The Sociable Weaver Foundation concentrates large, place-based gifts in Louisville-area civic life with a clear emphasis on public parks/urban green space and arts institutions. It funds a small number of sizable grants — often repeat or multi-part commitments — and uses intermediary community partners (notably the Community Foundation of Louisville) to manage restricted gifts. The foundation’s portfolio shows a preference for institutional operating and restricted support rather than many small awards.
Concentrated giving: few, large grants with repeat funding to select institutional grantees and use of community foundation intermediaries for restricted contributions.
Sociable Weaver Foundation Inc’s largest recent gifts show a pattern of place-based support centered on Louisville civic institutions, with restricted stock contributions to the Community Foundation of Louisville and Parks Alliance of Louisville in 2025. That same pattern appears across earlier years, where the foundation paired large unrestricted or operating gifts with restricted support for local organizations tied to parks, arts, education, and community infrastructure. The foundation’s recent grant history includes repeated commitments to Louisville-area institutions rather than one-time experiments. Kentucky College of Art & Design received multiple $250,000 grants for general or operating support, while Louisville-based cultural and civic organizations such as Portland Museum Inc and Waterfront Park also appear among the larger awards. The grant record suggests a funder that prefers to support established organizations with substantial, often earmarked resources. It also uses intermediary community partners for some grants, including the Community Foundation of Louisville, alongside direct support to nonprofits in Louisville and elsewhere in Kentucky.
Urban parks and public space are a clear focus. Parks Alliance of Louisville received $333,334 in 2023 for program support and $333,333 in 2024 for restricted support, alongside a 2025 restricted stock contribution of $333,453. The arts and design sector also appears prominently. Kentucky College of Art & Design received $250,000 in 2023 for operating support and two $250,000 general support grants in 2024. Community infrastructure and local philanthropy are another theme. The Community Foundation of Louisville received $998,908 in 2025 and $290,752 in 2025, both described as restricted support tied to stock contributions, plus a separate $100,000 restricted support grant in 2024. Louisville Free Public Library Foundation Inc also received $150,000 in restricted support in 2024.
Typical awards are substantial: the p25 grant size is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the p75 is $30,000, while the recent top grants are far larger and often structured as restricted support or stock contributions. The record shows repeat support to the same recipients across multiple years, including several organizations that appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation appears to give through a private foundation structure with discretionary, non-solicited grantmaking rather than a public application process. Its portfolio also includes operating, program, general, and restricted support, with some gifts routed through intermediary community foundations.
$2.6M
$8.7M
$848K
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $5K and $30K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Notable grantees: Community Foundation of Louisville, Parks Alliance of Louisville, Kentucky College of Art & Design, Portland Museum Inc
Grantmaking is strongly concentrated in Kentucky: 77% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and Kentucky is also the top state by grant count. Louisville accounts for many of the larger awards, including grants to Parks Alliance of Louisville, Kentucky College of Art & Design, Waterfront Park, and Louisville Free Public Library Foundation Inc. Outside Louisville, the recent record includes recipients in Clermont, Harlan, and one Indiana organization supporting Kentucky work. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
No. The grantmaking description says grants are awarded on a discretionary basis to selected nonprofit recipients, and the program list states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals.
The foundation gives to nonprofit organizations and community projects, with recent grants to arts institutions, parks and public space organizations, educational institutions, and local philanthropic intermediaries. Its beneficiary profile is nonprofit organizations, including Kentucky-based organizations.
The distribution shows a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $30,000. Recent awards also include much larger commitments, including six-figure and multi-hundred-thousand-dollar grants.
Kentucky is the top state by grant count, and 77% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Louisville appears frequently in the recipient list, indicating a strong local focus within the state.
Repeat support is common. Parks Alliance of Louisville appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Kentucky College of Art & Design appears multiple times across 2023 and 2024; and the Community Foundation of Louisville received more than one grant in 2025, showing an ongoing relationship pattern.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $998,908 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| PARKS ALLIANCE OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $333,453 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $290,752 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| COMMUNITY COORDINATED CHILD CARE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $60,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| GREATER LOUISVILLE SPORTS COMMISSION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PORTLAND MUSEUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOWING SEEDS OF FAITH | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY RESOURCES COUNCIL | FRANKFORT, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD - PPGNHAIK | SEATTLE, WA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - KENTUCKY |
| KENTUCKY RESOURCES COUNCIL | FRANKFORT, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AONE ALLSTARS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $30,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY WATERWAYS ALLIANCE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUNG AUTHORS GREENHOUSE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SPEED ART MUSEUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $28,125 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| FUND FOR THE ARTS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SPEED ART MUSEUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| YOU DECIDE KENTUCKY INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE ELEUTHERA FOUNDATION OF THE US | CLEMSON, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY AUTHOR FORUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $16,667 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INDEPENDENT FEATURE PROJECT | BROOKLYN, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AONE ALLSTARS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WATERFRONT PARK | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNC CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - KENTUCKY |
| DELTA FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PORTLAND MUSEUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| 24 HOUR COMPANY | BROOKLYN, NY | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARKS ALLIANCE OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $7,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| LOUISVILLE STORY PROGRAM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $7,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $6,748 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| UNC CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARKS ALLIANCE OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $6,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| THIRD WORLD NEWSREEL | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY COALITION | LONDON, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR KET | LEXINGTON, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSIC MAKER FOUNDATION | HILLSBOROUGH, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOUISVILLE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK | LOUISVILLE, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION OUTREACH | MIAMI, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WHITNEY STRONG | LOUISVILLE, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NORTON HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| HARLAN COUNTY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | HARLAN, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOSHUA COMMUNITY CONNECTORS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
COMMUNITY COORDINATED CHILD CARE
$60,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
GREATER LOUISVILLE SPORTS COMMISSION
$50,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
PORTLAND MUSEUM
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA
$50,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD - PPGNHAIK
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT - KENTUCKY
AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AONE ALLSTARS
$30,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
KENTUCKY WATERWAYS ALLIANCE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YOUNG AUTHORS GREENHOUSE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SPEED ART MUSEUM
$28,125RESTRICTED SUPPORT
SPEED ART MUSEUM
$25,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$25,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
YOU DECIDE KENTUCKY INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KENTUCKY AUTHOR FORUM
$16,667GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE FOUNDATION
$15,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
AONE ALLSTARS
$10,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
WATERFRONT PARK
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNC CHAPEL HILL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PORTLAND MUSEUM
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
24 HOUR COMPANY
$7,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOUISVILLE STORY PROGRAM
$7,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
UNC CHAPEL HILL
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THIRD WORLD NEWSREEL
$5,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
LOUISVILLE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION OUTREACH
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WHITNEY STRONG
$5,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
HARLAN COUNTY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT