Foundations that fund organizations in Lexington, Kentucky
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Lexington nonprofits
814 private foundations gave $78M to Lexington organizations in their latest filings; 27 of the 100 that say either way accept applications.
2,123 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Lexington around $80K. 49 of these funders are based in Kentucky; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 814
- Accept applications
- 27
- of 100 that state a policy
- Dollars to Lexington
- $78M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 2,123
- Typical median grant
- $80K
- Based in KY
- 49%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Lexington organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bill Gatton Foundation | Bristol, TN | 1 | $13M | $13M | Yes | Education |
| Lilly Endowment Inc | Indianapolis, IN | 6 | $8.3M | $26K | Yes | Employee matching gift(s); Pathways for tomorrow initiative; Nurturing children-worship & prayer |
| The Mustard Seed Foundation | Lexington, KY | 1 | $2.7M | $2.7M | Preselected only | Ministry to college students abroad |
| Wells Fargo Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 3 | $2.6M | $1.2M | Preselected only | Keeping People Housed Housing Counseling Intermediary; Estate Planning and Heirs Property Module; Keeping People Housed - Housing Counseling Intermediary |
| The Marie-Josee and Henry R Kravis Foundation | Miami, FL | 1 | $2.0M | $2.0M | Preselected only | General purpose |
| The Andrew W Mellon Foundation | New York, NY | 3 | $1.3M | $250K | Yes | To support general operations; To support the development of an interdisciplinary studio a…; To support additional conservation work needed on a set of… |
| The William Stamps Farish Fund | Houston, TX | 3 | $1.1M | $60K | Yes | Contribution 4 of 5 -excellence in urologic cancer; Tutoring, outreach and historic preservation project; Annual fund |
| Elhapa Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 37 | $1.1M | $25K | Preselected only | Unrestricted; Black prosperity init.; Carter g woodsen academy |
| The Hardymon Family Foundation | Woodbridge, NJ | 1 | $1.0M | $1.0M | Preselected only | General operating support- student sucess fd and student en… |
| Bill and Carol Latimer Charitable Foundation | Union City, TN | 2 | $1.0M | $506K | Preselected only | Religious; Educational |
| Ina B Bond Ashbourne Charitable Fund Inc | Louisville, KY | 1 | $1.0M | $1.0M | Preselected only | Support |
| Don Jacobs Sr Charitable Foundation Inc C/O Doug Dean | Lexington, KY | 16 | $983K | $15K | Preselected only | Subsidy |
| Marksbury Family Foundation Inc | Nicholasville, KY | 3 | $981K | $300K | Preselected only | Donation to enhance quality of life in the bluegrass region; Capital campaign pledge of $300k over six years to rebuild…; Donation to support the organization's efforts to help chil… |
| Tw Robert Henry Hughes Fund Xxxxx6000 | Chicago, IL | 1 | $869K | $869K | Preselected only | General |
| Ee Murry Family Foundation | Lexington, KY | 14 | $867K | $48K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Laura and John Arnold Foundation | Houston, TX | 7 | $843K | $145K | Preselected only | To conduct research and create a policy framework for a new…; To support states to develop a standardized traffic stops d…; To support a two-state pilot for improving outcomes of freq… |
| Dr Marius E Johnston & Margaret Johnston Wright Memorial Trust | Lexington, KY | 1 | $834K | $834K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| M V Haggin in Memory of J B a Haggin | Pittsburgh, PA | 3 | $796K | $20K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Virginia Clark Hagan Charitable Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 9 | $790K | $75K | Preselected only | Youth Education; Literacy Programs; Youth Music Education |
| Opera House Fund Inc C/O Doug Dean | Lexington, KY | 13 | $726K | $33K | Preselected only | To support program services |
| Joseph W Craft III Foundation | Tulsa, OK | 2 | $670K | $335K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Hilary Boone Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 42 | $661K | $9,000 | Preselected only | Subsidy |
| Randleigh Foundation | Chapel Hill, NC | 10 | $650K | $50K | Preselected only | Unrestricted use; Designated for "a sense of place endowment"; Towards freedom project |
| Toyota USA Foundation C/O Corporate Tax Department | Plano, TX | 2 | $637K | $319K | Yes | Close the stem gap for diverse students by removing barrier… |
| Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | 92 | $577K | $3,000 | Yes | Lexington habitat for humanity; General operating support; Lexyouth collective |
| The Charles and Mary Heider Family Foundation | Omaha, NE | 8 | $565K | $30K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Christian Word Ministries Inc | Lexington, KY | 48 | $542K | $5,000 | Preselected only | Support; Payment to hotel for connie walker to allow for housing |
| The Rosenthal Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 29 | $531K | $1,800 | Preselected only | Contribution to 501(c) charity for unrestricted purposes; Contribution to 501(c) charity designated for pj library; To fund rosenthal complex phase ii renovation pledge (pmt.… |
| Tallgrass Farm Foundation Inc | Harrodsburg, KY | 4 | $519K | $3,750 | Preselected only | General fund |
| James Graham Brown Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | 2 | $501K | $250K | Yes | Expansion of new/larger studio and production space; Program support |
| Adele Braun Charitable Foundation | St Louis, MO | 1 | $500K | $500K | Preselected only | For general charitable purposes of the organization |
| The R C Durr Foundation Inc 541 Buttermilk Pike Suite 500 | Covington, KY | 5 | $490K | $15K | Yes | General support |
| Garver Black Hilyard Family Foundation | Houston, TX | 1 | $475K | $475K | Preselected only | Scholarships |
| Bing and Rachel Zhang Family Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $467K | $467K | Preselected only | Charitable function |
| The Greater Clark Foundation Inc | Winchester, KY | 4 | $425K | $100K | Preselected only | Endowment grant 2024; Operating support grant; Endowment grant 2025 |
| Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation | Rahway, NJ | 1 | $400K | $400K | Yes | Contribution provided |
| The Madden Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 7 | $364K | $10K | Preselected only | General assistance |
| Tuw James Patterson U of K | Lexington, KY | 1 | $344K | $344K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| James a and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 4 | $344K | $72K | Yes | EquipmentUpgrade; Good Giving Challenge and Match Grant; Furniture |
| William T Young Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 4 | $342K | $45K | Preselected only | Subsidy |
| The Mulhollem Cravens Foundation | Carlisle, KY | 9 | $333K | $25K | Preselected only | To further the mission of the donee; Kentucky agriculture leadership program |
| The Copia Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 24 | $330K | $7,500 | Yes | Charitable gift |
| With Foundation | San Mateo, CA | 1 | $315K | $315K | Yes | Partnership support |
| Lift a Life Foundation Inc C/O Cornerstone Family Office | Mayfield Heights, OH | 2 | $300K | $150K | Preselected only | Religious; Early childhood education |
| Middleground Capital Charitable Foundation | Lexington, KY | 9 | $295K | $10K | Preselected only | Operating support; Opertaing support; Angel tree |
| Keeneland Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 26 | $291K | $5,000 | Yes | General operating grant; To support light up racing; Bc annual day of outreach |
| Raymond Foundation Inc C/O Linda Raymond | Bloomington, IN | 1 | $291K | $291K | Yes | Educational programs - scholarships |
| Whitaker Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 7 | $265K | $10K | Preselected only | Support of programs |
| Florida Horsemen's Charitable Foundation Inc | Hallandale Beach, FL | 2 | $261K | $130K | Preselected only | Charitiable; Charitable |
| The Mt Brilliant Family Foundation (formerly Hgg Family Foundation) | Lexington, KY | 10 | $260K | $11K | Preselected only | General support |
| Lucy M Young Trust Fbo Blakely Ga Public Library C/O William T Young Jr | Lexington, KY | 1 | $255K | $255K | Preselected only | Grant under irc 4942(g)(3) |
| Mary K Oxley Foundation | Tulsa, OK | 13 | $251K | $10K | Preselected only | 2025 program support; Cardiac research; Research project |
| Act Foundation Inc | Atlanta, GA | 1 | $250K | $250K | Preselected only | Program support |
| Indigo Foundation | Louisville, KY | 1 | $250K | $250K | Preselected only | Uk leads scholarship program |
| Nisource Charitable Foundation | Columbus, OH | 46 | $239K | $3,040 | Yes | Corporate donation |
| Creech Family Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 12 | $237K | $10K | Preselected only | General fund; Public park playground for the handicapped; Scholarship fund/general fund |
| Mildred H Dunning Memorial Fund Trust Central Bank and Trust Company | Lexington, KY | 3 | $237K | $79K | Preselected only | General support; General suppport |
| Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts | New York, NY | 2 | $223K | $112K | Preselected only | Facilitating buprenorphine access through pharmacist peer o… |
| John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation | Chicago, IL | 2 | $214K | $107K | Preselected only | To support state and local leaders on reducing the over-inc…; In support of the council of state governments justice cent… |
| Baulch M E Fbo Univ of Kentucky Tr | Bedminster, NJ | 1 | $211K | $211K | Preselected only | Scholarships |
| The Muir House Foundation | Lexington, KY | 13 | $206K | $10K | Preselected only | Provide literacy and learning programs to people of all age…; Provide support to children who have suffered from sexual a…; Provide support for educational outreach |
| Jeanne Gish Gatton Charitable Ex Tuw | Orlando, FL | 1 | $204K | $204K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Robert E Brennan Tuw | Pittsburgh, PA | 1 | $201K | $201K | Preselected only | General support |
| Ergon Foundation Inc | Jackson, MS | 1 | $200K | $200K | Preselected only | General support |
| The Spray Foundation Inc C/O Clay K Kirk | New York, NY | 2 | $200K | $100K | Preselected only | Scholarship program; Support the kentucky children's hospital activities & art i… |
| Rowland & Sylvia Schaefer Family Foundation Inc | Boca Raton, FL | 1 | $200K | $200K | Yes | Charitable |
| Alex Boone Charitable Trust Dated 12/01/98 | Lexington, KY | 16 | $196K | $10K | Preselected only | Subsidy |
| John William Pope Foundation | Raleigh, NC | 4 | $192K | $38K | Yes | Unrestricted grant; Restricted - shining a light on the black box of early preg…; Restricted - grants program |
| Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation | San Antonio, TX | 1 | $188K | $188K | Yes | General Support |
| American Water Charitable Foundationinc | Camden, NJ | 27 | $186K | $3,000 | Yes | General purpose |
| The McMichael Family Foundation | Madison, NC | 1 | $185K | $185K | Preselected only | General purpose |
| Alpha Foundation for the Improvement of Mine Safety and Health Inc | Philadelphia, PA | 2 | $183K | $91K | Preselected only | Development of a Stability Mapping Platform For Stone Mines; Grant paid AFCINV24-10 - Automated Sensing Module for Enhan… |
| Norman & Elizabeth Brown Family Charitable Corporation | Lexington, KY | 14 | $181K | $10K | Preselected only | General support |
| The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation | Palo Alto, CA | 1 | $180K | $180K | Preselected only | Support for ai+humanities oxford conference |
| Wedge Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | 1 | $176K | $176K | Yes | Financial support |
| George and Mary Lee Duthie Charitable Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | 2 | $175K | $88K | Preselected only | General operations |
| Orphan Society of Lexington Trust C/O Central Bank & Trust Co | Lexington, KY | 26 | $172K | $7,500 | Yes | Subsidy; Subisdy |
| Limestone Family Foundation Inc C/O Glenview Trust Company | Louisville, KY | 14 | $171K | $1,500 | Preselected only | Support |
| Robert B and Helen P Jewell Scholarship Foundation Incorporated | Lexington, KY | 5 | $167K | $20K | Preselected only | College scholarships; Medical school scholarships |
| William Bartram and Eloise Williams Sturgill Family Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 10 | $167K | $7,500 | Preselected only | To support the organization's mission; For organization's purpose of providing quality end of life…; To support the organization's mission to provide access to… |
| Alex G Campbell Jr Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 22 | $161K | $5,000 | Yes | Subsidy |
| Richard King Mellon Foundation | Ligonier, PA | 1 | $160K | $160K | Yes | Toward support of operations for mine land restoration in p… |
| Joanie C Bernard Foundation | Cincinnati, OH | 1 | $160K | $160K | Preselected only | Project/program support |
| Kloiber Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 2 | $159K | $80K | Preselected only | Provide technology equipment and educational supplies to fa…; To support the mission to provide exceptional design and th… |
| The King's Daughters and Sons Foundation of Kentucky Inc | Reston, VA | 14 | $157K | $9,984 | Yes | Flood relief; Hvac system; Assistive support devices |
| Rosenstein Family Charitable Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 24 | $156K | $2,250 | Preselected only | Post secondary education; Community needs in kentucky; Various educational programs |
| Rouse Family Foundation Inc | Lexington, KY | 1 | $150K | $150K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Flock Inc | Boston, MA | 2 | $150K | $75K | Preselected only | Program/project support |
| Renker Family Foundation | El Segundo, CA | 1 | $150K | $150K | Preselected only | Helping americans learn about the policies and programs to… |
| Davis H Elliot Company Educational Foundation | Lexington, KY | 15 | $148K | $7,500 | Preselected only | Donation; Scholarship |
| Anne C Stoll Tr | Lexington, KY | 3 | $146K | $49K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| Democracy Fund Inc | Washington, DC | 1 | $143K | $143K | Preselected only | Program support for the Leadership in Election Administrati… |
| Linda Neville Tr UW Xxxxx3009 | Chicago, IL | 3 | $140K | $45K | Yes | General |
| Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming | Teton Village, WY | 12 | $139K | $7,500 | Yes | General charitable support |
| Bell B Neel Tr W Xxxxx5009 | Chicago, IL | 1 | $138K | $138K | Preselected only | General |
| The W Bruce Lunsford Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | 6 | $138K | $9,300 | Preselected only | General |
| Edris Charitable Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $135K | $135K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| Tw Myrtle Mae Mitchell | Lexington, KY | 6 | $134K | $22K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| Walton Family Foundation Inc | Bentonville, AR | 2 | $130K | $65K | Preselected only | To support student-led program and journalism.; To support the 2024 Annual Colorado River Forum. |
| Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust | Paducah, KY | 2 | $125K | $63K | Yes | Programming support |
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 Lexington, Kentucky?
The Bill Gatton Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc, The Mustard Seed Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, The Marie-Josee and Henry R Kravis Foundation and 95 others reported grants to Lexington 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 Lexington. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.