LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky. It supports nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life in the communities served by LG&E and KU, including through programs in economic development, education, the environment, and diversity.
Key facts about LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc
In short: LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc gave $4.3M across 497 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 61-1257368
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,253,769
- Grants made (2025)
- 497
- Average grant
- $8,559
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $21,978,788
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Community grant applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically through the online grant portal. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Community grant applications are accepted in March and October.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.0M
-11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
+5.0% YoY
Grant Count
497
+1.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+3.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc gives
- 76% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 26% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 327% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it invests in improving quality of life in its communities. Its community-grant focus areas are:
- Economic development: Organizations that empower business and growth in the communities served.
- Education: Innovative programs in public elementary, middle, and secondary schools and public and private post-secondary schools, with math, science, and technology priorities.
- Environment: Environmental excellence that protects communities and helps promote economic growth.
- Diversity: Programs that promote inclusion of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grants. The Association of Community Ministries describes itself as bringing together 13 Louisville community ministries to provide neighborhood-level services, including emergency assistance for utilities, rent, and food. Metro United Way says its mission is to improve lives and the community by engaging people to give, advocate, and volunteer. The Fund for the Arts describes a vision of a vibrant community where everyone can participate in and belong to the arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 497 grants totaling $4,253,769. Grants ranged from $100 to $749,000, with a median of $2,500.
Review Cycle
Community grant applications are accepted in March and October.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc
LG&E and KU Foundation Community Grants
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Plant for the Planet Grants
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
The LG&E and KU Foundation: Powering Community Impact Grant
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky. The remaining reported shares were 1% each for Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The foundation’s website describes its community-grant focus as serving the communities of LG&E and KU.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 497 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2024) to $5.7M (2022). In 2025 it made 497 grants totaling $4.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Association of Community Ministries Inc ($749K). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
991 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 964 grants of 991 (97%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Association of Community Ministries Inc Louisville, KY | ACM/Utility Grant | $749,000 |
| Metro United Way Inc Louisville, KY | Metro United Way- PO1 Match | $336,295 |
| Metro United Way Inc Louisville, KY | Metro United Way- PPL Match | $211,455 |
| Whas Crusade for Children Inc Louisville, KY | Whas Crusade for Children PO1 | $183,308 |
| Youthbuild Louisville Louisville, KY | Youthbuild/Project Warm | $120,000 |
| Metro United Way Inc Louisville, KY | Beyond Buzzwords 2025 | $100,000 |
| Fund for the Arts Inc Louisville, KY | Fund for the Arts PO1 | $83,898 |
| Louisville Zoo Foundation Inc Louisville, KY | Party for the Planet 2025 | $65,000 |
| University of Louisville Foundation Inc Louisville, KY | Student & Community Success | $65,000 |
| Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Inc Louisville, KY | Kentucky Derby Festival Found | $60,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant total | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $21,978,788 | $1,564,948 | $4,334,080 | $4,253,769 | 497 |
| 2024 | $24,747,920 | $630,541 | $4,138,595 | $4,051,712 | 491 |
| 2023 | $28,255,974 | $969,404 | $4,561,973 | $4,484,643 | 1 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,978,788 | $24,747,920 | $28,255,974 |
| Revenue | $1,564,948 | $630,541 | $969,404 |
| Expenses | $4,334,080 | $4,138,595 | $4,561,973 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,264,125 | $4,060,762 | $4,484,643 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,402,265 | $674,899 | $896,669 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,303,874 | $1,361,676 | $1,364,727 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David K Arthur, John R Crockett III, Heather D Metts, and Shannon L Montgomery as directors. It lists Mary C Whelan as president until May 2025; Christopher M Garrett as vice president of finance and accounting; Tadd J Henninger as senior vice president and treasurer; Vanessa D Hartline as assistant treasurer; John P Fendig as corporate secretary; and Deborah C Gregor as assistant corporate secretary.
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc is led by Mary C. Whelan, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary C. Whelan
President
Director → Director & President, 2022
Director & President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth A. Pratt
President
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John R. Crockett III
Director
Director & Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David K. Arthur
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather D. Metts
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon L. Montgomery
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher M. Garrett
Vice President - Finance & Accounting
Vice President-Finance & Acctg → Vice President - Finance & Accounting, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah C. Gregor
Assistant Corporate Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Assistant Corporate Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John P. Fendig
Corporate Secretary
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tadd J. Henninger
Senior Vice President & Treasurer
Vice President & Treasurer → Senior Vice President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa D. Hartline
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Eileen Saunders (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Lonnie Bellar (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kent Blake (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Christine Martin (2022) — Director
- Former: Angie Evans (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Daniel Arbough (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Paul Thompson (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Application contact: Grants Administrator
Mailing address: PO Box 32030, Louisville, KY 40232
Phone: (502) 627-3234
Website: HTTP://WWW.LGE-KU.COM/COMMUNITY
Frequently asked questions about LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc
How much does LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc give each year?
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc gave $4.3M across 497 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.1M across 491 grants.
What is LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $8,559, across 497 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc give grants?
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (214 grants), Lexington, KY (92 grants), Frankfort, KY (14 grants) and Pittsburgh, PA (13 grants).
Does LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 6% of LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 497) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "American Red Cross" (4 grants), "Junior Achievement" (4 grants) and "Lexington Habitat for Humanity" (4 grants).
Who are LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Association of Community Ministries Inc ($749,000), Metro United Way Inc ($673,550 across 5 grants) and Youthbuild Louisville ($246,238 across 13 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc?
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc reported $22.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it invests in improving quality of life in its communities. Its community-grant focus areas are: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc?
Community grant applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically through the online grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc's EIN?
LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1257368. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc by hand.
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