SUMMER 2023
BGCFyi A PROFILE IN GIVING
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION OF GENEROSITY In addition to building homes, James and
“BGCF showed us how we could continue to
Community Center. She frequently took the
maximize our gifts,” said Martha.
Center in Lexington.
support our passions in a way that would also
Martha Monroe build communities.
In 2006, when James and Martha were in
their early twenties and had been married for
a year, they launched James Monroe Homes. For the first several years while the company
The Monroes are especially passionate about helping those who struggle financially.
kids on field trips to the old Charles Young
Recently, the Monroes used their charitable giving fund at the Community Foundation to make a major gift to Splash!, a water
was getting started, James received no
feature scheduled to open this summer in the
income as a registered nurse that sustained
in Lexington’s East End, a neighborhood
salary from the business; it was Martha’s
newly refurbished Charles Young playground
the family.
traditionally lacking in free, kid-friendly water features and dynamic green spaces. The
Today, James Monroe Homes is a nationally
neighborhood, said James, reminded him of
recognized business that has won numerous
the place where he grew up, a place where
awards, and James has been recognized as
people work hard yet still struggle financially.
one of the top 40 under 40 professionals in
the country by Professional Builder magazine.
The Monroes also use their fund to support
of three neighborhoods—in Georgetown,
charitable donations of employees of James
exclusively of James Monroe Homes.
Fund is endowed, it will continue to have
Besides building homes in Lexington, a total
their favorite charities and to match
Nicholasville and Richmond—are comprised
Monroe Homes. And, because the Monroe’s an impact beyond James’ and Martha’s
Even during those early lean years, the
lifetimes.
Monroes made giving back a priority. At the
Perhaps most important of all, the Monroes
end of each year, James and Martha reviewed how much money they had earned and then chose which charities to support.
“Our philosophy was always: Don’t wait until
you have a lot to give. When you have a little,
give a little. When you have more, give more,” said James.
the couple considered forming a nonprofit so
they could be more strategic with their giving. An attorney they consulted urged them to
contact Blue Grass Community Foundation
“
up in Lexington, the middle of five children.
His family frequently ran out of food stamps before the end of the month. School
breakfasts and lunches were often the only
meals James and his siblings could count on.
As the Monroes found they had more to give,
instead.
James grew
The family had no health insurance. A higher-
than-expected electric bill could spell disaster. Martha was sensitive to the realities of poverty as well and worked through Lexington Parks & Recreation with children at the Kenwick
Our philosophy was always: Don’t wait until you have a lot to give. When you have a little, give a little. When you have more, give more. — James Monroe
SUMMER 2023
”
want to teach their three children—James
(16), Topher (14), and Mary (9)—that giving back to one’s community is an important
responsibility, no matter where you start or
how much you have to give. Investing in an endowed giving fund at BGCF allows the Monroes to lead by example.
“We highly encourage others to start a giving fund at the Community Foundation,” said
James. “Not only will donors learn how their
contributions can impact an entire community, they’ll also learn how much fun it is to give.”
To learn how you and your family can support your community and leave a meaningful legacy, contact BGCF Vice President/ Advancement Scott Fitzpatrick at 859.225.3343.
BLUE GRASS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION