Sophisticated Giving® is published by Mahanes Media Group, LLC and is independently owned and operated. Sophisticated Giving® and Sophisticated Living® are a registered trademark of Williams Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living® is published six times a year. Sophisticated Giving® is published annually. All images and editorial are the property of Mahanes Media Group, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Subscriptions: Email: nashville@slmag.net Telephone 615.308.9294
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Repeat winner of Nashville’s Best Hotel in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel and Marriott Bonvoy Member, welcomes guests with warm Italian hospitality, artfully designed luxury, a serene spa retreat, stylish restaurants and bars, and captivating event spaces.
From the Presenting Sponsor
Nashville is a city like no other, where charitable nonprofits, donors, and volunteers represent the very heart of our community. At LBMC, we are constantly inspired by the incredible spirit of giving that fuels Middle Tennessee, and we are honored to play a role in helping those who uplift and support one another. From tackling poverty and affordable housing to ensuring access to quality healthcare, addressing mental health needs, and fighting food insecurity, the collaborative efforts between philanthropists and nonprofits are creating lasting, positive change in our city.
As the sponsor of Sophisticated Giving, we are proud to champion these efforts and celebrate the organizations that are making a profound impact on Middle Tennessee’s future. This guide offers a comprehensive look at local nonprofits, their vital work, and the ripple effects of their actions throughout the community. It’s more than a resource—it’s a testament to the power of strategic philanthropy and the difference we can make when we come together for a common cause.
“At LBMC, giving back is a core value, and we believe in the transformative power of community-focused philanthropy,” said Brian Tate, Board Chair of the LBMC Cares Foundation. “Since our foundation’s grants are primarily employee-driven, we are able to support initiatives that are important to our team members.”
Our role as Tennessee’s largest accounting and business consulting firm goes beyond delivering financial solutions—we are dedicated to helping businesses and individuals succeed in ways that also benefit the greater community. Whether advising on tax strategies, providing audit services, or guiding clients through complex business decisions, our commitment to creating value extends to fostering a culture of giving and supporting initiatives that build stronger, more resilient communities.
We believe in the importance of intentional giving. A well-thought-out philanthropic strategy can create a lasting legacy, uniting families across generations and driving meaningful outcomes. Through our LBMC Cares Foundation, we’ve seen firsthand the power of collective action, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and build a better future for all.
As Nashville grows, so does our commitment to ensuring that the well-being of our people and communities remains at the forefront of everything we do. Together, we can create financially healthy, sustainable communities for generations to come.
Jim Meade LBMC
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The LBMC Family of Companies has been helping clients reach their goals and live their dreams for 40 years.
Our commitment to our clients’ growth, the development of our experts, and the enhancement of our communities is at the core of everything we do.
Your trust has been the foundation of our success. Here’s to the next chapter.
Connect with LBMC and experience the difference.
We are excited to present our third annual issue of our charity register, Sophisticated Giving . Since we made Nashville our family home 22 years ago, we have been constantly impressed and inspired by the immensely generous spirit here. There are so many exceptional organizations of every possible size and cause whose tireless efforts positively impact the quality of life in our community. These charities enrich our communities by helping those in need, creating opportunities for the next generation, funding medical breakthroughs, supporting the arts, and much more. We intend to help educate, inform, and inspire the readers of Sophisticated Living Nashville to help these not-for-profits continue their charitable endeavors and impact. We have also included a comprehensive annual event calendar of the major fund-raising events for 2025 so that our readers can use it as a point of reference throughout the year.
One obstacle we have observed time and time again is that there are so many charities and initiatives vying for support and recognition that it can often be challenging to choose the right organization to donate to or recognize a cause that resonates with a person. The Sophisticated Giving Charity Register was developed to provide an unparalleled outlet for notfor-profits to inform and influence Sophisticated Living’s affluent residents, those with the wherewithal to make significant contributions of time, talent, and treasure to these wonderful not-for-profits. Sophisticated Giving is the annual companion book to our regular bimonthly publication and has been included in the mailing of Sophisticated Living Nashville’s November/ December issue. That is why we chose to mail Sophisticated Giving with our final issue of 2024, as it arrives when many people make year-end donation decisions for tax purposes. In addition, it allows us to include the charitable events of our not-for-profit participants for all of 2025.
Why do people give? People are philanthropic because giving provides a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves. Being generous gives one purpose and meaning. One feels empowered when one supports organizations that align with their values. Finally, people give because of the joy it brings into their lives. So, we hope Sophisticated Giving will encourage you to choose one or more not-for-profits that speak to you and make a gift before year-end and that Sophisticated Giving will inspire you to perhaps give a little more than you usually would. Trust us; it will feel wonderful.
Warmest regards,
Dave and Melissa
CHARITY REGISTER
ABE’S GARDEN COMMUNITY
Who We Are: Abe’s Garden Community is a nonprofit senior life community and care provider driven to improve the lives of older adults and those living with dementia. Our mission is to establish a replicable model for senior life that focuses on brain health, wellness, and purposeful living. We demonstrate local and global impact by developing best practices in brain health and engagement that are foundational to our residential and communitybased services in Middle Tennessee, as well as through our commitment to sharing these best practices with other senior life communities and professional and personal caregivers around the world.
What We Do: Abe's Garden Community provides services and resources for seniors and those affected by dementia, including diagnosed individuals, their families, and caregivers. We provide memory support as well as independent and assisted living in a caring, home-like environment. Additionally, for those living on or off campus, we offer in-home care, dementia day programs, and support and guidance to caregivers. Our specially trained team provides best practices in dementia care and engagement, which reduces symptoms of anxiety by 42%, depression by 41%, and neuropsychiatric symptoms by 32%.
Why We're Important: Our Let’s Grow Together ~ Expanding Locally to Impact Globally priority expands residential capacity from 130 to 170, including 20 new assisted living and 20 new memory care suites. Other priorities include a chapel, a music research lab, a community room, and a dedicated education and training suite. We have received 80% of our $20 million fundraising goal.
How We Serve the Community: In addition to residential services, we have three programs that provide respite for dementia caregivers. Abe’s Garden At Home offers in-home personalized participation and activities of daily living assistance. Abe’s Garden Community Group provides those with early-stage dementia living on or off campus
with a social, supportive environment among peers on a similar journey. Abe’s Garden Club is an onsite day program designed for individuals with dementia to benefit from unique and engaging experiences multiple days a week. The Abe’s Garden Community model is used in 22 memory care communities worldwide, and we continue to educate providers on our approach.
How You Can Help: We deeply value philanthropic partners who support our mission. We gratefully receive gifts of time and money to make the following initiatives possible:
• Capital improvements/renovations/construction
• Continual expansion of wellness and engagement opportunities
• Assistance for residents and program participants who demonstrate financial need
• Caregiver education and support resources
We are grateful for individuals who help create a better world where everyone can live and age with dignity. Pledges for our capital campaign may be paid over 3-5 years. To learn more please visit www.abesgarden.org/capital-campaign or use the QR code to give now.
Abe’s Garden Community 115 Woodmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37205
Who We Are: Adventure Science Center opens every mind to the wonders of science and technology, fostering a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
What We Do: Approaching our 80th year, Adventure Science Center has brought science to life for students, teachers, and families from Middle Tennessee and across the U.S. The science center offers engaging learning experiences and science fun through hands-on, interactive exhibits, innovative programs, live demonstrations, and full-dome productions in the state-of-the-art Sudekum Planetarium.
Why We’re Important: Adventure Science Center is an independent, not-for-profit organization and regional leader in informal science education dedicated to delivering innovative, dynamic learning experiences. Our purpose is to make science accessible and exciting for individuals of all ages, races, backgrounds, and abilities, fostering the next generation of STEM learners.
How We Serve the Community: Each year, we engage more than 200,000 people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds from all 95 Tennessee counties and all 50 U.S States + DC. Committed to reducing barriers to access, we provide free or reduced admission to more than 25,000 members from our community
through valuable partnerships with nonprofits and schools. Support from the community allows us to significantly lower the cost barrier for school students and provide access to educational programming that enriches their learning experiences and offers them the opportunity to discover new interests, talents, and career possibilities in the realm of STEM.
How You Can Help: The science center depends on the generous support of our community to continue our mission as a space for transformative learning and inspiration. You can support the science center by becoming a member, attending an event, making a donation (cash or stocks), doubling your donation with an employer match, volunteering, becoming a sponsor, or estate giving. To learn more about Adventure Science Center's future projects or to make a donation, visit adventuresci.org/join-give/
Adventure Science Center
800 Fort Negley Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37203 615.862.5160 adventuresci.org
President/CEO: Leah Melber, Ph.D.
Chief Development Officer: Joel Abramson
Board Chair: Josh Trusley
THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
Who We Are: The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association is not just a charity, we are crusaders, innovators, scientists and partners. Our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives which means we are bringing science to life, meeting people where they are, making an extraordinary impact and building powerful partnerships within the community.
What We Do: At the American Heart Association, a national nonprofit committed to local impact, we seek to be a catalyst to achieving maximum impact in equitable health and well-being. With a vision to advance hope and health for everyone, everywhere in the Middle Tennessee community, we lead by changing policy, championing breakthroughs in science technology, transforming healthcare and changing systems.
Why We're Important: Just a few miles apart, one neighborhood has a life expectancy of 85 years, while another’s just 69. At the American Heart Association, we're working to reshape community norms for longer, healthier lives. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with one in four Nashvillians dying from heart disease each year. In Middle Tennessee, around 30% of adults have high blood pressure and suffer from obesity, increasing health risks. We're focused on decreasing high blood pressure and increasing nutrition security to help address these issues.
How We Serve the Community: We proudly serve the Middle Tennessee community through high-impact and sustainable initiatives, focused on blood pressure, access to nutritious foods, tobacco cessation, and emergency
response. In the last year, we reached more than one million people with our sustainable community changes. Additionally, we raise funds locally through events such as our annual Heart Gala, Go Red for Women Luncheon, and Heart Walk, giving donors and volunteers the opportunity to see, celebrate, and be inspired by the stories that fuel our lifesaving mission.
How You Can Help: Join our movement to change the future of health and be the progress that ensures longer, healthier lives for all by volunteering, advocating for healthy policies, encouraging corporate and community support, and/or donating to our mission.
American Heart Association
1818 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203
615.340.4100
Heart.org/Tennessee
Facebook: @AHATennessee
Instagram: @AHATennessee
X: @AHATennessee
Executive Director & Vice President: Annie Thornhill, annie.thornhill@heart.org
Vice President Development: Kelly Jamerson, kelly.jamerson@heart.org
Vice President Community Impact: Mozetta Jackson, mozetta.jackson@heart.org
Board President: Andrea Willis, MD
Board Chair: Fahad Tahir
ANDREW JACKSON FOUNDATION
Who We Are: The mission of the Andrew Jackson Foundation (AJF) is to preserve the home place of Andrew Jackson, to create learning opportunities and to inspire citizenship through experiencing the life and unique impact of Jackson.
What We Do: The AJF provides visitors with engaging experiences that encourage exploration and an in-depth look at the Jacksonian era. The largest program is the interpretation of the site for visitors, which includes a guided tour of the historic mansion and a self-guided audio tour of exterior spaces, including historic buildings, formal garden, Jackson’s tomb and broader landscape.
We also maintain a robust educational curriculum throughout Tennessee. These programs examine key concepts of Jacksonian America, such as the growth of popular politics and democracy, slavery, the expansion of capitalism and market dynamics and the impact of social, racial and gender inequality.
Why We're Important: The AJF owns and operates Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, the home of the 7th President of the United States, where he lived from 1804 until his death in 1845. Jackson had a significant impact on the development of America as a young nation, and his visionary leadership served to shape a unique American society based on new democratic principles. The Jacksonian Era is the bridge from the American Revolution to the Civil War, and it is vitally important to the understanding of how our nation was conceived, survived and has thrived as the only nation in history founded on an idea.
How We Serve the Community: We serve our community by fulfilling the three facets of our mission: Preserve; Educate; Inspire.
Since 1889, the AJF has been charged with preserving 18 historic structures that comprise The Hermitage. Saving
these irreplaceable pieces of the nation’s history for future generations is the reason we exist.
The education and inspiration of visitors through guided programming and thematic exhibitions is equally important. By sharing the legacies of the hundreds of individuals who lived here, the AJF ensures guests of all ages understand the importance of the Jacksonian Era and are encouraged to participate fully in our democratic society.
How You Can Help: Because the site receives no ongoing state or federal funding, the philanthropic support of our donors, members and visitors is essential to advancing our mission and sharing this 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with the public.
Annual Fund gifts directly support the operation of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. Our most fundamental needs, as well as our most important preservation and education initiatives, are funded by your support of this campaign.
We also gratefully accept gifts for capital improvements, our endowment, major events and through planned giving.
Andrew Jackson Foundation
4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, TN 37076
615.889.2941
www.thehermitage.com
Facebook: 7thPresident
Instagram: 7thPresident X: 7thPresident
Executive Director: Jason R. Zajac, jzajac@thehermitage.com
Senior Vice President of Development: Michael Miller, mmiller@thehermitage.com
Board Chair/President: Pam Koban
THE BRETT BOYER FOUNDATION
Who We Are: The Brett Boyer Foundation was created in loving memory and in honor of our beloved daughter, Sadie Brett Boyer. Brett was diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect (CHD). A congenital heart defect is an abnormality of the heart present at birth. She battled congenital heart disease (atrioventricular septal defect) for her even inspiring and incredible months of life.
When we received Brett's diagnosis, we were uneducated about both Down syndrome and CHD, and we were very fearful. As we learned more, we realized the world is in the dark about the underfunding of research necessary to improve the lives of those living with both DS and CHD, and that CHD is much more common than most are aware. As soon as Brett was born, we knew that Down syndrome was nothing to be feared, and it became one of our favorite things about her. We celebrate her Down syndrome diagnosis and work every day to support the CHD community.
What We Do:
• Fund research for advancement in the prevention, detection, treatment, and management of CHD
• Spread CHD awareness and education highlighting the need for research
• Provide financial, emotional, and mental health support for CHD patients, parents, and providers
• Support families while they are experiencing inpatient hospital stays
• Partner with organizations dedicated to inclusion, opportunities, and celebration for the Down syndrome community
Why We’re Important: 1 in every 100 live births receives a CHD diagnosis, making it the most common birth defect. 40,000 babies are born with congenital heart disease each
year in the US alone; however, CHD research is severely underfunded. We believe this is because CHD is essentially an invisible disease. When a child with CHD wears a shirt, you can’t see their scars from treatment. It is our mission to raise awareness about CHD while funding research to improve survival rates, quality of life, and mental & emotional health for all affected by a diagnosis. We also aim to show the world that we didn’t lose Brett to Down syndrome. Down syndrome doesn’t need a cure. Congenital heart disease needs a cure, and the cause of most CHDs are unknown. Our goal is for every family fighting CHD or receiving a diagnosis to know we are here fighting for them, and we are here to offer them community.
How We Serve the Community: The Brett Boyer Foundation funds research nationally, as well as locally supporting families with CHD by providing free mental health support for any Tennessee CHD family, hosting heart community events, providing meals to inpatient families, supporting CHD healthcare workers, and financially assisting Tennessee heart families. We also partner with local organizations dedicated to inclusion, opportunities, and celebration for the Down syndrome community.
How You Can Help: You can help us fund our mission by donating at any time through our website. Visit TheBrettBoyerFoundation.org to learn more.
The Brett Boyer Foundation 4191 Arno Road, Franklin, TN 37064
TheBrettBoyerFoundation.org
Instagram/Facebook: @brightforbrett
Founder/President : Ellen Boyer
Executive Director: Jennifer Peyser
CENTERSTONE FOUNDATION
Who We Are: Centerstone is a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments for people of all ages. We have evolved significantly over our nearly 70-year history, expanding our services, our geography, and our partnerships. While our organization has grown, our singular focus on delivering care that changes people’s lives has remained the same; it’s our noble purpose that drives us each day, connecting us to each other and to people and families in our communities.
What We Do: We want the best for our families, friends, neighbors, and communities. Services are available nationally through the operation of outpatient clinics, residential programs, school-based services, the use of telehealth, and an inpatient hospital.
Centerstone also features specialized programs for the military community, therapeutic foster care, and children’s services. Centerstone’s Institute provides guidance through research and technology, leveraging the best evidence-based practices in care for use in all our communities. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the mission of delivering care that changes people’s lives.
Why We're Important: More and more people are suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction, and other issues, and at a higher rate than before.
• 1 in 5 adults experiences mental illnesses each year.
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-34.
• More than 20 veterans die by suicide each day.
• Our mission-driven team provides a full continuum of services, positively impacting our communities.
• Centerstone provides more than two million services annually, including more than 6,500 annually for our veterans, service members and their families.
How We Serve the Community: Community is at the heart of Centerstone. Through 24/7 access and our full continuum of mental health and substance use disorder treatments, our team serves more than 107,000 people each year in communities across the country. With residential facilities, outpatient clinics, school partnerships, an inpatient behavioral hospital, addiction recovery centers, and the use of telehealth, we meet the needs of people exactly where they are.
How You Can Help: Centerstone’s Foundation works with individual donors, businesses, and grant-making organizations to ensure that life-changing care is accessible to the children, adults, and families who need it most. Through good financial stewardship, our Foundation amplifies charitable gifts made to Centerstone, making certain we maximize our positive impact for those we serve. You can donate to Centerstone to ensure that those who need support have access to care when they need it most: Centerstone.org/give.
Centerstone
1921 Ransom Place, Nashville, TN 37217
877.467.3123
Centerstone.org
Facebook: facebook.com/Centerstone.org
Instagram: centerstonehealth
X: centerstone
Foundation President: Ramona Rhodes, ramona.rhodes@centerstone.org
VP of Advancement: Maria Wolfe, maria.wolfe@centerstone.org
Board Chair/President: Bruce Barrick
CHEEKWOOD ESTATE & GARDENS
Who We Are : The mission of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is to celebrate and preserve Cheekwood as an historical landmark where beauty and excellence in art and horticulture nurture the spirit and serve as inspiration for a diverse and broad audience. Cheekwood is one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. The extraordinary 1930s estate, with its historic mansion and 55 sprawling acres, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and galleries devoted to American art. The property includes 13 distinct gardens and a 1.5-mile woodland sculpture trail.
What We Do: Cheekwood welcomes an average of 400,000 visitors every year and it ranks as the 3rd highestattended attraction in Nashville. Seasonal festivals include Cheekwood in Bloom, Cheekwood Harvest, and Holiday LIGHTS. Art exhibitions are displayed in the galleries and throughout the gardens. Cheekwood serves as the backdrop for special performances by local musicians, multicultural celebrations, and events such as Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars. Education and outreach programs engage K-12 students, and many are free of charge. From 250,000 blooming bulbs in the spring to one mile of holiday lights in the winter, there’s something for everyone at Cheekwood.
Why We're Important: Cheekwood strives to be a locally celebrated and nationally recognized destination renowned for its distinctive beauty, historical significance, and excellence in art and horticulture. We are committed to growing and sustaining an inclusive organization that ensures every encounter and experience at Cheekwood is welcoming, and that all who visit are nurtured and inspired by the power of Cheekwood’s beauty, its art, and the natural world. As an outdoor classroom, with educational opportunities for all ages, Cheekwood serves as an accessible entry to the wonderful world of art and nature.
How We Serve the Community: Through special programs and partnerships, Cheekwood is committed to ensuring that all can visit and be inspired by our art and
gardens. Cheekwood is continually developing initiatives to broaden and deepen our presence and impact through multiple free and discounted admission programs. School field trips are free for K-12 students and teachers, with grade-appropriate itineraries designed to enhance school curricula. Free family field trips are offered in partnership with Title I schools and include a complimentary yearlong membership for each family. Cheekwood also offers summer camp scholarships, free and discounted admission for military and veterans, paid internships, and more.
How You Can Help: Join Cheekwood Society (starting at $1,500) to deepen your engagement and provide vital support to Cheekwood’s operations. Cheekwood Society donors receive invitations to exhibition previews and private events including the annual Cheekwood Society Dinner, recognition on donor lists, complimentary passes to Cheekwood, and more.
Additional opportunities include Family Society, supporting education and outreach initiatives; Council of Contemporaries, for Young Professionals; and The 1929 Club, providing funding for historic initiatives, acquisitions and endowment for the Historic Mansion & Gardens.
Tribute gifts such as dedicated planters, benches and trees are available to commemorate the most important moments or people in your life.
Who We Are: We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity since 2004 dedicated to providing children with the tools necessary to be successful in the classroom! Each year our events supply filled backpacks, pens, pencils and other necessary school supplies for local students. we also provide free haircuts, clothes and food at our annual back to school bash.
What We Do: We provide children with the tools necessary to be successful in the classroom and first day of school! Each year our events supply filled free backpacks, with pens, pencils and other necessary school supplies for local students. We also provide free haircuts For children before they start the first day of school.
Why We're Important: Our nonprofit, which provides free school supplies to kids, is crucial because it equips students with the tools they need to succeed in school. By alleviating this financial burden, we ensure every child has the chance to learn and grow, regardless of their family’s income. Investing in education today builds a brighter future for our entire community. Every child deserves to feel confident on that first day of school with a fresh haircut and new school supplies and backpack.
How We Serve the Community: Our nonprofit serves the community through our annual Back to School Bash, where we provide free backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts, and clothing to families and children in need. This event is especially impactful for families facing
financial hardships, ensuring that every child starts the school year feeling confident, prepared, and supported. It’s our way of giving back and empowering the next generation to succeed.
How You Can Help: Your support is vital to help us provide backpacks filled with school supplies for over 2,000 children in the Metro Nashville area. By donating, you ensure that kids in need have the resources to start the school year prepared and confident. Every contribution, whether financial or in-kind, makes a difference. Join us in empowering these students by giving today!
Children Are Magical
625 Bakers Bridge Avenue, Suite 105 #36, Franklin, TN 37067
561.289.8413
www.childrenaremagical.org
Facebook: CHARM Foundation
Instagram: Childrenaremagical
X: CharmbyJS
Founder: Jaclyn Stapp charmfoundation@gmail.com
Executive Director: Carole Carter
Committee Chair: Christy Gardner
President: Milan Stapp
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
Who We Are: The Community Resource Center (CRC) is proud to serve as the hygiene hub for Middle Tennessee. Since our founding in 1985, our mission has been to provide essential items to our most vulnerable neighbors—whether in times of disaster or ongoing need. We are dedicated to eliminating hygiene poverty in our community, a crisis where individuals cannot afford basic hygiene products like deodorant, soap, feminine hygiene items, toothpaste, shampoo, and laundry detergent. These necessities, not covered by government assistance programs like SNAP or WIC, leave 1 in 5 Middle Tennesseans forced to choose between staying clean or having enough to eat.
What We Do: CRC serves the counties of Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Sumner, and Cheatham, and is on track to distribute 1.6 million hygiene products in 2024. We collaborate with 175 nonprofit partners and have over 400 distribution locations, including schools, libraries, senior centers, and food organizations. Our goal is to ensure free, high-quality hygiene products are available where community members already access services. We provide our partners with a variety of brands and product types, allowing individuals to choose items that best suit their needs and preferences — preserving dignity in the assistance they receive.
Why We're Important: At CRC, we believe hygiene products are a necessity, not a luxury. Access to basic hygiene is essential for maintaining good health, mental well-being, and achieving success in both school and the workplace. We are deeply committed to addressing the injustice of hygiene poverty and work tirelessly to provide hygiene with dignity. With only six full-time staff members, CRC distributes 1.6 million hygiene products annually. This impact is made possible through the generosity of our volunteers and supporters, who are critical to helping us fulfill our mission.
How We Serve the Community: Hygiene insecurity in our community shows up in troubling ways—families sharing a single toothbrush or using a bar of soap to wash dishes and
laundry. Some young women must resort to using socks as makeshift period products. By increasing access to essential hygiene items, we can significantly improve personal wellbeing and support workforce development. Unfortunately, many students miss school or fall behind academically due to a lack of hygiene products, perpetuating a cycle where adults struggle to present themselves professionally. Ensuring access to proper hygiene is crucial for breaking this cycle, fostering long-term success, and creating a more prosperous community.
How You Can Help: The CRC team would love to welcome you to our warehouse for a volunteer shift. Our team could not fully execute our mission without the support of our volunteers! Contact our Community Engagement Manager Laura Eckersley at laura@crcmidtn.org to schedule a shift or organize a product donation!
Individuals wishing to donate can make a gift at https:// crcmidtn.org/giving/. Due to our relationships with wholesale and liquidation companies, we can stretch the average consumer’s dollar to $14 worth of hygiene products.
If your company would like to sponsor a CRC event, please contact Director of Development Kathryn Bennett at kathryn@crcmidtn.org.
Community Resource Center 218 Omohundro Place, Nashville, TN, 37210
615-291-6688
Crcmidtn.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CRCmidtn
Instagram: @crcmidtn
CEO: Tina Doniger, tina@crcmidtn.org
Director of Development: Kathryn Bennett, kathryn@crcmidtn.org
Board Chair/President: Tara Tenorio
CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS FOUNDATION, INC.
Who We Are: Cumberland Heights is one of the largest, longest running, and most trusted nonprofit treatment facilities of its kind, serving the Nashville community and beyond since 1966. The mission of Cumberland Heights is to transform lives, giving hope and healing to those affected by alcohol or drug addiction.
What We Do: Cumberland Heights serves on average 2,500 patients each year though residential, outpatient, and extended care treatment programs. We serve adolescents, women, and men suffering from substance use disorder. Cumberland Heights provides treatment for the whole patient, not just the addiction. Our clinical staff create individualized treatment plans to meet the needs of each patient, including treatment for common co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. Extended services such as Recovery Care Advocacy (RCA), Alumni Care, Alumni Relations, Relapse Prevention, and Recovery Support assist alumni in their ongoing pursuit of recovery after completing a treatment program. Recognizing that addiction is a family disease, Cumberland Heights offers a Family Program that provides education, guidance, and counseling to help families navigate their way to recovery.
Why We're Important: Although substance use disorder continues to be a critical health issue, it is a treatable disease. Cumberland Heights’ continuum of care addresses biological, spiritual, emotional, and social strengths and deficits through proven clinical treatment and 12-Step recovery programming to help patients establish a strong foundation for long-term recovery. Cumberland Heights was the first substance use disorder treatment provider to incorporate research into care and was the first in Tennessee to attain the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s Level of Care Certification for Clinically Managed Residential Services and Medically Monitored Inpatient Services.
How We Serve the Community: Over the past 58 years, Cumberland Heights has grown in service to our community, bringing hope and healing to nearly 90,000 people who have passed through its gates. Cumberland Heights continues to be the only nonprofit treatment center in our community that provides a broad spectrum of treatment options and on-going care to help women, men, adolescents, and families sustain lifelong recovery. As a nationally recognized treatment center, Cumberland Heights remains at its core an organization staffed by people who care, bringing their clinical and lived experiences to help others in their recovery journeys.
How You Can Help: Cumberland Heights is grateful for the generous and loyal support of our donors. Your gift helps more people experience peace, belonging, hope and healing, many for the first time. Your support allows men, women, and teens in financial need to experience life transformation and recovery through treatment at Cumberland Heights. By investing in Cumberland Heights’ mission, you are not only helping our patients, but you are also helping their families, friends, and communities now and for years to come.
• Please visit our website to make an online donation: www.cumberlandheights.org/giving/donate
• Or, to use our text-to-give feature: Text “CHRECOVERY” to 44-321
Cumberland Heights Foundation, Inc. 8283 River Road Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 615.352.1757 www.cumberlandheights.org
CEO: Jay Crosson
Chief Development Officer: Cindy Patterson
Board Chair/President: Drew Healy
EQUAL CHANCE FOR EDUCATION (ECE)
Who We Are: Equal Chance for Education was founded by Dr. Michael Spalding in 2014, after he saw the daughter of a family friend struggle to fund her college education. Through the process of helping this one student, Dr. Spalding learned that thousands more Tennessee students faced the same barriers–having arrived in the United States as children and then being blocked from a college education due to their immigration status. ECE has now worked for ten years to ensure that young scholars have an equal chance to go to college without regard to race, religion, or nation of birth.
What We Do: ECE provides college scholarships and career-readiness resources to students who do not have access to college funding due to their immigration status.
Did you know that even lawful entrants, such as asylum seekers and those with Temporary Protected Status, are ineligible for FAFSA, student loans, and Tennessee Promise? Without this funding, college can feel like an impossible dream. That's why ECE has partnered with Tennessee colleges & universities to support the college journey of more than 600 first-generation students.
Why We're Important: ECE Scholars typically arrived in the U.S. at age five, just when most children begin kindergarten. These bright, high-achieving students have firm career goals and excelled in high school. However, they do not qualify for Tennessee Promise, in-state tuition, financial aid, or student loans due to their immigration status. ECE ensures that this funding gap doesn't hinder their path to higher education.
How We Serve the Community: ECE provides students with the opportunity to attend college, which benefits not only their lives but also improves the broader community. ECE graduates join Tennessee's diverse workforce, boosting local economies, as college graduates earn more than $1 million in additional taxable income over their lifetimes.
How You Can Help: ECE scholarships are funded by individuals, foundations, and corporations that believe in the transformative power of education. It is the only organization of its kind in Tennessee. Invest in the future of Tennessee by making a gift to ECE's Annual Scholarship Fund or by pledging your support for an ECE scholar as they travel through four years of college.
In addition to offering scholarships, ECE provides student-focused programming and mentoring to support scholars in completing their college education and graduating career-ready.
Equal Chance for Education
73 White Bridge Pike Suite 103 #351 Nashville, TN 37205
Who We Are: Driven by faith we provide hope and healing to our hardworking neighbors in need. Our vision is that all Middle Tennesseans have the healthcare home they need to live a fulfilling life.
What We Do: Since 2001, Faith Family Medical Center has provided comprehensive healthcare, behavioral care, and wellness services to over 30,000+ patients through more than 100,000+ visits. Dedicated to serving lowincome, uninsured, and underinsured individuals, Faith Family offers accessible and affordable care, empowering patients to take charge of their health. This approach not only improves individual health outcomes but also has a ripple effect on entire families and communities.
Why We're Important: Faith Family Medical Center provides accessible, holistic healthcare with a focus on prevention. Services include annual exams, disease management, and diagnostic testing. The on-site pharmacy offers affordable medications, and a Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner provides mental health care. Faith Family also offers telehealth services for remote access. The Journey to Wellness program promotes healthy living with registered dietitians, exercise classes, cooking demos, and a teaching garden. Through HealthPass, Faith Family delivers affordable healthcare options for small businesses and nonprofits. Faith Family's commitment to comprehensive care makes it a vital resource for the community.
How We Serve the Community: Faith Family Medical Center serves Middle Tennesseans by providing affordable healthcare and free wellness programs to those facing challenges in living healthy lifestyles. Many of our patients face barriers such as language difficulties, limited access to
healthy food, and tight work schedules that make healthcare challenging. Faith Family helps patients make lasting lifestyle changes and better manage chronic conditions, ensuring they receive the care they need.
How You Can Help: Every gift to Faith Family Medical Center makes quality healthcare accessible to all in need. Patient fees cover just 10% of our annual costs, so we rely on the generosity of supporters like you to close the gap. While the average patient fee is $40, each visit actually costs $240. A donation of $200 can fully fund a patient’s visit, allowing them to receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve. With options for one-time or monthly donations, your support ensures that our hardworking neighbors can access essential healthcare. We’re committed to providing accessible, compassionate services for all in need—and we’d love to show you firsthand the difference your generosity makes. Please contact us to arrange a tour and see the lives transformed by your support.
Faith Family Medical Center
326 21st Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203
615.341.0808
www.faithmedical.org
Facebook: @FaithFamilyMedicalCenter
Instagram: @FaithFamilyMedical
Executive Director: Phil Ellenburg, pellenburg@faithfamily.org
Communications and Events Manager: Julie Webb, jwebb@faithmedical.org
Board Chair: Anne Hancock Toomey
THE FAMILY CENTER
Who We Are: The Family Center is on a mission to break intergenerational cycles of childhood trauma with a vision of creating resilient communities where all children thrive! Celebrating 40 years of helping parents provide safer, more stable, nurturing environments for their children to learn and grow, we work with some of our community's most vulnerable families providing information, skill building, and access to resources. We're a Department of Children's Services certified child abuse prevention agency and receive referrals from DCS, family courts, judges, jails, substance recovery centers, government agencies, and other nonprofits.
What We Do: We utilize evidence-based, research-based curricula and current best practices throughout our programs. We provide Positive Parenting... Plus! - 8wk sessions to help parents learn how to be the best parent possible (virtually, in correctional settings, and substance recovery facilities); Nurturing Families - 1:1 family coaching (virtually; in homes or safe spaces), Teen Impact Parenting Series (TIPS) - in several MNPS high schools; Restoring Connectionsin partnership with Davidson County Juvenile Court; and Community Connections - case management. All of our programs are nonjudgement zones and free to families.
Why We're Important: We're the only nonprofit in our community providing parent education and support to families with children of ALL ages and working with justice involved, substance recovery, and unhoused parents. Over the past 40 years, we've evolved to meet the needs of our community's most vulnerable families - 56% of parents we served were trying to raise children on less than $30k annually - by tapping into the latest children's developmental research. Current research demonstrates if children have caring and supportive homes, they are more likely to become and be resilient... achieving academically and in their careers... and creating resilience in future generations.
How We Serve the Community: The Family Center partners with numerous organizations across Middle Tennessee to ensure services are delivered where and when
families need us most, amplifying impact and increasing awareness about Positive & Adverse Childhood Experiences. In FY24 we helped:
• 750 parents learn positive parenting skills
• 788 children live in safer, more stable, nurturing environments
• 40 children directly through 1:1 family coaching and access to basic needs
Our support helps parents retain or regain custody and/or be the best parents possible while often facing seemingly insurmountable socio-economic odds. We're also a resource for any parent interested in learning how to help their children succeed!
How You Can Help: The Family Center offers several ways for you to become a "change agent for children!"
Donate: www.familycentertn.org
Join: our Sustainer's Circle as a monthly donor
Volunteer: become a Family Liaison for our 1x/wk virtual Positive Parenting... Plus! sessions; join a fundraising or board committee; assist with gardening outside our offices in Nashville or Murfreesboro.
The Family Center
139 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN, 37211
615.333.2644
www.familycentertn.org
Facebook: familycentertn
Instagram: familycentertn
President & CEO: Susan M. Galeas, MSW, MPH, sgaleas@familycentertn.org
Board Chair: Andrea Sinclair, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison
Photo Credit: Robin Conover
FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE
Who We Are: Friends of Radnor Lake (FORL) protects the natural integrity of Radnor Lake State Natural Area (RLSNA) through land acquisition, environmental education and park support. Founded in 1971 to save Radnor Lake from development, FORL is now governed by a board of 25 members from the community who are committed to the preservation of this natural area. Our nonprofit significantly augments public funding with private donations and volunteer support. We raise money for land acquisition, habitat restoration and various park programs. Our 2,000+ annual volunteers help maintain trails, remove invasive plant species and perform other tasks to help sustain the park.
What We Do: Perhaps the most important thing we do is to act as a facilitator for acquiring property that will ultimately be owned and protected by the State of Tennessee as part of Radnor Lake. We provide funding for educational programs at Radnor Lake, including the nonreleasable birds of prey program at the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center, the volunteer program, the Junior Ranger Intern program, and interpretive signage. The FORL Board works with the RLSNA Park Manager to determine funding priorities, like the Native Grasslands Initiative and capital projects, that support the park, the visitor experience and the Nashville community.
Why We're Important: Thanks to our partnership with the State of Tennessee, we have successfully worked together to purchase and protect 22 acres during the past two years. Over the last 50 years, FORL has worked with the State of Tennessee, landowners and other partners to facilitate nearly doubling the size of the park from its original 700+ acres to its current 1,368 acres. We strive to protect
the watershed, viewshed, sensitive plant species, native grasslands and future hiking trail opportunities, and to maintain Radnor Lake in the same natural state as in 1973 when the park opened as a State Natural Area.
How We Serve the Community: Friends of Radnor Lake supports the preservation of Radnor Lake State Natural Area, which in turn makes it a welcome place for Nashville area residents to explore and enjoy nature. One of the closest parks to the city, RLSNA is a place to connect with nature, hike or stroll and learn about the native flora and fauna. FORL helps connect the community to the activities at Radnor Lake and provides financial support for park priorities which cannot be completed using only state-budgeted funds.
How You Can Help: Friends of Radnor Lake welcomes donors to visit Radnor Lake State Natural Area for a hike, volunteer project, or scheduled special event, accepts one-time and recurring donations through our website, appreciates employee match and corporate gifts and values those legacy gifts through planned giving which ensure the protection of Radnor Lake for future generations. You can find information about events at Radnor Lake State Natural Area on the TN State Parks website: tnstateparks.com/parks/events/radnor-lake
Friends of Radnor Lake
1160 Otter Creek Road, Nashville, TN 37220
615.251.1471
radnorlake.org
Facebook:FriendsofRadnorLake
Instagram: RadnorLake
Director: Tina Corkum, tcorkum@radnorlake.org
FRIST ART MUSEUM
Who We Are: The Frist Art Museum opened in 2001 in a beautifully restored 1934 art deco building in downtown Nashville and has since welcomed over 4.5 million visitors and gained international recognition. The Frist presents an ever-changing array of world-class exhibitions and programs so that visitors experience and engage with new art every time they walk through the museum doors. It is our vision to inspire people through art to look at their world in new ways.
What We Do: The Frist exists to bring art and people together. We spark curiosity, inspire dialogue, and connect diverse communities to nurture our region’s creative life. Visitors experience art from some of the world’s most respected art museums, such as the Musée d’Orsay, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the British Museum. Our programs and events create opportunities for insight, reflection, and enjoyment, and include gallery talks, conversations with artists and curators, tours, art-making workshops, family-friendly Frist Arts Fest celebrations, and after-hours Frist Friday events.
Why We're Important: The Frist is a hub for creativity and ideas, bringing the world’s art to Nashville and sharing our region’s talent with the world. The award-winning Martin ArtQuest Gallery, with interactive art-making stations and friendly, knowledgeable staff, provides one of the few family-friendly destinations in the downtown area. Each year the Frist’s education programs reach over 15,000 students. A school field trip may be a child’s first visit to an art museum, and research tells us that even this single visit can have a lasting impact, inspiring them to wonder, explore, share ideas, and discover personal connections.
How We Serve the Community: The Frist strives to be a safe and accessible gathering place that reflects and
celebrates fresh ideas and the diverse perspectives of our community. Museum admission–including access to ArtQuest–is always free for those ages 18 and younger. We work with a network of over 70 Community Partner organizations to increase access and enhance belonging for the widest possible audience. The Conte Community Arts Gallery presents exhibitions about the greater Nashville area or created by members of the community.
How You Can Help: By becoming a contributing member or donor to the Frist Art Museum, you are investing in the long-term sustainability of the Frist and our work to enrich the lives of Middle Tennessee residents through the visual arts. Members may visit as often as they like and enjoy unparalleled access to the museum and its curators. The Frist Gala and its accompanying Patron Party are among the premier social events in Nashville. Our corporate and foundation sponsors meet their philanthropic goals while enjoying widespread recognition and invitations to special events.
Frist Art Museum
919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
615.244.3340
www.fristartmuseum.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fristartmuseum
Instagram: www.instagram.com/FristArtMuseum
X: x.com/FristArtMuseum
Threads: www.threads.net/@fristartmuseum
Executive Director: Seth Feman, PhD
Chief Development Officer: Jonathan Norris, jnorris@fristartmuseum.org
Board Chair/President: Billy Frist
FUND RECOVERY
Who We Are: Since 2011, Nashville-based Fund Recovery exists to break the cycle of mental health issues by filling in the funding gap between someone who is struggling and their recovery. We do this by raising donations throughout the year to help people with financial assistance for mental health or substance misuse services such as therapy, treatment, workshops, outpatient, sober living, medication, transportation, and more. Fund Recovery’s call center of recovery specialists is there to answer those common questions “Who do I call? What services are available? OR How can I pay for mental health or therapy services?”: Our team works diligently to raise awareness and reduce stigma with the mental health and substance misuse crisis that affects our friends, families, and loved ones. Give today because people matter.
What We Do: Over 13 years of dedication, Fund Recovery has helped people enter or access treatment with financial assistance who would not have been able to otherwise. We have supported 7000 student-athletes, granted to 1000+ individual scholarships, and $2 million dollars given. Fund Recovery hosts charity events with Pro Football Hall of Famers, professional athletes, community leaders, musical artists, and people connected to the cause. Our events raise awareness and provide funding for mental health and substance misuse services. Our non-profit was also honored to be selected as a Culture Catalyst on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
Why We’re Important: One in five Americans experience mental health issues each year. Overdose deaths surpassed 100,000 in a single year. Davidson County’s overdose death rate was the 2nd highest in the nation, just behind Baltimore. It is more urgent than ever to get help to people in need. Two of the main questions people have when asking for help: "Who do I speak with to get help for my mental health or substance misuse issues? How do I afford the high cost of receiving professional mental health services?" Fund Recovery works to answer these questions, to help families pay for care, or help navigate resources to begin their journey to wellness. Our team works diligently to provide solutions for anyone struggling with mental health issues.
How We Serve the Community: On March 27, 2023, the Covenant School tragedy impacted our entire Nashville community, and reached headline news across the country. Fund Recovery’s annual event on April 4th pivoted to helping those impacted by this tragedy. We were able to raise over $230,000.00 from the event at The 12/30 Club in donations for mental health services for any Nashvillian impacted by the tragedy at the Covenant School. We support those in need with ease and access during times of tragedy, or in times of uncertainty. Fund
Recovery digs deeper into the community with our crowd-giving platform that securely allows donations to be given and utilized to pay the bills on behalf of individuals in need. We help friends and family members pay for mental health or substance misuse costs with greater ease, confidence, and security. Fund Recovery has several active campaigns to help specific communities such as Covenant School, current professional football player Calais Campbell supporting African American teens receive therapy, musical artist Boys Club for Girls featured on CMT, Heart of America Athletic Conference student-athlete wellness program, and Advocates for The Truth trauma and abuse victims fund as examples. We serve communities across the nation with financial assistance to enter or access mental health or substance misuse services for all levels of care. Fund Recovery has a concierge call center that is free for anyone needing support navigating services available in their area.
How You Can Help: Visit fundrecovery.org to give to individuals, families, and communities struggling with mental health or substance misuse issues. Continued support can create long-term success for anyone motivated to change their mental health condition. Fund Recovery will have several fundraising events this year, and we have multiple opportunities for you to get involved. Our website, fundrecovery.org, will have announcements and information for all future events, or join our emailing list to receive current updates. Recurring donations are available at fundrecovery.org. A monthly $25.00 donation can help with therapy sessions to anyone needing support who cannot afford the high cost of professional services. This annual $300.00 give can help a person begin their journey to wellness.
• $100.00 can help with 1 session of therapy.
• $1,000.00 can help with 10 sessions of therapy, or sober living for 1 month.
• $5,000.00 can help with mental health or substance misuse outpatient services for a month.
• $10,000.00 can help with 2 months of outpatient services, 10 months of extended care sober living, or mental health workshops.
• $25,000.00 can help with residential or inpatient services for mental health or substance misuse.
Who We Are: Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. We are nationally recognized as the gold standard in psychosocial cancer support providing resources, support, education, community and hope to anyone facing cancer including family and caregivers.
What We Do: Our vision is that everyone impacted by cancer receives the support they want and need throughout their experience.
Free of charge to everyone, GCMTN provides a gathering place where people with cancer can join with others to actively involve themselves in building social and emotional support as a supplement to regular medical care. Our evidence-based programming includes support groups, healthy lifestyle workshops, mind-body classes, social activities, educational lectures, and community resource information. Cancer support is available to people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, cancer diagnoses and stages, in 15 Middle Tennessee counties.
Why We're Important: Since opening our signature red door in 1998, Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee is the only organization in Middle Tennessee that offers a complete wrap-around approach to cancer support offered by licensed clinical professionals at no cost to people with cancer and their loved ones. Gilda’s Club offers approximately 30 professionally led support and networking groups, and more than 50 educational workshops and lectures each month.
By the Numbers (2023-2024)
• 2,095 Responses to Resource Requests
• 298 Support Groups
• 449 Workshops, Socials, and Educational Programs
• 134 New Member Customized Support Plans
• 8,537 Total Attendance
How We Serve the Community: Despite the ever-changing landscape, Gilda’s Club is keeping cancer support accessible
to Middle Tennesseans, meeting people where they are and providing what is needed. Sometimes that’s a phone call to provide resources for financial assistance or a virtual Family Support Group for a person trying to manage caregiving from a distance. For others, it may be a weekly Tai Chi class or Cancer Support Group. We offer cancer support virtually, in person, or as a hybrid approach. Gilda’s Club is here, offering all of that and more, free of charge to anyone affected by cancer.
How You Can Help: Gilda’s Club’s cancer support program is made possible by generous donations, grants, and events. Your gift immediately improves the lives of people with cancer and their loved ones. Donors can make a gift via our website, through a donor-advised fund or family foundation, with a donation of stock, by sending a check, from an employer matching program, or any preferred giving vehicle. Corporate sponsorships and participation fees ensure the success of four yearly fundraising events including the Red Door Bash Gala, Golf Classic at the Golf Club of Tennessee, Fall Festival, and a Songwriter’s Night.
President & CEO: Harriet Schiftan, harriet@gildasclubmiddletn.org
Director of Development: Tricia Drake
Board Chair/President: Allen Huggins
Director of Marketing & Communications: Meghan Lamb, meghanlamb@gildasclubmiddletn.org
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Who We Are: Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is a 501(c)3 local, nonprofit organization whose mission is changing lives through education, training and employment. Goodwill Career Solutions, the mission services arm, annually provides assistance to thousands of Tennesseans seeking to gain skills, find meaningful work or build careers. Many clients are unemployed, underemployed or face some barrier to employment, such as a disability, a lack of a diploma or a history of incarceration or homelessness. Almost all of Goodwill’s programs and services are available free of charge, thanks to the generosity of Goodwill’s shoppers and donors like you.
What We Do: The revenue generated by the sale of donated goods funds the education, training and employment services provided. The focus is helping clients achieve the ABCs of employment: finding A job and upskilling for a Better job, which will lead to a Career. Through free training programs, job-seekers gain employment in high-growth industries that offer a pathway out of poverty, away from government assistance and toward financial independence.
• Education: Digital Literacy, Employability, Financial Literacy, High School Equivalency, LinkedIn Training and Office Productivity
• Skilled Trades: Call Center, Construction, Custodial, Forklift, Solar Panel Installation and Welding
• Employment: Career Coaching, Job Fairs
Why We're Important: Goodwill's vision is that all people should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential through the power of work. We believe a hand-up is better than a handout and a paycheck brings dignity and independence. The entire community benefits when those who are jobless find meaningful work. The ripple effect that is created from Goodwill’s services positively affects individuals, their families and, ultimately, the community as a whole.
How We Serve the Community: Job-seekers receive free employment, training and education services through Goodwill’s 12 Career Solutions centers and one mobile career van that travels our 48-county service area across Middle and West Tennessee. Career Coaches help job-seekers assess their strengths, refine their goals and acquire skills needed to find meaningful work and launch careers. Many clients move into jobs with Goodwill, but most find work with other employers. Goodwill offers programs that help individuals gain skills and certifications needed to enter a variety of occupations. These programs provide training and
certification in fields such as construction, forklift, call center, custodial and information technology.
How You Can Help:
• Make a monetary gift at www.giveit2goodwill.org to support Goodwill’s free employment and training services.
• Join the William H. Cammack Society. The society and its supporters honor the memory of a leader who gave generously of his time and who left a legacy of extraordinary service and leadership.
• Sponsor our annual Impact Awards. Help Tennesseans get back to work, inspire your team and celebrate the power of work at Goodwill’s annual fundraiser each fall. Contact Niketa Hailey-Hill at niketa.hailey-hill@givegw.org.
• Donate gently used items at any of our conveniently located donation sites.
• Shop our retail stores or OnlineGoodwill.com to find unique treasures!
Annual Events: The Impact Awards: Each fall at the Impact Awards, Goodwill celebrates the employees and clients who have achieved great success through perseverance and the power of work as well as community partners who help advance Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through education, training and employment. Chaired by Mary Lindley Hubbard and Patti Smallwood, the 2024 Impact Awards Lunch was sponsored by Amazon and Pinnacle Financial Partners and emceed by NewsChannel 5’s Rhori Johnston. If you would like to be included in Goodwill events or learn more about opportunities with the 2025 Impact Awards, please contact Niketa Hailey-Hill. Giving Tuesday: Tues., Dec. 3, 2024
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee 937 Herman Street, Nashville, TN 37208
615.742.4151
Giveit2goodwill.org
Facebook: giveit2goodwill
Instagram: giveit2goodwill
X: giveit2goodwill
Threads: giveit2goodwill
Development Manager: Niketa Hailey-Hill, niketa.hailey-hill@givegw.org
Executive Director: Matthew Bourlakas, matthew.bourlakas@givegw.org
Board/Chair President: Mike Madden
GRACEWORKS MINISTRIES
Who We Are: GraceWorks Ministries was established in 1995 by a group of concerned Williamson County citizens and faith leaders who sought a comprehensive, collaborative solution to the complex issue of poverty. Our founders recognized that local low-income residents had diverse needs – food, clothing, housing support, and financial assistance – yet, most area nonprofits and churches focused on only one or two services. By pooling resources, GraceWorks has been able to offer situational poverty and immediate crisis support services to a large number of individuals and families in need, closing our more recent fiscal year having served 16,000 Neighbors.
What We Do: GraceWorks Ministries exists to provide immediate and long-term support to individuals and families in need throughout our community. Through programs like our food pantry, financial assistance, and shelter services, we ensure that those facing hardship have access to essential resources. Each year, we distribute thousands of grocery carts, help families maintain housing, and offer emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and more. With a focus on compassion and dignity, we’re committed to transforming lives through the generosity of volunteers and donors.
Why We're Important: GraceWorks Ministries transforms lives by providing critical support to families in crisis. Every dollar donated directly impacts our community, offering food, shelter, and financial assistance to those facing hardship. With rising needs, our programs ensure that no neighbor is left behind. Your support helps us extend a hand of compassion, providing hope and stability during difficult times. By giving to GraceWorks, you’re not just making a donation—you’re making a lasting difference in the lives of local families and strengthening the fabric of our community.
How We Serve the Community: At GraceWorks Ministries, we serve our neighbors in need through three
essential services: food, shelter, and support. Our food pantry provides thousands of grocery carts annually, offering nutritious meals to families facing food insecurity. We also assist with housing and shelter needs, helping individuals avoid homelessness or find temporary refuge. Additionally, our support services offer emergency financial assistance for new mothers and other critical needs during the holiday season. These programs work together to provide a lifeline of hope, ensuring that no one in our community is left behind.
How You Can Help: You can make a difference in the lives of your neighbors by supporting GraceWorks Ministries in several ways. Volunteer with us to distribute food, assist with special events, or provide administrative support. In-kind donations like food, household essentials, and clothing are always needed and appreciated. Monetary donations are vital to sustaining our programs, helping us provide food, shelter, and support to those in need. Visit graceworkstn.org/donate to explore the many ways you can contribute, and join us in making a lasting impact in our community.
GraceWorks Ministries Inc. 104 Southeast Parkway, Franklin, TN 37064
Director of Marketing: Brennen Boose, bboose@graceworkstn.org
Board Chair/President: Rodney Chester
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER NASHVILLE
Who We Are: Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat is a community developer, home builder, educator, mortgage banker, retail operator in a five-county area: Davidson, Wilson, Cheatham, Dickson, and Robertson Counties. We build communities and empower lives through our homeownership program as the core of our mission, welcoming our 1,000th homeowner in 2022.
What We Do: Habitat of Greater Nashville builds homes for hardworking Middle Tennesseans who take Habitat's homeownership education classes and who work on the build site to earn a 0% APR mortgage. We operate three ReStores: a social retail enterprise that offers home, office, and building supplies at greatly reduced prices, to help fund our mission. We are passionate about creating opportunities for stability by empowering lives through homeownership.
Why We're Important: Affordable homeownership is becoming very difficult for those who work in Middle Tennessee. Habitat's homeownership program serves those who make 80% AMI or less. Without programs like ours, many children can't finish the school year where they started, and many parents must increase their commute times to work. Homeownership stabilizes lives and builds thriving communities, supporting vital infrastructures.
How We Serve the Community: Habitat not only empowers hardworking people to stabilize their lives through homeownership, but we also bring people together in a heart posture to help one another. Volunteering on the build site and at one of the ReStores, creates a transformation that comes from engaging equal partnerships that lift and inspire through a hand-up not handout. Habitat of Greater Nashville
is part of a larger organization active in 50 states and in more than 70 countries. Through Habitat for Humanity, more than 59 million people have achieved independence through housing affordability.
How You Can Help: You can be a part of this transformational ministry by making a financial gift, sponsoring a build, becoming a budget coach, volunteering at the ReStores, building homes, or simply donating and shopping at any of our Restore locations. Estate and donor advised legacy planning are two more ways to support our mission. Every donation and every helping hand make a difference.
Annual Events: Habitat hosts many events from golf tournaments to Houses of Hope annually in its service areas to support its mission. For a list of current events, visit our website at: https://habitatnashville.org/calendar.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville 414 Harding Place, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37211 615.254.4663
www.habitatnashville.org
Facebook @nashvillehabitat
Instagram @nashvillehabitat
X: HabitatNash
President and Chief Executive Officer: Danny Herron dherron@habitatnashville.org
SVP of Public Affairs and Communication: Sherry Stinson sstinson@habitatnashville.org
HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TN
Who We Are: Williamson County, Tennessee, a place where history and charm intertwine, spans approximately 584 square miles. But with rapid growth comes the risk of losing the very essence that defines us. The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, is committed to safeguarding the past in every square mile of our beloved county.
What We Do: We Are the Stewards
For more than 57 years, we've been the driving force behind preserving and advocating for Williamson County's historic places, stories, and culture. Through our four divisions, we:
• Champion Vibrant Communities: We support local businesses, host beloved festivals (Main Street Festival, PumpkinFest, Dickens of a Christmas), present worldclass performing arts events at The Franklin Theatre, and welcome visitors and locals to experience our storied past come to life at the Moore-Morris History and Culture Center.
• Uncover and Share History: Educational programs and resources bring Williamson County's rich past to life.
• Safeguard the Past for the Future: We proactively advocate for and restore historic and natural treasures, relying on maintenance, regular use, relationship building, and community engagement.
• Embrace Sympathetic Development: We bridge the gap between growth and preservation, promoting development that respects our community’s heritage.
Why We’re Important: Williamson County's projected population boom presents a unique challenge. As the
community thrives, so too does the risk of losing our historic landmarks, cultural heritage, and natural beauty. The Heritage Foundation stands at the forefront, ensuring responsible growth alongside meticulous preservation.
How You Can Help: Your Legacy Awaits
YOU can become a part of Williamson County's enduring story! By contributing to the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, you're helping to ensure that every square mile of Williamson County is protected for future generations. We offer numerous ways to get involved:
• Attend Events: From symposiums and lectures to festivals and theatre performances, there’s always something exciting happening within our organization.
• Support Philanthropically: Our memberships cater to individuals, businesses, students, and young professionals.
• Volunteer: Lend a hand at festivals, usher at the Franklin Theatre, or make visitors feel at home in bustling downtown Franklin.
Together, we can ensure that every square mile of Williamson County's soul continues to be preserved for generations to come.
Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN 112 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064 615.591.8500 www.WilliamsonHeritage.org
HOPE SMILES
Who We Are: We restore hope to patients and equip dental professionals to be leaders in their communities. Countless people in our own community and in developing countries don’t have access to quality dental care — leading to loss of sleep, inability to work, and more serious health concerns. We train and develop dental professionals who provide emergent and restorative dental care that serves people who cannot access or afford high-quality dental services.
What We Do: Our model is to train and develop dental professionals who provide emergent and restorative dental care that serves people who cannot access or afford highquality dental services. Our team ventures out to areas where access to emergent dental care is non-existent. We develop relationships with leaders in the community and establish a plan for returning throughout the year to provide ongoing dental care. We provide basic and advanced dental services. With our state-of-the-art dental center in the heart of the design district of Nashville, TN, Hope Smiles offers world-class care at an uncompromising standard.
Why We're Important: By pairing seasoned dentists with licensed practitioners who are just starting out in their careers and in search of mentorship, we’re able to lower the cost to our patients and provide truly affordable care to all who enter our doors.
How We Serve the Community: Hope Smiles Nashville is known for our “free dental days"—an outreach model where
we bring together dentists, hygienists, dental students, and volunteers to offer free basic care to those surrounding Middle TN who cannot access or afford regular dental procedures.
How You Can Help: There are several ways to get involved. Whether by supporting our work financially, volunteering at a local dental day, or by becoming a long-term partner, you can help restore hope and transform lives through dentistry with Hope Smiles. Your financial gift will help us to make connections and build communities through dentistry, empowering those around us to belong to a mission greater than themselves. You can also join our monthly giving community—Hope Collective—to help to bring bright, joyous smiles to people around the world. Everyone from an individual to an entire dental practice can have an impact globally when you partner with Hope Smiles. We would love to explore a collaborative partnership with you.
Who We Are: The mission of The Jiselle Lauren Foundation is to help kiddos with disabilities experience joy in everyday moments and have unique experiences by providing financial assistance to families and organizations.
What We Do: The Jiselle Lauren Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to advocate for, connect with, and provide opportunities for children with disabilities. Through generous donations and giving efforts, we are able to provide financial support to children and their families that allows them access to therapies, medical care, devices, equipment, transportation, and many other resources. Our purpose is to bring more joy to these kiddos and their families through everyday moments and experiences.
Why We're Important: As special needs parents, we understand that meeting the needs of children with special needs can be a financial burden. We personally know the cost of therapies, medical care, devices, equipment, enhancement to facilities, transportation, and many other expenses add up quickly. Therefore, we aim to help any family whose child has a special need or disability achieve things that wouldn't be possible otherwise.
How We Serve the Community: The Jiselle Lauren Foundation serves the community by giving opportunities to those with disabilities that they otherwise may not have. Through financial assistance, we are helping kiddos with
disabilities live a life to their full potential whether that is through installing an inclusive swing in a local park or giving the family the ability to have access to therapies or equipment they otherwise would not have. We are inspiring more moments of joy in the lives of these kiddos so that they can be a success in the community.
How You Can Help: The Jiselle Lauren Foundation raises funds throughout the year to grant to families who have kiddos with disabilities and the organizations that support them. Through a grant application process found on our website, the grant committee selects applications each fall to distribute funds based on the amount of cash we have at the time. Due to the low nature of our overheads, we grant out the money we have with the exception of what it takes to throw our events each year. We accept funds by any means: check, cash, and online donations.
The Jiselle Lauren Foundation 2020 Fieldstone Parkway, #311, Franklin, TN 37069 423.802.5785
Who We Are: We are an inclusive dance studio dedicated to empowering individuals of all abilities through the art of dance. Our mission is to transform lives by teaching essential life skills, using the power of movement and music. We strive to create a warm, welcoming community where everyone feels supported and inspired.
What We Do: We offer weekly dance classes at our studios in West Nashville and Franklin, along with a virtual class that connects students nationwide. Our community outreach program extends our impact to underserved areas, prioritizing schools and organizations that are socioeconomically disadvantaged or non-English-speaking, to make the arts more accessible.
We also increase accessibility through our scholarship program. Although we don’t have a formal sliding scale, we ensure no student is turned away due to financial constraints. Our recurring donors, known as 'The Joy Squad,' sponsor students in need of tuition assistance.
Why We're Important: MOVE Inclusive Dance takes a uniquely innovative approach by integrating our classes with typically developing students and peer-aged volunteers, who dance alongside students with disabilities. This inclusive model blends art and exercise, enhancing physical, psychological, cognitive, and social outcomes.
People with disabilities often face barriers like inaccessible facilities and untrained staff, leading to physical
inactivity. Traditional dance studios aren't equipped to meet their needs. MOVE Inclusive Dance breaks down these barriers by offering trained staff, inclusive spaces, supportive peers, and group activities.
How We Serve the Community: Since our launch five years ago, our programming has experienced remarkable growth. We've expanded beyond just offering more classes—our impact now includes dynamic performances and comprehensive community programs that serve other organizations, professionals, and caregivers alike.
How You Can Help:
We’re always looking for volunteers and donors to support our mission.
• To add yourself to our volunteer list, visit www.moveinclusivedance.com/get-involved
• To learn more about the many ways you can give to our organization, visit www.moveinclusivedance.com/ways-to-give
Who We Are: The mission of The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum (a 501 (c) (3) organization based in Nashville, TN) is to honor all great musicians regardless of genre or instruments. This is done by exhibiting the actual instruments they used to record some of the most iconic songs in recorded history. We are unique in that we are the only museum in the world to showcase the artifacts of the greatest studio musicians of all time.
What We Do: We educate students and visitors of all ages on session musicians, engineers, producers, and music industry icons. We preserve the legacy of the unsung heroes of music history, the stories of who played the songs, and the instruments they used during recording. We showcase other artifacts from historical buildings and studios, restoring items to their original state when necessary.
Why We're Important: Music is powerful - songs can make you laugh and cry and bring back fond memories! People want to know who created what they love. Music history plays a crucial role in society by providing people with insights into the development of music across genres. The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum covers all genres of music and brings recognition to musicians and others behind the scenes whose contributions have often been overlooked. We provide opportunities to all school-age children to interact with instruments and to learn how music was and can be changed by individual musicians and their contributions.
How We Serve the Community: The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum inspires future generations of musicians, engineers, and producers. It becomes nearly impossible to leave the museum without gaining insight and information. The museum provides friends and family entertainment with
a shared learning experience. The promotion of education and the cultivation of conversation that takes place in our museum help to strengthen our community by discovering the commonalities of the art of music from different genres to build empathy and understanding of diversity in culture.
How You Can Help: You can make a lasting impact and help preserve the legacy of musicians in many ways: Purchase a yearly membership, host an event, make a tribute gift in memory of a loved one, set up a donation for artifact purchases or preservation, make monthly donations, set up a matching campaign through our network, double your donation with an employer match, become a sponsor of an exhibit and more! We would love for you to visit the museum for special traveling exhibits, panel discussions, and community fundraisers. Follow The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum on social media.
Musician’s Hall of Fame & Museum 401 Gay Street, Nashville, TN 37219 615.244.3263
www.musicianshalloffame.com
Facebook: The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
Instagram: musicianshalloffame X: @mhfm
CEO/Co-Founder: Linda Chambers, linda@musicianshalloffame.com
Sign up for our Constant Contact list on our website and connect on social media for updates.
MUSTANG HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Who We Are: A national organization with Middle TN roots, Mustang Heritage Foundation pulls wild mustangs from government holding pens and gets them into programs for veterans, at-risk youth, inmate programs, and private ownership. Since 2001, Mustang Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity has been responsible for helping re-home some 60,000 wild horses and burros, saving U.S. taxpayers some $162 million annually as they are removed from government care. While we started with partnership grants from the Bureau of Land Management, we are no longer receiving funds from them. Moving into a total non-profit model we are expanding our sourcing of horses with the US Forest Service and are looking at new and innovative ways to protect and promote the breed with programs for veterans, at risk youth, inmates, and private home ownership.
What We Do: Historically, one of the most prolific pickup locations for wild horse and burro adoptions began in Cross Plains, TN on the farm of Randall and Paula Carr. This couple saw a need and applied to become stewards of thousands of wild horses and burros removed from government owned lands. Their promotion of the breed and its versatility led to the placement of over 30,000 wild horses and burros. Over the years we have begun training programs for Mustangs as Medicine with veterans with overwhelming success. Currently we are working as a flow-through charity for Mustang/Veteran therapy groups across the country. At risk-youth organizations who realize the value of Mustang equine therapy utilize our horses for therapy, competition, and healing. We are expanding to create programs providing cost-effective equine therapy for human-trafficking victims, inmate therapy programs, and more. We also educate and demonstrate the value of these ‘held’ horses to be used in competition programs from hunter/jumper, eventing, dressage, polo, rodeo, trail riding and private ownership at a reasonable cost for families and private individuals.
Why We're Important: Currently there are some 80,000 wild horses on the range, with 60,000 held in government holding around the country. Environmentally, the stewardship of the wild herds is paramount because of drought, fires, and dwindling food supplies. What’s more, the herd’s impact on the land is devastating if their numbers go unregulated. Health issues and predators in the wild are also a cruel reality. Economically, indefinite care in U.S. holding is not only a drain on the U.S. taxpayer, but also a waste of an equine resource that can rehabilitate the prisoner, heal the traumatized veteran, and re-build the spirit of a teen or adult that has been victimized by human trafficking. Our mustangs are being trained as an affordable alternative for use by the US Border Patrol and police departments where equine officers have become more and
more needed. In the private sector, purchasing a horse for trail rides, pony clubs, saddle clubs, rodeos and more has become exorbitant. These wild horses can be trained and integrated into these programs starting at the adoption fee of only $125 and the results in all cases…are priceless.
How We Serve the Community: We offer a second chance at a healthy life to a wild mustang and they repay us with their service to children and youth, as healers to adult victims of trauma, becoming winning partners in sporting events, their skill as irreplaceable law enforcement aids, and by being forever friends to the equine enthusiast who gives them a forever home. Because of their affordability and their unique skill sets to do almost any task asked of them, the Mustang is not only a symbol of American freedom, but a provider of freedom to many imprisoned by their past traumas or those that simply seek the enjoyment and personal companionship of a horse. Our horses are affordable, versatile, miraculous healers, powerful partners to municipalities, and best friends. Wasting away without purpose does no one any good when the outcome of their placement is so valuable.
How You Can Help: Only through the financial participation of people who see the value in these “throw-away” horses, can we see the growth of their impact on the people they could serve. Membership in our organization begins at only $25 a year. Onetime gifts or recurring monthly gifts are a tax-deductible way to support not only the saving of the horses but every life they touch. We need volunteers for events and organizers for local fundraisers. We need sponsors for events that educate and bring awareness to wild mustangs. End of year giving consideration would be so helpful. Also, many find that end-of-life recommendations in wills or estate planning are ways they can leave a contribution to the protection of a true American icon of freedom, the wild Mustang. Horse ownership is not a realistic option for most people. However, with our organization we offer a chance at something more. You do not have to own a mustang to save one…and that mustang may just save a life. One dollar at a time, one horse at a time…one life at a time. That’s a powerful ask, but we are asking. And we need your “yes”.
Mustang Heritage Foundation
525 Royal Parkway, PO Box 290003, Nashville, TN 37229-9715
615.400.5140
www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Director of Media and Membership Development: Devon O’Day, devon@mustangheritagefoundation.org
NASHVILLE ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING COALITION, INC.
Who We Are: We are broken people loving and serving broken people, relentlessly proclaiming that NONE of God’s children are for sale. We exist to Rescue, Restore, and Resource women from the bondage of human trafficking and addiction. Our strategy is to Rescue, Restore, Recognize, and Resource.
• Rescue victims through survivor-informed interventions
• Restore through survivor-informed curriculum and relational wraparound support
• Educate the community to recognize human trafficking
• Resource survivors with jobs through NAHT’s Sweet Daisy social enterprise
What We Do: We Inspire Hope that victims CAN be free from their traffickers and addiction. Our four-part strategy helps victims walk from surviving into thriving. Educate to Recognize mobilizes the community with prevention education and resources to protect our most vulnerable, middle and high school students, from the lure of traffickers. Rescue conducts survivor-informed and thriver-led interventions, where we quarterback each victim’s care by utilizing several partner rehabilitation agencies. Restore provides a hopefilled community and a comprehensive after-care program that helps survivors become physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially free, equipping them with the tools to thrive within the community. Resource survivors with jobs through NAHT’s social enterprise bakery, Sweet Daisy Petit Four Shoppe, which offers NAHT members a paid internship position in Sweet Daisy SEEDS (Support–Equip–Employ–Disciple–Send) Leadership Training Program. With mentoring and discipleship at the core of the SEEDS model, interns are trained to make petit fours while developing leadership skills rooted and informed by God’s Word.
Why We're Important: People are moving in droves to Nashville because of our safe schools and neighborhoods. At the same time, the human trafficking industry is flourishing, threatening that very security. Through the internet, every family is being targeted. Without NAHT’s Educate to Recognize training, survivor-led interventions, and restorative services, this industry will soon define our state.
NAHT is raising awareness of the prevalence of human trafficking in every zip code. We are equipping schools and families to prevent the lure of traffickers while also providing tactical opportunities for the community at large to fight AGAINST human trafficking and FOR its victims.
How We Serve the Community: Through partnerships with the community and local law enforcement, we are able to rescue victims of human trafficking and walk alongside them on their journey of healing through our Restore Program. We then Resource these women with job skills and training so they can enter our community free, equipped, and filled with hope for a new life.
Through our “None of God’s Children Are for Sale” Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign, we are raising awareness among families in every zip code about the pervasive human trafficking industry. We educate parents, teachers, and students about human trafficking so they will know how to prevent it.
Our impact in the community with the Educate to Recognize Program is not only preventing human trafficking among our children and grandchildren but also educating everyone about what human trafficking looks like in our state.
How You Can Help: Our vision is to see God raise up an army of humble servants who understand that all people are made in the image of God and therefore have inherent value, worth, and dignity. To do so, we need YOU. Go to our website to learn how you can join the fight AGAINST human trafficking and FOR its victims. We need monthly supporters! Your donation will:
• Rescue women and children who are actively being trafficked and struggling with substance abuse.
• Provide a woman/child recovering from trafficking with classes that help victims stay sober, grow in their relationship with Jesus, find employment, and learn to manage finances.
• Prevent trafficking by helping children understand specific vulnerabilities, spot the signs of trafficking, identify healthy support systems, and learn skills they need to stay safe.
• Break cycles and protect the next generation by resourcing parents and helping a victim seek justice against their traffickers.
• Help offer training and job opportunities in our social enterprise Sweet Daisy Petit Four Shoppe.
• Equip a professional with an up-to-date and research-based child trafficking prevention curriculum, bringing it to youth in schools.
Donations can be made online through our website (www. nahtcoalition.org), or checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 158972. Please visit our website for volunteer opportunities. Your support is helping to save lives.
Director of Operations and Rescue: Christina Meadows
In Loving Memory of Lina Rowland
NASHVILLE BALLET
Who We Are: We create, perform, teach, and promote dance as an essential and inspiring element of our community.
What We Do: Since our founding, Nashville Ballet has become the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. The company is comprised of professional dancers from around the world who perform during Nashville Ballet’s performance season. Our Community Engagement Initiative brings educational dance programming to schools, community centers, and businesses, to introduce Middle Tennesseans of all ages to the artistry of dance. School of Nashville Ballet offers premier training for children and adults ages 2+. Artistic Director & CEO Nick Mullikin leads an outstanding artistic staff and faculty who provide inspirational dance experiences to all.
Why We’re Important: Each year, through our mainstage performances, School of Nashville Ballet programs, and Community Engagement programs, we share the transformative power of dance with Middle Tennessee individuals and families. Dance is a universal language that helps unite diverse communities and cultures while uplifting individual voices and creating a positive impact.
How We Serve the Community: Nashville Ballet is committed to making dance accessible to everyone. In addition to our ticketed events, we offer tuition-free dance education opportunities to more than 16,000 members of our community through over 100 programs, including Story Times with Nashville Ballet, School of Nashville Ballet Adaptive Dance, Young Men’s Scholarship Program, special student-only matinee performances, and field trip opportunities. We reach over 8,000 students in 33 partner
schools and five residency Title I schools. Each December, we share Holiday Magic with our Middle Tennessee neighbors by providing community partners and social service organizations with more than 2,000 free tickets to performances of our annual holiday production of Nashville's Nutcracker.
How You Can Help: As a nonprofit arts organization, ticket revenue alone is not enough to sustain our work, and Nashville Ballet relies on generous philanthropic support from our community to achieve our mission. There are many ways you can help bring dance to everyone in our community:
• Make a donation to help us bring exceptional art and accessible arts education to Nashville and beyond. Donors receive special benefits, including post-performance receptions, exclusive rehearsal viewings, backstage tours, and more! Learn more at NashvilleBallet.com/Donate.
• Celebrate the holiday season at Nashville's Nutcracker Tea, which benefits the scholarship program at School of Nashville Ballet.
• Dance the night away at Ballet Ball, our largest fundraiser of the season that supports our Community Engagement Initiative and educational programs.
• Experience the magic of live performance! Become a subscriber at NashvilleBallet.com/24-25-Season-Packages.
Nashville Ballet
3630 Redmon Street, Nashville, TN 37209
615.297.2966 nashvilleballet.com
Artistic Director: Nick Mullikin
Development Director: Clare Sherlog Board Chair/President: Jim Munro
NASHVILLE BEL CANTO FOUNDATION
Who We Are: The Nashville Bel Canto Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of opera singers. Founded with the vision of creating opportunities for young talent, we are committed to providing professional training and resources that can shape the careers of aspiring opera singers. Our mission is to cultivate emerging artists and ensure that they have the guidance they need to thrive in the operatic world.
What We Do: We offer specialized training programs designed to enhance the vocal, artistic, and career development of young singers. In May 2025, we will launch our first intensive course, where participants will receive one-on-one coaching from respected industry professionals. In addition to the technical and artistic training, we provide support with practical aspects of a singer’s career, such as audition preparation, creating professional recordings, and career management advice.
Why We're Important: Opera is a demanding art form, and the path to success is often filled with obstacles. Many young singers struggle to access the high-level training necessary to build a successful career. The Nashville Bel Canto Foundation is vital because we bridge this gap byoffering tuition-free, toptier mentorship and training. We believe that by supporting these young artists, we are not only investing in their futures but also in the future of opera itself.
How We Serve the Community: Through our programs, performances, and outreach events, we aim to enrich Nashville’s cultural landscape. Our events provide the community with high-quality operatic performances while offering a platform for young singers to showcase their talent. We also partner with local institutions to make opera more accessible, encouraging new audiences to experience the beauty of this art form. In doing so, we contribute to the city’s vibrant artistic community and foster a deeper appreciation for opera.
How You Can Help: The Nashville Bel Canto Foundation supports singers by offering resources they need at every stage of their career. Whether through specialized vocal coaching, audition video production, or career counseling, we provide the tools necessary for their artistic growth. Our programs are designed to help young singers hone their craft, prepare for professional opportunities, and navigate the often complex world of opera.
Nashville Bel Canto Foundation 405 Hyde Park, Nashville, TN 37215 917.864.6236 www.nashvillebelcanto.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ nashvillebelcantofoundation/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/nashvillebelcanto/
Who We Are: The Nashville Food Project brings people together to grow, cook and share nourishing food with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city. We work toward a vision of community food security where everyone can access the food they want and need through a just and sustainable system. We envision a future where food improves nutrition security, supports environmental stewardship, increases social connectivity, creates economic opportunity, and promotes the health and well-being of all Nashville residents.
What We Do: We believe that good food is a basic right. Unlike traditional food banks, we integrate food support with poverty-disrupting programs such as job training, after-school programs, senior services, and domestic violence shelters, enhancing the impact of over 50 local organizations and expanding access to nutritious food.
The Nashville Food Project works each day to create a just, sustainable food system in greater Nashville. Our community meals and agriculture programs address hunger and foster connection. Since 2011, we’ve shared over 2 million meals, diverted 1.5 million pounds of food waste, and grown over 150,000 pounds of fresh produce.
Why We're Important: Nashville and Middle Tennessee have seen rapid growth over the past two decades. Since 2001, the metro population has nearly doubled, from 1.3 million to over 2 million, intensifying the challenge of balancing development with environmental and social equity. Currently, one in ten Nashvillians lacks food access, while 40 percent of all food goes to waste. This disparity shows that we have enough resources to go around. Through vibrant agricultural projects, a robust community meals program, and an innovative food recovery initiative, we aim to connect neighbors with nourishing food and ensure everyone can access the food they need.
How We Serve the Community: Nourishing food is a basic human need with the power to positively affect the community in so many ways. Our programs aim to enhance individual health, strengthen social connections, boost economic vitality, and protect the environment. By expanding access to nourishing food through growing, cooking and sharing, we're working to improve the overall wellbeing of our city. And as our efforts continue to expand, more people are not only receiving the nutritious food they need but also finding a community to eat with too.
How You Can Help: We rely on the generosity of our donors and volunteers to connect community members with nourishing food. While 80 percent of the ingredients that make up each meal we distribute are donated or recovered, we absorb the cost of the remaining 20 percent. You can make a one-time gift in any amount, join our Kitchen Cabinet Society or make a recurring donation through our Seed Starters program which helps sustain our community meals program and provides pantry staples and kitchen supplies that are less commonly donated. Gifts can be made via our website or by mailing a check.
Communications Manager: Mary Kate Grant, marykate@thenashvillefoodproject.org
Board/Chair President: Josh Westerhold
NASHVILLE PARKS FOUNDATION
Who We Are: Nashville Parks Foundation is the nonprofit partner to Metro Parks and Recreation supporting 178 parks and 27 community centers throughout Davidson County. We enhance public parks and expand recreational opportunities while supporting sustainable growth of the park system.
What We Do: We promote wellness by expanding green space and open play which are vital to our well-being and contribute to the aesthetic value of our urban environment. We promote community by creating neighborhoods with performing arts, nature centers and programming across generations. We create prosperity by contributing to higher valued properties and ease of workforce development.
Why We're Important: Of the 178 parks in Nashville, only 12 parks have dedicated nonprofit Friends Groups to assist in advocacy, fundraising and collaboration for park improvements. In this way, the Nashville Parks Foundation is the Friends group for the remaining parks. Nashville Parks Foundation and Metro Parks strive to provide the same quality amenities and programming to all parks in Nashville because every neighborhood deserves a great park.
How We Serve the Community: As Nashville continues to grow, we work to ensure that parks provide nature and recreation across all parts of the city. We deliver successful projects when creating partnerships with businesses and organizations. Collaboration between public and private resources improves Nashville’s parks and programming while contributing to a robust local economy. Current projects
include a playground at McCabe Park, a wheel/skate track at Watkins Park, an all-inclusive sports field at Cedar Hill Park and system-wide community programming.
How You Can Help: Nashville is known for many things, but Nashville can also be known for great parks! Businesses can create an impactful connection to customers and employees with a park project that targets a specific neighborhood or community center. Donors and Foundations can leave a long-lasting investment in Nashville by supporting an existing park project or by creating a new project. Individuals can attend our signature fundraiser, Picnic for the Parks, a reasonably priced, casual, sustainable event held in September. Join like-minded park patrons for a sunset picnic to celebrate Nashville’s century-old tradition of public parks and recreation.
Nashville Parks Foundation P.O. Box 196340 Nashville, TN 37219
615.337.7877
www.nashvilleparksfoundation.org
Facebook: @nashvilleparksfoundation
Instagram: @nashvilleparksfoundation
President: Louise Bryan, lbryan@nashvilleparksfoundation.org
Director of Marketing & Communications: Matthew Liles, mliles@nashvilleparksfoundation.org
Board Chair: Jillian Frist
Photographers: Warner Tidwell, Kathy Thomas
NASHVILLE PEACEMAKERS
Who We Are: In 2003, North Nashville resident Clemmie Greenlee founded Nashville Peacemakers after losing her only son Rodriguez in a gang-related shooting. She herself had only recently been rescued from a world of drugs, violence and prostitution by the Magdalene recovery program (supported by Charlotte Avenue-based Thistle Farms). It all began with her enslavement by sex traffickers at age 12.
Nashville Peacemakers was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that initially focused on HIV prevention and education, and advocating for Nashville's homeless, but quickly shifted to a street-based mission of curtailing violence in the community, particularly among young black men.
What We Do: Currently, Nashville has one of the highest crime rates per 1,000 residents among state capitals in the country, ranking fourth overall. While gun violence continues to plague many neighborhoods in the Nashville area and is on track to claim as many young lives as automobile crashes, Nashville Peacemakers are stepping into the streets where the trouble is erupting to address the root causes. Nashville Peacemakers is working to end the cycle of violence one person, one family, one child at a time. We do this through our three pillar programs Back to Basics, Straight Talk, and Mother Over Murder.
Why We're Important: Our youth mentoring programs, Back to Basics and Straight Talk work to provide kids 12-16 with basic life skills and help improve their feelings of selfworth to choose peaceful alternatives to violence. With our parents, MOM is an action-based grief support group that helps families who have been impacted by violence with a primary focus on the mother to support them not
only through the grieving process but also in navigating the criminal proceedings when applicable and advocating for gun safety and victims' rights legislative change.
How We Serve the Community: Nashville Peacemakers serves the most overlooked in the 37208 zip code, creating a sense of belonging, connection and inclusion for those least benefiting from our region's growth through our three, trauma-informed, programs, Back to Basics, Straight Talk, Mothers Over Murder and our Community Needs Assistance efforts.
How You Can Help: We recently launched a new program called 'Guitarz Not Gunz,' aimed at engaging young boys in learning to play an instrument, fostering creativity, promoting self-esteem, building interpersonal skills, and introducing healthy coping strategies. We are seeking volunteer instructors and music therapists who are passionate about leading sessions and committed to supporting our youth.
Nashville Peacemakers
830 Fesslers Parkway, Suite 118, Nashville, TN 37210
615.589.8984
nashvillepeacemakers@gmail.com
Nashvillepeacemakers.org
Facebook: Nashville Peacemakers
Instagram: @nashvillepeacemakers
Founder & CEO: Clemmie Greenlee
Executive Director: Jordan Owens
Treasurer: Cindy Montano
Board Chair: George G. Tolbert III
NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Who We Are: The Nashville Public Library Foundation (NPLF) is the nonprofit partner of the library. We build relationships with individuals and private organizations to drive innovation, expand the reach and impact, and ensure the long-term vitality of Nashville Public Library (NPL). Since its creation, NPLF has raised over $81 million which has been used in myriad ways to help the library system become the best in the country.
Our mission is to fund, advocate, and amplify Nashville Public Library to power literacy, life skills, and connection for all.
What We Do: Nashville Public Library is an essential resource that cultivates informed citizens, prepares a skilled workforce, opens windows of opportunity, and helps us stay connected. More than a place for books, today's library is a hub for personal empowerment, continuously adapting to meet its patrons’ needs in a rapidly changing society.
Government funding pays for staff, books, and buildings, but the programs that make NPL a community jewel require more investment than is available in public funds. The Nashville Public Library Foundation provides that bridge, expanding what is possible for our library, and thus, for our community.
Why We're Important: No other organization serves as many individuals in as many ways – free of charge. Private contributions enable the innovation and expertise that enrich our community and make Nashville a better place to live.
We amplify programs that make a powerful impact:
• For children and families beginning the literacy journey that will shape their lives.
• For students who gain access to quality after-school support and safe spaces for growth.
• For adults who find resources for their literacy, digital fluency, personal and professional skills.
• For everyone - to explore our shared culture and knowledge and find the connection that enhances the spirit.
How We Serve the Community: NPL’s education and literacy programming prioritizes access and equity for ALL patrons with a dedicated commitment to meeting members of our community where they are.
Through the new, NPLF-funded initiative Begin Bright, NPL is poised to dramatically impact the early literacy landscape and prepare our children for kindergartenreading success. This program will bring a little library and corresponding resources to every childcare center in Davidson County; will give parents and teachers a groundbreaking, free, digital training tool to help develop skills; and using Vanderbilt University researchers, will study the effects of the program to ensure its effectiveness and replicability.
How You Can Help: Our mission to power the life-changing resources at Nashville Public Library relies on generous support. You can help in the following ways:
• Give a one-time or monthly financial gift.
• Direct a contribution or donor-advised fund distribution to the Begin Bright campaign for early literacy.
• Join Carnegie Society (starting at $1,500), a group of civic-minded individuals dedicated to providing unrestricted, flexible support for the library.
• Sponsor or participate in Picnic with the Library or the annual Literary Award Gala.
• Register as an NPL Ambassador to advocate for public funding.
• Join the Next Chapter Society of emerging leaders.
• Plan a Legacy Gift.
Nashville Public Library Foundation 615 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219
Director of Major Gifts: Elizabeth Sherrard, elizabeth.sherrard@nplf.org
Director of Marketing/Communications: Kristi Graham, kristi.graham@nplf.org
Board Chair: Lucy Haynes
NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE
Who We Are: Nashville Repertory Theatre entertains and inspires by creating exceptional theatre that explores the diversity of human experience.
What We Do: Now in our 40th Anniversary Season, Nashville Repertory Theatre has been bringing the magic of the performing arts to middle Tennessee audiences and students for decades. With a diverse program of work, including mainstage musicals, comedies and dramas, new play development programs, educational activities, and engagement events, Nashville Rep is the area's premiere professional theatre company.
Why We're Important: Nashville Repertory engages tens of thousands of Middle Tennesseans annually, enhancing quality of life and contributing to the city's vibrant cultural economy. As the region's largest employer of theatrical artists, we are committed to nurturing local talent and elevating Nashville’s standing in the national arts landscape.
How We Serve the Community: As the resident theatre company at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville Rep produces 4-6 mainstage shows each season, featuring a blend of classics and contemporary works. We offer engagement opportunities that delve into each production’s themes and artistry. Our acclaimed Ingram New Works program supports emerging voices, ensuring theatre’s future remains bold.
Additionally, our educational initiatives use theatre to teach life skills and create pathways for youth. Through STEAM programming and restorative arts classes in Metro
Nashville Public Schools, we empower the next generation to explore, express, and excel—making a significant impact in our community.
How You Can Help: Your support plays a starring role in sustaining Nashville Rep’s mission. Contributions can be made through various avenues—whether by cash, check, credit card, DAFs, or gifts of stock and assets. Planned giving and estate gifts are wonderful ways to ensure our future impact. Become a season ticket holder and invite a friend to experience the magic. Or lend your talents as a volunteer. However you choose to engage, there is a role for everyone at Nashville Rep!
Annual Fund Director: Mary Catherine Hughes marycatherine@nashvillerep.org
Development Associate: Jakholbi Murry, jakholbi@nashvillerep.org
Board Chair/President: Mark Peacock
NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION
Who we are: Nashville Wine Auction is a self-sustaining, non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization that exists solely to raise funds to support the fight against cancer. Our mission is Uniting the Wine Community to Fund the Fight Against Cancer.
What We Do: The Nashville Wine Auction unites the wine community through world-class fundraising events that fund the fight against cancer. Our events are lively, fun, and educational, fostering an environment of spontaneous and generous giving by those who love and appreciate wine. Toward that end, Nashville Wine Auction cultivates participation by the domestic and international wine communities who understand our respect for the wine, national and local businesses, hospitality professionals, restaurants, chefs, and members of the entertainment industry, as well as individuals united in the common goal of winning the battle against cancer.
Why We’re Important: Since its inception in 1980, Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $40 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to cancer research, innovative patient treatment, and caregiver/patient support. Our single objective is to generate as much money as possible for cancer-related programs. We are proud to provide financial support to these organizations:
• American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge
• Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation
• Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee
• HopeKids, Inc.
• The Heimerdinger Foundation
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee
• Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
• Nashville General Hospital Foundation
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Survivor Fitness
• Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
How We Serve the Community: Whether it is funding provided to build the kitchen at Gilda’s Club, mobile mammograms for rural and low-income women through the Saint Thomas Ascension Health Foundation, granting wishes for kids, supporting targeted treatment research at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, donating gas cards for patients, or
many other projects, Nashville Wine Auction supports organizations that touch the lives of cancer patients and their families daily. We tap into the generosity of our wine-loving community by bringing people together with a shared passion, curating unforgettable experiences with incredible vintners and wine education, and thereby creating a stream of funding for these charities that would likely not otherwise exist.
How You Can Help:
• Attend our events and bid generously! Our events feature Silent and Live Auctions filled with carefully curated lots of fine wines, exquisite trips, luxury items, and exclusive dinners and tastings up for bid.
• Donate to the Auction. We accept wine donations of every size, from a couple of bottles to cases, to entire cellars – we will arrange pick up. We also accept travel packages, dining experiences, entertainment, luxury items, and more.
• Volunteer your time and talents. Our mission cannot be accomplished without the help of volunteers. More than 250 volunteers join us each year to help produce our events.
• Become a Corporate Sponsor and position your company as an active participant in the fight against cancer.
Nashville Wine Auction grant applications are accepted yearround and will be reviewed by the Grant Committee and approved by the Board of Directors annually. Completed applications with all required attachments must be received by December 31 to be considered for a grant in the following year. Approved beneficiaries are confirmed in January, and financial disbursements are made in December after all fundraising auctions have been completed for that fiscal year.
Nashville Wine Auction
2416 21st Avenue South, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37212
Director of Marketing: Kathy Maynard, kathy@nashvillewineauction.com
Board Chair: Carrie Kitko
NASHVILLE ZOO
Who We Are: Nashville Zoo is a nonprofit organization and renowned AZA-accredited zoological park located in Nashville, Tennessee. It is dedicated to conservation, education, and recreation, hosting a wide variety of animal species from around the world. The zoo actively participates in local and global efforts to protect endangered species, offering interactive exhibits and engaging programs to connect people and wildlife.
What We Do: More than just a place to see animals, Nashville Zoo offers immersive experiences like zip lines, a jungle gym, behind-the-scenes tours, and seasonal events, making it a vibrant part of the Nashville community.
The Zoo is deeply engaged in local conservation throughout Tennessee, partnering with universities, government, and local organizations to focus on endangered species endemic to Tennessee. The Zoo also supports international conservation with people, knowledge and expertise, and finances - donating a percentage of revenue every year to conservation efforts.
Why We're Important: The importance of the Zoo extends beyond entertainment.
• Wildlife Conservation: Nashville Zoo participates in global conservation, breeding programs and reintroduction efforts to prevent extinction; and provides a safe environment for species at risk from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.
• Scientific Research: Zoos conduct research resulting in strategies for protecting animals in the wild.
• Connecting Communities with Nature: Nashville Zoo offers a space where people can reconnect with nature, fostering empathy and a sense of responsibility toward all life.
• Economic Value: With more visitors annually than the Predators and Titans combined, we contribute significantly to the local economy and employment.
How We Serve the Community: Nashville Zoo reaches over a half million children and families every year with educational programs. We help visitors learn about wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation efforts. Schools, families, and groups participate in guided tours, camps, workshops, and special events that raise awareness of environmental issues and foster a connection with nature.
Providing a safe, family-friendly space for recreation and leisure, we encourage outdoor activities and provide opportunities for community members to relax and enjoy nature. In an urban area, the Zoo offers accessible green spaces that reduce stress and increase mental well-being by connecting people with nature and animals.
How You Can Help: Our Zoo landscape has changed significantly over the past decade with new engaging experiences for guests of all ages and new exhibits that include the award-winning Andean bears, and Sumatran tiger exhibits, the largest Komodo dragon exhibit in the country, and a state-of-the-art veterinary center. The generosity of our donors built the Zoo and propelled this growth, resulting in a 69% increase in annual visitors since 2014.
Looking to the future, we ask every individual, company, and foundation to donate, volunteer, and support Nashville Zoo as an amazing destination! This is a place you will remember and be remembered!
Nashville Zoo
3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
615.833.1534
www.nashvillezoo.org
Facebook: NashvilleZoo
Instagram: NashvilleZoo
X: NashvilleZoo
Threads: NashvilleZoo
Executive Director: Rick Schwartz
Board/Chair President: Ed Goodrich
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC
Who We Are: The National Museum of African American Music was born out of a proposal from the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce in 2002, as a way to celebrate and preserve African Americans' influence on music and provide residents and visitors with diverse cultural offerings.
What We Do: NMAAM's galleries offer an immersive, interactive experience featuring over 50 genres and subgenres of music. Visitors receive RFID bracelets to save playlists and other media from their visit, which they can download later. Guests can move through the museum's exhibits at their own pace and purchase souvenirs in the Amplify gift shop. Break out your favorite dance move inside our R&B gallery, or create an intimate blues tune inside our "Crossroad" gallery. Additionally, the museum offers an array of in-person and virtual educational and exhibition programs. NMAAM welcomes you to celebrate, educate, and preserve the musical harmony of our lives.
Why We're Important: Located in the heart of Downtown Nashville, also known as Music City, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is the only museum dedicated to preserving the legacy and celebrating the accomplishments of the many music genres created, influenced, or inspired by African Americans. NMAAM shares the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring music heroes of the past into the present.
How We Serve the Community: NMAAM delivers innovative communal and educational programs and events that provide vibrant experiences and resources for
local visitors. Since its inception, NMAAM has created learning and celebratory moments for the local and national communities and has worked with city-wide leadership to create unforgettable memories for the people of Nashville.
How You Can Help: Discover the power of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage by supporting the National Museum of African American Music. Your generosity creates lasting impact, fostering education and artistic excellence for generation to come. NMAAM offers diverse opportunities to make a difference. Whether though individual memberships, or planned giving, your contribution helps tell the vital story of African American music's influence on our shared culture. By supporting NMAAM, you join a community of visionaries ensuring that this crucial part of American history continues to inspire and educate. Your gift regardless of size, plays a key role in our mission.
National Museum of African American Music
510 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
615.301.8724
www.nmaam.org
Facebook: National Museum of African American Music
Instagram: thenmaam
X: theNMAAM
Executive Director: Dion Brown, dbrown@nmaam.org
Board/Chair President: Stacey Koju
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN TENNESSEE
Who We Are: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental nonprofit with a mission to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Since 1978, The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee has protected over 450,000 acres across the state, helping to create or expand 33 state parks and state natural areas, 21 state Wildlife Management Areas, five national parks, four national wildlife refuges, and 12 TNC preserves.
What We Do: Our science-based conservation work in Tennessee—from land conservation to wetland restoration to sustainable agriculture—is interconnected and has direct climate benefits. These benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased natural carbon sequestration, and enhanced resiliency of natural systems and human communities. With our vast network of partners and supporters, we are working throughout Tennessee to protect and restore natural environments that benefit biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Why We’re Important: Tennessee, as part of the Appalachians, boasts more plant and animal species than any other inland state in the U.S., making it a global center for biodiversity. The Appalachians contain the last and least fragmented forests in the eastern U.S., providing a crucial migratory pathway at a continental scale for species movement. Our extensive conservation efforts and partnerships, built over four decades, have enabled TNC to develop the skills necessary for tackling larger and more complex projects.
How We Serve the Community: In Tennessee and beyond, we work alongside communities to build resilience to climate change, engage residents in local conservation opportunities, and inspire thousands to see nature as a part of their own well-being. For example, our
Cumberland Forest Project has protected over 250,000 acres in the Appalachians, generates new jobs, and provides opportunities for ecotourism, recreation, and sustainable forest management. In West Tennessee, we’re restoring and reconnecting floodplains to alleviate the impacts of catastrophic floods on communities. And we are restoring resilient forests across the Appalachians that help clean the air, filter water, harbor diverse wildlife, and support local economies.
How You Can Help: Every acre we protect, every river mile restored, and every species brought back from the brink begins with our supporters. There are many ways you can join us:
• Make a financial gift to The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee.
• Explore the places we protect by visiting our state’s preserves and natural areas.
• Speak up for nature by contacting your elected officials or signing a pledge to take action.
The Nature Conservancy In Tennessee 2 Maryland Farms, Suite 150, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
615.383.9909
nature.org/tennessee
Facebook: /natureconservancytennessee
Instagram: @TN_nature
LinkedIn: nature.org/linkedinTN
State Director, Tennessee: Laurel Creech
Email: laurel.creech@tnc.org
Director of Philanthropy: Britt Moses
Email: britt.moses@tnc.org
Board Chair/President: Christy Smith
THE NEXT DOOR RECOVERY
Who We Are: The Next Door Recovery offers expert care for women struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders in a compassionate, faith-based setting. As one of the only facilities in the Southeast providing a full continuum of affordable, gender-specific treatment, TNDR is dedicated to empowering women for lifelong recovery. We prioritize admission for pregnant women up to 38 weeks gestation, ensuring specialized care during this critical time. Our mission is to create a healing environment where clients are met with compassion and acceptance, allowing them to nurture their faith and achieve lasting recovery.
What We Do: The Next Door Recovery is dedicated to walking alongside women struggling with addiction and empowering them for lifetime recovery. We believe there is a beautiful, fulfilling life beyond addiction and are committed to helping women discover, embrace, and build upon it. Our services are tailored to meet each woman's unique needs, offering a continuum of evidence-based substance abuse and mental health care. These include Medically Monitored Detox, Residential Treatment, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and MAT Services. New this year, we now offer virtual IOP, available to women in early recovery across Tennessee, with or without insurance.
Why We're Important: The Next Door Recovery prioritizes pregnant women, offering prenatal care, programming on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, newborn care, parenting classes, and postpartum support. With an on-site Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Doula, we provide specialized care throughout recovery.
Our gender-specific approach addresses the unique psychological and physiological challenges women face in addiction recovery, ensuring comprehensive support.
Research shows that children of parents with substance use disorders are four times more likely to develop similar issues. We believe transforming one woman’s life can positively impact future generations. With 85% of our clients being mothers, breaking the cycle of addiction changes their children’s futures.
How We Serve the Community: The opioid epidemic has severely impacted our local community, with Tennessee
ranking 2nd among states in overdose deaths. Many women we serve have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, or having a parent who was absent, addicted, a victim of violence, or incarcerated. On average, our clients have faced seven out of ten possible ACEs.
The Next Door Recovery integrates 12-step programming, faith, and evidence-based practices in our treatment model to address the needs of the whole woman— mind, body, and spirit. To date, we have treated over 17,000 women, preparing them for lifetime recovery.
How You Can Help: Approximately 95% of our clients are uninsured or underinsured. To provide a full continuum of quality treatment to all clients, we must cover the difference between the payments we receive from insurance and state grants. On average, only 55% of our costs are covered by these funds. This is where we need your help! Your donation enables us to provide the same high-level care to every client, regardless of their insurance status or resources.
The Next Door Recovery also offers volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups upon request. To donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.thenextdoorrecovery.org.
Who We Are: We provide a protected sanctuary for native wildlife and their habitats while connecting people with nature. Our sanctuary and our programming inspire exploration and lifelong environmental conservation. Our vision is to help create a world that values and protects nature. We foster enduring conservation through direct experiences on our 300-acre sanctuary and in our Nature Comes Calling outreach programs.
What We Do: For more than 30 years, Owl’s Hill has been connecting people to nature and providing a space where visitors can unplug to recharge. Through our public and school programming, camps, and conservation and research, we reach more than 10,000 people each year. Volunteers and a small, dedicated staff make this possible. A Day Pass to Owl’s Hill offers access to almost five miles of uncrowded trails that provide glimpses of the more than 2,000 flora and fauna that call Owl’s Hill home. We offer more than 100 programs throughout the year and welcome you to join us.
Why We're Important: Researchers are assembling a growing body of evidence that strongly suggests the importance of nature to children's health and their ability to learn. While the trend in America is clearly tilted toward indoor digital time, there are vast benefits in motivating children (and adults) to be outdoors. Some of these benefits include building confidence, promoting creativity, learning responsibility, exercising, reducing stress and developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for the environment. Owl’s Hill provides these opportunities for visitors through structured programs and unstructured visits to our sanctuary.
How We Serve the Community: Owl’s Hill is a special place for visitors of all ages, classes, genders, and abilities to
explore the great outdoors, learn about our native wildlife, and connect with nature. We engage a diverse constituency with year-round school and public programming, scout programs, workshops, lectures, hiking trails, Tennessee Naturalist training, outreach programs, and volunteer opportunities. Our donor-funded Open Gate program offers discounts to Title I schools and our work with Metro Nashville Public Schools exposes urban students to the natural world.
How You Can Help: Join us in our work. We accept gifts— large or small—of time, talent, or treasure to support our work. We love unrestricted gifts to our annual fund, and you can donate at www.owlshill.org/donate. We have volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, and corporations. Visit www.owlshill.org/volunteer . To honor or memorialize someone who loves nature, tribute or memorial gifts can be given to Owl’s Hill. We also have corporate and individual event sponsorships available.
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary 545 Beech Creek Road South, Brentwood, TN 37027 615.370.4672 www.owlshill.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/owlshill
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hootsfromthehill
Executive Director: Susan Duvenhage, susan@owlshill.org
Director of Development: Alison Gower, alison@owlshill.org
Board Chair: Dane Andersen
PENCIL
Who We Are: PENCIL (Public Education Needs Community Involvement & Leadership) is Nashville’s business connector to Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). We link community resources to our schools to help young people achieve academic success and prepare for life. We envision a world where access and opportunities are equitable for all students to have a successful future. For more than 40 years, PENCIL has worked closely with MNPS leaders to develop and execute the initiatives and programs that they determine necessary for student success.
What We Do: The sole purpose behind PENCIL’s mission, vision, and programming is to address the inequities among MNPS schools and those faced by students in the classroom, from tangible supplies to more personal engagement with mentors and meaningful workforce development. We engage the community – local businesses, community groups, and other organizations – as Partners in ways that bridge resource gaps and positively impact student academic achievement. While PENCIL programs serve all MNPS students, they are of particular benefit to students who lack financial means and schools that lack sufficient community resources.
Why We're Important: A thriving public education system enables our community to prosper, and students deserve dedicated funding and support. That is where PENCIL steps in. In 2023-24, PENCIL’s total community investment was $8.78 million, which includes $2.76 million in grants to/for MNPS and 27,000plus volunteer service hours. Our 815 Partnerships supported school staff and impacted student success. The DG PENCIL Box, our free educator resource center, distributed almost $3 million in product. Our STEAM Lending Library brought high-quality STEAM resources to 7,033 students. PENCIL provided reading support to 5,087 students in grades 1-3 under the TN Department of Education Connected Literacy Grant.
How We Serve the Community: PENCIL is the only local nonprofit harnessing the time, talent, and treasure of our
community to deliver critically needed programs and services to our public school students and educators, including:
• Experiential learning opportunities for high school students that provide career exposure;
• Free school supplies so MNPS students and educators have the basic tools they need;
• Hands-on learning for all students to inspire and spark interest in STEAM;
• Small group literacy tutoring for our youngest readers in grades 1-3; and
• An online platform where community members can sign up to volunteer in a Metro school.
How You Can Help: If you want to make an investment of time, talent, or treasure in our city’s young people, please visit PENCILforSchools.org. We welcome caring volunteers to encourage our youngest learners by being a Lunch or Reading Buddy, stock the shelves of the DG PENCIL Box so that educators don’t have to personally supply classroom necessities, share career insights with eager teenagers, host school supply drives, and more. We accept donations to support our programs as well as for our endowment fund, which will ensure PENCIL can link resources to MNPS forever.
Who We Are: PHHH is an independent, IRS-approved 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. We are a 30-room medical housing facility in Nashville helping critically ill patients and their families who live out of town with low-cost overnight lodging and other supportive services. Guests must have a referral from their social worker to stay at PHHH and must pass a background check. The most frequent medical issues seen at PHHH in 2024 include heart transplants (both adult and pediatric), stem cell transplants, cancer treatment (both adult and pediatric), micro-preemie babies, high-risk pregnancies, pregnancies with pending post-birth surgeries, trauma and severe burns.
What We Do: PHHH helps patients and/or their families with overnight lodging and other supportive services. We have a 30,000-square-foot building in Nashville, with private rooms, lovely lounge areas, a large ADA-compliant commercial kitchen, a library and laundry facilities. Meals are often provided when volunteers can supply them, and snacks and other food items are always available. We are open 24/7/365 with a nightly waiting list of 70-80 families.
Why We’re Important: PHHH has provided overnight lodging in Nashville for 50 years. Opened in 1974, PHHH has provided services for over 670,000 nights, helping families in medical crisis from all 95 counties in TN, all 50 states and 41 foreign countries. The medically homeless situation in Nashville is dire and statistics tell us there are approximately 1,200 medically homeless people in Nashville nightly. The
need for medical housing continues to rise with the flood of new state residents, increased tourism and a first- class hospital system that draws patients from all over the world.
How We Serve the Community: PHHH serves any critically ill patient or caregiver of any age with any lifethreatening diagnosis mainly in the four categories of cancer, transplants, pediatrics (including NICU), and trauma. Most of our guests have income that falls below the US poverty line with annual income of less than $21,000, so low-cost rates are vital ($35/night). Guests must live over 50 miles outside Nashville and may stay for an unlimited time as long as their patient is receiving medical treatment at least 3x/week. 80% of our families have their patient staying with them at PHHH. In 2023, we served 868 families and 1,743 individuals.
How You Can Help: Revenue comes from three main streams: overnight room rates, fundraising events, corporate sponsorships, and grant funding from private foundations. PHHH receives no state or federal funding. To make a donation, please go to our website at www.hhhnashville.org.
Executive Director: Angie Stiff Director of Development: Shannon Day
SADDLE UP!
Who We Are: Saddle Up’s mission is to impact the lives of children and young adults with disabilities by providing opportunities to grow and develop through therapeutic, educational and recreational experiences with horses. We bring that mission to life by providing eight year-round programs on our 34-acre farm near Franklin, TN.
What We Do: For over 30 years, Saddle Up! has used the power of the horse to transform the lives of children and youth with a wide range of intellectual and physical disabilities. Saddle Up! operates with a small administrative and equine care staff and a dedicated group of part-time PATH-certified instructors and physical, occupational and speech therapists. Saddle Up! depends on more than 500 active volunteers providing over 15,000 hours of services annually.
At Saddle Up!, our eight distinct programs make a profound lifelong impact on the physical, cognitive, social, emotional and mental abilities of our riders.
How We Serve the Community: Serving more than 240 riders each session, Saddle Up! provides a unique service. Our programming begins at age two and riders can stay in Saddle Up! programs through age 25. Providing services across 23 years of life, and working with over 50 diagnosed disabilities, the breadth of our services is unique in our community. Each equine-assisted therapy, instruction, and recreation plan is uniquely tailored to the rider’s individual needs and goals whether physical, cognitive, social, or emotional. We also work with several community partners to share our resources and provide Equine Assisted Learning opportunities to the populations they serve.
How You Can Help:
• Saddle Up! is pleased to receive tax-deductible monetary gifts to be applied to our annual operating costs which include the cost of programs, horse care and feeding, and facility and farm maintenance. Saddle Up's direct cost to provide a one-hour adaptive riding lesson is $183, yet no Saddle Up! family pays more than $35 per lesson. Over 30% of our riders receive financial aid. Your generous support addresses that gap.
• Join the Saddle Up! Hoofing Society, a community of donors who provide a significant foundation of giving each year with gifts of $1,000 or more.
• Donors may also choose to designate funds for financial aid, tack and equipment purchases, or other specific program expenses. We also depend upon the equine community for donations or free lease arrangements for suitable horses.
• The Pegasus Society includes those who have chosen to leave a legacy to the work of Saddle Up! and the children and young adults we serve. Please consider this legacy gift.
• Donation information is available on our website.
Saddle Up!
1549 Old Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37069
615.794.1150
www.saddleupnashville.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SaddleUpNashville
Instagram: www.instagram.com/saddleupnashville
Executive Director: Audrey D Kidd, akidd@saddleupnashville.org
Board/Chair President: Brian Hubbard
SAFE HAVEN FAMILY SHELTER
Who We Are: For 40 years, Safe Haven has served as the premier shelter-to-housing program in Middle Tennessee that accommodates families experiencing homelessness. Safe Haven leads our community’s efforts to house, support, empower and advocate for families, allowing them to stay together. In 2023, Safe Haven provided transformative services focused on housing and employment to 332 families, providing them with resources to become selfsufficient and successful.
What We Do: Safe Haven focuses on providing the foundation of home, keeping families together while helping them obtain affordable housing. We serve couples with children, single parents, and multi-generational families with children up to 18 years of age. Through our shelter and housing programs, Safe Haven can serve up to 150 families at a time and over 330 families annually. In addition to helping families obtain affordable housing, we also provide case management, workforce development, children's education/enrichment programs and connect families with resources. Our comprehensive services ensure families are equipped for housing stability.
Why We're Important: There are currently over 450 families awaiting housing support services in the Nashville area. The need for our services has surged due to Nashville’s rising housing costs, growing economic disparities, rapid increase in the cost of essentials and shrinking availability of affordable housing. Safe Haven's Housing Program is a key part of our community's continuum of care, providing tailored assistance that is intentionally designed to meet the unique needs of families with children. Our evidencebased, housing first approach is crucial for serving families experiencing homelessness because it provides immediate safety and stability by prioritizing permanent housing.
How We Serve the Community: Safe Haven provides around 60 percent of rapid rehousing services for families
in our community. We work with housing partners and collaborate with community organizations to provide essential housing first services to families experiencing homelessness. Safe Haven believes family homelessness is solvable, and we work, along with community partners, to build an equitable future where homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring for families.
How You Can Help: With the cost of housing families increasing 18% over last year, our biggest need is for monetary donations. The funds raised play a crucial role in providing shelter-to-housing services and resources to families with children experiencing homelessness in our area. A gift of any amount makes a big impact in helping Safe Haven provide more families with a place to call home. In addition, we have ongoing needs for essential household items that help families feel at home when they move into housing, and we have a variety of volunteer opportunities including moving families from shelter to housing.
Safe Haven Family Shelter 1234 3rd Avenue South Nashville, TN 37210
Who We Are: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to the food and resources people in our community need to thrive. For nearly 50 years, we have welcomed our neighbors with radical hospitality, empowering them to live free from the daily burden of food insecurity. We prioritize people while staying committed to innovation and sustainability as we strive for a future where everyone is food secure, and no food is wasted.
What We Do: We are an integrated part of our community and the overall food system, partnering with others to minimize food waste and help people access what they need to experience life to the fullest. We receive donations of surplus food from individuals, grocery stores, manufacturers, distributors, and farmers to divert quality items from landfills and repurpose them for people experiencing food insecurity. Last year, we distributed over 47 million pounds of food, provided over 41 million meals, and met people where they are through 226 large-scale Mobile Pantry food distributions that also connect people with the resources they need to thrive.
Why We're Important: Distributing food is the core of our work, but it is not all we do at Second Harvest. We believe in the importance of meeting people where they are, with compassion and acceptance, so they can access the resources they depend on. We build relationships, engage in our community, and advocate for change. Our partnerships with other community organizations help connect our neighbors to wrap-around services that support the whole person. We are working diligently
toward a future without food insecurity so people can truly thrive. Food is not just about meeting a need today. Food makes tomorrow possible.
How We Serve the Community: We receive a diverse array of food items meticulously chosen to meet needs such as nutritional, cultural, or current living circumstances of our neighbors. We know that some of these food items are not easily accessible, so we ensure that our neighbors have equitable access regardless of their situation. We distribute food from our efficient, safe, and sustainable facilities to our neighbors through our Partners including after-school programs, soup kitchens, senior centers, and other nonprofits. Our Partners are strategically selected to serve our neighbors in the most effective, ethical, and holistic way possible.
How You Can Help: We could not achieve our mission without our incredible Partners, volunteers, and supporters. There are many ways you can join the fight against hunger such as volunteering with us, donating food, donating funds, or even attending Second Harvest events! Visit our website to learn more about how you can get involved.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
331 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN 37228
615.329.3491
Secondharvestmidtn.org
Facebook: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
Instagram: 2harvestmidtn
X: 2HarvestMidTN
President & CEO: Nancy Keil
STARS
Who We Are: Established in 1984, the mission of STARS is to help all young people pursue their unlimited potential by providing hope, health, and connection. This is achieved through creative and innovative programs centering on prevention, intervention, treatment, and training. STARS offers school and community-based, mental health counseling services to provide equitable access to care. Our school-based mental health services and intensive outpatient treatment services are accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). All of our school-based, community prevention, intervention, and treatment services are anchored in a restorative approach to provide trauma-informed care.
What We Do: Our services are delivered in schools and in community sites. Our mental health therapists and counselors provide individual and group therapy to K-12 students who may feel overwhelmed due to depression, anxiety, loss, trauma, grief, loss, family transitions, self-injurious behaviors, suicidal ideation or substance misuse. We also offer training and community-based prevention and treatment services to address the opioid crisis and other health-related issues. Our overdose prevention services are available for faith communities, un-housed encampments, businesses, nursing programs, and treatment centers, and provided by our training team and Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) and Lifelines Peer Project Coordinator.
Why We're Important: By offering families access to school-based mental health services from a licensed, caring professional, we offer a continuum of therapeutic care for families. Our services in 200-plus schools are absolutely free to the children, youth, and families we serve. Because our services are embedded in schools, significant barriers to care are immediately removed (transportation/equitable access). Additionally, STARS offers intensive outpatient mental health and substance misuse treatment for adolescents. Our community outreach services provide training and education to address the opioid overdose epidemic and support in accessing treatment. These efforts have proven to save lives on a consistent basis.
How We Serve the Community: We coordinate and collaborate with multiple school systems (11 districts in 9 counties) to support a continuum of care to prevent, intervene, and treat mental health and other issues impacting children and adolescent success. Our ROPS staff provide training and the distribution of Naloxone, while our Lifeline Peer Project Coordinator provides help for those seeking substance abuse treatment. In the past 12 months, STARS trained 6,708 youth and 2,710 adults in 25 cities across the US addressing bullying, restorative practices, substance misuse (schools/workplace), and youth voice. Kids on the Block presentations are now available virtually, at no cost to schools.
How You Can Help: Donations to STARS can be made at www.starsnashville.org or mailed to the address below.
• $20 allows a student to participate in a prevention activity
• $125 allows a student to receive support to address a serious mental health crisis episode
• $350 allows a student to receive individual/group counseling services for an entire school year
• $1000 allows a student to receive mental health therapy for an entire semester
Sponsorship for our events is also important.
STARS Nashville 1704 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203
Who We Are: Studio Tenn Theatre Company is a professional regional theatre company and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Middle Tennessee that exists to captivate and inspire with Broadway-quality musicals, plays, and concerts while educating the next generation to create and delight in the experience of live theatre.
What We Do: We are proud to be bringing professional theatre productions to Middle Tennessee. This 2024-25 season, we celebrate Studio Tenn’s 15th anniversary with Little Shop of Horrors, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, Crimes of the Heart, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Jersey Boys. In 2023, we shared our brand of theater with more Tennesseans than ever before. There were sold-out shows and breathtaking local talent. Today, we continue to bring more than just great performances. We provide inspiration as we bring our own spin to the astonishing world of professional theatre via community events, educational classes and camps, and world-class productions.
Why We're Important: Studio Tenn is one of the most celebrated and well-attended theatre companies in the southeast, repeatedly recognized by the Nashville Scene in their annual “Best of Nashville” issue as the best theatre company in the city. Our vision is to transform Studio Tenn into a Tony Award-winning regional theatre company where artistry and community take center stage. Studio Tenn prioritizes the utilization of top-tier talent and remains committed to diversity, inclusion, and equality as drivers of the creative process. We engage Williamson County residents and the Middle Tennessee community in conversations around the arts as a reflection of life.
How We Serve the Community: Studio Tenn partners with nonprofit organizations such as Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to bring high-quality, accessible arts experiences to underserved families and individuals who
frequently meet social, economic, cultural, or geographic obstacles to arts participation. Studio Tenn has recently launched a newly revitalized internship program to give students a well-rounded view of working at a collaborative professional theatre.
During our 14th Season, Studio Tenn has:
• Entertained over 15,000 audience members.
• Engaged over 230 students as performers, interns, or audience members.
• Supported more than 180 local, regional, and national actors, designers, directors, choreographers, and technicians.
How You Can Help: As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Studio Tenn would not exist without the generous ongoing support of our community. You can make a one-time gift in any amount or recurring gift via our website: www. studiotenn.org/donate or by mailing a check to 2000 Mallory Lane, Suite 130-624, Franklin, TN 37067.
Studio Tenn Theatre Company
2000 Mallory Lane, Suite 130-624, Franklin, TN 37067
Artistic Director, Patrick Cassidy patrickcassidy@studiotenn.com
Director of Development: Rachel Jones, racheljones@studiotenn.com
Board Chair/President: Tony McAlister
Madelyn Ho and Shawn Lesniak for Paul Taylor Dance Company. Photo by Rachel Neville.
TPAC Gala 2024. Photo by Daniel Meigs.
Roman Banks as 'MJ' and the cast of the MJ First National Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade.
Students performing a number from Disney's Frozen at TPAC’s 2024 Disney Musicals in Schools Student Showcase. Photo by MA2LA.
Performers from Hillsboro High School at TPAC’s Spotlight Awards. Photo by Mimosa.
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (TPAC)
Who We Are: TPAC champions excellence in the performing arts and arts education, fosters support for our resident companies and community partners, and serves as an inclusive place for all to enjoy meaningful and relevant experiences that enrich lives and promote economic vitality.
What We Do: Each year, TPAC serves several hundred thousand audience members with our outstanding HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC series and with meaningful programming that includes an international dance season, an entertaining family series, and special engagements in music, theatre, comedy, and multimedia. TPAC is home to the excellent productions of three resident artistic companies – Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Nashville Repertory Theatre. Since 1980, TPAC has welcomed more than 14 million audience members and served more than 2 million children and adults with student performances at TPAC, teacher professional development, school residencies, and arts enrichment programs for the community.
Why We're Important: As a key cultural institution in one of the most vibrant arts communities in the country, TPAC is dedicated to the presentation of the performing arts. Our vision is to present world-class artistic performances and empower lifelong learning through nationally recognized arts education programs. TPAC advances the arts through partnerships with community organizations and companies, enriched through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and we impact our local economy by contributing to area businesses and neighborhoods, as well as drawing audiences and multi-national corporations to our region.
How We Serve the Community: In addition to presenting exceptional performances on our stages, TPAC’s mission includes creating intentional pathways for all to engage in the arts. Arts education programs are provided at
little or no cost to schools through our Season for Young People performances, Disney Musicals in Schools afterschool program, and the Spotlight Awards for high school students and theatre educators. TPAC’s Arts Access program provides subsidized tickets for underserved audiences through non-profits, community organizations, senior centers, schools, youth, family, and university, groups, creating additional support for groups who may be attending for the first time.
How You Can Help: TPAC contributors help us share artistic excellence, inspire audiences of all ages, embrace diverse stories, and create a welcoming space for all. Every donation makes a difference from rounding up your ticket price to funding a series. TPAC relies on individual giving through our Bravo, Ovation, and Encore Societies as well as corporate sponsorships and our Business Leaders for the Arts membership. As a leading champion of the arts for over 40 years in Nashville, TPAC’s mission thrives through the support of our loyal patrons, community supporters, and new residents.
Vice President of Leadership Giving: Diana Pelham, dpelham@tpac.org
Director of Marketing: Emily Sitton, esitton@tpac.org
Board Chair/President: Melvin Malone
TENNESSEE YOUTH SYMPHONY
Who We Are: The Tennessee Youth Symphony (TYS) is an accomplished youth orchestra that began its journey in 1996. Today, our Organization includes musicians from over 35 schools across seven counties and also includes area homeschoolers. TYS is made up of three performing ensembles. Our Youth Symphony is a full orchestra comprised of advanced musicians from middle school through the collegiate level. Our intermediate group, Prelude Strings, is a strings-only orchestra that upper elementary and middle school musicians call home. Our Commercial Band includes keyboards, electric guitars, drum-kit and vocals along with brass and woodwinds.
What We Do: We strive to provide our young musicians with numerous opportunities to not only hone their musical skills but also to develop socially. The orchestra offers a wide range of opportunities to include participation in small ensembles, master classes, community service outreach, recording sessions, and touring. TYS also boasts an extraordinary relationship with the Nashville Symphony and several area universities, allowing our musicians to work alongside symphony musicians, college professors, private instructors, and guest artists in sectional and master class settings.
Why We're Important: The Tennessee Youth Symphony provides affordable, high-quality musical training and performance opportunities for young musicians. We offer scholarships so that all students have the opportunity to participate in our organization. By coming together across seven counties with dozens of different schools our musicians learn valuable social skills and enjoy a diverse social environment with like-minded and passionate musicians. This environment allows them to develop important life skills such as discipline, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. We love to provide a sense of family and community both within our organization and within our greater Nashville Community.
How We Serve the Community: We love our TYS Community which extends far beyond our orchestra members and their immediate families. We are excited to partner with the Nashville Symphony so that we can invite more members of the surrounding communities to our performances. We have also had the opportunity to send out smaller ensembles into the community to perform at various locations, including the Bellevue Library, several nursing homes, and the Brentwood Christmas tree lighting. Our organization hopes to foster an appreciation and love of music to whoever hears us play.
How You Can Help: Supporting our organization is appreciated! We cannot do what we do without support from our generous community. You can boost our organization by donating directly to us from our website. You can also show your support by ordering some of our swag and showing it off around town. Please know you have a standing invitation to our concerts. They are always free to the community and we would love to see you there. If you decide to pay for a ticket through the Schermerhorn website all proceeds will go toward our rental cost of the facility. Your benevolence helps TYS grow and provides opportunities for musicians through our scholarship program. Our desire is for those who want to be trained in music to succeed no matter their financial situation.
Executive Director and Board/Chair President: Monica Weaver, monica.weaver@tnys.org
TRINITY HOPE
Who We Are: Trinity HOPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Middle Tennessee, but our mission is deeply rooted in Haiti. Trinity HOPE provides a nutritious meal every school day to hungry children attending Christian schools throughout the country of Haiti. This nutritious meal is often the only food a child receives all day.
What We Do: “Bringing HOPE to the children of Haiti one bowl of beans and rice at a time.” This statement is our motivating mantra. Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with nearly half the population— around 5.4 million people—facing acute food insecurity. In this difficult environment, Trinity HOPE has been a lifeline of support and hope for over two decades. Since our founding in 1999, we have been dedicated to feeding children in Christian schools across Haiti, ensuring that they not only receive vital nutrition but also hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every school day, we now serve over 65,000 meals in 265 schools, making sure that the most vulnerable children have access to at least one nutritious meal a day. For less than $0.40 per meal, a child receives a bowl of rice, beans, and a high-protein sauce, providing the essential nutrients needed for growth, learning, and health. Our program is designed not only to feed these children, but also to invest in the local economy. Every aspect of our feeding programs is operated by local Haitians. With no Americans stationed in Haiti, this allows us to create hundreds of sustainable jobs and reinforces our dedication to local leadership. We purchase all our food from local vendors, investing more than $3.5 million annually into the Haitian economy. This approach strengthens communities and moves us closer to our ultimate goal of self-sufficiency for the Haitian people.
Why We’re Important: In Haiti, where poverty is widespread, political unrest is rampant, inflation is skyrocketing, and access to food is scarce, our work has never been more critical. Trinity HOPE believes long term
change starts by educating future generations. However, a common phrase in Haiti is, “An empty stomach has no ears.” If a child has not eaten for 2-3 days, how can they listen and retain what they are taught? Without access to food, their education suffers, their health declines, and their hope for a better tomorrow deteriorates. Schools that partner with Trinity HOPE provide more than education—together we provide these children HOPE and the opportunity for a brighter future, both physically and spiritually.
Yet, despite our best efforts, the need continues to grow. We currently have a waiting list of 150+ schools, representing over 30,000 children who are waiting for the chance to receive a daily meal through Trinity HOPE. But with your support, we can change that.
How We Serve the Community: Our commitment to excellence and good stewardship is reflected in our 100% Charity Navigator score, with 95% of every dollar going directly to program expenses, making sure your contribution has maximum impact. As we continue to serve the children of Haiti, we invite you to join us. Whether through prayer, donations, or raising awareness, your support can help us expand our reach by providing meals for more children, and sharing the love of Christ in a country that desperately needs both.
How You Can Help: Trinity HOPE relies on generous contributions from dedicated supporters. To learn more or help support Trinity HOPE’s mission, please visit trinityhope.org.
Trinity HOPE
237 Circle View Drive, Franklin, TN 37067
615.394.4950
Trinityhope.org
Executive Director: Keith Logan, admin@trinityhope.org
UNITED WAY OF GREATER NASHVILLE
Who We Are: United Way’s mission is to unite the community and mobilize resources so that every child, individual, and family thrives.
What We Do: We work to create a community where every child receives a quality education, no one lives in poverty or poor health, and the most basic needs of our families are met.
Why We’re Important: We are uniquely positioned to lead this effort because we bring individuals, businesses, nonprofits and government to the table to have the tough conversations, mobilize the resources and make the smart investments that will create lasting solutions for our region’s most pressing issues.
How We Serve the Community: We proudly partner with local nonprofit organizations working across our multicounty service area to improve the lives of our neighbors.
How You Can Help: United Way offers many different ways to get involved, give back and engage with the community through special events, volunteer opportunities, affinity groups, workplace campaigns and more. United
Way’s Tocqueville Society Alpha Chapter is an alliance of community and business leaders who work collectively to address our community’s most pressing needs by investing in the work of United Way. First envisioned in 1981 by Dr. Thomas F. Frist Jr., the Tocqueville Society has grown to be a network of like-minded leaders across the globe. Since its inception, Tocqueville Society members have invested more than $10 billion in the work of United Way worldwide and over $175 million in Nashville. More information is available at unitedwaygreaternashville.org/ tocqueville-society-alpha-chapter.
United Way of Greater Nashville 250 Venture Circle, Nashville, TN 37228
615.255.8501
Unitedwaygreaternashville.org
President and CEO: Brian Hassett
President/CEO-Elect: Erica Mitchell
Chief Development Officer: Courtney Barlar
Board Chair: Alberto R. Gonzales, Belmont University
WILLIAMSON HEALTH FOUNDATION
Who We Are: Williamson Health Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Williamson Health–the independent, freestanding, nonprofit regional healthcare system serving our neighbors across Williamson County. Williamson Health has been an integral part of the community for more than 65 years. Our system spans 30 locations, including Williamson Medical Center, the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center, and physician offices. With more than 860 physicians and advanced care practitioners covering more than 60 specialties and subspecialties, Williamson Health provides exceptional care close to home.
What We Do: Williamson Health exists to provide world-class care close to home for our Williamson County neighbors. The Foundation exists solely to support this mission by securing charitable gifts for special projects, programs, technology, equipment and more. Through this work, our aim is to continuously improve the quality of patient care for Williamson Health. Williamson Health offers: extensive women's services, state-of-the-art cardiology services, advanced surgical technologies, award-winning obstetrics and NICU, leading-edge orthopaedics, outpatient imaging services, comprehensive emergency and inpatient services for both adult and pediatric patients, and more.
Why We're Important: Williamson County is growing every day, giving us the opportunity to serve more people with a diverse range of needs. Williamson Health is fulfilling its commitment to the community by raising the bar with state-of-the-art additions and renovations to better serve our friends, family and neighbors. As an independent, freestanding nonprofit health system, Williamson Health doesn't have investors, corporate offices or sister organizations offering financial assistance–nor do we receive county funding. The philanthropic funds generously offered by patients, their families, and our community supporters through the Williamson Health Foundation have therefore become crucial in providing world-class care to this special community.
How We Serve the Community: Williamson Health provides the top-tier care you need, close to home. The health system serves as the lead 911 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider for all of Williamson County, operating 18 advanced life support ambulances 365 days a year from 17 stations strategically located across the county. We provide this level of excellence across all of our areas of service, including a world-class hospital, local primary care physicians, specialty services like orthopaedics and cardiology, convenient urgent care clinics, and more. Williamson Health Foundation provides meaningful opportunities for philanthropic support to further enhance the exceptional care Williamson Health provides.
How You Can Help: You can help us elevate the standard of excellence you have come to expect from Williamson Health to everyone in our community. Your philanthropic support gives us the resources needed to offer even greater access to high-quality healthcare and accommodate higher acuity services for all of our Williamson County neighbors. There are many ways to support Williamson Health through the Foundation, including participating in our events, making one-time or recurring donations, sponsoring an event, or including Williamson Health in your estate planning.
Williamson Health Foundation 4321 Carothers Pkwy, Franklin, TN 37067
Who We Are: Youth Encouragement Services (YES) is a nonprofit organization formed in 1956. The vision of YES is to help inner-city students become great citizens of Nashville. Our mission is to enrich the lives of Nashville’s youth by providing opportunities that encourage them to reach their full potential spiritually, academically, socially, and physically through programming in a Christ-centered community. YES consistently supports their students by advocating a better future for themselves and their families.
What We Do: At YES kids have positive influences, encouragement, and cheerleaders. Every child doesn’t grow up in a safe environment, so YES becomes one. Kids are taught to dream when the nightmares are too real. YES offers alternatives to isolation through opportunities, positive relationships, resources, and guidance. An unsupported child can fall into cyclical problems that affect themselves and their communities–poverty, crime, abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and addiction to name a few. The disconnectedness results in shame, low esteem, and ultimately a broken spirit for the child. Systemic problems can define a child’s future opportunities.
Why We're Important: For 64 years, YES has been a place of growth and inclusion for Nashville kids with limited places to turn. By creating opportunity, supporting families, and consistently being there, YES helps kids reach their potential when the odds are stacked against them. We build brighter futures for Nashville’s youth, one child at a time. YES wants every kid to feel belonging. That requires positive influences, encouragement, and cheerleaders. YES becomes a respite by offering programming and resources to support every kid’s future.
How We Serve the Community: In Nashville, particularly in the areas that YES provides services, children and youth face disproportionate challenges that create barriers to their ability to reach their potential. YES is positioned in the Glencliff and Napier school clusters and our work toward increasing young people's academic, social, spiritual, and physical wellbeing requires step-by-step, hand-in-hand commitment. Not only inside of YES, but throughout Nashville as a whole.
How You Can Help: Come alongside YES to help kids hope, dream, and reach their potential:
1. Find your place. Let YES know that you would like to get registered to be involved.
2. Get comfortable. YES will help you feel like you know where to go, when to go, and how to be.
3. Commit to it. Your continued presence and engagement will help you reach your potential.
Director of Agency Advancement: Samantha Johnson, samantha@youthencouragement.org
Board Chair/President: Greg Allen
YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Who We Are: The YMCA of Middle Tennessee is the region’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting people to their potential, purpose, and each other.
Working locally, we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across communities.
What We Do: At the Y, we take immense pride in our work to strengthen communities and help all of us be our best selves. We provide a place to play, learn, be healthy, eat well, and give back. We give parents childcare, teens help getting into college, seniors a way to connect, and children a safe place to go. We believe that everyone—no matter who they are or where they’re from— deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Everything the Y does is to ensure people and communities thrive.
Why We're Important: Each year, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee positively impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in our region. Few nonprofit organizations can provide the breadth and depth of support and impact across our focus areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
The Y also provides millions of dollars in financial assistance each year so individuals and families can become members and access our programs and services regardless of their ability to pay.
How We Serve the Community: The YMCA of Middle Tennessee operates various programs and services designed to empower youth, improve health and well-being, and support neighbors in need. Specifically, we are among Middle Tennessee’s largest providers of:
• Health and fitness services through our network of family wellness centers
• Before- and after-school-based childcare services
• School-based meals and snacks
• Swimming and water safety instruction
• Civic education through the Tennessee YMCA Center for Civic Engagement
• Youth sports programs
• Day and overnight summer camps
How You Can Help: When you support the Y, you help give young people a chance at a brighter future, inspire healthy lifestyles, and build vibrant communities where you live. Specific opportunities to support our work include:
• Annual Giving—Your donation to the YMCA of Middle Tennessee’s Annual Giving Campaign helps the Y continue providing access to the resources, opportunities, and relationships everyone needs to thrive.
• P lanned Giving—A planned gift to the YMCA Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s endowment fund can ensure that the Y will continue to serve the community for generations to come.
YMCA of Middle Tennessee 1000 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37203
615.259.9622
ymcamidtn.org
Facebook: YMCAmidtn
Instagram: ymcamidtn
Executive Director: John Mikos, jmikos@ymcamidtn.org
Board/Chair President: Tony Wall
JANUARY
CHARITY CALENDAR
For To Be Announced (TBA) events, check out Sophisticated Living’s event calendar closer to the month
2 TPAC Prelude Party (Tennessee Performing Arts Center)
4 Winter Frolic (Andrew Jackson Foundation)
8 Battle of New Orleans Commemoration (Andrew Jackson Foundation)
18 Uncorked Wine Festival (Musician's Hall of Fame and Museum)
Society
20 Historic Inauguration: Andrew Jackson's 1828 Campaign & Inauguration (Andrew Jackson Foundation)
25-3/2 Orchids in the Mansion (Cheekwood)
30-2/9 Crimes of the Heart (Studio Tenn)
TBA Sous Cooking Class (The Nashville Food Project)
