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Gheens Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$7.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.3M
Decision Time
1w

Gheens Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,000,000+
  • Total Assets: $154,000,000+
  • Decision Time: 3-4 days after quarterly board meeting
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $300,000
  • Median Grant: $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Metropolitan Louisville (KY); Lafourche & Terrebonne Parishes (LA)
  • Application Frequency: Quarterly deadlines (4 per year)

Contact Details

Address: 401 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 584-4650
Website: www.gheensfoundation.org
Primary Contact for Applications: Kathy Knotts, Sr. Vice President & Director of Grants Management
Email: kathy@gheensfoundation.org

Overview

The Gheens Foundation was established in 1957 by C. Edwin Gheens (1878-1961), a Louisville candy manufacturer, and his wife Mary Jo Gheens (1893-1982). With assets exceeding $154 million, the foundation distributes approximately $7-8 million annually through approximately 176 grants. The foundation honors its founders' legacy of philanthropy through addressing "present and emerging needs" while maintaining long-term asset viability. Since inception, the foundation has distributed over $175 million to more than 650 charitable organizations. The foundation's distribution policy allocates approximately 5% of its total assets annually to charitable organizations in metropolitan Louisville and select Louisiana parishes. Under current leadership, the foundation emphasizes sound investment management, community collaboration with other foundations, and strategic grant-making to achieve profound, long-term impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Operating Support & Project Grants: $10,000 - $300,000

  • Grants typically range between $10,000 and $100,000 for Louisville-area nonprofits
  • Applications accepted quarterly through online GrantRequest portal
  • Median grant award: $25,000
  • Recent major grants include: $300,000 to New Directions Housing Corporation for Homeownership Preservation; $300,000 to University of Louisville Foundation for The Gheens Institute STEM-H support; $250,000 to Home of the Innocents for pediatric equipment

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes the following areas with particular emphasis on education and human/social services:

  • Public Urban Education - Strong priority area
  • Human and Social Services - Strong priority area
  • Quality of Place - Community development and improvement initiatives
  • The Arts - Cultural organizations and programs
  • Economic Development - Community economic advancement
  • Medicine - Limited medical programs (excluding hospitals and research)

Geographic Focus: Metropolitan Louisville area (7 Kentucky counties + 4 Indiana counties); Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana. On rare occasions, Kentucky organizations outside Louisville may be considered.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Endowments and other foundations (except those supporting a single qualifying organization)
  • Religious congregations and conventions
  • Healthcare institutions and medical research
  • Senior living and long-term care facilities
  • Private K-12 schools (except special education schools or those serving 100% free/reduced lunch populations)
  • Student financial aid or scholarships of any kind
  • Individual recipients
  • Political entities
  • Fundraising sponsorships and events

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

  • Michael B. Mountjoy - Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Lori H. Flanery - President and CEO
  • John R. Crockett III - Secretary
  • Kathy Knotts - Sr. Vice President & Director of Grants Management

After Mary Jo Gheens' death in 1982, the board of trustees selected by her continues to oversee foundation operations, maintaining the founders' commitment to education, religious programs, and human services.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Gheens Foundation conducts an open application process through the GrantRequest online portal. Organizations that have not previously applied are requested to contact foundation staff (Kathy Knotts) prior to submitting an application.

Application System: Access via GrantRequest portal on foundation website
Pre-Application Contact Recommended: Contact Kathy Knotts at (502) 584-4650 or kathy@gheensfoundation.org for first-time applicants
Application Questions Preview: PDF available on website to review before starting application

Eligibility Requirements

  • 501(c)(3) Status: Active IRS standing with verified tax number required
  • Revenue Threshold: Gross unrestricted revenues exceeding $50,000 for most recent fiscal year, OR average of $50,000 for past 3 consecutive fiscal years (per Form 990)
  • Application Frequency: Organizations limited to once per 12-month period
  • Minimum Request: $10,000
  • Geographic Requirement: Must serve Metropolitan Louisville area or Lafourche/Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana

Note: Public school districts and governmental entities should contact the Foundation office for portal access.

Application Deadlines (2025)

Submissions close at 5:00 p.m. on:

  • Thursday, February 6 (Board meeting March 20)
  • Thursday, May 8 (Board meeting June 19)
  • Thursday, August 7 (Board meeting September 18)
  • Thursday, November 6 (Board meeting December 16)

Decision Timeline

All applicants are notified of grant outcomes within 3-4 days of the board meeting. This represents one of the fastest decision notification timeframes among major foundations.

Success Rates

The foundation awards approximately 176 grants annually. While specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed, the foundation conducts an open application process where every submitted application is reviewed by trustees.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit applications once every 12 months if previous grants are fully paid. Specific policies for unsuccessful applicants to reapply are not publicly documented; contact foundation staff for guidance on reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Guidance

Pre-Application Contact for First-Timers: The foundation specifically requests that organizations that have not previously applied contact Kathy Knotts prior to submission. This presents an opportunity to discuss fit and receive guidance before investing time in a full application.

Foundation's Own Advice: The Gheens Foundation recommends reviewing their guide "Show How Your Nonprofit is Making a Difference: 10 Dos and Don'ts" for applicants preparing submissions.

Revenue Requirements Matter: The $50,000 minimum revenue threshold is strictly enforced. Ensure your organization meets this requirement based on your most recent Form 990 or average of the past 3 years.

Strategic Focus on Education & Human Services: While the foundation's priorities are broad, education and human/social services requests receive emphasis. Applications in these areas may have higher success rates.

Geographic Alignment is Critical: The foundation's geographic focus is specific to Metro Louisville and two Louisiana parishes. Demonstrate clear service delivery in these areas.

Established Organizations Preferred: The revenue threshold and policy indicate preference for established nonprofits with substantive existing operations rather than startups or emerging organizations.

Recent Grant Examples Show Scale: Major recent grants ($250,000-$300,000) went to established institutions like University of Louisville Foundation and Home of the Innocents, while the median grant of $25,000 suggests smaller, community-based organizations also receive significant support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Fast turnaround is a major advantage: With decisions communicated 3-4 days after quarterly board meetings, applicants can expect outcomes within weeks of deadlines rather than months
  • First-time applicants should make contact first: The foundation explicitly requests pre-application contact for new applicants - use this opportunity to build relationship and confirm fit
  • Meet the $50,000 revenue threshold: This is a hard requirement that eliminates very small or startup organizations from eligibility
  • Focus on education and human services for best alignment: While arts, economic development, and quality of place are funded, education and human/social services receive emphasis
  • Geographic boundaries are clear and enforced: Ensure your organization serves Metro Louisville or the specified Louisiana parishes
  • Avoid excluded categories completely: The foundation is explicit about what it doesn't fund - don't waste time applying if your organization falls into excluded categories (healthcare institutions, private schools, religious congregations, scholarships, etc.)
  • Plan for $10,000+ requests: With a minimum of $10,000 and median of $25,000, this foundation supports substantive projects rather than small grants

References

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