Two veteran foundations that have addressed some of Louisville’s most difficult challenges have joined forces to target critical needs in the city’s urban core. A new “Change Makers Partnership” between the Community Foundation of Louisville (CFL) and the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation brings together CFL’s program-centered approach with Casey’s philosophy of improving outcomes for kids by strengthening families and neighborhoods. Click here to download the “Request for Proposals” with complete details on how eligible nonprofit organizations may apply.

The two foundations intend to make sustainable change in two areas identified through research commissioned by the Greater Louisville Project, which include: improving education at all levels and strengthening the urban core of Louisville Metro to ensure balanced growth across the region. The new partnership will focus on the California, Phoenix Hill, Shelby Park and Smoketown neighborhoods.

By combining resources, exchanging best-practice information and creating a formalized, collaborative approach to grant making, the two foundations intend to strengthen the positive work that is already taking place here. The foundations will commit a combined $1.3 million over the next three years through a new grant program that provides seed funding for long-term solutions to priority needs.  “A successful grant proposal will, among other things, show imagination, build on neighborhood strengths and have the ability to attract additional funds and community support,” said Dennis Riggs, President and CEO of The Community Foundation of Louisville.

“Our partnership is a perfect example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts,” said Riggs, “Each organization has a strong track record for investing resources to support strengthening our families and neighborhoods. By sharing our resources, networks, and talents, we can be even stronger together. We hope to expand the partnership over time by having others join us in finding solutions to difficult problems.”

This partnership between CFL and Casey is not the first time the two organizations have worked together to create sustainable, systemic change in the community. Both were instrumental in funding the Greater Louisville Project, launched in 2003. The Greater Louisville Project, a non-partisan initiative providing research, data analysis and civic dialogue, was designed to engage the community and ensure Louisville becomes one of the nation’s most livable and competitive cities. Research commissioned by the Greater Louisville Project revealed three areas—“Deep Drivers of Change”—on which Louisville must focus to achieve this goal. These are: (1) improve educational attainment for all residents at every level and double projected growth in young adults (ages 25-34) with a bachelor’s degree; (2) grow more 21^st century jobs focusing on technology; and (3) strengthen the urban core of Louisville Metro to ensure balanced growth across the region.

Since 1997, CFL has awarded more than 220 grants totaling $3.8 million to projects and programs that help vulnerable kids develop skills for success. The partnership will build on and accelerate the work of Making Connections Louisville, a key Casey initiative, which has connected 2,400 individuals, families and organizations in the California, Phoenix Hill, Shelby Park and Smoketown neighborhoods to one another and to various opportunities through a membership-based network.

“The opportunities being surfaced through the Making Connections Network are extraordinary,” said Dana Jackson, Site Leader for MCL.  “People give and receive through this unique network. Whether it’s a chance to get more education, a better job or a better understanding of how to build and protect wealth, or to give knowledge, resources or time to help someone else, the neighborhood residents are getting engaged in a powerful way.”

“We’re pleased to be making this investment in the future of our city—and in the futures of the residents in the California, Phoenix Hill, Shelby Park and Smoketown neighborhoods,” said Riggs. “We now want to invite others to join us as champions of this effort to create sustainable change. Our partnership is a terrific start, but it alone can’t fund the changes needed to ensure we’re the highly competitive city we can be.”

How to Apply for a 2008 Change Makers Partnership Grant
All IRS-approved, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, including schools and faith-based organizations, may apply. Organizations interested in applying should click here to download the “Request for Proposals.”

Completed applications and all required supporting materials must be received via e-mail no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 31, 2008. Questions regarding the application process should be addressed to Ms. Alex Spoelker at The Community Foundation of Louisville, 585-4649 or alexs@cflouisville.org.

About The Community Foundation of Louisville
The Community Foundation of Louisville is a tax-exempt public charity that administers a growing collection of more than 1,100 charitable funds established by people, families, businesses and organizations.  Grants and distributions from these funds support a wide range of cultural, educational and humanitarian programs according to each donor’s specifications. During fiscal year 2007, the Community Foundation awarded more than 10,000 grants totaling $28 million to improve the quality of life throughout Kentucky and beyond.

About the Annie E. Casey Foundation
Founded in 1948, the primary mission of the Annie E. Casey Foundation is to foster public policies, human-service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families. In pursuit of this goal, the Foundation makes grants that help states, cities and neighborhoods fashion more innovative, cost-effective responses to these needs. For more information, visit http://www.aecf.org/.

About Making Connections Louisville
A key component of the Making Connections initiative is its intensive commitment to achieve and sustain measurable, concrete results for families by working with both children and their parents, thereby advancing a two-generation approach. The Network connects parents to good jobs and asset building opportunities and it ensures that young children get the best possible start in school and in life. This sustained, simultaneous emphasis on results for families, economic opportunities, school success in early grades, and strengthening neighborhoods in full partnership with residents represents a significant departure from previous community change initiatives. For more details about Making Connections Louisville, call (502) 583-1426.