The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation is moving its headquarters to Covington, Kentucky, taking residence at Ralph Haile Square in the building where Ralph Haile Jr. spent much of his career. This independent family foundation focuses on improving the quality of life for people in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Previously located in Cincinnati, the Foundation's relocation to the historic People's Liberty Bank complex holds special significance, as Ralph Haile built his career in community banking there.
Covington's Mayor Ron Washington expressed his enthusiasm for the move, stating, "I can’t think of a finer or more fitting address for the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation than Ralph Haile Square." He emphasized the Foundation’s impact on the community through investments in various sectors including education, arts, and local businesses.
According to Haile Foundation President & CEO Bernie McKay, the move marks a “homecoming.” McKay shared that Ralph Haile's former office will be transformed into the Foundation’s board room, where decisions about continuing the Haile legacy will be made. "This is a homecoming in the best sense of the word," McKay said.
Reflecting on his interactions with Ralph Haile in the 1990s, Covington Economic Development Director Tom West mentioned, “We would talk about the future of The Cov and his efforts to revitalize the downtown area.”
Ralph Haile, once an Army Air Corps pilot, played a crucial role in several regional projects like MainStrasse and the Licking Riverside neighborhood, while his wife, Carol Ann, was active in arts initiatives. The couple was committed to philanthropy and community leadership.
The Foundation’s new offices will open in the fall of 2025, aided by a city-supported tax incentive encouraging job creation over the next five years. Covington City Manager Ken Smith expressed excitement about the Foundation’s new location, saying, “Ralph was a major part of our business community, leading many important projects in our downtown.”
Smith also drew from his experience with Price Hill Will, a Cincinnati nonprofit, recalling the positive impact the Haile Foundation had on the community. He concluded with a welcoming note, "We look forward to having the Foundation as our newest neighbors. Welcome home!"