Best Youth Sports Grants in Kentucky

The Keeneland Foundation Grant supports Kentucky-based 501c organizations, prioritizing those in Central Kentucky. Established in 1936, the foundation reinvests racing revenues into the Thoroughbred industry and the local community, funding areas such as equine safety, arts, education, and health services. Grants are awarded annually and focus on diverse initiatives, while excluding requests from individuals, political entities, and religious organizations for exclusive benefits. This commitment reflects Keeneland's mission to enhance both racing and community welfare.

The Kentucky Crafted Program supports Kentucky's visual and craft artists by offering marketing assistance, promotional opportunities, and arts business training. This program allows eligible artists to showcase their work at various events, including the Kentucky Crafted Market. Its goals include promoting high-quality craftsmanship and enhancing the state's reputation as a center for exceptional art. Participants benefit from a recognized logo, access to online directories, and professional development opportunities.

The Kentucky Oral History Commission (KOHC) provides grants to support oral history projects that preserve and document Kentucky's rich history. These grants include Project Grants for creating research projects, Transcription and Indexing Grants for existing interviews, and Presentation Grants for showcasing oral histories through various media. Funding amounts range from $2,500 to $7,500 depending on the grant type. These initiatives aim to foster participation and ensure the preservation of significant narratives across the state.

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF) offers the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) to support agricultural producers in enhancing their farm operations. This program provides cost-share assistance up to $5,000 for various agricultural enterprises, including livestock, horticulture, and energy efficiency initiatives. CAIP aims to improve the diversity and sustainability of farming practices across Kentucky, benefiting producers through financial support for innovative agricultural practices.

The Burt Monroe, Jr., Avian Research Fund, established in honor of Dr. Burt L. Monroe, Jr., provides financial support for basic scientific research on birds in Kentucky. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for KOS members, with a two-year approval period. Matching funds from other sources are encouraged. The fund aims to promote avian research within the Commonwealth, while ensuring that administrative costs are not covered, and projects receiving support from other funds in the same year are disqualified.

The Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund Grant supports projects that educate young people about Kentucky's birds, honoring Anne L. Stamm's legacy. Open to applicants in Kentucky aged 21 and over, it prioritizes KOS members and teachers. Grants up to $5000 are available to foster interest in bird watching and conservation among children, ensuring the continuation of efforts to protect avifauna in the region.

The Kentucky Statewide Reserve Fund supports innovative workforce development initiatives under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Funded by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board, this program provides financial assistance to local workforce development boards, state agencies, and non-profits. Eligible applicants must be engaged in workforce training activities, while for-profit organizations are ineligible. Applications are accepted monthly, with a focus on enhancing workforce capabilities across the Commonwealth.

The Ritton Family Foundation, along with Par Mar Stores, offers the Par Mar Stores Scholarship Program to support students pursuing higher education. This initiative awards multiple scholarships annually to eligible high school seniors and undergraduate students residing in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, or Kentucky. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need, with opportunities for reapplication each year.

The 2027 Continuing Education Grant is made possible by funding from the Grants to States program administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  This grant aligns with Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives' (KDLA) five-year strategic plan to enhance Institutional Capacity to “enhance the knowledge and skills of public library and archival staff through professional development and training opportunities. This grant will only cover conferences taking place between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027.  The goal is to provide essential funding to Kentucky's public libraries, enabling them to expand and enhance their staff’s learning opportunities.

Awards shall be disbursed as follows-

• $5000 large libraries (40+ full-time staff)
• $4000 medium libraries (15 – 39 full-time staff)
• $3000 small libraries (6 – 14 full-time staff)
• $2000 very small libraries (1 – 5 full-time staff)

Local governments certified under the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program, pursuant to Title 36 Section 61.5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, are eligible to compete for annual CLG grant funds. The Funding Priorities are: Preservation Education, Community Outreach & Education, Updating Documentation, Preservation Building Trade Schools & Workshops, Surveys, Historic Context & Thematic Studies, and National Register Nominations. 

The Illinois American Water Environmental Grant Program, established in 2005, supports innovative community-based environmental projects aimed at improving local watersheds and water supplies. Open to organizations within American Water service areas, it funds activities like watershed cleanup and biodiversity projects. Selection criteria emphasize project clarity, design innovation, community collaboration, sustainability, and engagement. This program reflects Illinois American Water's commitment to environmental stewardship and community support, ensuring clean and reliable water resources for all.

The Queer Mobilization Fund (QMF) supports community-led projects that advance Queer and Trans liberation, particularly for BIPOC individuals in the Southeastern US. Established in 2016, QMF prioritizes grassroots organizations with budgets under $300,000. The fund emphasizes rapid response funding and capacity building, aiming to empower marginalized communities often excluded from financial support. QMF does not fund groups outside the Southeast or for-profit activities, ensuring resources are directed towards those leading efforts for LGBTQ+ rights.

The Express Health Information Outreach Awards aim to enhance public health by increasing access to biomedical information for U.S. health professionals and the general public. These awards support projects that improve health information literacy among consumers and caregivers, ensuring they can effectively find and utilize health information. Focused on partnerships and outreach to underrepresented communities, the initiative seeks to promote healthy behaviors, prevent illness, and improve health outcomes through informed decision-making.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

The Truist Foundation Grants aim to empower communities by providing resources for economic mobility and supporting small businesses, particularly those owned by racially and ethnically diverse individuals. The foundation focuses on enhancing job navigation for disadvantaged workers and building sustainable business ecosystems through collaboration and innovation. By addressing barriers to growth and promoting access to capital and education, the Truist Foundation strives to create equitable opportunities for all.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants Scholarship Fund

The Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants created this scholarship fund to award to a qualified individual majoring in an agricultural field.

Norton Healthcare's Community Initiatives Funding supports not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to serving community health needs in Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana. With a mission to invest in organizations that align with their faith-based heritage, they encourage applications that demonstrate community benefit. Requests for funding should be submitted at least 60 days prior to events, ensuring timely review and support for impactful initiatives.

The WHAS Crusade for Children Grant supports organizations, schools, and hospitals that assist children with special needs up to age 18 in Kentucky and southern Indiana. Grants are aimed at direct services, specific programs, and equipment that benefit these children. Applicants must be in good IRS standing, and grants cannot fund administrative costs or be awarded to individuals. Since 1954, the Crusade has distributed over $217 million to further this mission.

The WHAS Crusade for Children Grant supports non-profit agencies, schools, and hospitals in Kentucky and southern Indiana that assist children with special needs. Since 1954, over $217 million has been awarded to improve the lives of these children. The grants focus on direct services and specific programs or equipment, excluding administrative costs and personal items. Eligible organizations must have IRS standing and county financial support before applying.

The Encova Foundation of West Virginia is dedicated to improving communities by supporting local causes that align with the values of its associates and policyholders. They focus on health, education, and wellness, emphasizing the importance of children's success. Organizations applying for grants must be U.S.-based and verified as charitable. Preference is given to initiatives impacting health and education, especially those involving Encova associates as active participants.

The Emerging Artist Award offers a $1,000 grant to Kentucky artists in the early stages of their careers, typically within ten years of their professional artistic journey. This unrestricted funding supports creative endeavors in various literary arts, including fiction and poetry. The program aims to recognize and encourage artistic excellence while providing financial assistance to enhance the artists' careers. Eligible applicants must be 18+, legal residents of Kentucky, and demonstrate originality in their work.

The KYUMC Good Samaritan Ministries Grant aims to empower charitable and educational initiatives that address spiritual and physical needs in Kentucky. With grant awards up to $50,000, it supports organizations offering primary health care to low-income and uninsured individuals. Eligible applicants include ministries connected to the Kentucky Annual Conference, provided they align with its mission. This grant fosters sustainable ministries while prioritizing non-discrimination and equal opportunity.

The Poetry Out Loud Grant, offered by the Kentucky Arts Council, supports high school students in grades 9-12 as they engage in poetry memorization and performance. This initiative promotes public speaking skills and self-confidence while celebrating America's literary heritage. Schools can apply for funding to bring teaching artists into their classrooms, enhancing students' appreciation for poetry through dynamic educational experiences. Eligibility extends to all Kentucky public and private high schools, encouraging broad participation across the state.

The Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant provides vital operating support to arts organizations in Kentucky, ensuring that residents have access to year-round arts programming. This grant is aimed at independent arts groups and local arts agencies, helping to foster strong community engagement and cultural diversity. Organizations must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and maintain IRS tax-exempt status to qualify. This initiative not only enhances art participation but also strengthens the overall arts delivery system across the state.

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, established in 1962, focuses on enhancing educational opportunities, environmental protection, and community health in the regions it operates. As a leading steel manufacturer, Cleveland-Cliffs is committed to sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship. The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations that address key challenges in education, the environment, and community well-being, ensuring impactful investments that help communities thrive across North America.

The Watson-Brown Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the South. It offers various types of grants, including for educational programming and historic preservation, with a focus on southern studies. Eligible recipients include public charities in the southeastern United States. The Foundation's Junior Board of Trustees also awards grants to preservation projects in east central Georgia, emphasizing youth engagement in cultural heritage.

Kentucky RHT is investing in expanding access to behavioral health services through a statewide telebehavioral health hub. Nonprofit behavioral health organizations are invited to apply for funding to participate as regional partners, supporting psychiatric consultation, care coordination, and connection to primary care and crisis services. 

Rapid Response to Recovery: Telebehavioral Health Support (Rural Health Transformation Program)

These three core focus areas of the Rapid Response to Recovery Program reflect an opportunity to coordinate a larger system of care strategy for tailoring RHT-funded work to address unique community needs A collaborative, cross-disciplinary network of providers will strengthen the behavioral health crisis continuum by: facilitating a process to plan, coordinate, and oversee elements of a crisis system; coordinating with system partners for community assessment and planning; coordination and interconnectedness of services; and data-driven continuous quality improvement.

Rural Health Transformation has a long-term vision of enabling systems change to increase our ability to serve entire populations through enhanced partner collaboration, as opposed to serving individuals as single providers. We encourage applicants to consider how telebehavioral health capacity, integration, and coordination can support this broader system vision. We encourage applicants to think about the following framework when developing their responses:

• Improving outcomes for the entire crisis system, so that every person receives the right service in the right setting, every time
• Promotion and adoption of enhanced data-sharing technology, agreements, data collection and reporting processes, and real-time information sharing between different system partners as a person moves through the crisis care journey;
• Facilitation of a data-driven quality improvement process, tracking quality outcomes and performance measures and strategizing amongst system partners for improving measures of success, access, and quality;
• Collaboration through shared care planning, policy, protocols, and procedure development; engagement in collaborative structures such as coalitions, committees, workgroups; and moving beyond siloes to ensure people receive the right care at the right time;
• Advancement of clinically effective crisis services across partners, while closing safety net gaps to strengthen prevention, early identification, and access to behavioral, physical, and social supports, through telebehavioral health-enabled care coordination and consultation

The anticipated budget ceiling for applicants supporting the telebehavioral health hub focus area is approximately $500,000.