1995: The Paducah Area Community Foundation formed under the leadership of Paducah Mayor Gerry Montgomery.
1997: The first gifts were made to the Community Foundation by three local banks.
1998: The first part-time staff was hired, Kelly Hack.
1999: The Community Foundation changed its name to the Community Foundation of West Kentucky to encompass more of the area and better assist nonprofits to expand their services throughout the region. At this time, the foundation’s assets consisted of about $700,000 in total funds.
2000: The Community Foundation began hosting the annual Fund Run for Charities event.
2001: Executive director and CEO, Tony Watkins, a former professional fundraising consultant, was hired to help the foundation formulate a strategy for growth.
2002: The Community Foundation reached $1 Million in assets.
2003: A $3 Million gift was secured.
2008: $6 Million in new funds were gifted to the Community Foundation and the Glasgow/Barren County Community Foundation formed as an affiliate of CFWK.
2009: The Community Foundation surpassed $10 Million in funds.
2010: The Murray/Calloway County Community Foundation formed as an affiliate of CFWK.
2011: The Fund Run provided $1 million in new nonprofit endowment funds. The first Endow Kentucky tax credit was issued.
2012: The Community Foundation surpassed $15 million in funds and became accredited by the National Council on Foundations. CFWK disbursed over $1.3 million in grants.
2015: The Community Foundation surpassed $20 million in assets.
2022: The Community Foundation of West Kentucky became involved in disaster relief efforts due to the December 2021 tornadoes across West Kentucky and distributed more than $19 million in support of long term recovery efforts.
2024: Longtime executive director, Tony Watkins, retired from CFWK after more than 20 years of service. Dr. Chris Dockins served as the Interim CEO.
2025: CFWK offices moved to Cornerstone of Hope Building at 433 Adams Street, Paducah.
2025: Launched Rural Endowment Development Program.
2025: Hired Lee Emmons, with nearly three decades of experience in nonprofit management, corporate communications, and resource development, as the CEO.
2026: CFWK has $48,000,000 of assets under management, a capable team of five employees, and an active board of 16 directors.