Kentucky Recreation Grants

This program provides financial support to resident-led groups in Covington, Kentucky, for projects that improve neighborhood quality of life through beautification, blight removal, and community events.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. states, territories, and eligible Indian tribes for implementing approved plans to prevent and manage invasive aquatic species.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is offering grants through its Environmental Sustainability Grant Program, with a deadline of July 19, 2024. This program is designed to enhance environmental sustainability in the Greater Cincinnati region by improving the accessibility and quality of greenspaces, supporting conservation efforts, promoting horticulture, and advancing nature education, particularly for historically marginalized groups. This initiative aligns directly with GCF's mission to support and enhance the environmental sustainability of the region. The target beneficiaries of this program are organizations with efforts based in the Greater Cincinnati region, specifically in Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont counties in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana. The program aims to increase the benefits of nature for historically marginalized groups, including improved fresh food access and nature education, especially for children and youth. The overall impact goal is to create a more environmentally sustainable and equitable region through accessible greenspaces and quality education. GCF's priorities for this grant cycle include organizations that develop solutions with a racial equity lens, requests that beautify, create, conserve, and/or restore greenspaces (with a preference for those benefiting historically marginalized groups), and proposals that connect historically marginalized groups to the benefits of nature. Strong preference will be given to organizations demonstrating partnerships, collaboration, alignment with community-wide efforts, and insights from past results, utilizing an asset-based approach. Funding may be used for a variety of purposes, including supporting, expanding, or strengthening existing programs, enacting capital improvements, launching new programs, or building organizational capacity. Collaboration between well-aligned organizations is highly favored. GCF has approximately $400,000 available for the 2024 Environmental Sustainability cycle, with individual grants awarded for up to $25,000. Expected outcomes include clear and measurable results related to greenspace improvements, increased access to nature for marginalized communities, and enhanced environmental education.

This grant provides up to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations for innovative projects that address critical community needs in areas such as culture, education, environment, family, and health & wellness within the Tri-State region.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

The Hudson-Ellis Fund, administered by the Blue Grass Community Foundation, is a competitive grantmaking program designed to support tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations benefiting residents of Boyle County, Kentucky. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance community well-being through strategic philanthropy, as evidenced by the establishment of the fund through bequests for the good of Boyle County by donors like Lottie B. Ellis. The program prioritizes projects that address critical community needs and demonstrate meaningful impact and sustainability, reflecting the foundation's commitment to long-term positive change. The program specifically targets youth and/or adults who are economically disadvantaged, youth and/or adults with disabilities, and initiatives focused on public education. The overarching impact goal is to improve the quality of life for these specific populations within Boyle County. Successful proposals are expected to demonstrate how their projects and programs will address these community needs effectively. The Hudson-Ellis Fund has clear funding priorities: public education, and programming that improves the quality of life for youth and adults with disabilities or those who are economically disadvantaged. Grant requests should not exceed $7,500, and the grant period for funded projects will run from September 2024 to June 2025. This focus indicates the foundation's strategic priority to invest in areas that foster equitable access to resources and opportunities for vulnerable populations. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in the lives of Boyle County residents, particularly within the identified beneficiary groups. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond "meaningful impact and sustainability," the emphasis on addressing community needs implies a focus on quantifiable improvements in educational attainment, economic stability, or quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by strategically funding projects in these key areas, they can empower local nonprofits to create lasting positive change and foster a more inclusive and prosperous community in Boyle County.

This grant provides funding to support a collaborative workforce development program aimed at equipping middle and high school students, particularly young men of color in Fayette County, Kentucky, with essential skills and experiences for high-wage career opportunities.

The Hudson-Ellis Fund, administered by the Blue Grass Community Foundation, is a competitive grantmaking program aimed at supporting tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations in Boyle County, Kentucky. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission of fostering community well-being by channeling the generosity of donors, such as Lottie B. Ellis, into impactful local projects. The fund seeks to address critical community needs, with a particular emphasis on public education and enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable populations within Boyle County. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are youth and adults who are economically disadvantaged, as well as youth and adults with disabilities. The fund's impact goals center on improving the overall quality of life for these individuals through targeted projects and programs. Successful proposals are expected to demonstrate meaningful and sustainable change, directly addressing identified community needs and contributing to a more equitable and supportive environment in Boyle County. The Hudson-Ellis Fund has clear funding priorities. These include public education initiatives and programming specifically designed to benefit economically disadvantaged youth and adults, as well as those with disabilities. The foundation's strategic approach emphasizes community-led solutions that are both effective and long-lasting, reflecting a theory of change that believes in empowering local organizations to drive positive societal outcomes through well-conceived and executed projects. In terms of expected outcomes and measurable results, the fund looks for proposals that can articulate clear objectives and demonstrate how their activities will lead to tangible improvements. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "meaningful impact and sustainability" suggests that applicants should be prepared to outline how they will track their progress and demonstrate the positive changes brought about by their programs. Grant requests should not exceed $7,500, with a grant period from September 2024 to June 2025, implying that outcomes should be achievable within this timeframe.

This grant provides a $6,000 honorarium to a Kentucky writer selected as poet laureate, supporting their efforts to promote the literary arts in the state over a two-year term.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) offers the Environmental Sustainability Grant Program to support and enhance the environmental sustainability of the Greater Cincinnati region. This aligns with GCF's mission to increase accessibility and quality of greenspaces, conservation, horticulture, and nature education, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity for historically marginalized groups. The program aims to address environmental disparities and promote equitable access to nature's benefits. The primary beneficiaries of this program are organizations whose efforts are based in the Greater Cincinnati region, specifically within the counties of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, and Campbell in Kentucky; and Dearborn in Indiana. The program targets historically marginalized groups by prioritizing requests that connect them to the benefits of nature, including fresh food access and nature education, particularly for children and youth. The overarching impact goal is to foster a more environmentally sustainable and equitable region. The program prioritizes proposals that develop solutions with a racial equity lens, recognizing that environmental issues often disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Key focus areas include beautifying, creating, conserving, and restoring greenspaces, with a preference for those benefiting historically marginalized groups. Additionally, the program seeks to connect these groups to nature's benefits through various initiatives, such as increased fresh food access and nature education programming. Collaboration between well-aligned organizations is highly favored, as is an asset-based approach to the work. Expected outcomes include expanded or strengthened existing programs, successful capital improvements, the launch of new initiatives, and enhanced organizational capacity among grantee organizations. Proposals are expected to articulate clear and measurable outcomes, demonstrating how their efforts will contribute to the program's goals. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the general intent to increase accessibility and quality of greenspaces and nature education, the emphasis on "clear and measurable outcomes" suggests a commitment to tracking the tangible impact of funded projects. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its preference for organizations demonstrating partnerships, community alignment, insights from past results, and an asset-based approach, all contributing to a theory of change that values collaborative, data-informed, and community-centric environmental solutions with a strong equity focus.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects that improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in states with historically low participation rates, encouraging collaboration and sustainable solutions.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

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 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 grant recognizes and honors businesses and nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky that demonstrate outstanding ethical practices and integrity in their operations and customer relationships.

This funding opportunity supports innovative, free community arts events in Greater Louisville that engage diverse neighborhoods and promote collaboration among local organizations and artists.

This grant recognizes and supports young entrepreneurs and new business owners who demonstrate trustworthiness and positively impact their communities through ethical business practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Spencer County, Kentucky, for projects that address poverty, mental health, substance use, and economic opportunity.

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.

This funding opportunity supports projects in the Appalachian region that help individuals recovering from substance use disorders gain access to job training and employment services, fostering sustainable recovery and economic independence.