Unsolicited grants

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky accepts unsolicited grant applications to ensure nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to seek support for projects that may not align with the focus or timing of our other grant programs. This open process allows us to discover innovative work and emerging needs across the Commonwealth, stay connected to efforts we might not otherwise know about, and reduce certain barriers to funding access.

Awards are highly competitive and are made based on available funding, alignment with our priorities, and the potential of proposed projects to advance the FHKY mission. Funding is not guaranteed. Proposals should be for projects that take place in the next calendar year.

We recommend requesting support for projects with total budgets in the $50,000–$100,000 range.

Additional details about timelines, eligibility, and priorities are below. Please read before filling out application.

Download Application

Any questions and/or applications can be submitted to Gavin Posey at gposey@healthy-ky.org.

Eligibility Criteria

Grant proposals must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Applicant must be a nonprofit organization with 501c status.

  • Applicant is located in the state of Kentucky. 

  • Applicant provides services in the state of Kentucky without discrimination.

  • Applicant’s commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  • Projects must include evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches.

Applications should be concise and generally fall between 5 and 8 pages; submissions, including any optional attachments, longer than 10 pages will not be accepted.

FHKY is committed to funding projects that directly align with our focus areas: Access to Health Care and Children’s Health. When reviewing applications received in 2026, though not a requirement, priority will be given to proposals that aim to increase vaccine confidence and/or vaccination rates. Since we are unable to fund direct medical care, this could include outreach events, educational efforts, etc. We will also consider:

  • The potential impact of the proposed activity.

  • The utilization of existing evidence and best practices.

  • The likelihood of a project to lead to actionable policy recommendations or systemic change.

  • The extent to which the project is equitable and has the potential to reduce health disparities.

  • The potential for growth of a project following the initial investment or grant.

Annual Timeline (timeline may be subject to minor changes)

The Foundation will not fund:

  • Medical care for individual patients– The Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation specifically state it “shall not pay for, reimburse or directly subsidize direct provision of medical services except in the context of demonstration projects or similar research endeavors.”

  • Capital campaigns or requests for facility construction

  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability and genetic information (including family medical history) or military/ marital status

  • Endowment funds

  • Individuals

  • Religious organizations for religious purposes

  • Retroactive expenses or deficit reduction or forgiveness

 The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky will review and select applications submitted by eligible organizations, and the selected organizations will be notified of the award via email. Please note:

  • Projects do not require a cost sharing or funding match.

  • Grants will be paid in full upon signing of grantee contracts.

  • All funded activities must take place within the dates agreed upon in the contract.

  • FHKY may request meetings with the grantee, convene a cohort with similar projects, or conduct site visits in order to provide technical assistance and evaluation.

Click here to read about previous awards made as part of our unsolicited application process.