Fund for the Arts Inc
Fund for the Arts (FFTA) is a regional nonprofit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky, dedicated to building a vibrant community through the power of the arts. Founded in 1949, it is one of the two oldest United Arts Funds in the country. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity and has raised over a quarter billion dollars since its founding that have directly and indirectly benefitted millions of people and scores of organizations in the community.
Key facts about Fund for the Arts Inc
- EIN
- 61-0479626
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,955,820
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- Average grant
- $68,740
- Median grant
- $26,545
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (4 of 43, 2025)
- Total assets
- $7,760,688
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Fund for the Arts Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Fund for the Arts Inc's 43 itemized 2025 grants were Kentucky (99%). The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (37 grants). None of its 43 grants with a stated purpose 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).
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 IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Fund for the Arts Inc
- How to evaluate Fund for the Arts Inc as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.8M
-6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
-21.8% YoY
Grant Count
43
+4.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$69K
-25.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: 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.
Core Belief: Art is a right, not a privilege, because art is a fundamental expression of the human condition.
Strategic Focus Areas:
Arts in Institutions – The organization's longest-standing initiative, including the Cultural Pass program (free admission for ages 0-21 to 40+ arts and culture institutions across Louisville and Southern Indiana) and Sustaining Impact Grants (unrestricted funding for local nonprofit arts organizations).
Arts in Learning – Bringing artists to schools and schools to artists through programs like 5x5 (5 arts experiences by 5th grade through JCPS) and TAG (Teacher Arts Grants) for in-school workshops, residencies, and field trips.
Arts in Neighborhoods – Supporting arts that happen within communities through Community Event Mini-Grants ($500–$5,000 for free, intergenerational arts-related events).
World-Class Institutions – Striving to make Louisville a competitive 21st-century city by bringing innovative programming and national acclaim to traditional and non-traditional spaces.
Educational Programs & Outreach – Leveraging the arts to engage students and improve academic success through after-school programs, summer camps, community centers, and senior living facilities.
Collaborative Initiatives – Acting as a catalyst for innovation by connecting diverse businesses and organizations.
Grantmaking
Fund for the Arts administers multiple grant programs:
Ready to take the next step with Fund for the Arts Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Fund for the Arts serves Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana, with particular emphasis on neighborhoods, schools, community centers, senior care facilities, parks, libraries, and public spaces throughout the region.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 43 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending June 2024):
- Total Revenue: $6,517,943
- Total Expenses: $6,063,765
- Net Income: $454,178
- Total Assets: $8,322,635
- Total Liabilities: $533,000
- Net Assets: $7,789,297
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,760,688 | $8,322,635 | $8,780,146 |
| Revenue | $5,294,543 | $6,517,943 | $5,743,197 |
| Expenses | $5,317,905 | $6,063,765 | $6,442,461 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,419,729 | $438,530 | $287,608 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
267 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Fund for the Arts Inc
5x5 and Teacher Arts Grant (TA)
Fund for the Arts Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Arts in Neighborhoods Community Event Mini-Grant
Fund for the Arts Inc
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Fund for the Arts: Cultural Pass Partner Grant
Fund for the Arts Inc
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include The Louisville Orchestra ($278,997), Louisville Metro Parks Community Centers ($272,300), Speed Art Museum ($249,951).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Fund for the Arts employs 21 staff members and works with nearly 20,000 donors to support its mission.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Guess | President & CEO | 40 | $188,978 |
| Janie Buckler | CFO/COO | 40 | $84,465 |
| Kendrick Vaughn | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Phillip Poindexter | Board Member | 1 | — |
| James Allen | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Josh Andersen | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Cleo Battle | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Neville Blakemore | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Kristen Byrd | Chair Investment Committee | 1 | — |
| Carolle Jones Clay | Chair Governance & Nominating | 1 | — |
| Charlie Farnsley | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Erica Fields | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jon Goldberg | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Kim Halbauer | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Todd Klimek | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Mark Kull | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Brent McKim | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Yamilca Rodriguez | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Paul Thompson | Board Member | 1 | — |
| David Wombwell | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Terry Wright | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Victoria Russell | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Scott Schaftlein | Incoming Board Chair | 1 | — |
| Linda Schuster | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Nicole Yates | Board Chair | 1 | — |
| Regina Blake | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Lalania Gilkey-Johnson | Board Member | 1 | — |
| DeVone Holt | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Leyla Touma-Dailey | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Aaron Marcus | Chair Community Investment & Support | 1 | — |
| Mark Wheeler | Board Member, Emeritus | 1 | — |
| Kellie Watson | Chair Equity Committee | 1 | — |
| Mary Beth Warner | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Larry Schwartz | Chair Finance & Audit Committee | 1 | — |
| Carl Thomas | Board Member, Emeritus | 1 | — |
| Ed Glasscock | Board Member, Emeritus | 1 | — |
| Margaret Cotter | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Gregory T Dutton | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Alp Kayabasi | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Lynn Moore | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Sean O Mahoney | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Andrea Strange | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dayna Touron | Board Member | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 334 East Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202-1739
Phone: 502-582-0100
Website: fundforthearts.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fund for the Arts Inc fund?
**Mission:** 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. **Core Belief:** Art is a right, not a privilege, because art is a fundamental expression of the human condition. **Strategic Focus Areas:** • **Arts in Institutions** – The organization's longest-standing initiative, including the Cultural Pass program (free admission for ages 0-21 to 40+ arts and culture institu…
How do I apply for a grant from Fund for the Arts Inc?
Fund for the Arts administers multiple grant programs: • **Sustaining Impact Grants** – Unrestricted grant funding for local nonprofit arts organizations • **Community Event Mini-Grants** – $500–$5,000 grants to support free, intergenerational arts-related events in communities • **5x5 and TAG (Teacher Arts Grants)** – Grants for in-school workshops, long-term residencies, and field trips • **Event Artist Grant** – Compensation for artists and organizations from the Greater Louisville area part…
Where does Fund for the Arts Inc make grants?
Fund for the Arts serves Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana, with particular emphasis on neighborhoods, schools, community centers, senior care facilities, parks, libraries, and public spaces throughout the region.
What size grants does Fund for the Arts Inc award?
In 2025, Fund for the Arts Inc awarded 43 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $69K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Fund for the Arts Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.