Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Louisville, KY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $509K. Net investment income was $31K.
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc gave $509K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $127K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $508,863
- +33.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $127,216
- +33.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $33,691
- Total assets
- $3,456,177
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Bellarmine University ($430K). Together the top 4 received $509K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 21 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 284% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 300% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $133K (2021) to $509K (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $509K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bellarmine University Louisville, KY | Educational | $429,745 |
| Maryhurst Louisville, KY | Community | $50,958 |
| The Cabbage Patch Settlement House Louisville, KY | Community | $16,423 |
| Catholic Charities Louisville, KY | Community | $11,737 |
Ready to take the next step with Dorothy R Gauss 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 | $3,456,177 | $45,595 | $523,018 | $508,863 | 4 | $508,863 | $31,440 | $169,551 |
| 2023 | $3,250,023 | $48,317 | $413,395 | $381,362 | 4 | $381,362 | $16,284 | $154,012 |
| 2022 | $2,960,620 | $863,998 | $271,187 | $255,000 | 4 | $255,000 | $847,811 | $151,696 |
| 2021 | $4,115,720 | $104,974 | $167,363 | $132,616 | 5 | $132,616 | $70,227 | $187,696 |
| 2020 | $3,435,536 | $1,180,357 | $158,737 | $146,000 | 4 | — | $1,167,620 | $117,791 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $170K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc is led by Michael C. Gauss, Executive Director & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael C. Gauss
Executive Director & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian G. Gauss
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn K. Gauss
Secretary, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc
How much does Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc give each year?
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc gave $509K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $381K across 4 grants.
What is Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $33,691, and its average grant was $127,216, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc give grants?
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (4 grants).
Does Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community" (3 grants).
How large is Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc?
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $509K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $170K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc?
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Louisville, KY. It holds $3.5M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc's EIN?
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4233649. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Kentucky
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
The Community Foundation of Louisville Depository Inc
Louisville, KY
The Community Foundation of Louisville supports a broad range of causes, including arts, parks, education, social services, and libraries, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Kentucky organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of $15,200 and ranged from $5,100 to over $2.3 million; the available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.0M
Grants
421
Total Given
$20.5M
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
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 Inc
Louisville, KY
The Community Foundation of Louisville funds nonprofits across areas including education, arts and culture, health, and community development, with a focus on Louisville and surrounding communities while also supporting work beyond the region. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,012 to $3,853,691, with a median of $22,987; it states that grant programs for local nonprofits use an open application and review process.
Assets
$766.9M
Grants
678
Total Given
$55.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Kentucky
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Dorothy R Gauss 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.
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?