Buy Local Louisville Foundation

How do our purchasing decisions affect our community? 

Do all of our community members know how to access the resources needed to fulfill the dream of owning their own business?

These are the two questions that the Buy Local Louisville Foundation seeks to address. 

Community Buying Habits:

The BLLF encourages people to view themselves as citizens as well as consumers when they are making purchasing decisions. Money spent at local, independent businesses continues to circulate at a much higher rate than when spent with national companies. These businesses are also an essential part of the fabric of a neighborhood - giving residents a sense of place and pride.

Every dollar spent is a vote for the type of community you want to live in. While chains and online mega-retailers are part of the economic ecosystem, we do not want them to become the only options. Hence, we promote positive campaigns through our partner (the Louisville Independent Business Alliance) to remind our community of the importance of a thriving local, independent business scene.

Opportunity Across Neighborhoods:

Louisville has many vibrant, bustling neighborhoods that have a common factor: strong independent businesses. However, there are still many neighborhoods that struggle, and they are concentrated in West and South Louisville. Citizens of these neighborhoods have long been underserved.  We want more businesses in these neighborhoods - and we want them to be owned by area residents. A strong independent business scene can mitigate the possibility of gentrification.

When Dr. WandaJean Jones founded Idigitology, LLC, she knew the road of entrepreneurship would be both rewarding and challenging. Like many small business owners in underserved areas, she faced hurdles that go beyond the everyday stresses of running a company.

That’s why she calls our events  “powerful.”

“It’s powerful to be in a room full of people who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, especially in underserved areas. These events help us feel seen, supported, and connected to resources we may not have known existed. For businesses like mine, Idigitology, it’s also a chance to build trust and grow through authentic relationships—not just transactions.” — Dr. WandaJean Jones, Idigitology, LLC

For Dr. Jones and others like her, these gatherings aren’t just events. They are lifelines—places where entrepreneurs can discover resources they didn’t know existed, find encouragement from peers, and spark collaborations that help their businesses thrive.

Your support makes these moments possible. By investing in the Buy Local Louisville Foundation, you’re not just funding a program—you’re fueling a community where small businesses can grow stronger together, especially those in neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked.

Because when local entrepreneurs succeed, our whole community flourishes.

Your donation will be used to support our "buy local" campaigns and to fund dedicated outreach to connect current/potential entrepreneurs with resources to build their business, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.