Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation
We are passionate about Kentucky organizations serving to improve quality of life and opportunity among Kentuckians.
We are most concerned for:
- Rural
- Small towns
- Those who are experiencing diminished economic opportunity
If you are a 501 (c)(3) who is enlarging and broadening your scope of operation and/or developing and implementing new projects to provide services currently lacking in your region, consider applying below.
What Does KSWF Look for in a Grantee?
A recent visit to Life Adventure Center (LAC) in Versailles, a 2022 grantee, deeply encouraged representatives from the KSWF board. LAC utilized their grant to enroll two cohorts of 12 students through their partner groups, such as Mentors & Meals and Woodford County Middle School. The team developed four mobile units to visit Woodford schools, where they introduced the 7Cs of resilience, built on those skills in several visits, and built trust with participants. In the summer, LAC will bring these cohorts on-site for a 5-day camp where they can do the most intensive work.
The facility is over 500 acres and has various options, from horse vaulting to ropes courses, to connect participants with hands-on opportunities for success. Witnessing the staff’s passion firsthand, KSWF board member Grace Aker says, “I was impressed that they serve over 3000 people a year, 85% of which are children. I love the center’s commitment to best practices by having a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Recreational Therapist on staff.”
KSWF is grateful to be a part of bringing new ideas to life through the grant awarded to Life Adventure Center. If you have a new idea or a program you would like to expand to help Kentucky residents, don’t hesitate to contact KSWF for grant consideration. The spring deadline is March 24. Check out our Facebook page to read a fuller version of the board’s visit.
High-quality jail visiting programs are urgently needed to reduce harm and humanize local criminal legal systems.
Today, Louisville Family Justice Advocates, in partnership with the Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation, local jails, and community partners, released Keeping Families Connected: A Guide to Jail Visiting in Kentucky. Since county jails are local jurisdictions, the Guide shows that local people can assess and work to improve visits, communications, and policies that nurture family and public health. For example, does the jail provide in-person visits, free or low cost phone or video calls, emails and letters or cards? The Guide includes actionable information and inspiring original artwork, including many created with families in the Video Visiting Lobby of the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
Two “Bright Spots” highlighted in the Guide show how families & communities can initiate and benefit from quality visiting:
Wendi Hall, who oversees visiting at the Perry County Regional Jail, says, “It makes the incarcerated person feel more human, because they’re getting to see their child. After the visit, they are on cloud nine.” Hall’s works for Save The Children, which supports The Children’s Bill of Rights, including in-person visits.
Amy Snow and Dale Robinson, co-founders of the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation, welcome community groups to help coordinate support for families, including in-person visits, mentoring, and transportation in the Franklin County Regional Jail.
Keeping Families Connected: A Guide to Jail Visiting in Kentucky is by and for community members, jail staff, and local leaders committed to meaningful communications and visits with families and their incarcerated loved ones. See and download a free digital version of the 12-page Guide by visiting www.LFJA502.org or emailing familyjusticeadvocate