Lees College Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Jackson, KY EIN: 61-0447250

Lees College Inc is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Jackson, KY. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $9.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $365K. Net investment income was $93K.

Key facts about Lees College Inc

In short: Lees College Inc gave $365K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $183K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
61-0447250
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$365,000
Grants made (2025)
2
Average grant
$182,500
Median grant
$182,500
Total assets
$9,254,041
Primary geography
Kentucky (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$9.3M

+8.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$365K

+4.3% YoY

Grant Count

2

-33.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$183K

+56.4% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lees College Inc reported a distributable amount of $401K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Lees College Inc gives

  • Giving grew 407% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Lees College Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.

States

Cities

Hazard

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K$400K0 grants2019 0 grants2020 Total only2021 1 grant2022 3 grants2023 3 grants2024 2 grants2025

From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2021) to $365K (2025). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $365K.

Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2025

Hazard Community and Technical Coll: $365K across 2 grantsHazard Community and TechnicalColl$365K · 2 grants

The largest 2025 recipient was Hazard Community and Technical Coll ($365K across 2 grants).

Grant Size Distribution

9 grants across all recorded years

<$50K6$50–100K2$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 6 grants of 9 (67%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Hazard Community and Technical Coll Hazard, KYFunding for general needs of hazard community and technical college$277,400
Hazard Community and Technical Coll Hazard, KYProvide Funding for Scholarships$87,600

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$250K$500K$750K$1M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$9,254,041$8,510,146$8,139,138
Revenue$221,170$439,756$289,074
Expenses$486,539$465,753$487,922
Qualifying Distributions$365,000$350,000$352,954
Net Investment Income$92,502$323,231$84,249
Distributable Amount$401,381$368,634$361,539

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 22, 2024)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 1, 2025)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 3, 2026)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 28, 2022)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Lees College Inc is led by Charles Herald, Chairman since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Charles Herald

    Chairman

    Chairman & Trustee → President, 2022

    President → Chairman, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Harold Holbrook

    Trustee

    Secretary → Trustee, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • J. Hagan Codell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Judge Sara Walter Combs

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Pj Sheffell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • John H. Codell Jr.

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • Lea Eiserman

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • Steven Bowling

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

  • Tori Howard

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

  • Wayne Sizemore

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    No compensation reported

  • Marcia Wireman

    Secretary

    On filings since 2024

    No compensation reported

Former officers (5)
  • Former: Charles M. Derrickson (2019–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Martin Douthitt (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Darrell A. Herald (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Harold Mullis (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Hilliard H. Smith III (2019–2020) — Chairman

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.

Frequently asked questions about Lees College Inc

How much does Lees College Inc give each year?

Lees College Inc gave $365K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $350K across 3 grants.

How large is Lees College Inc?

Lees College Inc reported $9.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $365K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $401K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What is Lees College Inc?

Lees College Inc is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Jackson, KY. It holds $9.3M in total assets as of 2025.

Where does Lees College Inc operate?

Lees College Inc has awarded grants in Kentucky.

What is Lees College Inc's EIN?

Lees College Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-0447250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Lees College Inc by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Lees College Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Similar funders in Kentucky

The Community Foundation of Louisville Inc

Louisville, KY

The Community Foundation of Louisville funds nonprofits, community projects, scholarships, and early-stage businesses through programs focused on expanding opportunity and addressing local needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,012 to $3.85 million, with a median of $22,987; support is centered in Louisville and Kentucky, though grants also go beyond the state. It says its grant programs use an open application and review process; requirements vary by opportunity.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$766.9M

Grants

678

Total Given

$55.0M

LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc

Louisville, KY

The foundation funds community organizations in economic development, education, the environment, and diversity, as well as event sponsorships and tree-planting grants, primarily in communities served by LG&E and KU. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $749,000, with a median of $2,500; 96% of grant dollars went to Kentucky. It accepts community grant applications through its online portal in March and October.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$22.0M

Grants

497

Total Given

$4.3M

John B & Brownie Young Memorial Fund

Owensboro, KY

Assets

$13.5M

Grants

392

Total Given

$894K

The Community Foundation of Louisville Depository Inc

Louisville, KY

The Community Foundation of Louisville supports a broad range of causes, including arts, parks, education, social services, and libraries, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Kentucky organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of $15,200 and ranged from $5,100 to over $2.3 million; the available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$24.0M

Grants

421

Total Given

$20.5M

Blue Grass Community Foundation Inc

Lexington, KY

It funds nonprofits and community needs through competitive grants and donor-established funds, supporting areas such as housing, youth well-being, and services for vulnerable people. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,025 to $520,164, with a median of $16,661; its focus is Central and Appalachia Kentucky. Applicants must use the online portal for specific opportunities; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$296.2M

Grants

514

Total Given

$20.7M

Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc

Louisville, KY

The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels funds Kentucky nonprofits serving Kentuckians in areas including education, health, arts, community support, and youth services, generally for tangible items or projects. Its 2024 grants ranged from $370 to $500,000, with a median award of $5,999; it offers an annual grant cycle and year-round emergency grants. Applicants start with a letter of intent, so requests are accepted through its stated application process.

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

Assets

$23.5M

Grants

358

Total Given

$4.5M

Adam R Scripps Foundation

Ft Mitchell, KY

The foundation supports science and biomedical research, education and scholarships, housing, health, and community services, with grants primarily benefiting organizations in Texas and California, as well as other states. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$754.6M

Grants

281

Total Given

$35.5M

The Scripps Family Fund for Education

Ft Mitchell, KY

The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts supports educational, enrichment, and arts-related opportunities—especially for economically disadvantaged people, from infants through young adults—and funds new initiatives, program expansion, and capacity building. Its 2025 grants ranged from $138 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000; it primarily funded organizations in Connecticut, with grants also reaching New York and other states. Funding is invitation-only, and the fund does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$28.0M

Grants

256

Total Given

$3.4M

The Whas Crusade for Children Inc

Louisville, KY

The WHAS Crusade for Children funds direct services, specific programs, and equipment for children up to age 18 with health care, educational, or emotional wellness needs, through eligible nonprofits, schools, and hospitals in Kentucky and southern Indiana. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,180 to $414,000, with a median of $17,500. New applicants may send a brief organization and project description to request an invitation; applications are invitation-only.

Assets

$59.5M

Grants

201

Total Given

$5.8M

Miramar Charitable Foundation

Ft Mitchell, KY

Miramar Charitable Foundation funds preselected charitable organizations across areas including arts, survivor support, education, science, and journalism, with grants to recipients in multiple states; in 2024, the largest shares went to Colorado, North Carolina, California, New York, and Florida. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $1 million, with a median of $2,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$32.5M

Grants

188

Total Given

$4.5M

Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust

Paducah, KY

The trust supports Catholic and other faith-based causes, human needs, education, families, and vibrant communities, with grants made across multiple states, especially Kentucky, Wisconsin, Florida, Louisiana, and Maryland. In 2024, its median grant was $50,000, with awards ranging from $200 to about $2.5 million. It accepts requests through an online process that begins with a pre-qualification request; it invites requests for 2026 funding.

Assets

$457.4M

Grants

183

Total Given

$22.8M

The Fischer Family Foundation 2008

Fort Mitchell, KY

The foundation funds organizations working in education, housing and homelessness, family support, employment, and financial stability, with most giving in Kentucky and Ohio and some support elsewhere. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $2.3 million, with a median of $50,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$201.2M

Grants

166

Total Given

$13.9M

More Funders in Kentucky

Lees College Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?