Lake Area Foundation Inc Grants

Grants from income on discretionary endowments for projects that address community needs, pursue promising opportunities, and promote community or economic development in the Lake Cumberland region. Projects must benefit one or more eligible counties other than Russell County only (projects may also benefit Russell County). Applicants may request up to $5,000 for a specific project or a clearly defined project phase. A committed cash match of at least 20% of the request is required (e.g., $1,000 for a $5,000 request). Partial awards are possible at LAF's discretion. Fall 2026 cycle: applications open October 1, 2026; Courtesy Review deadline October 28, 2026; final deadline October 30, 2026 at 4:00 PM Central. Awards are expected about 2-3 weeks after the final deadline. LAF runs Spring and Fall grant cycles. Eligible applicants: Eligible applicants may include local governments and public agencies; public schools and educational institutions; private schools and homeschool associations serving multiple unrelated households (individual family homeschools do not qualify); organizations with current IRS 501(c)(3) status; private businesses proposing eligible community projects; and other qualifying entities serving the community.; Applicants must have a Tax ID or EIN to receive an award. If an organization operates under a parent organization's Tax ID or EIN, the parent organization must apply on its behalf.; Projects must provide a direct and substantive community or economic benefit within the LCADF service area (Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor and Wayne Counties, Kentucky). The benefiting counties are set by project activities, not by the applicant's location or service area.; LAF funds cannot be used to benefit counties outside the LAF service area. Projects benefiting only Russell County must apply to RCDF. Projects benefiting any other eligible county, with or without Russell County, must apply to LCADF.; Projects must address a community need or opportunity and provide a meaningful community or economic benefit. Funding may be for an entire project or for a clearly defined project phase that produces a meaningful result on its own.; Requests may not exceed $5,000, and may not exceed the part of the project or phase cost not covered by other funding.; Requests for ongoing or multiyear funding will not be considered.; Committed cash funding equal to at least 20% of the requested LAF grant is required. Pending grants, anticipated fundraising, projected fees or sales, verbal pledges, donated labor, donated materials and other in-kind contributions do not count toward the match.; The budget must balance: total cash funding, including the LAF request and all committed and pending cash, must equal the total cash cost of the project or phase.; Private business applicants: projects must principally benefit the broader community rather than the business, its owners or paying customers. Ordinary operating expenses are ineligible. The business must show why it needs LAF assistance and why other business resources or financing are not reasonably available. It must commit to a public-access period and submit business financial information for the most recently completed year.; An applicant may submit applications for unrelated projects but may receive no more than one LCADF or RCDF grant per funding cycle. Applicants submitting more than one application must rank all projects in the Project Priorities table.; Required attachments: project cost documentation for each LAF-funded expense (all applications); documentation for each committed third-party funding source; an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (nonprofits); and business financial information (private businesses).; Applications must be submitted in hard copy by mail, carrier service or hand delivery, and must be received by 4:00 PM Central on the final deadline. Late, faxed or emailed applications are rejected. Illegible or incomplete applications may be rejected.; Applicants must indicate whether they can accept a partial award and describe any conditions or minimum award needed for the project to stay viable.; Selection criteria: community need and benefit, feasibility, readiness, results, budget strength, prior LAF funding, and financial need when applicable.. Geography served: Adair County, KY; Casey County, KY; Clinton County, KY; Cumberland County, KY; Green County, KY; McCreary County, KY; Pulaski County, KY; Russell County, KY; Taylor County, KY; Wayne County, KY. Deadline: Final Application Deadline: October 30 th, 2026 by 4:00 PM Central..

Grants from income on discretionary endowments for projects that address community needs, pursue promising opportunities, and promote community or economic development in Russell County, Kentucky. Projects must benefit only Russell County. Applicants may request up to $5,000 for a specific project or a clearly defined project phase. A committed cash match of at least 20% of the request is required (e.g., $1,000 for a $5,000 request). Partial awards are possible at LAF's discretion. Fall 2026 cycle: applications open October 1, 2026; Courtesy Review deadline October 28, 2026; final deadline October 30, 2026 at 4:00 PM Central. Awards are expected about 2-3 weeks after the final deadline. LAF runs Spring and Fall grant cycles. Eligible applicants: Eligible applicants may include local governments and public agencies; public schools and educational institutions; private schools and homeschool associations serving multiple unrelated households (individual family homeschools do not qualify); organizations with current IRS 501(c)(3) status; private businesses proposing eligible community projects; and other qualifying entities serving the community.; Applicants must have a Tax ID or EIN to receive an award. If an organization operates under a parent organization's Tax ID or EIN, the parent organization must apply on its behalf.; Projects must provide a direct and substantive community or economic benefit within Russell County. The benefiting counties are set by project activities, not by the applicant's location or service area.; RCDF funds cannot be used for activities benefiting counties other than Russell County. Projects benefiting Russell County and another eligible county must apply to LCADF.; Projects must address a community need or opportunity and provide a meaningful community or economic benefit. Funding may be for an entire project or for a clearly defined project phase that produces a meaningful result on its own.; Requests may not exceed $5,000, and may not exceed the part of the project or phase cost not covered by other funding.; Requests for ongoing or multiyear funding will not be considered.; Committed cash funding equal to at least 20% of the requested LAF grant is required. Pending grants, anticipated fundraising, projected fees or sales, verbal pledges, donated labor, donated materials and other in-kind contributions do not count toward the match.; The budget must balance: total cash funding, including the LAF request and all committed and pending cash, must equal the total cash cost of the project or phase.; Private business applicants: projects must principally benefit the broader community rather than the business, its owners or paying customers. Ordinary operating expenses are ineligible. The business must show why it needs LAF assistance and why other business resources or financing are not reasonably available. It must commit to a public-access period and submit business financial information for the most recently completed year.; An applicant may submit applications for unrelated projects but may receive no more than one LCADF or RCDF grant per funding cycle. Applicants submitting more than one application must rank all projects in the Project Priorities table.; Required attachments: project cost documentation for each LAF-funded expense (all applications); documentation for each committed third-party funding source; an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (nonprofits); and business financial information (private businesses).; Applications must be submitted in hard copy by mail, carrier service or hand delivery, and must be received by 4:00 PM Central on the final deadline. Late, faxed or emailed applications are rejected. Illegible or incomplete applications may be rejected.; Applicants must indicate whether they can accept a partial award and describe any conditions or minimum award needed for the project to stay viable.; Selection criteria: community need and benefit, feasibility, readiness, results, budget strength, prior LAF funding, and financial need when applicable.. Geography served: Russell County, Kentucky. Deadline: Final Application Deadline: October 30 th, 2026 by 4:00 PM Central..