The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc
The Kentucky Bar Foundation (KBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and public charity based in Frankfort, Kentucky. Established in 1983, it serves as the charitable heart of Kentucky's legal community and functions as the only statewide grantmaking foundation supporting nonprofits that expand access to justice and advance law-related education across the Commonwealth.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.2M
+35.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-19.8% YoY
Grant Count
29
+31.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
-39.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Kentucky Bar Foundation exists to further the public's understanding of the judicial system and the legal profession through programs and philanthropic partnerships that help those in need.
The Foundation's primary funding focus areas include:
- Expanding access to justice
- Law-related education
- Education and human services
- Programs that educate the public about law and the justice system
- Assistance for at-risk children
- Funding to support abused women and children
- Veterans' legal services through clinics offering free legal assistance
- Preservation of legal history
Grantmaking
Since its grants program began in 1988, the Kentucky Bar Foundation has awarded over $5.5 million to more than 200 law-related programs and projects throughout Kentucky.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily supports nonprofits and programs throughout Kentucky, with some activity in the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2025:
- Total Assets: $22.2 million
- Total Revenue: $7.05 million
- Total Expenses: $1.86 million
- Net Income: $5.19 million
- Total Liabilities: $444,000
Revenue Sources: Contributions represent the primary source of revenue, accounting for a significant portion of the Foundation's funding.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,160,647 | $16,375,038 | $11,048,589 |
| Revenue | $7,054,220 | $6,415,476 | $3,795,433 |
| Expenses | $1,861,046 | $2,019,594 | $1,319,024 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $947,183 | $400,115 | $3,562,053 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
109 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky Inc (appalred Legal Aid ($298,700), Legal Aid of the Bluegrass ($261,500), Legal Aid Society Inc ($236,800).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| APPALACHIAN RESEARCH AND DEFENSE FUND OF KENTUCKY INC (APPALRED LEGAL AID PRESTONSBURG, KY | APPALRED CENTRAL INTAKE AND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY | $298,700 |
| LEGAL AID OF THE BLUEGRASS COVINGTON, KY | VOLUNTEER LAWYER PROGRAM & IOLTA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM | $261,500 |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY INC LOUSIVILLE, KY | KENTUCKY LEGAL AID LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT AND VETERANS | $236,800 |
| KENTUCKY LEGAL AID BOWLING GREEN, KY | LEGAL AID SOCIETY FUNDING | $228,000 |
| NKU RESEARCH FOUNDATIONCHASE HIGHLAND HEIGHT, KY | IOLTA PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS | $20,000 |
| STUDENT PUBLIC INTERST LAW FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF L LEXINGTON, KY | IOLTA PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS | $20,000 |
| UOFLGREENEBAUM PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM LOUISVILLE, KY | IOLTA PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS | $20,000 |
| FAMILY ENRICHMENT CENTER BOWLING GREEN, KY | SUPERVISED VISITATION | $15,000 |
| HOLLY HILL CHILD & FAMILY SOLUTIONS CALIFORNIA, KY | SUPERVISED VISITATION | $15,000 |
| LA CASITA CENTER LOUSIVILLE, KY | FOR LEGAL AID | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Executive Director: Susan Hanley Duncan (sduncan@kybar.org)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JACK N LACKEY JR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| NATASHA CAMENISCH LITTLE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| G KENT PRICE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LINDSAY H HINTON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| J ANDREW JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| STEPHANIE MCGEHEE-SHACKLETTE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DOUGLAS G BENGE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| J HADDEN DEAN | KBF VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| SHAWNA M VANHOOK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BRADLEY A CASE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CAITLIN J GRIMES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DEENA G OMBRES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MELINDA T SUNDERLAND | KBF PRESIDENT-ELECT | 2 | — |
| STEPHEN G AMATO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| AARON A COLE-FUNFSINN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SADHNA G TRUE | KBF IMMED. PAST PRES. | 2 | — |
| REWA MEDHAT ZAKHARIA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JESSICA L CRAVEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| S BETH MOORE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| EMILY E WALTERS | KBF PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| MIRANDA D CLICK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RHONDA M COPLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RACHEL WAGNER KENNEDY | KBF SECRETARY-TREASURER | 2 | — |
| JUSTICE KELLY THOMPSON | DIRECTOR/ IOLTA TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JDG JACQUELINE CALDWELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JDG M BRENT HALL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JDG PAUL E CRAFT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JUDITH DAAR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PAUL E SALAMANCA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MELANIE B JACOBS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| W FLETCHER SCHROCK | KBA PAST PRESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE | 2 | — |
| CHRISTINE L STANLEY | YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION REPRESENTATIVE | 2 | — |
| L MILLER GRUMLEY | DIRECTOR / IOLTA CHAIR | 2 | — |
| CLAY M STEVENS | IOLTA SEC-TREAS | 2 | — |
| LUTHER DEATON JR | IOLTA TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| RHONDA JENNINGS BLACKBURN | KBA PRES. REP. / IOLTA TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| OLIVIA H GILKISON | IOLTA TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| AMANDA HILL | IOLTA TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| EILEEN M O'BRIEN | IOLTA TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| REBECCA SIMPSON | IOLTA TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JAMES A DIETZ | IOLTA TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SUSAN DUNCAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
Contact Information
The Kentucky Bar Foundation, Inc. Kentucky Bar Center 514 W. Main Street Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-1812
Phone: (502) 564-3795 or (800) 874-6582 Website: kybarfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc fund?
The Kentucky Bar Foundation exists to further the public's understanding of the judicial system and the legal profession through programs and philanthropic partnerships that help those in need. The Foundation's primary funding focus areas include: • Expanding access to justice • Law-related education • Education and human services • Programs that educate the public about law and the justice system • Assistance for at-risk children • Funding to support abused women and children • Veterans' legal…
How do I apply for a grant from The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc?
Since its grants program began in 1988, the Kentucky Bar Foundation has awarded over $5.5 million to more than 200 law-related programs and projects throughout Kentucky. **Recent Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2025): $1,365,171 • Typical award range: $5,240–$403,232 • The Foundation awarded $311,910 in grants at its annual luncheon **Grant Program:** The Kentucky Bar Foundation operates an Annual Grant Awards Program that awards grants to law-related organizations aligned with its mission.
Where does The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation primarily supports nonprofits and programs throughout Kentucky, with some activity in the District of Columbia.
What size grants does The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc awarded 29 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $45K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Kentucky Bar Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-0968842. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kentucky Bar 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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