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.  Interested applicants must register with our Online Application Portal to access the application and apply for a grant. 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 organization that present arts programming and/or arts education programming for the benefit of Fayette County residents.  Applications will be accepted from organizations that have successfully adapted and/or pivoted arts programming in innovative ways during the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis.  BGCF365 seeks to fund organizations profoundly impacted by the pandemic that have responded to the needs of their audiences and communities with safe, creative arts programming that continues to enrich the cultural life of Lexington.  Preference will be given to organizations that promote diversity and demonstrate a commitment to serving people whose options have been historically limited, including low-income populations and people of color.

This will be a competitive grantmaking process.  Grant applications will be reviewed by the BGCF365 Steering Committee and narrowed to five finalists.  Representatives from the top five finalists will be required to present a short presentation to the members of BGCF365 at their virtual annual meeting in January 2021. 

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 awarded for third, fourth, and fifth place. 

All grants awarded will be for unrestricted support.

Deadline to apply:  November 9, 2020 by 5:00 pm (EST)

Click Here to apply for this grant on the BGCF Online Application Portal

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY 

HSG Foundation Mini-Grants 

The mission of the HSG Foundation at Blue Grass Community Foundation is to support new and innovative projects in performing and visual arts in central Kentucky. Organizations that work in the areas of musical arts; visual arts; visual arts in healthcare and arts education are encouraged to apply. Successful proposals will request funding for new and innovative programs/projects that will create a positive impact and inspire others in the arts community.   

Please note that the HSG Foundation is not offering a competitive grant opportunity for 2020. It is anticipated that the grant opportunity will resume in spring of 2021. Please continue to check back for updated details on the 2021 grant cycle. 

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 note that applications are not being accepted for this grant opportunity in 2020. In lieu of the annual competitive grant process, Blue Grass Community Foundation will direct grants, per its discretion, to most effectively respond to the needs that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is anticipated that applications will once again be accepted in summer 2021. Please continue to check back for updated details on the 2021 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 Kentuncky.  

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 will be considered.  

Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Deadline to apply: October 15, 2020 by 5:00 pm (EST)

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.

Please note that the Hudson-Ellis Fund is not offering a competitive grant opportunity for 2020. The Advisory Board of the Hudson-Ellis Fund has elected to direct grants, per its discretion, to be best respond to the needs of Boyle County that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is anticipated that the grant opportunity will resume in spring of 2021. Please continue to check back for updated details on the 2021 grant cycle. 

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