Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, Inc

The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation is the charitable arm of the Kentucky Derby Festival, created with a single vision: to harness the magic of Derby Festival season to uplift our community far beyond the finish line of a two-minute race.  

Our mission is simple, but powerful — to educate, inspire, and preserve the traditions of the Festival while giving back in ways that touch lives across generations. Every program we support is rooted in the belief that the Festival is more than a celebration — it’s a catalyst for learning, inclusion, and connection.

Through empowering education, championing charities, and honoring the Festival’s history, the Foundation ensures the Festival’s impact is felt year-round in classrooms, neighborhoods, and future generations.

Together, these efforts create a legacy that stretches far beyond the Festival’s signature month-long celebration each spring. The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation stands as a testament to the power of celebration with a purpose — turning joy into opportunity, tradition into inspiration, and community into lasting impact.