Giving Back Guide

VOICE-TRIBUNE

Louisville is filled with organizations doing meaningful work every day—feeding families, supporting the arts, protecting animals, uplifting youth, and strengthening our neighborhoods. This Giving Back Guide is here to make it easy to find and support the causes that matter most to you. 

Here are some of our favorite local nonprofits that welcome your donations and depend on community support to keep their missions alive. Whether you give a little or a lot, every contribution helps build a stronger, kinder Louisville—one gift at a time. 

Just outside of Louisville in Crestwood, Kentucky, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens offers 60 acres of inspiration, education, and beauty. Once the private estate of legendary plantsman Theodore Klein and his wife Martha Lee, Yew Dell grew from family farm to nationally recognized public garden. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and welcomes visitors year-round to explore curated display gardens, woodland trails, historic architecture and ongoing plant research. 

As a nonprofit organization, Yew Dell’s mission is to spark a passion for plants and gardening through accessible science and inspiring beauty. That passion comes to life in every corner of the gardens — from seasonal displays and family-friendly events, to hands-on workshops and educational programs designed for gardeners of all levels. 

Community support makes all of this possible. Whether through annual fund gifts, honoring a loved one with a tribute bench, or leaving a bequest, every donation directly fuels Yew Dell’s ability to connect people with plants. Memberships, too, help sustain daily operations while offering free admission, discounts and reciprocal benefits at gardens nationwide. 

For those who prefer to roll up their sleeves, volunteering at Yew Dell provides a chance to learn new skills and give back in a meaningful way. With opportunities in the gardens, natural areas, events and even office work, there’s a place for every interest and talent. 

Learn more, become a member, or support the mission at yewdellgardens.org. 

HELP US KEEP THE LIGHTS BRIGHT! 

Donate today to support the Artists and artistry of your Louisville Ballet: 

$30 buys a pair of ballet shoes 

$60 provides a leotard and tights for one Ballet Bound student 

$125 buys a pair of pointe shoes for a Company Artist 

$200 provides snow for a performance of The Brown-Forman Nutcracker 

$275 Covers performance tickets for students from a Title I school 

$500 funds one Boys, Books, + Ballet library program 

$850 brings one Moving Stories educational performance to the community 

$1,700 awards a Ballet Bound student a first-year Community Scholarship 

$1,800 supports an in-school Community Engagement residency 

Your donation makes a difference! 

WATERFRONT BOTANICAL GARDENS: Where the Future Blooms 

Waterfront Botanical Gardens has blossomed from a former landfill into one of Louisville’s most inspiring destinations. A place where beauty, education, and community flourish together. Each year, more than 62,000 guests stroll the grounds, while over 3,000 children experience hands-on programs that spark curiosity and nurture a love of nature. 

As the Gardens continue to grow, with new landscapes and educational spaces under construction, this remarkable transformation is just beginning. Your support ensures that today’s children - and tomorrow’s - can find wonder in nature. 

Every contribution makes a difference. Philanthropy sustains the Gardens’ beauty, expands its programs, and strengthens its role as a cultural treasure for Louisville. By giving, you help create a legacy that enriches families, inspires visitors, and elevates the city for generations to come. 

Together, we can ensure the Gardens remain greener, stronger, and more vibrant. An oasis that reflects the best of our community. 

Discover more and help the Gardens grow for generations to come at waterfrontgardens.org/support.

Louisville Visual Art (LVA) has been a cornerstone of creativity in our city for over a century, shaping Louisville’s cultural landscape through programs that empower artists, inspire youth, and build stronger communities. Guided by three core pillars—Youth Art Education, Artist Support and Development, and Public Art and Community Building—LVA connects people to the transformative power of visual art. 

Through our Youth Art Education over the last 100 years, LVA’s Children’s Fine Art Classes (CFAC) program has provided young people with rigorous arts instruction that builds cumulatively over weeks in the fall and spring semesters. CFAC has nurtured generations of creative thinkers by developing technical skill, artistic voice, and confidence. LVA also offers outreach programming, extending access to high-quality art education throughout the community. 

LVA’s commitment to Artist Support and Development ensures that working artists have the resources they need to thrive. We hire local artists as instructors, muralists, and program leaders. We invest directly in their careers by purchasing artwork for programs and offering exhibition opportunities that connect artists with audiences. LVA strengthens Louisville’s creative economy and ensures artists can build sustainable careers. 

With a focus on Public Art and Community Building, LVA brings art out of the gallery and into neighborhoods. Through murals, permanent art installations, and community partnerships, LVA creates accessible, inclusive spaces where people come together, connect, and celebrate shared stories through art. 

Together, these three pillars reflect LVA’s mission: More Art [for] More People [in] More Places. 

Learn more and get involved at louisvillevisualart.org 

Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Louisville is dedicated to supporting individuals and families on the autism journey through education, vital programs, and community support and resources. 

Since 1999, FEAT of Louisville has actively supported autism programs for the entire family, serving over 5,000 individuals annually, and is dedicated to easing the autism journey through ongoing support, education, and collaborative programming throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Currently, 1 in 31 are diagnosed with ASD and is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. 

ASD is the fastest growing developmental disorder diagnosis and also the most underfunded. Early diagnosis and intervention, as well as ongoing support, are critical in achieving the best outcomes for individuals with ASD. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can make great progress, and early intervention followed by age-appropriate and individualized treatment is key. 

FEAT’s main programs include: 

- Get Your FEAT Wet Swim Program: a partnership with All About Kids, Aqua Tots, Home of the Innocents, and Goldfish Swim School for children with ASD. Children with ASD are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their peers, making swim instruction so critical. 

- Autism Friendly Business Initiative: offers training for businesses and opportunities for employment for individuals with ASD to increase inclusion and raise awareness, appreciation, and acceptance in the community. Currently, we have trained over 650 businesses in 19 states. 

- Endeavor Program: one of our fastest growing programs, a partnership with Carriage House dedicated to increasing school readiness for young children with ASD. 

- PreVocational Job Program: a partnership with Bluegrass Center for Autism with the goal of developing communicative, daily living, and job readiness skills to help clients gain employment and function as independently as possible. 

- Dreams in Motion: a therapeutic and recreational summer camp for children ages 7-21 with ASD in collaboration with Dreams with Wings. 

- FEAT Watch: a collaboration with first responders to assist those with ASD to communicate regardless of communication barriers through smart technology. 

Spencer’s Stand: Strength in Every Story 

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at just 11 years old, Spencer Legg’s life became a constant balance of discipline and determination—managing insulin, nutrition, and performance while chasing a Division I basketball dream. What began as a challenge became his calling. 

Today, through Spencer’s Stand, he’s turning that story into strength for others—empowering kids and families living with T1D to rise above fear, isolation, and limitation. From community events to shared resources and real conversations, Spencer’s Stand reminds us that every diagnosis comes with a choice: to live limited or to live limitless. 

And Spencer stands—every day—for the ones learning how to. 

Limits don’t define us. How we respond does. 

Farmington, conveniently located in the Highlands of Louisville, offers a historic setting with modern amenities for your special event. The 1816 Federal style main house welcomes your guests to an 18-acre campus in the heart of the city. From there, they can stroll through the formal gardens to the great lawn for a large ceremony, or over to the 4800 square foot open-air Brand Pavilion. The Pavilion can be outfitted to accommodate over 300 people for a sit-down dinner, a corporate picnic, or a night of music under the stars. With (4) Big Ass fans, market café lights, and electrical outlets throughout – this malleable space will meet all your event needs. 

The Carriage House, next to the Brand Pavilion, will serve as the hub for staging your event. This space houses public restrooms, a catering kitchen and prep-space, a walk-up bar that faces the Pavilion, and two elegant dressing rooms with a shared library space for group gatherings. 

Enjoy walking the grounds. Check out our pollinator prairie full of native plants, the vegetable gardens, and our beehives (which produce honey sold on site). F armington opened as Louisville’s first historic site museum in 1959 and continues to welcome you to visit and experience the historic structures, collections, and landscape while learning about the diverse people who lived and labored on the land and who contributed to local, regional, and national history. 

Kentucky College of Art + Design (KyCAD) is Kentucky’s only independent, nonprofit college dedicated exclusively to art and design. Located in Old Louisville, KyCAD offers a transformative education rooted in contemporary practice, interdisciplinary exploration, and community engagement. 

KyCAD’s original Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art has long empowered students to explore diverse creative practices—from painting and sculpture to performance and digital art. Now, KyCAD is expanding its academic offerings with six new BFA degrees designed to meet the evolving demands of the creative industries: Body Art, Digital Fabrication, Experimental Fashion, Film, Graphic Design, and Olfactory Art and Sensory Practices. These innovative programs reflect KyCAD’s commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining what an arts education can be. 

With a curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and professional development, KyCAD fosters a vibrant studio culture led by practicing artists, designers, and scholars. Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and access to cutting-edge tools and technologies. 

KyCAD is deeply embedded in Louisville’s dynamic arts and culture scene. Through meaningful partnerships with local organizations, students gain access to hands-on experiences, professional networks, and opportunities to collaborate beyond the classroom. These connections not only enhance their creative development but also help them build lasting relationships within the broader artistic community. 

Dedicated to promoting a creative and productive life, KyCAD is shaping the next generation of artistic visionaries and cultural innovators. 

Learn more at kycad.org.

Wellspring Provides Housing, Behavioral Health, and HOPE! 

Wellspring stands out in our community because of the unique combination of providing housing and supportive services for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) along with offering a comprehensive array of behavioral health services based on clients’ needs. Wellspring offers a combination of intensive services and programs that can transform lives through: 

• Personalized, multidisciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

• Assistance with Medication Management

• Crisis Stabilization services

• Empowering Peer Support

• Critical Life Skills coaching

• Individually tailored Employment Services 

Mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, often emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood, disrupting lives and families. Without access to care, many individuals with SMI experience homelessness, incarceration, substance use, or repeated hospitalizations. Wellspring meets these challenges head-on, offering quality affordable housing and life-changing services that promote dignity, community integration, and long-term recovery for approximately 1,600 people each year. 

With community support like yours, Wellspring helps people from every walk of life who are living with no-fault, biological brain disorders. Your gift to Wellspring is a powerful investment. Together we can build a community where adults with mental illness are respected and given the opportunity to thrive. 

Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana is a community of hope, strength and healing for anyone impacted by cancer — men, women, teens, and children, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers. Since opening our red doors in 2007, we’ve offered a place where people can connect with others who understand what they’re going through, find comfort and regain a sense of control in the face of cancer. 

We offer more than 180 program offerings each month over four locations. All our programs — support groups, educational workshops, healthy lifestyle activities and social events — are provided free of charge. Whether someone is in treatment, a survivor, or bereaved, Gilda’s Club ensures no one has to face cancer alone. 

As we expand to serve more people in Southern Indiana and West Louisville, community support is more vital than ever. You can make a difference: 

Spread the word. Tell your friends, family and coworkers that Gilda’s Club is here for anyone impacted by cancer. Share our story on social media or invite someone to visit. 

Donate. Every dollar helps sustain and grow our free programs. Your generosity ensures emotional and social support remains accessible to all. 

Volunteer. From greeting participants and helping with events to sharing special skills, volunteers are the heart of our mission. 

Together, we can build a stronger, more compassionate community — one where everyone facing cancer knows they are not alone. 

Visit us at gck.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.