The luminescence intensity of $Tb^{3+}$ bound to picolinic acid, squaric acid, and 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid has been studied in water and water-ethanol mixtures. It has been found that the emission intensity of $Tb^{3+}$ in the complexes is enhanced with the increase of ethanol content in water-ethanol mixtures. Several factors affecting on the emission intensity of $Tb^{3+}$ in waterethanol mixtures are discussed.