What kinds of organizations does United Way of Western Kentucky fund?

It primarily funds local direct-service organizations in Paducah and McCracken County. Recent grantees include Family Services Society, Paducah Day Nursery, Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, and Paducah Lifeline Ministries Inc.

Does the foundation support the same grantees more than once?

Yes. Family Services Society received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Paducah Day Nursery was funded in all three of those years as well. Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, and Kentucky Legal Aid also appear in multiple years.

What is the typical grant size?

The median grant is $35,000. The 25th percentile is $20,000 and the 75th percentile is $50,000, so most awards fall in a fairly tight midrange.

Where do most of the grants go geographically?

All recent grants in the dataset went to Kentucky recipients. Paducah is the main recipient city, with additional grants going to Bowling Green, including Kentucky Legal Aid.

What are the main cause areas in the recent grants?

The recent record centers on education, income, and health support delivered through child and family services, youth development, crisis intervention, basic-needs ministries, child advocacy, legal aid, and senior services.

United Way of Western Kentucky

Name: United Way of Western Kentucky — grants, 990 financials & funding data
Creator: Kindora

ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism

PADUCAH, KYWebsite2704421691

About United Way of Western Kentucky

United Way of Western Kentucky primarily funds local direct-service organizations that address basic needs and stability for low-income residents in Paducah and McCracken County. Their grants concentrate on child and family supports (early childhood care, youth development, child advocacy), crisis services (domestic violence shelter, pregnancy crisis counseling, emergency aid), and access to legal/senior services. Many recipients are community-based nonprofits and faith-affiliated ministries, indicating a pragmatic, neighborhood-level focus on frontline service delivery.

Focus Areas

Early childhood care and daycare services in Paducah (Paducah Day Nursery)After-school and youth development programs (Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club)Domestic violence shelter and crisis intervention (Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center)Basic needs and faith-based emergency assistance (Paducah Lifeline Ministries, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, Salvation Army)Child protection and legal advocacy (Child Watch Children's Advocacy Center, Kentucky Legal Aid)Senior services and elder support in McCracken County (Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center)

Who They Fund

About United Way of Western Kentucky

United Way of Western Kentucky gives at a neighborhood scale, with repeated support for the same local organizations year after year. Its largest recent grant went to Family Services Society, which received $127,500 in 2025 after prior awards of $130,500 in 2024 and $134,408 in 2023 for assistance tied to education, income, and health. That repeat pattern also appears with Paducah Day Nursery, which received $64,500 in 2025 after $62,000 in 2024 and $69,700 in 2023. The foundation’s recent grants show a steady emphasis on direct service and stability for residents in Paducah and McCracken County, with funding directed to organizations working on child and family supports, crisis response, and basic needs. Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, and Paducah Lifeline Ministries Inc are among the recurring grantees that illustrate this local, service-oriented approach. Rather than spreading awards broadly, the foundation returns to a core set of community providers that deliver frontline help in the same area each year.

What United Way of Western Kentucky Funds

In child and family services, the foundation supported Paducah Day Nursery with $64,500 in 2025 for assistance tied to education, income, and health, and gave Child Watch Children’s Advocacy Center $39,040 in 2025 for the same broad purpose. Youth development also appears in the recent record: Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club received $43,312 in 2025, following $49,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2023. Crisis and emergency support is another clear thread. Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center received $51,556 in 2025 and $47,700 in 2024, while Hope Unlimited Crisis Pregnancy Center received $20,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation also backs basic-needs providers such as Paducah Lifeline Ministries Inc and the Salvation Army in Paducah.

How United Way of Western Kentucky Gives

Typical awards fall in the $20,000 to $50,000 range, with a median grant of $35,000 and a 25th to 75th percentile band from $20,000 to $50,000. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating an ongoing relationship style rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is not a donor-advised fund and does not fund individuals; its profile aligns with community-based grants and direct service support. The grant descriptions use a consistent program-support framing tied to education, income, and health.

Financial Snapshot

Annual Giving

$469K

Total Assets

$2.3M

Total Revenue

$1.1M

Total Expenses

$1.4M

Typical Grant Size

Most grants fall between $20K and $50K, with a median of $35K.

25th Percentile

$20K

Median

$35K

75th Percentile

$50K

Geographic Reach

Local1 state funded

Funding intensity

Low

High

Headquarters

Leadership

BETSY BURKEEN

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Recipient	Location	Amount	Year	Purpose
FAMILY SERVICES SOCIETY	PADUCAH, KY	$121,000	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH DAY NURSERY	PADUCAH, KY	$64,500	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH LIFELINE MINISTRIES INC	PADUCAH, KY	$53,000	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
MERRYMAN HOUSE DOMESTIC CRISIS CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$46,400	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
OSCAR CROSS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB	PADUCAH, KY	$45,000	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
CHILD WATCH CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$35,000	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
KENTUCKY LEGAL AID	BOWLING GREEN, KY	$28,000	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
SALVATION ARMY	PADUCAH, KY	$26,000	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH-MCCRACKEN COUNTY SENIOR CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$16,500	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH COOOPERATIVE MINISTRY	PADUCAH, KY	$14,000	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
HOPE UNLIMITED CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$13,800	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
AMERICAN RED CROSS	PADUCAH, KY	$6,000	2026	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
FAMILY SERVICES SOCIETY	PADUCAH, KY	$127,500	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH DAY NURSERY	PADUCAH, KY	$64,500	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH LIFELINE MINISTRIES INC	PADUCAH, KY	$54,600	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
MERRYMAN HOUSE DOMESTIC CRISIS CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$51,556	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
OSCAR CROSS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB	PADUCAH, KY	$43,312	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
CHILD WATCH CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$39,040	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
SALVATION ARMY	PADUCAH, KY	$35,000	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
KENTUCKY LEGAL AID	BOWLING GREEN, KY	$28,000	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
HOPE UNLIMITED CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$20,000	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH-MCCRACKEN COUNTY SENIOR CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$17,700	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH COOOPERATIVE MINISTRY	PADUCAH, KY	$15,960	2025	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
FAMILY SERVICES SOCIETY	PADUCAH, KY	$130,500	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH DAY NURSERY	PADUCAH, KY	$62,000	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH LIFELINE MINISTRIES INC	PADUCAH, KY	$51,100	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
OSCAR CROSS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB	PADUCAH, KY	$49,000	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
MERRYMAN HOUSE DOMESTIC CRISIS CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$47,700	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
CHILD WATCH CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$35,000	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
SALVATION ARMY	PADUCAH, KY	$35,000	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
KENTUCKY LEGAL AID	BOWLING GREEN, KY	$27,000	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH-MCCRACKEN COUNTY SENIOR CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$21,200	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
HOPE UNLIMITED CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$20,000	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH COOOPERATIVE MINISTRY	PADUCAH, KY	$18,000	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
AMERICAN RED CROSS	PADUCAH, KY	$6,500	2024	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
FAMILY SERVICES SOCIETY	PADUCAH, KY	$134,408	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH DAY NURSERY	PADUCAH, KY	$69,700	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
OSCAR CROSS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB	PADUCAH, KY	$50,000	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
MERRYMAN HOUSE DOMESTIC CRISIS CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$40,200	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
SALVATION ARMY	PADUCAH, KY	$35,000	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
CHILD WATCH CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$32,592	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
KENTUCKY LEGAL AID	BOWLING GREEN, KY	$27,000	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
LADIES LIVING FREE	PADUCAH, KY	$26,000	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH LIFELINE MINISTRIES INC	PADUCAH, KY	$22,100	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH-MCCRACKEN COUNTY SENIOR CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$21,200	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
HOPE UNLIMITED CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER	PADUCAH, KY	$16,000	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
PADUCAH COOOPERATIVE MINISTRY	PADUCAH, KY	$15,000	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
AMERICAN RED CROSS	PADUCAH, KY	$6,500	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.
MADE TO STAY	PADUCAH, KY	$5,500	2023	TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, INCOME AND HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY.

Recipient

Location

Amount

Year

Purpose

FAMILY SERVICES SOCIETY

PADUCAH, KY

$121,000

2026