The Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation (KSWF), established in 1948, is a private foundation focused on improving quality of life and economic opportunity for disadvantaged individuals across Kentucky. The Foundation's mission centers on supporting communities affected by poverty, poor health, disability, and inequality. KSWF emphasizes funding initiatives in rural areas, small towns, and other regions with demonstrable economic hardship or special need. The Foundation aligns its giving with values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), seeking to elevate social welfare efforts that treat individuals and communities with dignity and fairness.
KSWF provides grant funding exclusively to established nonprofit organizations that meet its core objectives. Proposals must either expand the scope of a nonprofit's operations or implement new services that are not currently provided by any existing agency. The Foundation will not consider applications for capital campaigns, recurring fund appeals, or ongoing operational expenses. Instead, it seeks to fund innovative and impactful services with a strong emphasis on self-help and community training approaches. Grantees are expected to mirror KSWF’s DEIB values within their own programs and organizational conduct.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet several criteria. First, the organization must be physically located in Kentucky and be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The project must align with KSWF’s stated purpose and objectives. Additionally, applicants must commit to upholding the Foundation’s inclusion statement. While prior grant recipients may apply again, organizations that have received funding within the past two grant cycles are ineligible.
The submission process begins with a Qualifying Questionnaire that determines initial eligibility. Applicants must affirm that their use of funds aligns with the Foundation’s mission, confirm nonprofit status, geographic location, and DEIB alignment, and clarify that the funds will be used for program expansion or the creation of novel services. The questionnaire must be submitted as part of the application process by the announced deadline.
The current grant cycle has a firm application deadline of August 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. While no specific award dates or disbursement timelines are indicated, the application cycle is not rolling, and grants are issued on a recurring basis, typically reviewed annually in the fall. No pre-application deadlines, Q&A sessions, or internal review dates are specified in the available documentation. The Foundation’s postal contact is Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation, ATTN: Administrative Assistant, P.O. Box 1288, Union, Kentucky 41091. The listed phone number is 859-938-2634, and no email address is provided.
KSWF’s grant application process is concise but intentional. Applicants should prepare to demonstrate their program’s relevance to underserved Kentuckians and articulate how their initiative expands service capacity or fills unmet community needs. Grant seekers must follow the guidelines exactly as specified and complete the application thoroughly by the submission deadline to be considered for funding.
