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Louisville Water Foundation at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Public charity

Louisville Water Foundation

The Louisville Water Foundation's mission is to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve and around the world by providing water assistance and water education.

$459k
Granted FY2024still arriving
8
Grants FY2024still arriving
1
States reached
$350k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Religion$2.8MEnvironment$629kHuman Services$216kPublic Safety & Disaster$107kInternational$82kEducation$70kYouth Development$55kArts & Culture$30kOther$0
02FY2024 · 8 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $10k–50k7 grants · $105k
  • $250k+1 grant · $350k
$15,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$3.2M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Association of Community Ministries$350,000
The Salvation Army$25,000
Fund for the Arts$15,000
The Parklands of Floyds Fork$15,000
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest$15,000
Water By Women$15,000
Passionist Earth & Spirit Center Inc$10,000
Young Authors Greenhouse$10,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY17–24, $136k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 85% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%American Red Cross: $30k → 14%MULTIPURPOSECOMMUNITYACTIONAGENCYINC: $20k → 9%American Red Cross: $18k → 14%Water By Women: $15k → 15%Water With Blessings Inc: $30k → 15%St Stephen Family Life Center: $23k → 15%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

93%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$3.7M · 13 repeat orgs$265k to everyone else

13 repeat relationships: 7 still active in FY2024, 6 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

13
16

Total granted

$3.7M
$250k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+40%
+52%

Still filing today

92%
94%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 97% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $15k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Human ServicesEnvironmentInternationalReligionArts & CultureEducationOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • MC
    MULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY INC
    6× · 2017–2023 · $154k · revenue +76%
  • WI
    WATERSTEP INC
    4× · 2017–2023 · $105k · revenue +97%
  • TK
    TEACH KENTUCKY INC
    4× · 2017–2021 · $70k · revenue +40%

Funded once

  • OB
    OWSLEY BROWN FRAZIER HISTORICAL ARMS MUSEUM FOUNDATION INCgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $30k · revenue +58%
  • WB
    WATERFRONT BOTANICAL GARDENS INCgraduated
    one grant, 2018 · $25k · revenue +287%
  • LZ
    LOUISVILLE ZOO FOUNDATION INC
    one grant, 2017 · $24k · revenue -1%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Louisville Water Foundation

The Louisville Water Foundation's mission is to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve and around the world by providing water assistance and water education. The Foundation will provide assistance for water…

Environment
2
American Water Works Association

To promote public health, safety, and welfare through the improvement of the quality and quantity of drinking water and the development and furtherance of understanding of the problems relating thereto.

Public Benefit
3
Aqua-Africa Inc

Transform east african communities by providing access to clean well water and water systems.

International
4
America's Watershed Initiative

America's watershed initiative serves as a trusted voice that brings partners together and champions sound science to secure a future in which the rivers and people of the mississippi river watershed thrive.

Human Services
5
Kentucky Center for Economic Policy Inc

To improve the quality of life for all kentuckians through research, education and advocacy on important policy issues facing the commonwealth.

Public Benefit
6
Charleston Waterkeeper

Charleston waterkeeper's mission it to protect and restore charleston's waterways for our community and future generations. we do that through an effective mix of boots-on-the-water stewardship and data-driven advocacy designed to protect…

Environment
7
Well Aware Inc

Well Aware's mission is to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to water scarcity and contamination in East Africa.

International
8
Commerce Lexington Inc

To represent our members, creating the environment and opportunity for economic prosperity and quality living in central kentucky.

—
9
Treeslouisville Inc

Our mission is to improve the health and quality of life for louisville's current and future generations through a robust, equitable and diverse tree canopy.

Community Improvement
10
Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens Inc

The mission is to provide education to the local population on the wonders of our environment.

Environment
11
Lifewater Inc

Lifewater international is a non-profit christian water development organization dedicated to effectively serving vulnerable children and families by partnering with underserved communities to overcome water poverty.

Environment
12
Kentucky Public Radio Inc

Lpm provides independent and courageous news, music and experiences that serve the needs and aspirations of our diverse communities.

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Water Missions International; the most unlike its peers is Shirley's Way Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

28 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 28 of the 30 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
11
Early backer (in before they grew)
28/28
Grantees still filing
21/28
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC: $2,800,000 · ReligionASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC+1 more: $30,000 · ReligionMULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY INC: $154,000 · Human ServicesAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $47,500 · Human ServicesWater By Women: $45,000 · Human ServicesFAMILY LIFE CENTER INC: $23,137 · Human ServicesWATER IS BASIC: $10,000 · Human ServicesTHE SALVATION ARMY: $155,000 · OtherTHE SALVAT…NEW DIRECTIONS HOUSING CORPORATION: $20,000 · OtherUgandan Water Project: $32,400 · OtherUgandan Wa…HEALING WATERS INTERNATIONAL INC: $20,000 · OtherWATER MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL: $20,000 · OtherLouisville Grows Incorporated: $40,000 · OtherLouisville…LOUISVILLE ZOO FOUNDATION INC: $24,000 · OtherLOUISVILLE…21ST CENTURY PARKS INC: $15,000 · Other+6 more: $53,200 · Other+6 moreFUND FOR THE ARTS INC: $145,000 · Arts & CultureOWSLEY BROWN FRAZIER HISTORICAL ARMS MUSEUM FOUNDATION INC: $30,000 · Arts & CultureYOUNG AUTHORS GREENHOUSE INC: $85,000 · EducationTEACH KENTUCKY INC: $70,000 · EducationWATERSTEP INC: $104,771 · Youth DevelopmentISAAC W BERNHEIM FOUNDATION: $40,000 · EnvironmentWATERFRONT BOTANICAL GARDENS INC: $25,000 · EnvironmentPARKS ALLIANCE OF LOUISVILLE INC: $15,000 · EnvironmentKENTUCKY WATERWAYS ALLIANCE INC: $10,000 · Environment
Religion$2,830,000Human Services$279,637Other$379,600Arts & Culture$175,000Education$155,000Youth Development$104,771Environment$90,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC: $2,800,000 over 8y, 32% of budgetMULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY INC: $154,000 over 6y, 1.8% of budgetFUND FOR THE ARTS INC: $145,000 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetWATERSTEP INC: $104,771 over 4y, 3.7% of budgetYOUNG AUTHORS GREENHOUSE INC: $85,000 over 5y, 8.0% of budgetTEACH KENTUCKY INC: $70,000 over 4y, 6.5% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $47,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWater By Women: $45,000 over 2y, 3.2% of budgetISAAC W BERNHEIM FOUNDATION: $40,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetLouisville Grows Incorporated: $40,000 over 2y, 5.2% of budgetUgandan Water Project: $32,400 over 2y, 1.3% of budgetOWSLEY BROWN FRAZIER HISTORICAL ARMS MUSEUM FOUNDATION INC: $30,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetPASSIONIST EARTH & SPIRIT CENTER IN: $30,000 over 2y, 4.3% of budgetWATERFRONT BOTANICAL GARDENS INC: $25,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetLOUISVILLE ZOO FOUNDATION INC: $24,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetHEALING WATERS INTERNATIONAL INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetNEW DIRECTIONS HOUSING CORPORATION: $20,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetWATER MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL: $20,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budget21ST CENTURY PARKS INC: $15,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetShirley's Way Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetKENTUCKY WATERWAYS ALLIANCE INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetWATER IS BASIC: $10,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetKENTUCKY TENNESSEE SECTION OF THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION: $10,000 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetKentucky Chamber Foundation Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetKENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM CORPORATION: $7,200 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetAMERICANA COMMUNITY CENTER INC: $6,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Community Foundat…The Community Foundat…The Gheens Foundation…The Community Foundat…LG&E and Ku Foundatio…Mightycause Charitabl…Honorable Order of Ke…James Graham Brown Fo…Lift a Life Foundatio…Brown-Forman Foundati…V V Cooke Foundation …Sociable Weaver Found…
The Community Foundation of Louisville IncKY38.7× affinity17 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Community Foundation of Louisville Inc · The Community Foundation of Louisville Corporate Depository Inc · The Gheens Foundation Inc · The Community Foundation of Louisville Depository Inc · LG&E and Ku Foundation Inc · Mightycause Charitable Foundation · Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Inc · James Graham Brown Foundation Inc · Lift a Life Foundation Inc · Brown-Forman Foundation · V V Cooke Foundation Corporation · Sociable Weaver Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Louisville Water Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Louisville Water Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    8report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Louisville Water Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Louisville Water Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 30 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Louisville Water’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home