The Whas Crusade for Children Inc
The WHAS Crusade for Children is a nonprofit organization established in 1954 by WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky. The organization operates the longest and most successful single-station telethon in the country, raising funds through an annual radio and television telethon hosted by WHAS11 television and 84WHAS radio. The Crusade functions as a community-wide fundraising effort, collecting donations from corporate partners, employee payroll deduction campaigns, firefighters, clubs, churches, scout troops, and individual donors.
Key facts about The Whas Crusade for Children Inc
- EIN
- 23-7075524
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,591,982
- Grants made (2024)
- 201
- Average grant
- $27,821
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $54,254,496
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applications are accepted by invitation only during a two-month window from January through early March.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Whas Crusade for Children Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Whas Crusade for Children Inc's 201 itemized 2024 grants were Kentucky (94%) and Indiana (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (80 grants), Lexington, KY (17 grants), Bowling Green, KY (13 grants) and Jeffersonville, IN (7 grants). 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$54.3M
+21.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.6M
-8.9% YoY
Grant Count
201
+4.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-12.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The WHAS Crusade for Children makes life better for children with special needs by inspiring generosity with our community partners.
Vision: Together we provide resources to impact all children with special needs.
The organization focuses on supporting agencies, schools, and hospitals that serve children with identified health care, educational, and emotional wellness needs up to age 18. Funding priorities include:
- Children with disabilities
- K-12 education
- Health and mental health services
- Enrichment, camp, and recreational programs for children with identified needs
Grantmaking
The WHAS Crusade distributes 100% of donations collected during the annual telethon as grants to nonprofits serving children with special needs. The organization makes approximately 150 grants annually.
Average Grant
amount varies by year
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Whas Crusade for Children Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The WHAS Crusade for Children funds organizations in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. All money collected stays in the Kentuckiana region to help children with special needs.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 201 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (Fiscal Year Ending August 2023):
- Total Assets: $54,254,496
- Total Revenue: $10,193,189
- Total Expenses: $7,430,000
- Total Liabilities: $7,660,000
- Total Giving: $5,700,526
Historical Context: Since its establishment in 1954, the organization has awarded over $222 million in grants to support children with special needs.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $54,254,496 | $44,854,468 | $38,851,590 |
| Revenue | $21,136,098 | $10,193,189 | $9,353,185 |
| Expenses | $6,890,328 | $7,429,972 | $6,250,159 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $11,473,014 | $1,307,287 | $1,393,759 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
1,033 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Whas Crusade for Children Inc
WHAS Crusade for Children Grant - Former Grant Recipients
THE WHAS CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
WHAS Crusade for Children Grant - New Applicants
THE WHAS CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
WHAS Crusade for Children Grants
THE WHAS CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN INC
Amount
Varies by year; recent annual totals range from $5.4M - $5.7M
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Childrens Hospital Foundation Norton Children's Hospital-neurosurgery ($414,000), Baptist Health Foundation Greater Louisville Inc ($280,000), Home of the Innocents ($262,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION NORTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL-NEUROSURGERY LOUISVILLE, KY | $686,500.00 FOR THE IT/ AV/ DATA, FACILITY SUPPORT / SYSTEMS AND THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEUROSURGERY OPERATING ROOM WITH WHAS CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN SIGNAGE | $414,000 |
| BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION GREATER LOUISVILLE INC LOUISVILLE, KY | $280,000.00 FOR ITEMS 1-4 ON GRANT LIST - PHILIPS INTELIVUE MONITORS, GE PANDA IRES WARMER, GE GIRAFFE WARMER, A750I AIRBORNE TRANSPORT INCUBATOR. NO FUNDING ALLOWED FOR ITEM 5 - CRECHE INNOVATIONS POST PARTUM HEMORRHAGE RRU (NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNTS REQUESTED FOR EACH LINE ITEM.) | $280,000 |
| HOME OF THE INNOCENTS LOUISVILLE, KY | $262,500.00 WITH NAMING RIGHTS FOR ANY ITEM ON GRANT LIST - NEW OFFICES/STORAGE AND SUNROOMS, RELOCATING PADDED PLAY AREAS, CENTRAL BATH MODIFICATIONS TO MAPLE AND SUNSHINE, NEW LIGHT FIXTURES IN MAPLE AND SUNSHINE, NEIGHBORHOOD ENTRANCE MODIFICATIONS ALL FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS. AN INTENT TO AWARD $250,000.00 FOR THE FY2025-2026 IS CONDITIONAL BASED UPON PROCEEDS RECEIVED FROM THE 2026 CRUSADE TELETHON. THE WHAS CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN CONVEYS THE INTENTION TO MAKE THIS GIFT, WHICH DOES NOT REPRESENT A LEGAL OBLIGATION. HOME OF THE INNOCENTS WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE FY2025-2026 YEAR. | $262,500 |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE FOUNDATION INC - CENTER FOR WOMEN & INFANTS LOUISVILLE, KY | $193,000.00 FOR ANY ITEM ON GRANT LIST - OLYMPUS FEES SCOPE, GETINGE SERVO-N NAVA VENTILATORS, GE GIRAFFE CARESTATION INCUBATORS, NEONATAL PUFFIN AIRBORNE TRANSPORT INCUBATOR. NO FUNDING FOR WARRANTIES OR TRAINING. (NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNTS REQUESTED FOR EACH LINE ITEM.) | $193,000 |
| BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION HARDIN ELIZABETHTOWN, KY | FULL GRANT!!! $183,477.94 - FETAL MONITORS, BRAIN SCOPE HEADBANDS, BROSELOW CART- SURGERY, ETOWN PEDIATRIC THERAPY ITEMS, ETOWN PEDIATRIC THERAPY ITEMS, BUBBLES CPAP, PEDIATRIC RESCUE BAGS, BROSELOW CART- ED WITH CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN SIGNAGE. (NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR EACH LINE ITEM.) THANKS TO THE GENEROUS DONATIONS FROM HARDIN COUNTY. | $103,000 |
| BAPTIST HEALTHCARE - FLOYD MEMORIAL LOUISVILLE, KY | $90,000.00 FOR ANY ITEM ON GRANT LIST - PANDA IRES WARMER, MAMA SEATING SYSTEM, NATUS, FNL, NEOBLUE, NP BLANKET CLAMP ASSEMBLY, STRYKER CUB CRIB SET, AND NOVUM NEONATAL CRIB (NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNTS REQUESTED FOR EACH LINE ITEM.) | $90,000 |
| USPIRITUS INC - BELLEWOOD AND BROOKLAWN LOUISVILLE, KY | $90,000.00 FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2-SALARIES FOR YOUTH CARE WORKERS AND EDUCATION MANAGER. NO FUNDING ALLOWED FOR ITEMS 3 AND 4- QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND TRAINING COACH. | $90,000 |
| KENTUCKY CENTER FOR SPECIAL CHILDRENS SERVICES LOUISVILLE, KY | $60,000.00 FOR ANY ITEM ON GRANT LIST - SALARIES FOR BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST, BEHAVIOR ANALYST INTERN, AND BEHAVIOR SPECIALISTS, AND THE CENTRAL REACH PROGRAM (NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNTS REQUESTED FOR EACH LINE ITEM.) | $85,000 |
| MEREDITH-DUNN SCHOOL - CAPITAL GRANT LOUISVILLE, KY | $84,000.00 FOR NAMING RIGHTS TOWARDS A CLASSROOM IN THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AND TO USE TOWARDS ANY ITEM ON GRANT LIST. (SAFETY AND SECURITY, FIRE SUPPRESSION - SPRINKLERS, MOVEABLE WALL, RESTROOM STALLS, AND EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS - PARKING LOT, LANDSCAPING) | $84,000 |
| DUCHENNE RESEARCH EDUCATION AND MIRACLE FDT INC LOUISVILLE, KY | $3,600.00 FOR ANY ITEM ON GRANT LIST - BARTON READING PROGRAM APPS AND MANUAL PRINTING BOOKS, ONLINE MATH PROGRAM, PARTIAL SALARY FOR 1 SCREENER, AND STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS TO PAY FOR SCREENINGS & TUTORIAL (NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNTS REQUESTED FOR EACH LINE ITEM.) | $80,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Dr. Dawn Lee - President & CEO
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA COLUMBIA | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| JEAN O'BRIEN | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 3/24) | 0.1 | — |
| DEBBIE LEIST | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| SUSAN CILONE | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| KEVIN BURKE | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 3/24) | 0.1 | — |
| JOE GRAFFIS | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| BILL FREY | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| JENNIFER FRIES | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| JEREMY SHUMATE | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| MICHAEL CARR | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| MICHAEL WADE | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| SHAY MCALISTER | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| JASON MEIMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 0.1 | — |
| NATHAN FESSEL | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 3/24) | 0.1 | — |
| DANIEL CZECH | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 3/24) | 0.1 | — |
| PETINA JONES | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 3/24) | 0.1 | — |
| STEVEN WHITE | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 3/24) | 0.1 | — |
| JEFF NELSON | CHAIRMAN (THRU 3/24) | 0.2 | — |
| MEAGHAN REYNOLDS | TREASURER | 0.2 | — |
| DENNIS STILGER | CHAIRMAN | 0.2 | — |
| KATHERINE LANGAN | SECRETARY | 0.2 | — |
| DAWN LEE | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $156,171 |
| JOHN BLIM | VICE PRESIDENT (THRU 2/24) | 40 | $132,319 |
| SHAWN KAELIN | VICE PRESIDENT (FROM 2/24) | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**72nd Annual Telethon (2025):** The 72nd WHAS Crusade for Children raised $5,890,189.77, with 100% of funds distributed as grants to recipient organizations.
2025-2026 WHAS Crusade for Children Grants Announced \u2013 WHAS Crusade\**Upcoming Event:** The 73rd WHAS Crusade for Children is scheduled for June 6-7, 2026.
2025-2026 WHAS Crusade for Children Grants Announced \u2013 WHAS Crusade\The organization maintains a four-star rating based on accountability and financial metrics, indicating strong organizational governance and financial management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Whas Crusade for Children Inc fund?
**Mission:** The WHAS Crusade for Children makes life better for children with special needs by inspiring generosity with our community partners. **Vision:** Together we provide resources to impact all children with special needs. The organization focuses on supporting agencies, schools, and hospitals that serve children with identified health care, educational, and emotional wellness needs up to age 18. Funding priorities include: • Children with disabilities • K-12 education • Health and ment…
How do I apply for a grant from The Whas Crusade for Children Inc?
The WHAS Crusade distributes 100% of donations collected during the annual telethon as grants to nonprofits serving children with special needs. The organization makes approximately 150 grants annually. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $5,180–$686,500 • Average grant amount varies by year • All funds distributed go directly to recipient organizations **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2025-2026: Grants announced following the 73rd annual telethon • 2024-2025: Grants announced followi…
Where does The Whas Crusade for Children Inc make grants?
The WHAS Crusade for Children funds organizations in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. All money collected stays in the Kentuckiana region to help children with special needs.
What size grants does The Whas Crusade for Children Inc award?
In 2024, The Whas Crusade for Children Inc awarded 201 grants totaling $5.6M — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Whas Crusade for Children Inc's EIN?
The Whas Crusade for Children Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7075524. 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.