Kloiber Foundation Inc.

## How to Approach the Kloiber Foundation

The Kloiber Foundation is a family-run private foundation in Lexington, Kentucky, with $7.1 million in assets and approximately $452,000 in annual charitable disbursements (FY2024). It focuses exclusively on education technology and STEAM education in the Central and Eastern Kentucky region. Understanding the foundation's highly personal, relationship-driven approach is essential for any prospective applicant.

### Key Strategic Insights

Start with the Teacher Outreach Program (TOP). This is the foundation's primary open grantmaking mechanism. Teachers in Fayette County Public Schools can apply directly for classroom grants to purchase supplies, equipment, and innovative educational tools. The inaugural year (2018-19) funded 43 classrooms across 5 schools with $18,000+, growing to 58 teachers and $21,000+ by 2021.

Align with their technology-in-education thesis. The Kloiber Foundation is not a general-purpose education funder. Every initiative centers on using technology to make learning more engaging. Proposals should demonstrate how technology will directly improve student engagement and learning outcomes.

Emphasize partnership, not just funding. The foundation explicitly states it does not just offer exposure to technology but "guidance and support each step of the way." Applicants who propose collaborative models where the foundation can participate in implementation will be more attractive than those seeking one-time grants.

Leverage the STEAM Lab as a model. The Kloiber Foundation STEAM Lab at the Lexington Public Library (opened March 2022) featuring VR, 3D printers, and audio recording equipment represents their ideal program. Proposals that echo this model of hands-on, innovative technology access for youth will resonate.

Geographic fit matters. While historically focused on Fayette County/Lexington, the 2023 hire of Deborah Slone as eastern Kentucky liaison signals expansion into Appalachian communities. Organizations in eastern Kentucky with education technology needs may find a receptive audience.

## Funding Patterns and Financial Profile

### Financial Overview (FY2024) - Total Assets: $7,119,739 - Revenue: $710,738 (71.6% from asset sales, 28.3% from dividends) - Total Expenses: $546,665 - Charitable Disbursements: $451,993 (82.7% of expenses) - Officer Compensation: $0 (all leadership serves without pay)

### Disbursement Trends The foundation maintains a strong charitable payout ratio, directing over 82% of expenses to program activities. With zero officer compensation, virtually all non-investment expenses flow to charitable purposes. FY2023 saw significantly higher disbursements at $718,294, suggesting some year-to-year variability in grantmaking volume.

### Typical Grant Characteristics - Teacher Outreach Program grants: Typically cover classroom supplies, books, educational technology equipment (Lego Simple Machines, alternative seating, musical instruments), and STEM/STEAM materials. Individual teacher grants likely range from $200-$1,000 based on program totals divided by recipient counts. - Institutional partnerships: Larger commitments like the STEAM Lab at Lexington Public Library and ongoing YMCA partnerships represent significant multi-year investments. - Community event sponsorships: Smaller commitments supporting events like Cinco de Y-O and the Believing in Forever coat drive.

### Revenue Model The foundation's endowment is invested primarily in corporate stocks and bonds, generating reliable dividend income. There is no reliance on external fundraising or contributions (only $308 in FY2024 contributions). This self-sustaining model means the foundation operates independently without donor influence on priorities.

## Peer Comparison

The Kloiber Foundation occupies a distinctive niche among Kentucky education-focused private foundations. Here is how it compares to regional peers:

### Comparable Foundations - The Blue Grass Community Foundation (Lexington, KY): Much larger community foundation with broader grantmaking scope. Unlike the Kloiber Foundation's narrow technology focus, BGCF supports education, arts, health, and environment. Applicants to Kloiber should note its more focused mission. - Toyota Foundation of Fayette County: Corporate foundation with education funding but focused on Toyota-affiliated programs. Kloiber is more accessible to independent educators. - Kentucky Foundation for Women: Similarly sized but focused on feminist art and social change. Demonstrates that small Kentucky foundations can have outsized impact when tightly focused.

### Competitive Advantages for Applicants 1. Niche focus: With few private foundations in Central Kentucky specifically targeting education technology, there is less competition for Kloiber funding than for general education grants. 2. Hands-on engagement: Unlike larger foundations that evaluate on paper, Kloiber staff visit classrooms and build relationships. This favors applicants who can demonstrate authentic engagement. 3. Zero bureaucracy: As a family foundation with no paid officers, decisions are made quickly and personally. No lengthy review committees or multi-stage applications. 4. Growing geographic scope: The expansion into eastern Kentucky (2023) creates new opportunities for underserved Appalachian communities.

### Limitations Compared to Peers - Grant sizes are modest (typically under $1,000 per classroom) - No formal application deadlines or RFP process published online - Limited to education/technology (cannot fund health, environment, or other sectors)

## Recent Activity and Developments

### 2022-2025 Highlights

Kloiber Foundation STEAM Lab (2022-present): The foundation's flagship recent initiative is the STEAM Lab at the Central Branch of the Lexington Public Library, opened March 2022. The lab features VR goggles, an audio recording booth, 3D printers, and other cutting-edge technology. It offers drop-in hours (Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:30-5:30pm, 2nd and 4th Saturdays 10am-12pm) and structured programming including Build Your Own Lightsaber, Green Screen Magic, 3D Puzzles, Musical Fun with Specdrums, and Recording in the Audio Booth. This represents a shift toward public-access technology education beyond the classroom.

Eastern Kentucky Expansion (2023): The hire of Deborah Slone as Director of Public Relations with specific responsibility for the eastern Kentucky region signals strategic expansion beyond Lexington/Fayette County. Slone's background in public service and her ties to southeastern Kentucky position the foundation to serve Appalachian communities.

Continued Teacher Outreach Program: The TOP continued through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to address pandemic-era learning loss. Post-COVID priorities shifted toward reading materials and books as teachers reported students not reading on grade level.

YMCA Partnerships: Ongoing support of YMCA of Central Kentucky programs, including the Power Scholars summer program (630 students served) and the Whitaker YMCA's community events. David Kloiber's 100,000-step fundraiser raised $20,000 for YMCA out-of-school programs.

Website Update (2025): The foundation's website was updated in mid-2025, with the team page refreshed in July 2025, suggesting continued active operations.

### Financial Trajectory Assets grew modestly from $6.96M (2023) to $7.12M (2024), indicating stable endowment management with sustainable disbursement levels.

## Application Tips and Recommendations

### For Teachers in Fayette County Public Schools 1. Download the TOP application from kloiberfoundation.org/top/ and focus your proposal on how technology or innovative tools will directly improve student engagement. 2. Be specific about outcomes. The foundation highlights stories of measurable improvement, such as reduced behavioral referrals from alternative seating. Quantify expected impact. 3. Think creatively. Successful past requests include Lego Simple Machines, steel drum band instruments, alternative seating (wobble stools, scoop chairs), and social-emotional learning books. The foundation rewards teachers who "think outside the box." 4. Request what you actually need. Grants cover both basic supplies and innovative technology. Do not inflate your request but do not undersell your classroom needs either.

### For Organizations Seeking Partnerships 1. Propose a collaborative model. The foundation wants to be involved, not just write a check. Build in roles for foundation staff to participate in program design and implementation. 2. Demonstrate alignment with STEAM education. Your program should center on technology-enhanced learning, ideally for K-12 students. 3. Start with a relationship. Contact the foundation directly through their website (kloiberfoundation.org/contact-us/) before submitting a formal proposal. The foundation is family-run and values personal connections. 4. Show community impact. The foundation prioritizes programs that serve students who would otherwise lack access to technology and innovative learning experiences.

### For Eastern Kentucky Organizations 1. Connect through Deborah Slone, the foundation's eastern Kentucky liaison and Director of Public Relations. 2. Highlight the technology gap in your community and how your proposal addresses access disparities. 3. Propose programming modeled on the STEAM Lab concept, adapted for your community's needs and infrastructure.

### What to Avoid - Do not submit generic education funding requests that lack a technology or innovation component. - Do not propose programs outside the K-12 education space. - Do not request funding for operational costs without direct student impact. - Do not expect large grants; align your budget with the foundation's typical $18,000-$21,000 annual program-level disbursements.