At the request of KPI, Governor Steve Beshear established the Commission on Philanthropy by executive order in December of 2008 to make recommendations on the best opportunities for private-public partnerships to address the challenges related to Kentucky’s youngest citizens.

The Commission, comprised of about 30 private philanthropists from across the state, reviewed the work of the expert advisory committees and convened a statewide Summit on Philanthropy in October 2009.

KPI provided fiscal agency for the private funds that supported the work of the Commission in its first year, with no public monies involved.

Judith Clabes served as chair of the Commission and Michael J. Hammons as executive director.