Fund for the Arts Inc
Fund for the Arts Inc is a Louisville, Kentucky-based public charity that supports local arts, artists, arts organizations, and arts programs. Its filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
Fund for the Arts Inc at a glance
In short: Fund for the Arts Inc gave $3.0M across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $69K), mostly in Kentucky. 9% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,955,820
- -21.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- +4.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $68,740
- -25.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $26,545
- Total assets
- $7,760,688
- -6.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (4 of 43, 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 October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fund for the Arts Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 623 W Main, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 582-0100
Website: https://fundforthearts.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Fund for the Arts Inc
5x5 and Teacher Arts Grant (TA)
Fund for the Arts Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arts in Neighborhoods Community Event Mini-Grant
Fund for the Arts Inc
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Fund for the Arts: Cultural Pass Partner Grant
Fund for the Arts Inc
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Fund for the Arts Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Louisville Orchestra ($279K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
267 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 197 grants of 267 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Fund for the Arts describes its service area as Greater Louisville, including Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky, and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana. Its 2025 grants were overwhelmingly directed to Kentucky recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Fund for the Arts Inc open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 43 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $71K; repeat grants $68K. How we count
Medians: $59K first-time, $27K 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 $3.0M (2025) to $5.4M (2019). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Louisville Orchestra Louisville, KY | Arts in Institutions | $278,997 |
| Louisville Metro Parks Community Centers Louisville, KY | Arts in Neighborhoods HeARTS | $272,300 |
| Speed Art Museum Louisville, KY | Arts in Institutions | $249,951 |
| Louisville Ballet Louisville, KY | Arts in Institutions, Arts in Learning | $249,557 |
| Actors Theatre of Louisville Louisville, KY | Arts in Institutions | $213,065 |
| Asphalt Art Project Louisville, KY | Arts in Neighborhoods | $161,927 |
| Kentucky Shakespeare Louisville, KY | Arts in Institutions, Arts in Learning, Arts in Neighborhoods, Cultural Pass | $154,667 |
| Jefferson County Public Schools Louisville, KY | Arts in Learning | $148,995 |
| StageOne Family Theatre Louisville, KY | Arts in Institutions, Arts in Learning | $127,916 |
| KMAC Museum Louisville, KY | Arts in Institutions, Arts in Learning | $121,544 |
Ready to take the next step with Fund for the Arts Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,760,688 | $5,294,543 | $5,317,905 | $2,955,820 | 43 | $1,419,729 |
| 2024 | $8,322,635 | $6,517,943 | $6,063,765 | $3,778,869 | 41 | $438,530 |
| 2023 | $8,780,146 | $5,743,197 | $6,442,461 | $4,212,680 | 60 | $287,608 |
| 2022 | $9,833,007 | $6,108,558 | $6,426,475 | $4,192,752 | 57 | $23,398 |
| 2021 | $10,378,092 | $9,409,352 | $6,157,154 | $3,846,313 | 66 | $100,347 |
| 2020 | $7,505,695 | $6,160,108 | $7,595,270 | $5,023,448 | 62 | $55,665 |
| 2019 | $8,988,180 | $7,865,560 | $8,074,087 | $5,354,700 | 58 | $77,424 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Fund for the Arts’ mission is to contribute to the overall health and well-being of the community by generating resources for, investing in, and supporting local arts, artists, and arts organizations. It states that its work is guided by equity and a belief that art is a right, not a privilege.
Its Arts in Institutions initiative provides unrestricted operating support to Greater Louisville nonprofit arts organizations through Sustaining Impact Grants. Arts in Learning supports curriculum-based arts programs in schools and other learning environments. The 5x5 and Teacher Arts Grants support K–12 classroom instruction through arts programming. Arts in Neighborhoods supports community-focused arts events and experiences, including Community Event Mini-Grants. The organization also describes Cultural Pass as providing children and young people access to arts and cultural activities free of charge.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. The Louisville Orchestra says it works to change lives through performances and education; Actors Theatre of Louisville says it engages people in theatre that reflects the complexity of the time; and Kentucky Shakespeare says it offers accessible, inclusive professional theatre experiences that educate, inspire, and entertain diverse audiences.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Fund for the Arts reported 43 grants totaling $2,955,820. Grant amounts ranged from $5,235 to $278,997, with a median grant of $26,545. The grants were concentrated in Kentucky, which received 99% of grant dollars; Indiana received 1%.
The largest reported grants included $278,997 to The Louisville Orchestra for Arts in Institutions; $272,300 to Louisville Metro Parks Community Centers for Arts in Neighborhoods HeARTS; $249,951 to Speed Art Museum for Arts in Institutions; $249,557 to Louisville Ballet for Arts in Institutions and Arts in Learning; and $213,065 to Actors Theatre of Louisville for Arts in Institutions. Other large grants included $161,927 to Asphalt Art Project, $154,667 to Kentucky Shakespeare, and $148,995 to Jefferson County Public Schools.
The organization describes grant awards as based on competitive application processes. Community members and board members review applications against stated criteria and make recommendations; the Community Investment Committee and, in some cases, the full board review and approve recommendations. Grantees report on project or operating completion and impact under executed grant agreements.
The Community Event Mini-Grant supports short-term or one-time creative events that engage communities. Eligible applicants include individuals, groups, and organizations based in the Greater Louisville service area, including specified counties in Kentucky and Indiana; applicants may apply without tax-exempt status. The website lists October 16, 2026 as the deadline. It recommends reviewing the program guidelines and preparing application responses before submitting online.
The 5x5 and Teacher Arts Grants support K–12 teachers and administrators in the service area. The listed school-year 2026–2027 application period, July 20–September 4, 2026, has passed. The Event Artist Application is listed as rolling, but the July 10 date for Fall 2026 consideration has passed. Sustaining Impact Grants are described on the funding page as unrestricted operating grants for nonprofit arts organizations; the application is currently closed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Andre Guess as President & CEO and Janie Buckler as CFO/COO. It also lists board members Kendrick Vaughn, Phillip Poindexter, James Allen, Josh Andersen, Cleo Battle, and Neville Blakemore; Kristen Byrd as Chair of the Investment Committee; and Carolle Jones Clay as Chair of Governance & Nominating. The organization announced Brett Shepherd’s appointment as President & CEO on August 20, 2026.
Fund for the Arts Inc is led by Andre Guess, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 2 of 43 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Andre Guess
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$122K (2022) → $189K (2025)
Carolle Jones Clay
Chair Governance & Nominating
Chair Compensation Committee → Compensation Committee Chair, 2020
Compensation Committee Chair → Chair Governance & Nominating, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Byrd
Chair Investment Committee
Board Member → Chair Investment Committee, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Schaftlein
Incoming Board Chair
Board Member → Incoming Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Marcus
Chair Community Investment & Support
Board Member → Chair Community Investment & Support, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Yates
Board Chair
Chair Compensation Committee → Incoming Board Chair, 2023
Incoming Board Chair → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Schwartz
Chair Finance & Audit Committee
Board Member → Chair Finance & Audit Committee, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kellie Watson
Chair Equity Committee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janie Buckler
CFO & COO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$90K (2024) → $84K (2025)
Brent McKim
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carl Thomas
Board Member & Emeritus
Board Member → Board Member & Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Glasscock
Board Member & Emeritus
Board Member → Board Member & Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jon Goldberg
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Wheeler
Board Member & Emeritus
Board Member → Board Member & Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neville Blakemore
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Thompson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Wright
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Russell
Board Member
Chair Compensation Committee → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Farnsley
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Wombwell
Board Member
Board Member → Chair Finance Committee, 2022
Chair Finance Committee → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Fields
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Allen
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Schuster
Board Member
Co-Chair Community Impact Committee → Co-Chair Community Investment Committee, 2022
Co-Chair Community Investment Committee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Kull
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Beth Warner
Board Member
Board Member → Chair Community Investment Committee, 2024
Chair Community Investment Committee → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Klimek
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cleo Battle
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Andersen
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Halbauer
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yamilca Rodriguez
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phillip Poindexter
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
DeVone Holt
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kendrick Vaughn
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lalania Gilkey-Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leyla Touma-Dailey
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regina Blake
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alp Kayabasi
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Strange
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dayna Touron
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory T Dutton
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Moore
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Cotter
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean O Mahoney
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (50)
- Former: Todd Lowe (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Kelly Watson (2021–2024) — Chair Equity Committee
- Former: Greg Pope (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Chris Whelan (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Vikki Stone (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Janie Martin (2019–2023) — CFO & COO
- Former: Sarah Davasher-Wisdom (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Charles Ritter (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Justin Jackson (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Brad Keeton (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Karan Chavis (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Teresa Reed (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Wayne Davis (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Christen Boone (2019–2022) — Former President & CEO
- Former: Gladys Lopez (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Joe Ventura (2019–2022) — Campaign Chair
- Former: Sabeen Nasim (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Leslie Smart (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Barry Allen (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Campbell Brown (2019–2021) — Campaign Chair
- Former: Greg Greenwood (2019–2021) — Chair Finance Committee
- Former: Ja Hillebrand (2019–2021) — Chair of the Board
- Former: Jerilan Greene (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Julia Carstanjen (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mo McKnight Howe (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: JP Davis (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President Development
- Former: Erica Sutton (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Erica Williams (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Gill Holland (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff McKenzie (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Joe Pusateri (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kirsten Hawley (2019–2020) — Governance & Nominating Chair
- Former: Laura Zachariah (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Matt Lindblom (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mike Ash (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Fultz (2019–2020) — Finance Committee Chair
- Former: Tammy York Day (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Angela Leet (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Dawn Landry (2019) — Chair Investment Committee
- Former: Diane Cornwell (2019) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Eddie Tyner (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Jose Donis (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin Fields (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Melissa Wasson (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Muhammad Babar (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Nima Kulkarni (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Whiteley (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Tawana Edwards (2019) — Co-Chair Community Impact Committee
- Former: Terry Tyler (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Tom Noland (2019) — Board Member
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 $189K, to Andre Guess (President & CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Fund for the Arts Inc
How much does Fund for the Arts Inc give each year?
Fund for the Arts Inc gave $3.0M across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.8M across 41 grants.
What is Fund for the Arts Inc's typical grant size?
Fund for the Arts Inc's median grant in 2025 was $26,545, and its average grant was $68,740, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fund for the Arts Inc that year got $71K on average.
Where does Fund for the Arts Inc give grants?
Fund for the Arts 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 (37 grants).
Does Fund for the Arts Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Fund for the Arts Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts in Institutions, Arts in Learning" (14 grants), "Arts in Institutions" (9 grants) and "Arts in Institutions Cultural Pass" (9 grants).
Who are Fund for the Arts Inc's largest grantees?
Fund for the Arts Inc's largest 2025 grantees include The Louisville Orchestra ($278,997), Louisville Metro Parks Community Centers ($272,300) and Speed Art Museum ($249,951), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Fund for the Arts Inc?
Fund for the Arts Inc reported $7.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.3M.
What does Fund for the Arts Inc fund?
Fund for the Arts’ mission is to contribute to the overall health and well-being of the community by generating resources for, investing in, and supporting local arts, artists, and arts organizations. It states that its work is guided by equity and a belief that art is a right, not a privilege. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fund for the Arts Inc?
Fund for the Arts Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check fundforthearts.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Fund for the Arts Inc's EIN?
Fund for the Arts Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-0479626. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 2, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fund for the Arts Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fund for the Arts Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fund-for-the-arts-inc-morg_d48c69920cde4157929d0bf874725e16
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_610479626_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fund for the Arts Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fund-for-the-arts-inc-morg_d48c69920cde4157929d0bf874725e16},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Fund for the Arts 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.
Fund for the Arts Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?