Many grantmakers, agencies, and companies are eager to support small businesses as they grow, innovate, and strengthen their communities. This resource highlights grants, programs, and opportunities available to Kentucky-based entrepreneurs and small businesses. Whether you are just getting started, scaling operations, or looking for stability while waiting on nonprofit status approval, these opportunities can help you take your next step forward.

This summary draws from the Kentucky Nonprofit Network’s More Than Charity research, a critical data set that illuminates the economic importance of Kentucky’s nonprofit sector and brings long-overdue visibility to its role as a statewide economic engine.

For many small and mid-sized nonprofits, the search for funding often feels like you’re chasing after large, complex grants with stiff competition. While those opportunities are important, they are not the only pathway to resources. Micro-grants and seed funding can play a vital role in helping rural nonprofits pilot programs, build capacity, and demonstrate impact on a smaller scale.

Tired of scrambling at the last minute or losing track of deadlines? A grant calendar can change that. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to create a simple, strategic system for organizing grant deadlines, funder info, and reporting tasks, using free tools your team already knows how to use.

Private philanthropy cannot fully replace public investment. The scale and reach of federal grants are unparalleled, and when those dollars diminish, the ripple effects are profound, especially in under-resourced and rural areas like so many of our Kentucky communities. But here’s the good news: philanthropy is not sitting on the sidelines.

Looking to strengthen your housing-related grant proposals? Kentucky Housing Corporation’s Housing Supply Gap Analysis offers county-specific, income-based data you can use to prove local need with confidence. This how-to guide walks you through where to find the data, how to use it in your narrative, and why it’s a must-have resource for any housing grant application in Kentucky.

Grant Ready Kentucky and Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) are partnering to offer webinars, grant writing assistance, and in-person coaching opportunities focused on the Appalachian Regional Commission's POWER Initiative.

On August 7, 2025, the White House issued the Executive Order Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking to increase accountability, transparency, and alignment of federal discretionary grants with stated national priorities. This directive reshapes how agencies develop, review, and manage Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), and it adds new oversight layers that will affect both timing...

Looking for new grant opportunities? IRS Form 990s are a powerful (and free!) way to discover who’s funding work like yours. This guide walks you through how to find 990s online, what to look for inside, and how to turn tax forms into real funding leads...no accounting degree required.

The EDA is offering $1.447 billion to help communities recover from recent disasters, and 110 Kentucky counties are eligible. Funding is available through three tracks: Readiness, Implementation, and Industry Transformation, depending on project type.

This post shows nonprofits how to stay true to their mission while sharpening the way they communicate in federal grant proposals. It offers practical, confidence-building tips to help organizations write with clarity, purpose, and renewed momentum.

Before you submit your next grant proposal, take a step back—have you built a relationship with the funder? In Part 3 of our grant prospecting series, we dive into the often-overlooked stage of cultivation and engagement: the art of connecting with funders before you apply. This guide walks you through why early outreach matters, how to do it well (even without existing contacts), and how to avoid common missteps. From sample email language to affordable tracking tools, you’ll learn practical steps to build trust, align your work with funder priorities, and boost your chances of success.

Federal grants are blooming again—and they’re focused on Kentucky’s real needs. New DOJ and USDA programs are investing in rural safety, food access, and local economies. With more on the horizon like ARC POWER, now’s the time to get ready.

As many nonprofits brace for increased competition and shifting priorities in federal funding, the need for sustainable alternatives has never been clearer. At the 2025 Kentucky Grant Professionals Association (KY GPA) Statewide Conference in Elizabethtown, I met Phil Johncock and discovered one of his books that felt especially timely: Diversify Nonprofit Sustainability with 20 Approved IRS Re...

In Part II of our prospecting series, we’ll show you how to move from “maybe” to “most likely” by qualifying each funder based on fit. From mission alignment and eligibility to regional focus and active giving status, we’ll help you weed out the dead ends so you can focus on the grants most likely to say yes. Plus, grab our free scoring chart to make the process easier (and faster).

Learn how to identify potential grant funders with this beginner-friendly guide. Discover the key steps in grant prospect research, including defining your funding needs, understanding grant types, using tools like Foundation Directory Online and Grants.gov, and researching who funds similar projects. Perfect for small nonprofits and local governments starting their grant journey.

There’s exciting news on the grant front for Kentucky organizations: The Governor recently signed HB605—a bill updating the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (GRANT) Program to include expanded opportunities, more flexibility, and a smoother application process for public service providers across the Commonwealth. Changes are expected to go into effect by May 1st.

Applying for federal funding in Kentucky? You’ll need to submit your application through the state’s e-Clearinghouse for required review and approval. This guide covers what to expect and how to complete the process smoothly.

The Kentucky Attorney General’s charitable giving page includes a list of private foundations that could be a valuable tool for nonprofits seeking funding. This article covers how to use this resource for grant prospecting and explores other Kentucky-specific funding tools.

Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is one of the most extensive databases of grant resources available today. Here's how you can access it for FREE at some Kentucky public libraries.

Recovering from a disaster takes more than just FEMA assistance—Kentucky communities need additional funding to rebuild and prepare for future floods. Grant Ready Kentucky is here to help with resources like the Flood-Related Local Match Program, a comprehensive disaster relief grants database, and free 1-on-1 support from grant professionals. Explore available funding opportunities and get expert guidance to ensure your community secures the resources needed for long-term recovery and resilience.

If you are planning to apply for federal funding, one of the very first things you need to do is register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and obtain a Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI). Here's our guide to getting started.

Registering for Grants.gov is your first step toward unlocking federal funding opportunities. While the process requires a little time upfront, it’s well worth it.

The Grants.gov Discussion Forum is a valuable tool for both new and experienced grant seekers. It provides a collaborative environment where individuals can share knowledge, ask questions, and stay informed about best practices in the field. Engaging in this community can enhance your grant-seeking efforts and help you navigate the complexities of federal funding opportunities.

Looking for TA resources? Start here! While there are many resources available, they can be difficult to find. This is our first in a series of articles on valuable TA resources available to KY nonprofits and communities. Here we cover common terminology, and major general TA resources with a focus on planning, developing, or managing grant-funded projects.

Area Development Districts (ADDs) in Kentucky are regional planning and development organizations that aim to foster economic growth and improve the quality of life in their communities. They coordinate various programs and services across local government boundaries, including economic development, workforce training, eldercare, community services, infrastructure planning, GIS data-mapping, and more. ADDs serve as a bridge between local needs and state and federal resources, ensuring that communities have access to necessary funding and support for projects. With experienced grant professionals on staff, ADDs can assist communities in identifying available grant opportunities or in preparing applications for the new G.R.A.N.T. Program. All 120 counties in Kentucky are served by one of fifteen local ADDs working across the Commonwealth. Find your local ADD below.

Federal grants often require grant recipients to match a percentage of the federal award with other sources of cash or in-kind (non-cash) resources. A majority of Kentucky nonprofits surveyed by Grant Ready Kentucky find match requirements to be a significant barrier to applying for public funds. In this article, we outline the basics of federal grant match requirements and how to meet them.

The IRS's free, on-demand, 10-course workshop to help small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations stay tax-exempt.

If you’re an organization in Appalachia looking for resources to build your capacity, the READY Nonprofits program offers training, technical assistance, funding, and more.

The USDA Resource Guide for Rural Workforce Development is a great tool for planning workforce development projects. The guide covers 4 major assistance areas and includes recommended practices, sample success stories, and a list of USDA resources, including grants, for each. Additionally, the guide includes a list of resources in other federal agency programs and contact information for the USDA departments.

Organization wishing to pursue federal grant funding must first complete SAM Registration. We've found that some rural organizations run into challenges with the registration process regarding their entity validation. Here is a guide to dealing with some of the most frequent issues.

Trouble finding data to support your grant application? Watch this demonstration webinar and learn how to access Kentucky-specific data from the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS). In this special webinar, Jessica Fletcher, MPA, shares how KYSTATS data and research can be useful in developing grant applications.