The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Naples, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $162K. Net investment income was $264K.
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc gave $162K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Florida. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $162,000
- +4.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,143
- +49.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $2,406,526
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Florida (66% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Florida Lions Eye Clinic ($40K). Together the top 7 received $162K.
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 35 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc gives
- In 2025 it paid out 86% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $110K (2021) to $162K (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $162K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Lions Eye Clinic Bonita Springs, FL | Project/Program Support | $40,000 |
| Lee Memorial Health System Golisano Children's Hospital of SW FL Fort Myers, FL | Project/Program Support | $37,000 |
| Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC | Project/Program Support | $25,000 |
| Um Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Miami, FL | Project/Program Support | $20,000 |
| University of Pikeville for Kentucky College of Optometry Pikeville, KY | Project/Program Support | $20,000 |
| Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Cincinnati, OH | Project/Program Support | $10,000 |
| Lighthouse of Collier Inc Naples, FL | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
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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 | $2,406,526 | $306,346 | $210,216 | $162,000 | 7 | $167,386 | $263,516 | $195,238 |
| 2024 | $2,312,689 | $385,460 | $198,707 | $155,000 | 10 | $160,421 | $346,355 | $175,164 |
| 2023 | $2,125,630 | $68,009 | $189,390 | $155,000 | 10 | $155,926 | $32,915 | $159,190 |
| 2022 | $2,247,414 | $250,605 | $46,954 | — | — | $1,238 | $208,308 | $165,653 |
| 2021 | $2,043,882 | $1,255,758 | $143,389 | $110,000 | 8 | — | $308,291 | $128,018 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $195K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc is led by Carl E. Westman, Chairman since 2025 (on filings since 2021); none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carl E. Westman
Chairman
President & Trustee → Chariman, 2023
Chariman → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Lane
Director
Trustee → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Rohde
Director
Trustee → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Howard Friedman
Director
Trustee → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Kovarik MD
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John G. Clarkson
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul E. Patton
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie L. Carman
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Helene Tolentino (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jessica Kovarik M. D. (2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc
How much does The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc give each year?
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc gave $162K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $155K across 10 grants.
What is The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $23,143, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc give grants?
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc gives mostly in Florida: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Carolina (15%) and Kentucky (12%).
Does The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Project/Program Support" (6 grants).
Who are The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Florida Lions Eye Clinic ($40,000), Lee Memorial Health System Golisano Children's Hospital of SW FL ($37,000) and Central Piedmont Community College ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc?
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $167K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $195K (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 is The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Ware Bluegrass Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1730429. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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