Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc is a voluntary philanthropic organization based in Louisville, Kentucky, established in 1944. The organization is composed of individuals appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth in recognition of their service and accomplishments. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, the Honorable Order operates a grantmaking program focused on supporting needy Kentucky charities and worthy organizations that strengthen the lives of Kentuckians.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.5M
+4.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
+1.2% YoY
Grant Count
358
+49.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-32.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Purpose: The organization supports needy Kentucky charities and worthy organizations by raising money from Colonels to help those organizations ready to serve Kentucky citizens. The Honorable Order is focused on responsible and compassionate impact on people's lives.
Mission: Support worthy nonprofits by actively engaging Colonels, fostering strong relationships, maintaining high grant vetting standards, and being good stewards of resources and traditions—all with integrity and compassion.
Vision: To be a respected philanthropic organization serving Kentucky.
Core Values:
- An organization of givers
- Accountable to contributors
- Embracing the balance of human needs and quality of life
Funding Focus: The organization grants money to 501(c)(3) entities that demonstrate fiscal responsibility and a mission to strengthen the lives of Kentuckians or enhance the culture of the Commonwealth. Primary focus areas include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Grantmaking
The Honorable Order operates a "Good Works Program" that represents its primary grantmaking activity. The organization receives hundreds of grant applications annually and employs a careful vetting and winnowing process to ensure contributions are allocated in a dedicated and reasonable manner.
Grant Types
How to Apply
** Trustees thoroughly vet grant requests to ensure donations positively affect the largest number of people in need. The organization rigorously follows its grant selection process and personally engages with each charity.
Ready to take the next step with Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Honorable Order primarily funds organizations operating in Kentucky. The organization's contributions touch the lives of nearly 4 million Kentuckians annually. While the membership includes Kentucky Colonels in all 50 states and 76 countries, grantmaking focuses on Kentucky charities and organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $22,603,376
- Total Revenues: $4,514,179
- Total Expenses: $6,777,993
- Number of Employees: 7
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) public charity; tax-exempt since October 1963; EIN: 61-0485432
Rating: The organization holds a Four-Star rating with a 96% score, reflecting strong accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,508,357 | $22,603,376 | $22,834,295 |
| Revenue | $5,282,802 | $4,514,179 | $5,665,961 |
| Expenses | $6,203,185 | $6,777,993 | $6,261,747 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,112,600 | $1,267,491 | $218,878 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc
Emergency Grants
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
HOKC: Good Works Program: Large Grants
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc
Amount
More than US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
HOKC: Good Works Program: Medium Grants
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc
Amount
US $2,500 - US $9,999
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Camp GRAVES ($69,000), Audubon Area Community Services ($50,000), Bluegrass Center for Autism ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A Chance to Dance | bench seating, an iPad, and a TV | $1,840 |
| A New Beginning for Women and Children | WKY Tornado Relief | $17,100 |
| Academy for Individual Excellence | 18 ipads | $5,332 |
| ACCESS Frankfort | HVAC system | $10,000 |
| Action Ministries Inc | for food bags | $7,500 |
| Adelante Hispanic Achievers | charter bus rental costs requested for field trips and college visits | $5,783 |
| AdventureServe Ministries | 16 windows from Window World | $10,026 |
| AFUMC Food Pantry | food | $2,499 |
| Allegro Dance Project | t-shirts | $2,170 |
| Alley Cat Advocates | a generator | $10,542 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALEX LYTTLE | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| GARY BOSCHERT | COMMANDING GENERAL | 0.5 | — |
| NICK ISING | ADJUTANT GENERAL | 0.5 | — |
| TAD MYRE | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| DEBORAH WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| FRED MINNICK | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| HAL SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JEFF KENNEDY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JEFF PAQUIN | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JIM ROGERS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KIM LEANHART | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| LYNN ASHTON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MARY VITALE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MOLLY SUTHERLAND | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| RICK HOBGOOD | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| WADE CONNER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| GERARD KAUFFMANN | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 17 | $80,954 |
| SHERRY CROSE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $191,244 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, the Honorable Order awarded grants totaling $2.5 million, with Union Church among the honored recipients
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Award Grants Totaling $2.5 Million:The organization awarded 325 grants totaling $2.5 million in recent activity
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Award Grants Totaling $2.5 Million:Recent individual grants include $15,000 to Wesley House Community Services and $6,400 to Easterseals Redwood
Wesley House Receives $15,000 Grant From The Honorable Order Of Kentucky\The organization hosted a Grant Week event in Horse Cave
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels hosts Grant Week event in Horse CaveSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc fund?
**Purpose:** The organization supports needy Kentucky charities and worthy organizations by raising money from Colonels to help those organizations ready to serve Kentucky citizens. The Honorable Order is focused on responsible and compassionate impact on people's lives. **Mission:** Support worthy nonprofits by actively engaging Colonels, fostering strong relationships, maintaining high grant vetting standards, and being good stewards of resources and traditions—all with integrity and compassi…
How do I apply for a grant from Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc?
The Honorable Order operates a "Good Works Program" that represents its primary grantmaking activity. The organization receives hundreds of grant applications annually and employs a careful vetting and winnowing process to ensure contributions are allocated in a dedicated and reasonable manner. **Grant Types:** The organization offers three grant categories: • Large Grants • Medium Grants • Small Grants and New Organizations **Grant Activity:** • In 2023, the organization granted $4,851,746 to …
Where does Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc make grants?
The Honorable Order primarily funds organizations operating in Kentucky. The organization's contributions touch the lives of nearly 4 million Kentuckians annually. While the membership includes Kentucky Colonels in all 50 states and 76 countries, grantmaking focuses on Kentucky charities and organizations.
What size grants does Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc award?
In 2024, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc awarded 358 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc's EIN?
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-0485432. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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