Blue Grass Community Foundation

08/26/2026

Philanthropy means “love of humankind” and few people have embodied that definition as wholeheartedly as Dolly Parton.

Her words, “When people are in a position to help, you should help. I try to put my money where my heart is,” reflect her lifelong commitment to turning love into action.

It has been an honor to play a role in bringing Dolly’s philanthropy to our community through initiatives like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, inspiring a love of reading and opening a world of possibilities for children, one book at a time.

Thank you, Dolly, for putting your money where your heart is and inspiring others to do the same. We will always love you. 🩵 💚 🦋

08/17/2026

Happy National Nonprofit Day! Let's celebrate the nonprofits working every day to make Central + Appalachia Kentucky a more compassionate, connected and vibrant place to live, work and play. 🎉

BGCF is proud to help local nonprofits organizations focus on their missions. From endowment funds and fiscal sponsorships to grant opportunities and Bluegrass Gives, we connect nonprofits with resources that help their work, and their impact, grow.

Thank you to our nonprofit partners for all you do for our community. 🫶

Think we can help you advance your mission? Reach out to learn more: https://www.bgcf.org/about-us/nonprofit-services/

08/14/2026

Thank you, WinCity Voices, for sharing the news about our latest investment in Kentucky journalism!

Press Forward Blue Grass awarded $100,000 to 10 Kentucky newsrooms, including WinCity Media, to help strengthen local reporting and expand access to reliable, community-centered information.

Other grant recipients, and their initiatives, include:
🗞️ CivicLex – Expanding civic journalism through innovative print products and new earned revenue strategies.

🗞️ The Edge Berea KY - Launching the Kentucky Land Use News Desk, a statewide reporting collaborative focused on land use.

🗞️ Kentucky Student Voice Team – Establishing a Rural Journalism Satellite Bureau to train and support the next generation of student journalists.

🗞️ Medialex – Creating a multilingual Community Reporter Program to expand trusted reporting across Lexington's diverse communities.

🗞️ Q***r Kentucky – Building a network of Central Kentucky community reporters to increase representation and strengthen local journalism.

🗞️ Kentucky Lantern – Developing the UK–Kentucky Lantern Policy Pipeline to prepare future statehouse reporters through hands-on public policy reporting.

🗞️ Undermain – Expanding arts journalism through strategic audience development, sponsorship growth and long-term sustainability planning.

🗞️ The Wi******er Sun – Launching a Community Newsroom Project that trains neighborhood correspondents to report on the communities they know best.

🗞️ The Woodford Sun – Supporting the newspaper's transition to nonprofit ownership by funding a modern digital publishing platform that will strengthen audience growth, sponsorship opportunities and long-term sustainability.

Press Forward Blue Grass is our regional chapter of the national Press Forward movement, bringing funders together to support a stronger, more sustainable future for local news.

🗞️Read WinCity Media’s story:

WinCity Media has received a $10,000 Sustainable Newsroom Innovation Grant from Press Forward Blue Grass to strengthen WinCity Voices’ local reporting capacity. The funding will support professiona…

08/12/2026

Class is back in session, and BGCF scholarship recipients are heading to campuses near and far! 🎓📚

This year, 128 students received a total of $895,807 in one-time and renewable scholarships administered by Blue Grass Community Foundation.

The journey began with 523 students submitting 1,301 scholarship-specific applications through our online portal. Through the 70 scholarship funds we administer, support is reaching students at 50 campuses in Kentucky, throughout the region and across the country.

This year also marks the first time BGCF scholarship recipients are attending Yale University, Howard University and Virginia Tech!

These scholarships are made possible by the generous fundholders and donors who invest in students and expand access to education. 🍎

08/03/2026

Christmas came early in Sharpsburg! 🎄☀️

Lifelong resident Robert L. Brown left a charitable legacy rooted in his love for Sharpsburg. Established through his estate, RL Brown Foundation carries his generosity forward through community events, public spaces and projects that bring neighbors together.

Sharpsburg's Christmas in July party was another reminder that generosity is worth celebrating in every season. 💙💚

07/29/2026

Just three of the countless reasons why matters!

Every day, Black-serving nonprofits across Lexington are building opportunity, strengthening families and creating a more connected community. Give 8/28 Lex shines a spotlight on that work and helps more people invest in it.

Join us on August 28 and be part of the movement! Bookmark this page and get ready to give on Give 8/28:

🖤 bggives.org/community/give828lex

07/23/2026

One day. An entire region. Millions raised for local missions. That’s the power of giving together!

GivingTuesday research shows that communities with collective giving campaigns like Bluegrass Gives raise 90% more per capita and engage 85% more donors than communities without them, and the results of Bluegrass Gives speak for themselves.

In 2025:

✨ $3.14 million was raised, a new campaign record
✨ 235 local nonprofits participated
✨ Thousands of donors rallied around local causes
✨ More than $800,000 was offered in matches and special incentives

And since 2011, Bluegrass Gives has raised $29 million for our region’s nonprofits.🩷

Now it’s your organization's turn to be part of the momentum. Gain access to training, campaign resources, greater visibility and opportunities to make donations go further.

Register for Bluegrass Gives 2026 by September 4 at BGgives.org.

Then we'll see you on Giving Tuesday, December 1!

07/21/2026

Clear, purposeful storytelling helps nonprofits connect people to the importance of their work. On July 11, 49 leaders representing 43 organizations joined us for a Nonprofit Storytelling and Media Workshop.

📖 Story Development: Dr. Melissa Newman helped participants identify the people, moments and experiences that bring their missions to life.

🎯 Story Strategy: Lyndsey Creecy explored how organizations can shape those stories around their communication and engagement goals.

📣 Story Delivery: Martina Barksdale shared practical ways to bring stories to audiences through websites, social media, video and more.

Participants left with useful, actionable tools to connect with donors, partners and the communities they serve. We’re grateful to our presenters—and to every nonprofit leader who invested a Saturday in strengthening their organization’s voice.

Convening and equipping nonprofit organizations is just one way Blue Grass Community Foundation helps our region thrive. From grant opportunities and fiscal sponsorships to charitable funds, free resources and community-building programs, we’re here to help nonprofits focus on what matters most: their missions.

Explore BGCF’s nonprofit services: https://www.bgcf.org/about-us/nonprofit-services/

07/15/2026

Want to meet people who care about Lexington and learn more about giving back together?

Join the LexGive365 community for a free night with Lexington Sporting Club on July 22. Current members, friends and anyone interested in learning more about LexGive365 are welcome. Spots are limited, so RSVP ASAP! ⚽🧡💚

⚽ One week until game day!

Join LexGive365 for our Summer KICK-Off at Lexington SC on July 22!

🎟️ Complimentary tickets
🤝 Great company
☀️ A perfect summer night

Don't wait - reserve your spot today! RSVP in the link in our comments!