Creating a bustling hub for Middle Tennessee’s greatest resource, its people
In April of 2023, CFMT moved from its old location which previously served as headquarters for many years, to its beautiful new building on the corner of Belmont and Woodmont boulevards. This highly anticipated move was long in the works, with generous gifts from the Jane and Richard Eskind Family, The Frist Foundation, and the Truist Foundation.
The campus holds some incredible features, from using cross-laminated timber to help store carbon throughout the building’s lifespan, to incorporating other eco-friendly designs, as well as sidewalks designed to encourage community interaction and walkability.
CFMT headquarters’ Frist Board Room.
CFMT headquarters’ Truist Conference Room.
CFMT headquarters’ kitchen.
Inside the community building, artwork embodying the essence of hospitality, solidarity, and CFMT’s core values are displayed paying tribute to the diverse array of nonprofit partners and individuals whose support has been instrumental in shaping CFMT’s success and furthering its mission. They serve as constant reminders of our purpose, the community spirit that drives us forward, and the reason for the building’s existence.
While the building has many notable features, its centerpiece is meant to be the meticulously designed meeting rooms: the Frist Foundation Board Room, the Building Bridges Education and Training Room, and the Truist Conference Room. Each space is purposefully crafted to foster open communication, enhance educational experiences, and facilitate effectual gatherings.
Strategic Framework Focus Group in CFMT’s Truist Conference Room.
Board Meeting in CFMT’s Frist Board Room.
From the moment the CFMT team moved into the new headquarters and resumed operations, there was a newfound feeling of belonging. A space that allowed us to freely interact with each other in a welcoming environment that supported our needs made people feel valued, seen, and reinvigorated to continue working to better our community.
This renewed energy sparked a realization: our space held immense potential to benefit our most valuable asset – our community. If our team felt so inspired and empowered here, imagine the impact on our community’s leaders, workers, nonprofit partners, and dreamers. Our community has always shown incredible generosity, not just financially, but also through their time, energy, and support. By reciprocating this generosity and opening our meeting spaces for education, planning, and collaboration, we could further strengthen trust and foster deeper community bonds.
Since May 2023, 167 nonprofits and over 7,000 individuals have utilized our rooms for a total of 271 events. These events encompassed a wide array of activities, from lunch & learns to board meetings, staff training to strategic planning sessions, and networking opportunities to philanthropic celebrations.
Giving Tuesday meeting held in CFMT’s Building Bridges Room.
Transforming CFMT headquarters into a community hub required deliberate planning and intention. We aimed to establish an inclusive space where individuals and organizations felt not just welcomed but also empowered to contribute and supported by necessary technology. To achieve this, we formed a welcoming committee and appointed Front Desk and Operations Coordinators to ensure guests received warm hospitality.
With processes in place, CFMT made conference rooms available to reserve for 501c3 organizations in Middle Tennessee. The results blew away even the wildest of expectations.
Local nonprofit meets in CFMT’s Frist Board Room.
CFMT Board Retreat in CFMT’s Frist Board Room.
While accommodating a large number of visitors can pose challenges, it has proven immensely rewarding for CFMT. Sustaining a warm and inviting environment remains an ongoing commitment, one that we continuously refine based on feedback – whether positive or negative – to enhance the experience with each visit. The positive impact of these efforts is palpable and acknowledged by both our guests and our dedicated staff.
“Through managing the hospitality aspect of our meeting spaces for a vast variety of nonprofit organizations, I’ve witnessed the profound impact of generosity and compassion,” says Christina Slay, Front Desk Coordinator at CFMT. “Each booking becomes a conduit for fostering connections, empowering change, and nurturing hope within our walls here at CFMT.”
Amidst the diversity of events and attendees, and the business of this new community hub, a common thread has emerged: a pervasive sense of belonging and empowerment among those who have crossed our threshold.
