Western Kentucky University Foundation
The mission of Western Kentucky University Foundation (WKUF) is to create a culture of philanthropy that will advance the goals of wku through prudent and trusted financial management and investment of resources given for the benefit of wku and in keeping with the wishes of donors. The WKUF will meet the highest standards of best practices in all aspects of its operation.
Western Kentucky University Foundation at a glance
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who Western Kentucky University Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 16 (25%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2020) to $3.1M (2022). In 2022 it made 5 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY | To provide cultural, academic, construction and other general support | $2,452,614 |
| WKU Alumni Association Bowling Green, KY | To Support Alumni Activities | $263,406 |
| Hilltopper Athletic Foundation Inc Bowling Green, KY | To provide support of campus athletic facilities and for scholarships | $208,648 |
| College Heights Foundation Bowling Green, KY | To Provide Support of Scholarships | $110,843 |
| WKU Alumni Square Development LLC Bowling Green, KY | To own, develop, and operate the alumni garage wrap, courtyard, and parking lot across from the alumni garage. | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $121,545,505 | $8,960,231 | $8,533,662 | $3,085,511 | 5 | $2,648,526 |
| 2021 | $138,269,164 | $12,431,849 | $7,131,771 | $2,269,412 | 6 | $5,413,681 |
| 2020 | $121,116,558 | $11,943,190 | $6,232,530 | $2,143,042 | 5 | $5,302,326 |
About Western Kentucky University Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Western Kentucky University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Bowling Green, KY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Western Kentucky University Foundation is led by Donald Smith, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 9 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Donald Smith
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Caboni
Wku President
Trustee → Wku President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Garry Watkins
Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Belle Lady Hunt
Director
New on the 2023 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Wiseman
Director
New on the 2023 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Hart
Director
New on the 2023 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Wilkerson
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Wells
Vice Chair
Trustee → Director, 2022
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Miller
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Bob Young (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Deanna Mills (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Greulich (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jim Martens (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kim Menke (2020–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Paul Calico (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Shannon Vitale (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Al Pedigo (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Joe Morel (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Laura Bowra (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Randy Capps (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Barkley Payne (2020) — Trustee
- Former: David Tatman (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Freddie Higdon (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Julie Hinson (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Marcia Brown (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Mark Antonini (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Randy Schumaker (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Shirley (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas Hart (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Western Kentucky University Foundation
What is Western Kentucky University Foundation?
Western Kentucky University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Bowling Green, KY.
Where does Western Kentucky University Foundation operate?
Western Kentucky University Foundation has awarded grants in Kentucky.
What is Western Kentucky University Foundation's EIN?
Western Kentucky University Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1251555. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Live grants for the work Western Kentucky University Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Western Kentucky University Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Western Kentucky University Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/western-kentucky-university-foundation-morg_c5bacf7fb54c4a0db2fe0fe03da2e188
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_611251555_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Western Kentucky University Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/western-kentucky-university-foundation-morg_c5bacf7fb54c4a0db2fe0fe03da2e188},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Western Kentucky University Foundation'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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