Charles & Jack Fund for LGBTQ+ Advancement in Kentucky and Indiana

The Charles and Jack Fund for LGBTQ+ Advancement is a grantmaking initiative administered by the Community Foundation of Louisville. The fund supports nonprofit organizations that create inclusive, supportive, and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ youth under the age of 24. This opportunity reflects the Foundation’s broader mission to empower local communities through targeted philanthropic investments, with a specific focus on equity and youth well-being. The grant provides financial support of up to $20,000 per award, with flexible spending permitted—funds may be used for any organizational purpose aligned with the goal of supporting LGBTQ+ youth. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for organizations that need general operating support or funding for innovative programming that may not fit into more restrictive grant categories. The initiative is designed to acknowledge and uplift the efforts of organizations that have a measurable or aspirational impact on LGBTQ+ young people in their respective communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and charitable projects that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Geographic eligibility is limited to the state of Kentucky and the Metro Louisville area, which includes not only Jefferson County, Kentucky but also Clark, Floyd, and Harrison Counties in Indiana. This targeted geographic scope ensures that funding is directed to communities with strong local relevance while acknowledging the cross-state character of Metro Louisville. The application process offers a flexible and accessible submission model. Applicants may either complete a written response or submit a self-produced voice memo. There is no requirement to spend money or significant resources on production, and simplicity is encouraged. The application is designed to help the Foundation and an Advisory Committee—composed of community leaders with lived and learned experiences—understand the organization’s work and its actual or intended impact on LGBTQ+ youth. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, July 28, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. While the opening date is not explicitly stated, the grant is currently open and accepting applications. The program is not rolling, but based on its prior occurrences and the description, it is understood to recur annually. Thus, the next expected cycle is July 2026. Justin Hogan, Program Officer for Economic Equity, is the main point of contact for this grant and is available to support applicants throughout the process. He can be reached at JustinH@cflouisville.org or by phone at 502-855-6954. This funding opportunity aims to build community capacity and sustain programming that affirms LGBTQ+ youth in environments where they are often marginalized. The Community Foundation of Louisville encourages organizations that meet the eligibility criteria and align with the fund’s purpose to apply, particularly those with a direct and positive impact on youth empowerment, inclusion, and mental wellness.

Applicants are encouraged not to spend money or significant time producing recordings. Keeping it simple is preferred.