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The Community Foundation of West Tennessee awarded $120,000 in Community Impact Grants to 14 organizations during a celebration on June 24, 2025. The event welcomed representatives from each of the nonprofits as grant amounts were announced for the first time.
“It has become a tradition for us to keep the grant award amounts a secret until the celebration,” said Haley Fortune, Community Impact Manager for the Community Foundation. “The room is so energetic as we surprise each organization with a big check, announcing their grant. It’s a special moment to see how impactful these funds are to each of them and the people they serve.”
Marking its 40th anniversary, the Community Foundation prioritized the expansion of its grant program this cycle, leading to increased investments directly benefiting West Tennessee.
“Today is a testament to the incredible work of our nonprofits in the community,” said Dr. Frank McMeen, President of the Community Foundation. “We are grateful to uplift these organizations and support the vital work they do to strengthen our community.”
The 2025-2026 Community Impact Grant recipients are:
“The variety of projects funded through the Community Impact Grants this year truly reflects the diverse needs of our community and allows us to connect with so many of our residents in different ways,” said Beth Koffman, Chief Operating Officer for the Community Foundation. “Whether we are supporting food security, literacy, the arts, or workforce development, we know that we are working together to improve the health and well-being of West Tennessee.”
Community Impact Grants were created in 2016 to serve as funding opportunities for local nonprofits and funds of the Community Foundation to make an impact on the region. The grant term is July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Applications for the next cycle of Community Impact Grants will open in February 2026. For more information about the Community Foundation’s grant program, visit www.cfwtn.org/grants or contact Haley Fortune at haley@cfwtn.org.
A vital piece of our mission at the Community Foundation of West Tennessee is the annual funds we provide to assist individuals in need. In 2023, a grant from our organization helped pay the remaining balance for Caleb Beebe's service dog, Brody.
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After an F4 tornado devastated Jackson in May 2003, the Community Foundation organized the Storm Aid Concert, featuring Amy Grant, Vince Gill, and Darryl Worley. These fundraising efforts brought in $600,000 to help with disaster relief for our friends and neighbors.
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Our first three endowments were established in 1987 - Georgia Wilson Endowment, Dr. Chester Jones Endowment, and Joe Hamilton Heart Center Endowment. Read the original article from 1987.
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