Literacy and Early Childhood Education Grants

Literacy and Early Childhood Education Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Blue Grass Community Foundation, Inc.
Last Updated: May 20, 2025

Summary

The Blue Grass Community Foundation offers Literacy and Early Childhood Education Grants to enhance access to pre-K education and literacy programs in Central Kentucky. With a focus on low-income and underserved students, these grants support innovative educational solutions, professional development for educators, and community engagement initiatives. Eligible organizations can apply for project support or general operating funding to foster equitable educational opportunities and address achievement gaps in the region.

Overview

About Us Central + Appalachia Kentucky’s Experts in Local Philanthropy Blue Grass Community Foundation is where people go to give to enhance the quality of life in Central and Appalachia Kentucky. We connect charitable individuals, families, businesses, communities and nonprofit organizations with causes they care about to meet community needs and make a difference. We were founded in 1967 by visionary Lexington couple Irene and C.W. Sulier, who created a permanent endowment for our community with simple aspirations: they hoped their fund would grow to support diverse community needs over time and that others with charitable intent might join them. Their dreams have been more than realized. In the past 50+ years, we have grown from one charitable fund to over 700, each with its own unique charitable purpose. Charitable assets total more than $160 million. Most importantly, the Community Foundation, in partnership with our generous donors, has awarded more than $120 million in grants. Mission Our mission is to create generous, vibrant and engaged communities throughout Central and Appalachia Kentucky. To carry out our mission, we: Encourage individuals, families, and businesses to partner with us to fulfill their charitable goalsMake grants to support community issues in Central and Appalachia KentuckySteward more than $140 million in assets across more than 700 charitable funds with the oversight of our Board of DirectorsConvene people to strengthen our communityCollaborate to develop creative solutions for community needsNurture and strengthen community organizationsBuild endowments to provide for community needs for generations to come Early Childhood Education & Literacy Grants With funding from the MacAdam Early Childhood and Literacy Fund, Blue Grass Community Foundation seeks to increase equitable access to 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-learners, 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, general operating support, and multi-year funding will be considered.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Qualified charitable organizations serving Anderson, Bourbon, Fayette, Franklin, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott and/or Woodford Counties are eligible to apply for funding for projects that focus on literacy and early childhood education.Organizations are limited to one request per annual grant cycle.