Relief from Gun Violence
The Community Foundation of Louisville extends our deepest condolences to the survivors of recent incidents of mass casualty crimes at Old National Bank and Chickasaw Park. We acknowledge that those who survived these tragic events will have a long journey ahead to cope with the enduring trauma of senseless violence. In recent years, Louisville has experienced a significant increase in gun violence with more than 160 gun-related incidents per year. These incidents of recurring violence are an indicator of a community in crisis.
Members of our community are asking what they can do right now to address this crisis? The Community Foundation of Louisville staff has spoken with survivors of gun violence and nonprofit leaders to develop a comprehensive strategy to answer this question. We heard that survivors and nonprofits are seriously under-resourced to sustain pathways to coping. In response to this we have established three pathways for individuals, government, businesses, philanthropies, and faith communities to use their dollars to support. We invite you to participate in this three-part strategy to honor the lives of those murdered in Old National Bank and Chickasaw Park, assist nonprofits helping all survivors of gun violence, and assist nonprofits working to reduce gun violence.
Dates and Times for Public Feedback on Protocols
The Community Foundation of Louisville announced the National Compassion Fund (NCF), the administrator of the Love for Louisville Old National Bank Survivors Fund and the Love for Louisville Chickasaw Park Survivors Fund, has published draft protocols for each fund for public comment. Each draft protocol outlines the proposed process for the distribution of the funds directly to victims’ families and survivors.
Learn more about the dates and times for upcoming town hall meetings.
Supporting Survivors of Mass Casualty Crimes through a Partnership with the National Compassion Fund
The National Compassion Fund (NCF) will oversee the collection and distribution of donations to the heirs and survivors of these mass casualty events*. NCF uses community established protocols to implement and administer a process ensuring 100% of the donations are distributed through an equitable, transparent, and efficient process to people directly impacted in these acts of criminal violence. The Community Foundation of Louisville will work with NCF to convene a local steering committee to establish protocols that will be publicly shared by July 1, 2023.
*The Community Foundation of Louisville defines mass casualty crimes as four or more casualties (killed or wounded), excluding the perpetrator, in a non-domestic violence setting.
Love for Louisville: Old National Bank Survivors Fund
This fund has been established in partnership with the National Compassion Fund (NCF) to support the survivors and heirs of the Old National Bank mass casualty that occurred on April 10, 2023. This fund is administered directly through the National Compassion Fund. Direct donations to survivors and their heirs should be submitted through the link provided, as no donations will be processed through the Community Foundation of Louisville. Community Foundation fundholders can recommend a grant to the National Compassion Fund directly from their Donor Advised Fund or Charitable Checking Fund.
Learn how to recommend a grant for Old National Bank to National Compassion Fund.
Love for Louisville: Chickasaw Park Survivors Fund
This fund has been established in partnership with the National Compassion Fund (NCF) to support the survivors and heirs of the Chickasaw Park mass casualty that occurred on April 15, 2023. This fund is administered directly through the National Compassion Fund. Direct donations to survivors and their heirs should be submitted through the link provided, as no donations will be processed through the Community Foundation of Louisville. Community Foundation fundholders can recommend a grant to the National Compassion Fund directly from their Donor Advised Fund or Charitable Checking Fund.
Learn how to recommend a grant for Chickasaw Park to National Compassion Fund.
Grant to Support Survivors of Gun Violence through Nonprofit Organizations
Survivors of Gun Violence Recovery Fund
Now through June 30, 2023, the Community Foundation of Louisville will oversee the first round of fundraising to issue grants to nonprofits providing assistance to survivors of multiple forms of gun violence, including but not limited to mental health support, medical treatment, funeral assistance, living with long-term injuries, housing stability, and survivors’ rights advocacy. The Survivors of Gun Violence Recovery Fund is designed to be a longstanding fund, active for 10 years or longer.
Donate to the Survivors of Gun Violence Recovery Fund by clicking the button below.
Grant to Support Nonprofit Organizations Working to Reduce Gun Violence
Community Safety and Healing Fund (CSHF) Gun Violence Reduction Initiative
Now through June 30, 2023, the Community Foundation of Louisville will oversee the next round of fundraising. This fund will issue grants to nonprofits working to reduce gun violence. The CSHF fund was established in 2022 to support gun violence intervention, prevention, and advocacy efforts. To date, the fund has disbursed over $1 million to gun violence intervention nonprofits thanks to generous community investors. The Foundation plans to distribute $500,000 by June 1, 2023, which may increase based on the amount donated to CSHF by May 31, 2023. The Community Safety and Healing Fund is designed to be a longstanding fund, active for 10 years or longer.
Donate to the Community Safety & Healing Fund by clicking the button below.
The Community Foundation of Louisville offers these three pathways to increase access to resources to help those affected cope with the enduring trauma of senseless violence, and to support advocacy and the search for those changes in policy and other shifts to reduce gun violence in our community. We invite our current fundholders and other community members to join our Foundation staff in activating our privilege to make short- and long-term solutions possible.
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For More Information Please Contact
Vice President, Community Engagement
502.855.6971
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