The B J Killian Foundation concentrates its philanthropic support on higher education access, directing funding toward tuition assistance at a community college. Its grantmaking is narrowly focused and appears aimed at supporting local students’ college affordability needs, with repeat support to the same institution. The foundation gives modestly sized awards but with sustained commitment to its chosen grantee.
Highly concentrated: a small number of grants (two) totaling $110,000 all to a single repeat grantee. Funding emphasizes direct tuition/ scholarship support rather than a diversified portfolio of organizations.
B J Killian Foundation’s giving is anchored by a sustained tuition-scholarship relationship with Owensboro Communtiy College, including two $55,000 grants in 2023 and 2024. That pattern fits a foundation that concentrates on higher education access and affordability for local students, rather than spreading support broadly across many fields. The 2024 filing shows $1,080,000 in annual grants against $7,328,613 in assets, with a typical grant size around $20,000. Beyond the community college awards, the foundation has also supported Kentucky Wesleyan College and Brescia University, both in Owensboro, along with Washington University in St. Louis through designated support. Its recent giving also reaches local youth, arts, and family-serving organizations, but the college-access thread remains the clearest throughline. The repeated support to the same institution suggests a deliberate, ongoing commitment to tuition assistance rather than one-off project funding.
Higher education access is the clearest theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $55,000 to Owensboro Communtiy College for tuition scholarships, following a matching $55,000 grant in 2023 for the same purpose. It also supported Kentucky Wesleyan College with $30,000 in 2023 for field-endowed support and $30,000 in 2024 for designated field support. Arts education appears as a separate thread: Riverpark Center received $20,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for the Arts Teaches Kids program. The foundation also backed Governor's School for the Arts C/o the Kentucky Center with $20,000 in both years, showing a recurring interest in arts learning opportunities.
Typical awards cluster tightly around the same range: p25 is $15,000, median is $20,000, and p75 is $21,250. The grant list also shows a few larger, recurring commitments, including $55,000 awards and several $30,000 gifts. The pattern is repeat support rather than isolated giving: Owensboro Communtiy College, Riverpark Center, Girls Inc, Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club, Owensboro Family YMCA, and Governor's School for the Arts all appear in multiple years. The foundation’s profile indicates designated and restricted support as well as scholarship-oriented giving.
$510K
$7.7M
$762K
$597K
Most grants fall between $15K and $21K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$21K
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Notable grantees: Owensboro Community College
Giving is highly concentrated in Kentucky, which accounts for 96% of grants. Owensboro appears repeatedly across the recipient list, including Owensboro Communtiy College, Senior Center Owensboro, Apollo High School Robotics-engineering Academy, and Riverpark Center. Bowling Green and Louisville also appear among Kentucky recipients, while Frankfort and Lexington each receive support as well. Outside Kentucky, the foundation made a $30,000 grant to Washington University in St. Louis in Missouri. All grants in the recent list went to U.S. recipients.
The foundation concentrates on higher education access and affordability, especially tuition assistance tied to Owensboro Communtiy College. Its recent grants also include support for Kentucky Wesleyan College and Brescia University, showing a strong education-centered pattern.
Typical awards are modest and consistent: the 25th percentile is $15,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $21,250. Recent grants also include repeated $55,000 awards to Owensboro Communtiy College.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Owensboro Communtiy College, Riverpark Center, Girls Inc, Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club, Owensboro Family YMCA, and Governor's School for the Arts. That pattern points to repeated support rather than one-time grants.
Kentucky is the primary giving state, accounting for 96% of grants. Recent Kentucky recipients include organizations in Owensboro, Bowling Green, Louisville, Frankfort, and Lexington.
Recent grants also support arts education, youth services, and community-serving organizations. Examples include Riverpark Center for the Arts Teaches Kids program, Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club, Owensboro Family YMCA, Girls Inc, Senior Center Owensboro, and the Help Office.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OWENSBORO COMMUNITY COLLEGE | OWENSBORO, KY | $55,000 | 2026 | TUITION, ROBOTICS PROGRAM, |
| SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER | OWENSBORO, KY | $35,000 | 2026 | MEALS ON WHEELS, GENERAL |
| APOLLO HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS-ENGINEERING ACADEMY | OWENSBORO, KY | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (STLOUIS) | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR NANCY WILSON |
| KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE | OWENSBORO, KY | $30,000 | 2026 | FOR C E FIELD ENDOWED |
| GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS C/O THE KENTUCKY CENTER | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HELP OFFICE OF OWENSBORO INC | Owensboro, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WKU STUDENT LIFE FOUNDATION | Bowling Green, KY | $22,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, GENERAL |
| GIRLS INC | OWENSBORO, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CASA OF OHIO VALLEY INC | OWENSBORO, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| KET | LEXINGTON, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | MATCHING GIFT CIR, |
| CLIFF HAGAN BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | OWENSBORO, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| RIVERPARK CENTER | OWENSBORO, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | ART TEACHES KIDS PROGRAM |
| Owensboro Family YMCA | Owensboro, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OASIS | OWENSBORO, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| Daniel Pitino Shelter | Owensboro, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST BENEDICT JOSEPH'S SHELTER | OWENSBORO, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | YOUR KIDS PROGRAM |
| J H NEBLETT COMMUNITY CENTER INC | Owensboro, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OWENSBORO SCIENCE MUSEUM | OWENSBORO, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BOULWARE MISSION INC | OWENSBORO, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OWENSBORO YOUTH SYMPHONY | OWENSBORO, KY | $10,000 | 2026 | YOUR KIDS PROGRAM |
| NEW BEGINNINGS | OWENSBORO, KY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GOODFELLOWS CLUB OF OWENSBORO | OWENSBORO, KY | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| Hospice of Western Kentucky | Owensboro, KY | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THEATRE WORKSHOP OF OWENSBORO | OWENSBORO, KY | $7,500 | 2026 | YOUR KIDS PROGRAM |
| OWENSBORO COMMUNTIY COLLEGE | OWENSBORO, KY | $55,000 | 2025 | TUITION SCHOL 12500 / |
| APOLLO HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS-ENGINEERING ACADEMY | OWENSBORO, KY | $35,000 | 2025 | C E GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER | OWENSBORO, KY | $35,000 | 2025 | FOR MEALS ON WHEELS |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (STLOUIS) | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR NANCY WILSON |
| KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE | OWENSBORO, KY | $30,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR FIELD |
| GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS C/O THE KENTUCKY CENTER | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OFFICE OF OWENSBORO | Owensboro, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WKU STUDENT LIFE FOUNDATION | Bowling Green, KY | $22,500 | 2025 | SCH FD 7500/GEN CHARITABLE |
| Owensboro Family YMCA | Owensboro, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| KET | LEXINGTON, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GIRLS INC | OWENSBORO, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OWENSBORO RIVERPARK CENTER | OWENSBORO, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CLIFF HAGAN BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | OWENSBORO, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CASA OF OHIO VALLEY INC | OWENSBORO, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| H L Neblett Community Center Inc | Owensboro, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OASIS | OWENSBORO, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| Daniel Pitino Shelter | Owensboro, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BOULWARE MISSION INC | OWENSBORO, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OWENSBORO SCIENCE MUSEUM | OWENSBORO, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST JOSEPH'S PEACE MISSION | OWENSBORO, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NEW BEGINNINGS | OWENSBORO, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OWENSBORO YOUTH SYMPHONY | OWENSBORO, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GOODFELLOWS CLUB OF OWENSBORO | OWENSBORO, KY | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| Hospice of Western Kentucky | Owensboro, KY | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THEATRE WORKSHOP OF OWENSBORO | OWENSBORO, KY | $7,500 | 2025 | YOUR KIDS PROGRAM |
OWENSBORO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$55,000TUITION, ROBOTICS PROGRAM,
SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER
$35,000MEALS ON WHEELS, GENERAL
APOLLO HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS-ENGINEERING ACADEMY
$35,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS C/O THE KENTUCKY CENTER
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
WKU STUDENT LIFE FOUNDATION
$22,500SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, GENERAL
GIRLS INC
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CASA OF OHIO VALLEY INC
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
KET
$20,000MATCHING GIFT CIR,
RIVERPARK CENTER
$20,000ART TEACHES KIDS PROGRAM
Owensboro Family YMCA
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ST BENEDICT JOSEPH'S SHELTER
$15,000YOUR KIDS PROGRAM
J H NEBLETT COMMUNITY CENTER INC
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OWENSBORO SCIENCE MUSEUM
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
BOULWARE MISSION INC
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OWENSBORO YOUTH SYMPHONY
$10,000YOUR KIDS PROGRAM
NEW BEGINNINGS
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
GOODFELLOWS CLUB OF OWENSBORO
$7,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
Hospice of Western Kentucky
$7,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THEATRE WORKSHOP OF OWENSBORO
$7,500YOUR KIDS PROGRAM
OWENSBORO COMMUNTIY COLLEGE
$55,000TUITION SCHOL 12500 /
APOLLO HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS-ENGINEERING ACADEMY
$35,000C E GENERAL CHARITABLE
SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER
$35,000FOR MEALS ON WHEELS
GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS C/O THE KENTUCKY CENTER
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OFFICE OF OWENSBORO
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
WKU STUDENT LIFE FOUNDATION
$22,500SCH FD 7500/GEN CHARITABLE
Owensboro Family YMCA
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
KET
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
GIRLS INC
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OWENSBORO RIVERPARK CENTER
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CASA OF OHIO VALLEY INC
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OASIS
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
BOULWARE MISSION INC
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OWENSBORO SCIENCE MUSEUM
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ST JOSEPH'S PEACE MISSION
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
NEW BEGINNINGS
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OWENSBORO YOUTH SYMPHONY
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
GOODFELLOWS CLUB OF OWENSBORO
$7,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
Hospice of Western Kentucky
$7,500GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THEATRE WORKSHOP OF OWENSBORO
$7,500YOUR KIDS PROGRAM