Guidelines for Grant Program

  • Priority is given to those qualifying organizations that focus on education, arts, culture, social services, and civic good, which are likely to increase the quality of life in the Henderson County, Kentucky region. Some limited, proactive grants are made outside this area, based on specific interests of Foundation trustees.

  • Priority is also given to new or innovative projects and programs that:

    • make the larger Henderson community a better place to live, learn, and work.

    • are measurable with stated goals and objectives.

    • demonstrate effectiveness and innovation or great potential.

    • are models for others.

    • demonstrate collaboration.

    • can be eventually self-supporting or show evidence of long-term viability and impact.

  • All grantees must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

  • Specific projects or programs otherwise meeting the guidelines are given preference over general operating, capital campaigns, or brick-and-mortar projects.

  • Because demand far exceeds the Foundation’s ability to respond, the Foundation:

    • does not generally accommodate fundraising or donor cultivation events, sponsorships, walks, runs, golf outings, school or neighborhood specific events.

    • does not purchase raffle tickets or tables for fundraising events or support courtesy advertising.

    • does not make grants to individuals, to religious organizations unless they are engaged in qualified programs benefiting the entire community, to political causes or candidates, or to organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, familial or marital status, or national origin.

    • does not give to other private foundations or to endowments, preferring to support projects and programs directly rather than through other grant making organizations and programs

The trustees retain the right to fund compelling ideas that do not fall within the stated guidelines. Indeed, the trustees will be pro-active in identifying areas in which the Foundation can make a significant difference and will seek out the organizations, collaborations, or partnerships that can accomplish these defined outcomes.