Best Vocational Rehab Grants in Kentucky

Norfolk Southern Foundation provides Kentucky vocational and trade students with US $5,000 scholarships for post-secondary training in railway-related trades. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an approved institution or program and pursuing careers such as locomotive engineer, conductor, maintenance, welding, electrical, safety, construction, or heavy equipment operation in the rail industry.

Kentucky 501(c)(3) nonprofits advancing workforce readiness, vocational training, or affordable housing can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program, which pairs a capacity-building grant with a two-year leadership development experience. Eligible organizations must serve designated markets, meet revenue and tax-filing requirements, and have a three-year plan to expand their community impact.

Community Foundation of Louisville

Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Louisville mobilizes people, networks, and capital to spark meaningful change in and beyond Louisville. Just as our name signifies, here, community comes first. With over $874 million in assets, over 2,200 charitable funds, and collaborations with hundreds of local partners, we connect real investments with relevant causes. The Foundation has addressed and continues to address a wide range of community needs. The key priorities of the Foundation’s mission are to remove barriers to accessing capital and resources and to open opportunities for all. Working with neighbors, changemakers, and community investors, we’re inspiring greater generosity to move us all forward.

Scholarships

Since 1984, the Community Foundation of Louisville has provided tens of millions of dollars in scholarships to support students with their educational goals. We assist donors in establishing scholarship funds so that a quality education can be available for everyone.

Harland Scholarship

The Harland Scholarship was established to provide scholarship assistance to help defray college or university expenses of Jefferson County, KY students from underserved populations and first-generation college students.

Students in Kentucky pursuing vocational or trade, college, or university studies in education or medical fields can receive scholarship support to cover educational expenses. With a mission to mobilize resources for opportunity, the Community Foundation of Louisville provides the Harold & Mary Snook Scholarship, offering up to US $20,000, with preference for nursing students who demonstrate financial need.

Kentucky school districts, CTE high schools, and Area Technology Centers can seek funding to develop innovative vocational and technical education programs in new or emerging career fields in Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Education’s FY26 CTE Innovation and Support Grant offers up to US $100,000 per award to support eligible Career and Technical Education initiatives.

Students pursuing vocational or technical post-secondary education in Kentucky and nearby Indiana counties can receive scholarship support to build employability skills. With a mission to expand educational opportunity, the Community Foundation of Louisville provides the H.L. Lyons III Memorial Scholarship, offering US $14,000 for residents meeting GPA and technical trade or manufacturing experience criteria.

Graduating high school seniors from Nelson County, Kentucky pursuing two- or four-year colleges, trade, or vocational schools in Kentucky can receive up to US $10,000 for postsecondary education costs. Focused on vocational and higher education, the Community Foundation of Louisville favors applicants with financial need, strong academics, work experience, and community service, including rural and veteran students.

Kentucky Fern Creek High School graduates pursuing vocational, trade, or college education can receive $1,500 to help cover postsecondary expenses. The Community Foundation of Louisville supports students who completed at least three years of Marine Corps JROTC and have demonstrated strong leadership, citizenship, and a minimum 2.5 GPA, with an additional essay required.

Nonprofit organizations providing education, vocational training, or human and social services in Kentucky can apply for Gheens Foundation grants to improve quality of life in metropolitan Louisville. Eligible applicants must be in good IRS standing and typically have at least $50,000 in gross unrestricted revenue, with public school districts and government entities accessing the portal via the foundation office.

African-American graduating high school seniors pursuing college, university, or vocational and trade education and living in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois can receive US $3,000 to help cover expenses. Focused on higher and vocational education, the Community Foundation of Louisville gives preference to students who are family members of Lincoln Institute alumni and demonstrate financial need.

Nonprofit organizations in Kentucky providing vocational, trade, or other education and health programs for adolescents, post-secondary students, or adults can seek funding to expand proven initiatives. The L.B. Research and Education Foundation offers US $10,000 - US $75,000 on a rolling basis for research-informed projects addressing opportunity gaps in education, health, and mental health access.

Truist Foundation provides Kentucky workforce development and small business support nonprofits with funding of more than US $15,000 for adult-focused programs. Eligible U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities serving adults through vocational training, job readiness, or entrepreneurship support may apply, particularly those advancing economic mobility and strengthening racially diverse and women-owned small businesses.

Kentucky 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering vocational and trade education, workforce preparation, or job readiness programs can apply for Community Possible funding to advance economic and workforce opportunities. Grants from US Bancorp Foundation also support related efforts like employment services, business development, and youth career preparation, with priority for organizations led by people of color in designated U.S. Bank communities.

Graduating high school seniors in Kentucky pursuing vocational or higher education can use this scholarship to support studies at an in-state university or technical school. With a mission to serve the Lincoln Trail Region, Central Kentucky Community Foundation supports students involved in production agriculture or agri-business who are members of HCCA or KJCS and meet GPA requirements.

Graduating seniors from Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky planning to attend Bellarmine, Transylvania, University of Kentucky, or University of Louisville can receive scholarship support for college expenses. With a mission to strengthen education access, Community Foundation of Louisville provides vocational and higher education students with funding that may benefit those pursuing career-focused or vocational pathways.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Kentucky with at least three years of operation and a $100,000+ budget can seek funding for workforce skills, vocational and trade education, and youth career readiness programs. RBC Foundation USA supports efforts that build in-demand job skills, provide work experiences, and help people bridge education and employment in communities where it has a business presence.

Kentucky students pursuing vocational training or college whose parent or guardian works for Zoeller Company or its subsidiaries can access funding through the Community Foundation of Louisville’s Zoeller Company Scholarship. Awards up to US $30,000 support career training, undergraduate, or graduate education for eligible dependents ages 17–24.

With a mission to support education, Armstrong County Community Foundation provides Kentucky vocational and trade education students with a merit-based, nonrenewable scholarship for higher education in arts and industrial arts fields. High school seniors accepted into approved drawing, design, architecture, or industrial arts programs at accredited institutions within 300 miles of their school may be eligible.

Kentucky students pursuing vocational, trade, or other postsecondary education can access funding through the Ritton Family Foundation’s Par Mar Stores Scholarship Program. High school seniors and undergraduates in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland may receive multi-year scholarships based on academics, community involvement, activities, work experience, career goals, and financial need.

Kentucky residents without an associate degree seeking vocational or technical credentials in high-demand fields can use this scholarship for tuition and approved fees at eligible colleges. Focused on workforce training, Jefferson Community and Technical College’s Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship supports industry-recognized certificates, diplomas, AAS degrees, and approved transition programs in areas like construction, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and logistics.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Bring Back the Trades Tool Grant Program 

Across the country, vocational programs are often forced to teach with outdated, broken, or consumer-grade equipment. The Bring Back the Trades Grant Program changes the narrative by putting “Nothing But Heavy Duty” technology into the hands of students. By providing professional tools, we show students that their education—and their future career—is worth the highest standard of equipment.

Thanks to numerous schools and programs letting us know they need help supporting future tradespeople, we have made a commitment to grant $1,500 in tools monthly to a public school or nonprofit. Milwaukee Tool committed to supporting the program through 2026, so the awards in 2026 will be shipped directly to winning organization by Milwaukee Tool!

Objective: To equip public schools and community nonprofits with professional-grade Milwaukee Tool kits, fostering a culture of craftsmanship, safety, and respect for the tools of the trade.

Application Deadline: Rolling. A winner will be chosen each month from applications received over the previous six months. The winner will be notified via phone or email. The winner will receive the tools requested (based on availability and up to $1,500 in retail value). Tools and equipment/supplies will be shipped only to the address on the application. Applicants that have not been chosen as a winner of the grant may reapply after six months. Schools/organizations may win no more than once in a 3-year time period.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Christopher H Knorr Memorial Scholarship

In July of 2022, Chris Knorr unexpectedly passed away. Chris Knorr was a loving father, baseball/softball/basketball coach in the area, an active member of his church, and a friendly face to all in the community. Chris always believed everyone should follow their heart and make an impact in any way possible. Our goal is to raise money for scholarships for South Carroll, Century and Liberty High School that goes to 1 or 2 seniors at each school who is involved in the community and made an impact, and to continue on his legacy.

• Scholarships are one time only.
• The amount of the award will vary based upon the earnings of the fund, minimum $500 per scholarship.
• The money shall be transmitted by the Foundation directly to the desired college or university and applied directly to the student's tuition and books. The monies shall not be remitted to the scholarship winner.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Eugene Curfman Foundation Scholarship

The purpose of the Eugene Curfman Foundation Scholarship is to give scholarships to two graduating seniors from either Francis Scott Key High School or a home school program in the Taneytown, Union Bridge, New Windsor areas for college and/or trade school assistance in concentration fields of Accounting; Emergency Service; Cyber Security, and Trades (ie. electrical; plumbing; masonry; HVAC; vehicle mechanics; and building construction). The scholarship will be offered to recipients for additional years based on meeting specified criteria. The scholarship has been established as his way of paying forward his success that was enabled by having received scholarships to attend college.

The money shall be transmitted by the Community Foundation of Carroll County directly to the desired college or university and applied directly to the student's tuition and books. The monies shall not be remitted to the FUND winner.

This scholarship will be offered to recipients on a continuing basis for up to three additional consecutive years (or the completion of the student’s training program, whichever is less) based on maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 and providing an official transcript to the selection committee.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Rita M Medeiros (Rita's Closet) Scholarship

The purpose of the Rita's Closet Scholarship is to honor the memory of Rita Marie Medeiros by providing scholarship (s) for graduating seniors at any public High School in Carroll County, Maryland, and the Carroll County Career and Technology Center. Because Rita was a very caring friend and spent much of her short life, giving others her time, her friendship and ultimately her organ donor gift, the Rita's Closet Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating student (s) pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited college, university or technical school who meets the criteria established for the fund.

The William F. Mann Scholarship, established in 2018, supports Albuquerque High School students pursuing full-time college education. It aims to assist students in achieving their educational goals while encouraging community service and good citizenship. Scholarships of up to $2,000 are awarded annually, with recipients expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for renewal eligibility. Preference is given to those with a strong community service background, fostering mentorship among peers for future success.