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Charles B Keesee Educational Fund Incorporated

Annual Giving
$3.6M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,552,881 (2024)
  • Total Assets: ~$70 million
  • Grant Range: $2,075 - $8,000 per year (depending on degree program)
  • Geographic Focus: Seven southern U.S. states (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia)
  • Students Supported: 16,000+ since founding (totaling $51.9 million in aid)
  • Founded: 1941

Contact Details

Website: https://cbkeesee.com

Address: Martinsville, VA

Application Portal: Grant Interface (accessed through cbkeesee.com)

Executive Director: Sandra Prillaman

Overview

Established in 1941 following the death of Charles B. Keesee in 1940, the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund supports students preparing for Baptist ministry and religious work. Charles B. Keesee and his wife Olivia Helms Simmons, having no children of their own, dedicated their estate to creating educational opportunities at Baptist institutions. The fund has grown to approximately $70 million in assets and has awarded over $51.9 million to more than 16,000 students since its founding. The fund operates as a private foundation focusing exclusively on theological education at approved Baptist seminaries, divinity schools, and one undergraduate institution. In the 2023-24 academic year, the fund awarded 613 educational grants to students attending seminaries or divinity schools associated with the Southern Baptist Convention or the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, plus an additional $307,500 in scholarships to undergraduate institutions associated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Master's Degree Grants

  • Amount: Up to $7,750 per academic year (two semesters)
  • Duration: Maximum of 8 semesters (4 years)
  • Application Method: Online via Grant Interface portal, with fixed deadlines

Doctoral Grants (Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Philosophy)

  • Amount: Up to $8,000 per academic year
  • Duration: Maximum of 6 semesters (3 years)
  • Application Method: Online via Grant Interface portal, with fixed deadlines

Undergraduate Grants (Judson College Only)

  • Amount: $4,150 per academic year
  • Duration: Maximum of 4 semesters (2 years) for Juniors and Seniors only
  • Eligibility: Ministry-related degree programs, with grants ranging from $2,075 to $4,150 per year

Priority Areas

The fund exclusively supports:

  • Students preparing to enter vocational Baptist ministry or religious work in the Baptist denomination
  • Theological education at approved Baptist seminaries and divinity schools
  • Graduate-level (Master's and Doctoral) programs in ministry, divinity, theology, and related religious studies
  • Undergraduate ministerial preparation at Judson College (formerly The College at Southeastern)

What They Don't Fund

  • Fully online degree programs (students must attend at least one class on the main campus, a hybrid class, an equip class, class at an extension center, practicum, or mentored internship class each semester)
  • Students outside the seven eligible states (unless they have lived in an eligible state for 12 months prior to enrollment)
  • Non-U.S. citizens
  • Students not preparing for Baptist ministry or religious work
  • Students at non-approved institutions
  • Students with a GPA below 2.5

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Ryan R. Hutchinson, President
  • Douglas T. Ramsey, Vice President and Trustee
  • David D. Burhans, Trustee
  • G. Paul Fletcher, Trustee
  • John T. Fulcher, Trustee
  • Martha W. Medley, Trustee
  • Betty B. Pigg, Trustee
  • Andrew H. Wakefield, Trustee
  • Georgia P. Compton, Trustee

Executive Staff:

  • Sandra Prillaman, Executive Director

Vice President Douglas T. Ramsey has explained the founder's motivation: "He [Keesee] would say that they had these preachers that came through … and he was always impressed with their passion, but they were lacking in education." This quote reflects the fund's core mission to provide educational resources to those called to ministry who might lack the means to pursue formal theological training.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligible Institutions: Students must be enrolled at one of the approved Keesee beneficiary seminaries, divinity schools, or Judson College. The fund supports students at approximately 11 seminaries and divinity schools associated with the Southern Baptist Convention or the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, including Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Liberty Theological Seminary (Rawlings School of Divinity), Campbell Divinity School, Gardner-Webb School of Divinity, Baptist House of Studies at Duke University, and others.

Application Platform: All applications must be submitted online through the Grant Interface portal accessible at cbkeesee.com. First-time users must create a profile before applying.

Application Requirements:

  • Students must meet all eligibility requirements (U.S. citizenship, residency in one of seven eligible states for 12 months prior to enrollment, minimum 2.5 GPA, preparation for Baptist ministry)
  • Applications must include documentation of enrollment at an approved institution
  • Repeat applicants must reapply each year they wish to receive funding

Decision Timeline

Master's Degree New Applicants:

  • Fall/Spring: Apply by April 1
  • Spring Only: Apply by October 1

Master's Degree Repeat Applicants:

  • Fall/Spring: Apply by March 1
  • Spring Only: Apply by October 1

Doctoral Program New Applicants:

  • Fall/Spring: Apply by May 1
  • Spring Only: Apply by November 1

Doctoral Program Repeat Applicants:

  • Fall/Spring: Apply by May 1
  • Spring Only: Apply by November 1

Notification: Applications are processed by the Board of Trustees, and applicants are notified by email after decisions are made. Specific notification timelines are not publicly disclosed, but decisions typically follow after the application deadline closes.

Success Rates

The fund awarded 30 grants in 2023 and 14 grants in 2024, suggesting a highly selective process given the number of potential applicants. In the 2023-24 academic year, 613 educational grants were awarded to seminary and divinity school students. Success rates are not publicly disclosed, but the significant difference between awards in different years suggests that the number of qualified applicants and available funding may vary annually.

Reapplication Policy

Students must reapply each year they wish to receive a grant. The fund allows repeat applications, and students can receive funding for up to 8 semesters (Master's programs) or 6 semesters (Doctoral programs), provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements and successfully reapply each year. Information about whether unsuccessful applicants can immediately reapply is not explicitly stated in public materials.

Application Success Factors

The fund's application review process considers the holistic strength of applications. According to the fund's guidance: "Application approvals/denials do not rest on a single factor, but on the strength of the entire application." Final decisions rest with the Board of Trustees at their discretion.

Key Success Factors:

  1. Clear Commitment to Baptist Ministry: The fund was established specifically to support those entering "vocational Baptist ministry or religious work in the Baptist denomination." Applications should clearly articulate this calling and career trajectory.

  2. Geographic Eligibility: Strict 12-month residency requirement in one of seven states (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia) immediately prior to enrollment. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

  3. Academic Standing: Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. While this is the minimum, stronger academic performance likely strengthens applications.

  4. Enrollment at Approved Institutions: Only students attending one of approximately 11 approved seminaries/divinity schools or Judson College are eligible. Verify your institution's status as a Keesee beneficiary school.

  5. In-Person Learning Component: Fully online students are ineligible. Applications must demonstrate enrollment in at least one on-campus class, hybrid class, equip class, extension center class, practicum, or mentored internship each semester.

  6. Timely Application Submission: Meet all published deadlines. New applicants and repeat applicants often have different deadlines, so verify which category applies to you.

  7. Annual Reapplication: Students seeking multi-year support must reapply each year. Demonstrate ongoing progress toward degree completion and continued commitment to ministry preparation.

The fund's founder, Charles B. Keesee, was particularly moved by ministers who had "passion, but they were lacking in education." Applications that demonstrate genuine calling combined with academic commitment align well with the fund's founding mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Mission Alignment is Essential: This fund exclusively supports students preparing for Baptist ministry—applications from those pursuing other career paths will not be successful, regardless of academic merit.

  • Geographic Restrictions are Strict: The 12-month residency requirement in one of seven southern states immediately prior to enrollment is non-negotiable. Plan accordingly if considering relocation.

  • Limited to Approved Institutions: Verify your seminary, divinity school, or college is an approved Keesee beneficiary institution before investing time in the application. No exceptions are made for non-approved schools.

  • Annual Reapplication Required: Budget and plan for the annual application process. Past recipients must reapply each year and are not guaranteed continued funding.

  • Holistic Review Process: The Board of Trustees evaluates entire applications, not single factors. Invest time in creating a comprehensive, compelling application that demonstrates both calling and capability.

  • In-Person Component Mandatory: Fully online programs are ineligible. Ensure your enrollment plan includes the required in-person, hybrid, or extension center coursework.

  • Selective Funding: With 30 awards in 2023 and only 14 in 2024, competition appears significant. Applications should be thorough and compelling.

References

  1. Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund official website - https://cbkeesee.com (accessed January 2026)
  2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Charles B Keesee Educational Fund Incorporated (EIN: 54-0490435) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/540490435 (accessed January 2026)
  3. Charity Navigator Profile - Charles B Keesee Educational Fund Incorporated - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/540490435 (accessed January 2026)
  4. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary - Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund information page - https://www.sebts.edu/charles-b-keesee-educational-fund/ (accessed January 2026)
  5. Gardner-Webb University News - "School of Divinity Recognizes Charles B. Keesee Fund Leaders at Convocation" - https://gardner-webb.edu/news/school-of-divinity-recognizes-support-of-keesee-fund/ (accessed January 2026)
  6. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary - Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund information page - https://nobts.edu/financial-aid/Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund.html (accessed January 2026)
  7. Instrumentl 990 Report - Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/charles-b-keesee-educational-fund-incorporated (accessed January 2026)
  8. Judson College - Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund scholarship information - https://judsoncollege.com/scholarship/charles-b-keesee-educational-fund/ (accessed January 2026)
  9. Cause IQ - Charles B Keesee Educational Fund organizational profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/charles-b-keesee-educational-fund,540490435/ (accessed January 2026)
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