When you think of Memphis today, the city is so filled with creativity and talent that it’s hard not to feel proud of the momentum taking place. We are experiencing a nonprofit boom as many young and seasoned professionals alike are all following their dreams and trying to make the world a better place.
But just like most dreams, it does take capital to get nonprofit businesses off the ground or to strengthen an existing organization. How can a growing organization find new support? And, how can Memphians who care learn about who is doing good work?
Cue GiVE 365 Memphis!
GiVE 365 is a dollar-a-day giving circle at the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis where members pool their money to make a positive impact on our community through grants to nonprofits. The GiVE 365 membership is a diverse group of individuals, couples, families, and friends, in their 20s through 70s, from 32 different ZIP codes across the Memphis area.
Members vote on an annual grantmaking theme, and some join grant review teams to help narrow grant applicants to a group of finalists. Those nonprofits then pitch their grant proposals at a fast-paced and fun yearly event, The Finals.
This event not only helps these organizations prepare for the future but is also a fantastic community event that highlights the Memphis nonprofit scene. The membership supports organizations of all sizes and often provides catalytic funding for new nonprofits or programs.
Erin Harris is the director of the Carpenter Art Garden in Binghampton. She says, “In 2013, GiVE 365 awarded us our first major grant, for nearly $10,000, which funded most of the cost of operating the outdoor Art Garden for that year. We have expanded in some really special ways over the past few years, and I know the support from GiVE 365 and its members made a huge impact on the growth of the Garden.”
As GiVEr Sonya Fleck says, “GiVE 365 is the interrupter. It lets people try something brand new to see if it will work, and it supports getting grassroots efforts off the ground.”
Find out why people love being GiVERs!
How you can Participate!
As the title suggests, you can have a positive impact in Memphis for less than the price of a cup of coffee. For $1 a day, you become a GiVEr and make a difference in our community alongside other awesome Memphians. Since its founding in 2010, GiVE 365 members together have granted $495,190 to 59 distinct organizations. This year GiVE 365 awarded $57,000 to eight nonprofits with the theme Reconnecting Memphis: programs that bridge and celebrate our communities.
For more information on becoming a member of GiVE 365, click here!
