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Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$9.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $1.3M
Decision Time
2mo

Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9,075,600 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $59,182,239
  • Average Grant Size: $55,339
  • Number of Awards: 164 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.), with emphasis on Western Kentucky
  • Application Status: Closed to new applicants since July 2021
  • Sunset Date: Foundation will fully expend resources by 2034

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 194, Paducah, KY 42002-0194

Phone: 270-883-1966

Email: info@carsonmyre.org

Website: http://carsonmyre.org

Overview

The Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation was established in 2006 by Jane Carson-Myre, in accord with her late husband Dr. Louis Myre, a cardiologist who practiced in the Paducah region. The foundation was created to carry on the legacy of Jane's father, Luther F. Carson, a local Coca-Cola founder whose generosity helped many people in Western Kentucky and beyond. With total assets of approximately $59 million and annual giving of over $9 million, the foundation supports Christian outreach programs, health initiatives, and human services across the United States. In 2021, the foundation was honored as Philanthropist of the Year by the Christian Appalachian Project during National Philanthropy Day. Uniquely, the foundation was intentionally designed with a predetermined sunset date of 2034, after which it will have fully expended its resources—a strategic decision by the founder to prevent mission drift from her original vision.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates with quarterly application deadlines throughout the year:

  • Quarterly Grant Cycles: Applications accepted for consideration in January, April, July, and October
  • Average Grant: $55,339
  • Grant Range: Documented grants range from $5,000 to over $1,270,000
  • Application Method: Letters of Inquiry submitted via mail or through website

Priority Areas

Primary Focus Areas:

  • Christian outreach programs in ministry, education, and aid to those in need
  • Organizations that share the message of Christ's love along with assistance
  • Health care, including in-patient medical care and hospital care
  • Human services supporting vulnerable populations
  • Preservation of Judeo-Christian principles for the benefit of all citizens
  • Limited grants to arts organizations in the Paducah region

Geographic Scope: While based in Western Kentucky, the foundation supports organizations across the United States, including major cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, and New York, as well as smaller communities. Eastern Kentucky has also received support.

What They Don't Fund

Critical Restriction: Since July 2021, unsolicited requests from organizations that have not previously received a grant from the Carson-Myre Foundation are not considered. This restriction was implemented due to the foundation's limited time before it sunsets in 2034 and based on limited staff resources.

The foundation's charter is strictly limited, and potential applicants are strongly advised to review the Guidelines section on their website to understand what activities they may fund.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Trustees:

  • J. William Howerton - Trustee (highest compensated)
  • W. Clay Howerton - Vice Chairman and Trustee

According to J. William Howerton, the foundation "was set up to support Christian outreach programs in ministry, education, and aid to people in need."

Founding Vision

Jane Carson-Myre established the foundation with the biblical principle from Galatians 6:2 as its mission statement: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." She intentionally designed the foundation with a limited operational timeframe, knowing that "even the best intentions of her foundation's trustees could not prevent eventual divergence from her specific vision."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: As of July 2021, this foundation is effectively closed to new applicants. Unsolicited requests from organizations that have not previously received a grant are not considered.

For Previous Grant Recipients Only:

The foundation operates on a quarterly application schedule with specific deadlines:

Application Deadlines:

  • January 15: Deadline for consideration at the late-January board meeting
  • April 15: Deadline for consideration in April
  • July 15: Deadline for consideration at the late-July board meeting (grants must be received by this date to be considered for same-year distribution)
  • October 15: Deadline for consideration in October

Recommended Timeline: The foundation recommends submitting Letters of Inquiry during mid-December through January 15 for the best chance of consideration.

Submission Method: Applications can be submitted by mail to P.O. Box 194, Paducah, KY 42002-0194, or through the foundation's website at carsonmyre.org.

Decision Timeline

Board Meetings:

  • Late January: Trustees meet to make the majority of grant funding decisions for the year
  • Late July: Second major board meeting for grant deliberations
  • Early September: Grant distributions for the calendar year are finalized

Grant seekers should expect decisions to be communicated following these board meeting dates.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations That Have Previously Received Grants:

  1. Alignment with Christian Mission: The foundation prioritizes organizations that combine Christian ministry with practical assistance. As trustee J. William Howerton stated, Jane Carson-Myre's heart was nearest to "Christian outreach programs, in ministry, education, and aid to those in need."

  2. Preservation of Judeo-Christian Principles: Organizations working to preserve these principles for the benefit of all citizens are strongly favored.

  3. Demonstrated Impact: The foundation has a history of supporting organizations with proven track records. Baptist Health Paducah, for example, received $500,000 for their Heart Center before it opened in 2007, then $195,000 in 2016 for advanced electrophysiology equipment, and the center was later named the Carson-Myre Heart Center in honor of the foundation's support.

  4. Regional Connection: While the foundation supports organizations nationally, those with connections to Western Kentucky or addressing needs in the region appear to receive favorable consideration.

  5. Review Guidelines Carefully: The foundation explicitly states that their "charter is strictly limited" and strongly recommends reading the Guidelines section before applying to understand what activities they may fund.

  6. Early Submission: Submitting Letters of Inquiry between mid-December and January 15 is recommended for optimal consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Closed to New Applicants: Since July 2021, only organizations that have previously received grants from Carson-Myre can apply—new applicants will not be considered
  • Limited Time Remaining: The foundation will sunset in 2034, fully expending all resources by that date
  • Strong Christian Focus: The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in Christian ministry and Judeo-Christian principles—secular organizations are unlikely to align with funding priorities
  • Significant Grant Capacity: With average grants of $55,000 and documented grants up to $1.27 million, this foundation has substantial resources for aligned organizations
  • Multiple Deadlines Annually: Four quarterly deadlines provide multiple opportunities throughout the year for existing grantees
  • Relationship-Based: The restriction to previous grantees indicates the foundation operates on established relationships and trust with recipient organizations
  • National but Regional Heart: While funding extends across the U.S., the foundation maintains strong ties to Western Kentucky and particularly values work in that region
  • Charter Limitations: The foundation's charter is strictly limited—thoroughly review their specific guidelines before applying

References

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