Art of Humankindness Mini-Grant Initiative

Saint Joseph Health, in partnership with The Fayette Education Foundation and LexArts, is pleased to announce the Art of Humankindness Grant as part of its hospital based youth violence prevention initiative. This competitive grant opportunity is designed to support elementary art teachers as they create activities, projects and programs that promote kindness, empathy, friendship and compassion within the school community.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS HERE

IMPORTANT DATES

• March 2 – April 16, 2026        Applications accepted (see below)
• March 5, 2026 from  3-4 p.m.  OPTIONAL information session
• March 19, 2026  from 3:45-4:45 p.m.  OPTIONAL information session

TO APPLY

Title I-eligible elementary schools within the Fayette County Public School district are invited to submit proposals for the Saint Joseph Health Art of Humankindness Grant Initiative. How to apply:

• View Application Questions HERE
• Download Budget Justification Document HERE
• Refer to the Art of Humankindness Rubric to complete your application
• Submit your Intent to Apply to the FCPS grants department

For those who submitted a Statement of Interest by February 28, please upload your application and budget document at the link below. You may upload your application between March 2, 2026 and 11:59 p.m. on April 16, 2026. Optional information sessions will be March 5 from 3-4 p.m. and March 19 from 3:45-4:45 p.m.

FUNDING REQUIREMENTS

Proposals that reflect an integrated approach to program implementation, aligning activities, partnerships and outcomes, will receive priority consideration.   Activities, projects and programs MUST include:

• Art Media that Foster a Culture of Positivity.  This includes incorporating any one or more visual and/or performing art disciplines as part of program implementation.
• Programs/Projects that Foster Creativity, Inclusivity and Accessibility.  This includes incorporating art programs that leverage near-peer mentoring to foster creativity in new and unexpected ways while encouraging participation at each grade level within the school environment.
• A Community Service Project(s).  This includes showcasing how you will strengthen community connections, promote student engagement and increase social responsibility. Prioritized proposals will collaborate with local artists.  Meaningful partnerships will extend beyond guest appearances and demonstrate shared planning, co-creation and implementation of a project that reaches and teaches the broader community.
• A Year Long Plan for Multiple Classroom / School Wide Implementation.  This includes showcasing how you will involve the broader school or community in showcasing student work and how you will integrate kindness activities, projects and programs into existing academic and behavioral frameworks (i.e. CDIP, classroom/school wide rewards systems etc.) that develop kindness skills within the school community for the entire school year. 

ELIGIBILITY

Title I-eligible elementary schools within the Fayette County Public School district are invited to submit proposals for the Saint Joseph Health Art of Humankindness Grant Initiative. To be considered for the 2026-2027 school year funding cycle, an Intent to Apply form AND a Statement of Interest must be submitted on or before February 28, 2026.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for the FY ’27 Art of Humankindness Grant Initiative, all prospective applicants must submit a proposal that comprehensively includes and addresses the following: 

1. Formal Completion of the Intent to Apply (Fayette County Public Schools):
   • FCPS requires you to submit the Intent to Apply form through the FCPS grants office before submitting your application. 
2. Formal Statement of Interest (Saint Joseph Health)
   • Saint Joseph Health requires you to submit a formal Statement of Interest as a prerequisite for application consideration (see timeline for link).
3. Documentary Evidence of the Near-Peer Mentoring Component:
   • The proposal must clearly demonstrate a robust “near-peer mentoring” structure, 
   • Evidence should detail the model, frequency, and expected outcomes of the mentoring relationships (fifth grade students mentoring third grade students).
   • Evidence can include a detailed schedule of mentoring sessions, and/or a description of the curriculum or activities to be used during these interactions.
4. Community Service Project Proposal (with Artist Collaboration):
   • Artistic Collaboration – LexArts will facilitate connections between participating teachers and local artists for project collaboration.
   • A detailed plan for a community service project is required and must demonstrate a clear benefit to the local community.
5. Budget Documentation:
   • A detailed budget must clearly itemize all anticipated expenditures, including supplies/materials and any costs associated with the community service project 

GRANT AWARD, PROCESS AND TIMELINE

Grant awards will range from $300 to $2,000.  All submissions will be carefully evaluated by Saint Joseph Health’s Creating Safer Neighborhoods Initiative review committee.  While multiple requests will be funded in full or in part, not all submissions will be approved for the 2026 – 2027 school year.  

Two information sessions will be available.  Though optional, attendance is highly encouraged.  An open Zoom link will be provided for project leaders and local artists to drop in with questions related to the grant application.