Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-South Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $96,961,692 (2024)
Total Giving Since 1992: $1.1 billion
Hope for Memphis Fund Total: $7 million
Grant Range (DAF): $5,000 - $300,000
Geographic Focus: Memphis Metro Area (Hope for Memphis Fund); Nationwide (Donor-Advised Funds)
Application Method: Fixed deadlines (Hope for Memphis Fund - twice yearly)

Contact Details

Address: 6075 Poplar Ave., Suite 130, Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: (901) 682-6201
Email: info@ccfmemphis.com
Website: https://ccfmemphis.com/

Hope for Memphis Fund Applications: Available through Submittable platform (specific deadlines announced on website)

Overview

Founded in 1992, the Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-South (CCF Memphis) is a philanthropic organization that facilitates Christian giving through donor-advised funds and institutional grantmaking. With nearly $1.1 billion distributed since inception, CCF serves as a major conduit for charitable giving in the Mid-South region. The organization operates two primary grant mechanisms: donor-advised funds (DAFs) that enable individual donors to direct grants to 501(c)(3) organizations nationwide, and the Hope for Memphis Fund, CCF's institutional grantmaking program focused on capacity-building grants for Christian ministries serving underserved populations in the Memphis Metro Area. In 2024 alone, CCF facilitated $96.9 million in grants across 581 awards. The organization maintains a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and dedicates all surplus fees from its operations to the Hope for Memphis Fund, reinvesting in local ministry effectiveness.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Hope for Memphis Fund (Institutional Grants)

Capacity-building grants for Christian ministries in Memphis Metro Area
Focus on sustainability and effectiveness improvements
Grants have historically funded staff positions and operational capacity
Applications accepted twice yearly through Submittable platform
Specific grant amounts not publicly disclosed

2. Donor-Advised Funds (Individual Donor Directed)

Grant range: $5,000 - $300,000
Available to any U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization
Donors direct grants from their individual funds
No public application process - donors select recipients
$40 million+ distributed annually through DAFs to local Memphis nonprofits
Total of $748 million granted to Memphis organizations since inception
$239 million granted to Christian ministries nationwide since inception

Priority Areas (Hope for Memphis Fund)

The Hope for Memphis Fund specifically supports:

Christian ministries with Gospel-centered missions
Organizations serving underserved populations
Community transformation initiatives addressing spiritual, academic, economic, and relational dimensions
Capacity-building and effectiveness improvements for existing ministries
Leadership development for Christian ministry leaders

Eligibility Requirements:

501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Gospel-centered mission statement
Service to underserved populations
Location within Memphis Metro Area

What They Don't Fund (Hope for Memphis Fund)

Churches
Secular private schools
Christian private schools serving primarily non-underserved populations
Organizations working directly against Christian values (applies to all CCF grants)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

Preston Frazer, President - Joined in 2025, bringing 27 years of Memphis residency and a vision for citywide transformation. Frazer states: "I want to see our city thrive and flourish – what better way to learn about the needs and opportunities in Memphis than working with our outstanding donor base who feel the same?"
Shana South, Chief Financial Officer
Stephanie Jones, Director of Donor Relations
Rex Jones, Former Foundation President

Board of Directors (23-member board): Mark Forrester, Douglas Skipworth, Ben Smith, Robert Frazee, Dr. James Murphy, Michael Stockberger, Hamp Holcomb, Kevin Redd, Lee Greene, John Dudas, Harry Smith, Bill Martin, Bryan Miller, Howard Eddings, Cheri Wells, Sarah Haizlip, Brad Crawford, and Ken Edmundson.

President Preston Frazer on Strategic Giving: "To me, the words 'thoughtful,' 'prayerful' and 'intentional' go hand-in-hand. This means seeking the Lord's guidance about where and how He wants me to give. Everything I have is His, and I want to give where there is need and opportunity for thriving, flourishing and multiplying."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Hope for Memphis Fund:

Application Method: Online through Submittable platform
Cycle: Applications considered twice yearly
Current Deadline: March 31, 2026 (for current cycle)
Pre-Application: Review eligibility criteria on website before applying
Application Portal: Access through https://ccfmemphis.com/hfm-fund/

Donor-Advised Funds:

No public application process
Grants are directed by individual donor fund holders
Organizations cannot apply directly for DAF grants
Donors independently select and recommend grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations

Decision Timeline

Hope for Memphis Fund:

Applications reviewed twice yearly according to designated cycle timeframes
Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed
Contact CCF staff at (901) 682-6201 for timeline inquiries

Success Rates

581 awards made in 2024 across all programs
Specific success rates for Hope for Memphis Fund not publicly disclosed
CCF facilitated $96.9 million in total grants in 2024

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for Hope for Memphis Fund are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact CCF directly at (901) 682-6201 or info@ccfmemphis.com for guidance on reapplication procedures.

Application Success Factors

Based on CCF's mission, leadership guidance, and program priorities, successful applications likely demonstrate:

Alignment with Core Values:

President Preston Frazer emphasizes "thoughtful, prayerful and intentional" giving focused on "where there is need and opportunity for thriving, flourishing and multiplying"
Strong Gospel-centered mission that permeates organizational work
Clear focus on serving underserved populations in Memphis

Capacity-Building Focus:

The Hope for Memphis Fund prioritizes grants that "improve effectiveness and build capacity of existing ministries"
Historical grants have funded staff positions to increase ministry capacity
Applications should clearly articulate how funding will enhance organizational sustainability and effectiveness

Community Transformation Vision:

CCF seeks ministries "pursuing citywide transformation" through holistic approaches
Applications should demonstrate impact across spiritual, academic, economic, and relational dimensions
Frazer's vision is to "see our city thrive and flourish" - connect your work to broader Memphis impact

Sustainability and Multiplication:

Focus on creating "more sustainable and more effective Christian ministries"
Demonstrate how capacity improvements will lead to multiplied impact
Show long-term vision beyond immediate funding

Kingdom Building:

CCF's mission centers on "building God's kingdom in our community and throughout the world"
Applications should articulate Gospel proclamation alongside community service
Alignment with CCF's value of expanding Gospel reach

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Two Distinct Pathways: Understand that CCF operates both institutional grants (Hope for Memphis Fund - you can apply) and donor-advised funds (no public application - donor directed)
Gospel-Centricity is Non-Negotiable: Your mission statement must be explicitly Gospel-centered; this is a stated eligibility requirement for the Hope for Memphis Fund
Capacity Over Projects: Frame requests around capacity-building and organizational effectiveness improvements rather than one-time projects or programs
Underserved Focus Required: Must demonstrate service to underserved Memphis populations; faith-based schools serving primarily affluent families are explicitly excluded
Bi-Annual Opportunities: Plan ahead for twice-yearly application cycles; monitor website for specific deadline announcements
Prayerful, Intentional Alignment: Reflect President Frazer's emphasis on thoughtful, prayerful giving in your application narrative - show how your work creates opportunities for "thriving, flourishing and multiplying"
Memphis Metro Only: Hope for Memphis Fund is geographically restricted; organizations outside Memphis Metro Area should not apply (though they may potentially receive DAF grants)

References

Information accessed December 2025