Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc
The Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming is a private foundation based in Teton Village, Wyoming. Its 2024 filing reports 51 grants totaling $397,000 to organizations in several states, including Wyoming, Kentucky, Colorado, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc at a glance
In short: Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc gave $397K across 51 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), top state Kentucky. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $397,000
- +46.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 51
- +24.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,784
- +17.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $8,330,838
- -0.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (16 of 51, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (36% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Contact
Application contact: Robin Lightner
Mailing address: PO Box 429, Teton Village, WY 83025-0429
Phone: (307) 733-9619
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lander Community Foundation ($53K). Together the top 10 received $219K.
Grant Size Distribution
242 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 237 grants of 242 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed primarily to recipients in Kentucky (36%) and Wyoming (32%), followed by Colorado (9%), North Carolina (8%), and Tennessee (4%). The listed grants also included recipients in Texas and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 51 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $272K (2023) to $397K (2024). In 2024 it made 51 grants totaling $397K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lander Community Foundation Lander, WY | General Charitable Support | $53,000 |
| Fayette Alliance Foundation Inc Lexington, KY | General Charitable Support | $25,000 |
| Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Lexington, KY | General Charitable Support | $25,000 |
| Access Fund Boulder, CO | General Charitable Support | $20,000 |
| University of Kentucky Lexington, KY | General Charitable Support | $20,000 |
| Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC | General Charitable Support | $20,000 |
| American Safe Climbing Association Boulder, CO | Gerneral Charitable Support | $15,000 |
| St Jude's Childrens Research Memphis, TN | General Charitable Support | $15,000 |
| Equine Land Conservation Resource Lexington, KY | General Charitable Support | $14,000 |
| Central Kentucky Riding for Hope Lexington, KY | General Charitable Support | $12,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,330,838 | $437,683 | $482,277 | $397,000 | 51 | $454,371 | $325,777 | $436,217 |
| 2023 | $8,394,260 | $280,692 | $333,753 | $271,500 | 41 | $320,782 | $267,721 | $395,173 |
| 2022 | $8,466,234 | $141,071 | $457,267 | $378,250 | 51 | $431,152 | $200,109 | $399,451 |
| 2021 | $8,786,266 | $1,456,819 | $457,606 | $379,400 | 54 | $431,881 | $1,431,094 | $438,421 |
| 2020 | $7,791,300 | $375,285 | $379,693 | $311,000 | 45 | — | $359,178 | $384,410 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc reported a distributable amount of $436K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants included support for community philanthropy, a horse park, land-use education and research, higher education, climbing safety, equine land conservation, and therapeutic activities involving horses. These are descriptions of grantees’ work: for example, Lander Community Foundation says its mission is to strengthen its community by promoting philanthropy and effective giving, while Central Kentucky Riding for Hope says it uses therapeutic activities with horses to support people with special needs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 51 grants totaling $397,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $53,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest awards included $53,000 to Lander Community Foundation; $25,000 each to Fayette Alliance Foundation and Kentucky Horse Park Foundation; $20,000 each to Access Fund, University of Kentucky, and Wake Forest University; and $15,000 each to American Safe Climbing Association and St. Jude’s Children’s Research.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. How to apply: The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Submit a request in writing to Robin Lightner, including financial information and proof of exemption. The filing lists no deadline and states that there are no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robin H Lightner as trustee and Camille L Brunker, Earl Sams Lightner Jr, James J Brunker, Liz Lightner, and Isabel Brunker as directors.
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's 2024 filing lists 6 officers; all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Camille L. Brunker
Director
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Earl Sams Lightner Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
James J. Brunker
Director
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Liz Lightner
Director
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Robin H. Lightner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Isabel Brunker
Director
On filings since 2023
$5K (2023) → $5K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $5K, to Robin H Lightner (Trustee). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc
How much does Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc give each year?
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc gave $397K across 51 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $272K across 41 grants.
What is Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's typical grant size?
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,784, across 51 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc that year got $4K on average.
Where does Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc give grants?
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's top state is Kentucky, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Wyoming (32%) and Colorado (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lexington, KY (14 grants), Thermopolis, WY (7 grants), Lander, WY (4 grants) and Jackson, WY (4 grants).
Does Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 98% of Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (50 of 51) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's largest grantees?
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Lander Community Foundation ($53,000), Fayette Alliance Foundation Inc ($25,000) and Kentucky Horse Park Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc?
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc reported $8.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $454K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $436K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants included support for community philanthropy, a horse park, land-use education and research, higher education, climbing safety, equine land conservation, and therapeutic activities involving horses. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc?
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's EIN?
Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0309453. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lightner-sams-foundation-of-wyoming-inc-morg_a664fea5cb694f3a962c4862c5e04f72
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_830309453_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lightner-sams-foundation-of-wyoming-inc-morg_a664fea5cb694f3a962c4862c5e04f72},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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