Mayor Announces Launch of New 501c3, Compassionate Louisville

Mayor Greg Fischer today joined representatives from Louisville’s faith, education and business communities to announce the launch of a new 501c3, Compassionate Louisville, an independent organization to oversee and further Louisville’s compassion work. The organization, led by Dr. Muhammad Babar, will build upon the city’s momentum and strengthen its culture of compassion and volunteerism.

“Compassion is one of our core city values and is part of our legacy in Louisville, from the life and work of compassion champions like Justice Louis Brandeis, Thomas Merton, Muhammad Ali, Anne Braden and others,” said the Mayor. “The creation of Compassionate Louisville will champion our cause of compassion, make it sustainable and ensure it lives on beyond any administration.”

The organization will exist as a portal to support and empower existing local organizations that are doing year-round compassion work. By identifying issues that need to be addressed through compassionate action, the board will build awareness and facilitate connections and partnerships to support the needs of the community.

The launch of Compassionate Louisville builds upon compassion initiatives like the Mayor’s Give A Day Week of Service, the city-wide festival of volunteerism, service and compassion. In 2019, the city broke its own world record with more than 235,000 acts of service or compassion.

In November 2011, the Mayor, along with Metro Council members, signed the Charter for Compassion, committing Louisville to a 10-year Compassionate City campaign. This work has helped the city form a strategic partnership with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and earn the distinction of being named an International Model City for Compassion four years in a row.

“Our vision is to create a place where all people in our community have the opportunity, desire, and support to engage in year-round service and compassion,” said Dr. Babar, Chair, Compassionate Louisville. “Our purpose is simple, to empower all people to flourish.”

Compassionate Louisville board members include:

• Dr. Muhammad Babar, Chair, Muslim Americans for Compassion
• Janice Cates, Mayor’s Office
• Matt Goldberg, Jewish Federation of Louisville
• Jan Helson, Global Game Changers
• Halaeh Karima, University of Louisville
• Donald Lassere, Muhammad Ali Center
• Marta Miranda, Community Foundation of Louisville
• Tori Murden McClure, Spalding University
• Ron Oliver, Norton Healthcare
• Sarah Riggs Reed, Center for Interfaith Relations
• Kris Sirchio, WE Day Kentucky
• Tom Williams, Charter for Compassion
• Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, Greater Louisville Inc.
• Suzanne Wright, Jefferson County Public Schools