Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation - Community Foundation of Greater Memphis

For over 50 years, the Community Foundation has helped people give with purpose, strengthening Memphis and the Mid-South.

We make giving easier and more impactful by matching your generosity with the causes and community you care about most.

We offer solutions and resources to donors and the professionals who advise them to help you give smarter and do more good.

We offer funding opportunities that helps nonprofits and students create positive change and build futures.

When you get involved with the Community Foundation, you join a group of people committed to Memphis’s future.

Learn more about the philanthropic hub that connects capital with the solutions that make our community thrive.

A gold standard in philanthropic advising

The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation, offered by The American College of Financial Services, is a nationally recognized credential for advisors who want to lead sophisticated philanthropic conversations.

Through rigorous coursework and ethical standards, CAP® prepares you to help individuals and families align charitable giving with values, wealth planning, and legacy goals—while navigating complex philanthropic tools with confidence.

A group of twelve professionally dressed adults, including a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP designation), stands together indoors, posing and smiling for a group photo in a warmly lit, modern lobby with decorative lighting in the background. — 2024 CAP Study Group participants

Who it’s for

Financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, and philanthropic professionals who want formal education and a recognized credential in charitable planning and philanthropy.

What we offer

The Community Foundation convenes Memphis-area CAP® participants for connection, discussion, and practical application rooted in our local philanthropic landscape. Apply your learning through real-world insight into nonprofits, donors, and collective solutions shaping the Mid-South.

How we support your CAP® journey

Local study group

Participate in a facilitated CAP® study group that brings advisors together locally for shared learning, discussion, and connection.

2027 program timeline

The next CAP® study group is planned for 2027, allowing time to plan ahead and commit to a meaningful, in-depth learning experience.

Nationally recognized designation

Earn post-nominal letters that demonstrate advanced expertise, ethical grounding, and long-term commitment to philanthropic advising.

Deep philanthropic expertise

Build a strong technical foundation in charitable planning, tax strategy, estate considerations, and philanthropic leadership.

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I broach the philanthropic topic more frequently, and with more passion. At the end of the day, philanthropic goals are an important part of your financial picture and worthy of discussing with your advisors. “