Basic Needs, Housing and Homelessness

Basic Needs, Housing and Homelessness is sponsored by Kentucky Colonels Good Works Program (Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Inc.). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Good Works Program | The Kentucky Colonels The Good Works Program annually provides over $2. 6 million in grants to Kentucky nonprofits that together help over 4 million individuals. Since 1951, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels has granted $75 million through over 9,200 grants.

These grants are entirely dependent on the support of over 30,000 contributing Colonels throughout the world, who have chosen to continue their charitable efforts through contributions to help Kentuckians.

Grants through the Good Works Program are focused on helping organizations that mainly fall within these categories: Arts, Culture, and Recreation Disabled Support Services Health, Rehabilitation, and Mental Illness Military and Veterans Support Support for the Poor and Needy To be eligible for funding, nonprofit organizations must be exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and have existed for at least five years.

Funding is limited to nonprofit organizations located within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Nonprofits that require a religious requirement to utilize their services are not eligible. The Honorable Order typically has one grant cycle annually, opening in December.

Each grant application is reviewed by two HOKC staff members, several Colonel volunteers and ultimately vetted by the Board of Trustees. Funding is awarded in June of that year. Emergency grants are available year-round.

To apply or review an existing application, visit the Kentucky Colonels Online Grant Portal . If this is your first time applying, you will be required to create an account. Instructions for creating an account or if you have issues with the online system, please visit Kentucky Colonels Online Grant System Tips .

If you have any questions about the grant application process or emergency grants, please contact email grants@kycolonels. org or call 502-753-0780. Funding is generally limited to items/projects that can be seen or touched.

Requests for funding from the Honorable Order should be for projects that will directly benefit as many clients as possible. For additional details on all limitations, please review our 2026 Good Works Program Guidelines .

List of items that are not funded: Items primarily used by staff Convention or registration fees Software not directly related to program services Operational or administrative expenses Salaries or consultant fees Service agreements and extended warranties Travel expenses and lodging Website development/maintenance Building improvements for leased properties Thank you for your contribution!