Robert J Lightner Foundation
Robert J Lightner Foundation is a private foundation, based in Florence, KY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $23.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $830K. Net investment income was $2.6M.
Robert J Lightner Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert J Lightner Foundation gave $830K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $830K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $830,083
- +1.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $830,083
- +1.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $830,083
- Total assets
- $23,629,200
- +27.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Robert J Lightner Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Potters Ranch ($830K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 2 grants of 4 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Robert J Lightner Foundation gives
- Giving grew 2538% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2020) to $1.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $830K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Potters Ranch Florence, KY | Operation of the Ranch and Programs. | $830,083 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23,629,200 | $5,080,511 | $1,150,872 | $830,083 | 1 | $833,141 | $2,632,596 | $765,229 |
| 2024 | $18,495,564 | $3,068,618 | $1,095,572 | $820,000 | 1 | $822,562 | $1,569,512 | $828,203 |
| 2023 | $17,497,581 | $3,274,389 | $1,308,472 | $1,042,000 | 1 | $1,051,245 | $500,562 | $743,533 |
| 2022 | $15,444,101 | $1,236,857 | $292,400 | $31,464 | 1 | $44,676 | $825,221 | $646,255 |
| 2021 | $14,495,236 | $824,319 | $250,586 | — | — | $15 | $710,308 | — |
| 2020 | $13,910,887 | $1,834,578 | $239,230 | $15,000 | 1 | — | $589,923 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert J Lightner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $765K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert J Lightner Foundation is led by Robert J. Lightner, President & Treasurer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert J. Lightner
President & Treasurer
President, Treasurer & Director → President, 2022
President → President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian K. Lighnter
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wesley W. Lightner
Vice President & Secretary
Vice President, Secretary & D → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Vice President & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Charles Willis Vaughn (2023) — Director
- Former: Jerry W. Delaney (2023) — Director
- Former: Michael J. Stanaland Sr. (2023) — Director
- Former: Mike Sipple Jr. (2023) — Director
- Former: Roger M. Sipple Sr. (2023) — Director
- Former: Brian K. Lightner (2020–2022) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Robert J Lightner Foundation
How much does Robert J Lightner Foundation give each year?
Robert J Lightner Foundation gave $830K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $820K across 1 grant.
How large is Robert J Lightner Foundation?
Robert J Lightner Foundation reported $23.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $833K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $765K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Robert J Lightner Foundation operate?
Robert J Lightner Foundation has awarded grants in Kentucky.
What is Robert J Lightner Foundation's EIN?
Robert J Lightner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1130572. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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