Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Its stated mission is to secure, invest, steward, and distribute private resources in support of Northern Kentucky University (NKU), advocate for the university’s best interests, and build lasting relationships with alumni and friends.
Key facts about Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc
In short: Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc gave $6.8M across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $677K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 23-7116528
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,765,749
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- Average grant
- $676,575
- Median grant
- $461,285
- Total assets
- $176,758,742
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$176.8M
+7.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.8M
+3.1% YoY
Grant Count
10
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$677K
+3.1% YoY
How Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 24% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to secure, invest, steward, and distribute private resources in support of NKU, advocate for the university’s best interests, and build lasting relationships with alumni and friends.
Its stated program areas include instruction, public service, university facilities and equipment acquisition, libraries, student services, and research. The Foundation’s filing says it monitors the use of funds granted to NKU by reviewing invoices paid by the university and can monitor the progress of NKU projects supported with Foundation funds. It also describes subgrant expenses benefiting NKU, including funding for faculty positions, construction projects, and other operating expenditures.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 10 grants totaling $6,765,749. Grant amounts ranged from $8,705 to $3,187,508, with a median of $461,285. All 10 listed grants went to Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights.
The largest awards were $3,187,508 for student financial aid, $801,743 for academic support, $719,330 for institutional support, and $593,230 for facilities and equipment acquisition. Other listed purposes included instruction, student services, general support, research, public service, and libraries.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 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 $5.1M (2020) to $6.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $6.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Northern Kentucky University ($6.8M across 10 grants).
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 16 grants of 46 (35%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Student Financial Aid | $3,187,508 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Academic Support | $801,743 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Institutional Support | $719,330 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Facilities & Equipment Acquisition | $593,230 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Instruction | $548,891 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Student Services | $373,679 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | General | $315,072 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Research | $115,346 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Public Service | $102,245 |
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Libraries | $8,705 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $176,758,742 | $22,708,159 | $11,229,549 | $6,765,749 |
| 2024 | $164,156,282 | $10,347,286 | $10,371,692 | $6,563,447 |
| 2023 | $151,402,720 | $7,523,777 | $10,415,607 | $6,484,922 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $176,758,742 | $164,156,282 | $151,402,720 |
| Revenue | $22,708,159 | $10,347,286 | $7,523,777 |
| Expenses | $11,229,549 | $10,371,692 | $10,415,607 |
| Net Investment Income | $15,676,363 | $3,391,484 | $1,311,624 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Karen Finan as president, Tom Wiedemann as immediate past president, Kevin Gessner as vice president, Mary Zalla as secretary, and Barb Johnson as treasurer. Other listed directors and officers are Marty Butler, at large; Eric Gentry, executive director; Cady Short-Thompson, NKU president; and Bradd Zapp and Kara Williams, NKU regent designees.
Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc is led by Eric C. Gentry, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 76 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Eric C. Gentry
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen A. Finan
President
At Large → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cady Short-Thompson
Nku President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
B. Charles Alexander
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barry Kienzle
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brenda L. Wilson
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brent M. Cooper
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
C. Andrew Neagle
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol J. Swarts
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chad Scott
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel R. Groneck
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darlene Martin
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane H. Sticklen-Jordan
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emerson L. Brumback
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric A. Ernst
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred A. Macke Jr.
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Garren Colvin
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary L. Herfel Esq.
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory S. Shumate Esq.
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Herbert R. Booth
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. David Bender Esq.
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack G. Kenkel Jr.
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James C. Votruba
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James H. Huff
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James L. Flood
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James R. Poston Jr. Esq.
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie M. Ramsey Esq.
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason O. Jackman
Emeritus Member
President → Emeritus Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Lucas
Emeritus Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Emeritus Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith H. Gibbons
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kara S. Williams
Nku Regent Designee
Secretary → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Nku Regent Designee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth F. Harper
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin E. Gessner
Vice President
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin M. Sheehan
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leon Boothe
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcia L. Hosea
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary E. Zalla
Secretary
Vice President → At Large, 2023
At Large → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Merwin Grayson
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Hammons
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele Hargis
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul A. Gibson
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul W. Chellgren
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard L. Murgatroyd
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert R. Fitzpatrick Jr.
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roger C. Meade
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rogers Redding
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosemary Schlachter
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth M. Seligman Doering
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas C. Donnelly Esq.
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Saelinger
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy L. Schwegmann
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William C. Vermillion
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andra R. Ward
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barb Johnson
Treasurer
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Kearney
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jt Roberts
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mac Riley
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marty Butler
At Large
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → At Large, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rich Boehne
Member
Board Member → Nku Regent Designee, 2023
Nku Regent Designee → Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Schigel
Emeritus Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Emeritus Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather Quinley
Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Smith
Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
The Honorable Kenneth R. Lucas
Emeritus Member
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Best
Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Wiedemann
Immediate Past President
President → Immediate Past President, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Neal
Member
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Holbrook
Member
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
The Honorable Gary Moore
Ex-Officio Members
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
The Honorable Kris Knochelmann
Ex-Officio Members
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
The Honorable Steven Pendery
Ex-Officio Members
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alecia Webb-Edgington
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bradd Zapp
Nku Regent Designee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Don Cole
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Gusweiler
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Desmarais
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ray Takigku
Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (26)
- Former: Gary Moore (2020–2023) — Ex-Officio Members
- Former: Henry L. Stephens Jr. Esq. (2020–2023) — Emeritus Member
- Former: Kris Knochelmann (2020–2023) — Ex-Officio Members
- Former: Steven Pendery (2020–2023) — Ex-Officio Members
- Former: Bonita Brown (2023) — Nku Interim President
- Former: Ashish Vaidya (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Eva G. Farris (2020–2022) — Emeritus Member
- Former: Kenneth R. Lucas (2020–2022) — Emeritus Member
- Former: Nathaniel G. Smith (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas Wiedemann (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Jackie Levoir (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Norm Desmarais (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Barbara L. Moran-Johnson (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Gary Bricking (2020–2021) — Emeritus Member
- Former: H. McGuire Riley (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jacqueline N. Levoir (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Julie A. Schneider (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Martin C. Butler (2020–2021) — At Large
- Former: Richard A. Boehne (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Timothy Schigel (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Normand Desmarais (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Alice Sparks (2020) — Emeritus Member
- Former: Bryson P. Lair (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kristi P. Nelson (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lee Scheben (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Martin J. Gerrety (2020) — Board Member
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
Mailing address: Lucas Administrative Center Ste 822, Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-5129
Website: https://foundation.nku.edu
Frequently asked questions about Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc
How much does Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc give each year?
Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc gave $6.8M across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.6M across 10 grants.
What is Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $461,285, and its average grant was $676,575, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc give grants?
Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Highland Heights, KY (10 grants).
Does Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
How large is Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc?
Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc reported $176.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $22.7M.
What does Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to secure, invest, steward, and distribute private resources in support of NKU, advocate for the university’s best interests, and build lasting relationships with alumni and friends. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc?
Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check foundation.nku.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc's EIN?
Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7116528. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Northern Kentucky University Foundation Inc by hand.
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