Local grassroots agencies in Louisville, particularly those founded and led by BIPOC individuals, face significant and systemic barriers in accessing the funding and resources necessary for their vital community work. Often "redlined" due to the ethnicity of their leadership and the communities they serve, these agencies operate in an unsupportive and often hostile funding climate. This is evidenced by the alarmingly low percentage of Black-led agencies in the city and Kentucky's poor national ranking in supporting such organizations. A recent Department of Justice report further underscores the discriminatory practices within Louisville's systems that negatively impact BIPOC and grassroots efforts.

These agencies encounter numerous obstacles, including limited funding opportunities, a lack of respect for their contributions, and discouraging policies against program "duplication" even in underserved areas. Funders frequently overlook smaller organizations, deeming their budgets insufficient for support or impact, while simultaneously failing to recognize the validity and effectiveness of their culturally relevant and community-centered program models. This forces BIPOC-led agencies to constantly over-explain their approaches and seek validation outside traditional frameworks. More detailed information on these challenges can be found in the attached PDF, "The Ukuaji Wrap Up Report.