More Than a Donation: Building a Legacy That Lasts
Written by Christina Miller
At the Community Foundation of Louisville, donors are more than fundholders—they are valued partners in strengthening our community. We are proud to recognize milestones in their philanthropic journeys, from fund anniversaries to meaningful giving achievements. This year, we invited fundholders who have marked 10, 20, 30, or 40 years of partnership with us to join Foundation leadership for lunch. We also recognized fundholders whose funds exceeded $1 million in lifetime grant distributions during the previous calendar year by sending flowers in appreciation of their generosity.
One fund that recently crossed that remarkable milestone is the Dunaway Scholarship Fund.
Established in 2004 by Samuel M. and Betty Jean Dunaway with Foundation affiliate, Green River Area Community Foundation, the Dunaway Scholarship Fund provides educational grants to graduating seniors from high schools in Breckinridge, Butler, Edmonson, Grayson, Hancock, and Ohio Counties in Kentucky. While the fund no longer has a living advisor, its impact continues to grow. Last year, it surpassed $1 million in grants distributed! This milestone speaks to the enduring legacy the Dunaway family created and their belief that the Foundation would be a good steward of their charitable wishes long into the future.
We take that trust seriously.
By entrusting the Community Foundation of Louisville with their vision, the Dunaway family continues to open doors for students across rural Kentucky. Their thoughtful estate planning allows more young people to pursue higher education without financial barriers.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Dunaway Scholarship:
Tessa Blain from Grayson County High School
Caroline Connor from Hancock County High School
Both recipients are receiving $10,000 each year for up to 4 years ($40,000 total).
How do charitable funds work?
If you’re inspired by this story, you might be wondering how a charitable fund works.
Think of it like a checking or savings account, but dedicated entirely to your charitable giving. We offer a variety of fund options, and you can choose the one that best fits your goals. Many people start with a Charitable Checking Fund because it requires no minimum balance and no administrative fee. Getting started is simple. Just complete a short form, and our team will set up your fund online.
From there, donors can log into their account at any time to recommend grants to the organizations they care about. Our team handles the rest, ensuring checks are processed and mailed in a timely manner. You can also download your tax receipts anytime from your secure online account—so when tax season rolls around, everything you need is already in one place.
By combining our team’s local expertise with our fundholders’ passion for giving, we invest millions of dollars back into the Louisville community each year. That impact would not be possible without the generosity and trust of our fundholders. View the 2025 Giving Report to learn more.
If you are ready to start shaping your own legacy, we would love to help.
At the Community Foundation of Louisville, we see our fundholders for who they are: people who want to do good in the world. They make it possible for students to pursue their dreams, for families to access fresh and healthy food, for small businesses to grow, and for our community to thrive.
Learn more by visiting cflgiftplanning.org or contact us directly at stewardship@cflouisville.org or 502.585.4649.