Memphis, Tenn. (August 31, 2023) – The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) announced that for its 2023-2024 Annual Grant Cycle, 38 organizations are receiving grant awards. In total, this amounts to a nearly $1.6 million investment in the community. The highest year-to-date investment to-date, this amount is a six percent increase from last year’s contribution total. Since 1996, WFGM has awarded more than $35 million to 185 local non-profits, including investments in advocacy and research.
In 2015, WFMG launched Vision 2020, a five-year strategic initiative aimed at reducing poverty in zip code 38126. This initiative included a $7.1 million strategic investment in programs serving South City – zip code 38126, one of the most economically challenged neighborhoods in Tennessee. As part of this plan, WFGM established a place-based investment strategy to fund grantee partners that provide programs in support of five goal areas: (1) case management and wraparound services; (2) job skills and employment; (3) early childhood development; (4) youth development and employment; and (5) financial education and asset building.
“Since concluding Vision 2020, WFGM has continued building on the lessons learned,” said WFGM President and CEO Shante Avant. “We are using what we have learned, as we embark on Vision 2025. This broadened initiative continues the funding to South City while simultaneously expanding into other economically challenged neighborhoods,” said Avant.
Their Vision 2025 strategic plan, includes four additional zip codes – 38105, 38106, 38107 and 38108. “Our goal is to impact the lives of more than 8,000 individuals annually by focusing on advancing economic and social mobility,” said Avant.
WFGM’s investment in the community profoundly impacts lives. This includes:
- 3,438 individuals receiving job training and placed in jobs
- 141 individuals starting a business or micro-enterprise
- 7,069 young people participating in youth development programs
- 53 percent increase in average annual earned household income for adults
WFGM plans to build on its success with support to its 2023-2024 Grantee Partners in these Investment Areas:
Vision 2025 Investment Area 1: Case Management and Wraparound Services
Hope House Day Care | MIFA (Metropolitan Interfaith Association) | Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc.| Urban Strategies Inc. | Room in the Inn | Salvation Army of Memphis and the Mid-South
Vision 2025 Investment Area 2: Job Skills, Employment and Entrepreneurship
Advance Memphis | Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis | DeNeuville Learning Center
Dress for Success Memphis | HopeWorks | Karat Place, Inc. | Memphis Urban League, Inc.
Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation | YWCA of Greater Memphis
Vision 2025 Investment Area 3: Early Childhood Development
ALLMemphis | Early Success Coalition | Families Matter | Porter-Leath
Vision 2025 Investment Area 4: Youth Development and Employment
A Step Ahead Foundation | JIFF Juvenile Intervention & Faith-based Follow-up| Booker T.
Washington Middle and High School | Emmaneul Center, Inc. | Girls Scouts Heart of the South
Girls Inc. of Memphis| Memphis Inner City Rugby| Mustard Seed Inc.| New Ballet Ensemble and School | STREETS Ministries| University of Memphis Research Foundation-Herff-GEE | Vance Avenue Youth Development Center | Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South
Memphis Black Arts Alliance | Kids in Technology
Vision 2025 Investment Area 5: Financial Education and Asset Building
Knowledge Quest | Community Legal Center | RISE Memphis | South City a Community of Opportunity Revitalization Empowerment (SCORE CDC)
Designated Grant Docket Allocations
National Partnerships and Local Initiatives: AECF E2S Programs, YWI, and South City Digital Inclusion | Responsive Funding and Special Projects in zip codes 38126 and 38106 | Program Assessment, Research, and Evaluation | Technical Assistance
About The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis
For 26 years, the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) has played a major role as a backbone organization aligning people, resources, and coordinating community-based services through the two-generation approach to reduce poverty. The mission of WFGM is to encourage philanthropy, foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential.