Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust

Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust is a US private foundation based in Paducah, KY.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Trust makes grants to organisations for operational needs, programmes and projects, capital projects and, subject to limited availability, endowment funds. Its five core values are faith, human needs, family, education and vibrant communities. Its stated interests include Catholic and faith-based programmes; basic needs such as food, shelter, education and healthcare; services strengthening families; collaborative services benefiting disadvantaged students or students in disadvantaged locales; and community initiatives in locations where trustees and their families have a personal interest. It gives preference to organisations in northeast Florida, western and eastern Kentucky, southwest Wisconsin and southeast Louisiana, while reviewing applications from nonprofits throughout the United States. Applicants must be qualified tax-exempt nonprofits with a mission aligned to its values, sound financial management, demonstrated need, and the capacity to account for funds and achieve results.

Themes

• Faith
• Human needs
• Family
• Education
• Vibrant communities

Geographic Focus

United States. Priority: Northeast Florida; western Kentucky; eastern Kentucky; southwest Wisconsin; southeast Louisiana.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations with a mission or grant purpose that is in conflict with the Trust’s values
• Supporting organizations categorized as 509(a)(3) entities
• Other private foundations
• Entities using the grant to carry on propaganda or to influence legislation
• Individuals, unless specific IRS guidance is followed

Organisations submit an online account and Pre-Qualification Request (LOI). After eligibility review and trustee approval, the full online application is made available on the applicant’s dashboard in the next grant cycle. Full applications must be submitted online; only one full application per organisation may be made within a 12-month period.

Deadlines:

• Pre-qualification requests are due four business days before the end of a grant cycle.
• Approved applications may be submitted by close of business on the final day of the funding cycle.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 72% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 509 grants to organisations were $45,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• The organisation’s mission should be consistent with the Trust’s core values.
• The Trust expects sound financial management, effective service delivery and low general and management costs.
• Applicants should demonstrate actual need, explain how funds will be used and state expected outcomes for the people served.
• Organisations should be accountable for funds and capable of achieving the desired results.
• Grant applications submitted early in each funding cycle receive additional consideration.
• For capital requests, the Trust has historically funded established partners or organisations directly referred by a trustee.
• When deemed appropriate, the Trust may contact an applicant to schedule a visit.
• Grant recipients must submit a final report online through the Trust’s grant management system.