The Whippoorwill Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Whippoorwill Family Foundation is a private foundation in Prospect, Kentucky. In tax year 2024 it gave $886,776 in 42 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $125,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$886,776
- Number of grants42
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$125,000
- Assets$6.7 million
- New grantees29%
Giving in 2024 was down from $948,132 the year before.
29% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $948,132 | 37 | $7.1 million |
| 2024 | $886,776 | 42 | $6.7 million |
How to apply
The Whippoorwill Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Whippoorwill Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to Kentucky. It also paid $32,364 in 2 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 33 | $641,852 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $125,000 |
| New York | 1 | $70,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $5,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $5,000 |
| Maine | 2 | $4,500 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $3,060 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Audubon Society | For general charitable purposes | $125,000 |
| Louisville Orchestra | For general charitable purposes | $118,600 |
| Waterfront Botanical Gardens | For general charitable purposes | $105,000 |
| Metro United Way | For general charitable purposes | $100,000 |
| American Friends of Canadian Nature Inc | For general charitable purposes | $70,000 |
| EVOLVE502 Scholars Foundation | For general charitable purposes | $50,000 |
| Louisville Ballet | For general charitable purposes | $50,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | For general charitable purposes | $36,000 |
| Fund for the Arts | For general charitable purposes | $30,000 |
| Canopy Certified Inc | For general charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Louisville Urban League | For general charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Musee de Charlevoix | For general charitable purposes | $23,821 |
| Bernheim Forest and Arboretum | For general charitable purposes | $17,500 |
| Gilda's Club of Kentuckiana | For general charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Louisville Public Media | For general charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Speed Art Museum | For general charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Centre Ecologique de Port-Au-Saumon | For general charitable purposes | $8,543 |
| Yew Dell Gardens | For general charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Actors Theatre of Louisville | For general charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Derby City Chamber Music Festival | For general charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Earth and Spirit Center | For general charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Filson Historical Society | For general charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park | For general charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Milton Academy | For general charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Philips Exeter Academy | For general charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| University of Louisville Foundation | For general charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Practice Foundation | For general charitable purposes | $3,060 |
| Owsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum Foundation Inc | For general charitable purposes | $2,600 |
| Commonwealth Fund for Ket | For general charitable purposes | $2,500 |
| Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary | For general charitable purposes | $2,500 |
| Kentucky Opera | For general charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| Kentucky Science Center | For general charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust | For general charitable purposes | $2,000 |
| Music for A Purpose | For general charitable purposes | $1,902 |
| Kentucky Aviation Historical Society Inc | For general charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| Kentucky Documentary Photographic Project Inc | For general charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| Kentucky Shakespeare | For general charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| Kmac | For general charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| Louisville Civic Orchestra | For general charitable purposes | $1,000 |
| Alliance Francaise de Louisville | For general charitable purposes | $500 |
Officers and trustees
- Marianne Welch
- J Stirling Welch III
- Maud Welch
- James Welch Jr
- Erin Shinkle
Questions people ask
Does The Whippoorwill Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Whippoorwill Family Foundation give?
$886,776 in tax year 2024, across 42 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs The Whippoorwill Family Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Marianne Welch (President), J Stirling Welch III (Vice President), Maud Welch (Vice President) and James Welch Jr (Treasurer) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does The Whippoorwill Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, arts and culture and education.