Mission Statement Our mission is to advance philanthropy by: serving the charitable interests of donors, enabling increased charitable giving, and improving communities by being a permanent philanthropic resource for current and future needs.

Brief History

The first philanthropic trust for Louisville was created in 1916 as the Louisville Foundation.  After being inactive for many years, that Foundation was reorganized in 1984 as a community foundation.  The success of the new Community Foundation of Louisville (CFL) is due largely to its initial leaders—the late Wilson W. Wyatt, Sr. (Chair, 1984-1992) and Baylor Landrum, Jr. (President, 1983-1993; Chair, 1992-93).

From 1984 to 2007, CFL grew from three charitable funds and assets of $1.4 million to more than 1,100 funds totaling $252 million.  Although commingled as a lasting community resource, each fund has its own name and charitable purpose as defined by its donors.  In 2007, CFL funds awarded $28 million in grants and distributions to nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in the Louisville area and beyond.