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The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis actively addresses community needs by examining community issues, securing and distributing resources, advocating when appropriate, and convening meetings and conversations which encourage communication and collaboration among individuals and groups.
Initiatives supported by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis include:
Healthy Eating, Active Living
The Healthy Eating, Active Living Initiative seeks to provide a significant opportunity for Memphis by funding collaborative projects that will help create a healthier community. In partnership with the Assisi Foundation, Plough Foundation and United Way of the Mid-South, the Community Foundation helped secure $70,000 locally that will be matched by the Convergence Partnership Fund of the Tides Foundation. Approximately $105,000 is available for funding one or several grants through this program. Awards will be announced in April.
This program establishes a national model that pairs university faculty with community organizations to target the needs of specific neighborhoods. Grants are funded by the University of Memphis, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, the United Way of the Mid-South and the University of Memphis Research Foundation. The Program is managed and administered by the School for Urban Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Memphis. Please visit Strengthening Communities
Greening Greater Memphis began in 2007 to support a “green” agenda for Memphis. The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis and the Hyde Family Foundations agreed to serve as conveners for a small steering group to explore organizational options for Greening Greater Memphis. Today, with the efforts of individuals, families and partnering organizations, and support from business and government, Greening Greater Memphis works toward a more coordinated approach to advancing green and sustainable efforts throughout the community. Visit Greening Greater Memphis for more information. The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, the Assisi Foundation of Memphis, the City of Memphis and local community development corporations (CDCs) met to discuss perceptions of local opportunities and needs. CDCs from throughout the city and banks and public agencies that fund and support these types of organizations also participated in interviews and group discussions. The resulting consensus was that the local neighborhood redevelopment industry must be reshaped for effective revitalization in Memphis. A comprehensive public/private community plan to support neighborhood redevelopment has been drafted by the design firm EDAW in concert with the steering committee. Visit Greater Memphis Neighborhoods to see the report findings.
River Partnership of Community Foundations
A $10,000 grant was received in 2008 from the River Partnership of Community Foundations and was granted to the Wolf River Conservancy for an experienced professional to plan, design and implement a greenway and trail along the Wolf River. A $5,000 grant this year was made to Mississippi River Corridor-TN to help underwrite Gather at the River, an educational and action-oriented conference to be held in September 2010.
The Partnership has been funded by a consortium of community foundations on the Mississippi and its tributaries. Its mission is to support community foundations in improving the environmental, economic and cultural vitality of the communities along the Mississippi and its tributaries. The River Partnership of Community Foundations was begun in 2005 by the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, the McKnight Foundation, the New York Community Trust and participating community foundations. |
