Owensboro Health – Community Health Investments Mini-Grants (2026–27)

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Grants Up to $2,500 for Community Health Projects in Kentucky and Indiana

Owensboro Health’s Community Health Investments Mini-Grant Program provides grants of up to $2,500 for organizations implementing small-scale projects that address identified community health needs or the social determinants of health.

The next quarterly application cycle opens September 1, 2026, with applications accepted through November 1, 2026.

Eligible organizations must serve residents within Owensboro Health’s 18-county service area across western Kentucky and southern Indiana. Collaborative projects are given priority.

Organization: Owensboro Health
Support Type: Community health mini-grants
Funding Amount: Up to $2,500
Geographic Focus: 18 counties in Kentucky and Indiana
Applications Open: September 1, 2026
Deadline: November 1, 2026

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About the Funder

Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system serving communities throughout western Kentucky and southern Indiana.

Through its Community Health Investments Grant Program, Owensboro Health provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and other eligible community partners working to improve health outcomes throughout the region.

The program recognizes that health is influenced by more than medical care alone. Organizations addressing food access, mental health, physical activity, economic stability, youth wellbeing, transportation, social connection, and other social determinants of health may all have a strong connection to the program.

What This Program Supports

Mini-grant requests must support activities or services that:

Address an identified community health need; or
Address the underlying causes of health challenges, including social determinants of health

Applicants must clearly explain the connection between the proposed project and the health needs of the community being served.

Potential projects may address areas such as:

Food Security & Nutrition

Programs improving access to healthy food, reducing hunger, strengthening food distribution, or promoting nutrition.

Mental & Behavioral Health

Community-based programs supporting mental health, emotional wellbeing, addiction recovery, trauma services, or behavioral health.

Children & Youth

Programs that improve the physical, mental, or social wellbeing of children and young people.

Physical Activity & Recreation

Projects that create opportunities for residents to be physically active, participate in recreation, or access healthy community spaces.

Healthy Aging

Programs helping older adults remain healthy, active, connected, and independent.

Basic Needs

Projects addressing hygiene, food, transportation, accessibility, housing stability, or other conditions that directly affect health.

Social Determinants of Health

Organizations do not need to be healthcare providers to apply.

Programs addressing broader factors that influence health — including economic stability, education, community safety, transportation, social connection, recreation, and access to resources — may qualify when the connection to health outcomes is clearly demonstrated.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Government entities
Public entities

Certain 501(c)(4) organizations may also be considered when grant proceeds are used exclusively for permissible charitable purposes.

Funding awarded to a 501(c)(4) organization may not be used for:

Lobbying
Political campaign activities
Fundraising expenses
General organizational support

Tobacco-Free Policy Requirement

All applicants to Owensboro Health’s Community Health Investments Grant Programs must provide evidence that their organization has established and implemented a 100% tobacco-free policy.

Organizations should ensure this requirement is in place before applying.

Geographic Focus

Organizations must use mini-grant funding to benefit residents within Owensboro Health’s 18-county service area.

Kentucky

Breckinridge County
Butler County
Daviess County
Edmonson County
Grayson County
Hancock County
Hardin County
Hart County
Henderson County
Hopkins County
Logan County
McLean County
Muhlenberg County
Ohio County
Union County
Webster County

Indiana

Perry County
Spencer County

Which Owensboro Health Hospital Should You Apply Through?

Owensboro Health operates separate mini-grant programs through three hospital locations.

Muhlenberg County

Organizations serving Muhlenberg County must apply through:

Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital

For additional information, contact Lauren Combs at:

Lauren.Combs@owensborohealth.org

Grayson County

Organizations serving Grayson County must apply through:

Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center

For additional information, contact Jessica Embry at:

Jessica.Embry@OwensboroHealth.org

All Other Eligible Counties

Organizations serving the remaining 16 eligible counties must apply through:

Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

For additional information, contact Laura Farmer at:

Laura.Farmer@OwensboroHealth.org

Organizations cannot apply to multiple Owensboro Health hospital mini-grant programs for the same request.

Funding Amounts

💰 Maximum Mini-Grant: $2,500

Requests may not exceed $2,500.

Applicants should request an amount appropriate to the project and clearly demonstrate how grant funds will be used.

Project Budget Requirement

Every request must include a specific project or fundraising budget.

The budget should include:

Anticipated project revenue
Project expenses
In-kind contributions
Other sources of support

Applicants should submit the budget for the specific project, rather than the organization’s overall operating budget.

Price quotes should also be included when appropriate.

Incomplete project budgets may delay consideration.

Collaborative Projects Receive Priority

Owensboro Health specifically states that applications involving collaborative efforts with other partners will receive priority.

Organizations should identify relevant community partners and explain how collaboration will strengthen the project or expand its impact.

Health Equity Commitment

Owensboro Health maintains a system-wide focus on health equity.

Organizations applying for funding must demonstrate a commitment to providing services without discrimination based on:

Race
Ethnicity
National origin
Culture
Language
Religion
Socioeconomic status
Sex
Sexual orientation
Gender identity
Disability

Applicants should consider how their project will reach and benefit communities experiencing health disparities or barriers to services.

School Applications

Schools and school-affiliated organizations may apply only when the request has been authorized by the school system’s central office.

Applicants must include proof of central-office authorization with the application.

Ineligible Requests

Owensboro Health does not provide mini-grant funding for:

Partisan political groups or activities
Endowments
Memorials
Individuals
Field trips
Tours

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Mini-Grants vs. Sponsorships

Organizations should make sure a mini-grant is the appropriate type of request.

Apply for a Mini-Grant If:

You are seeking funding for a community health project
You are seeking funding for a program that is part of your organization’s programmatic work
The proposed activity is not primarily a fundraising event

Request a Sponsorship Instead If:

You are seeking support for a fundraising event
Event proceeds will support your organization’s programs
You are seeking support for an athletic team
You are an arts organization seeking sponsorship
You are seeking support for a season-long activity or similar promotional opportunity

Organizations should review Owensboro Health’s guidance before deciding which type of request to submit.

Quarterly Application Schedule

Owensboro Health accepts mini-grant applications throughout the year on a quarterly schedule.

First Quarter

📅 Applications Open: June 1, 2026
📅 Applications Close: August 1, 2026

Second Quarter

📅 Applications Open: September 1, 2026
📅 Applications Close: November 1, 2026

Third Quarter

📅 Applications Open: December 1, 2026
📅 Applications Close: February 1, 2027

Fourth Quarter

📅 Applications Open: March 1, 2027
📅 Applications Close: May 1, 2027

Organizations that miss one quarterly cycle may therefore have another opportunity to apply later in the year.

Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients are required to provide quarterly reporting to Owensboro Health regarding the use of grant funds and progress on the funded project.

Applicants should ensure they have the ability to track project activities, expenses, and outcomes.

Application / Request Process

Organizations should review the complete Owensboro Health Mini-Grant Guidelines before applying.

Applicants will need to determine which Owensboro Health hospital mini-grant program applies to their geographic area and prepare a complete application that clearly demonstrates:

The identified health need
The population being served
The connection between the project and health outcomes
The specific activities being proposed
Project expenses and revenue
In-kind contributions
Community partners
Expected impact
Evidence of a 100% tobacco-free organizational policy

Apply / Learn More:

➡️ https://www.owensborohealth.org/about/grants/mini-grants

Community Health Investments Program:

➡️ https://www.owensborohealth.org/about/grants

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:

Serve one or more of Owensboro Health’s 18 eligible counties
Need $2,500 or less for a defined community project
Address a specific health need or social determinant of health
Can demonstrate a clear relationship between their work and health outcomes
Have a 100% tobacco-free policy
Can provide a detailed project budget
Have community partners involved in the project
Can complete required quarterly reporting

The Mini-Grant Program is particularly useful for small, clearly defined projects where a relatively modest corporate investment can create a measurable community benefit.

Organizations outside the traditional healthcare sector should not overlook this opportunity. Food access, recreation, youth development, mental health, aging, transportation, basic needs, and other community-based programs may qualify when applicants clearly demonstrate how their work contributes to better health.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Funding Amount: Up to $2,500
Next Application Opens: September 1, 2026
Next Deadline: November 1, 2026
Application Cycle: Quarterly
Geographic Focus: 18 counties across western Kentucky and southern Indiana
Best Suited For: Small community health projects and programs addressing social determinants of health
Tobacco-Free Policy: Required
Project Budget: Required
Reporting: Quarterly reporting required
Competitive Preference: Collaborative projects receive priority
Key Strategy: Clearly connect the project to an identified community health need and explain the measurable impact a relatively small grant will make.

Tags:

Indiana Kentucky