Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative announces $150,000 Better Together grant pool

Grants will be awarded to organizations advancing racial equity and closing Black equity gaps in Fayette County.

The Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative (LBPI), a community-advised committee of Blue Grass Community Foundation, announces a $150,000 total grant pool for nonprofit, local government and educational institutions with innovative programs or projects designed to advance racial equity in Fayette County.

Fayette County organizations are invited to submit proposals for projects that share one or more of the following goals:

• Increase Black economic prosperity
• Close Black racial equity gaps in Lexington
• Increase opportunities for natural area beautification and environmental stewardship in predominantly Black neighborhoods
• Bring people together across racial divides
• Promote racial healing
• Promote equity among all Lexingtonians regardless of race
• Create solidarity among all Lexingtonians across color, origin, and class

Partnerships and collaboration with other agencies on grant proposals is strongly encouraged. Preference will be given to applicant organizations or collaborations that are Black-led.

The $150,000 Better Together grant pool is supported with funding from LBPI, Walton Family Foundation and Blue Grass Community Foundation. LBPI will award six grants of $5,000 for small-scale projects, two grants of $10,000 each for mid-scale projects, and two grants of $50,000 for larger-scale projects. Applicant organizations can submit up to one proposal for each grant tier; however, an applicant is eligible to receive only one grant.

“The purpose of the Better Together Grants is precisely what the Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative was created to do – foster greater economic opportunities and close racial equity gaps,” said Lisa Higgins-Hord, co-chair of the Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative and Vice President for Community Engagement at the University of Kentucky. “We encourage local nonprofit, local government and educational institutions to dream big and imagine how they can help advance racial equity in Fayette County. We look forward to seeing their proposals and the important outcomes their projects will realize for our community.”

The application deadline is June 15, 2022.

To learn more about the grants and how to apply, as well as register for an informational webinar on May 10, 2022 at 2pm, visit www.bgcf.org/BetterTogetherGrants.