Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Our Mission

The Village, an intentionally curated incubation space, provides a supportive environment  for Black nonprofit leaders and organizations primarily servicing marginalized communities to upskill and increase capacity, access, and resources.

Our Vision

Through The Village’s work, we aspire to support Black leaders and organizations serving Black communities by addressing historical resource gaps and operational challenges. We aim to create a more
equitable ecosystem where Black leaders and organizations can thrive, promote long-term sustainability and resilience, and uplift underrepresented groups to enhance inclusivity and equitable representation within the nonprofit sector.

Statement of Context

Leaders of color, particularly Black leaders, and organizations primarily serving Black residents in our community have historically faced significant resource gaps, including limited access to funding, lack of mentorship opportunities, insufficient upscaling support, and restricted exposure to networks, both social and political. ​

Moreover, these organizations’ lack of operational structure exacerbates their challenges, impeding their capacity to effectively address community needs. Furthermore, the lack of diversity at the executive level of large nonprofits in Nashville presents an additional hurdle that must be addressed to foster inclusivity and equitable representation within the sector.​

In response, The Village is committed to supporting community leaders through capacity building, addressing the lack of administrative support, and investing in leadership talent to amplify their impact, while also addressing issues within the local Nashville, TN landscape that contribute to the stated challenges, including disparities in access to resources and systemic barriers.

CFMT’s Commitment to The Village 

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is deeply committed to providing subjective access, leveraging our influence, and championing a philanthropic community that values and invests in the expertise and impact of our Black nonprofit leaders through systems change, exposure and access and by bridging the gap between Community-Based Organizations & Philanthropy. 

Get In Touch With Us!

Want to learn more or make an impact? Reach out to Shekinah Stacy for general and membership questions or how to collaborate with The Village.