Leadership & Civic Pride

A thriving Memphis needs strong leaders and healthy institutions.

A city moves forward when its leaders are strong, its institutions are healthy, and its people feel a genuine stake in its future. We invest in the organizations, talent pipelines, and civic narratives that make that possible, supporting the next generation of Memphis leaders, strengthening the nonprofits that serve the community, and helping Memphis tell a compelling story about where it's going.

Intended Outcome

Memphis' civic ecosystem of residents, leaders, nonprofits, and philanthropy, is connected, capable, and collaborative in advancing a shared, positive future for our city.

Funding Priorities

  • Leadership development and talent pipelines

    Memphis' future depends on a deep, diverse bench of leaders. We invest in programs that develop emerging and established leaders across the civic and nonprofit sectors, and in efforts to attract, grow, and retain the next generation of Memphians who will shape the city's direction.

  • Nonprofit capacity and philanthropic growth

    Strong leaders need strong organizations behind them. We support nonprofits in building the governance, operational health, and financial sustainability to do their best work, and we invest in cultivating the next generation of Memphis philanthropists who will resource that work for decades to come.

  • Narrative change and civic pride

    Memphis has a story worth telling. Too often, that story goes untold. We invest in partners working to strengthen Memphis' identity, build civic pride from within, and advance a compelling, accurate, and forward-looking narrative about our city locally and nationally.

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.

    Learn more →

  • 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.

    Learn more →

  • 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.

    Learn more →

All Grantees

  • Asset Funders Network

  • BRIDGES USA, Inc.

  • Chalkbeat

  • City Leadership for Choose901

  • Community Foundation of Greater Memphis

  • The Daily Memphian

  • Epicenter

  • Girls, Inc.

  • Leadership Tennessee

  • Memphis Brand

  • Memphis Challenge

  • Memphis Tomorrow

  • Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission

  • New Memphis

  • Tennessee Nonprofit Network

  • ThinkTennessee

  • Voices for a Safer Tennessee

  • Volunteer Odyssey

  • Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis

  • Youth Villages

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 →