Find nonprofit grants in Kentucky, including opportunities in Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green. Updated listings for 501(c)(3) organizations statewide.
9,000+
Available grants
$2.62B
Total funding
$5K
Median grant
Skip the search. Get matched with grants that fit your non-profit.
Smart recommendations based on your profile — in minutes.
The Columbus Foundation
In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
Ina White Hereford Memorial Scholarship
David J. White, son; Cozine A. White Short, daughter; and Mitzi Short, granddaughter, established this fund in memory of their mother and grandmother, Ina Fern (White) Hereford. This memorial fund initially provided scholarships for students, grades 3-6, attending the Gloria S. Friend Christian Academy at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Beginning in the fall of 2022, the Ina Fern (White) Hereford Scholarship provides financial support to college-bound youth who are members of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Ina Fern (White) Hereford (1910-2000) was born in North Wilkesboro, NC, and lived in Columbus, OH for most of her life. She was a faithful member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church for over 60 years. She served as the church clerk and for 12 years, she served as the Church Secretary. Affectionately known as “Mother Dear,” her great mission in life was to be a teacher and storyteller. She told Bible stories at the Juvenile Detention Center located at 50 E. Mound Street for more than 16 years. She exemplified a tower of faith and strength in God. All whose lives were touched by this beloved Christian woman were truly blessed. She left a legacy that is admired and remembered.
The scholarship honors her legacy – her love for God and her church, her passion for education, and her tireless effort to “put feet on her prayers.”
The Columbus Foundation
In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
McGuire-Holcomb Scholarship Fund
The scholarship was established in memory of the donor’s brother, William F. McGuire; mother, Ruth H. Holcomb; and stepfather Kenneth P. Holcomb. The scholarship provides tuition and books for the education of students who have a physical disability.
The Columbus Foundation
In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
Thomas and Richard Larrimer Scholarship Fund-Franklin County
This scholarship was established by Terrence Larrimer to honor his grandfather, Thomas Larrimer (1879-1915), and his father, Richard Larrimer (1903-1987). Both men grew up and were educated in Washington Court House. When Thomas Larrimer died in a work related accident, Richard assumed responsibility for his own education and that of his two younger brothers. Richard Larrimer graduated from The Ohio State University Law School in 1925 and founded Larrimer & Larrimer, a Columbus law firm specializing in Worker's Compensation. Through this scholarship Terrence wishes to recognize his father's commitment to education and by focusing the scholarship on science and engineering, to emphasize the importance of these disciplines in our nation's future.
The Columbus Foundation
In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
Medical Mutual Scholarship Fund for Customer Schools
Education encourages ingenuity, fosters creativity, and inspires us to reach for new horizons. Medical Mutual is honored to play a role in helping prepare the young people of Ohio for a bright future. Medical Mutual is the oldest and largest health insurer based in Ohio. For 80 years, we have been serving our members and the Ohio communities where they live and work. We strive to be the health insurance choice of Ohioans and help make Ohio the best it can be.
The Columbus Foundation
In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
Davey Tree Family Scholarship
The Davey Tree Family Scholarship assists students pursuing post-high school education with a focus on Urban Forestry, Arboriculture or Science and Landscape Technology.
The Columbus Foundation
In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
Bopp-Busch Manufacturing Scholarship
Bopp Busch Manufacturing Company established this scholarship to honor its founding families, August and Eva Bopp and Chester and Betty Busch. The scholarship was created to give back to the residents of the area that made the business possible, and to encourage post-secondary education in general and more specifically in the skilled trades.
The Columbus Foundation
In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
American Legion Ohio Warriors Scholarship Fund
This scholarship will provide financial assistance to dependents of Ohio service members Killed In Action.
Future of Work Accelerator
A program of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation
In an increasingly digital world, people without access to technology and the skills to use it are often locked out of economic opportunity. The Accelerator helps scale the impact of organizations that are working to change this.
Since 2022, the Accelerator has served 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, helping them reach an additional 11.3 million people.
As a joint program of HP and the HP Foundation, the Accelerator offers selected organizations USD$100,000 in funding, HP technology & solutions (~USD$100,000 value), and a six-month, virtual program designed to strengthen capacity and scale impact. Exciting changes are ahead for the 5th year of the Accelerator.
Headstream Accelerator 2026
Accelerator Application Cohort VI
The Headstream Accelerator supports entrepreneurs from all backgrounds in scaling digital solutions that improve the mental well-being of teens at risk, with a focus on the education and healthcare sectors. Our four-month, virtual-first program is designed for early-stage innovators, helping them strengthen their business models, refine their value propositions, and build the foundation for sustainable growth and meaningful impact.
Benefits:
Participant Expectations:
L’Oréal Paris Celebrates 20 Years of Women of Worth
For 20 years, L’Oréal Paris has honored women who uplift their communities through service. These non-profit leaders, our Women of Worth, each receive $25,000 to support their causes, mentorship from the L’Oréal Paris network and a national platform to share their stories.
About Us
The Youth Climate Justice Fund aims to support climate justice young leaders with trust-based funding, resources, and capacity strengthening, enabling them to amplify their voices and to keep their vision and influence alive.
Collectively, we have the power to ignite meaningful change and build equitable and sustainable futures. Despite the challenges posed by the current crisis, youth climate justice organizers remain determined to address current issues and explore new approaches.
Mission & Purpose
We work to strengthen existing organizing efforts and support emerging youth-led initiatives with a focus on bridging funders and organizers to enable flexible and impactful support. Through capacity strengthening and resource sharing, we empower and support young people to drive change and build a just and sustainable future.
How To Apply
The Youth Climate Justice Fund provides funding to emerging youth-led climate justice and socio-environmental groups through a participatory decision-making process.
About Us
Our Vision
Rachel’s Network envisions a healthy, thriving, and just world where all people enjoy a life of dignity and well-being in harmony with nature.
Our Mission
Rachel’s Network is a community of women at the intersection of environmental advocacy, philanthropy, and leadership. Our mission is to promote women as impassioned leaders and agents of change dedicated to the stewardship of the earth.
Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award
The Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award celebrates mid-career women of color who are building a healthier, safer, and more just world.
About the Award
Each year, the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award provides women environmental leaders of color with personal ($15,000) and organizational ($10,000, if applicable) grants, wraparound leadership services, and public recognition.
William C. and Anna Rose Chamberlain Memorial
The fund was established in 1926 "for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ," to be used to educate those interested in the ministry; or as a missionary; or ordained professional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); or for some definite religious work in connection with the church. Priority is given to members or former members of Gender Road Christian Church (formerly known as Southeast Christian Church).
Award Amount:
The Columbus Foundation
In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
R + L Carriers Scholarship
The scholarship supports the R+L Carriers employees' dependent children in achieving their higher education goals.
Betsy Rueb Scholarship
The late Mary “Betsy” E. Rueb created this generous scholarship through a gift from her estate. Born in 1936 in Tiffin, Ohio, Betsy moved to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University, where she met her husband, Floyd. Early in their marriage, Floyd taught Betsy about investing—a skill she quickly mastered. After many years of living simply and investing wisely, Betsy left the largest endowed gift ever received by The Columbus Foundation, totaling $55 million.
Described as charitable, modest, charming, frugal, opinionated, and intelligent, Betsy enjoyed doing needlepoint, watching golf tournaments, and meticulously tracking and researching her investments. Betsy also deeply loved children and wanted her gift to open the door to educational opportunities for young people.
Through her wise investments and generous heart, Betsy Rueb was able to create a legacy that will provide meaningful and significant support to promising students throughout central Ohio in perpetuity.
Award Amount:
Ann E. Myers Scholarship
Ann E. Myers was born in Tiffin, Ohio in 1951. She held a Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Ashland University, and was a National Board Certified Teacher. Teaching elementary school was Ann’s true calling and joy. She began her teaching career in Lancaster, Ohio in 1973. She taught in Lancaster until 1984, at which time she began teaching in the Dublin, Ohio school system. From 1984 until her retirement in 2012, Ann taught at various elementary grade levels at Olde Sawmill, Wyandot, Scottish Corners, and Indian Run. During her teaching career, Ann gave freely of her time to mentor younger teachers. Above all, she loved her students and would do anything for them. After retirement, Ann volunteered her time at Habitat for Humanity, Franklin County Food Bank, Franklin Park Conservatory, and Upper Arlington Library. Ann battled cancer for many years until her death in 2018. Courage and optimism were her best traits. Ann’s husband established the scholarship to ensure that her legacy of teaching young students the wonders of learning would live on. The scholarship establishes that goal by encouraging Dublin High School students to pursue a career in education.
Award Amount:
WindSwell Foundation: Scholarship- Additional Licensing
Managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, this scholarship opportunity is for up to $2,500 per year for any Special Educator seeking additional licensing.
Enhancing the Flavor of Plant-based & Fermentation-derived Proteins
As global demand for protein continues to rise, this funding opportunity can help diversify protein sources, strengthen the sustainability of food and agriculture supply chains and contribute to a safer, more resilient global food system. Improving the functionality and flavor of plant-based and fermentation-derived proteins can increase consumer acceptance, open new markets for crops, create value-added opportunities for farmers and processors, enhance farmland health and support economic growth.
To drive such innovation the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the Good Food Institute (GFI) have joined forces to support plant-based and fermentation-enabled protein ingredient optimization.
The long-term success of plant-based and fermentation-enabled protein foods depends not only on sustainability and cost but also on their ability to deliver a compelling eating experience. By advancing research in ingredient design, enrichment methods and formulation strategies, we can accelerate progress toward high-protein foods that meet or exceed consumer sensory expectations.
Flavor, inclusive of both taste and aroma, remains a critical barrier to consumer acceptance. While early innovation has made progress, many products on the market still face challenges with off-flavors or insufficient desirable flavors. Improving flavor emerged as a key recommendation from the joint FFAR-GFI global call for ideas and workshop, summarized in The Priorities for Plant-based and Fermentation-enabled Protein Ingredient Optimization Convening report.
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.
As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.
Scholarships
The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.
Carroll A. Lambton Memorial Fund
The Carroll A. Lambton Memorial Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide undergraduate and graduate scholarships for the educational needs of the employees and children of employees of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) along with members and children of members of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).
Award Type: Single Year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.
As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.
Scholarships
The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.
Coach Dave Gray Scholarship Fund
The Coach Dave Gray Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for students who plan on pursing post-secondary education. This scholarship fund was established by John and Shana Mackie in 2017 with funds raised through their 2017 “Party for a Purpose”, an annual party for their friends and family with the goal of raising awareness for a different worthy local ministry or cause each year. John and Shana named the fund in honor of Coach Dave Gray who has dedicated his career to working with youth in Western Pennsylvania. Through his classes, camps, training and other activities, Coach Dave impacts the lives of thousands of kids in a positive way. Dave’s programs instill confidence, self-esteem, promote a healthy, active lifestyle and are fun for kids. This scholarship fund will honor Coach Dave’s commitment to the community and help benefit students from Western Pennsylvania for years to come.
Award Type: Single-Year Award
Kentucky grants for nonprofits provide funding to support public health, education, and rural development projects. The following grants help organizations address state-specific challenges, promote equity, and improve the quality of life across Kentucky.
Explore 136 funding opportunities for nonprofits in Kentucky, with $57.7M in resources. Instrumentl streamlines the funding search with deadline notifications, customized filtering, and key insights to support impactful initiatives throughout Kentucky.
How common are grants in this category?
Common — grants in this category appear regularly across funding sources.
Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Kentucky grants for Nonprofits?
Most grants are due in the first quarter.
What's the typical grant amount funded for Kentucky Grants for Nonprofits?
Grants are most commonly $8,000.
A wide variety of funding sources for nonprofits are available in Kentucky. Over 100+ individual grants, totaling $57,653,111, are available. If you’re interested in applying for grant funding in Kentucky, know that the median grant size is $8,000. Grants for nonprofits in Kentucky provide funding to support areas like public health, education, and rural development initiatives.
In Kentucky, grants come from all different types of funders, including private foundations, federal government agencies, and corporations. Here’s a breakdown of where you’ll find available grants in Kentucky:
Whether you go after government grants or foundation grants depends on your grant readiness. Keep in mind that government grants often have large awards but equally large compliance requirements.
Based on the data we have now, the best time to apply for grants in Kentucky is in Q1, which is when 33.9% of grant deadlines fall. Of the available grants, 23.7% of deadlines fall in Q3 and 21.2% fall in Q2. Comparatively, Q4 is the grant period with the least activity, as only 21.2% of deadlines fall within this timeframe. To maximize your odds of receiving funding, be aware of the peak fundraising periods.
The nonprofit funding landscape throughout Kentucky has shown large activity across the past several years. Based on the funding reports sent to the IRS, overall grant funding reached up to ~$1.7 billion in 2021 and increased to ~$1.8 billion in 2022, a growth of nearly 6%. Among all of the grants awarded in Kentucky during this time, the most popular focus areas for funding were single-organization support from professional societies and associations and alliance/advocacy organizations. Likewise, the top counties receiving the most funding were Jefferson County, Kenton County, and Fayette County.
If you want to start finding more grants, Instrumentl simplifies the entire grant process. You can find grants within Kentucky for your nonprofit while also researching funders, managing deadlines, and keeping on top of everything in our all-in-one platform.
With Instrumentl, you'll get access to over 20,000 live grants and 400,000 funders beyond what you see here in Kentucky. Learn more about Instrumentl's platform.