Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation
The Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation is a private foundation based in Union, Kentucky, established in 1957. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation dedicated to improving the standard of living and opportunities for vulnerable populations in Kentucky.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.4M
+1.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$280K
+11.4% YoY
Grant Count
24
-17.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+34.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation reported a distributable amount of $127K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to provide giving to organizations that improve the standard of living and opportunities among poor, sick, unfortunate, and vocationally handicapped residents of Kentucky. The foundation gives preference to rural areas, small towns, and areas of special need.
Primary funding areas include:
- Social and family services
- Child development and welfare
- Services for the aged
- Services for the handicapped
- Youth programming and development
- Community training and organizational capacity building
- Affordable housing initiatives
- Healthcare access and dental care services
- Disability services and empowerment activities
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation distributed $279,689 in grants. In 2023, it made 20 grants totaling $304,000.
Grant Range
$1,000–$29,000
Average Grant
varies by year
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Kentucky, with a stated preference for rural areas, small towns, and areas of special need. Some grantmaking activity has extended to Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,412,017
- Total Revenue: $847,136
- Total Expenses: $379,731
- Net Income: $467,405
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Financial Trends:
- 2023: Assets of $2,376,872; Total giving of $304,000
- 2022: Assets of $2.9M; Total giving of $160,000
- 2021: Assets of $2.6M; Total giving of $169,000
- 2018: Assets of $2.1M; Total giving of $128,000
Tax Status: The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since April 1957 and is required to file Form 990-PF annually with the IRS.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,412,017 | $2,376,872 | $2,158,602 |
| Revenue | $847,136 | $336,397 | $202,670 |
| Expenses | $379,731 | $336,978 | $344,811 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $361,938 | $323,438 | $327,240 |
| Net Investment Income | $714,914 | $188,298 | $65,588 |
| Distributable Amount | $126,531 | $110,999 | $122,003 |
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
100 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Gateway Children's Services ($26,080), Hotel Inc ($25,000), The Prisoners Hope ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CARNEGIE CENTER FOR LITERACY & LEARNING LEXINGTON, KY | 2024 2025 FAMILY FUN & LEARNING EVENTS | $5,000 |
| CASA OF SOUTHERN KY INC BOWLING GREEN, KY | DEVELOPING A ROBUST ADVOCACY PROGRAM | $7,500 |
| CEDER LAKE LODGE INC LAGRANGE, KY | OUTDOOR SWING FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AT CEDAR LAKE PARK PLACE | $2,249 |
| GARRARD COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION LANCASTER, KY | GARRARD COUNTY HOMELESS SHELTER | $15,000 |
| GATEWAY CHILDREN'S SERVICES MT STERLING, KY | SUPPORT POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS FOR CHILDREN, THEIR INCARCERATED PARENTS, AND THEIR CAREGIVERS | $26,080 |
| GATEWAY REGIONAL ART CENTER MT STERLING, KY | READING ALIVE! YOUTH ARTS & LITERACY PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF KENTUCKIANA LOUISVILLE, KY | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF KENTUCKY'S WILDERNESS ROAD COUNCIL LEXINGTON, KY | GROWING RESILIENCE WITH MIDDLE-SCHOOL GIRLS | $14,655 |
| HABILITATION INFORMATION VOCATION EDUCATION INC BOWLING GREEN, KY | EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS | $12,000 |
| HANDS & HEALING HEARTS INC DBA YES ARTS FRANKFORT, KY | YES ARTS MAC LAB | $10,468 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANNE W EASON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MELISSA A SLONE | CHAIRPERSON | 0.5 | — |
| MONICA HINES | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| GRACE AKERS | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| CRAIG BEAVERS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| SHIRA BIRDWHISTELL | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| DR CHAD JACKSON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| EMILY MCKENZIE | VICE-CHAIRPERSON | 0.5 | — |
| JENNY LYNNE STEWART | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| DR SUSAN WESLEY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| PNC BANK | TRUSTEE (PREVIOUS) | 0.5 | $6,106 |
| STOCK YARDS BANK | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | $14,157 |
| DEIRDRA ROBINSON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JEAN RUSSELL | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| BRITTANY SPARKS-WEBER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| DR SANDY HOLBROOK | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 1288 Union, KY 41091-1288
EIN: 61-6034264
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to provide giving to organizations that improve the standard of living and opportunities among poor, sick, unfortunate, and vocationally handicapped residents of Kentucky. The foundation gives preference to rural areas, small towns, and areas of special need. Primary funding areas include: • Social and family services • Child development and welfare • Services for the aged • Services for the handicapped • Youth programming and development • Community training and org…
How do I apply for a grant from Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $1,000–$29,000 • Median grant size: $15,000 (2023) • Average grant size varies by year **Recent Grantmaking Activity:** In 2024, the foundation distributed $279,689 in grants. In 2023, it made 20 grants totaling $304,000. **Recent Grant Recipients (2022-2023):** • For A Real Change ($25,000 for "My Sister Is Succeeding") • Western Kentucky University ($25,000 for "Building A Bridge To Independence: Scholarships for Autistic Young Adults") • Awak…
Where does Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Kentucky, with a stated preference for rural areas, small towns, and areas of special need. Some grantmaking activity has extended to Texas.
What size grants does Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation award?
In 2024, Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $280K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation reported a distributable amount of $127K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation's EIN?
Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-6034264. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation'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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