The Copia Foundation Inc
The Copia Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Lexington, Kentucky. Its stated purpose is to receive, administer, and distribute funds for charitable, literary, educational, or religious purposes in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The Copia Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Copia Foundation Inc gave $481K across 42 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Kentucky. 41% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $480,850
- +11.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 42
- -2.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,449
- +13.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $4,739,738
- -0.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (17 of 41, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Copia Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists Mary B. Bishop as the contact and calls for a grant application form with information about the organization, project description, personnel, statement of need or rationale, objectives, population served, anticipated outcomes, and budget and funding sources. Awards are restricted to Kentucky charitable, literary, educational, or religious organizations. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Mary B Bishop
Mailing address: 1640 Lakewood Drive, Lexington, KY 40502
Phone: (859) 455-6976
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Copia Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Divine Providence Inc DBA the Catholic Action Center Inc ($100K). Together the top 10 received $290K.
Grant Size Distribution
180 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 178 grants of 180 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing states that the foundation’s charitable purpose is within Kentucky. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky and about 1% to recipients outside the state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Copia Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 41 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 92% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 147% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $251K (2022) to $481K (2025). In 2025 it made 42 grants totaling $481K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Providence Inc DBA the Catholic Action Center Inc Lexington, KY | Charitable Gift | $100,000 |
| Refuge Ministries Inc - the Refuge Clinic Lexington, KY | Charitable Gift | $35,000 |
| Jessamine County Schools - the Providence School Nicholasville, KY | Charitable Gift | $25,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass Inc Lexington, KY | Charitable Gift | $20,000 |
| Camp Horsin' Around Lexington, KY | Charitable Gift | $20,000 |
| Children's Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass Inc Lexington, KY | Charitable Gift | $20,000 |
| Christian Appalachian Project Inc Paintsville, KY | Charitable Gift | $20,000 |
| Garrard County Homeless Coalition Inc (GCHC) Lancaster, KY | Charitable Gift | $20,000 |
| Oneida Baptist Institute Oneida, KY | Charitable Gift | $15,000 |
| The University of Kentucky Woman's Club Incorporated Lexington, KY | Charitable Gift | $13,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,739,738 | $512,679 | $535,402 | $480,850 | 42 | $480,850 | $512,679 | $326,493 |
| 2024 | $4,762,461 | $503,069 | $475,002 | $432,500 | 43 | $432,500 | $503,069 | $312,251 |
| 2023 | $4,734,394 | $303,643 | $420,577 | $378,000 | 38 | $378,000 | $303,643 | $284,684 |
| 2022 | $4,851,328 | $272,293 | $299,873 | $250,638 | 30 | $250,638 | $272,293 | $295,355 |
| 2021 | $4,878,908 | $432,194 | $304,812 | $259,683 | 27 | $259,683 | $432,194 | $307,774 |
| 2020 | $4,751,526 | $122,731 | $383,987 | $346,046 | 35 | — | $157,017 | $269,280 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Copia Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $326K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated charitable purpose covers charitable, literary, educational, and religious purposes in Kentucky. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas that include child and family services, education, health, literacy, and community support.
Grantee missions illustrate this range. Christian Appalachian Project says its mission is to build hope, transform lives, and share Christ’s love through service in Appalachia. The Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass says it coordinates the investigation and treatment of serious child-abuse cases in the region, with services provided at no cost to families. The Nest says it promotes stability, healing, and well-being through child care, parenting, domestic violence, and crisis-care programs. Lexington Children’s Theatre describes its work as providing professional theatre and theatre education for young audiences.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 42 grants totaling $480,850. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $7,500. The largest listed grant was $100,000 to Divine Providence Inc. DBA The Catholic Action Center Inc. Other notable grants included $35,000 to Refuge Ministries Inc. – The Refuge Clinic; $25,000 to Jessamine County Schools – The Providence School; and $20,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, Camp Horsin’ Around, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, Christian Appalachian Project, and Garrard County Homeless Coalition.
Other 2025 recipients included Critically Loved Inc. ($10,000), Central Kentucky Riding for Hope ($7,500), the Nest ($7,500), Lexington Children’s Theatre ($5,000), and the Aviation Museum of Kentucky ($5,000). The grantee descriptions identify work including support for families with seriously ill children, therapeutic activities for people with special needs, and aviation education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mary B. Bishop as director and president; Jay McMurtry as director and vice president; Donald R. Addington, CPA, as director and treasurer; and Elizabeth A. Bishop as director and secretary. It also lists Ben H. Doyle, Cynthia M. Parker, Jana M. Stiles, James C. McMurtry, Jason C. McMurtry, and Philip J. Parker as directors.
The Copia Foundation Inc is led by Mary B. Bishop, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary B. Bishop
Director & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben H. Doyle
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia M. Parker
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald R. Addington CPA
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth A. Bishop
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James C. McMurtry
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jana M. Stiles
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason C. McMurtry
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay McMurtry
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Philip J. Parker
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Natalie A. Bishop (2020–2024) — 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 The Copia Foundation Inc
How much does The Copia Foundation Inc give each year?
The Copia Foundation Inc gave $481K across 42 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $433K across 43 grants.
What is The Copia Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Copia Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $11,449, across 42 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Copia Foundation Inc that year got $8K on average.
Where does The Copia Foundation Inc give grants?
The Copia Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lexington, KY (24 grants), Nicholasville, KY (4 grants), Lancaster, KY (4 grants) and Louisville, KY (2 grants).
Does The Copia Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 42 grants with a stated purpose on The Copia Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Gift" (42 grants).
Who are The Copia Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Copia Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Divine Providence Inc DBA the Catholic Action Center Inc ($100,000), Refuge Ministries Inc - the Refuge Clinic ($35,000) and Jessamine County Schools - the Providence School ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Copia Foundation Inc?
The Copia Foundation Inc reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $481K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $326K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Copia Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated charitable purpose covers charitable, literary, educational, and religious purposes in Kentucky. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas that include child and family services, education, health, literacy, and community support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Copia Foundation Inc?
The filing lists Mary B. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Copia Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Copia Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1393373. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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 June 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Copia Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-copia-foundation-inc-morg_7ce5430e9b0a47ef9affc57883c0ed2b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_611393373_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Copia Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-copia-foundation-inc-morg_7ce5430e9b0a47ef9affc57883c0ed2b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 The Copia Foundation 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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