Guide for nonprofits

Grants and free programs for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Kentucky

6 verified programs limited to Kentucky, with what each gives, who qualifies and how to apply.

Nationwide programs and other states: Free grants, ad credits and software for 501(c)(3) nonprofits
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Duke Energy Foundation community grants

Duke EnergyFor nonprofits and local governments and tribesOnly in 6 states: NC, SC, OH, IN, KY, FL

The Duke Energy Foundation accepts grant applications for $20,000 and less year-round on a rolling basis in three focus areas: vibrant economies (workforce training, community revitalization, local economic development), local resiliency (disaster preparedness, resilience, conservation) and community opportunity. Public charities and governmental entities, including school districts, that serve Duke Energy communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Florida apply online after first contacting their state Foundation representative.

What you get
$20,000 and less
Who qualifies
  • Current tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3), or a governmental entity, including school districts (governmental entities submit a W-9)
  • Serve communities that are also served by Duke Energy (eligible counties are listed on each state page: North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida)
  • Serve communities without discrimination and have a method to measure, track and report program outcomes
  • Not eligible: for-profit organizations, individuals, churches, private foundations, 501(c)(4)/(c)(6) organizations, individual K-12 schools (districts may apply), sports teams
  • Does not fund general operating expenses, capital investments and improvements, generation or storage equipment, weatherization or energy efficiency projects, or multiple grants to the same institution in a calendar year
How to apply
  1. Review the eligibility guidelines and the Foundation's focus areas
  2. Find your state's page and contact the Foundation representative for your county with your grant proposal and its focus-area alignment
  3. Register your organization in the grant system (verification is done through Benevity)
  4. Submit the electronic grant application at dukeenergy.versaic.com; review can take up to three months or more

Checked against Duke Energy's own page on October 16, 2026.

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Kentucky Power Economic Growth Grants (K-PEGG)

Kentucky Power (AEP)For nonprofits and local governments and tribesOnly in Kentucky

Kentucky Power Economic Growth Grants fund economic development work in Kentucky Power's 20-county eastern Kentucky service area, including site and building studies and infrastructure, collaborative marketing, professional consulting, and training for local economic development practitioners. City, county and regional nonprofit economic development organizations can apply at any time while funds last; the program totals about $700,000 a year, funded by a customer surcharge matched by stockholders.

What you get
Program total about $700,000 per year; per-grant amount not stated
Who qualifies
  • Nonprofit entity, such as a city or county economic development organization or a regional economic development organization
  • Organization must be in Kentucky Power's service area (20 counties in eastern Kentucky)
  • Projects must fit program uses: education for economic development practitioners, sites and buildings product improvement, marketing and promotion, or professional consulting
  • Previous recipients must complete reporting before applying again
How to apply
  1. Complete the K-PEGG application online on the program page, or download it
  2. Describe the project, need, jobs to be created or retained, budget, partners and schedule, and attach supporting documents and a cover letter
  3. Submit online or email the completed application and documents to kpegg@aep.com; there are no deadlines and awards are made until funds are exhausted

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

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Publix Super Markets Charities Grants and Donations

Publix Super Markets CharitiesFor nonprofits and local governments and tribesOnly in 8 states: FL, GA, AL, NC, SC, TN, VA, KY

Publix Super Markets Charities funds nonprofits and schools in Publix's eight Southeastern states, focused on hunger, homelessness, youth, education and communities. Organizations register on the Publix Charitable Donations site and submit requests online; hunger-relief requests are due March 1 to April 30 and housing and shelter requests July 1 to August 31, while other nonprofit and sponsorship requests are taken year-round.

What you get
Not stated
Who qualifies
  • Organization must operate and/or serve clients in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or Kentucky
  • Fully registered nonprofit (listed in the IRS database); donations to schools are made directly to the school (PTAs, PTSAs and booster clubs cannot register)
  • Priorities: alleviating hunger, reducing homelessness, encouraging youth, supporting education and improving communities
  • Publix Charities does not donate to benefit an individual
How to apply
  1. Register the organization on the Publix Charitable Donations site (an employee or board member must register the organization; volunteers register separately)
  2. Log in with the password emailed to you and submit your request for support
  3. Submit hunger-relief requests March 1 to April 30 and housing and shelter requests July 1 to August 31; other requests may be submitted any time
  4. Watch for an email decision; approved checks are mailed to the address on file

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Opens in roundsCash grant

Duke Energy Foundation Urban Revitalization grants (Ohio and Kentucky)

Duke EnergyFor nonprofits and local governments and tribesOnly in Ohio, Kentucky

Duke Energy's Urban Revitalization grants fund predevelopment work, such as architectural and engineering design, environmental services and market or feasibility studies, for commercial redevelopment that removes blight, attracts businesses and creates jobs. Funding goes to urban centers in Duke Energy's Ohio and Northern Kentucky territory: historic river communities, Cincinnati neighborhoods (except the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine) and first-ring suburbs. Applications are due July 31 each year.

What you get
Amount not stated
Who qualifies
  • 501(c)(3) public charity or a governmental entity, including school systems
  • Serve communities served by Duke Energy in Ohio or Kentucky; projects must be in an "urban center" (historic river communities, Cincinnati neighborhoods other than the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine, and first-ring suburbs)
  • Does not fund operating funds, capital or endowment campaigns, bricks and mortar, equipment purchases, streetscapes, street lighting or underground electric service
  • For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible
How to apply
  1. Email kim.vogelgesang@duke-energy.com to share your proposal before applying
  2. Complete the Urban Revitalization additional grant questions (linked on the program page)
  3. Apply in the Duke Energy Foundation grant system and upload the additional questions by July 31

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Opens in roundsCash grantUnderserved communities

Duke Energy Foundation Workforce Development grants (Ohio and Kentucky)

Duke EnergyFor nonprofitsOnly in Ohio, Kentucky

The Duke Energy Foundation funds Ohio and Kentucky nonprofits whose programs help people secure and keep jobs by meeting ancillary needs such as wraparound services, transportation, financial mentoring, work supplies and childcare. The average award is $10,000 to $15,000; applications open in January and are due April 1, with grants announced in June.

What you get
Average grant award $10,000 to $15,000
Who qualifies
  • Current tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3)
  • Serve communities in Duke Energy's Ohio or Kentucky service areas
  • Preference for programs that impact an at-risk, underserved community and have clearly defined impact
  • Not eligible: for-profit organizations, individuals, churches, private foundations, individual K-12 schools; no general operating expenses or capital investments
How to apply
  1. Confirm your organization serves an eligible Duke Energy county in Ohio or Kentucky
  2. Apply in the Duke Energy Foundation grant system during the application period (January to April 1 at 5:00 p.m. EST)
  3. Direct questions to Kim.Vogelgesang@duke-energy.com

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Opens in roundsCash grantLow-income communities

Scripps Howard Fund Childhood Literacy Grants (Greater Cincinnati)

Scripps Howard Fund (The E.W. Scripps Company)For nonprofitsLocal programs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana

The Scripps Howard Fund, the public charity of The E.W. Scripps Company, makes grants to Greater Cincinnati nonprofits for childhood literacy programs, prioritizing children living in poverty. It runs one grant cycle a year with small grants (under $15,000) and large grants ($15,000 and up); applications are accepted Jan. 1 through Feb. 13 and grants are announced in April. Outside Greater Cincinnati, the Fund gives grants by invitation only in Scripps station markets.

What you get
Small grants under $15,000 or large grants of $15,000 and up (cash)
Who qualifies
  • Nonprofit organizations in Greater Cincinnati (Scripps' hometown)
  • Programs focused on childhood literacy, prioritizing children living in poverty: new or expanded literacy programs, books and materials, summer reading, help for students reading below grade level, or home libraries
  • Organizations are eligible for only one grant per calendar year
  • Organizations outside Greater Cincinnati cannot apply; there the Fund gives by invitation only
How to apply
  1. Choose the small grant (less than $15,000) or large grant ($15,000 and greater) track
  2. Apply through the Fund's online application (YourCause) between Jan. 1 and midnight Feb. 13
  3. Grants are announced in April; send questions to Grants@Scripps.com

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Every program here was checked against the provider's own website on the date shown on its card. Offers change, so confirm the details on the program page before you apply. GrantFinder isn't affiliated with these companies.