Clifton Foundation Inc

LOUISVILLE, KY EIN: 46-4148510

Clifton Foundation Inc is an independent private foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky. The foundation is located at 710 W Main Street, Floor 3, Louisville, KY 40202-2698.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$9.1M

+3.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$350K

+92.0% YoY

Grant Count

50

+257.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$7K

-46.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Clifton Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $567K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Grantmaking

Clifton Foundation Inc operates on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Grant Range

$1,000–$125,000

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

12states
+4 more states

Cities

BereaClermontCrestwoodDenverDobbs FerryFairleeFrankfortGladstoneGoshenHarrods CreekHindmanKey WestLagrangeLexingtonLos AngelesLouisvilleMinneapolisNew CastleNew YorkPlain City

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets (2023): $8,758,029

Annual Giving (2023): $181,150–$182,250

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$590K$1M$2M$2M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$9,086,906$8,758,029$8,831,698
Revenue$739,187$167,936$37,267
Expenses$410,310$241,605$561,958
Qualifying Distributions$354,937$191,325$457,605
Net Investment Income$684,765$90,665$76,935
Distributable Amount$567,005$526,613$515,511

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$121K$242K$363K$484K59 grants202011 grants202161 grants202214 grants202350 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF ART …$126KWHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERIC…$36KLOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA$30KTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY O…$23KPLANNED PARENTHOOD$20KLOUISVILLE BALLET$11KBLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY$10KFAULKNER MORGAN ARCHIVE …$10KCREATIVE CAPITAL$9KWATERFRONT BOTANICAL GAR…$9K

Grant Size Distribution

175 grants across all recorded years

167<$50K4$50–100K4$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Kentucky College of Art & Design at Spalding University Attn Meghan Greenw ($126,000), Whitney Museum of American Art ($36,285), Louisville Orchestra ($30,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
A FUND INC LOUISVILLE, KYGENERAL FUND$1,000
ACLU KY FOUNDATION REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM PROJECT LOUISVILLE, KYGENERAL FUND$5,000
BERNHEIM ARBORETUM & RESEARCH FOREST CLERMONT, KYGENERAL FUND$2,500
BERRY CENTER NEW CASTLE, KYGENERAL FUND$2,000
BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY LEXINGTON, KYGENERAL FUND$10,000
CATHOLIC CHARITIES LOUISVILLE, KYGENERAL FUND$1,000
CEDAR LAKE LODGE LOUISVILLE, KYGENERAL FUND$100
CENTER FOR INTERFAITH RELATIONS LOUISVILLE, KYGENERAL FUND$500
COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR KET TV LEXINGTON, KYGENERAL FUND$1,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATOIN OF LOUISVILLE WATERFRONT PLAZA LOUISVILLE, KYGENERAL FUND$1,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Based on available information, J Clifton Mahaffey is listed as a director of a related foundation entity.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
LAURA LEE BROWNPRESIDENT/DIRECTOR2
STEVEN WILSONSECRETARY/DIRECTOR1
JAMES SEILERDIRECTOR1

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a grant from Clifton Foundation Inc?

Clifton Foundation Inc operates on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. **Grant Activity (2023):** • Total giving: $181,150–$182,250 • Number of grants: 10 • Median grant amount: $4,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$125,000 • Giving rate: 2.1% of assets

What size grants does Clifton Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Clifton Foundation Inc awarded 50 grants totaling $350K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Clifton Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Clifton Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $567K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Clifton Foundation Inc's EIN?

Clifton Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4148510. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Clifton Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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