Support Local History

Recently, Kentucky State Parks Division of Interpretation and Engagement learned about the legacy of native peoples during Native American History & Heritage Interpretation Workshop. The training was partly funded with a grant from the Kentucky Local History Trust Fund administered by the Kentucky Historical Society.

Planning grants range from $290 to $1,000. Implementation grants range from $290 to $2,500. If you have questions about qualifying for a grant, please call the Kentucky Historical Society at (502) 564-1791.

From the 2023 Local History Trust Fund, organizations in six Kentucky counties received grants totaling $11,000. Individual amounts range from $823.15 to $2,500 for exhibition expansion, collections management, archiving, technology updates, and programming projects.

The Kentucky Local History Trust Fund is a tax option where Kentuckians donate a portion of their state income tax refund via Line 38f. As the fund administrator, KHS has, to date, awarded 67 local history organizations with nearly $155,000 distributed across the Commonwealth.

• Read about the 2023 grant recipients.
• Read about the 2022 grant recipients.
• Read about the 2021 grant recipients.
• Read about the 2020 grant recipients.
• Read about the 2019 grant recipients.
• Read about the 2018 grant recipients.
• Read about the 2017 grant recipients.
• Read about the 2016 grant recipients.

Quick Facts

• Money for the Local History Trust Fund comes from people who donate when they file their Kentucky income tax returns.

• History-minded organizations in Kentucky, including those with 501c3 status, local government agencies and public libraries, are eligible to apply for a Local History Trust Fund grant. For-profit entities are not eligible for funding.

• Grants vary in amount and support activities designed to build organizational capacity or strengthen the organization. Such projects include, but are not limited to, local history education programs, collections care, publications on local history, documentaries, social media platforms and websites.

• Grants are made based on an organization’s plan to advance in one or more areas represented in field-based standards, such as the AASLH Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations.

• The Kentucky Historical Society oversees the Local History Trust Fund based on its state mandate to be the keeper of Kentucky’s legacy.

• Learn more about the requirements and how to apply.