About Us

The WHAS Crusade for Children

Our Mission: The WHAS Crusade for Children makes life better for children with identified health care, educational, and emotional wellness needs by inspiring generosity with our community partners.

Our Vision: Together, we advance opportunities for all children with identified needs to reach their full potential.

100% of each donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children helps children with identified needs.
Millions of children in Kentucky and Southern Indiana have been helped by the Crusade since 1954.
The Crusade receives an average of 200 grant requests annually, with requested amounts exceeding our annual funds raised.

Change a child’s life, support the WHAS Crusade for Children.

To make a donation securely online, click here.

The WHAS Crusade for Children Endowment

In September, 2002, the WHAS Crusade for Children Board of Directors voted to create the new Crusade Endowment.

Thanks to the WHAS Crusade for Children Endowment, core expenses are covered, so every telethon dollar supports the children we serve.

100% of each donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children helps children with special needs
The Crusade Endowment Campaign fully funds our future.
Beyond your annual contribution, we need your Crusade Endowment donation now.

Change a child’s life forever, support the WHAS Crusade Endowment.

To make an Endowment donation securely online, click here.

To learn more about the 1954 Society, a special group of supporters who have designated a gift by will or trust, click here.

How the Crusade works

The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. established in 1954 by WHAS-TV, raises money for agencies, schools and hospitals to better the lives of children with identified needs.

$222 million raised for children
In the first 72 years, the Crusade has raised more than $222 million. Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade is able to return 100 percent of all donations to organizations that serve children with identified needs in all 120 Kentucky counties and more than 30 southern Indiana counties. Fire departments raise more than 50 percent of the money each year by staging road blocks and other events.

The Crusade telethon airs in June
The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon is held each year on the first full weekend in June and is aired on News Radio 840 WHAS (AM 840), WHAS-TV (Channel 11.1) and worldwide on WHAS11.com. Portions of the broadcast are also seen and heard on a Kentucky statewide network.

An independent board decides
An independent board of interdenominational ministers known as the Crusade Advisory Panel decides how donations are distributed each year.

Agencies apply for grants
Representatives from agencies, schools and hospitals apply for grants and appear before the panel during grant hearings held each spring. Agency grant requests far exceed donations to the Crusade, which means the panel has difficult decisions to make each year. The advisory panel determines which agencies will receive Crusade funding, and award notifications are sent out following the Crusade telethon.

For a complete listing of grant application rules, click here.

Millions of children have been helped
Millions of children have been helped by the Crusade since 1954.

Donations are tax deductible
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax deductible as permitted by law. The Crusade is the most successful and oldest local telethon in America.

To make a secure online donation, click here or call (502) 582-7706.