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Absher Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.7M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,000,000+ (estimated based on recent awards)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $659,000
  • Geographic Focus: White County, Illinois (hyperlocal focus)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 311, Carmi, IL 62821-0311

Phone: (618) 384-5500

Website: www.absherfoundation.com (currently experiencing technical issues)

Managing Director: Amber Carney

EIN: 83-2527679

Overview

The Absher Charitable Foundation was established in 2019 through the philanthropic vision of Jane Absher and her late son Ron Absher. The foundation's mission is to "make White County a better place to live through charitable support of initiatives that advance healthcare and education." Since its founding, the foundation has distributed over $4.8 million in scholarships to graduating seniors at Carmi-White County High School (CWCHS) and Norris City-Omaha-Enfield High School (NCOE), and has made substantial investments in local healthcare infrastructure and emergency services. The foundation is rooted in the legacy of Henry and Jane Absher, who built successful businesses in auto sales and oil industries despite humble beginnings, embodying the values of hard work and community giving. Jane Absher passed away in May 2022 at age 98, but the foundation continues her family's commitment to White County through the leadership of Managing Director Amber Carney.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through strategic partnerships and direct funding initiatives rather than traditional grant programs:

Scholarship Programs: $24,000 or $48,000 per student awarded annually to CWCHS and NCOE graduating seniors. Between 2021-2025, the foundation awarded over $4.8 million in scholarships.

Dual Credit Program: Nearly $600,000 pledged over five years to fund dual credit courses at the Stanford D. Williams Career and Training Center through Southeastern Illinois College. Students completing both certificates receive an additional $1,000 check plus two workplace-ready credentials.

Healthcare Infrastructure: Major capital investments including $659,000 for two new ambulances for White County Ambulance Service and funding for the Absher Family Health Center in partnership with Ferrell Hospital and Deaconess Hospital Foundation.

Emergency Services Support: $220,000 to Carmi Fire Department for specialized firefighting equipment including vehicles and a Can Am Defender side-by-side with water tank for hard-to-reach areas.

Priority Areas

Education: Scholarships for high school seniors, dual credit vocational programs, workforce development initiatives that benefit local industry

Healthcare: Healthcare facility construction and infrastructure, emergency medical services, ambulance services, partnerships with hospitals

Community Infrastructure: Fire departments, emergency services equipment, programs that directly benefit White County residents

What They Don't Fund

The foundation exclusively focuses on White County, Illinois initiatives. There is no evidence of funding outside this geographic area or for purposes unrelated to healthcare and education.

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Jane Absher (1923-2022) and her late son Ron Absher (d. 2019)

Managing Director: Amber Carney, who oversees grant-making decisions and represents the foundation in the community. Carney has emphasized the foundation's commitment to community wellbeing, stating about the ambulance service grant: "We need to keep the ambulances in a good running condition, and so it should be a comfort to everybody in the county."

Family History: The foundation represents the legacy of Henry (1918-2001) and Jane Absher, who were both raised in southeast White County. Henry graduated from Carmi High School in 1936, while Jane was unable to attend high school due to lack of school bus service in rural areas. Despite these humble beginnings, they built successful businesses in automotive sales and oil industries. Their son Ron worked in the family businesses and shared their work ethic and philanthropic values.

Structure: Classified as a private non-operating foundation, established in 2019 (IRS ruling year).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Absher Charitable Foundation operates through strategic partnerships with local institutions and makes grants based on trustee discretion. The foundation identifies needs within White County and proactively funds initiatives that align with its mission.

How grants are awarded: The foundation works through established partnerships with:

  • Local high schools (CWCHS and NCOE) for scholarships
  • Southeastern Illinois College for dual credit programs
  • Healthcare institutions (Ferrell Hospital, Deaconess) for healthcare initiatives
  • Emergency services (fire departments, ambulance services) for equipment needs

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has a hyperlocal focus on White County, Illinois, and appears to identify funding opportunities through:

Existing community relationships: The foundation has worked with Managing Director Amber Carney to identify critical needs. Organizations that have received funding include established community institutions like local school districts, the White County Ambulance Service, and Carmi Fire Department.

Healthcare partnerships: The foundation has strong ties to Ferrell Hospital and Deaconess Hospital Foundation. Jane Absher served on the Deaconess Foundation Board for over 30 years, suggesting the foundation values multi-year relationships with healthcare organizations.

Community visibility: The foundation has participated in local radio interviews (WROY/WRUL Radio's "Open Line" program with Amber Carney), suggesting openness to community engagement and awareness of local needs.

Geographic limitation: Only White County, Illinois organizations should consider approaching this funder, as all documented grants have been to organizations within this county.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation appears to make decisions on an as-needed basis rather than following fixed grant cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. There is no public application process, so traditional success rates are not applicable.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grant-making.

Application Success Factors

Since the Absher Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations seeking funding should focus on:

White County focus: The foundation exclusively supports White County, Illinois initiatives. Every documented grant has benefited White County residents.

Healthcare and education alignment: All grants must clearly advance healthcare or education in White County, reflecting the foundation's stated mission to "make White County a better place to live through charitable support of initiatives that advance healthcare and education."

Long-term community impact: The foundation has made multi-year commitments (five-year agreement with SIC for dual credit program) and major capital investments (ambulances, health center, fire equipment), suggesting preference for sustainable, lasting impact.

Workforce development: The foundation values programs that build local workforce capacity, as evidenced by the dual credit credentials program designed to "help local industry remain strong."

Emergency preparedness: Multiple grants to fire departments and ambulance services demonstrate commitment to community safety infrastructure, particularly important since White County lacks a hospital.

Partnership approach: The foundation works collaboratively with established institutions rather than funding individual organizations in isolation. The health center involved coordination between the Absher Foundation, Ferrell Hospital, and Deaconess Foundation.

Recognition of family legacy: The Absher Family Health Center was named in honor of the family, suggesting the foundation may be open to naming opportunities that appropriately honor the Absher family's commitment to White County.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction: Only White County, Illinois organizations are eligible; the foundation has an exclusively hyperlocal focus
  • No public application process: The foundation identifies and approaches organizations rather than accepting applications; focus on building visibility within White County
  • Mission alignment is critical: Projects must clearly advance healthcare or education to align with the foundation's specific mission
  • Think big: Recent grants have been substantial ($220,000-$659,000 for major projects), suggesting the foundation is interested in significant community impact
  • Long-term partnerships valued: The foundation has made multi-year commitments and works with established community institutions
  • Workforce development appeals: Programs that benefit both students and local industry have received major support
  • Contact Amber Carney: As Managing Director, she is the key contact for any inquiries about potential partnership opportunities

References

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