Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee unites compassionate individuals and worthy causes while aiming to build a more thriving and inclusive community by transforming thoughtful generosity into positive change. Its generous donors span the community and are driven by a shared commitment to addressing diverse needs.

For more than 30 years, CFMT has served as a leader, catalyst, and resource for philanthropy in Middle Tennessee and beyond, leveraging our expertise and unique capabilities as a public foundation to identify and address critical needs.

CFMT receives contributions of all sizes from every corner of our community and then, through wise investment and efficient management, reinvests those contributions in the form of grants to nonprofit partners working to benefit the community.

By providing low-cost administrative services to a variety of donors throughout Middle Tennessee, CFMT is building a permanent collection of endowed funds while supporting the charitable objectives of the donor.

No. This is a foundation of the people and for the people. It is named “community” for a reason. We have gratefully received donations ranging from 10 dollars to millions of dollars. We stand ready to help anyone willing to give something back to enrich this community.

Our version of a private foundation for an individual, family, or corporation is called a Donor Advised Fund. It:

• Is easier and less expensive to establish (no set-up costs and a minimum contribution of $5,000);
• Is easier and less expensive to maintain (Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee gets paid an annual fee of only 1.25%*, which both covers our expenses and allows us to respond to grant requests);
• Provides a greater annual tax deduction, in many cases;
• Provides easy access to information about nonprofits seeking support;
• Enables you to make gifts of stock options, closely held securities, insurance policies, real estate, etc., with ease and without most IRS limitations;
• Lowers the administrative cost, thereby increasing grantmaking capacity;
• Permits you to time gifts without an IRS-mandated payout schedule;
• Allows the avoidance of the 1-2% excise tax on investment income;
• Creates the opportunity to make gifts anonymously;
• Enables you to establish a legacy of caring in perpetuity – which will be overseen by committed leaders dedicated to preserving donor intent.

Your charitable priorities may shift. Certain problems disappear over time, and sometimes agencies “go out of business.” Through CFMT, you can have the flexibility to address a variety of charitable priorities, whether you support many different causes or your interests change over time.

A permanent fund at CFMT is also a safeguard designed to carry out your charitable objectives in perpetuity – dedicated to making sure the spirit of your gift remains intact through changing times and circumstances.

Yes. While we hope most of the grants the Community Foundation makes will go to support community endeavors, we recognize that some of what has made our area so healthy has come from outside its borders.

We have several funds which are designated to provide endowments for organizations around the country. They are here because their benefactors are here or do business here.

We have several donors, in fact, who have established funds within CFMT, but who live in Georgia, California, New York, or elsewhere. And, we have Donor Advisors who request that gifts from their funds go to benefit favorite organizations across the country.

CFMT’s Board maintains that national organizations, colleges and universities, and nonprofits doing good work in other areas have all made this a better place to live. And, we ourselves have gratefully accepted grants recommended by donors from Donor Advised Funds in other places.

Yes. Although it may sound too good to be true, time and time again, we have seen cases in which people actually increase what they can leave to their heirs through a gift to charity.

It often comes as a shock to us that taxes can take more than 50% of our estates before they reach our heirs. If you have an IRA, 401(k) or Keogh, that estate tax is compounded by income taxation, as well.

But there are opportunities to leave a sizable portion of your estate to benefit your heirs and support charitable causes. To learn more about the options we can facilitate for you, or for your clients making estate plans, call us at 615-321-4939.

$5,000 to establish almost all types of charitable funds

$25,000 to establish a scholarship fund

Yes, all gifts and grants can remain anonymous.

Visit www.GivingMatters.com, an online initiative of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, to find, learn, and give to more than 1,600 local nonprofits.

The Community Foundation welcomes grant proposals from nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities by the Internal Revenue Service and entities of government located in and serving Middle Tennessee. If you have questions about eligibility, review the Community Impact Grant Guidelines and Eligibility.

Yes, it does. Organizations headquartered outside Middle Tennessee, even though their project may benefit residents and communities in this region, must have a local presence that includes a physical address/office, local staff and board, and local financials for the Middle Tennessee operations. Contact the Grants Team if you have questions about your organization’s eligibility ([email protected]).

Yes.

No.

New organizations, within their first two years of operation, are only eligible to apply for support from our JumpStart grants. New organizations are welcome to apply for our JumpStart grants in 2025.

No. Applications are not accepted for Donor Advised Funds.

The Community Foundation funds faith-based organizations when the organization is providing a social service to the wider community, beyond their own members and when the nature of the grant application is appropriate for Foundation funding. The Foundation will not make grants for religious activities that serve only the members of a single congregation or to any organizations offering programs of a religious nature or programs requiring participation in religious activities or adherence to a particular set of beliefs as a condition for receiving services.

All 501(c)(3) public charities interested in being considered for a Community Foundation grant must maintain a complete and up-to-date profile in GivingMatters.com. This requirement ensures that we have all the necessary information to thoroughly consider your organization for funding. Only organizations with current profiles will be eligible for grant support.  For more information on how to create/update your profile and the GivingMatters.com requirement, CLICK HERE. Note: Governmental entities are exempt from this requirement and do not need a profile.

Our Community Impact Grants will focus on three strategic priority areas that are essential for Middle Tennesseans to thrive and have a greater sense of belonging.

• Arts & Creative Culture
• Child/Youth Development & Education
• Positive Mental Health & Quality of Life

Community Impact Grants will award grants as unrestricted operating support. Funds can be used at the discretion of the organization to cover any costs necessary to perform its core missional work within one of the Foundation’s focus areas.

Beginning in 2024, The Community Impact Grant application:
OPENS: June 3, 2024
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024.
AWARD NOTIFICATIONS: The Community Foundation plans to announce grants on or around October 1, 2024.
TERMS OF AGREEMENT & GRANT PAYMENTS: Payments will begin on or around November 1, 2024, pending receipt of the Terms of Agreement.
FINAL REPORTS: You will have one year (November 1 – October 31) to expend the awarded funds and to report your successes.

Instead of asking for grant request amounts, Community Foundation is developing a more equitable system based on asset size of nonprofit organizations.

PLEASE NOTE: Community Foundation is prioritizing its support to organizations whose total operating budget is less than $5,000,000, however, those above that amount are still eligible to apply.

No. Currently, the Community Foundation does not award multi-year grants.

No. Each organization can only submit ONE application and select only ONE priority area.

We understand organizations may find it helpful to discuss their ideas with our Grants Team, however, due to volume, we cannot promise that we will be available to help if it is too close to the deadline. To discuss your proposal, contact us at [email protected].

The Community Foundation’s volunteer board members and Foundation staff review grants and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval.

The decision to decline a grant proposal is not necessarily a reflection on the value of the program. We receive many more requests to support programs than our relatively limited resources will permit. Feel free to reapply the following year and as always, the Grants Team is available to answer questions.

Beginning in 2024, The Community Impact Grant application:
OPENS: June 3, 2024
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024.
AWARD NOTIFICATIONS: The Community Foundation plans to announce grants on or around October 1, 2024.
TERMS OF AGREEMENT & GRANT PAYMENTS: Payments will begin on or around November 1, 2024, pending receipt of the Terms of Agreement.
FINAL REPORTS: You will have one year (November 1 – October 31) to expend the awarded funds and to report your successes.

Instead of asking for grant request amounts, Community Foundation is developing a more equitable system based on asset size of nonprofit organizations.

PLEASE NOTE: Community Foundation is prioritizing its support to organizations whose total operating budget is less than $5,000,000, however, those above that amount are still eligible to apply.

No. Each organization can only submit ONE application and select only ONE priority area.

No. Currently, the Community Foundation does not award multi-year grants.

We understand organizations may find it helpful to discuss their ideas with our Grants Team, however, due to volume, we cannot promise that we will be available to help if it is too close to the deadline. To discuss your proposal, contact us at [email protected].

The Community Foundation’s volunteer board members and Foundation staff review grants and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval.

The decision to decline a grant proposal is not necessarily a reflection on the value of the program. We receive many more requests to support programs than our relatively limited resources will permit. Feel free to reapply the following year and as always, the Grants Team is available to answer questions.

Two decades ago, our community’s philanthropic leaders envisioned a unique community resource—a comprehensive database of local nonprofits and the community needs they support. Today, GivingMatters.com stands as a testament to that vision, having grown into an invaluable tool that showcases more than 1,500 Middle Tennessee nonprofit partners. We recognize the invaluable role each of our nonprofit partners plays in our community and are deeply committed to supporting your efforts through GivingMatters.com.

Each nonprofit profile provides deep insights into an organization’s mission, impact, governance, and financial health. By partnering with numerous local foundations, this initiative not only streamlines our internal due diligence but also minimizes the workload for each nonprofit partner during the grant application process, enabling you to dedicate more time to your critical missions.

GivingMatters.com helps the Community Foundation to fulfill its mission of uniting compassionate individuals with worthy causes to build a more thriving and inclusive community.

While having a GivingMatters.com profile does not guarantee funding, it significantly increases your visibility to potential donors and ensures that your organization is considered for grant opportunities. We aim to provide your nonprofit with a platform that amplifies your impact and connects you with resources that can further your mission.

All 501(c)(3) public charities interested in being considered for a Community Foundation grant must maintain a complete and up-to-date profile in GivingMatters.com. This requirement ensures that we have all the necessary information to thoroughly consider your valuable projects for funding. Make sure your profile is updated and complete before the grant deadline; only organizations with current profiles will be eligible for grant support. Note: Governmental entities are exempt from this requirement and do not need a profile.

You can work on completing your GivingMatters.com profile and your grant application either proactively or simultaneously. However, all items as outlined here in Step One of the Build a Profile Tab must be submitted in entirety by June 15, 2024. Furthermore, GivingMatters.com profiles must be complete as outlined here in Step Two of the Build a Profile Tab by June 30, 2024.

Your GivingMatters.com profile contains information about your mission, programs, organizational finances, and more, that are not requested within the grant application. CFMT will use this information to gather more context while reviewing your application. Please ensure the following sections of your GivingMatters.com profile is up to date:

• Governance: Name and term dates of the current Board Chair & Current Board members
• Management & Team: Name, experience, & demographic details of the Executive Director
• Program: Descriptions & budget of your program(s)
• Financials: Fiscal year dates, income & expense projections, the current budget document, the most recent Form 990, charitable solicitations permit document, & audited financial statements (required if annual revenues exceed $500k)

In addition to its use for the CFMT grant, your profile will make your organization eligible for a host of other grant opportunities in Middle Tennessee and will place your nonprofit in a searchable database used by donors and volunteers in the area.

Creating a GivingMatters.com profile is a guided two-step process. Detailed instructions can be found on the Build a Profile tab here. The completion of Step One is required by June 15, 2024, and Step Two by June 30, 2024.

Not sure if your organization is already a GivingMatters.com nonprofit partner? Search for your organization’s legal name here.

Emailing your initiation documents is just the first step. Once received, a Profile Coach from the GivingMatters team will reach out to assist you in how to complete your profile online. For more detailed information, please review the Build a Profile tab here.

If your organization has a completed profile, start by verifying its accuracy. Focus particularly on the following fields:
Governance: Name and term dates of the current Board Chair & Current Board members
Management & Team: Name, experience, & demographic details of the Executive Director
Program: Descriptions & budget of your program(s)
Financials: Fiscal year dates, income & expense projections, the current budget document, the most recent Form 990, charitable solicitations permit document, & audited financial statements (only required if annual revenues exceed $500k)

For more guidance about the Annual Update process, please visit the Profile Enhancement tab here.

For organizations whose profile’s annual update has not been processed for multiple years, it may be helpful to review your profile’s accuracy alongside the Required Fields Checklist found here.

We’re here to help! If you have additional questions or need guidance, please visit our Nonprofit FAQs or reach out directly at [email protected]. Your insights and feedback are incredibly important—they help us refine and enhance our services, ensuring we offer the most effective support to our nonprofit leaders and partners. We are committed to working alongside you to build a stronger, more connected community.

Profile Information Requirements: Please ensure the following sections of your GivingMatters.com profile is accurate and complete:
Governance: Name and term dates of the current Board Chair & Board members list
Management & Team: Name, experience, & demographic details of the Executive Director
Program: Descriptions & budgets of your program(s)
Financials: Fiscal year dates, income & expense projections, the current budget document, the most recent Form 990, charitable solicitations permit document, & audited financial statements (required if annual revenues exceed $500k)

Important Deadlines:

• New profiles must submit their initiation documents as outlined on the “Build a Profile” tab here by June 15th, and complete the process by June 30, 2024.
• You may start & submit your CFMT grant application before completing your GivingMatters.com profile, but both must be completed by the grant deadline for eligibility.Support & Contact
• For questions regarding your profile status, consult the GivingMatters.com Nonprofit FAQ here or contact the GivingMatters Team at [email protected] immediately.
• For personalized assistance, email GivingMatters Team members, Nicole Rose & Hayley Sulfridge at [email protected].
• Please note that all questions regarding CFMT’s grant applications should be directed to CFMT’s Grants Team at [email protected].

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is a grantmaker and works to strategically funnel charitable dollars to existing nonprofit programs we research, trust and know can deliver results, which means helping people recover. We are not a direct service provider and do not make grants, or provide cash, to individuals. What we do is make grants to local nonprofit organizations to catalyze and strengthen the disaster response efforts already in place and being undertaken by organizations that focus day-to-day on providing support on an individual level to victims of disaster.

We are positioned to work with our long-time nonprofit partners with systems to directly serve individuals, by funding and helping create solutions that meet survivors’ needs. Through disaster relief grantmaking to local organizations with established response efforts, The Community Foundation is stretching charitable dollars to help as many people as possible in their recovery.

Every penny donated for disaster relief is going back into the community to help people affected by catastrophic events through CFMT’s disaster relief grants to local organizations providing aid to people.

Money from the disaster response fund is awarded to organizations that apply for disaster relief grants to address needs spanning from emergency shelter, food and clean-up to mortgage, rental and rebuilding assistance, legal and mental health counseling, and more. Applying local organizations demonstrate how they will address people’s needs and the budget and timeline of their program, and if approved for grant funds, report back to us on progress toward helping disaster survivors. We are tracking grants dollars distributed, and a detailed list of ongoing disaster relief grants will always be available.

No. CFMT collects no fee whatsoever from disaster relief contributions. We make no money from disaster relief funds and distribute every penny through an established application system to local organizations providing aid to disaster survivors.

Community foundations exist to be a steward of charitable resources and to have expertise and knowledge of the particular community they serve, including that community’s needs and the local organizations with programs and solutions for those needs. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has 30 years of experience as a community resource, overseeing charitable dollars and facilitating grants dedicated to improving the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee we serve. We’re positioned to accept undesignated contributions, meaning donors trust our experience, expertise and systems that are pinpointed to meet the unique needs a natural disaster creates.

Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria that have been defined by the donor. Please read through the specific criteria per scholarship to see if you are eligible for any of the funds.

Please submit only one application. CFMT staff will determine if you are eligible for other scholarships based on the information in your application.

The majority of our scholarships require you to be a Tennessee resident. There are a few that do not, so please read the eligibility criteria carefully before applying.

Unless noted differently in the scholarship description and criteria statement, the scholarships are for accredited schools anywhere in the United States.

Your application, recommendations, transcripts and other supporting documents must be submitted electronically through the online scholarship system on or before February 1 at 11:30 p.m. Central Time.

There is no charge to apply.

No. These scholarships are intended to provide only partial support. In addition to applying for scholarships through CFMT, you should look into other financial aid resources such as federal grants, loans and work-study awards. A complete financial package can be put together by your high school counselor or your college financial aid office and may include a portion of each of these types of financial aid.

CFMT scholarships offer varying award amounts. On average, awards range from $500 to $2,500 but could be larger based on the number of qualified applicants and the parameters set by donors who have established the funds.

Yes. You may be eligible and selected as a recipient for more than one scholarship. CFMT staff will then determine if you are eligible for other scholarships based on the information in your application.

No. However, the Student Education Loan Fund (SELF) is a loan program and must be repaid.

Scholarship award checks will be made payable to the recipient’s institution and mailed just prior to the beginning of fall semester. If the recipient experiences Scholarship Displacement as a result of our outside scholarship award, we encourage recipients to reach out to our Scholarship Coordinator to discuss other payment methods.

The scholarship can be used toward any item within your school’s Financial Aid Office’s determined cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, personal/living expenses and transportation. The purpose of the scholarship is to supplement, not supplant, any federal, state or institutional grant or scholarship for which the student is eligible.

A volunteer selection committee appointed by the Board of CFMT and composed of impartial Middle Tennesseans will review each application and select the recipients based on the criteria established by donors.

A volunteer selection committee appointed by the Board of CFMT and composed of impartial Middle Tennesseans will review each application and select the recipients based on the criteria established by donors.

The committee will prioritize reviewing each candidate through the specific criteria for the fund. Committee members will also consider the applicants’ academic records, test scores, extracurricular activities, work experience, community involvement, and recommendations about leadership and character. The selection process shall balance merit and financial need and depending on the scholarship, there may be an emphasis on financial need.

Scholarship recipients must attend college on a full-time basis in the fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded and continue in college that entire academic year, barring illness or emergency. Recipients are responsible for having CFMT notified of their enrollment each quarter or semester by the school.

No. In almost all cases, students must complete the application process again in order to be considered for a renewal scholarship award.

Recipients will be notified by mid-April.