JP Davis, Founder and CEO

JP Davis is a visionary multi-preneur with a proven history of innovation and profound fundraising achievement.  He is a strategist and fundraiser with over 20 years of experience in Kentucky and the nation with expertise in co-creating and co-leveraging strategic partnership for the benefit of the community.

He started JP Davis Partners in the winter of 2021 with the onePULSE Foundation as the inaugural client expanding to Waterfront Development’s Phase IV capital campaign in Louisville, Kentucky and the firm has grown to support more than twenty-five clients in the past two years with projects large and small.

Just prior to launching his own firm, JP served as Senior Vice President at Kentucky Fund for the Arts. He worked closely with the CEO & Board of Directors to create innovative strategies to drive new revenue.  JP’s vision and leadership helped net the Fund for the Arts nearly $50 million, one of the largest gains in fundraising in the Fund’s 71-year history.

Securing $1 Billion at the University of Louisville

Prior to joining Fund for the Arts, JP directed major gifts & strategic initiatives in the Office of the President at the University of Louisville (U of L).  JP was instrumental in the University’s $1 billion fundraising campaign, the largest campaign in the University’s history, where he worked closely with the President, VP of University Advancement, the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Overseers.  JP secured a $40 million gift, the largest gift in school history. 

Building a Foundation for Fundraising with Owsley Brown Frazier

JP’s love of fundraising began when he was hand selected early in his career to aid Louisville businessman and philanthropist, Owsley Brown Frazier, transition from corporate leader to national philanthropic leader.  JP assisted Mr. Frazier with the creation of the Owsley Brown Frazier Family Foundation and coordinated efforts for tens of millions of community investment.  Further, JP was his primary philanthropic liaison to the Frazier History Museum, founded by Owsley Brown Frazier.  As a personal & executive assistant to Mr. Frazier, JP was his advisor for most philanthropic, political, & business interests.

Rooting his work in Appalachia

A native of Ashland, KY, JP moved to Louisville to pursue higher education, graduating with honors with a BA & MPA from U of L. He is actively involved in work in Eastern Kentucky through the Appalachian Big Ideas Festival, Appalachian Arts Alliance and in the creation of the Peggy Davis Scholarship to assist high school students in the Ashland area seeking a secondary education in business.

Interning at the White House

Following his time at U of L, JP worked as an intern in the George W. Bush White House where one of his infamous acts of service was getting reprimanded for mailing too many signed pictures of President Bush to his friends in Kentucky. He then studied at the London School of Economics and interned at Parliament. He retuned stateside to earn his Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Engaging Locally and Nationally for a Better World

In his personal time, JP is civically engaged locally and nationally.  JP ran for Louisville Metro Council, raising an unprecedented amount of support historically for a city council seat.  Most recently, JP raised $200,000 to support Mayor Pete Buttigieg, America’s first openly gay Presidential candidate.  He also served as Morgan McGarvey’s volunteer campaign fundraising chair in 2022.

Further, JP serves as a mentor to up and coming community leaders, ensuring they are given access and support to resources that are often gatekept. He is also a fierce LGBTQIA+ advocate, especially around creating communities that are accepting of young people so they may live openly, honestly and safely.

JP resides in the Highlands in Louisville, Kentucky with Dallas, his beloved labradoodle. He loves a good chili-cookoff festival and the occasional take out from Wendy’s and, of course, bourbon.