A river running through a deep pine forest valley

Cause EnvironmentState Kentucky86 funders

Foundations that fund environment in Kentucky

86 private foundations based in Kentucky with a return in the last two years gave $7.5 million to environment organizations in 206 grants. The median grant was $5,000, and 26 of these foundations accept applications.

Foundations with a return in the last two years, each by its latest return (tax years 2023 to 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

Ranked by giving to environment

Top 50

Grants in each foundation’s latest return to organizations whose IRS category is environment.

  1. Adam R Scripps FoundationFt Mitchell, KY · tax year 2024 12 grants Preselected only $1,231,000 to environment
  2. Ina B Bond Ashbourne Charitable Fund IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Preselected only $1,010,000 to environment
  3. James Graham Brown Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $750,000 to environment
  4. Sociable Weaver Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2023 13 grants Preselected only $512,453 to environment
  5. The Owsley Brown III Philanthropic FoundLouisville, KY · tax year 2023 7 grants Preselected only $380,380 to environment
  6. The Harold Juanita David Dennis & Gary Koon Family Charitable FoundationBowling Green, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Preselected only $360,000 to environment
  7. The Brooke Brown Barzun Philanthropic Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2023 3 grants Preselected only $354,703 to environment
  8. The Whippoorwill Family FoundationProspect, KY · tax year 2024 5 grants Preselected only $305,060 to environment
  9. Elhapa Foundation IncLexington, KY · tax year 2025 10 grants Preselected only $255,000 to environment
  10. Yum Brands Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Accepts applications $250,120 to environment
  11. Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable TrustPaducah, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Accepts applications $211,000 to environment
  12. George and Mary Lee Duthie Charitable Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $200,000 to environment
  13. W L Lyons Brown Jr Charitable FoundationLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 3 grants Preselected only $183,333 to environment
  14. The Charles and Elizabeth Barr FoundationLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 3 grants Preselected only $161,000 to environment
  15. The Gheens Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 3 grants Accepts applications $140,000 to environment
  16. The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the ArtsFt Mitchell, KY · tax year 2025 5 grants Preselected only $112,000 to environment
  17. Stock Yards Bank Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Preselected only $108,333 to environment
  18. Frances N Alden Charitable TRLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $100,000 to environment
  19. The Norton Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Accepts applications $85,000 to environment
  20. William A Marquard Family Foundation IncCovington, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $70,000 to environment
  21. Brown-Forman FoundationLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Accepts applications $65,000 to environment
  22. LG&E and KU Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 14 grants Accepts applications $64,720 to environment
  23. Miramar Charitable FoundationFt Mitchell, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Preselected only $52,200 to environment
  24. Irvin F & Alice S Etscorn Charitable FoundationLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $50,000 to environment
  25. Limestone Family Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 7 grants Preselected only $42,000 to environment
  26. Elsa M Heisel Sule Charitable Trust 2005Ft Mitchell, KY · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $33,500 to environment
  27. Clifton Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 6 grants Preselected only $33,000 to environment
  28. Bert & Ann Shearer FoundationFort Wright, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $30,000 to environment
  29. The Sutherland Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Preselected only $25,000 to environment
  30. Snowy Owl Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 5 grants Preselected only $22,000 to environment
  31. Brereton & Elizabeth Jones Charitable Family FoundationMidway, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $20,000 to environment
  32. Violet World FoundationFt Mitchell, KY · tax year 2025 3 grants Preselected only $16,500 to environment
  33. Republic Bank Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $15,000 to environment
  34. The Ahrens Family FoundationLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 3 grants Preselected only $14,000 to environment
  35. The Jedra Charitable Foundation IncLexington, KY · tax year 2024 4 grants Preselected only $13,557 to environment
  36. Harry T Wilks Family FoundationCovington, KY · tax year 2025 3 grants Preselected only $13,000 to environment
  37. V V Cooke Foundation CorporationLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Accepts applications $12,500 to environment
  38. Dunbar Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Accepts applications $11,500 to environment
  39. The Wells FoundationLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Preselected only $11,000 to environment
  40. Hilary Boone Foundation IncLexington, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Preselected only $11,000 to environment
  41. The Mt Brilliant Family Foundation (formerly HGG Family Foundation)Lexington, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $10,000 to environment
  42. Paradis Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $10,000 to environment
  43. Marshall Family Foundation IncProspect, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $10,000 to environment
  44. Cralle Foundation IncSimpsonville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $10,000 to environment
  45. Christian Word Ministries IncLexington, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Preselected only $10,000 to environment
  46. The John M & Linda J Kelly Family Charitable FoundationBowling Green, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $10,000 to environment
  47. Judge Family Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $10,000 to environment
  48. Smith Brothers Family Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $10,000 to environment
  49. Gardner Foundation IncorporatedLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $9,500 to environment
  50. Robert W and Elise B Lykins Charitable Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $8,000 to environment

Open to applications

25 foundations

The return gives an application contact and does not check the preselected-only box.

  1. James Graham Brown Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $750,000 to environment
  2. Yum Brands Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Accepts applications $250,120 to environment
  3. Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable TrustPaducah, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Accepts applications $211,000 to environment
  4. The Gheens Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 3 grants Accepts applications $140,000 to environment
  5. The Norton Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Accepts applications $85,000 to environment
  6. Brown-Forman FoundationLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Accepts applications $65,000 to environment
  7. LG&E and KU Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 14 grants Accepts applications $64,720 to environment
  8. Irvin F & Alice S Etscorn Charitable FoundationLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $50,000 to environment
  9. Elsa M Heisel Sule Charitable Trust 2005Ft Mitchell, KY · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $33,500 to environment
  10. Brereton & Elizabeth Jones Charitable Family FoundationMidway, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $20,000 to environment
  11. V V Cooke Foundation CorporationLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 2 grants Accepts applications $12,500 to environment
  12. Dunbar Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 2 grants Accepts applications $11,500 to environment
  13. Paradis Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $10,000 to environment
  14. Cralle Foundation IncSimpsonville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $10,000 to environment
  15. Smith Brothers Family Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $10,000 to environment
  16. Gardner Foundation IncorporatedLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $9,500 to environment
  17. Robert W and Elise B Lykins Charitable Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $8,000 to environment
  18. Lester E Yeager Charitable Trust BOwensboro, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $5,000 to environment
  19. Endeavor Charitable Foundation TrustLouisville, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $5,000 to environment
  20. The Jamie Parsley Family Foundation IncProspect, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $5,000 to environment
  21. Robert & Evelyn Hewlett Morgan Family Foundation IncPrinceton, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $3,900 to environment
  22. Marilyn & William Young Charitable Foundation IncOwensboro, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $2,500 to environment
  23. Berta Family Foundation IncBowling Green, KY · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $1,800 to environment
  24. Capricorn Foundation Charitable TruLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $1,000 to environment
  25. Barbara and Albert Horton Foundation IncLouisville, KY · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $1,000 to environment