West End Opportunity Partnership

Laura Douglas Appointed President/CEO of The Partnership, Leading Through 2026

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LOUISVILLE, KY–December 13, 2024—Following her successful tenure as Interim President/CEO since July 2022, The Partnership is proud to announce Laura Douglas’s official appointment as President/CEO, set to lead the organization through 2026.

During her time as Interim President/CEO, Douglas achieved significant milestones in advancing The Partnership’s mission and initiatives. She collaborated with the Board of Directors to complete a series of community engagement sessions, which informed the creation of The Partnership’s inaugural Community Engagement Report. This report provides valuable insights into the needs and priorities identified by residents across West Louisville neighborhoods.

Additionally, Douglas led the board in establishing investment criteria that define the types of projects The Partnership will support. She also spearheaded the development of a streamlined, user-friendly application process for those seeking funding. Moreover, her leadership played a pivotal role in securing top-tier financial advisers and accounting expertise, selecting Baird and Crowe to ensure a robust financial foundation for the organization’s future endeavors.

“I am honored by the Board’s trust and collaboration as we worked to enhance the resources and initiatives available to the residents of West Louisville,” said Laura Douglas, President/CEO of The Partnership. “Over the next two years, we plan to further strengthen The Partnership’s community investment portfolio by partnering with new and existing organizations to bring housing developments, businesses, and nonprofits to the area. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and the positive impact we can achieve together.”

With her exceptional leadership, deep community connections, and demonstrated ability to drive meaningful progress, Douglas is well-positioned to lead The Partnership into a new era of impactful growth and development. As she transitions into her role, Ms. Douglas and the Chair will collaborate with the Board to engage a search firm to identify her successor.

Additionally, the Partnership’s officers for 2025 have been elected, and this group will officially serve as the Board’s Executive Committee:

Chair:  Dr. Mary Milliner, California Neighborhood

Vice Chair:  Dr. Douglas Craddock, Jr., University of Louisville

Treasurer:  William Summers, V, Republic Bank

Secretary:  Jennifer Hancock, Volunteers of America, Mid-states

Chair of Community Engagement:  Dr. Gaberiel Jones, Jr, Russell Neighborhood

Chair of Board Development & Governance: Jennifer Hancock, Volunteers of America, Mid-states

These officers were elected at the annual meeting held on Monday, December 2, 2024.  For more information on The Partnership, please visit https://westendpartners.org 

About The West End Opportunity Partnership:

The West End Opportunity Partnership is a public corporation established in 2021 by the Kentucky General Assembly.

https://westendpartners.org 

Contact:

Laura Douglas

info@westendpartners.org

502-303-5251

West End Opportunity Partnership

THE PARTNERSHIP Announces Eligibility Criteria for Funding Aimed at Revitalizing West Louisville

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LOUISVILLE, KY – October 7, 2024 – The West End Opportunity Partnership (The Partnership) is excited to announce the next phase in its mission to assist with the revitalization of West Louisville. After extensive community engagement sessions, The Partnership is ready to implement funding for development projects specifically designed to support the growth and sustainability of the 9 neighborhoods in West Louisville (Algonquin, California, Chickasaw, Park Duvall, Park Hill, Parkland, Portland, Russell, and Shawnee).

Our project management team will review and evaluate applications for Partnership funding. Potential awardees will be assessed based on the following factors:

  • Organizational Information: The strength and stability of the organization seeking funding.
  • Project Plan: The practicality and potential success of the proposed project.
  • Community Impact: The project’s focus on meaningful, positive change within the community.
  • Value-Added Community Impact: The overall benefit the project will bring to the neighborhood and its residents.

To be considered for funding, each applicant must address all CFE criteria. Click here to access the full Criteria for Fund Eligibility (CFE) presentation. 

“The Partnership is deeply committed to the continued development of West Louisville, said Laura Douglas, President and CEO of The Partnership. “We believe that by working with local organizations, we can create responsible revitalization that will benefit current and future generations in these neighborhoods.”

The Partnership invites organizations to join in this transformative effort and contribute to shaping the future of West Louisville. For more information on how to apply for funding, please visit westendpartners.org or contact The Partnership @ [email protected].

Applications

Click here to access the Small Business Development Program Application.

Click here to access the Nonprofit Business Development Program Application.

Click here to access the Traditional Enterprise Request for Funding Proposal.

About The Partnership

The West End Opportunity Partnership is a nonprofit, public entity established in 2021 by the Kentucky General Assembly to operate with 21 voting members who will manage financial resources for a newly created West Louisville Tax Increment Financing district.

https://westendpartners.org

Press Contacts:

Laura Douglas
President and CEO, West End Opportunity Partnership
(502-303-5251)      

Click here to access the full Criteria for Fund Eligibility (CFE) presentation. 

Click here for a printable version of this press release.

West End Opportunity Partnership Community Engagement Report Graphic

Community Engagement Report

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The purpose of this report is to inform the West End Opportunity Partnership (The Partnership) Board of Directors about the most pressing needs identified by residents, identified in Section 1A of House Bill 321.

The report begins with a discussion of the focus-group methodology used to conduct the meetings, analyze the data, and compile the findings. It then presents a list of major themes that emerged during the discussions, followed by a detailed neighborhood-specific analysis. Next, the report chronicles lessons learned from previous initiatives and highlights a list of “Unsung Heroes” whom residents believe the Board should consider when making funding decisions. It concludes with a summary of the advice given to the Board based on the feedback collected during the neighborhood meetings.

The Partnership Board and Dr. Rollins determined that visiting all nine West End neighborhoods and using a focus- group approach was the most effective way to conduct community meetings and gather relevant information. This qualitative method facilitated guided discussions with open- ended questions to delve into residents’ attitudes, beliefs, and opinions about their community’s pressing needs and to gather additional advice for the Board. This approach provided more in-depth insights compared to traditional quantitative methods and avoided the paternalistic methodologies often applied to minoritized communities by empowering residents to lead the conversation without external prompts or influence.

The findings from the community meetings highlight several notable themes, including the most pressing needs related to Housing, Employment and Economic Development, Youth Initiatives, and Resource Centers / Facilities which appeared in all ten meetings. Issues related to Food Insecurities, Health and Wellness, and Neighborhood Infrastructure were discussed in nine of the ten meetings, while Crime and Safety were highlighted in seven meetings.

In addition to these broad themes, residents identified specific populations that should be considered when allocating resources. These include the elderly, which were mentioned in five meetings; the houseless or unsheltered, highlighted in four meetings; and foster children, young Black females, individuals who have been neglected, and those with special needs or disabilities, each noted in three meetings. Immigrant and transplant services, young Black males, and descendants of American slaves were discussed in two meetings each. Other groups that were brought up included the formerly incarcerated, veterans, groups dedicated to supporting the needs of men, substance abuse victims, and recent college graduates. These discussions underscore the community’s comprehensive approach to addressing the diverse needs of its residents.

Click here to read the full Community Engagement Report.

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