Updated Nov 3, 2026
Private foundations based in Lexington, Kentucky
58 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, holding $590M in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 12 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Lawrence & Blanche Hughes Foundationsince 1997 | $15M5 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Yes | $184M |
| Elhapa Foundation Incsince 2016 | $5.0M122 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $34M |
| Mustard Seed Foundationsince 2001 | $2.7M1 grants · 2025 | $2.7M | Preselected only | $1.8M |
| James a and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Incsince 2019 | $1.8M12 grants · 2024 | $72K | Yes | $39M |
| E E Murry Family Foundationsince 1976 | $1.1M20 grants · 2024 | $48K | Preselected only | $20M |
| Virginia Clark Hagen Charitable Foundation Incsince 1990 | $1.1M13 grants · 2025 | $75K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Don Jacobs Sr Charitable Foundation Incsince 2010 | $1.0M18 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $14M |
| Whitaker Foundation Incsince 2004 | $971K29 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $22M |
| Hilary Boone Foundation Incsince 1993 | $903K69 grants · 2024 | $8,000 | Preselected only | $12M |
| Davis H Elliot Company Educational Foundationsince 2017 | $851K57 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $1.5M |
| Dr Marius E Johnston and Margaret Johnston Wright Memorial Trustsince 1994 | $834K1 grants · 2025 | $834K | Preselected only | $15M |
| W T Young Family Foundation Incsince 1982 | $791K13 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $3.6M |
| Opera House Fund Incsince 1976 | $726K13 grants · 2024 | $33K | Preselected only | $14M |
| Christian Word Ministries LLCsince 1996 | $675K68 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $1.7M |
| Madden Foundation Incsince 2022 | $542K12 grants · 2024 | $13K | Preselected only | $8.0M |
| Rosenthal Foundation Incsince 1989 | $536K32 grants · 2025 | $1,650 | Preselected only | $9.7M |
| Copia Foundation Incsince 2001 | $481K42 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Yes | $4.7M |
| E O Robinson Mountain Fundsince 1949 | $480K1 grants · 2024 | $480K | Yes | $20M |
| Creech Family Foundation Incsince 2004 | $390K17 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $6.9M |
| James K Patterson 558since 1994 | $344K1 grants · 2025 | $344K | Preselected only | $6.0M |
| Quantrell-Jones Family Foundation Incsince 2017 | $310K4 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $3.0M |
| Robert E Frazier Tri-City Area Charitable Foundation Incsince 2014 | $303K22 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $6.7M |
| Lucy M Young Trust Fbo Public Library Blakely Georgiasince 1988 | $295K2 grants · 2024 | $148K | Preselected only | $2.8M |
| Carl E Henninger Foundationsince 2004 | $292K1 grants · 2024 | $292K | Preselected only | $7.4M |
| Mt Brilliant Foundationsince 2009 | $292K11 grants · 2025 | $12K | Preselected only | $2.3M |
| Norman L and Elizabeth S Brown Family Charitable Corporationsince 2026 | $271K27 grants · 2025 | $8,000 | Preselected only | $4.1M |
| Alex G Campbell Jr Foundation Incsince 1998 | $255K29 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $3.0M |
| Muir House Foundationsince 2014 | $251K19 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $6.6M |
| John and Louise Lally Foundationsince 2018 | $250K1 grants · 2025 | $250K | Preselected only | $9.9M |
| Goodenough Collaboration Trustsince 2024 | $250K1 grants · 2024 | $250K | Preselected only | $5.2M |
| Kloiber Foundation Incsince 2012 | $242K6 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $7.1M |
| Mildred H Dunning Memorial Fund Tr Tax Section | $237K3 grants · 2025 | $79K | Preselected only | $4.3M |
| Alex Boone Charitable Foundationsince 1999 | $218K20 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $1.8M |
| William Bartram and Eloise Williams Sturgill Family Foundationsince 2014 | $202K13 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| John T and Ada M Diederich Educational Trustsince 1985 | $201K1 grants · 2025 | $201K | Preselected only | $2.9M |
| Rosenstein Family Charitable Foundation Incsince 1998 | $174K45 grants · 2025 | $722 | Preselected only | $4.1M |
| Lexington Orphan Societysince 1941 | $172K26 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Yes | $3.3M |
| Robert B & Helen P Jewellsince 1986 | $167K5 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| T W C W Mathers Nicholas Co-Ed R73791007since 1978 | $146K1 grants · 2025 | $146K | Preselected only | $2.4M |
| Anne C Stoll Tr 3401094600since 1994 | $146K3 grants · 2025 | $49K | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| John Reed Charitable Residuary Trsince 2003 | $138K6 grants · 2025 | $28K | Preselected only | $2.2M |
| Browning-Vanmeter Family Foundation Incsince 2021 | $137K13 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| Jedra Charitable Foundation Incsince 1964 | $132K65 grants · 2024 | $1,200 | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| Pin Oak Foundation Incsince 2019 | $125K1 grants · 2025 | $125K | Preselected only | $8.0M |
| USA Equestrian Trust Incsince 1959 | $125K2 grants · 2025 | $63K | Yes | $3.8M |
| Dr W G McCauley Scholarshipssince 1997 | $122K2 grants · 2025 | $61K | Preselected only | $1.6M |
| Eleanor and Raymond Loyd Family Foundationsince 2019 | $100K1 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $6.7M |
| Josephine Ardery Foundation Incsince 2007 | $96K18 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $1.5M |
| Kincaid Foundation Incsince 1964 | $89K18 grants · 2025 | $6,000 | Yes | $1.2M |
| Blue Grass Boys Ranch Incsince 1964 | $88K1 grants · 2024 | $88K | Preselected only | $2.9M |
| Eleanor Terry Norfleet Charitable Trsince 2004 | $69K5 grants · 2025 | $14K | Preselected only | $1.3M |
| James B Moore Trsince 2024 | $63K1 grants · 2025 | $63K | Preselected only | $2.0M |
| Shetome Corpsince 2017 | $55K7 grants · 2024 | $1,000 | Yes | $1.2M |
| National Council for Preservation Educationsince 1988 | $22K15 grants · 2024 | $500 | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| The Susan S Donaldson Foundation Incsince 1989 | — | — | Preselected only | $38M |
| National Society of Arts and Letters Nicholson Nielsen Trust Fusince 2026 | — | — | Not stated | $1.4M |
| First African Kanisa Apartments Incsince 1998 | — | — | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| Sallie Taylor Faris and a Burton Faris Jr Memorial Trust Fundsince 1994 | — | — | Yes | $1.1M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Kentucky
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Kentucky Arts Council — Organizational GrantsStateKentucky Arts Council | Kentucky Arts Council | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Kentucky Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateKentucky Humanities | Kentucky Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Lexington, Kentucky?
Our directory lists 58 private grantmaking foundations in Lexington, Kentucky with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $590M. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.