The Gheens Foundation Inc
The Gheens Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky. Established in 1957 by C. Edwin and Mary Jo Gheens, it makes grants to address community needs in metropolitan Louisville and Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana.
The Gheens Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Gheens Foundation Inc gave $6.3M across 157 grants in 2025 (avg $40K), mostly in Kentucky. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,317,500
- -2.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 157
- -3.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $40,239
- +1.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $161,361,923
- +1.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (23 of 157, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Gheens Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process.
- Review Cycle
- For 2026 meetings, applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on February 5, May 7, August 6, and November 5. Applicants are notified of outcomes within three to four days after the board meeting.
- Deadline
- For 2026 meetings, applications are due by 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Barry G Allen
Mailing address: 401 West Main Street Suite 705, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 584-4650
Website: https://gheensfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Gheens Foundation Inc
Who The Gheens Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Volunteers of America Mid-States Inc ($400K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
858 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 585 grants of 858 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies metropolitan Louisville and Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana as its home communities. Its guidelines define the Metro Louisville area as Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties in Kentucky, and Clark, Floyd, Harrison, and Washington counties in Indiana. Louisiana support is directed through the Bayou Community Foundation for qualifying organizations in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. The foundation says that, in some instances, it considers nonprofit organizations operating elsewhere in Kentucky.
In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky, with 3% each going to Indiana, Louisiana, and New York; the share for California was 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 157 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Gheens Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 23 of 157 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $43K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 61% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−20%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 82% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $6.3M (2025) to $8.2M (2021). In 2025 it made 157 grants totaling $6.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteers of America Mid-States Inc Louisville, KY | Community Care Campus and Unity House | $400,000 |
| Simmons College of Kentucky Inc Louisville, KY | Mission Delivery Support | $250,000 |
| The Housing Partnership Inc Louisville, KY | West End Blight Remediation | $250,000 |
| Bayou Community Foundation Hourna, LA | Mission Delivery Support | $200,000 |
| Rita June Foundation Inc Louisville, KY | Rita june foundation and the construction of three louisville bezos academies | $175,000 |
| New Directions Housing Corporation Louisville, KY | Mission Delivery Support | $150,000 |
| Onewest Corporation Louisville, KY | Mission Delivery and Project Support | $125,000 |
| Uspiritus Inc Louisville, KY | Renovating Cottages to Restore Trauma-Informed Residential Treatment | $125,000 |
| Americana Community Center Inc Louisville, KY | Youth & Family Programming | $100,000 |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College Foundation Inc Louisville, KY | Jefferson Rising Capital Campaign | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Gheens Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grantmaking totals and counts by filing year are shown above. The foundation states that it generally distributes approximately 5% of the average fair value of its non-charitable-use assets annually to qualifying organizations.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $161,361,923 | $11,908,915 | $8,344,984 | $6,317,500 | 157 | $7,100,159 | $11,351,648 | $8,608,389 |
| 2024 | $158,801,956 | $14,936,657 | $8,077,237 | $6,468,623 | 163 | $7,252,236 | $14,371,656 | $7,956,724 |
| 2023 | $155,890,260 | $8,574,103 | $7,180,138 | $7,027,668 | 176 | $7,797,266 | $8,102,449 | $7,742,275 |
| 2022 | $156,828,907 | $13,828,176 | $10,379,392 | $7,848,832 | 179 | $8,577,691 | $13,169,732 | $8,304,461 |
| 2021 | $153,972,028 | $22,047,107 | $8,949,854 | $8,175,450 | 183 | — | $21,517,709 | $8,649,549 |
| 2020 | $138,197,416 | $3,510,076 | $6,858,565 | $6,793,000 | 135 | — | $3,193,806 | $7,236,768 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gheens Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $8.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life for residents of metropolitan Louisville and Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana, and to meet those communities’ present and emerging needs through grantmaking and philanthropic leadership. It gives emphasis to education and human and social services.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantee work. The Housing Partnership describes its mission as creating affordable housing opportunities to support family stability and empower communities. Simmons College of Kentucky says it provides biblical higher education in an urban context through academic and professional programs. New Directions Housing Corporation says it creates and preserves homes, fosters community stability, and supports families’ economic success. Americana Community Center describes providing services to Louisville Metro residents to help build strong families and a supportive community.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 157 grants totaling $6,317,500 in 2025. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $400,000, with a median grant of $25,000. Recent giving was:
Among the largest 2025 grants were $400,000 to Volunteers of America Mid-States for Community Care Campus and Unity House; $250,000 each to Simmons College of Kentucky for mission delivery support and The Housing Partnership for West End blight remediation; and $200,000 to Bayou Community Foundation for mission delivery support. Other notable grants included $175,000 to Rita June Foundation, $150,000 to New Directions Housing Corporation, and $125,000 each to OneWest Corporation and Uspiritus.
The foundation conducts an open application process, and qualifying applications are reviewed by trustees. Applicants who have not applied before are asked to contact foundation staff before submitting. A verified tax number is required to access the application process. First-time applicants must have gross unrestricted revenue exceeding $50,000 in their most recent fiscal year or averaging at least $50,000 over the past three consecutive fiscal years. The minimum request is $10,000. Organizations may apply once in any 12-month period, provided previously approved grants have been fully paid. BBB Charity Review participation is recommended but not required.
The foundation does not fund endowments; most foundations; churches; hospitals, primary care facilities, or medical research; specified geriatric and long-term-care organizations; certain private schools; student financial aid; individuals; or political entities. Public school districts and government entities are directed to contact the foundation for portal access.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists Phoebe A. Wood as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Lori H. Flanery as President and CEO, and John R. Crockett III as Secretary. Its listed trustees also include Michael B. Mountjoy, James J. Lancaster, Todd A. Spencer, and Carolyn W. Tandy.
The Gheens Foundation Inc is led by Barry G. Allen, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barry G. Allen
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$228K (2020) → $285K (2025)
John R. Crockett III
Trustee, Secretary & Comp Committee Chair
Trustee, Secretary & Comp Committee Ch → Trustee, Secretary & Comp Committee Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$26K (2020) → $29K (2025)
Lori H. Flanery
Trustee & Audit Commitee Chair
Trustee & Audit Committee Chair → Trustee & Audit Commitee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $31K (2025)
Michael B. Mountjoy
Trustee & Chair
Trustee, Chair & CEO → Trustee & Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
9 hrs/week
$97K (2020) → $82K (2025)
Phoebe A. Wood
Trustee, Chair Elect & Inv Committee Chair
Trustee & Inv Committee Ch → Trustee & Investment Committee Chair, 2024
Trustee & Investment Committee Chair → Trustee, Chair Elect & Inv Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $34K (2025)
Carolyn W. Tandy
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
$19K (2021) → $26K (2025)
James J. Lancaster
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
$4K (2022) → $26K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Charles P. Denny (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Laman A. Gray Jr. MD (2020–2021) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $285K, to Barry G Allen (President/Treasurer). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Gheens Foundation Inc
How much does The Gheens Foundation Inc give each year?
The Gheens Foundation Inc gave $6.3M across 157 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6.5M across 163 grants.
What is The Gheens Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Gheens Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $40,239, across 157 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Gheens Foundation Inc that year got $22K on average.
Where does The Gheens Foundation Inc give grants?
The Gheens Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (128 grants), Lexington, KY (5 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Jeffersonville, IN (3 grants).
Does The Gheens Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of The Gheens Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 157) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Mission Delivery Support" (84 grants).
Who are The Gheens Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Gheens Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Volunteers of America Mid-States Inc ($400,000), Simmons College of Kentucky Inc ($250,000) and The Housing Partnership Inc ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Gheens Foundation Inc?
The Gheens Foundation Inc reported $161.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Gheens Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life for residents of metropolitan Louisville and Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana, and to meet those communities’ present and emerging needs through grantmaking and philanthropic leadership. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Gheens Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Gheens Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Gheens Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-6031406. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Gheens Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 6, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gheens Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Gheens Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-gheens-foundation-inc-morg_9debc9e5c0734ff4ad2052db7b3a39ff
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_616031406_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Gheens Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-gheens-foundation-inc-morg_9debc9e5c0734ff4ad2052db7b3a39ff},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 Gheens 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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