The LG&E and KU Foundation concentrates its giving on large, local community-support efforts, especially funding for utility/energy assistance and broad-based community services. Grants are few but substantial, flowing to intermediaries that administer emergency aid and community-wide programs rather than many small nonprofits. The foundation appears to prioritize partner organizations that distribute resources locally (e.g., United Way and community ministries) and strategic grantmaking rounds documented by sizable annual disbursements.
Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc’s largest documented recent grants are concentrated in community systems that move aid at scale, including a $749,000 award to Association of Community Ministries Inc for ACM Utility Grant and a $395,044 grant to Metro United Way Inc. The pattern suggests a foundation that uses sizable awards to support intermediaries rather than fragmenting giving into many small direct gifts. Recent support also reaches emergency energy relief, with grants to Energy Conservation Associates Inc for Project Warm 2024 and to Dollar Energy Fund for WinterShare/annual donation. Beyond utility assistance, the foundation backs community-wide service networks, arts organizations, and local civic efforts in Kentucky. Its recent grant record includes repeated support to Louisville-area nonprofits, along with regional partners in Lexington, Carrollton, Frankfort, and Burgin. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations, and its published grant activity shows recurring awards to the same grantees across multiple years, indicating a continuing relationship model rather than one-off support. The recent grants list and active programs together point to a local funder that emphasizes community services, energy security, and practical local capacity-building.
Utility and energy assistance is one of the clearest themes in the grant record. In 2025, Lg&e and Ku Foundation Inc gave $749,000 to Association of Community Ministries Inc for ACM Utility Grant, and $120,000 to Energy Conservation Associates Inc for Project Warm 2024. It also awarded $20,000 to Dollar Energy Fund for WinterShare/annual donation and $17,331 to Wintercare Energy Fund Inc for Wintercare Dec 23 donation. The foundation also supports broad community service infrastructure. Metro United Way Inc received $395,044 for Metro United Way, plus another $146,114 for the same organization, and $100,000 for Beyond Buzzwords 2024. Education and youth support appear in grants such as $40,000 to Lincoln Foundation for WYSP STEM Support 2024 and $20,000 to Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Kentuckiana Inc for 23-24 School to Work. Arts and public culture are present as well, including $98,270 to Fund for the Arts Inc for Fund for the Arts.
Typical awards are modest relative to the foundation’s annual grant volume: the p25 grant size is $1,000, the median is $2,464, and the p75 is $5,000. The recent grants file also shows a small set of much larger community investments, including a few awards in the tens or hundreds of thousands. Grants recur across years and often go to the same local intermediaries, which points to continuing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a corporate foundation, and it also funds individuals. Its active programs show a mix of unsolicited community grants, event sponsorships, and a matching grant program for tree planting.
$4.3M
$22M
$1.6M
$4.3M
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Highly concentrated: a very small number of large grants (multi-million-dollar disbursements) to intermediary organizations and coordinated grant rounds rather than many small, direct service grants. Demonstrates preference for repeat or sustained support to community-wide partners that distribute aid locally.
Notable grantees: Association of Community Ministries Inc, Metro United Way Inc, Regional/multi-year community grant packages (2022–2023 disbursements)
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Kentucky: 89% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Kentucky is also the top state by grant count. Louisville appears most often, with recipients such as Association of Community Ministries Inc, Metro United Way Inc, Fund for the Arts Inc, and Louisville Zoo Foundation Inc. Lexington is another recurring location, including United Way of the Bluegrass Inc and Blue Grass Community Foundation Inc. Other Kentucky recipients include Carrollton, Frankfort, Burgin, and Lexington-area institutions. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 493 grants in the United States.
The recent grants point to intermediaries and local service organizations, especially groups working on utility assistance, community services, education, arts, and local capacity-building. Examples include Association of Community Ministries Inc, Metro United Way Inc, and United Way of the Bluegrass Inc.
Typical awards are relatively small: the p25 grant size is $1,000, the median is $2,464, and the p75 is $5,000. The recent file also includes several much larger community awards, showing that the foundation uses both small and large grant sizes.
Yes for some programs. The Community Grants program and Event Sponsorship stream both accept unsolicited requests. The Plant for the Planet Matching Grant Program also accepts unsolicited applications.
The grant record is local and heavily centered in Kentucky. Kentucky is the top state by grant count, and 89% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipients are concentrated in Louisville and Lexington, with additional grants in Carrollton, Frankfort, and Burgin.
Utility and energy assistance is prominent, along with broad community services, education, arts, and tree planting. Recent examples include ACM Utility Grant, Project Warm 2024, Metro United Way, WYSP STEM Support 2024, and Fund for the Arts.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Lg&E and Ku Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations may request event sponsorship support. An organization is eligible to receive funding once per calendar year and may apply for event sponsorship and a community grant within the same cycle.
Deadline: Applications are accepted in February and October each year.
Who can apply: Specific eligibility requirements and grant amounts are not provided in the supplied content. The program supports tree planting and related environmental projects in urban and rural settings with public access.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted in October of 2026. Award notifications will be sent approximately two months after the application period.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving communities within the LG&E and KU service territory may apply. An organization is eligible to receive funding once per calendar year and may apply for both a community grant and event sponsorship within the same cycle.
Deadline: Applications are accepted in February and October each year; exact dates are not specified.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $749,000 | 2026 | ACM/UTILITY GRANT |
| METRO UNITED WAY INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $336,295 | 2026 | METRO UNITED WAY- PO1 MATCH |
| METRO UNITED WAY INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $211,455 | 2026 | METRO UNITED WAY- PPL MATCH |
| WHAS CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $183,308 | 2026 | WHAS CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN PO1 |
| YOUTHBUILD LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $120,000 | 2026 | YOUTHBUILD/PROJECT WARM |
| METRO UNITED WAY INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $100,000 | 2026 | BEYOND BUZZWORDS 2025 |
| FUND FOR THE ARTS INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $83,898 | 2026 | FUND FOR THE ARTS PO1 |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $65,000 | 2026 | STUDENT & COMMUNITY SUCCESS |
| LOUISVILLE ZOO FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $65,000 | 2026 | PARTY FOR THE PLANET 2025 |
| KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $60,000 | 2026 | KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FOUND |
| UNITED WAY OF THE BLUEGRASS INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $56,683 | 2026 | UNITED WAY BLUEGRASS PO1 MATCH |
| OHIO VALLEY UNITED CHARITIES INC | CARROLLTON, KY | $52,878 | 2026 | OHIO VALLEY UNITED CHARITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | LEXINGTON, KY | $50,000 | 2026 | UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2026 | AMERICAN RED CROSS |
| LINCOLN FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $40,000 | 2026 | STEM EDUCATION SUPPORT 2025 |
| SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA INC | DETROIT, MI | $32,400 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA AWARDS |
| LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $30,000 | 2026 | CAP. CAMPAIGN & SUMMER READING |
| LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY FOUNDATION INC | FRANKFORT, KY | $30,000 | 2026 | LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY 2025 |
| HERRINGTON LAKE CONSERVATION LEAGUE INC | BURGIN, KY | $30,000 | 2026 | HERRINGTON LAKE CONSERVATION |
| BLUE GRASS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | BLUE GRASS COMMUNITY FOUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | LEXINGTON, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | PIEK |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | AMERICAN RED CROSS |
| GOD'S PANTRY FOOD BANK INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | GOD'S PANTRY FOOD BANK |
| LEADERSHIP LOUISVILLE FOUNDATION INCORPORATED | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | 2025 ANNUAL LUNCHEON |
| METRO UNITED WAY INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | METRO UNITED WAY |
| UNITED WAY OF THE BLUEGRASS INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | WAYPOINT INITIATIVE |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2026 | AMERICAN RED CROSS |
| METRO LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF | LOUISVILLE, KY | $24,000 | 2026 | LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HU- Q4 |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF LEXINGTON - FAYETTE COUNTY | LEXINGTON, KY | $21,630 | 2026 | 2025 AFFORDABLE HOUSING |
| METRO LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF | LOUISVILLE, KY | $21,000 | 2026 | HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LOU |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | LEXINGTON, KY | $21,000 | 2026 | UK ARBORETUM ARBOR DAY |
| JEFFERSON COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | PARKING GARAGE/LINEMAN PROGRAM |
| KENTUCKY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC | FRANKFORT, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | KAED/SPONSOR |
| DOLLAR ENERGY FUND | PITTSBURGH, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | WINTERSHARE ANNUAL DONATION |
| HEART OF KENTUCKY UNITED WAY | DANVILLE, KY | $18,991 | 2026 | HEART OF KY UW PO1 |
| METRO LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF | LOUISVILLE, KY | $18,000 | 2026 | HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LOU |
| WINTERCARE ENERGY FUND INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $17,331 | 2026 | WINTERCARE DEC 24 DONATION |
| WINTERCARE ENERGY FUND INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $16,000 | 2026 | WINTERCARE OCT 25 DONATION |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,500 | 2026 | JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT |
| MARYHURST INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | JOURNEY OF HOPE LUNCHEON 2025 |
| KENTUCKY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC | FRANKFORT, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | KIDC/KAED KPID SPONSOR |
| LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | FIRST FLOOR BUILD-OUT |
| BIG BROTHERS & BIG SISTERS OF KENTUCKIANA INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | EVIDENCE-BASED MENTORSHIP |
| RIVERSIDE THE FARNSLEY-MOREMEN LANDING INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2026 | RIVERSIDE THE FARNSLEY-MOREMEN |
| JEFFERSON COUNTY UNITED WAY INC | MADISON, IN | $14,510 | 2026 | JEFFERSON COUNTY UW PO1 |
| WINTERCARE ENERGY FUND INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $14,102 | 2026 | WINTERCARE NOV 25 DONATION |
| YOUTHBUILD LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $13,380 | 2026 | WINTERHELP DEC 24 DONATION |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY INC | ELIZABETHTOWN, KY | $12,607 | 2026 | UW OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY PO1 |
| METRO LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF | LOUISVILLE, KY | $12,500 | 2026 | HABITAT FOR HUMANITY |
YOUTHBUILD/PROJECT WARM
OHIO VALLEY UNITED CHARITIES INC
$52,878OHIO VALLEY UNITED CHARITIES
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
$50,000UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$50,000AMERICAN RED CROSS
LINCOLN FOUNDATION
$40,000STEM EDUCATION SUPPORT 2025
SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA INC
$32,400SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA AWARDS
CAP. CAMPAIGN & SUMMER READING
HERRINGTON LAKE CONSERVATION LEAGUE INC
$30,000HERRINGTON LAKE CONSERVATION
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
$25,000PIEK
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$25,000AMERICAN RED CROSS
LEADERSHIP LOUISVILLE FOUNDATION INCORPORATED
$25,0002025 ANNUAL LUNCHEON
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$25,000AMERICAN RED CROSS
METRO LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF
$24,000LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HU- Q4
URBAN LEAGUE OF LEXINGTON - FAYETTE COUNTY
$21,6302025 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
METRO LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF
$21,000HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LOU
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
$21,000UK ARBORETUM ARBOR DAY
PARKING GARAGE/LINEMAN PROGRAM
KENTUCKY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC
$20,000KAED/SPONSOR
DOLLAR ENERGY FUND
$20,000WINTERSHARE ANNUAL DONATION
HEART OF KENTUCKY UNITED WAY
$18,991HEART OF KY UW PO1
METRO LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF
$18,000HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LOU
WINTERCARE ENERGY FUND INC
$17,331WINTERCARE DEC 24 DONATION
WINTERCARE ENERGY FUND INC
$16,000WINTERCARE OCT 25 DONATION
KENTUCKY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC
$15,000KIDC/KAED KPID SPONSOR
THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP INC
$15,000FIRST FLOOR BUILD-OUT
JEFFERSON COUNTY UNITED WAY INC
$14,510JEFFERSON COUNTY UW PO1
WINTERCARE ENERGY FUND INC
$14,102WINTERCARE NOV 25 DONATION
YOUTHBUILD LOUISVILLE
$13,380WINTERHELP DEC 24 DONATION
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY INC
$12,607UW OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY PO1
METRO LOUISVILLE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF
$12,500HABITAT FOR HUMANITY