LEE Initiative Inc (Let's Empower Employment) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky, focused on using food and hospitality as vehicles for community empowerment and social change. The organization works to address diversity, equity, and sustainability challenges within the restaurant and food service industries through education, training, mentorship, and direct financial support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$261K
-77.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+131.9% YoY
Grant Count
45
-31.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
+240.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The LEE Initiative uses the power of food to uplift the hospitality industry and strengthen communities through education, research, mentorship, and grants. The organization's work supports food resiliency by helping people build essential life skills, access opportunity, and stay connected during moments of need.
Vision: A community where food is a source of stability and connection—where young people can nourish themselves and their families, food workers are supported through crises, and local food leaders can sustain their work and cultural contributions.
Core Values: Community, Collaboration, and Resiliency
Primary Focus Areas:
- Employment and job training in the culinary industry
- Diversity and equity in the restaurant industry
- Food access and culinary education
- Support for women chefs and culinary professionals
- Support for Black-owned restaurants and food businesses
- Hospitality worker financial assistance
Grantmaking
The organization functions both as a grantmaker and grant recipient. Recent grants made include:
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from $6,000 to $1,464,184
Ready to take the next step with Lee Initiative Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary Operating Area: Louisville, Kentucky
National Reach: The Black Kitchen Initiative and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice program operate nationally, supporting food businesses across America.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total Revenue: $1,414,928
- Total Expenses: $1,999,249
- Total Assets: $1,184,938
- Total Liabilities: $260,000
- Number of Employees: 7
Financial Trend: The organization's expenses exceeded revenue in 2023, indicating reliance on reserves or prior-year funding.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $261,495 | $1,184,938 | $1,531,565 |
| Revenue | $2,337,862 | $1,414,928 | $2,705,892 |
| Expenses | $3,009,151 | $1,999,249 | $2,746,667 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
145 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Lee Initiative Inc
Bluegrass Bartenders Fund
LEE INITIATIVE INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
LEE Initiative's Culinary Education Program
LEE INITIATIVE INC
Amount
Full scholarship (tuition, fees, stipend); $5,000 high school program credits
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Edward Lee — Co-Founder, Chief Impact Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINDSEY OFACEK | MANAGING DIR | 55 | $47,874 |
| EDWARD LEE | CREATIVE DIR | 10 | $19,231 |
| BEN JOHNSON | PRRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| KAREN KEITH | VICE PRESIDE | 1 | — |
| SHAUNTRICE MARTIN | SECRATARY | 1 | — |
| BEN ROBINSON | TREASURER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The organization has announced significant grant distributions to local nonprofits:
Awarded $700,000 to dozens of local nonprofits
Lee Initiatives awards a total of $700,000 to dozens of local nonprofitsAwarded $633,204 to 58 nonprofits with a focus on health and wellness
Lee Initiatives awards $633,204 to 58 nonprofits with a focus on health andAnnounced a new wellness endowment grant cycle
Lee Initiatives announces new wellness endowment grant cycle | News | tribdem.comThese recent announcements indicate expanded grantmaking activity beyond the organization's core hospitality and food industry focus.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Mildred H Dunning Memorial Fund Trust
LEXINGTON, KY
Assets
$4.3M
Grants
3
Total Given
$209K
Pauline C Young Scholarship
LEXINGTON, KY
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Welcome House Inc
COVINGTON, KY
Assets
$15.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$405K
Tw Hl & Ns Donovan Scholarship
LEXINGTON, KY
Assets
$673K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Taking Back Our Neighborhood Together
GLENVIEW, KY
Assets
$21K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
John T Reis Private Foundation
COVINGTON, KY
Assets
$200K
Grants
11
Total Given
$341K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Lee Initiative Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities