To Request a Grant Application:
WHAS Crusade for Children grants are made to non-profit agencies, schools and hospitals that help children with identified health care, educational, and emotional wellness needs up to age 18. Interested applicants should email a brief description of their organization and the purpose for their grant request to Grants Manager Janene Hickerson by clicking here or call (502) 582-7522.
Application Process & Timeline
- Applications for FY 2026-27 will open on October 3, 2025 and close on January 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
- New Applicants: Access to online Grant Applications is by invitation only. To request an invitation, a non-profit agency, school or hospital should send an email or letter (email or letterhead should be sent/signed by the agency director or school superintendent) to the WHAS Crusade for Children at the address listed below.
- Former Grant Recipients: All agencies that received a grant this year are notified about applying for next year.
- Winter/Spring: Agencies that qualify are scheduled for a grant hearing with the Crusade Advisory Panel. Every agency requesting funds must meet with the panel to explain their grant needs and to answer questions.
- June: Final grant determinations are made after the Crusade telethon, which is the first full weekend in June.
- July 1st (or earlier): Emails notifying agencies of grant awards sent.
- Sept. 1 – Aug. 31: Grant funds are expendable.
WHAS Crusade for Children Grant Requirements:
-
- Grants are for direct services only.
- No grants are made to individuals or families.
- Grants are made for specific programs or equipment that provide direct benefit to children with identified health care, educational, and emotional wellness needs and are not general operating grants.
- No grants are made for administrative needs.
- Agencies serving special needs children from Kentucky and southern Indiana are eligible to receive grants. The Crusade must have financial support from a county before grants can be made to a school, hospital or agency located in that county. Consideration is given to facilities that serve children from many counties.
The WHAS Crusade for Children does NOT pay for the following items:
-
- Overhead costs, such as administrative positions, postage, copies, etc.
- PR or public awareness campaigns
- Benefits or any portion of employee benefits
- Extended warranties or installation for equipment of any type
- Taxes (the Crusade only funds tax exempt agencies who should only pay limited or no taxes)
- Shipping or freight expenses
- Employee continuing education/training or travel expenses/lodging
- Personal items, such as food, t-shirts, costumes, etc.
Application support material
Applicants must provide the following support materials with their grant application:
- Current IRS 990
- Current independent audit or Board approved financial statements
- Current board member list
- IRS determination letter
- Current annual report
WHAS Crusade for Children
Grant Application
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
You can also send an email:
Janene Hickerson
Grants Manager
To e-mail Janene, click here
For additional questions about the WHAS Crusade for Children grant process, please call Grants Manager Janene Hickerson at (502) 582-7522 or send an email by clicking here.