Record Number of Charities Participate in Derby Fundraiser Program

With a record number of charities participating in the 2013 Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Charity Module Program, over $277,000 was raised for various charities around the region.  This year 30 different charitable organizations raised funds by having individual runners and running teams participate in the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon presented by Walmart and HumanaVitality.  Last year, 24 organizations participated in the program. 

The charities were assisted by the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, the Derby Festival’s charitable arm. The KDF Foundation established criteria for organizations to be recognized as Official Charity Partners of the races and Foundation board members and volunteers were assigned as liaisons to help coordinate the fund-raising efforts.

 “When the Charity Module began in 2005, we never imagined in such a short time we’d be the avenue for these charities to raise these kinds of funds,” says Mike Berry, President & CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival.  “It’s very rewarding to know we are helping these worthy causes.”

The following organizations were Official Charity Partners of the 2013 KDF road races:

• The ALS Association, KY Chapter*: $1,915.00
• Alzheimers Association, Greater KY and SI Chapter: $7,331.52
• American Cancer Society: $2,050.00
• American Printing House for the Blind: $20,157.00
• Best Buddies of Kentucky*: $195.00
• Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation: $78,745.00
• Dare to Care: $245.00
• Deion Branch Foundation: $11,430.00
• ElderServe: $2,200.00
• Gilda's Club: $13,188.00
• Harbor House of Louisville: $90.00
• Kentucky Hemophelia Foundation: $229.00
• Home of the Innocents: $8,646.00
• House of Ruth*: $1,650.00
• James Graham Brown Cancer Center: $875.00
• Juvenile Diabities Research Foundation*: $4,601.00
• Kentucky Animal Relief Fund*: $12,000.00
• Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies: $3,500.00
• Kosair Children's Hospital: $8,487.00
• KY/SI Stroke Association: $ 2,000.00
• Lung Cancer Alliance*: $1,015.00
• The Morton Center*: $2,118.00
• Olmsted Parks Conservancy: $2,470.00
• Orphan Care Alliance: $1,152.00
• Ovarian Awareness of Kentucky: $1,000.00
• Shawnee Christian Healthcare Center*:$140.00
• Spina Bifida Association: $27.00
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: $ 45.00
• St. Leo SPICE: $ 361.00
• Team in Training (LLS): $ 90,000.00

Total: $ 277,862.52

The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, a 501 C 3 not-for-profit charity, receives and manages charitable contributions on behalf of the Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., its supporters and the general public. The Foundation perpetuates the Festival’s impact on the community by developing projects that highlight the Festival’s influence on the area's cultural heritage.  It works to further the Festival’s educational and charitable mission through exhibitions and performances.