Charles B Keesee Educational Fund
The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund is a private foundation based in Martinsville, Virginia. It provides financial assistance to eligible students at its beneficiary schools who plan to enter vocational Baptist ministry or undertake religious work in the Baptist denomination.
Charles B Keesee Educational Fund at a glance
In short: Charles B Keesee Educational Fund gave $3.9M across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $281K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,938,325
- +10.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $281,309
- +10.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $74,114,251
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (67% 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 Charles B Keesee Educational Fund
- How to Apply
-
The Fund directs applicants to its website for application information and materials. It states that deadlines vary and that award restrictions are described on the website.
- Review Cycle
- The listed deadlines for master’s grants are March 1 for repeat applicants applying for fall and spring semesters, and April 1 for new applicants applying for fall and spring semesters; October 1 is listed for spring-semester-only applications. For doctoral applicants, the listed deadlines are May 1 for fall and spring semesters and November 1 for spring-semester-only applications.
- Deadline
- The listed deadlines for master’s grants are March 1 for repeat applicants applying for fall and spring semesters, and…
- Contact
Application contact: Charles B Keesee Educational Fund I
Mailing address: PO Box 431, Martinsville, VA 24114
Phone: (276) 632-2229
Website: https://cbkeesee.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 Charles B Keesee Educational Fund
Who Charles B Keesee Educational Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rawlings School of Divinity at Libe ($263K). Together the top 9 received $1.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 5 individual scholarships ($2,930,412), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
97 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 97 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars by recipient state were reported as 67% to North Carolina, 14% to Virginia, 13% to Kentucky, 5% to Louisiana, and 1% to Texas. These figures describe the locations of grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
How Charles B Keesee Educational Fund gives
- Giving grew 26% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 120% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.1M (2022) to $3.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $3.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 5 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $2,930,412 |
| Rawlings School of Divinity at Libe Lynchburg, VA | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $262,502 |
| Garder-Webb Divinity School Boiling Springs, NC | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $195,227 |
| New Orleans Baptist Theological SEM New Orleans, LA | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $181,728 |
| Duke Divinity School Durham, NC | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $127,325 |
| Hargrave Military Academy Chatham, VA | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $100,000 |
| Campbell Divinity School Buies Creek, NC | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $67,131 |
| Averett University Danville, VA | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $32,500 |
| Bluefield University Bluefield, VA | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $25,000 |
| John Leland Center for Theological Arlington, VA | Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc. | $16,500 |
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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 | $74,114,251 | $6,677,263 | $4,699,885 | $3,938,325 | 14 | $4,227,192 | $6,250,915 | $3,518,136 |
| 2024 | $70,097,765 | $2,542,830 | $4,241,655 | $3,552,881 | 14 | $3,838,701 | $2,109,998 | $3,346,865 |
| 2023 | $70,142,557 | $3,017,440 | $4,416,608 | $3,768,254 | 30 | $3,962,933 | $2,561,072 | $3,488,231 |
| 2022 | $78,271,755 | $5,985,709 | $3,854,657 | $3,131,636 | 21 | $3,352,058 | $5,378,788 | $3,975,940 |
| 2021 | $75,284,707 | $5,407,851 | $4,106,865 | $3,256,628 | 18 | — | $4,771,598 | $3,484,213 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Charles B Keesee Educational Fund reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s stated purpose is to assist qualified students in obtaining an education at its beneficiary schools. Its student grants are for eligible master’s degrees and Doctor of Ministry programs; students must be enrolled at a beneficiary school and plan to enter vocational Baptist ministry or undertake religious work in the Baptist denomination.
Its 2025 grants included seminaries and divinity schools, as well as military academies and universities. Among the supported organizations, an individual recipient Military Academy’s stated purpose is to support the Academy’s educational, religious, and charitable work. Averett University says it prepares students to serve and lead as catalysts for positive change through liberal arts-based programs. Bluefield University describes its mission as offering a Christ-centered liberal arts experience integrating liberal arts, career-oriented studies, and service to God and the world.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Fund reported 14 grants totaling $3,938,325. Grant amounts ranged from $16,500 to $2,254,743, with a median of $100,000. The largest grants included $2,254,743 to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, $505,819 to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, $262,502 to Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty, and $195,227 to Gardner-Webb Divinity School. The stated purpose for these grants was student assistance with tuition, books, fees, and related educational expenses.
The Fund’s website says it accepts applications for master’s grants and Doctor of Ministry grants from students enrolled in beneficiary schools and pursuing eligible degrees. It directs applicants to its website for application information, requirements, and restrictions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing were Ryan R. Hutchinson, President; Douglas T. Ramsey, Vice President; Georgia P. Compton, Treasurer/Secretary; and trustees G. Paul Fletcher, John T. Fulcher, Martha W. Medley, Betty B. Pigg, and Andrew H. Wakefield.
Charles B Keesee Educational Fund is led by Ryan R. Hutchinson, President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); all 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ryan R. Hutchinson
President
Trustee → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$12K (2021) → $14K (2025)
Betty B. Pigg
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$13K (2021) → $11K (2025)
G. Paul Fletcher
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$12K (2021) → $12K (2025)
John T. Fulcher
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $13K (2025)
Martha W. Medley
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $12K (2025)
Andrew H. Wakefield
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $11K (2025)
Douglas T. Ramsey
Vice President
On filings since 2021
25 hrs/week
$73K (2021) → $53K (2025)
Georgia P. Compton
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$15K (2021) → $15K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: David D. Burhans (2021–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $53K, to Douglas T Ramsey (Vice President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Charles B Keesee Educational Fund
How much does Charles B Keesee Educational Fund give each year?
Charles B Keesee Educational Fund gave $3.9M across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.6M across 14 grants.
What is Charles B Keesee Educational Fund's typical grant size?
Charles B Keesee Educational Fund's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $281,309, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Charles B Keesee Educational Fund give grants?
Charles B Keesee Educational Fund gives mostly in North Carolina: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (14%) and Kentucky (13%).
Does Charles B Keesee Educational Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Charles B Keesee Educational Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Student Grants for Tuition, Books, Fees, Etc." (14 grants).
Who are Charles B Keesee Educational Fund's largest grantees?
Charles B Keesee Educational Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Rawlings School of Divinity at Libe ($262,502), Garder-Webb Divinity School ($195,227) and New Orleans Baptist Theological SEM ($181,728), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 5 individual scholarships ($2,930,412), which are not listed by name. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Charles B Keesee Educational Fund?
Charles B Keesee Educational Fund reported $74.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Charles B Keesee Educational Fund fund?
The Fund’s stated purpose is to assist qualified students in obtaining an education at its beneficiary schools. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Charles B Keesee Educational Fund?
The Fund directs applicants to its website for application information and materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Charles B Keesee Educational Fund's EIN?
Charles B Keesee Educational Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-0490435. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Charles B Keesee Educational Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/charles-b-keesee-educational-fund-morg_ad3d8d4ccb8e429fbdfdca437fb36c42
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_540490435_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Charles B Keesee Educational Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/charles-b-keesee-educational-fund-morg_ad3d8d4ccb8e429fbdfdca437fb36c42},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Charles B Keesee Educational Fund'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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