Apply for a Grant

Grantmaking is at the hub of what we mean when we say 
“We’re in it for GOOD.”  

Giving good back to the community through grantmaking is how we fulfill our mission. BGCF and its affiliates award more than $400,000 competitive grant making dollars each year to organizations serving the needs of communities in Central and Appalachia Kentucky. 

Below is a list of annual grant opportunities made possible by various funds at Blue Grass Community Foundation.  Please contact Kristen Tidwell with any questions. 

To stay updated on BGCF grant opportunities, sign up for GrantStation Insider – a free, weekly e-newsletter with links to national and local grant opportunities, as well as useful, current news for Kentucky nonprofits.   

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR FAYETTE COUNTY

BGCF365 

BGCF365 is a giving circle made up of emerging philanthropists and civic leaders who have a desire to create change in Lexington. BGCF365 members contribute to a charitable fund and meet annually to review nonprofit proposals and vote on nonprofit grant recipients.

BGCF365 is currently accepting proposals from tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that work to provide healthy neighborhoods for residents of Fayette County. Factors that contribute to the health of the neighborhood include, but are not limited to, safety and physical environment; food access; transportation; access to healthcare and other institutional services; and social connectedness.  Successful proposals will specifically address disparities in resources and conditions among neighborhoods in Fayette County.  Proposals and organizations must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.   Proposals for project/program or operating support will be accepted. 

This is a competitive grantmaking process. Grant applications will be reviewed by the BGCF365 Steering Committee and narrowed to five finalists. Representatives from the top five grant contenders will be required to present a short (maximum 10 minutes) presentation to the members of BGCF365 at their annual meeting in January 2022.  Grants will be awarded based on membership votes. The first and second place winners will receive $10,000 and $7,500 respectively.  Prizes of $2,500 will be given for third, fourth and fifth place. All grants awarded will be for unrestricted support.  

Deadline to Apply:  November 1, 2021

Click here for more information about how to apply to for this grant opportunity. 

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY 

Early Childhood Education & Literacy Grants 

Qualified charitable organizations serving Anderson, Bourbon, Fayette, Franklin, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott and/or Woodford Counties are eligible to apply for funding for projects that focus early childhood education and/or literacy (including programs for English Language Learners).

Please continue to check back for updated details regarding the 2021 – 2022 grant cycle.

Support for the Aging Community in Central Kentucky 

With funding from the Beulah S. Mays Charitable Endowment, Blue Grass Community Foundation seeks to provide support to nonprofit organizations that are directly serving older adults in Central and Eastern Kentucky.  

The Community Foundation is focused on supporting organizations that specifically serve individuals impacted by the challenges of aging and age-related diseases. Special consideration will be given to those organizations addressing the needs of older adults suffering from dementia-related diseases and their caregivers; as well as those organizations whose services benefit underserved populations, including low-income individuals and people of color. This opportunity is made available exclusively to those nonprofits and agencies whose primary mission is focused on the aging community, dementia, and other age-related issues. 

Proposals for project support, as well as general operating support are typically considered.

The application for this grant opportunity will be made available in early 2022. Please continue to check back for updated details regarding the upcoming grant cycle.

Woodford County Community Fund Grant

The Woodford County Community Fund seeks applications for grants that stimulate and support innovative projects, programs, or partnerships that contribute to enhancing diverse components of the quality of life in Woodford County.  WCCF will award grants to support ideas arising from a recent survey of Woodford County residents. Successful proposals will address community needs through projects and programs that demonstrate sustainable impact and measurable outcomes.  Following an initial review by the Woodford County Community Fund, the community will be invited to weigh-in and help select the final grant recipients.  Grant awards will be up to $2,500 depending on the availability of funds.

The submission deadline for the 2021-2022 grant cycle has passed. Recipients of the 2021-2022 grant cycle will be selected and announced in Fall 2021. Please continue to check back for updates.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR BOYLE COUNTY 

Hudson-Ellis Grants 

Qualified charitable organizations serving Boyle County are eligible to apply for funding for projects for the good of Boyle County. Funding priorities for this grant opportunity include public education and services for disadvantaged and/or disabled youth and adults. Successful proposals will address community needs through projects and programs that demonstrate sustainable impact and measurable outcomes. The Hudson-Ellis competitive grantmaking program is made possible through the generosity of Lottie B. Ellis and other donors who established funds through bequests for the good of Boyle County. Grant request amount should not exceed $10,000.

The 2021-2022 grant cycle is now closed. The application for the 2022-2023 cycle will be available in summer of 2022. Please check back for more details on the guidelines and application deadline.

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