Public Life Foundation of Owensboro
The Public Life Foundation of Owensboro is a private foundation established in 1996 and based in Owensboro, Kentucky. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to building civic capital and making community impact through grantmaking and community engagement initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.6M
-4.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$755K
+70.9% YoY
Grant Count
30
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+13.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports two broad categories of projects:
- Values and Public Life: Exploration of the relationship of values and public life in the Owensboro, Kentucky area
- Education: Education initiatives, with particular emphasis on at-risk children and their parents
The foundation prioritizes research-oriented projects within these focus areas.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides year-end grants, gap grants, and sponsorships for specific initiatives.
Grant Types
Ready to take the next step with Public Life Foundation of Owensboro?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on the Owensboro, Kentucky area and Daviess County.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $5.6 million
- Revenue: $918,265
- Expenses: $1.2 million
- Total Liabilities: $5,700
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $5,885,642
- Total Revenue: $404,359
- Total Expenses: $759,202
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,604,886 | $5,885,642 | $6,240,619 |
| Revenue | $918,265 | $404,359 | $-129,494 |
| Expenses | $1,199,204 | $759,202 | $768,128 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,140,068 | $698,682 | $693,634 |
| Net Investment Income | $862,725 | $349,270 | $54,238 |
| Distributable Amount | $359,634 | $355,865 | $378,601 |
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
142 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Bruce Hager, Chair (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Sally Hager Wood (Owensboro)
- Susie Hager Alford (Owensboro)
- Stewart Hager (Knoxville, Tennessee)
- William Speciale (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Rodney Berry, Director Emeritus (Owensboro)
- David Boeyink (Owensboro)
- Janet Land (Owensboro)
Founders:
- John Hager
- Marjorie Hager
Staff:
- Joe Berry, Executive Director
- Kathy Strobel, Office Manager, Board Secretary
Professional Advisors:
- Alexander and Company (Accounting and Personnel Management)
- Jerry Keller, Certified Public Accountant (Owensboro)
- Daintree Advisors, William Speciale, Financial Consultant (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Moran Edwards Asset Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Thomas Moran, Endowment Management (Naples, Florida)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN HAGER ALFORD | DIRECTOR-TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SARAH HAGER WOOD | DIRECTOR-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| BRUCE WILLIAM HAGER | DIRECTOR-VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOE BERRY | PRESIDENT | 40 | $100,837 |
| JOHN S JR HAGER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM G SPECIALE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHY STROBEL | SECRETARY | 40 | $40,153 |
| JANET LAND | DIRECTOR | 1 | $3,000 |
| DAVID BOEYINK | DIRECTOR | 1 | $24,815 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Major Initiative:**
The Public Life Foundation is undertaking its most ambitious project in its 20-year history, with the board pledging up to $4 million to support a long-term community effort to improve early childhood education in Daviess County.
Green River Area Community Foundation awards 14 grants | Local News | messenger-inquirer.com**Partnership Announcement:**
The foundation and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence announced the Greater Owensboro Partnership for Early Development following months of community discussion and analysis.
Green River Area Community Foundation awards 14 grants | Local News | messenger-inquirer.com**Leadership Changes:**
A major change in leadership is underway at the foundation.
**YMCA Partnership:**
The Public Life Foundation partnered with the YMCA to transform childcare in Owensboro.
YMCA, Public Life Foundation partner to transform childcare in OwensboroContact Information
Address: 401 Frederica Street, B-203 Owensboro, Kentucky 42301
Phone: (270) 685-2652 Fax: (270) 685-6074
Website: www.plfo.org
Mailing List: The foundation publishes a quarterly publication called The Public Life Advocate, along with reports, issue briefs, and dialog guides on issues affecting the community. Interested parties can subscribe to the mailing list through the foundation's website.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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