FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAMES GRAHAM BROWN FOUNDATION CHALLENGES COMMUNITY WITH $1.5 MILLION MATCHING GRANT FOR LIBRARY PROJECTS
A NEW CHAPTER FOR LOUISVILLE LIBRARIES IS ALMOST HERE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 24, 2024) – The Louisville Free Public Library Foundation (Library Foundation) hosted dozens of library supporters at the Main Library on June 24 to announce a $1.5 million matching community challenge grant from the James Graham Brown Foundation. This transformational grant will help turn the page on four ongoing library construction projects, including reopening the Parkland Library, renovating the Main and Portland libraries, and building a brand-new library in Fern Creek.
The community challenge enables a dollar-for-dollar match of every donation, up to $1.5 million. Says Mason Rummel, President and CEO of the James Graham Brown Foundation, “A strong and healthy public library system is crucial for a thriving civic community. The James Graham Brown Foundation has been a long-time supporter of Louisville’s libraries, and we are excited about their growth and their commitment to our educational and civic infrastructure.”
Once matched, Library Foundation Executive Director Chandra Gordon says the James Graham Brown Foundation community challenge grant will fulfill the Library Foundation’s private fundraising commitment.
“Thanks to early support from corporate and private supporters like the Gheens Foundation, whose recent contribution took us to this public phase, we have already raised over $5 million to help open these library doors.” says Gordon. “But we aren’t finished yet. We know Louisville loves its libraries and will meet the challenge to raise the additional $3 million needed to get us to our goal.”
Library Director Lee Burchfield is excited to see so much community support. “Libraries transform communities and address some of the most urgent problems facing our region,” he says. “I can’t wait to see the impact these new buildings have on their neighborhoods.”
Louisville Metro Government committed initial funding for these four projects in April 2022 as part of the first round of American Rescue Plan allocations. Since that time, additional local, state, and federal investments bring the total public funding to more than $36 million.
“I feel enormous gratitude to Mayor Greenberg, Metro Council, and our state and federal government leaders for these investments,” says Burchfield. “And of course, I am in awe of the Library Foundation for their successful leadership in raising private dollars to make these libraries world-class resources for the residents of Louisville Metro.”
Mayor Greenberg affirms, “Supporting our libraries is critical to making Louisville a safer, stronger, and healthier city. That is why Metro Government has allocated more than $34 million in capital funding toward this library expansion. I am committed to ensuring these libraries serve our community effectively and am looking forward to re-opening libraries across the city in the coming months.”
The Library Foundation invites the community to participate in this incredible opportunity to double the impact of their donations. “A gift of any size is an investment in books, technology, and safe spaces for all,” says Gordon. “But it is also an investment in one of our community’s only remaining gathering places where every resident of Louisville can connect with each other, with new ideas, and with nationally renowned programming – and all for free.”
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Louisville Free Public Library connects the residents of Louisville and Jefferson County to knowledge and information at our library locations and on the web at LFPL.org. Come on in, the whole world’s inside.
The Library Foundation strives to ensure every Louisvillian has the tools, resources, and information they need to flourish in their community and their lives by opening the doors for community members to engage with, advocate for, and dedicate time and treasure to the Louisville Free Public Library. Learn more at LFPLfoundation.org.
