Our Application Process

What is it like to pursue a partnership with the Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana?

Step 1: Do You Align With Our Mission & Purpose?

We fund organizations whose missions align with our vision and desired outcomes. We make grants in alignment with our focus areas. Scroll down on this page to review our focus areas. Read more on our About Us page or contact us if you are unsure about your organization’s alignment with our focus.

Step 2: Determine Eligibility

  • We fund 501c3 nonprofit organizations that are led and operate in the following six counties: Jefferson, Shelby, Bullitt, Nelson, & Hardin counties in Kentucky and Clark County in Indiana.

  • We do not fund long-term debt financing, endowments, local chapters of national organizations, or re-granting projects.

  • We have no restrictions against support for capital campaigns, general operating expenses, staff salaries, or consultant fees.

  • Our partners serve people in our community who are vulnerable, and are locally led.

    (Examples of persons who are vulnerable include: the economically challenged, historically marginalized, the young and the old, medically fragile or challenged, foreign-born, the isolated, those who lack resources, and survivors of violence.)

Step 3: Begin a Relationship

We are a highly relational grantmaking foundation. We are seeking partnership with our grant recipients, not just a financial transaction. So, it can be helpful to have an introductory phone call or meeting to discuss your organization or project to explore possible mission alignment with our foundation. Contact us to schedule a get-to-know-you conversation.

Our Letter of Interest form is online and open access, but we highly recommend that you reach out personally before submitting it. Our Grant Proposal is available by invitation only.

Step 4: Letter of Interest & Grant Application

Our application process begins with a Letter of Interest. Our grants committee reviews all submitted LOIs, and then invites a certain number of organizations to submit a full proposal. During the full proposal review process we also conduct an in-person site visit.

Our Grant Application Timeline:

I. Fall Funding Cycle

  • Letter of Interest due: June 28, 2024

  • Grant Proposal due (if invited): August 23, 2024

  • Notice of Approval/Denial: October 25, 2024

  • Grant Term: January 1st – December 31st

II. Spring Funding Cycle

  • Letter of Interest due: December 13, 2024

  • Grant Proposal due (if invited): February 21, 2025

  • Notice of Approval/Denial: April 25, 2025

  • Grant Term: July 1st – June 30th 


Got Questions?

Learn more about our eligibility requirements and grantmaking procedures in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Ready to Apply?

Go to our Grant Seekers Page to take an eligibility quiz and get started.


Our Focus Areas:

The Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana supports a diversity of projects all striving towards healthy communities, particularly for the vulnerable.

Personal Health & Wellbeing:

  • Basic Needs (housing, transportation, job/income, childcare, food security)

  • Early Childhood Education

  • College or Career Prep

  • Access to Healthcare

  • Family Stability

  • Mental & Spiritual Wellness

  • Support for Persons with Special Medical Needs (cancer, vision-impaired)

  • Uplifting Personal Connections

  • Freedom from Addiction

  • Care for the Aging

Community Wellbeing & Enrichment:

  • Access to Nature

  • Violence Prevention & Safety

  • Beautification

  • Access to the arts

  • Economic Growth & Opportunity

  • Community-Wide Resources