The Barr Foundation's recent giving is overwhelmingly dominated by a large transfer to establish/seed the Charles and Elizabeth Barr Foundation, while remaining grants are modest, locally focused awards in the Louisville area. Outside that one-time endowment move, the foundation consistently supports community-serving organizations: cancer support, youth development, neighborhood social services, local conservation, and Christian ministry. Grants are often repeat awards to the same local nonprofits and to faith-based entities or schools.
Barr Foundation Inc C/o J Mcferran Barr II’s defining recent action was a $5,211,295 transfer to endow The Charles and Elizabeth Barr Foundation, Inc. That move sits alongside a much smaller set of Louisville-area grants that keep community organizations funded through general support and mission support. The pattern points to a foundation that balances long-term institutional continuity with local charitable giving. Beyond the endowment transfer, the foundation’s recent grants include support for youth development, cancer services, neighborhood social service providers, schools, conservation, and Christian ministries. The same organizations often receive more than one award across the latest filings, suggesting an ongoing relationship rather than isolated one-time gifts. Grants to Boy Scouts of America and Gilda’s Club Louisville show support for youth and cancer-related services, while Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Meredith Dunn School, and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve reflect a local community and land-stewardship orientation. Faith-based recipients such as Southeast Christian Church of Jefferson County Kentucky Inc, St Leonard Parish, White House Retreat, and Potters Wheel Inc also appear in the record.
A clear thread in the foundation’s giving is support for community-serving organizations in Louisville. They gave $55,000 to Cabbage Patch Settlement House in 2024 for general support and $35,000 the prior year for the same purpose, showing repeated backing for child- and neighborhood-focused services. Meredith Dunn School also received two general-support grants of $25,000 in 2023 and 2024. Health-related support appears through Gilda’s Club Louisville, which received $60,000 in 2023 and $45,000 in 2024 for general support. Youth development is represented by Boy Scouts of America, with $60,000 in 2023 and $40,000 in 2024. Conservation shows up in grants to Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, including $50,000 in 2024 and $35,000 in 2023 for general support.
Typical grants cluster tightly around a modest mid-range: the p25 is $20,000, the median is $25,000, and the p75 is $50,000. That sits in sharp contrast to one very large 2023 transfer of $5,211,295 for endowment building. The record also shows repeat awards to the same organizations across 2023 and 2024, including multiple general-support grants. Barr Foundation Inc C/o J Mcferran Barr II is not an operating foundation making program-related investments, and the recipient pattern is local rather than national.
$249K
$2M
$2.2M
$298K
Most grants fall between $20K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated by a single very large endowment transfer plus a portfolio of small-to-midsize local grants; several repeat grants to the same organizations, indicating preference for sustaining established local partners rather than broad national giving.
Notable grantees: The Charles and Elizabeth Barr Foundation, Inc., Gilda's Club Louisville, Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, Boy Scouts of America
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in Kentucky, with 90% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Louisville dominates the recipient map, including Boy Scouts of America, Gilda’s Club Louisville, Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Meredith Dunn School, and Potters Wheel Inc. Outside Louisville, the record includes Crestwood, Kentucky through Yew Dell Gardens and St. Louis, Missouri through White House Retreat. All recorded grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients.
The largest recent grant was a $5,211,295 transfer in 2023 to The Charles and Elizabeth Barr Foundation, Inc. It was described as a transfer to endow that foundation.
The grants support community-serving groups in Louisville, including youth development through Boy Scouts of America, cancer support through Gilda’s Club Louisville, child and neighborhood services through Cabbage Patch Settlement House, conservation through Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, and faith-based organizations such as Southeast Christian Church of Jefferson County Kentucky Inc.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including Gilda’s Club Louisville, Boy Scouts of America, Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Meredith Dunn School, Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, Potters Wheel Inc, Cave Hill Heritage Foundation, Yew Dell Gardens, and White House Retreat.
The grant-size distribution is centered in a modest range: p25 is $20,000, the median is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. Most of the non-endowment awards fall within that band.
The foundation gives locally, and 90% of grants go to recipients in Kentucky. Louisville is the main recipient city, with additional grants to Crestwood, Kentucky and St. Louis, Missouri.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREASEY MAHAN NATURE PRESERVE | GOSHEN, KY | $49,807 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 102 SHARES OF MICROSOFT CORP STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $1,643 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $49,686. |
| CABBAGE PATCH SETTLEMENT HOUSE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $49,807 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 102 SHARES OF MICROSOFT CORP STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $2,482 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $49,686. |
| GILDA'S CLUB KENTUCKIANA INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $49,807 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 102 SHARES OF MICROSOFT CORP STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $272 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $49,686. |
| LINCOLN HERITAGE COUNCIL OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $49,757 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 9 SHARES OF MICROSOFT CORP AND 2,846 SHARES OF KENVUE INC STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $2,482 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $49,604. |
| SECOND HOPE MINISTRIES | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEREDITH DUNN SCHOOL | LOUISVILLE, KY | $24,877 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 1,539 SHARES OF KENVUE INC STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $2,159 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $24,716. |
| CABBAGE PATCH SETTLEMENT HOUSE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GILDA'S CLUB LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CREASEY MAHAN NATURE PRESERVE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEREDITH DUNN SCHOOL | LOUISVILLE, KY | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SECOND HOPE MINISTRIES | LOUISVILLE, KY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YEW DELL GARDENS | CRESTWOOD, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WAGS PET THERAPY OF KENTUCKY | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CABBAGE PATCH SETTLEMENT HOUSE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $55,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CREASEY MAHAN NATURE PRESERVE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GILDA'S CLUB LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $45,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEREDITH DUNN SCHOOL | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POTTERS WHEEL INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAVE HILL HERITAGE FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YEW DELL GARDENS | CRESTWOOD, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WHITE HOUSE RETREAT | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CHARLES AND ELIZABETH BARR FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $5,211,295 | 2023 | TRANSFER TO ENDOW THE CHARLES AND ELIZABETH BARR FOUNDATION, INC. |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $60,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GILDA'S CLUB LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $60,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHEAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF JEFFERSON COUNTY KENTUCKY INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2023 | MISSIONS SUPPORT |
| CABBAGE PATCH SETTLEMENT HOUSE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $35,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CREASEY MAHAN NATURE PRESERVE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $35,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YEW DELL GARDENS | CRESTWOOD, KY | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LEONARD PARISH | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEREDITH DUNN SCHOOL | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WHITE HOUSE RETREAT | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAVE HILL HERITAGE FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POTTERS WHEEL INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
CREASEY MAHAN NATURE PRESERVE
$49,807GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 102 SHARES OF MICROSOFT CORP STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $1,643 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $49,686.
CABBAGE PATCH SETTLEMENT HOUSE
$49,807GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 102 SHARES OF MICROSOFT CORP STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $2,482 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $49,686.
GILDA'S CLUB KENTUCKIANA INC
$49,807GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 102 SHARES OF MICROSOFT CORP STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $272 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $49,686.
LINCOLN HERITAGE COUNCIL OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA INC
$49,757GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 9 SHARES OF MICROSOFT CORP AND 2,846 SHARES OF KENVUE INC STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $2,482 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $49,604.
SECOND HOPE MINISTRIES
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEREDITH DUNN SCHOOL
$24,877GENERAL SUPPORTCONTRIBUTED 1,539 SHARES OF KENVUE INC STOCK ON 11/19/25. COST BASIS OF $2,159 REPORTED AS BOOK VALUE; FAIR VALUE OF $24,716.
CABBAGE PATCH SETTLEMENT HOUSE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GILDA'S CLUB LOUISVILLE
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CREASEY MAHAN NATURE PRESERVE
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEREDITH DUNN SCHOOL
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SECOND HOPE MINISTRIES
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YEW DELL GARDENS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WAGS PET THERAPY OF KENTUCKY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CABBAGE PATCH SETTLEMENT HOUSE
$55,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CREASEY MAHAN NATURE PRESERVE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GILDA'S CLUB LOUISVILLE
$45,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEREDITH DUNN SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
POTTERS WHEEL INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAVE HILL HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YEW DELL GARDENS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WHITE HOUSE RETREAT
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CHARLES AND ELIZABETH BARR FOUNDATION INC
$5,211,295TRANSFER TO ENDOW THE CHARLES AND ELIZABETH BARR FOUNDATION, INC.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GILDA'S CLUB LOUISVILLE
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTHEAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF JEFFERSON COUNTY KENTUCKY INC
$50,000MISSIONS SUPPORT
CABBAGE PATCH SETTLEMENT HOUSE
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CREASEY MAHAN NATURE PRESERVE
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YEW DELL GARDENS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST LEONARD PARISH
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEREDITH DUNN SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WHITE HOUSE RETREAT
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAVE HILL HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
POTTERS WHEEL INC
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT