Hometown Heroes

What is the GLPF?

One of the most unifying aspects in the life and health of a community is the pride that it feels for its people and for their accomplishments. That idea was the catalyst for the development of the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation (GLPF) in 2001. Its purpose is to build pride within the local community and enhance Louisville’s image as an exciting city – for residents, tourists, business visitors and anyone passing through via the interstate system – by recognizing and honoring the city’s famous sons, daughters and events. It is governed by a volunteer board and relies upon the support and participation of additional community volunteers and businesses to fulfill its mission.

Hometown Heroes 2.0

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the installation of the first Hometown Heroes banner, GLPF announced the re-launch of the program in June 2022 with the unveiling of the reprinted Muhammad Ali banner on the LG & E-KU building at Third Street and River Road. GLPF’s mission remains the same as it was 20 years ago. The 2.0 version is designed to refresh the original banner program by fundraising and systematically replacing Louisville’s most iconic building banners. In the process, some original banners that have faded will be removed, potentially freeing up a building wall for one of the iconic banners, or perhaps providing a previous unavailable building wall for a new Hometown Hero.

Hometown Heroes 2.0 is exploring new and engaging ways to recognize all of our heroes – one that is more sustainable, more cost effective and easily updated, while creating an engaging, educational and visually vibrant showcase throughout Louisville’s urban core. Anyone who has earned the distinction of being named a Hometown Hero will forever be part of the program. Some heroes may lose their place on a building making room for another, but they will always be part of any new and creative expression of this very special honor.

Hometown Heroes Sponsorship Philosophy

GLPF is proud to work with the Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) as our fiscal sponsor. Through their 501(c)3, LDP accepts donations on behalf of the GLPF and the Hometown Hero program. In addition to providing financial transparency and oversight, LDP provides invaluable assistance with banners and future programming in Downtown. The organization consists of a volunteer Advisory Board made up of a diverse group of Louisville business and civic leaders who volunteer their time, expertise and resources to support the mission of the GLPF.

Recognition of the individuals and groups who sponsor a particular banner has traditionally been extremely limited. In fact, in many instances sponsors have chosen to remain anonymous. Even in cases in which corporate sponsor credits are given, the contributing companies receive minimal exposure. The GLPF is committed to protecting the images of those it honors from even the slightest hint of commercialism or exploitation.

Contact Us

Email us at contact@louheroes.org for submission information.