Overview

CKCF strives to enhance communities by uniting people and investing resources through philanthropy. We are committed to building philanthropic resources that will enrich the lives of people who live in our nine-county region encompassing Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington counties. One of the ways we carry out this work is through a meaningful and impactful grants program.

The nonprofit organizations serving our communities provide vital services and opportunities making this a great place to call home.  Our nonprofits work to help fulfill their mission and bring new opportunities to our community, but serving a growing region comes with challenges. To meet the ever-changing needs of our community, CKCF’s Granted program offers funding opportunities to our local nonprofits.

In 2024, CKCF granted funding totaling over $115,000 to area nonprofits.

Granted Applications are now closed.

The next cycle for Granted applications starts June 1, 2025.

This program offers grant funding in three categories:

• Capacity Building: funding organizational and financial stability, program quality, and growth, allowing nonprofits to carry out their mission more effectively.
• Capital Improvement: funding essential items to help organizations fulfill their mission. These grants are typically a one-time expense.
• Programming: funding ideas or expand existing programs that align with the mission of the organization.

Additionally, two specific funds will accept applications through this process:

• The Marvin and Joyce Benjamin Fund strives to foster kindness, understanding and inclusiveness among the diverse people who call our community home. If you have ideas or projects that will elevate these ideas in your organization, the people you serve, or the community, apply for a grant specifically from the Benjamin Fund.
• The Bishop Charitable Fund provides support to organizations assisting low-income people in Washington County. If you serve people in Washington County who face financial hardship, apply for a grant specifically from the Bishop Charitable Fund.

Granted Amount Parameters

Organizations may apply for funding in only one category for up to $7,5000. Additionally, we will offer the opportunity for a “stretch” ask for up to $10,000 enabling nonprofits to receive additional funding to strengthen their project.

General Eligibility

• Applicant organizations must be exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) and classified in Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Organizations must be in good standing with the IRS and the Kentucky Attorney General as required by law.
• Applicant organizations should have missions that align with CKCF.
• Grant funds must be expended in the CKCF region of Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington Counties.
• Organizations must have a minimum of one full year of operations in the CKCF region with supporting records.
• Organizations should follow best practices in nonprofit governance and management.
• Religious entities, including churches, congregations, and other houses of worship and/or faith-based organizations, whose core functions/operations promote a specific religious doctrine or are restricted to members of a particular faith, may apply for funding to support charitable service programs and community-based services, but may not apply for religious programming.

Funding

Funding for applications through the Granted Application Cycle comes from various sources, including CKCF’s MADE Fund, an endowed fund established to provide flexible funds for the community’s ever-changing needs through flexible grantmaking. Additional funding comes from CKCF partners, donors and other specific funds at CKCF. It is the generosity of our community that makes this grant opportunity possible.

Evaluation

Grant applications are evaluated by a Grant Review Committee and final grant awards are approved by CKCF’s Board of Directors.