Blue Grass Community Foundation

?? “What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you will never see.” Legacy planning is about shaping the future, ensuring your values live on and making a lasting impact on the causes you care about. And with Blue Grass Community Foundation, it’s easier than you think! Whether you want to support education, the arts, your faith community or a local nonprofit, we can help you create a plan that makes a difference for generations to come. Let’s start the conversation—because the seeds you plant today will grow into something truly extraordinary. ?? ??

Big news! Blue Grass Community Foundation, with support from the Walton Family Foundation, just awarded $450,000 in grants to power up workforce pathways for Fayette County youth! ?? Reel Skills to Real Jobs This forward-thinking program brings together Fayette County public high schools, the Lyric Theater, BCTC’s cinematic arts program and LexStudio to prepare local youth for careers in Kentucky’s growing film industry, through hands-on training, mentorship and real-world experience. ?? Powered by STEM In partnership with the University of Kentucky, the YMCA of Central Kentucky will infuse high-quality STEM education for underserved youth into two existing Y programs, Power Scholar Academy and Black Achievers, to offer enriching, hands-on STEM experiences that help close education gaps and prepare students for high-demand careers. These game-changing programs will help students in grades 6-12 gain the skills and connections they need for high-wage careers. ?? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3XnW7Rk

Strong, connected public spaces are key to building trust, fostering resilience and strengthening local economies. In an era of increasing social isolation and economic divides, investing in our civic commons has never been more important. Check out these research-backed reasons from Reimagining the Civic Commons why high-quality public spaces matter—and how they’re transforming communities across the country. https://lnkd.in/gB6mXH5T

???? Scholarship season is here! On this episode of the DoGood Radio Hour, we're joined by Kristen Tidwell, Director of Grants + Scholarships at BGCF, to talk about the many scholarship opportunities available to students in Central and Appalachia Kentucky. Whether you're a high school senior or a current college student, BGCF has scholarships that could help fund your future! ?? Deadline to apply: March 7th – don’t wait! ?? Tune in now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or join us today at 2PM on RadioLex, to learn how you can make your education more affordable! #DoGoodRadioHour #ScholarshipSeason #BGCF #InvestInYourFuture

Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief: How You Can Help ?? Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky established a relief fund to provide assistance to communities impacted by the recent devasting flood. You can help support recovery efforts: bit.ly/AppCrisisAid ?? ARH Foundation is collecting donations to help communities clean up and rebuild: arh.org/floods For updates: ??Follow Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky + Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) ??Visit appalachianky.org/flood

Join us for an evening of good conversation and even better company as we dive into housing insecurity in Lexington. We’ll hear from local experts?Charlie Lanter and Jeff Herron, who will help us understand the challenges our community faces and the solutions in play. Why does this matter??Because the members of BGCF365 will be voting on three local organizations who will receive this year's?HOME BASE Grants?at our Annual Meeting on May 7th! This discussion will give us the insight we need to make an impact and create a stronger, more stable Lexington!?

?? Feel the Love, Make a Difference! ?? On this week’s DoGood Radio Hour, we’re joined by Jon Parker, Executive Director of AVOL Kentucky, to talk about their incredible work supporting health equity and ending HIV in Kentucky. Plus, we’re diving into Heartstrings: Stable Housing, Stable Living, their special Valentine’s-inspired event happening Thursday, February 13th! This year's Heartstrings breakfast will raise awareness and funding to create innovative housing opportunities for medically vulnerable individuals—because everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. ?? ?? Save the Date & Spread the Love! Listen NOW on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or join us today at 2PM on RadioLex! #DoGoodRadioHour #AVOLKentucky #Heartstrings #StableHousingStableLiving #SpreadTheLove #CommunityImpact

?? Community Action in Action! For years, the Paris Westside Neighborhood Association fought to shut down an unwanted waste transfer site in their community—building a bipartisan, intergenerational coalition to make it happen. Their story is now the subject of Not in My Backyard, a documentary screening this Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2pm at the Paris-Bourbon County Library. A Q&A with the neighborhood leaders will follow. Blue Grass Community Foundation is honored to serve as the fiscal sponsor for the Paris Westside Neighborhood Association and proud of the dedication of BGCF board member Bill Alverson, who has worked tirelessly alongside many others on this project. ?? Paris-Bourbon County Library ?? Saturday, Feb. 8 | 2 p.m. Don’t miss this inspiring story of grassroots advocacy and community power!

Join us for Caffeinate & Connect with BGCF365! Stop by The Greenery on Feb. 21 to meet BGCF365 leadership, start your day with a free cup of coffee, and discover how giving just $1 a day can make a meaningful impact in Lexington. Drop in, chat with us about local initiatives, and learn how you can be part of creating positive change in our community. We can’t wait to connect over coffee!