Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust
/OVERVIEW: The Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust supports faith, human needs, family, education and vibrant communities in Kentucky.
FUNDING AREAS: Faith, human needs, family, education, vibrant communities
IP TAKE: This foundation has ramped up its grantmaking recently and is an important funder to know in the Paducah area.
PROFILE: Established Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust is a private family foundation that is based Paducah, Kentucky. Ray Eckstein was an attorney who started a river transportation business headquartered in Paducah. The Eckstein couple supported interests in their community and according to their personal values. Founder Ray Eckstein passed away in 2019. The foundation funds local efforts for faith, human needs, family, education and vibrant communities.
The Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust’s faith grants support Catholic and faith-based programs and services. Human needs grants fund basic needs, such as food, shelter, education and healthcare. Family-focused grants are for support service organizations and programs that strengthen families. The foundation supports education through collaborative programs that benefit disadvantaged students. Vibrant community grants support place-based efforts where the trustees and their families have personal interests, such as Paducah, Kentucky. Overall, foundation grants go towards operational needs, programs and projects, capital funding and endowment funds.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $100,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Kentucky and other communities where the family has personal interests. Past local grantees include Hope Unlimited Family Care Center, River Discovery Center and the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center.
This foundation typically accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits that are returning grantees and first-time applicants. It has an online grants application system. There are four funding cycles per year: January, April, July and October. Applicants are notified about grant decisions after the 10th of the months of March, June, September and December. Direct general questions to the staff at info@ecksteincharity.org or 270-534-8930.
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