Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming
The Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming is a private family foundation established in 1990 and based in Teton Village, Wyoming. The foundation operates with limited staffing and appears to be open to applications from qualified organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.3M
-0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$397K
+46.2% YoY
Grant Count
51
+24.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+17.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming reported a distributable amount of $436K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Grantmaking
Applications should be submitted in writing and must include financial information and proof of tax-exempt status. There is no specified deadline for submissions.
Grant Range
$5,000
Review Cycle
for submissions.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Wyoming, Kentucky, and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total assets: $8,330,838 (as of 2024)
- Total giving: $397,000 (2024)
- Tax-exempt status: Since October 1994
- EIN: 83-0309453
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,330,838 | $8,394,260 | $8,466,234 |
| Revenue | $437,683 | $280,692 | $141,071 |
| Expenses | $482,277 | $333,753 | $457,267 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $454,371 | $320,782 | $431,152 |
| Net Investment Income | $325,777 | $267,721 | $200,109 |
| Distributable Amount | $436,217 | $395,173 | $399,451 |
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
236 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lander Community Foundation ($53,000), Fayette Alliance Foundation Inc ($25,000), Kentucky Horse Park Foundation ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS FUND BOULDER, CO | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| AMERICAN SAFE CLIMBING ASSOCIATION BOULDER, CO | GERNERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY LEXINGTON, KY | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| CAMILLE PLAYERS INC BROWNSVILLE, TX | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CASA OF LEXINGTON INC LEXINGTON, KY | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CENTRAL KENTUCKY RIDING FOR HOPE LEXINGTON, KY | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $12,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOL JACKSON, WY | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED MEMPHIS, TN | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| EQUINE LAND CONSERVATION RESOURCE LEXINGTON, KY | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $14,000 |
| FAYETTE ALLIANCE FOUNDATION INC LEXINGTON, KY | GENERAL CHARITABLE SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by the following board members and directors:
- Robin H Lightner (Trustee)
- Camille L Brunker (Director)
- Earl Sams Lightner Jr (Director)
- James J Brunker (Director)
- Liz Lightner (Director)
- Isabel Brunker (Director)
All board members serve without compensation for hours worked.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBIN H LIGHTNER | TRUSTEE | — | $5,000 |
| CAMILLE L BRUNKER | DIRECTOR | — | $5,000 |
| EARL SAMS LIGHTNER JR | DIRECTOR | — | $5,000 |
| JAMES J BRUNKER | DIRECTOR | — | $5,000 |
| LIZ LIGHTNER | DIRECTOR | — | $5,000 |
| ISABEL BRUNKER | DIRECTOR | — | $5,000 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 429 Teton Village, WY 83025-0429
Telephone: 307-690-5133
Contact Person: Robin Lightner
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Human Services • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
How do I apply for a grant from Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming?
**Grant Activity:** • 51 grants awarded in the most recent filing period • Median grant size: $5,000 • Grant range: $1,000 to $53,000 • Total giving: $397,000 (2024) **Application Process:** Applications should be submitted in writing and must include financial information and proof of tax-exempt status. There is no specified deadline for submissions.
Where does Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Wyoming, Kentucky, and Colorado.
What size grants does Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming award?
In 2024, Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming awarded 51 grants totaling $397K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming reported a distributable amount of $436K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming's EIN?
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0309453. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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