Nonprofit FAQs Nonprofit FAQs

The Community Foundation is the Mid-South’s largest grantmaker, with $138.4 million awarded to 2,068 distinct nonprofits last year. Please be aware, though, that most grants made through the Community Foundation are recommended by the people and organizations who established private, donor-advised funds here.

However, the FOREVER Funds allows us—through the investment of donors and the guidance of community volunteers—to support the capacity building of organizations through competitive grants and technical assistance. Through the FOREVER Funds, we award approximately $1.5 million annually in discretionary grants. Visit our FOREVER Funds Grants page for funding opportunities.

Organizations may also apply for funding from GiVE 365 and the Collierville Community Fund, as well as through different initiatives. Visit our Available Grants page to learn more.

The best way to stay up to date on news for nonprofits from the Community Foundation is to sign up for the LIVEGIVEmidsouth newsletter.

No. There are no opportunities for individuals to receive grants for relief or service. As a community foundation, we are legally restricted from funding individuals. If you need personal assistance, click here to visit the Shelby County Community Services Agency.

No. Donor-advised fund holders recommend grants to nonprofit organizations based on their own areas of interest and impact. Donors typically do not accept requests from nonprofit organizations.

We are aware that nonprofits are eager to know the best way to share their mission and work with Community Foundation donors. While there are no formal channels to make these introductions, we are committed to connecting the nonprofit community with our donors and are currently working on how to best support both sides of our work. 

The Community Foundation does not provide contact information for our donors. However, if a donor is interested in a specific focus area or a specific organization, we help connect the donor with the agency. Staff often refers donors to research organizations' LIVEGIVEmidsouth profiles, which is one reason why it is a good idea to keep your profile up-to-date.

Visit our Recent Grants page. You can also sign up for our LIVEGIVEmidsouth newsletter, where you will get the latest foundation news, including recent grants, delivered directly to your email inbox.

All applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation’s online grant portal, GranteeView. Click here to access GranteeView.

LIVEGIVEmidsouth is a free, online community information system and an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. The site houses 180+ indicators from public data sources (such as American Communities Survey, Shelby County Health Department, and Tennessee Department of Education) and a directory of 480 (and counting!) nonprofit organizations working in our region. LIVEGIVEmidsouth connects Mid-South data on issues affecting our region with nonprofit organizations that are addressing them.

No, they are intentionally two separate systems. LIVEGIVEmidsouth is an information system used by other funders, donors, nonprofits, and the larger community. GranteeView is used to manage the Community Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking.

For assistance with LIVEGIVEmidsouth, email LIVEGIVEmidsouth Program Associate Nur Abdalla or call her at (901) 722-0020. For assistance with GranteeView, email Director of Grants & Initiatives Aerial Ozuzu or call her at (901) 722-0022.

Yes. You are welcome to email Director of Grants & Initiatives Aerial Ozuzu or call her at (901) 722-0022 to help determine eligibility, answer your questions, receive technical assistance, and to solicit feedback before and after submitting your application.

Yes. Each application is considered on its own merits. An organizations should confirm its application is considered eligible under the guidelines before re-submitting.

In short, yes. However, certain opportunities may specify other limitations. For information on each opportunity, visit our Available Grants page.