The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) is honored to be the recipient of the TBR Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy, nominated by Southwest Tennessee Community College (SWTCC).

“It was a no-brainer to nominate the Women’s Foundation,” said Dr. Tracy Hall, President of SWTCC. “They’ve made a life-changing impact on our students.”

Since August, WFGM has granted over $500,000 to Southwest, supporting 169 students in continuing their education, gaining credentials, and building pathways to brighter futures. This investment is part of WFGM’s Vocational Scholarship Program, which removes barriers such as childcare, transportation, tuition, and textbook costs—critical supports that help students persist and complete their education.

“We are truly humbled and honored to receive the Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy,” said Shante K. Avant, President & CEO of WFGM. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our Board of Directors, Trustees, staff, and generous donors who have advanced our mission over the past 30 years.”

The Vocational Scholarship Program reflects WFGM’s deep commitment to fostering social and economic mobility for women and families. While many students are able to enroll at Southwest, staying in school is often a challenge. Scholarships provided by WFGM fill critical gaps and change the trajectory of lives—and generations.

“Southwest is doing incredible work to prepare students for high-wage, high-growth careers in fields like business, aviation, IT, nursing, robotics, and med tech,” Avant added. “We’re proud to invest in people who are giving back to their communities and contributing to Memphis’ economic growth.”

WFGM began its place-based work in 2015 in zip code 38126, the area with the highest concentration of poverty in the city. Today, that work has expanded into four additional neighborhoods: 38105, 38106, 38107, and 38108. Through collaborative partnerships like the one with Southwest, WFGM serves over 10,000 individuals annually, supporting programs to help women and families thrive.

This award highlights not only WFGM’s commitment to community transformation, but also the power of collaboration to create long-term, generational impact.