Nonprofit News

NKY nonprofits unite to form regional coalition

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A new coalition of nonprofits is taking shape in Northern Kentucky, bringing together organizations across sectors with the goal of strengthening their collective voice and improving how they serve the region.

The Northern Kentucky Nonprofit Coalition includes an inaugural group of 26 organizations serving Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. Members range from groups like ArtsWave and Boone Conservancy to service providers including Freestore Foodbank, Brighton Center and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. 

L to R: Ryan Salzman, Danielle Clore, Justin Leach, Chris Bochenek, John Yung and Cal Cullen.

Through the coalition, organizations will share information on policy issues, funding opportunities and partnerships, while coordinating advocacy efforts and building relationships with elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.

A list of the publicly announced members to date is below.

“The founding members of the Northern Kentucky Nonprofit Coalition represent a powerful cross-section of nonprofits serving our region,” said Ryan Salzman with the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, the statewide organization that will facilitate the coalition’s work. “We’re excited to bring these organizations together to strengthen their efforts and help inform policymakers about the community and economic contributions of nonprofits across our region.”

Why it matters to NKY

For residents, the coalition brings together many of the organizations that provide day-to-day support across the region, from food and housing assistance to early childhood programs, mental health services and workforce development.

Coalition members collectively serve more than 682,000 people each year and employ more than 4,000 workers across Northern Kentucky. Their combined payroll and expenditures total about $356 million annually, with overall revenue reaching nearly $372 million.

“Nonprofits are essential to the strength and stability of Northern Kentucky communities,” said Jean Mize of the R.C. Durr Foundation, an early supporter of the coalition. “From supporting education to meeting critical needs like food, shelter and health services, these organizations make a direct difference in people’s lives every day.”

A ‘pivotal’ time for local nonprofits

The launch comes as many of these organizations face increasing demand for services alongside shifting funding conditions, said Danielle Clore, CEO of the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, who called it a “pivotal moment for the sector.”

The Kentucky Nonprofit Network, founded in 2002, supports more than 1,200 nonprofits across the state through training, resources and public policy advocacy. Nonprofits collectively employ about one in 10 private-sector workers in Kentucky.

“Organizations are navigating rising demand, shifting resources that include funding threats, and an evolving policy landscape—while continuing to meet the changing needs of their communities,” Clore said. “This coalition creates an important opportunity to align efforts at the regional level, and KNN is proud to support Northern Kentucky nonprofit leaders as they shape what comes next.”

The Northern Kentucky coalition is the latest in a series of regional groups formed by the network, joining similar efforts in Lexington, Louisville and southeastern Kentucky. The broader goal is to build a more connected statewide network that can share resources and advocate more effectively.

Chris Bochenek of the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation, an early funder of the effort, said the collaboration reflects what the region needs moving forward.

“This coalition reflects the kind of forward-looking collaboration our region needs,” he said.

List of coalition members

Northern Kentucky Nonprofit Coalition

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