the community foundation of south central kentucky

What the community foundation of south central kentucky does

The Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky (CFSKY) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community foundation founded in 1995 and headquartered at 810 College Street in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It manages a permanent collection of endowment funds and provides philanthropic services to individual donors, families, nonprofit organizations, and professional advisors across ten counties in South Central Kentucky (Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren). The foundation oversees 30 or more named funds, including Donor Advised Funds, Designated Funds, Agency Endowment Funds, Field of Interest Funds, Unrestricted Funds, Operating Funds, Scholarship Funds, and Deferred/Planned Gifts, with a minimum fund size of $25,000.

CFSKY operates on a fee-based revenue model, charging 1% annually in administrative fees on most fund types (and 2% on Field of Interest and Scholarship Funds), assessed quarterly on average fund market value, plus a 0.22% annual investment management fee. Its underlying technology stack includes the FCS Suite donation platform and a grantinterface.com online application portal that supports self-serve giving and grant submission workflows. Since inception, the foundation has awarded more than $1.8 million in grants, with its Women's Fund sub-brand alone awarding $188,000 in 2025, up from $155,000 in 2022. Distribution occurs through a hybrid of direct professional advisor relationships (CPAs, estate attorneys, financial planners), the online donation portal, the Infinity Circle Legacy Society for planned gifts, and the Endow Kentucky Tax Credit Program offering a 20% state tax credit on endowment gifts.

Name

the community foundation of south central kentucky

Legal name

The Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky

Website

https://cfsky.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that manages 30+ endowment and scholarship funds for donors across ten South Central Kentucky counties, charging 1-2% administrative fees on assets and awarding grants to local nonprofits through competitive cycles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAB

Community Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAE

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAA

Private Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYFSAAABAH

Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments)

Financial & Insurance/Asset & Wealth Management/Private Banking & HNW/UHNW Wealth Management

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Charitable fund management
• Donor advised funds
• Endowment administration
• Nonprofit grantmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowling Green

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Administrative Fees on Endowed Funds: The foundation charges administrative fees as a percentage of each fund's market value to support its mission and enhance services to donors and nonprofit organizations. Fees are assessed quarterly based on quarter average of the fund. Unrestricted, Donor Designated, Agency, and Donor Advised Funds are charged 1% annually. Field of Interest and Scholarship Funds are charged 2% annually. Investment management fees are charged separately at 0.22% annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky (CFSKY) is a 501(c)(3) public charity that builds and oversees a permanent collection of endowment funds from individual donors, families, and nonprofit agencies, and redistributes charitable capital through competitive grants to 501(c)(3) organizations across a 10-county region of South Central Kentucky. It offers multiple fund types (Donor Advised, Designated, Agency Endowment, Field of Interest, Unrestricted, Scholarship, Operating, and Deferred/Planned Gifts), pools assets for professional investment management, performs grantee due diligence, and runs dedicated programs such as the Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky and the Infinity Circle legacy society.

Product overview

The Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky (CFSKY) operates as a philanthropic services organization offering a comprehensive suite of charitable fund management products. The core offerings include various fund types (Donor Advised Funds, Designated Funds, Agency Endowment Funds, Field of Interest Funds, Unrestricted Funds, Operating Funds, and Deferred Gifts) that enable donors to achieve multiple charitable objectives. Supporting services include an online grant application system, online donation platform, professional investment management, and due diligence services. CFSKY also manages specialized programs including the Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky (a Field of Interest Fund focused on women and children), the Infinity Circle legacy society for planned giving, and the Endow Kentucky Tax Credit Program. The organization serves Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren Counties in Kentucky.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donor Advised Funds Charitable funds allowing donors or appointed advisers to recommend nonprofit organizations to benefit from their fund over time, providing immediate tax benefits while donors stay involved in grantmaking decisions. For individual donors, families, and philanthropists in South Central Kentucky establishing a charitable fund (minimum $25,000).
• Designated Funds Charitable funds that identify specific nonprofit organizations to receive support; if a designated organization ceases to exist, CFSKY redirects grants to organizations with similar purposes. For donors wanting to permanently benefit chosen nonprofits.
• Agency Endowment Funds Endowment funds established by nonprofit organizations to protect charitable dollars for the future, with CFSKY managing investment and administration on behalf of the agency. For 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking professional stewardship of long-term reserves.
• Field of Interest Funds Charitable funds supporting a broad area of interest (such as health care, education, arts, or environment) where donors specify the field and CFSKY identifies local organizations for maximum impact. For donors who want CFSKY to direct grants to causes rather than specific organizations.
• Unrestricted Funds Charitable funds with no donor restrictions, allowing CFSKY to identify and respond to emerging and changing community needs through the South Central Kentucky Endowment Fund. For donors who trust CFSKY to direct funds to the area of greatest community need.
• Operating Funds Funds established to support and sustain the core operations of CFSKY and help further its mission. For donors who want to underwrite the foundation's day-to-day operations.
• Deferred Gifts (Planned Giving) Planned giving options including bequests, pooled income funds, life estates, charitable lead trusts, or charitable remainder trusts, established in partnership with estate planning professionals. For donors planning future or estate-based gifts to CFSKY.
• Scholarship Funds Named scholarship programs supporting students across South Central Kentucky, including the Martha Ann 'Mom' Deputy Scholarship Fund for refugees and the David B. Moore Scholarship for STEM disciplines. For donors wanting to create named educational scholarships.
• Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky An initiative bringing women philanthropists together to make a positive impact on the lives of women and children through collective grantmaking. Operates as a Field of Interest Fund of CFSKY, with annual membership and a July–August grant cycle; awarded $188,000 in 2025, $171,000 in 2024, $160,000 in 2023, and $155,000 in 2022.
• Infinity Circle Legacy Society Legacy giving program that recognizes individuals who leave charitable gifts to CFSKY through their estate. Minimum $10,000 to add to an existing fund or $25,000 to establish a permanent named fund. For donors planning estate-based gifts.
• Professional Investment Management Service Professional management of all donor funds according to highest accountability standards, with assets pooled for investment management to minimize cost and increase return. Charged at 0.22% annually on a pro-rata basis, billed quarterly. For donors and agencies holding funds at CFSKY.
• Due Diligence and Grant Administration Service Verification of grantee tax-exempt status, completion of grant administration paperwork, and monitoring of grant dollars to ensure optimal use. For donors who want CFSKY to vet and manage grantee relationships on their behalf.
• Competitive Grant Program (Annual Grant Cycle) Annual competitive grant cycle open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving the 10-county BRADD region. Applications submitted via the online Grants Portal at grantinterface.com; cycle opens January 1 and closes March 1. The Women's Fund runs a separate July–August cycle. For nonprofit organizations seeking funding from CFSKY funds.

Quantifiable outcome

• Since grantmaking inception, CFSKY has awarded more than $1.8 million to deserving charities.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Houchens Industries, Inc.flagshipOthersLegacy Partner of CFSKY. Houchens is one of the nation's largest and most diversified ESOPs and has been a leader in philanthropic activity in South Central Kentucky for many years. Believes in giving back to build a better place for employees to work, play and raise children.
• Murphy Construction GroupflagshipOthersLegacy Partner of CFSKY. Co-owner Mike Murphy was named 2026 South Central Kentuckian of the Year along with his wife Mickeye. The Murphy Construction Group had combined revenues exceeding $234M in 2025 and is the premier contractor between Louisville and Nashville along the I-65 corridor.
• American National BankcoreOthersVisionary Partner sponsor of CFSKY and the Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky. Diamond level sponsor for the Women's Fund annual events.
• Vitale Group / BairdcoreOthersVisionary Partner sponsor and Diamond level sponsor of the Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky. The Vitale Group at Baird Wealth Management provides financial support for the foundation's events and programs.
• ForvisMazarscoreOthersVisionary Partner sponsor and Diamond level sponsor of the Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky. Accounting and advisory firm supporting foundation events and programs.
• Foundation Solutions GroupcoreOthersDiamond level sponsor of the Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky. Provides corporate sponsorship support for foundation events.
• Houchens Insurance GroupcoreOthersVisionary Partner sponsor of CFSKY. Part of the Houchens corporate family providing insurance services and philanthropy support in South Central Kentucky.
• Glenview Trust CompanyminorOthersCorporate sponsor of CFSKY and the Women's Fund. Trust company providing financial support for foundation events.
• German AmericanminorOthersPearl level sponsor of the Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky. Banking institution providing financial support for foundation events.
• Pinnacle Financial PartnersminorOthersCorporate sponsor of CFSKY. Financial services firm providing sponsorship support for foundation programs.
• WealthSouthminorOthersCorporate sponsor of CFSKY. Wealth management firm providing financial support for foundation events.
• Stifel, Ridley & HullminorOthersCorporate sponsor of CFSKY. Financial advisory firm providing sponsorship support for foundation programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Blue Grass Community Foundation: Lexington, KY-based community foundation serving Central and Eastern Kentucky with similar fund types (DAFs, scholarship funds, agency endowments) and the same Endow Kentucky tax credit program. Most direct geographic and functional peer.
• Community Foundation of Louisville: Largest community foundation in Kentucky, serving the Louisville metro with the same fund structure, donor services model, and Endow Kentucky participation. Comparable operating model at larger scale.
• Community Foundation of West Kentucky: Paducah-based community foundation serving western Kentucky counties with a comparable regional community foundation model, fund offerings, and Endow Kentucky tax credit participation.

Broad incumbents

• Fidelity Charitable: The largest national donor-advised fund sponsor; competes with CFSKY for the same individual donor dollars but at national scale, with lower minimums and a fully digital UX. Sets the benchmark CFSKY must differentiate against.
• Schwab Charitable: Major national DAF sponsor affiliated with Charles Schwab; competes for the same donor-advised fund market with similar fee structures but a much larger AUM base and integrated brokerage distribution.
• National Christian Foundation: Large national donor-advised fund sponsor with a regional chapter model in Kentucky; competes for high-net-worth DAF dollars with a faith-aligned value proposition.

Others

• Council on Foundations: National membership association for U.S. foundations and corporate giving programs; not a competitor but the primary industry body setting standards and providing peer benchmarking CFSKY operates within.

Emerging players

• Foundation Source: Provider of administrative services for private foundations, including private foundation alternatives; a partial substitute for CFSKY's private-foundation-alternative offering with a national footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CFSKY

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about the community foundation of south central kentucky