Snowy Owl Foundation Inc
Snowy Owl Foundation Inc is a private, independent foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky. Founded on September 15, 2010, the foundation supports organizations working in land conservation, arts, education, and human services through grants and philanthropic support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.9M
+21.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$404K
+20.2% YoY
Grant Count
93
-3.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
+24.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Snowy Owl Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $398K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is "to care for nature, creativity, and human need with imagination by providing nourishment to good organizations."
Primary funding areas include:
- Land conservation and environmental stewardship
- Arts and creativity
- Education
- Human services and human need
Grantmaking
The foundation primarily funds work scholarships for need-based students and unrestricted grants to support ongoing operations. The foundation also underwrites easement project transaction expenses related to conservation efforts, including 87 acres of woodlands.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Kentucky, Indiana, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total assets: $5,926,110
- Total revenues: $1,511,565
- Total expenses: $449,827
- Total giving: $404,362
Staffing:
- 0 employees (as of 2024)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- EIN: 27-3594673
- Tax-exempt since September 2011
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,926,110 | $4,864,167 | $4,971,553 |
| Revenue | $1,511,565 | $287,729 | $955,421 |
| Expenses | $449,827 | $376,395 | $395,969 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $410,528 | $341,519 | $352,981 |
| Net Investment Income | $363,816 | $252,284 | $387,230 |
| Distributable Amount | $398,208 | $332,428 | $325,680 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Snowy Owl Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Aclu of Ky ($25,000), Ky Dance Council ($25,000), Paws With Purpose ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU OF KY LOUISVILLE, KY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS LOUISVILLE, KY | HOME FIRE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMING | $5,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTER OF LOUISVILLE, KY | YOUTH MENTORING SERVICES | $3,500 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF LOUISVILLE, KY | KENTUCKY-KIDS POWER HOUR | $3,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS HAVEN LOUISVILLE, KY | TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
| CARNEGIE CENTER FOR LITERACY LEXINGTON, KY | BOOKS IN PROFRESS CONFERENCE | $2,500 |
| CASA OF THE RIVER REGION LOUISVILLE, KY | ADVOCACY ACADEMY AND SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| CEDAR LAKE FOUNDATION INC LOUISVILLE, KY | INDEPENDENT LIVING | $4,500 |
| CENTER FOR INTERFAITH RELATIONS LOUISVILLE, KY | PUBLICATION OF 2023 FESTIVAL CATALOG | $4,000 |
| COMMONWEALTH THEATRE CENTER INC LOUISVILLE, KY | OUTREACH TEAM'S TOUR OF PLAY | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Nancy Lampton - Executive Director (as of 2023)
The foundation was named by its founder, Nana Lampton, inspired by an Arctic expedition to the Beaufort Sea in Northern Alaska where she observed snowy owls and their survival practices in nature.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT W GRIFFITH | CHAIRMAN OF | 1.75 | — |
| JEAN SMITH | ASSISTANT SE | 2 | — |
| GERALD W GERICHS | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| NANCY LAMPTON | EXECUTIVE DI | 2 | — |
| AARON YARMUTH | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CAROLINE LUSSKY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| KATHLEEN LAJOIE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MO HOWE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 471 W Main St Ste 500, Louisville, KY 40202-4224
- Phone: 502-585-5347
- Website: snowyowlfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Snowy Owl Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is "to care for nature, creativity, and human need with imagination by providing nourishment to good organizations." Primary funding areas include: • Land conservation and environmental stewardship • Arts and creativity • Education • Human services and human need
How do I apply for a grant from Snowy Owl Foundation Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,000–$25,000 • The foundation made 57 grants in 2024, totaling $265,550 in documented grants • Total giving in 2024: $404,362 **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • Flight Club 502: $12,500 (General Support) • Payne Hollow on the Ohio: $10,000 (General Support) • River Heritage Conservancy: $10,000 (General Support) • Family & Children's Place: $5,000 **Funding Approach:** The foundation primarily funds work scholarships for need-based students…
Where does Snowy Owl Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Kentucky, Indiana, and New York.
What size grants does Snowy Owl Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Snowy Owl Foundation Inc awarded 93 grants totaling $404K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Snowy Owl Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Snowy Owl Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $398K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Snowy Owl Foundation Inc's EIN?
Snowy Owl Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3594673. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Snowy Owl Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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