Thousands of music festival-goers will be flocking to Waterfront Park this weekend for Forecastle Festival, but little do most of these ticket holders know they’re actually donors to the largest annual fundraiser for the Forecastle Foundation.

The Forecastle Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) organization, is the activism arm of Forecastle Festival + its mission is to protect and connect the world’s “natural awesome” by funding projects that help protect natural resources, focusing on biodiversity hotspots.

J.K. McKnight founded both the Forecastle Festival + Foundation. | Photo by Forecastle Foundation

Since the Forecastle Foundation began in 2010, it has donated over $700,000 to local + global conservation projects via its six partners — four in Kentucky, one in Brazil, and one in Belize. It’s also helped to protect and preserve 51,000 acres of land and 300 miles of waterways throughout Kentucky. See the full impact graphic.

Aside from taking a slice from Forecastle Festival ticket sales, the foundation also raises money at the festival. Every year it sells themed Nalgene water bottles, which we’re sure almost every Louisvillian has one in their cabinet somewhere, and branded buffs dipped in ice-cold water.

Get BioGlitz at the Forecastle Foundation tent Friday + Saturday. | Photo by Forecastle Foundation

Money is also raised through a silent auction with items like My Morning Jacket autographed drum heads and painted bourbon barrels + the foundation also accepts donations for the live murals being painted throughout the weekend.

This year, the Forecastle Foundation tent will be located in Kentucky Landing this weekend. Here’s what to stop by for:

BioGlitz glamor sessions — get a shimmery festival look with biodegradable glitter on Friday + Saturday from 2-4 p.m.
Get a 360-degree photo taken on Friday + Saturday from 2-5 p.m.

If you’re not headed to Forecastle this year, here’s how to get involved with the Forecastle Foundation.