Frequently Asked Questions

Because anyone can be a philanthropist.

GiVE 365 allows you to leverage your charitable contribution with others to support innovative projects of area nonprofits. The larger the membership of the fund, the greater the impact.

Through the fund you will engage in philanthropy with your peers. You will share what you know, and you will learn about the issues facing Memphis and the people who work to make our community a better place.

We welcome everyone to be a part of GiVE 365.

The annual donation requirement for membership is $365. This amount applies to individuals as well as to households. However, only one vote is allowed per household on grant-related issues.

Half of your annual donation goes directly back out into the community in the form of grants and half of the donation goes into the GiVE 365 endowment fund, which will continue to grow for future giving.

Donations can be made in full by check or credit card or in monthly payments by credit card only.

An endowed fund is a permanent charitable account in which the principal is retained and reinvested. Every year the bulk of its earnings is used to provide charitable grants, with a small portion typically retained as a hedge against inflation. Over time the fund's balance will grow as will annual income available for grant making.

For $365, you can become a member of GiVE 365. If you'd like to give without becoming a member, a donation of any amount will move GiVE 365 forward. If you'd like to give more, we have two more membership levels: Above and Beyond at $500 and Lifetime at $3,650.

And we hope you will continue to do so. GiVE 365 is in no way a substitute for directly supporting the causes and organizations that are important to you. GiVE 365 is a way to grow the impact of your charitable giving. It is a way to become involved in philanthropy at a level that might not be available to you individually. By learning together about the needs of the Memphis community, members will be able to foster innovative solutions to local problems.

There are no obligations. Members are given the opportunity to vote on an annual theme for making grants to nonprofit organizations from the GiVE 365 fund. Members will be given opportunities to view grant proposals, interface with nonprofit organizations, and network with each other both in person and through our Facebook page and other social media sites.

Because GiVE 365 is a new initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, our founding members will have the opportunity to shape GiVE 365 into an effective tool for change in Memphis. Please join us.

If you would like to be involved with GiVE 365, please email Ashley Harper or call her at 722-0022.

Members select a theme for the year's grant making. Nonprofits are invited to submit applications that address the chosen theme in an innovative way. Members volunteer to review applications.

What if my theme choice does not end up being chosen?
This is a possibility. However, we believe that through the process the membership will be happy with the collective will of the group. There are many needs and deserving nonprofits in our area, and with our members' help, more of those needs can be met and more nonprofits supported.

We also hope that you will learn through this process about issues that you may not have known about – or supported – previously.

And finally, in addition to collectively giving, we encourage everyone to directly support the nonprofits they care about.

Consider underwriting GiVE 365 recruitment and grant award events, sponsoring membership for your employees or matching the donations of the GiVE 365 membership. For more information, contact Ashley Harper at 722-0022.

To join or to find out how you can become more involved with GiVE 365 over and above your membership, please contact Ashley Harper at 722-0022. And check out the GiVE 365 Facebook page.