The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc
The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, established in 1991. The foundation operates the Baker Arboretum, a 115-acre botanical facility featuring extensive collections of trees, shrubs, and plants for scientific and educational purposes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$28.1M
-3.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$649K
+12.8% YoY
Grant Count
3
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$216K
+50.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding focuses include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
The foundation primarily directs its grantmaking toward initiatives in Kentucky, with particular emphasis on local areas including Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave.
Grantmaking
The foundation indicates it is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Grant Range
$5,000
Average Grant
amount: $635
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in Kentucky, with particular focus on:
- Bowling Green
- Mammoth Cave area
- Western Kentucky University region
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $28.1 million to $29.0 million (as of 2024)
- Annual Revenue: $827,225 (2023)
- Annual Expenses: $1.91 million (2023)
- Total Liabilities: $4,450 (2023)
- Expense Ratio: 230.9% of total revenue spent on programs
The foundation ranks in the top 10% of all foundations by asset size.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $28,083,136 | $28,960,793 | $30,039,301 |
| Revenue | $1,127,614 | $827,225 | $-278,392 |
| Expenses | $2,002,995 | $1,909,757 | $2,098,724 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,517,143 | $1,516,996 | $1,703,602 |
| Net Investment Income | $777,318 | $569,994 | $458,865 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,474,609 | $1,302,779 | $1,333,613 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Wku Foundation ($642,541), Operation Pride ($5,000), Aviation Heritage Park ($1,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AVIATION HERITAGE PARK BOWLING GREEN, KY | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| WKU FOUNDATION BOWLING GREEN, KY | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $642,541 |
| OPERATION PRIDE BOWLING GREEN, KY | CHAIRTABLE PURPOSE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- J. Robert Hilliard - President (full-time, compensation $116,147)
- Keith Carwell - Secretary (significant hours, compensation $132,916)
The foundation operates with limited staffing based on reported board members and key employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J ROBERT HILLIARD | PRESIDENT | — | $122,301 |
| WILLIAM M DOERR | TREASURER | — | — |
| KEITH CARWELL | SECRETARY | — | $138,797 |
| TIM EDELEN | BOARD MEMBER | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant commitments to education:
Donated $10 million for student scholarships through the Baker Scholars program at Western Kentucky University
Baker Scholars | Western Kentucky UniversityCommitted a $10 million endowment for scholarships
Jerry E. Baker Foundation donates $10 million for student scholarshipsThe Baker Arboretum, founded in 1992 by Jerry Baker, features:
Jerry E. Baker Foundation donates $10 million for student scholarships88 species of conifers, including 21 on the Red List of Threatened Species
106 types of Japanese and other Asian maples
153 species of Kentucky native plants, including 17 endangered species
600 total species with over 1,500 varieties
American Conifer Society Reference Garden Certification
Contact Information
Physical Address: 4801 Morgantown Road Bowling Green, KY 42101
Mailing Address: PO Box One Bowling Green, KY 42102
Phone: 270.842.7415
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.jerrybakerfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary funding focuses include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Human Services • Philanthropy and voluntarism The foundation primarily directs its grantmaking toward initiatives in Kentucky, with particular emphasis on local areas including Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave.
How do I apply for a grant from The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Recent grants range from $1,000 to $643,000 • Median grant size: $5,000 • Average grant amount: $635 • 4 grants awarded in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $575,000 to $648,541 **Application Process:** The foundation indicates it is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Where does The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in Kentucky, with particular focus on: • Bowling Green • Mammoth Cave area • Western Kentucky University region
What size grants does The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc awarded 3 grants totaling $649K — an average of about $216K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Jerry E Baker Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1202660. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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