Gheens Foundation Grant

The Gheens Foundation is a private charitable foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky, with deep ties to both the Metropolitan Louisville area and the Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana. The Foundation honors the philanthropic legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Gheens by annually contributing around five percent of its total assets to organizations serving these communities. In Louisiana, the Gheens Foundation partners with the Bayou Community Foundation to fulfill its philanthropic goals. The Foundation prioritizes grants that support education and human/social services. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing with the IRS. Public school districts and governmental entities are eligible but must contact the Foundation office directly for portal access. Applicants must demonstrate financial stability with gross unrestricted revenues exceeding $50,000, either in the most recent fiscal year or averaged over the last three years. The Gheens Foundation accepts grant applications on a quarterly cycle, with specific deadlines each year. For 2025, upcoming deadlines include August 7 and November 6. Each deadline corresponds to a Board meeting roughly six weeks later, and applicants are notified of decisions within three to four days of the meeting. Organizations are limited to one application within a twelve-month period. The Foundation does not accept applications on a rolling basis, but it is a recurring grant opportunity. The application process is accessible through the Foundation’s website, and a preview of application questions is available to help organizations prepare. While there is no application fee, organizations are encouraged to participate in the Better Business Bureau Charity Review process, which can boost public confidence and is provided at no cost. Prospective applicants should contact Kathy Knotts at (502) 584-4650 or kathy@gheensfoundation.org for further details. While no specific award amounts or number of awards are published, grants are typically drawn from the Foundation’s annual contribution commitment. Applicants must plan to submit completed applications by the specified deadlines and ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying.

Participation in BBB Charity Review is recommended for public confidence, though not required.