I Know I Can
I Know I Can is a public charity based in Columbus, Ohio, founded in 1988. It supports Central Ohio students in pursuing postsecondary education and career goals through advising, scholarships and grants, and post-graduation support.
I Know I Can at a glance
In short: I Know I Can gave $2.0M across 40 grants in 2025 (avg $50K), mostly in Ohio. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,993,005
- +92.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 40
- +135.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $49,825
- -18.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,606
- Total assets
- $47,382,652
- -0.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (13 of 40, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to I Know I Can
- Contact
Mailing address: 215 North Front Street 200, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 233-9510
Website: https://iknowican.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who I Know I Can funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Ohio State University ($663K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($15,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
141 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 113 grants of 141 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
I Know I Can identifies Columbus City Schools, Reynoldsburg City Schools, South-Western City School District, and Whitehall City Schools as the districts it serves. In 2025, 90% of its reported grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio; 2% each went to recipients in Kentucky, the District of Columbia, North Carolina, and Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is I Know I Can open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 40 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $35K 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 $1.0M (2024) to $2.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 40 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Education | $662,638 |
| Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH | Education | $271,212 |
| Otterbein University Westerville, OH | Education | $123,781 |
| Central State University Wilberforce, OH | Education | $72,596 |
| University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | Education | $69,318 |
| The Ohio State University - Newark Columbus, OH | Education | $69,000 |
| Ohio University Athens, OH | Education | $61,704 |
| Denison University Granville, OH | Education | $56,071 |
| Capital University Columbus, OH | Education | $51,200 |
| Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH | Education | $47,910 |
Ready to take the next step with I Know I Can?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,382,652 | $9,435,530 | $10,498,226 | $1,993,005 | 40 | $94,534 |
| 2024 | $47,550,534 | $8,220,875 | $9,175,746 | $1,036,588 | 17 | $68,485 |
| 2023 | $46,006,643 | $8,940,960 | $7,685,179 | $1,278,862 | 30 | $27,653 |
| 2022 | $43,053,660 | $8,920,521 | $7,140,657 | $1,130,801 | 26 | $1,075 |
| 2021 | $49,678,666 | $6,921,288 | $6,102,732 | $1,164,401 | 28 | $1,942 |
| 2020 | $40,581,354 | $6,788,830 | $5,872,063 | $1,229,216 | 29 | $6,497 |
| 2019 | $40,015,576 | $9,127,896 | $5,435,033 | $1,039,947 | 22 | $15,826 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
I Know I Can’s stated mission is to “inspire and equip Central Ohio students with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to achieve their dreams through postsecondary education and career readiness.”
Its support includes student scholarships and grants, college and career advising, FAFSA and financial aid assistance, and post-graduation support. Its website describes an I Know I Can Grant for eligible Columbus City Schools seniors and graduates: $2,500 per academic year, renewable for up to five years (two years at a two-year institution), with annual reapplication required. The stated requirements include full-time college enrollment, FAFSA completion, Pell Grant eligibility, and minimum GPAs of 2.25 for high school students and 2.0 for college students. Applicants must first apply during their high school senior year or the year after graduation. The website also describes the Founders Scholarship and the Columbus Promise; these are student funding opportunities, not grants for outside applicants.
The organization’s 2025 filing lists education as the purpose of its largest grants. Among the grantees, Columbus State Community College describes its mission as advancing the college’s educational programs for the benefit of its students and community. Otterbein University describes a mission of educating the whole person and preparing graduates to contribute to their professions and communities. Central State University’s grantee description says its foundation supports the university’s HBCU mission in innovation and development.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, I Know I Can reported 40 grants totaling $1,993,005. Grants ranged from $5,318 to $662,638, with a median of $17,606. The organization’s filing says student grant funds are sent to colleges or universities, applied to students’ accounts toward attendance costs, and disbursed by term after enrollment is verified. Its website provides application information for its student funding programs, including a general funding application and supporting transcript documents.
The largest reported grants in 2025 included $662,638 to The Ohio State University, $271,212 to Columbus State Community College, $123,781 to Otterbein University, $72,596 to Central State University, and $69,318 to the University of Cincinnati. The filing lists education as the purpose of these grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Susan Dixon as president and Michael Wasch as director/treasurer. Directors listed on that filing are Jane Abell, Tenzin Alexander, Robbie Banks, Kelly Blackmon, Rebecca Butler, Ryan Clark, Tanny Crane, and Melanie Deascentis.
I Know I Can is led by Katina Fullen, Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 5 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Katina Fullen
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Director → Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$163K (2019) → $263K (2025)
Susan Dixon
President
Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Ebbrecht
Senior Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$115K (2019) → $136K (2025)
Patrick Lynch
Director Development & Public Relations
Director Development & Public Relations → Director Development & Public R, 2024
Director Development & Public R → Director Development & Public Relations, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$129K (2023) → $153K (2025)
Gene Pierce
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harvey Glick
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Abell
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Rich
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Wasch
Director & Treasurer
Treasurer → Director, 2020
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robbie Banks
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Sanders
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tanny Crane
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tei Street
Director
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Montgomery
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melanie Deascentis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Butler
Director
Director → President, 2022
President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Grinstead
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regan Reilly
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shirley Rogers Reece
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Blackmon
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tenzin Alexander
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
W. Shawna Gibbs-Ayers
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ernest D. West III
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Clark
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Scott
Chief Administrative Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$111K (2023) → $142K (2025)
Ashley Logan
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$121K (2024) → $129K (2025)
Robert J. Weiler
Director Emeritus
Director → Director Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thekla R. Shackelford
Chairman Emerita
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Cindy Webber (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Mabel Freeman (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Mike Flowers (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Sue Wright (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: W. Shawna Gibbs (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Clare Miller (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kevin Boyce (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Barb Siemer (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Beth Rauschenberger (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Rich Rosen (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Ann Casto (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Barbara Siemer (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Dale Heydlauff (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Kristine Devine (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Raj Syal (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Tracy Harrison (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Albert Covelli (2019) — Director
- Former: Anthony Sharett (2019) — Director
- Former: Brett Meyer (2019) — Director
- Former: Mark Vannatta (2019) — Director
- Former: Renee Cacchillo (2019) — Director
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 $263K, to Katina Fullen (Chief Executive Officer). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about I Know I Can
How much does I Know I Can give each year?
I Know I Can gave $2.0M across 40 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 17 grants.
What is I Know I Can's typical grant size?
I Know I Can's median grant in 2025 was $17,606, and its average grant was $49,825, across 40 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from I Know I Can that year got $13K on average.
Where does I Know I Can give grants?
I Know I Can gives mostly in Ohio: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (8 grants), Wilberforce, OH (2 grants), Dayton, OH (2 grants) and Greensboro, NC (2 grants).
Does I Know I Can give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on I Know I Can's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (40 grants).
Who are I Know I Can's largest grantees?
I Know I Can's largest 2025 grantees include The Ohio State University ($662,638), Columbus State Community College ($271,212) and Otterbein University ($123,781), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($15,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is I Know I Can?
I Know I Can reported $47.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.4M.
What does I Know I Can fund?
I Know I Can’s stated mission is to “inspire and equip Central Ohio students with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to achieve their dreams through postsecondary education and career readiness.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from I Know I Can?
I Know I Can has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check iknowican.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is I Know I Can's EIN?
I Know I Can's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1229135. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 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 May 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 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 May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in I Know I Can's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). I Know I Can funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/i-know-i-can-morg_6e5778933c824856939cd0d4681a52f0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311229135_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{I Know I Can funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/i-know-i-can-morg_6e5778933c824856939cd0d4681a52f0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 I Know I Can'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.
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