Louisville, KY -- Brown‑Forman Foundation today announced a collaboration with five organizations in west Louisville to advance educational opportunities from early childhood through adult learning. The partnership and corresponding  $50 million financial commitment empowers these organizations to increase their reach and create measurable impact by meeting long-term needs with new resources for the next generation of leaders. 

“Brown‑Forman and the Brown‑Forman Foundation aspire to have a transformative impact in the community we’ve called home for more than 150 years. We believe that quality education, from cradle to career, is critical to lifelong success and helps ensure a brighter future for generations to come,” said Lawson Whiting, CEO, Brown‑Forman Corporation, and  Director, Brown‑Forman Foundation. “Today’s announcement is another step on that journey and our commitment to positive, long-term change here in Louisville.”

The investment represents Brown‑Forman Foundation’s largest investment since it was created in 2018. The $50 million financial opportunity fund will span ten years. 

“Providing access to education and opportunities is key to ensuring our children can be successful. These programs have made a strong commitment to offer that support along every step of the educational journey. They have a tremendous grasp on what the needs are, and they know how to meet them. The Brown‑Forman Foundation is honored to help amplify that response over the next decade,” said Ralph de Chabert, Chairman and President, Brown‑Forman Foundation. 

The Brown‑Forman Foundation has identified five partner organizations, including:  

• AMPED will receive $5 million to expand Out of School Time (OST) program offerings. AMPED will work with community partners aiming to provide support for youth, including social-emotional programming that centers on mentorship and music. 

• The Louisville Central Community Center will receive $10 million to support its Mini-Versity Child Development Program, which provides health and education equity for families of infants and preschoolers. The funds will create better access to quality early education services, helping children start school with the necessary social, emotional, and academic skills to be successful.         

• The Louisville Urban League’s education programs will receive $5 million to provide opportunities for families that directly address the achievement gap that adversely affects Black and Brown students through critical programming that focuses on increasing access and removing barriers. 

• Simmons College of Kentucky will receive $10 million to further develop a teacher education program that prepares licensed secondary school teachers and addresses the racial inequities in the local and regional public schools.

• The West End School will receive $10 million to continue to offer boys an academically rigorous school, complete with wraparound counseling, enrichment, extracurricular activities, and invaluable mentorship. The West End School will also receive $10 million to expand programming to create equitable opportunities for girls with additional details to follow soon. 

“As Brown‑Forman has expanded globally, our roots have kept us anchored to Louisville and our west Louisville neighborhood,” said Campbell Brown, Chair, Board of Directors, Brown‑Forman Corporation. “These collaborations allow us to support organizations dedicated to creating opportunities and enriching lives through transformational work over the long-term.”

Additional information about the collaborations will be available at a future date. 

Brown‑Forman Foundation

Brown‑Forman Corporation established the Brown‑Forman Foundation in 2018 to serve the company’s strategic charitable mission and ongoing philanthropic endeavors. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the Brown‑Forman Foundation amplifies Brown‑Forman Corporation’s generous culture to deliver transformative community impact, with focus on enhancing arts and cultural living, ensuring essential living standards, and empowering responsible and sustainable living. Visit www.brownformanfoundation.org. 

Brown‑Forman Corporation 

For over 150 years, Brown‑Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee RTDs, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire,  Jack Daniel's Tennessee Apple, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Coopers’ Craft, The GlenDronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane, Herradura, el Jimador, New Mix, Korbel, Sonoma‑Cutrer, Finlandia, Chambord, and Fords Gin. Brown‑Forman’s brands are supported by approximately 4,700 employees and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit https://www.brown-forman.com/.