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Community Foundation Of Greater Memphis Inc

Annual Giving
$112.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.2M
Decision Time
4mo

Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $112,862,530 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $908,669,779 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 3-5.5 months depending on program
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $210,000+
  • Geographic Focus: West Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi
  • Total Grants Awarded (2024): 806 grants

Contact Details

Main Office:

Grant Program Contact:

  • Aerial Ozuzu, Director of Community Impact
  • Email: Contact through main number
  • Phone: (901) 722-0022

Scholarship Contact:

  • Vanessa Williams, Community Impact Manager
  • Phone: (901) 722-0032

Overview

Founded in 1969, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis is among the 50 largest of more than 600 community foundations in the United States. As the largest grantmaker in the Memphis area, the Foundation has distributed more than $1 billion in community grants throughout its history and manages over 900 charitable funds with assets exceeding $900 million. The Foundation strengthens the community through philanthropy by administering donor-advised funds, competitive grant programs through its FOREVER Funds, and scholarship opportunities. In recent years, the Foundation has strategically focused on racial equity, systemic change, and supporting organizations led by executives of color. In 2024, the Foundation was nationally recognized as a Top 20 Funder Focused on Racial Equity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Responsive Grants (Annual) - $20,000 - $25,000 average Online portal application; opens September, closes late September, decisions in December. Approximately $800,000 available annually for 2026. Supports nonprofits maintaining essential services and core operations during uncertainty.

GiVE 365 Grants (Annual) - Variable amounts Online portal application; opens January, awards announced May. Member-driven grants based on annual theme selected by dollar-a-day philanthropists.

Community Solutions Grants (Multi-year) - $100,000 - $150,000 Invitation/competitive process. Multi-year funding initiative supporting ground-level, community-driven strategies to address systemic issues and empower communities. Recent focus on "Safe and Resilient Places."

Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants - $14,750 - $100,000 Periodic competitive grants to help nonprofits become more effective and efficient. Note: No Fall 2025 round planned.

Systems Change Grants - $100,000 - $210,000 Special initiative supporting organizations addressing root causes of inequality in housing and justice systems.

Rapid Response Fund - Variable amounts Activated during community crises for quick, flexible emergency funding. Not currently open.

Scholarships - $2,500 - $15,000 Over $650,000 annually in 30 categories for high school seniors and adult learners. Applications due April 1 for graduating seniors, June 2 for adult learners.

Priority Areas

The Foundation's grantmaking focuses on:

  • Education and youth development
  • Public health and human services
  • Community development and neighborhood revitalization
  • Racial justice and equity
  • Arts and culture
  • Nonprofit capacity building
  • Community safety and resilience
  • Housing and criminal justice reform
  • Mental health services and collective healing

Special emphasis on organizations:

  • Led by executives of color
  • Serving overlooked or marginalized communities
  • Working on systemic change rather than just direct services
  • With annual operating budgets under $1 million
  • Demonstrating strong community connections and trust

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not comprehensively documented in public materials. Contact the Foundation for clarification on eligibility for specific project types.

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Robert M. Fockler, President "It's an honor to be included on the list once again, especially alongside well-known and nationally recognized funders," regarding the Foundation's recognition as a Top 20 Funder Focused on Racial Equity.

B. Sutton Mora, Executive Vice President & COO

Gary Zwierzynski, Chief Financial Officer

Veronica Jamison, Vice President of Philanthropic Services

Aerial Ozuzu, Director of Community Impact - Primary contact for grant inquiries

Julia McDonald, Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Board of Governors

Pooja Shah, Board Chair

Other notable board members include:

  • Jay Healy, Investment Committee Chair
  • Chris Kelley, Governance Committee Chair
  • Chip Marston, Audit & Finance Committee Chair
  • Linda McNeil, Strengthening Nonprofits Committee Chair
  • Amanda Lee Keikialoha Savage, Community Initiatives Committee Chair

The Board includes 23 active governors and 76 honorary trustees (former members who completed their maximum nine-year service terms).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Critical First Step: All applicants must create a profile on LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org community information system before applying for any grants. This is a key eligibility requirement. The Foundation provides training and support for organizations building their profile.

Application Portal: Applications are submitted through the GranteeView secure online portal. Organizations must register a Grant Admin who can apply for grants, track application status, and submit reports.

General Eligibility Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) status for at least two consecutive years
  • Serve west Tennessee, northern Mississippi, or eastern Arkansas
  • Permitted by Tennessee Secretary of State to solicit funds
  • Sound financial management and stability
  • At least one paid staff member and stable board leadership
  • Two years of 990 forms and audits (if required by law)

Decision Timeline

Responsive Grants:

  • September 4: Optional information session
  • September 9: Application opens
  • September 19: LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org profile deadline
  • September 30: Application deadline
  • October-November: Site visits for selected applicants
  • December 19: Decision notification
  • Total time: ~3.5 months

GiVE 365 Grants:

  • January: Application opens
  • May: Awards announced
  • Total time: ~4 months

Community Solutions Grants:

  • February: Letter of Intent opens
  • May: Decision notification
  • Total time: ~3 months

Systems Change Grants:

  • Late June: Letter of Intent opens
  • Mid-December: Decision notification
  • Total time: ~5.5 months

Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants:

  • Early September: Application opens
  • Late September: Application closes
  • Mid-December: Decisions communicated
  • Total time: ~3 months

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded 806 grants in 2024, 757 grants in 2023, and 768 grants in 2022. However, specific data on applications received versus grants awarded (acceptance rates) is not publicly available. The Foundation describes its programs as "competitive," particularly for discretionary grants.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not documented in public materials. However, for Nonprofit Capacity Building grants, organizations that received a grant in the previous fiscal year are not eligible to apply again in that program.

For questions about reapplication eligibility, contact Aerial Ozuzu at (901) 722-0022.

Application Success Factors

The Foundation has explicitly stated evaluation criteria for Responsive Grants that likely reflect broader priorities:

1. Risk/Threat (Organizations facing challenges)

  • Funding cuts or harmful policy changes
  • Historical exclusion from philanthropic investment
  • Clear, current organizational or community-level threats

2. Voice/Visibility (Elevating marginalized perspectives)

  • Organizations elevating perspectives of overlooked communities
  • Leadership roles held by community members being served
  • Deep mission connections with communities

3. Stamina (Persistence despite adversity)

  • Demonstrated persistence despite unstable conditions
  • Organizations showing resilience and commitment

4. Services to Communities with Great Need

  • Established community trust
  • Serving populations facing systemic barriers
  • Addressing root causes, not just symptoms

Foundation-Specific Advice:

The Foundation explicitly states: "The Foundation is open to working with applicants to optimize their applications and invites grantseekers to contact it for information, advice, and feedback at any stage of the application process." This makes them notably accessible and collaborative.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action for Hope (MICAH): $210,000 "To address the root causes of inequality"
  • Memphis Artists for Change: $150,000 to train community organizing fellows on public safety
  • Just City: $100,000 "To transform our local criminal justice system"
  • Tennessee Nonprofit Network: $100,000 for educational programming and leader support

The Foundation's emphasis on funding organizations that "address the root causes of our challenges" rather than just provide direct services is a critical distinction. Applications should demonstrate systemic thinking and community-driven solutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Make contact early: The Foundation explicitly encourages applicants to reach out for guidance at any stage. Use this resource—contact Aerial Ozuzu at (901) 722-0022 before applying.

  • Complete LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org profile first: This is mandatory for eligibility and shows community connection. The Foundation provides training to help with this requirement.

  • Emphasize systemic change over direct services: The Foundation's values prioritize "addressing root causes" and "systemic change that results in a just and equitable Mid-South." Frame your work accordingly.

  • Demonstrate community voice and leadership: Inclusion is a core value. Highlight how community members' voices are heard in your work and whether your leadership reflects the demographics of communities served.

  • Budget size matters: Organizations with annual operating budgets under $1 million receive preference in some programs, particularly Responsive Grants.

  • Focus on equity and racial justice: As a nationally recognized Top 20 Funder Focused on Racial Equity, the Foundation prioritizes organizations led by executives of color and work that addresses racial inequities.

  • Show resilience and threat: For Responsive Grants specifically, demonstrating current threats (funding cuts, policy changes, historical exclusion) and organizational stamina strengthens your case.

  • Plan for a 3-4 month timeline: Most grant programs take approximately 3-4 months from application to decision, with some taking up to 5.5 months. Factor this into your funding timeline.

References

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