United Way awards more than $1 million to south-central Kentucky nonprofits

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — More than $1 million in funding is heading to nonprofit programs across south-central Kentucky after United Way of Southern Kentucky announced its annual community impact investments Wednesday.

The organization unveiled $1,103,297 in total allocations for 45 programs across the Barren River region during a news conference at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, with $641,997 of that total staying in Warren County.

The investments will support programs focused on education, health, income and safety net services from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

“This is really the culmination of a year’s worth of work,” said Debbie Hills, president and CEO of United Way of Southern Kentucky. “What it really is all about is lives being changed.”

Hills said the funding process began last fall, with 70 organizations across the 10-county Barren River Area Development District submitting letters of intent for consideration. After months of application reviews, site visits and recommendations from local volunteer committees, 45 programs were selected for funding.

Nearly 100 volunteers contributed more than 1,300 hours to evaluate applications and determine where dollars could make the biggest impact.

Hills said while the dollar amounts are significant, the stories behind the investments matter more.

“Think about a kindergartner going to school for the first time who’s unprepared, scared and feels left behind,” Hills said. “Then think about the child who has the tools and support to walk into that classroom confident and ready. That’s what this work is about.”

Education programs received the largest share of Warren County’s allocation at $357,997, including funding for preschool readiness, after-school enrichment and college and career preparation.

Among those recipients was the Bowling Green Independent Schools RISE Program, which was awarded $25,000.

Gambia Flemister, RISE program coordinator, said the funding helps students feel comfortable asking for help and preparing for life after graduation.

“It’s not just making sure they are prepared for after high school success,” Flemister said. “Their communities are able to do that as well.”

Workforce development programs also received support, including $15,000 for Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College’s CDL training program.

Kim Myers, dean of workforce solutions at SKYCTC, said the funding helps offset tuition costs for students who often do not qualify for traditional financial aid.

“In four weeks, they can leave with a license,” Myers said. “Students are averaging nearly $60,000 a year in their first year of employment after four weeks invested in themselves.”

Todd Kanipe, chairman of the United Way of Southern Kentucky Board of Directors, said the investments ultimately strengthen the broader community.

“The dollars matter, but what really matters are the lives that have been positively impacted,” Kanipe said. “Families feel more secure. Children start school better prepared. Individuals have access to life’s necessities.”

United Way officials said the funded programs were selected based on their alignment with community priorities identified through research, with a focus on education, income, health and safety net support.

Hills said the work now shifts from awarding dollars to putting those investments into action.

“When we come back together next year,” Hills said, “that’s what will have happened over the course of this year — lives will have been touched.”