Louisville, Kentucky, is home to a variety of charity organizations dedicated to making a positive impact on the community. From addressing hunger and housing needs to supporting women’s empowerment and children with special needs, these nonprofits serve diverse causes with compassion and commitment. Organizations like Catholic Charities of Louisville, Blessings in a Backpack, WHAS Crusade for Children, Dress for Success Louisville, and United Way of Kentucky are pivotal in fostering hope, resilience, and sustainable change for individuals and families across the region.
Catholic Charities of Louisville is a non-profit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky. Committed to serving individuals and families in need, the organization offers a variety of services including refugee resettlement, senior care, emergency assistance, housing support, and job training.
Rooted in Catholic social teaching, it promotes dignity, compassion, and empowerment for all community members, regardless of background or faith. Catholic Charities also partners with local agencies and volunteers to address pressing social challenges and foster sustainable change.
Blessings in a Backpack is a Louisville-based nonprofit organization dedicated to combating childhood hunger. Their mission is to ensure elementary school children who rely on free or reduced-cost meals during the school week have access to nourishing food over the weekends. Operating nationwide, the organization works with volunteers, donors, and community partners to fill backpacks with food and distribute them to students in need every Friday.
By addressing weekend food insecurity, Blessings in a Backpack helps improve children’s health, academic performance, and overall well-being. The program is funded through donations and community support, making it a grassroots initiative with a meaningful impact. To date, the organization has helped feed thousands of children, providing hope and sustenance to vulnerable families.
The WHAS Crusade for Children, established in 1954 by WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with special needs. Through annual telethons and community-driven fundraising efforts, the Crusade collects donations to support agencies, schools, and hospitals across Kentucky and southern Indiana. A distinctive feature of the organization is its commitment to ensuring that 100% of each donation directly benefits children with special needs, with administrative costs covered by an endowment fund.
Over the years, the Crusade has become a significant local institution, with grassroots collection efforts and strong support from local fire departments, which play a pivotal role in fundraising activities. The 72nd WHAS Crusade for Children is scheduled for June 7-8, 2025, continuing its longstanding tradition of community partnership and generosity.
Dress for Success Louisville is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women to achieve economic independence. They provide a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and life. As part of a global movement, they offer no-fee programs to assist unemployed and underemployed women in securing safer and better futures.
Their services include career coaching, job-skill readiness, upskilling and reskilling, networking, and community support. By focusing on these areas, Dress for Success Louisville aims to promote the economic independence of women in their community.
United Way of Kentucky is a nonprofit organization based in Louisville, dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities across the state. By fostering partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and individuals, United Way focuses on addressing key challenges in education, financial stability, and health. Through initiatives and programs tailored to meet local needs, the organization aims to create lasting change and empower communities. United Way of Kentucky also serves as a resource for disaster relief efforts, providing critical support in times of crisis.
This list of charities in Louisville isn’t the only one, and AAM Nation Care is yet another amazing organization that cares about people and their future.