The LG&E and KU Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1994 as the charitable arm of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, subsidiaries of PPL Corporation. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the foundation is committed to investing in the communities served by its parent utility companies through philanthropic support of nonprofit organizations addressing critical community needs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.7M
-12.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.1M
-9.7% YoY
Grant Count
491
+49000.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-99.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports programs designed to promote:
- Education — Educational programs within public elementary, middle, and secondary schools and public and private post-secondary schools, with special emphasis on math, science, and technology
- Environment — Programs designed to promote environmental excellence and economic growth, including the signature Plant for the Planet environmental grant program
- Health and Human Services — Programs designed to better the health and welfare of society
- Diversity — Programs that embrace and encourage the inclusion of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
- Economic Development — Organizations that empower business and growth in communities served, with priority given to initiatives for low-income and underserved communities
Grantmaking
Community Grant applications are accepted twice annually in February and October. Award notifications are sent approximately two months after each application period. Event Sponsorship applications are also available in February and October.
Grant Range
$100–$5,735,154
Average Grant
amount: $3,408 (general operating support)
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations in:
- Louisville and 16 surrounding counties in Kentucky
- Five counties in Virginia
- Parts of Indiana
- Nearly all 120 counties across Kentucky
The service territory of the parent utility companies encompasses approximately 1.3 million customers.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $24,747,920
- Total Giving: $4,051,712–$4,060,762
- Total Revenue: $630,541
- Total Expenses: $4,138,595
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,747,920 | $28,255,974 | $31,842,793 |
| Revenue | $630,541 | $969,404 | $53,339 |
| Expenses | $4,138,595 | $4,561,973 | $5,841,313 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,060,762 | $4,484,643 | $5,735,154 |
| Net Investment Income | $674,899 | $896,669 | $629,429 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,361,676 | $1,364,727 | $1,641,653 |
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
54 grants across all recorded years
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Association of Community Ministries Inc ($749,000), Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Inc ($178,000), Energy Conservation Associates Inc ($120,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC LOUISVILLE, KY | ACM UTILITY GRANT | $749,000 |
| DOLLAR ENERGY FUND PITTSBURGH, PA | WINTERSHARE DEC 23 DONATION | $698 |
| COMMUNITY WINTERHELP INC LOUISVILLE, KY | WINTERHELP DEC 23 DONATION | $11,616 |
| WINTERCARE ENERGY FUND INC LEXINGTON, KY | WINTERCARE DEC 23 DONATION | $17,331 |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE FOUNDATION INC LOUISVILLE, KY | UOFL FOUNDATION, INC. | $5,000 |
| ALPHA BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC LEXINGTON, KY | ALPHA BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER | $1,200 |
| CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC LOUISVILLE, KY | SALUTE DINNER & LUNCHEON 2024 | $10,000 |
| EASTERN AREA COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC LOUISVILLE, KY | EACM SPRING FLING | $500 |
| FAMILY SCHOLAR HOUSE INC LOUISVILLE, KY | 2024 WINE, WOMEN & SHOES - FSH | $2,500 |
| STAGEONE THE LOUISVILLE CHILDREN'S THEATRE INC LOUISVILLE, KY | NUMBER THE STARS | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Mary C Whelan — President (3 hours/week)
- Tadd J Henninger — Senior Vice President & Treasurer (0.5 hours/week)
- Christopher M Garrett — Vice President - Finance & Accounting (0.5 hours/week)
- Vanessa D Hartline — Assistant Treasurer (0.5 hours/week)
- John P Fendig — Corporate Secretary (0.5 hours/week)
- Deborah C Gregor — Assistant Corporate Secretary (0.5 hours/week)
- David K Arthur — Director (0.5 hours/week)
- John R Crockett III — Director (0.5 hours/week)
- Heather D Metts — Director (0.5 hours/week)
- Shannon L Montgomery — Director (0.5 hours/week)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID K ARTHUR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN R CROCKETT III | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| HEATHER D METTS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SHANNON L MONTGOMERY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARY C WHELAN | PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER M GARRETT | VICE PRESIDENT - FINANCE & ACCOUNTING | 0.5 | — |
| TADD J HENNINGER | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| VANESSA D HARTLINE | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN P FENDIG | CORPORATE SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| DEBORAH C GREGOR | ASSISTANT CORPORATE SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Employee Giving Campaign:**
LG&E and KU employee-led giving campaign raises nearly $2 million to helpThe LG&E and KU employee-led charitable giving campaign, known as the Power of One, raised nearly $2 million in 2024 for more than 50 area nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2005, the Power of One campaign has contributed more than $35 million to support critical community programs and services across Kentucky, Virginia, and Indiana.
The LG&E and KU Foundation: powering community impact | LG&E and KU**2024 Grant Highlights:**
Recent grantees demonstrate the foundation's impact across its focus areas:
Kentucky Shakespeare — supporting free live theater experiences
Hardin County Habitat for Humanity — home construction projects
Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve — natural space restoration
CASA — supporting abused and neglected children through the CASA Superhero Run
CAFCA Cares and Central Louisville Community Ministries — utility bill assistance and vital resources for families in need
Adelante Hispanic Achievers — student success programs
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports programs designed to promote: • **Education** — Educational programs within public elementary, middle, and secondary schools and public and private post-secondary schools, with special emphasis on math, science, and technology • **Environment** — Programs designed to promote environmental excellence and economic growth, including the signature Plant for the Planet environmental grant program • **Health and Human Services** — Programs designed to better the health and wel…
How do I apply for a grant from Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2024): $4,051,712–$4,060,762 • Total grants awarded: 123–491 grants annually • Grant range: $100–$5,735,154 • Median grant amount: $2,576 • Average grant amount: $3,408 (general operating support) • Giving rate: 15.3% of assets **Grant Types:** • Community Grants (general operating support and project funding) • Plant for the Planet Grants (environmental focus) • Event Sponsorship support • Matching Gifts **Application Process:** Community Grant applications …
Where does Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds organizations in: • Louisville and 16 surrounding counties in Kentucky • Five counties in Virginia • Parts of Indiana • Nearly all 120 counties across Kentucky The service territory of the parent utility companies encompasses approximately 1.3 million customers.
What size grants does Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc awarded 491 grants totaling $4.1M — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lg&e and Ku Foundation 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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