Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • 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.

Other requirements

  • Organizations are limited to one request per annual grant cycle.

Overview

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.

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.
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

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.

What Blue Grass Community Foundation Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
514
Total given
$20.72M
Median grant
$17K
Range
$5,025–$520K
  • By dollars: Kentucky 87%, Tennessee 3%, Missouri 2%. Top recipient cities: Lexington, KY; Winchester, KY; Frankfort, KY.
  • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 30% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • The Fayette Education Foundation · Lexington, KY

    To further the exempt purpose of the organization

    $520K

  • Robert L Brown Foundation Inc · Lexington, KY

    To further the exempt purpose of the organization

    $480K

  • University of Kentucky Athletics · Lexington, KY

    To further the exempt purpose of the organization

    $404K

  • Whetstone Boys Ranch · Mountain View, MO

    To further the exempt purpose of the organization

    $400K

  • Safe Passage · Louisville, KY

    To further the exempt purpose of the organization

    $397K

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Nonprofits
  • Literacy
  • Preschools
  • Education equity

Categories

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