Fonville-Sams Foundation
The Fonville-Sams Foundation is a private foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky. In its 2025 filing, it reported 10 charitable grants totaling $35,200, all to preselected charitable organizations.
Key facts about Fonville-Sams Foundation
In short: Fonville-Sams Foundation gave $35K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 84-6937862
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $35,200
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- Average grant
- $3,520
- Median grant
- $1,100
- Total assets
- $639,237
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (64% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$639K
-1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$35K
+402.9% YoY
Grant Count
10
+900.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-49.7% YoY
How Fonville-Sams Foundation gives
- Giving grew 83% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 recipients included educational institutions, a church, arts organizations, a public media organization, a human-services organization, and a parks conservatory.
Among those grantees, Meredith College describes its mission as educating and inspiring students, grounded in the liberal arts and professional preparation, to live with integrity and provide leadership. Alice Lloyd College says its mission is to educate mountain people for leadership by making college accessible to qualified mountain students. Louisville Collegiate School describes its mission as inspiring academic excellence, extraordinary character, and global citizenship. Fund for the Arts says it aims to contribute to the overall health of its arts community and envisions a community where everyone belongs.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 10 grants totaling $35,200. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $11,500, with a median of $1,100. Its largest grants were $11,500 to Meredith College, $6,500 to the University of Kentucky, $6,000 to Highland Presbyterian Church, and $5,000 to Alice Lloyd College. Each grant was listed for charitable purposes.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Fonville-Sams Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 64% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky, 33% to recipients in North Carolina, and 3% to recipients in Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2020) to $35K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $35K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Meredith College ($12K). Together the top 10 received $35K.
Grant Size Distribution
24 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 24 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Meredith College Raleigh, NC | Charitable | $11,500 |
| University of Kentucky Lexington, KY | Charitable | $6,500 |
| Highland Presbyterian Church Louisville, KY | Charitable | $6,000 |
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Louisville Public Media Louisville, KY | Charitable | $1,200 |
| Fund for the Arts Louisville, KY | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Home of the Innocents Louisville, KY | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Lambda Chi Alpha Carmel, IN | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Louisville Collegiate School Louisville, KY | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Olmstead Parks Conservatory Louisville, KY | Charitable | $1,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $639,237 | $30,509 | $41,380 | $35,200 (10) |
| 2024 | $650,108 | $26,797 | $12,903 | $7,000 (1) |
| 2023 | $636,214 | $22,100 | $17,751 | $12,500 (3) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $639,237 | $650,108 | $636,214 |
| Revenue | $30,509 | $26,797 | $22,100 |
| Expenses | $41,380 | $12,903 | $17,751 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $35,200 | $7,000 | $13,250 |
| Net Investment Income | $24,312 | $16,104 | $17,719 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Terry Sams was listed as an officer on the 2025 filing.
Fonville-Sams Foundation's only listed officer is Terry Sams, Officer on every filing since 2020 (uncompensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Terry Sams
Officer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 2724 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 419-6120
Frequently asked questions about Fonville-Sams Foundation
How much does Fonville-Sams Foundation give each year?
Fonville-Sams Foundation gave $35K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $7K across 1 grant.
What is Fonville-Sams Foundation's typical grant size?
Fonville-Sams Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,100, and its average grant was $3,520, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Fonville-Sams Foundation give grants?
Fonville-Sams Foundation gives mostly in Kentucky: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (33%). The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (6 grants).
Does Fonville-Sams Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Fonville-Sams Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (10 grants).
Who are Fonville-Sams Foundation's largest grantees?
Fonville-Sams Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Meredith College ($11,500), University of Kentucky ($6,500) and Highland Presbyterian Church ($6,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Fonville-Sams Foundation?
Fonville-Sams Foundation reported $639K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $31K.
What does Fonville-Sams Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 recipients included educational institutions, a church, arts organizations, a public media organization, a human-services organization, and a parks conservatory. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fonville-Sams Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fonville-Sams Foundation's EIN?
Fonville-Sams Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6937862. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Fonville-Sams Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Fonville-Sams Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fonville-Sams Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Kentucky
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
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
Blue Grass Community Foundation Inc
Lexington, KY
Blue Grass Community Foundation funds charitable causes and community needs, including education, housing, basic assistance, and youth wellbeing, primarily in Central and Appalachia Kentucky. Its 2025 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $520,000, with a median of about $16,700; the foundation’s website describes competitive grant opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$296.2M
Grants
514
Total Given
$20.7M
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc
Louisville, KY
The foundation funds community organizations in economic development, education, the environment, and diversity, as well as event sponsorships and tree-planting grants, primarily in communities served by LG&E and KU. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $749,000, with a median of $2,500; 96% of grant dollars went to Kentucky. It accepts community grant applications through its online portal in March and October.
Assets
$22.0M
Grants
497
Total Given
$4.3M
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
John B & Brownie Young Memorial Fund
Owensboro, KY
The fund provides scholarships to eligible high school seniors from four Owensboro-area Kentucky school districts for full-time college or vocational/technical study, primarily supporting the first year. Awards are at least $500, with a $500 median grant in 2025; larger awards depend on students’ financial need. Students are notified and receive application information through their school counselor and Independence Bank; the fund does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.5M
Grants
392
Total Given
$894K
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc
Louisville, KY
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels funds Kentucky 501(c)(3) organizations serving Kentuckians, supporting projects in areas such as education, health, community services, arts, and disaster relief. Its 2024 grants ranged from $370 to $500,000, with a median of about $6,000; Good Works applications require a letter of intent, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$23.5M
Grants
358
Total Given
$4.5M
Adam R Scripps Foundation
Ft Mitchell, KY
The Adam R Scripps Foundation funds science and STEM education, housing, health, scholarships, and community and cultural projects, with grants across multiple states, especially Texas and California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$754.6M
Grants
281
Total Given
$35.5M
The Scripps Family Fund for Education
Ft Mitchell, KY
The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts supports educational, enrichment, and arts-related opportunities—especially for economically disadvantaged people, from infants through young adults—and funds new initiatives, program expansion, and capacity building. Its 2025 grants ranged from $138 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000; it primarily funded organizations in Connecticut, with grants also reaching New York and other states. Funding is invitation-only, and the fund does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$28.0M
Grants
256
Total Given
$3.4M
The Whas Crusade for Children Inc
Louisville, KY
The WHAS Crusade for Children funds direct services, specific programs, and equipment for nonprofit agencies, schools, and hospitals serving children under 18 with health, educational, or emotional needs in Kentucky and southern Indiana. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,400 to $400,000, with a median of $20,000. New applicants may email a brief description to request an invitation to apply; applications are invitation-only.
Assets
$59.5M
Grants
201
Total Given
$5.8M
Miramar Charitable Foundation
Ft Mitchell, KY
Miramar Charitable Foundation funds preselected charitable organizations across areas including arts, survivor support, education, science, and journalism, with grants to recipients in multiple states; in 2024, the largest shares went to Colorado, North Carolina, California, New York, and Florida. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $1 million, with a median of $2,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$32.5M
Grants
188
Total Given
$4.5M
Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust
Paducah, KY
The trust supports Catholic and other faith-based causes, human needs, education, families, and vibrant communities, with grants made across multiple states, especially Kentucky, Wisconsin, Florida, Louisiana, and Maryland. In 2024, its median grant was $50,000, with awards ranging from $200 to about $2.5 million. It accepts requests through an online process that begins with a pre-qualification request; it invites requests for 2026 funding.
Assets
$457.4M
Grants
183
Total Given
$22.8M
More Funders in Kentucky
Fonville-Sams Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?