What’s happening: The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis has awarded more than $34 million in grants since the organization’s founding in 1995, helping to fund more than 560 programs and more than 180 nonprofits throughout the region. Now, in its 27th year, the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis has made its highest year-to-date investment yet. The organization recently announced nearly $1.5 million in grants to 34 organizations as part of its 2022 - 2023 Annual Grant Cycle.

Who they are: The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) is an organization of local women helping Memphis women and children break the cycle of poverty through philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration — and grant-making. The organization utilizes a “two-generation approach” in fighting poverty, focusing on both children and the women that raise them. Their Vision 2025 Strategic Plan is to increase investment and reduce poverty in five Memphis neighborhoods by 2025, with those neighborhoods represented in the 38105, 38106, 38107, 38108, and 38126 zip codes.

The recipients: The organizations receiving grants from WFGM are broken into five target areas, which align with the aforementioned Vision 2025 Strategic Plan.

Case Management and Wraparound Services: Hope House Day Care, Knowledge Quest, MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association), Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc., and Urban Strategies, Inc.

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, and YWCA of Greater Memphis.

Early Childhood Development: ALLMemphis, Early Success Coalition, Families Matter, New Hope Christian Academy, and Porter-Leath.

Youth Development and Employment: A Step Ahead Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South, Booker T. Washington Middle and High School, Emmanuel Center, Inc., Girl 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, and Vance Avenue Youth Development Center.

Financial Education and Asset Building: Community Legal Center, RISE Memphis, and South City, a Community of Opportunity, Revitalization, Empowerment (SCORE CDC).

Why it’s important: “We are proud to report our $1.5 million investment in the community by supporting organizations that share our vision for economic self-sufficiency for women and children,” says WFGM President and CEO Ruby Bright. “These grants will expand the reach and presence of community-based solutions – generating impact aligned with the Foundation’s strategic priorities.”