Dig Deeper Foundation Inc.

The Dig Deeper Foundation is a rapidly growing corporate family foundation tied to Newman Tractor LLC. With $44M in assets but only $484K in 2024 giving, the foundation is significantly underspending relative to IRS requirements and its own capacity — meaning a substantial expansion of grantmaking is likely in 2025-2026. Organizations seeking funding should be faith-aligned or faith-compatible, focused on food security, Appalachian community development, or humanitarian causes, and ideally operating in the Kentucky-Ohio-Florida corridor where Newman Tractor has business operations. The most effective approach is through local faith community networks in Northern Kentucky or the greater Cincinnati area. The Newman family philosophy centers on using business profits to help others after taking care of employees and customers, so framing proposals around tangible community impact and resource efficiency will resonate. The foundation's DIGDeeper brand emphasizes going beyond surface-level charity into sustainable community transformation. With only 11 grants in 2024, this is a small-portfolio funder where each relationship matters significantly.

The Dig Deeper Foundation was established in 2019 with modest assets (~$3M) and has grown explosively to $44.4M after a $36M contribution in 2024 — almost certainly from Newman Tractor LLC profits. In 2024, the foundation distributed $484,000 across 11 grants (average ~$44K), representing 94.3% of total expenses ($534K). Revenue reached $36.4M while expenses were only $534K, resulting in massive asset accumulation. The grant range spans $5,000 to $255,000, with concentration in four categories: (1) Faith-based organizations — First Church of Christ Burlington, KY ($255,000, the largest single grant); (2) Food security — Master Provisions, a Northern Kentucky food bank ($100,000); (3) Appalachian ministries — Project 5-2 Ministry serving eastern Kentucky ($50,000); (4) Youth/family services — A Special Wish Ohio Valley ($25,000). All four officers (Richard, Susan, Justin, and Meredith Newman) serve without compensation. The foundation has zero liabilities. With current assets of $44M, the IRS 5% minimum distribution requirement would be approximately $2.2M — roughly 4.5x the current giving level — suggesting a major grantmaking expansion is imminent.

The Dig Deeper Foundation is unusual among Kentucky peer foundations in several ways. Its $44M asset base places it in the upper tier, yet its $484K annual giving is far below peers of similar size. This payout gap is temporary — the massive 2024 contribution that grew assets from ~$8.5M to $44M has not yet translated into proportional grantmaking. When giving ramps to meet the IRS 5% minimum (~$2.2M), it will rank among Kentucky's most significant faith-oriented funders. Unlike community foundations with broad mandates and open application cycles, the Dig Deeper Foundation operates as a family-controlled vehicle with a focused faith-based and food security mission tied to the Newman Tractor business footprint.

In fiscal year 2024, the Dig Deeper Foundation underwent a transformative year. The foundation received $36 million in contributions (presumably from Newman Tractor LLC), growing total assets from approximately $8.5 million to $44.4 million. Despite this massive infusion, grantmaking remained relatively modest at $484,000 across 11 awards — suggesting the Newman family is building capacity for larger future distributions. Key 2024 grants include: First Church of Christ in Burlington, KY ($255,000 — the foundation's largest single award, likely the Newman family's home church); Master Provisions in Florence, KY ($100,000 — a faith-based food bank serving the KY/OH/IN tristate region with 121,000 meals per month); Project 5-2 Ministry in West Chester, OH ($50,000 — Christian ministry delivering food, clothing, and Bibles to Appalachian communities); and A Special Wish Ohio Valley in St. Clairsville, OH ($25,000 — granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses). The foundation's geographic footprint expanded to 10 states in 2024, up from a Kentucky-Ohio concentration in prior years. All four Newman family officers continue to serve without compensation. The foundation's listed website (digdeeper.org) actually belongs to the Christian Campus House at University of Central Missouri — an unrelated campus ministry — and is not the foundation's own site.

1. Demonstrate faith alignment — The foundation's grantee portfolio is overwhelmingly faith-based. Organizations with a Christian mission or faith-compatible charitable purpose will have the strongest fit.

2. Focus on tangible community impact — Every 2024 grantee delivers direct, measurable services: meals distributed, wishes granted, supplies delivered. Frame your proposal around concrete outcomes, not abstract program descriptions.

3. Operate in the Newman Tractor footprint — Kentucky, Ohio, and Florida are primary territories. Grants to organizations in these states predominate. If you operate in CO, GA, IA, IL, LA, TX, or UT, you may also be in scope given the 2024 geographic expansion.

4. Leverage Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati networks — The Newman family is deeply embedded in the Northern Kentucky business and faith community. Connections through local churches, chambers of commerce, or community organizations in Boone, Kenton, or Campbell counties are the most direct pathway.

5. Highlight food security or Appalachian service — Two of four known grantees focus on food insecurity or Appalachian poverty. Organizations addressing these needs in the tristate region are well-positioned.

6. Prepare for growth — With $44M in assets and only $484K in current giving, the foundation must substantially increase distributions to meet IRS requirements. Organizations that build relationships now will be positioned to benefit from an expected 4-5x increase in grantmaking.

7. Keep proposals concise and mission-driven — This is a family foundation with no professional grant staff. A clear 1-2 page letter describing your mission, impact, budget, and specific funding request will be more effective than lengthy proposals.