NKY Funders' Grants

An ongoing collaborative program that convenes multiple foundations and funders around mini-grant competitions for nonprofits serving Northern Kentucky (Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties).

Geographic Scope: Northern Kentucky (Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties)

Funding Partners (2019):

• Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky
• The Butler Foundation
• The Charles H. Dater Foundation
• The R.C. Durr Foundation
• Greater Cincinnati Foundation
• Scripps Howard Foundation
• The Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation
• United Way of Greater Cincinnati

Focus Areas (2019):

• Addiction Services
• Arts, Culture, and Humanities
• Early Childhood
• Health and Wellness
• K-12 Programming
• Reducing Barriers to Employment

Award Structure:

• First place: $7,500 per focus area
• Second place: $5,000 per focus area
• Popular vote first place: $7,500
• Popular vote second place: $5,000
• Semifinalist prize (non-finalists): funding provided
• Total 2019 funding: $100,000+

Eligibility:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Must serve at least one of the three counties: Boone, Campbell, or Kenton
• Must align with one of the funder's focus areas

Process:

• Applications open online
• Semifinalists selected and invited to pitch training
• Semifinalists present pitches in competition
• Finalists selected
• Final pitch competition with audience vote

Application Process

Timeline (2019 example):

1. Informational meeting for potential applicants
2. Applications open online
3. Application deadline submission
4. Semifinalists announced
5. Semifinalist training session
6. Semifinalist pitch competition
7. Finalists announced
8. Final pitch competition (public event)
9. Winners announced

Required Materials:

• Online application through grant portal
• Project/program description
• Pitch presentation (for semifinalists and finalists)

Submission Requirements:

• Applications submitted online
• Semifinalists must attend training session
• Finalists must present 3-minute pitch at public competition event

Competition Format:

• Multiple rounds: application → semifinalist → finalist
• Semifinalists receive training before pitch
• Final pitches presented at public event
• Audience votes on popular vote awards
• Judges select first and second place in each focus area