About us:

Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana

Our Purpose:

Freedom House

Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana cultivates healthy communities for all, especially those who are vulnerable, through impact-driven philanthropy.

Elizabeth Community and Technical College

Our Vision: Thriving communities where all people live healthier and more enriched lives.

We partner with nonprofits in Jefferson, Shelby, Bullitt, Nelson, and Hardin counties in Kentucky and Clark County in Southern Indiana to shape a more thriving future.

Dare to Care

Our Mission: To make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.

We offer two grant cycles a year and engage in deeply relational philanthropy, making multiple in-person visits and developing personal relationships with the nonprofits we fund.

We believe it takes more than grant money to make the kind of positive changes in our communities that will last.

Our History:

Though the Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana was officially named in 2019, we have a history in this community that stretches farther back.

We originated as the Jewish Hospital Foundation which supported the Jewish Hospital of Louisville (established 1905), funded medical research conducted at the hospital, and provided scholarships for nurses and allied healthcare associates.

When Jewish Healthcare and Caritas Health Services came together in the early 2000's, the foundation evolved into the Jewish Hospital and St. Mary's Foundation (JHSMF), continuing to support programs and services of its healthcare facilities and programs. In 2019, the healthcare facilities were divested to the University of Louisville, and the former JHSMF became the Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana. This new foundation is a community grantmaking organization committed to the health and wellbeing of the Louisville area.

The Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana (LFK) makes charitable grants in six area counties: Jefferson, Shelby, Bullitt, Nelson, and Hardin in Kentucky, and Clark in Indiana. LFK made its first charitable grants in April 2022.

Meet our Staff

  • anne.monell.headshot.jpg

    Anne Monell

    Executive Director

    Anne Monell joined the Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana as Executive Director in June 2023. As the first full-time employee of LFK, Anne has worked closely with the Advisory Council to develop the long- term strategy and vision that guides the foundation’s work in its six-county area. Prior to joining LFK, Anne served as Vice President of Philanthropy & Stewardship at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Director of Major Gifts at the Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s Hospital Foundations.

    Anne also served in multiple roles at the Community Foundation of Louisville, including Vice President of Communications and Marketing, Director of Stewardship, and Director of Fund Development. Anne has been active in several professional and civic organizations, including Charitable Gift Planners of Kentuckiana, Grantmakers of Kentucky, Donors Forum of Kentuckiana, Rotary Club of Louisville, Integrating Women Leaders Foundation, and the Trinity Performing Arts Council. Anne holds a B.A. in Speech Communication with minors in Music and Italian from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

    In her personal time, Anne enjoys singing, travel, attending music festivals, and hitting the road with her husband to attend their adult children’s opera and theater performances.

    Email Anne at:

    Anne(at)legacyfoundationky(dot)org

  •  Lisanna Byrd

    Lisanna Byrd

    Grants Associate

    A Bardstown, KY native, Lisanna is a personable and energetic relationship builder. With over seven years of experience leading or working directly with non-profit organizations, she understands the importance of supporting the vulnerable and helping others share their stories.

    Lisanna’s journey has included hosting events for tens of thousands of people, to writing federal grants for critical historic preservation efforts. She is excited to be part of the Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana team, bringing an attentive and meaningful approach to each part of the Grants Associate role.

    In her spare time, you can find Lisanna antiquing, playing a round of mini golf or enjoying family time with her husband and daughter.

    Email Lisanna at:

    Lisanna(at)legacyfoundationky(dot)org

Meet our Advisory Council

  • Robert Waterman

    Robert Waterman

    Chair

    Seiller Waterman LLC

  • Madeline Abramson

    Madeline Abramson

    Vice Chair

    Community Volunteer

  • Ryan Hall

    Ryan Hall

    Treasurer

    Private Wealth Advisor, UBS Financial Services

  • Anne Monell

    Anne Monell

    Executive Director

  • Dana A. Bowers

    Dana A. Bowers

    Founder, iPay Technologies and Venminder, Inc.

  • Mark Carter

    Mark Carter

    Commissioner, Department of Aviation

  • Alfonso "Al" Cornish

    Chief Operating Officer , Closing the Gap Consulting, LLC

  • Judy Freundlich Tiell

    Judy Freundlich Tiell

    Retired Nonprofit Executive

  • Martha Jones

    Martha Jones

    Retired Shareholder, Dean Dorton CPA Firm

  • Jennifer Nicely

    Jennifer Nicely

    President, CHI Memorial Foundation CommonSpirit Health Philanthropy

  • Richard Shultz

    Richard Shultz

    Retired Entrepreneur, Community Volunteer

  • Hunt Schuster

    Hunt Schuster

    Retired Business Owner, Community Volunteer

  • Kevin Smith

    Kevin Smith

    President, Kentucky Distilled Spirit Advisor, LLC

  • Davette Swiney

    Davette Swiney

    President & CNO, Central Kentucky Community Foundation

  • John Willmoth

    John Willmoth

    Managing Partner, Poplar Ventures

For it is in giving that we receive.
— St. Francis of Assisi