Public Life Foundation of Owensboro

OWENSBORO, KY EIN: 61-6232654

The Public Life Foundation of Owensboro is a private foundation established in 1996 and based in Owensboro, Kentucky. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to building civic capital and making community impact through grantmaking and community engagement initiatives.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.6M

-4.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$755K

+70.9% YoY

Grant Count

+50.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$25K

+13.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Public Life Foundation of Owensboro reported a distributable amount of $360K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation supports two broad categories of projects:

Values and Public Life: Exploration of the relationship of values and public life in the Owensboro, Kentucky area
Education: Education initiatives, with particular emphasis on at-risk children and their parents

The foundation prioritizes research-oriented projects within these focus areas.

Grantmaking

The foundation provides year-end grants, gap grants, and sponsorships for specific initiatives.

Grant Types

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation focuses on the Owensboro, Kentucky area and Daviess County.

Grant Distribution by State

Kentucky $2.2M (98%)

Georgia $35K (2%)

Ohio $9K (0%)

States

Georgia Kentucky Ohio

Cities

AtlantaCincinnatiDecaturForstonFrankfortLexingtonOwensboroSmyrna

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

Total Assets: $5.6 million
Revenue: $918,265
Expenses: $1.2 million
Total Liabilities: $5,700

As of 2023:

Total Assets: $5,885,642
Total Revenue: $404,359
Total Expenses: $759,202

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$5,604,886	$5,885,642	$6,240,619
Revenue	$918,265	$404,359	$-129,494
Expenses	$1,199,204	$759,202	$768,128
Qualifying Distributions	$1,140,068	$698,682	$693,634
Net Investment Income	$862,725	$349,270	$54,238
Distributable Amount	$359,634	$355,865	$378,601

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

142 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Center ($320,000), Owensboro Family Ymca ($149,444), Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence ($100,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
AUDUBON AREA HEAD START AREA 1 OWENSBORO, KY	GAP GRANT	$2,659
BRESCIA UNIVERSITY OWENSBORO, KY	YEAR-END GRANT	$1,000
CATHEDRAL PRESCHOOL OWENSBORO, KY	GAP GRANT	$3,000
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER SMYRNA, GA	GRANT	$10,000
CLIFF HAGAN BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OWENSBORO, KY	GRANT	$1,000
DANIEL PITINO SHELTER OWENSBORO, KY	GRANT	$5,000
DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OWENSBORO, KY	GAP GRANT	$3,834
GIRLS INC OWENSBORO DAV CO OWENSBORO, KY	GRANT	$1,000
GOODFELLOWS CLUB OF OWENSBORO OWENSBORO, KY	TENNIS TOURNAMENT SPONSORSHIP; YEAR END GRANT	$40,300
GREATER OWENSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OWENSBORO, KY	LEADERSHIP CENTER	$1,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board of Directors:

Bruce Hager, Chair (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Sally Hager Wood (Owensboro)
Susie Hager Alford (Owensboro)
Stewart Hager (Knoxville, Tennessee)
William Speciale (Boston, Massachusetts)
Rodney Berry, Director Emeritus (Owensboro)
David Boeyink (Owensboro)
Janet Land (Owensboro)

Founders:

John Hager
Marjorie Hager

Staff:

Joe Berry, Executive Director
Kathy Strobel, Office Manager, Board Secretary

Professional Advisors:

Alexander and Company (Accounting and Personnel Management)
Jerry Keller, Certified Public Accountant (Owensboro)
Daintree Advisors, William Speciale, Financial Consultant (Boston, Massachusetts)
Moran Edwards Asset Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Thomas Moran, Endowment Management (Naples, Florida)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
SUSAN HAGER ALFORD	DIRECTOR-TREASURER	1	—
SARAH HAGER WOOD	DIRECTOR-CHAIR	1	—
BRUCE WILLIAM HAGER	DIRECTOR-VICE CHAIR	1	—
JOE BERRY	PRESIDENT	40	$100,837
JOHN S JR HAGER	DIRECTOR	1	—
WILLIAM G SPECIALE	DIRECTOR	1	—
KATHY STROBEL	SECRETARY	40	$40,153
JANET LAND	DIRECTOR	1	$3,000
DAVID BOEYINK	DIRECTOR	1	$24,815

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

**Major Initiative:**

The Public Life Foundation is undertaking its most ambitious project in its 20-year history, with the board pledging up to $4 million to support a long-term community effort to improve early childhood education in Daviess County.

Green River Area Community Foundation awards 14 grants | Local News | messenger-inquirer.com

**Partnership Announcement:**

The foundation and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence announced the Greater Owensboro Partnership for Early Development following months of community discussion and analysis.

Green River Area Community Foundation awards 14 grants | Local News | messenger-inquirer.com

**Leadership Changes:**

A major change in leadership is underway at the foundation.

**YMCA Partnership:**

The Public Life Foundation partnered with the YMCA to transform childcare in Owensboro.

YMCA, Public Life Foundation partner to transform childcare in Owensboro

Contact Information

Address: 401 Frederica Street, B-203 Owensboro, Kentucky 42301

Phone: (270) 685-2652 Fax: (270) 685-6074

Website: www.plfo.org

Mailing List: The foundation publishes a quarterly publication called The Public Life Advocate, along with reports, issue briefs, and dialog guides on issues affecting the community. Interested parties can subscribe to the mailing list through the foundation's website.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Public Life Foundation of Owensboro fund?

The foundation supports two broad categories of projects: 1. **Values and Public Life**: Exploration of the relationship of values and public life in the Owensboro, Kentucky area 2. **Education**: Education initiatives, with particular emphasis on at-risk children and their parents The foundation prioritizes research-oriented projects within these focus areas.

How do I apply for a grant from Public Life Foundation of Owensboro?

**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 32 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2023: $441,789 • Recent notable grants include: • $500,000 to Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence for early childhood education (2021) • $110,000 to Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence for Early Childhood Education Specialist Position (2023) • $75,000 to Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce for Leadership Center (2023) • $40,300 to Goodfellows Club of Owensboro Kentucky for Tennis Tournament Sponsorship…

Where does Public Life Foundation of Owensboro make grants?

The foundation focuses on the Owensboro, Kentucky area and Daviess County.

What size grants does Public Life Foundation of Owensboro award?

In 2024, Public Life Foundation of Owensboro awarded 30 grants totaling $755K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Public Life Foundation of Owensboro required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Public Life Foundation of Owensboro reported a distributable amount of $360K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Public Life Foundation of Owensboro's EIN?

Public Life Foundation of Owensboro's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-6232654. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.