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.   

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In order to apply for grants offered by Blue Grass Community Foundation, all applicants will need to register with the Grant Application Online Portal linked below. 

Click here to access the Applicant Guide for help on registering and navigating the portal. 

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GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR FAYETTE COUNTY

LexGive365 

LexGive365 is a giving circle made up of emerging philanthropists and civic leaders who have a desire to create change in Lexington. LexGive365 members contribute to a charitable fund and meet annually to review nonprofit proposals and vote on nonprofit grant recipients.

The 2026 LexGive365 Community Champions Grant supports grassroots nonprofit organizations serving Fayette County that are deeply rooted in their communities and making a meaningful difference. This competitive grant opportunity is designed for organizations that are trusted by the people they serve and are working to strengthen programs or build capacity in response to local needs.

Application Deadline: February 23, 2026 by 11:59PM

Finalist Presentations: May 20, 2026

Grant Period: May 2026-April 2027

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY 

Inside Out Education Field Trip Grant Program

The Kentucky State Parks Foundation Education Fund at Blue Grass Community Foundation is pleased to offer grants to K-12 schools to support the cost of student field trips to Kentucky’s State Parks and Historic Sites. The goal of the Inside Out Education Field Trip Program is to extend classroom learning and provide immersive field experiences that align with core curriculum objectives. By utilizing Kentucky’s incredible State Park system as a learning laboratory, the program seeks to enhance the traditional classroom experience and maximize student achievement.

Early Childhood Education Literacy Grant

With funding from the MacAdam Early Childhood and Literacy Fund, Blue Grass Community Foundation seeks to increase equitable access to quality pre-K education, early childhood care programs, and/or literacy programs for students in Central Kentucky.  

BGCF has the goal of narrowing the achievement gap by supporting those organizations/programs specifically serving low-income students, students of color, English Language Learners (ELL), and students with special needs.  Qualified charitable organizations serving Central Kentucky are eligible to submit grant proposals that focus on early childhood teaching and learning; professional development for early childhood educators; parent engagement; and literacy-specific programs for learners of all ages, including adults.  Proposals for project support and general operating support will be considered.  Grant awards will range from $2,500 to $10,000, with the option of renewal for one additional year.

Application Deadline:  June 21, 2024
Notification:  August 2024
Grant Period:  August 2024 – July 31, 2026 (with option for renewal of one additional year)

Aging Well in the Bluegrass

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.

Application Deadline: July 6, 2026
Grant Period: August 2026 – July 2028

SUSTAINABLE NEWSROOM INNOVATION GRANTS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN KENTUCKY

Press Forward Blue Grass (PFBG), an initiative of Blue Grass Community Foundation, is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity to support local newsrooms across 16 counties in the Blue Grass Region. PFBG aims to invest in newsroom-driven ideas that strengthen sustainability, deepen community connection, and build lasting operational or editorial capacity for community-serving journalism.

This opportunity is open to non-profit or fiscally sponsored news providers and for-profit* newsrooms engaged in qualifying charitable work. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2026 by 11:59PM
Notification: August 2026
Grant Period: August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027

*For-profit applicants must make a case for the charitable nature of their project, including how their work impacts community education and access to information. For-profit entities will not receive funding for general operations.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR BOYLE COUNTY 

HUDSON-ELLIS GRANTS

The Hudson-Ellis Fund at Blue Grass Community Foundation is accepting applications from tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations for projects and programs that benefit Boyle County residents. The Hudson-Ellis Fund prioritizes public education, as well as programming that improves the quality of life for youth and adults with disabilities or who are economically disadvantaged. Successful proposals will address community needs through projects and programs that demonstrate meaningful impact and sustainability. 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 awards will not exceed $10,000.

Application Deadline: August 17, 2026 by 11:59 pm
Notification: September 2026
Grant Period: September 2026 – June 2027

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR MAGOFFIN COUNTY 

MAGOFFIN COUNTY URGENT NEEDS GRANT

With funding from The Patrick Endowment Fund for Magoffin County, Blue Grass Community Foundation and the Magoffin County Community Fund Advisory Board seek opportunities to respond to significant events and urgent, critical, or unplanned needs in the Magoffin County nonprofit community. These needs can vary – from a community center that loses its air conditioning or a food pantry in need of a new refrigerator, to a service provider facing unbudgeted expenses or sudden loss of funding. When these unexpected events or needs arise, the Magoffin County Urgent Needs Grant can support local nonprofit organizations so they may continue to serve the community.

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