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
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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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include M Frnacis Inc ($1,464,184), Addis Nola ($20,000), Anomoly Catering Dba Yo Mamas Kitch ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADDIS NOLA NEW ORLEANS, LA | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| ANOMOLY CATERING DBA YO MAMAS KITCH MILWAUKEE, WI | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| BUG LADY'S FRY JOINT NASHVILLE, TN | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| BLAK KOFFEE INTERNET CAFE LOUISVILLE, KY | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| BORICUA SOUL DURHAM, NC | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| BYRON HOSPITALITY STONE MOUNTAIN, GA | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| CAFE COLUCCI OAKLAND, CA | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| CARTER INVESTMENTS DBA SOUL & SMOKE EVANSTON, IL | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| CHICAGO'S HOUSE OF HOAGIES MENASHA, WI | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
| CORNROW HTX (BLOOM FOODS) HOUSTON, TX | RACIAL JUSTICE SRRJ | $20,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lee Initiative Inc fund?
**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 suppor…
How do I apply for a grant from Lee Initiative Inc?
**Grant Activity:** The organization functions both as a grantmaker and grant recipient. Recent grants made include: • RestoreOKC: $15,000 (Racial Justice SRRJ, 2023) • Collaborative Support Services: $6,000 (Maui Relief, 2023) **Total Giving:** $2,349,184 (based on most recent available data) **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from $6,000 to $1,464,184 **Focus Areas for Grantmaking:** Education, Human Services, and Arts, Culture & Humanities, with particular emphasis on after-school program…
Where does Lee Initiative Inc make 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.
What size grants does Lee Initiative Inc award?
In 2024, Lee Initiative Inc awarded 45 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $52K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Lee Initiative Inc's EIN?
Lee Initiative Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3884798. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lee Initiative 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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