James Graham Brown Foundation

Louisville Responsive Community Grants

Our Louisville-based Responsive Grantmaking is designed to support projects and initiatives that contribute to Louisville’s progress and reputation. These grants respond to opportunities identified by community organizations and are designed to strengthen the city’s quality of life and overall vitality.

Responsive grants typically focus on locally driven efforts that align with the Foundation’s mission and advance Louisville as a thriving, engaged community. Projects often reflect collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to making the city a better place to live, work, and visit.

Outcomes

Improved well-being of citizens of Kentucky
Improved perceptions of Kentucky
Civic engagement
Opportunities for all

Focus Areas

Education
Community and Economic Development
Civic and Cultural Assets
Health and Well-being

Additional Considerations

Louisville Responsive Community Grants are made to organizations during pivotal moments in the life of an organization to support projects and initiatives that are catalysts for growth, progress, or new opportunities, demonstrating significant outcomes, impact, and sustainability. Grants range between $150,000–$500,000 for nonprofit organizations located primarily in the Louisville metro area.

Organizations should demonstrate significant financial support for projects, including contributions from private donors, private and public grants, and other sustainable sources of revenue. Additionally, letters of support or endorsement are appropriate to include in the application. It is also encouraged to mention current partnerships and collaborations.

The proportion of a project budget requested from JGBF should not typically exceed 30% of the total project budget. The amount of the grant request should be appropriate for the scope of impact.
Proposals that demonstrate 50%–60% of the total project cost raised are more competitive.
JGBF will rarely be the sole funder and encourages a broad base of support to reinforce projects and increase the likelihood of lasting impact.
Requests made via LOI must be approved by the applicant's CEO prior to submission.

Not eligible for Louisville Responsive Community Grants

Performing arts, no exceptions
Requests from religious organizations for religious purposes (including theological seminaries)
Individuals
Political entities
Fundraising events

Organizations outside of the Louisville Metro Area, with rare exceptions
Individual public or private pre-K through 12 schools, with rare exceptions
Organizations established within the last three years or with an annual operating budget of less than $300,000
Requests for ongoing operations or routine program costs are typically not eligible
Organizations with active JGBF grants or consecutive grants toward the same project

How to Apply

Review the JGBF mission, outcomes, and focus areas to ensure alignment of goals.
If your organization is new to JGBF or has not previously received a grant, complete the Eligibility Questionnaire to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI).
If your organization has previously recevied a JGBF grant, you may contact your program officer via email, call JGBF at 502-896-2440, or submit a Letter of Interest for established organizations.
Organizations may submit one LOI per calendar year. LOIs for all Focus Areas are accepted on a rolling basis. See the application schedule below.
Applicants will be notified of any next steps: invitation to submit a formal application, a declination, or a delay for future consideration.
For questions or technical assistance, please email program@jgbf.org.

LOI Submission	Full Application Deadline	Formal Review and Decision
Rolling until April 15, 2026	June 1, 2026	August 2026
Rolling until October 15, 2026	December 1, 2026	February 2027
Rolling until January 15, 2027	March 1, 2027	May 2027

GRANTS