Leadership & Civic Pride

Active, connected and diverse leadership, an informed and engaged population and a strong unified philanthropic sector are vital to move Memphis forward. We support the development and engagement of those leaders as well as increasing a sense of civic pride in all Memphians.

Funding Priorities

Line art digital illustration of a hand holding a cityscape with buildings, a CD with music notes, a sports ball, a golf ball, and two human figures, representing community, entertainment, and sports.

Leadership development and nonprofit capacity-building

We build capacity in our partner nonprofits and invest in programs that build youth leaders, emerging and established nonprofit leaders and board members, and public sector leaders. We also work to build a culture of philanthropy in Memphis by encouraging and supporting the next generation of philanthropic donors and leaders.

A unified, positive brand for Memphis

We support partners who celebrate our city and build a positive, progressive and ambitious brand for Memphis. We aim to build civic pride in Memphis and awareness within and outside our community.

A robust local information ecosystem

We support partners who gather and report accurate information to build a more engaged population. We believe that a well-informed community encourages civic participation and connects people to their city.

Featured Projects

  • Two women smiling in front of a red banner that reads 'New Memphis' with a logo of a rocket and the word 'Launch', near a brick building and large windows during sunset.

    New Memphis

    New Memphis fosters connections with talented Memphians and guides them to become actively involved in their community. Through Community Engagement and Leadership Development, New Memphis develops, activates, and retains talent.

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  • Three young women smiling and posing together, wearing matching orange Memphis Challenge t-shirts in a room with a brick wall background.

    Memphis Challenge

    Memphis Challenge coaches high-achieving students of color in grades 9-12 through leadership and professional development to prepare them for college and develop and inspire future Memphis leaders.

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  • Billboard featuring a smiling woman's portrait with text promoting Memphis, Tennessee, with social media handle @KongWeePang and website wearememphis.com.

    Memphis Brand

    Memphis Brand is a non-profit organization dedicated to boosting civic pride and telling the Memphis story globally to promote Memphis as a destination for talent and businesses.

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All Leadership & Civic Pride Grantees

  • Asset Funders Network

  • BRIDGES USA, Inc.

  • The Brotherhood B2M

  • Chalkbeat, Inc.

  • City Leadership

  • Community Foundation of Greater Memphis

  • The Daily Memphian

  • Epicenter

  • Girls, Inc.

  • Leadership Tennessee

  • Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission

  • Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

  • Tennessee Nonprofit Network

  • Volunteer Odyssey

  • Voices for a Safer Tennessee

  • Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis

  • Youth Villages

Woman with dark curly hair smiling, wearing a white wrap dress and a gold pendant necklace, standing against a neutral background.

Interested in applying?

Contact Lauren Taylor, Senior Vice President for Programs & Learning, to explore whether your project aligns with our strategy and available resources.

Email Lauren