A Message From the Board Chair…

I am pleased to report that our fiscal year ending 7/31/2025 is complete. I have great news to share.

If you recall, this is our first true year of running The University Club under our in-house management team. The previous year, FYE 7/31/2024 was a hybrid year - half of the year we were under Creative Dining’s management, and the latter half we started running the Club on our own.

Let me start with a quick comparison between FYE 2024 and FYE 2025:

                                                                  FYE 2024         FYE 2025

Food, Member Dues, Catering Sales $334,804        $1,137,026

Foundation Draw                                  $521,404         $151,065

Operational Expenses                          $784,244         $1,310,493

Net Profit / Loss                                    $71,964           $(22,402)

As you can see, in FYE 2025 we increased total sales by 240% over the previous year! The majority of this was catering sales. The Board and Management understand that catering events are the driving force to Club profit. Ron Zorn, Executive Director and Arron Miller, catering director, have been networking and getting the word out about the club, and it shows. In addition, we have increased our lunch and event business for the club.

You can see that in FYE 2024, the University Club took a large draw ( in addition to the annual disbursement from the Foundation ) to cover expenses. We were able to keep the club running without an additional draw in FYE 2025.

We have also plowed every cent back into the Club for improvements. We did not have a lot in FYE 2025 to apply, but managed to upgrade some furnishings and fixtures that were needed.

We have doubled the size of our Board of Directors. We have increased the number of lunches served during the year. We have added local art to the hallways and exterior. We have created, implemented, and maintained a fiscal budget. We are continuing to upgrade the facility, by adding drapes to several rooms and adding furniture and UL Memorabilia to the facility. We are home to the Downtown Rotary Club.

I am also excited to report that The University Club will have our first fundraiser October 18, 2025 to honor our founding members, while raising money for the upgrade of our club. Jeanine Tripplet, past president, and her committee, have done a remarkable job of securing sponsors and planning a fun evening for everyone. I hope you consider attending.

Looking ahead, we plan to continue to focus on catering events. We are also planning more member events ( like our monthly Trivia Night ) to help you enjoy the University Club experience.

How can you help ? Well, you can in so many ways ! Enjoy our dining or simply hang out in our facility. Introduce your friends to the University Club. Schedule a reception, party, or business event at the Club. You can donate to our capital improvements fund, which is a 501(c)(3) fully deductible expense. You can gift stock or securities to the Club. You can buy a ticket to our fundraiser on October 18th. And you can always volunteer to help make this place special for everyone.

To be honest, we are lucky. COVID19 closed a large amount of University Clubs throughout the United States. Our Club survived. And while membership has dropped, we have managed to rebuild and are beginning to grow again. We could not have done it with without your support, without the incredible leadership of our Staff, and a dedicated Board of Directors that understand the value a University Club has to everyone.

In August, Board member John Williams and I had the pleasure to meet with University of Louisville President Bradley to share our progress. President Bradley was incredibly pleased and pledged his administration’s support. He understands the value the University Club brings in integrating students, faculty, alumni, staff, and friends all together under one roof, to celebrate our University of Louisville.

Thank you again for your support. We still have challenges ahead, and lots to do, but we have the momentum in place, and nothing but excitement and growth ahead.

Go CARDS !

Sincerely,

Gregory P. Braun

Board Chair

University Club of Louisville

Feel free to contact me at Greg@MaidinLouisville.com if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments. I would love to hear from you.