Foundations that fund organizations in Columbia, Kentucky
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Columbia nonprofits
17 private foundations gave $85K to Columbia organizations in their latest filings; 9 of the 17 that say either way accept applications.
18 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Columbia around $2,000. 8 of these funders are based in Kentucky; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 17
- Accept applications
- 9
- of 17 that state a policy
- Dollars to Columbia
- $85K
- latest filings
- Grants
- 18
- Typical median grant
- $2,000
- Based in KY
- 47%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Columbia organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation | Paducah, KY | 1 | $30K | $30K | Yes | Provide christian education |
| Pendleton Sara J Char Tr-Main | St Louis, MO | 1 | $15K | $15K | Yes | Scholarship |
| Eleanor Terry Norfleet Charitable Trust | Lexington, KY | 1 | $14K | $14K | Preselected only | Scholarship fund |
| Katharine Lw and Winthrop M Crane 3d Charitable Foundation | Boston, MA | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Preselected only | general purpose |
| Woldenberg Foundation | Metairie, LA | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Yes | Scholarships |
| George W and Lolita D Kern Educational Assistance Fund | Winchester, KY | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | Scholarships |
| Raymond and Irene Wilborn Charitable Foundation C/O John Wilborn Trustee | Louisville, KY | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | Donation |
| Testamentary Trust Under Will of Jay R Purdy | West Union, OH | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Scholarship |
| Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | 2 | $2,414 | $1,207 | Yes | Acms 2024; Matching gift |
| Ralph J Baudhuin Foundation C/O Thomas Baudhuin | Roscoe, IL | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Yes | Scholarship |
| Nel S Morrison Charitable Trust #1 Xxx-Xx-Xxxx | Louisville, KY | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Yes | General education |
| Perry W Miller & Lucy Compton Miller Scholarship Fund | Tompkinsville, KY | 1 | $1,250 | $1,250 | Preselected only | Scholarship |
| The Columbus Phipps Foundation | Dallas, TX | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Educational grants |
| Shell USA Company Foundation | Houston, TX | 1 | $820 | $820 | Preselected only | 820.3 |
| George Eagle and Isabel Bushong Foundation Inc | Bowling Green, KY | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | Scholarship |
| Tractor Supply Company Foundation | Brentwood, TN | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | Hometown heroes donation |
| Texas Instruments Foundation | Dallas, TX | 1 | $206 | $206 | Yes | Donations to colleges, universities and other organizations… |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Columbia, Kentucky?
Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation, Pendleton Sara J Char Tr-Main, Eleanor Terry Norfleet Charitable Trust, Katharine Lw and Winthrop M Crane 3d Charitable Foundation, Woldenberg Foundation and 12 others reported grants to Columbia organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Columbia. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.