Kentucky Education Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions for initiatives that improve earthquake safety and awareness across multiple states or nationally.

This grant provides financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to small businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky, helping them with various business improvement expenses.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

This grant is specifically for new planning grant applicants and is part of the AmeriCorps federal agency. Applications and planning grant proposals are submitted to Serve Kentucky, which acts as a conduit for these federal funds. The application process is twofold, beginning outside the federal eGrants system, with Serve Kentucky reviewing, modifying, and approving applications before they are entered into eGrants​​.

The Neighborhood Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Program is to assist property owners, businesses, and organizations in the implementation of projects that serve to improve water quality through innovation and education throughout Fayette County. Donor Name: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government State: Kentucky County: Fayette County (KY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Incentive Grant Program is funded by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Water Quality Management Fee (WQMF) and is administered by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ). The main goal of the Incentive Grant Program is the improvement of surface water quality in Fayette County. To accomplish this goal, the program provides financial assistance for projects that meet the following objectives: Improve water quality in the impaired streams through pollutant reduction or other means; Address stormwater concerns on existing, developing, or redeveloping parcels; Reduce stormwater runoff and flooding; or Provide public or private education related to these items. Funding Information Projects may be funded up to $120,000 with a required 20% cost share of total project cost in cash or in-kind donation. The maximum grant award is $45,000. Grant Period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligible Expenses  Eligible expenses must be project-specific invoiced or cash expenditures. Examples include: Materials and Supplies Rental Equipment Consulting Fees Construction Costs Teacher Stipends Permitting Fees. Eligible Projects  Projects must fulfill at least one of the following goals: Install a feature that serves to improve water quality; Involve citizens in activities to improve water quality, reduce water pollution etc.; Educate citizens about water quality and stormwater-related issues; Install a feature that serves to reduce stormwater runoff. Innovative project ideas are encouraged. Potential project ideas include, but are not limited to: Storm drain marking; Stream cleaning; Planting of trees along a stream; Fencing off creeks in agricultural areas; Tree canopy establishment / expansion Installation of rain barrels at neighborhood homes; Installation of a local rain garden; Neighborhood targeted seminar and/or brochures on how to reduce stormwater pollution, such as proper use of lawn chemicals, etc.; Retention pond enhancement for water quality. Who is eligible to apply for funding? All Fayette County neighborhood, community, and homeowner associations that are incorporated with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and have a roster of elected officers are eligible to apply. For more information, visit LFUCG.

The South Arts is accepting applications for its In These Mountains (ITM) initiative to support the projects that promote sharing, teaching, learning, preserving, documenting, and supporting the continuity of the folk arts and traditional culture of Central Appalachia. Donor Name: South Arts State: Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: South Arts has prioritise the following: South Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. They strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led and LGBTQIA+-led organizations, and organizations led by people with disabilities. They will prioritize applications that feature BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ traditional artists and traditional artists with disabilities. South Arts is committed to funding traditional arts projects in rural communities (with populations under 50,000). This funding program is open to a wide variety of organizations, including community cultural organizations, schools/colleges/universities, libraries, museums, performing arts presenters, community festival organizations, faith-based organizations, etc. Organizations must be located within and serve at least one Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) county in Kentucky, North Carolina, or Tennessee. Funding Information Grants are awarded in the amount of $10,000. Project Period October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligiblity Criteria Nonprofit organizations and educational organizations located in Appalachian Regional Commission counties in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee are eligible. Organizations must have not-for-profit, tax-exempt status, or be an official unit of local, county, or state government. Educational institutions (schools, school systems, colleges, and universities) are eligible. South Arts does not accept applications from fiscal agents for this grant program. All applicants must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). Organizations that have failed to submit final reports for any previous South Arts grants by the time of this application will not be considered for funding in this grant cycle. Organizations that fail to properly acknowledge South Arts’ support in programs and press materials will not be considered for additional funding. Eligible organizations must be located within and serve at least one of the following Appalachian Regional Commission counties: Kentucky: Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard, Green, Greenup, Harlan, Hart, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, McCreary, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe. North Carolina: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davie, Forsyth, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey. Tennessee: Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Cumberland, De Kalb, Fentress, Franklin, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Lewis, Loudon, McMinn, Macon, Marion, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Smith, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and White. For more information, visit South Arts.

The Blue Grass Community Foundation is accepting applications for its 2024 Early Childhood Education Literacy Grant. Donor Name: Blue Grass Community Foundation State: Kentucky County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: 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. Funding Information Grant awards will range from $2,500 to $10,000, with the option of renewal for one additional year. Grant Period August 2024 – July 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Applicant organization is located in or providing services to residents of Central Kentucky (counties limited to Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott and/or Woodford Counties). Applicant organization is classified as a nonprofit charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code; has a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) designation; or is a publicly supported organization such as a school district, municipality, or government agency. Applicant organization does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, religious affiliation, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other protected status under applicable law. An organization with religious affiliation will be considered for funding only if the project for which it seeks support attempts to address the needs of the wider community without regard to religious beliefs. Applicant organization does not have any overdue final reports for any previous grants funded by the Community Foundation. For more information, visit BGCF.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is pleased to announce the availability of grants for Environmental Sustainability Grant Program. Donor Name: Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) State: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio County: Boone County (KY), Butler County (OH), Campbell County (KY), Clermont County (OH), Dearborn County (IN), Hamilton County (OH), Kenton County (KY), Warren County (OH) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) aims to support and enhance the environmental sustainability of this region by increasing the accessibility and quality of greenspaces, conservation, horticulture and/or nature education that is inclusive of historically marginalized groups. Uses of Funds  Funding may be used to support, expand, or strengthen existing programs, enact capital improvements, launch a new program, or build organizational capacity. Collaboration between well-aligned organizations is highly favored. Funding will not be awarded for campaigns or special events. Funding Information For the 2024 Environmental Sustainability cycle, GCF has approximately $400,000 available and grants will be awarded for up to $25,000.” Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must be classified as tax-exempt by the IRS, typically 501(c)(3) status or government agency. If your organization is not a 501(c)(3), you may utilize a fiscal agent, however, the fiscal agent must be identified in the application. Grants will be made to organizations with efforts based in the Greater Cincinnati region, which includes the counties of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, and Campbell in Kentucky and Dearborn in Indiana. Organizations meeting the above criteria are welcome to apply, however, preference will be given to: Organizations that develop solutions with a racial equity lens. Requests that beautify, create, conserve, and/or restore greenspaces, with preference for spaces that benefit historically marginalized groups. Requests that connect historically marginalized groups to the benefits of nature, including but not limited to, increased fresh food access and nature education programming — particularly for children or youth. Proposals with clear and measurable outcomes. Organizations that have demonstrated partnerships, collaboration, and alignment with community-wide efforts. Organizations that have demonstrated insights from their past results. Organizations using an asset-based approach to the work. For more information, visit GCF.

This program provides funding to K-12 teachers and administrators in specific Kentucky and Indiana counties to enhance classroom instruction through arts-integrated programming.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Paducah to implement projects that improve the quality of life for local residents.

This program honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky, recognizing their impact on artistic communities and arts education.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on educational initiatives in communities where Donaldson Company operates, helping to enhance access to education and address local educational needs.

This scholarship provides financial assistance to high-achieving graduating high school seniors from specific counties in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky who plan to pursue higher education.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in Jefferson County, Kentucky, that provide youth development and violence prevention services, particularly in high-crime areas, to promote community-led solutions and reduce gun violence.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects between arts organizations and non-arts entities in the Southern U.S. to creatively address health and wellness challenges in their communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

This program provides free training and funding opportunities to nonprofit organizations in the Appalachian region, helping them build capacity to better address community challenges and improve their operational effectiveness.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and community organizations in Madison County to implement innovative public health projects that address local health challenges and support historically marginalized communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to schools and organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area for summer programs that enrich children's learning and development through engaging activities.

This program provides financial support to individual Black, Indigenous, and People of Color artists in Greater Cincinnati to create and showcase projects that explore themes of truth and innovation related to social justice and equity in July 2025.