The Gheens Foundation was established in 1957 by C. Edwin and Mary Jo Gheens to continue their lifelong interests in education and human services. Mr. Gheens, a Louisville native whose father and uncle were successful wholesale grocerers, was the owner of a large candy manufacturing company in Louisville. The family also owned a working ranch in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, which was rich in mineral resources.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gheens were leaders in their church and active in other philanthropic, educational and cultural endeavors in Louisville. After Mr. Gheens’ death in 1961, Mrs. Gheens selected several friends to serve as trustees who continued to direct the work of the Foundation after her death in 1982. At that time, foundation assets were valued at approximately $23,000,000.
Today, the trustees oversee approximately $8 million in grants annually. Grants support primarily public urban education, human and social services, quality of place, and the arts. The Foundation has distributed over $148,000,000 in charitable grants since its inception.