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Catholic Education Foundation Inc gave $5.2M across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $92K), mostly in Kentucky. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,161,390
- +12.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- +1.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $92,168
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $76,720
- Total assets
- $54,597,734
- +10.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (7 of 47, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Catholic Education Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
For tuition assistance, families submit an online application along with a federal tax return, W-2s, documentation of other non-taxable income, and a $35 processing fee. The Foundation says applications are assessed on demonstrated financial need and that aid is awarded to the neediest families; schools certify student enrollment before assistance is remitted. The Innovation Award is for Catholic elementary school teachers in central Kentucky.
- Review Cycle
- For the 2026/2027 school year, applications submitted by November 30, 2025 participate in initial grant funding. The application was scheduled to become available October 15, 2025. Late applications from new school families are accepted and processed in the normal course; a smaller amount of aid may be available to current school families applying after November 30.
- Deadline
- For the 2026/2027 school year, applications submitted by November 30, 2025 participate in initial grant funding.
- Contact
Mailing address: 401 W Main Street 806, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 585-2747
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Catholic Education Foundation Inc
Catholic Education Foundation Innovation Award
Catholic Education Foundation Inc
Amount
$2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Tuition Assistance Program
Catholic Education Foundation Inc
Amount
Variable (Record $6.5 million awarded to 3,250 students in 2019-2020 school year)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Catholic Education Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Rita School ($331K). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 9 grants to individuals ($812,835), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
264 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 95 grants of 264 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated focus is Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville and central Kentucky. Its 2025 grant data shows 99% of grant dollars going to recipients in Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Catholic Education Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 47 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $126K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $90K repeat.
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 $3.2M (2019) to $5.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Rita School Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $330,864 |
| St Andrew Academy Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $307,155 |
| St James School Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $236,008 |
| St Bernard School Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $212,350 |
| 9 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $812,835 |
| St Martha School Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $205,041 |
| St Raphael School Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $188,663 |
| St Nicholas Academy Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $184,520 |
| St Gabriel School Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $183,270 |
| Notre Dame Academy Louisville, KY | Educational Grant | $174,060 |
Ready to take the next step with Catholic Education Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation’s annual report separately describes tuition assistance awarded with funding partners: $8,038,000 to 3,700 elementary students in 2024. That figure includes contributions from the Foundation, elementary schools, the Archdiocese through its parishes, and other partners.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,597,734 | $8,669,337 | $7,475,204 | $5,161,390 | 56 | $1,030,581 |
| 2024 | $49,582,194 | $11,014,826 | $6,906,854 | $4,607,516 | 55 | $557,214 |
| 2023 | $40,294,480 | $8,348,400 | $6,641,243 | $4,615,241 | 52 | $425,632 |
| 2022 | $34,954,329 | $8,681,774 | $6,122,696 | $3,948,834 | 50 | $909,134 |
| 2021 | $37,599,863 | $11,016,503 | $5,227,065 | $3,556,714 | 51 | $1,096,153 |
| 2020 | $25,007,085 | $5,607,518 | $5,050,627 | $3,404,400 | 48 | $465,283 |
| 2019 | $24,811,687 | $5,381,542 | $4,957,563 | $3,226,796 | 48 | $269,572 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to promote the growth and vitality of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Its vision is that every family has access to a Catholic education. The organization says it supports tuition assistance for families, technology enhancements for parishes and schools, professional development for educators and catechists, and religious education.
Its 2025 grants included educational grants to Catholic schools. One recipient, Pitt Academy Inc, describes its own mission as providing a supportive learning environment for children with learning and communication disabilities. St. Nicholas Academy describes its mission as partnering with under-resourced families through residential care and education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 56 grants totaling $5,161,390. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $330,864, with a median of $76,720. The largest reported grants included St. Rita School ($330,864), St. Andrew Academy ($307,155), St. James School ($236,008), St. Bernard School ($212,350), an individual recipient II Academy ($209,445), and St. Martha School ($205,041); each was designated as an educational grant.
The Foundation’s tuition assistance program is for families with one or more children enrolled in or applying to a Catholic elementary school in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Families must apply each year. The Foundation also offers a $2,500 Innovation Award recognizing Catholic elementary teachers in central Kentucky for innovation and academic achievement.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard A. Lechleiter as president; Julie E. Baum as vice president; Joseph L. Landenwich as chairman; Joseph W. Dougherty as chair-elect; Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre as vice-chairman; and Jane C. Morreau as treasurer. It also lists Gil A. Wentzel as director of finance, Elaine A. Eifler as development officer, Michelle M. Dohrman as director of tuition assistance, and Valerie T. Fowler as development manager.
Catholic Education Foundation Inc is led by Richard A. Lechleiter, President on every filing since 2019; 6 of 33 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard A. Lechleiter
President
On filings since 2019
60 hrs/week
$224K (2019) → $323K (2025)
Joseph L. Landenwich
Chairman
Secretary → Secretary & Chair-Elect, 2024
Secretary & Chair-Elect → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gil A. Wentzel
Director of Finance
On filings since 2021
45 hrs/week
$110K (2021) → $144K (2025)
Michelle M. Dohrman
Director of Tuition Assistance
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $105K (2025)
Neil P. Ramsey
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher J. Reid
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas J. Abell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert D. Cecil
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen C. James
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlotte K. Stengel
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Beth Bowling
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew W. Ott
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen D. Sautel III
Director
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas A. Perrone
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chad E. Dobson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark W. Raque
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bradley A. Savko
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James A. Hillebrand
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James J. Kirchdorfer Jr.
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer M. Stinnett
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary B. Ewing
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shayne R. Duvall
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Very Rev T. Michael Tobin Vf
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy L. Gettelfinger
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juan M. Montano
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Very Rev Anthony L. Chandler
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie E. Baum
Vice President
Senior Director of Operations → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$158K (2019) → $239K (2025)
Elaine A. Eifler
Development Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$116K (2025)
Valerie T. Fowler
Development Manager
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$105K (2025)
Jane C. Morreau
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diane M. Gahafer
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Most Rev Shelton J. Fabre
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph W. Dougherty
Chair-Elect
Director → Chair-Elect, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (35)
- Former: Todd A. Klimek (2019–2024) — Chairman
- Former: Valerie F. Briones-Pryor (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Very Rev Anthony L. Chandler Kchs (2024) — Director
- Former: David A. Durik (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Gregory A. Demuth (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: John D. Sweeney Jr. (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Reverend John J. Stolz (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Terry L. Bradshaw (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathleen M. Cassidy (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Father Anthony Chandler (2023) — Director
- Former: Jenny Stinnett (2023) — Director
- Former: Joe Dougherty (2023) — Director
- Former: Charles J. Dahlem (2019–2022) — Chairman
- Former: Kevin S. Woodward (2019–2022) — Director of Advancement
- Former: Most Rev Joseph E. Kurtz Dd (2019–2022) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Sr Jean Anne Zappa (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeanmarie Passafiume (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Benjamin C. Fultz (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: D. Hank Robinson (2019–2021) — Chairman
- Former: Donna L. Heitzman (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Leisa M. Schulz (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Leonard M. Spalding Jr. (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Mark M. Hamilton (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert L. Ash (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Stephen E. Embry (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: William J. Roby Sr. (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Kathleen C. Herrington (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Michael L. Ash (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Ulmer Wiseman (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: John Malloy (2019) — Director
- Former: John V. Hayes (2019) — Director
- Former: Kathy C. Herrington (2019) — Director
- Former: Mike Ash (2019) — Director
- Former: Paul J. Schulte (2019) — Director
- Former: Scott D. Flynn (2019) — Director
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 $323K, to Richard a Lechleiter (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Catholic Education Foundation Inc
How much does Catholic Education Foundation Inc give each year?
Catholic Education Foundation Inc gave $5.2M across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $4.6M across 55 grants.
What is Catholic Education Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Catholic Education Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $76,720, and its average grant was $92,168, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Catholic Education Foundation Inc that year got $16K on average.
Where does Catholic Education Foundation Inc give grants?
Catholic Education Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (31 grants), Bardstown, KY (2 grants) and Atlanta, GA (2 grants).
Does Catholic Education Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 56 grants with a stated purpose on Catholic Education Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational Grant" (54 grants).
Who are Catholic Education Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Catholic Education Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include St Rita School ($330,864), St James School ($324,070 across 2 grants) and St Andrew Academy ($307,155), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 9 grants to individuals ($812,835), which are not listed by name. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Catholic Education Foundation Inc?
Catholic Education Foundation Inc reported $54.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.7M.
What does Catholic Education Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to promote the growth and vitality of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Its vision is that every family has access to a Catholic education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Catholic Education Foundation Inc?
For tuition assistance, families submit an online application along with a federal tax return, W-2s, documentation of other non-taxable income, and a $35 processing fee. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Catholic Education Foundation Inc's EIN?
Catholic Education Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1294640. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 29, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Catholic Education Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Catholic Education Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/catholic-education-foundation-inc-morg_13989672dadb4d589f17ecebc92a4fa2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_611294640_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Catholic Education Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/catholic-education-foundation-inc-morg_13989672dadb4d589f17ecebc92a4fa2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Catholic Education 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.
Catholic Education Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?