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Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$19.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $3.3M
Decision Time
2mo

Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $436.6 million (2022)
  • Annual Giving: $19.9 million (2024)
  • Total Grants in 2024: 169 awards
  • Decision Time: Quarterly cycles - decisions announced in March, June, September, and December
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $3,250,000
  • Geographic Focus: Kentucky (particularly Paducah), southern Wisconsin, and Florida

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust
4965 Village Square Drive – Suite A
P.O. Box 7606
Paducah, KY 42002-7606

Phone: 270-534-8930
Fax: 270-534-8940
Email: info@ecksteincharity.org
Website: www.ecksteincharity.org

Grant Application Portal: www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ecksteincharitabletrust

Overview

Established in early 2005 by Ray Eckstein (1926-2019) and Kay Eckstein (1927-2017), the Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust is one of Kentucky's most significant private family foundations with assets exceeding $436 million. Ray Eckstein was a Marquette University alumnus, lawyer, and successful businessman who founded Wisconsin Barge Line in 1961 and later Marquette Transportation Company in 1978. The couple's philanthropic philosophy reflects their personal values of "faith, family, education, and human needs." As the trustees stated, "Our greatest joy is knowing that people have been helped." The foundation made headlines in 2005 with a $51 million gift to Marquette University Law School, one of the largest gifts to an American law school at the time. With annual giving of approximately $20 million distributed across 169 grants in 2024, the trust focuses its support on Catholic and faith-based initiatives, family-strengthening programs, education for disadvantaged students, and place-based community development in areas where the Eckstein family has personal connections.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a quarterly grant cycle with applications accepted through an online portal. Grant requests should support at least one of the trust's five core values:

Faith-Based Initiatives: Support for Catholic and other faith-based programs and services that align with the Ecksteins' religious values.

Family-Focused Programs: Grants to support service organizations and programs that strengthen and stabilize families.

Education: Support for collaborative educational programs that benefit disadvantaged students, ranging from K-12 to higher education institutions.

Human Needs: Funding for organizations addressing basic human services, including food security, shelter, and crisis intervention.

Vibrant Communities: Place-based grants supporting community development in areas where trustees and their families have personal interests, particularly Paducah, Kentucky; southern Wisconsin; and Florida.

Priority Areas

  • K-12 Education: Catholic schools and school systems, including Seton Catholic Schools in Wisconsin, St. Mary School System in Paducah, Catholic Education Foundation of Louisville, and St. Joseph's Indian School in South Dakota
  • Higher Education: Universities and colleges including University of Texas, St. Augustine University in Wisconsin, Kentucky Wesleyan College, and Marquette University
  • Food Security: Regional food banks such as Regional Food Bank of Northeast Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans, Mercy Chefs, and Marshall County Community Kitchen in Kentucky
  • Family Services: Organizations like Hope Unlimited Family Care Center and Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center
  • Community Development: Local initiatives in Paducah such as River Discovery Center

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly detailed on the foundation's website. Applicants should contact the trust directly to confirm eligibility for their specific project.

Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by trustees from the Eckstein family. Ray Eckstein transitioned leadership of his business operations to his son John in the early 1990s, and the couple had eight children who may be involved in the trust's governance, though specific trustee names are not publicly listed on the foundation's website.

According to the trustees' statement on the website, their approach reflects the founders' values: "Our greatest joy is knowing that people have been helped."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The trust accepts applications through an online grant portal system:

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a quarterly grant cycle with four funding rounds per year:

  • Application Deadlines: January, April, July, and October
  • Decision Notifications: Applicants are notified after the 10th of March, June, September, and December

This structured timeline allows the trust to review applications systematically and provide timely responses to applicants throughout the year.

Success Rates

The trust awarded 169 grants in 2024, totaling $19.9 million in funding. Specific data on the total number of applications received or overall success rates are not publicly available. However, with substantial assets and consistent annual giving, the foundation maintains an active grant-making program across its priority areas.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not detailed in public materials. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact the foundation directly at info@ecksteincharity.org or 270-534-8930 for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Core Values

The foundation emphasizes that grant requests must support at least one of their five core values: Catholic/faith-based initiatives, human needs, education, families, and vibrant communities. Applications demonstrating clear alignment with these values are more likely to receive consideration.

Geographic Connection

While the trust has funded organizations nationally, there is a strong preference for communities where the Eckstein family has lived and worked, particularly:

  • Paducah, Kentucky (where the trust is based)
  • Southern Wisconsin (where Ray Eckstein founded his businesses and attended Marquette University)
  • Florida (a region of family interest)

Organizations in these geographic areas may have an advantage in the selection process.

Catholic and Faith-Based Programs

Given the Ecksteins' strong Catholic faith, organizations with Catholic affiliations or clear faith-based missions appear prominently among past grantees. Faith-based organizations should emphasize how their work reflects shared values with the foundation.

Serving Disadvantaged Populations

The foundation's emphasis on education for "disadvantaged students" and support for basic human services suggests a priority for organizations serving vulnerable populations. Applications should clearly articulate the populations served and the impact on those in need.

Established Organizations

Past grant recipients include established institutions such as universities, regional food banks, school systems, and community organizations with demonstrated track records. While newer organizations are not explicitly excluded, demonstrating organizational stability and capacity may strengthen applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply During Quarterly Cycles: Plan submissions for the January, April, July, or October deadlines to receive decisions in March, June, September, or December respectively
  • Emphasize Core Values Alignment: Clearly demonstrate how your project supports faith, family, education, human needs, or vibrant communities
  • Geographic Strategy Matters: Organizations in Paducah, KY, southern Wisconsin, or Florida should emphasize their local connection; others should show how they align with the family's broader philanthropic interests
  • Include Required Documentation: Ensure IRS determination letter is submitted with all applications through the online portal
  • Contact for Clarification: The foundation maintains accessible staff at 270-534-8930 and info@ecksteincharity.org for questions about eligibility and application requirements
  • Plan Ahead for High Demand: The foundation committed all 2024 funds early in the year; submit 2025 applications early in the cycle for best consideration
  • Wide Grant Range Allows Flexibility: With awards ranging from $1,000 to over $3 million, organizations of various sizes and project scales may find appropriate funding opportunities

References

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