A Message from Ron Gallo: Planning for the Future of CFL

Written by: Ron Gallo, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Louisville

Photography Credit: Gary Barragan

As I write this, I am filled with both gratitude and a touch of disbelief. After nearly 40 years in community philanthropy, I have decided that next year I will retire as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Louisville (CFL).

This was not an easy decision. The work we do at CFL has been among the most meaningful of my life, and serving this community for the past five years has been a privilege I will never forget. But after much reflection, and with my family’s needs in mind, I know it is the right time to begin this transition.

When I arrived in Louisville, none of us could have imagined the challenges we would face together. The global pandemic tested every part of our city. It called on CFL to step forward with steadiness and creativity. I am proud of how we responded and how the Foundation became not just a steward of resources, but also a source of hope and resilience during that time.

The years that followed have been ones of growth and momentum. Together, we built trust in new ways, especially with our Black community partners. We deepened our commitment to equity and belonging and elevated trust-based philanthropy in a deliberate and lasting way. We strengthened support for immigrant and refugee families through the Louisville Coalition for Immigrant Support fund.

We also celebrated milestones that speak to the generosity of Louisville. Our assets now exceed $900 million for the first time. We’ve made 12,800 grants totaling $94 million. Give for Good Louisville surpassed $10 million this year with more donors and contributions than ever before. And with Invest Louisville, we raised $9.5 million in the very first year and have already invested nearly $8 million in affordable housing, job creation, and commercial development in west Louisville.

These numbers matter, but they tell only part of the story. What has inspired me most has been the spirit behind them, the generosity of our donors, the creativity of our partners, and the courage of our community to believe in a stronger and more inclusive future.

I want to thank the Board, our staff, our partners, and every person who has walked alongside us. Your trust has been the fuel behind every success.

I will spend the next year working with the Board to ensure a smooth transition and to help identify CFL’s next leader. I am confident that person will inherit an organization that is strong, stable, and ready for its next chapter.

For me, this is not goodbye but a moment of gratitude. It has been an honor to serve Louisville, and I look forward to watching the Foundation’s best days unfold.