| 1914 | - The first community foundation in the U.S. was formed in Cleveland, Ohio.
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| 1969 | - The Memphis Community Foundation was incorporated by Future Memphis, which served as the Foundation's governing body until 1974.
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| 1972 | - Local philanthropist and business leader Abe Plough gave the Foundation its first $1 million in honor of his parents, Moses and Julia Plough.
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| 1973 | - The Foundation name was changed to the Memphis-Plough Community Foundation.
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| 1974 | - The first full-time executive director was hired, the first fund-raising campaign was completed and the Foundation awarded its first discretionary grant.
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| 1975 | - The Board of Governors adopted policies for establishing donor-advised funds.
- The first advised grants were awarded: four grants of $50 each for Memphis University School, the American Cancer Society, Princeton University and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
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| 1976 | - The first discretionary grant for immediate need was awarded. The Foundation Board approved a $4,700 grant to the Memphis Pink Palace Museum for “salvage excavation of a mammoth/mastodon skeleton in the bank of Nonconnah Creek,” for analysis and examination of finds and publication of scientific data resulting from excavation.
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| 1986 | - The legal entity “Community Foundation of Greater Memphis” was created. Memphis-Plough Community Foundation continues as a supporting organization.
- The Foundation made its first loan: $110,000 to MIFA for its first permanent home at Vance and East.
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| 1988 | - Women’s Fund was established with a $50,000 anonymous gift.
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| 1989 | |
| 1990 | - The Neighborhoods Small Grants program was started with support of $120,000 from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in Flint, Mich.
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| 1993 | |
| 1994 | - The Community Foundation was successful in its partnership with Vollintine-Evergreen Community Association, obtaining a $975,000 grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts for VECA. The Community Foundation selected VECA as the applicant and raised the matching $325,000 from local sources to fund a three-year Neighborhood Preservation Initiative to boost housing, business, youth services and recreation.
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| 1995 | - The Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis (now Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis) was formed, becoming the first resident supporting organization.
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| 1997 | - The Community Foundation moved to 1900 Union Avenue after acquiring the building via bargain sale from Ham and Katherine Hinds Smythe.
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| 1999 | - The RISE Foundation was established as a resident supporting organization.
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| 2003 | - The Foundation awarded the largest discretionary grant to date of $100,000 to Memphis City Schools’ new Our Children – Our Future program to improve student test scores. A second-year grant of $100,000 was to be awarded if the program proved successful. Test scores improved, and the second-year grant was awarded.
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| 2004 | - The Foundation set a record for the largest discretionary grant with a $250,000 grant for the EarnBenefits program to help low-wage workers.
- Total grants exceeded $300 million.
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| 2005 | |
| 2006 | - Assets reached $250 million.
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| 2007 | |
| 2008 | - Milestone of 1,000 funds reached.
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| 2009 | |
| 2010 | - Give 365, a giving program aimed at young professionals, is launched.
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