Largest year-to-date investment and number of grantees awarded in organization's history

The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) announced its 2023-2024 Annual Grant Cycle with 38 organizations in Memphis receiving grant awards. In total, this amounts to a $1.6 million investment in the community.

The organization’s highest year-to-date investment, 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, WFGM launched Vision 2020, a five-year strategic initiative aimed at reducing poverty in zip code 38126. This initiative included a $7.1 million 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.

“We are building on the lessons learned though our place-based strategy to reduce poverty,” said Shante K. Avant, WFGM President and CEO. “
Our Vision 2025 strategic plan focuses on maintaining the gains we have made in South City, zip code 38126, while simultaneously expanding into other economically challenged neighborhoods,” said Avant.

WFGM’s 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.

Through programming focused on advancing economic and social mobility, WFGM’s investment in the community profoundly impacts lives. Impact highlights since 2015 include:

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:

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

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

Early Childhood Development
ALLMemphis | Early Success Coalition | Families Matter | Porter-Leath

Youth Development and Employment
A Step Ahead Foundation | JIFF Juvenile Intervention & Faith-based Follow-up| Booker T. Washington Middle and High School | Emmanuel 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

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