The Tomorrow Fund
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Our Mission
The Tomorrow Fund is dedicated to harnessing the energy, enthusiasm, and resources of young Nashville residents above the age of 22 in an effort to serve the community. The Fund seeks to build community awareness, leadership and responsibility by establishing a pattern of community service and charitable giving.
Learn More About The Tomorrow Fund
The Tomorrow Fund's logo, the oak tree seedling, represents its philosophy and mission perfectly. The metaphor often used to describe endowment funds within a Community Foundation is planting acorns. By setting aside money in an endowment fund and allowing it to grow, Tomorrow Fund members are ensuring that what now provides small yet meaningful grants in its seedling stage transforms over time into strong and vibrant support for the nonprofit community.
The Tomorrow Fund was formed in 1998 by several young professionals in the greater Nashville community to foster civic leadership and community awareness among their peers. Through both hands-on charitable service and committee-based grantmaking, this organization provides a training ground for the future leaders of Middle Tennessee's philanthropic and outreach efforts.
Annual fundraisers and contributions by members and donors augment the Fund within The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Contributions remain in the Fund while a small portion (4-6%) of the Fund is distributed annually for grants to nonprofits throughout Middle Tennessee serving children. By leaving the vast majority of the Fund untouched, the endowment is able to grow and grow, eventually providing a significant stream of grantmaking revenue.
For information about joining the Tomorrow Fund call The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee at 615-321-4939 or email us.
The Tomorrow Fund would like to invite you to recruit your friends, family,and co-workers and help provide a child with warm clothes and gifts for the holidays.
The Tomorrow Fund's Giving Tree Project partners with Fannie Battle Day Home for Children to provide warm clothes and gifts for kids in low income families during the holiday season.
Fannie Battle's mission is to provide affordable high-quality child care, for at-risk children in a nurturing environment while empowering families to reach their potential.
To sponsor a child from Fannie Battle:
1. Sign up by emailing Mike Stewart (MStewart@bassberry.com) with The Tomorrow Fund by December 6, and he'll contact you with your child's specific wish list.
2. Go shopping! Please spend around $100 total on gifts. Try to buy the items that are truly needed first, such as school uniforms, winter coats or pajamas. This year we will be providing the children's parents with gift wrapping materials to wrap their own child's gifts - so we're asking participants to spend an additional $10 on gift bags and boxes for your gifts. (The Tomorrow Fund will provide rolls of wrapping paper).
3. Place UNWRAPPED gifts and wrapping supplies in a bag or box with the child's name securely attached.
4. Drop off gifts between December 5 - December 17, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at:
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
3833 Cleghorn Avenue, Suite 400
Nashville, TN 37215
615-321-4939
After-hours drop off or pick up is available by contacting Liza Lentz, llentz@cfmt.org or 615-321-4939.
Charitable Grants to Nonprofits
The Tomorrow Fund Grants Committee accepts and reviews grant applications every year through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The grant amount of money for distribution is based on an average quarterly balance of the Fund for the prior year times the current spending rate. Grant applications to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee are due August 1st of each year. Learn About Applying for Grants
2011
A.B.L.E. Youth, Inc.- To teach independent living skills to 35 youth who are confined to wheelchairs.
Foundation for Tennessee Chess - To provide chess classes for 35 underserved youth, ages five to 12, at a local community center.
IKE Services - To provide summer academic tutoring, hot meals, and transportation services to 30 children, grades kindergarten through 4.
In Full Motion, Inc. - To improve ACT scores and graduation rates of students attending Pearl-Cohn, Whites Creek, Stratford and Maplewood High Schools.
Our Kids - To underwrite the cost of post exposure prophylaxis medication to prevent patients from contracting HIV.
2010
Nashville Assistance League - To provide new school attire to economically disadvantage elementary school students in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.
Friends of Tennessee School for the Blind - To purchase specialized exercise equipment for youth with disabilities.
2009
Global Ministries - Earthquake relief for children in Haiti.
Nashville Peacemakers - Funding to expand Peacemakers program for students with a history of suspension and/or juvenile court involvement.
2008
The Next Door - Funding for children in The Next Door’s Freedom in Recovery program.
2007
Rejoice Ministries - Funding for mentoring and personal development program for economically disadvantaged adolescent girls.
2006
First Steps - The purchase of an indoor therapy playground for children with special needs.
2005
KIPP Academy - Books for the KIPP Academy library.
King’s Daughters Day Home - Purchased books, CD’s and videos for the development of the school curriculum.
Save the Children - Asain Tsunami relief
2004
Reading is Fundamental - To supplement the purchase of 8500 new paperback books for 1600 at risk children.
2003
Hands with a Heart Foundation - Materials for hearing impaired classrooms, home use and camping trips.
2002
Preston Taylor Ministries
2001
American Red Cross
Fannie Battle Day Home for Children
2000
Project Reflect
Community Service Projects
The Tomorrow Fund coordinates and promotes local community involvement among Nashville's young professionals. As part of the Fund's mission, members organize several service activities each year to benefit children and adolescents in the greater Nashville area.
Each summer, the Fund holds its annual Field Day event.
Partnering with a local community-based program, members spend a day leading kids in activities like capture the flag, face painting and balloon tosses.
With the Giving Tree Project, the Tomorrow Fund organizes an annual holiday gift drive to
provide area children with toys and essentials like warm winter coats.
The Fund sponsors several additional service opportunities each year, targeting the city's underserved youth.
Local community agencies we work with include:
Center for Independent Living of Middle Tennessee
Fannie Battle Day Home for Children
Kirkwood Elementary School
Metropolitan Nashville Parks and Recreation
Rejoice Ministries
Salvation Army Nashville Area Command
The Tomorrow Fund's service projects provide a great opportunity for Nashville's young professionals to get involved in their community and make a positive impact in the lives of some wonderful young people.
Our 2012 - 2013 Advisory Board
The Tomorrow Fund Advisory Board is commited to providing a training ground for the future leaders of Middle Tennessee's philanthropic and outreach efforts.
Christi Gibbs, President
Margaret Baker
Kayla Clayborn
Stephen Garrett
Samantha Oaks
Ally Parsons
Ben Shuster
Jason Tucker
In addition to providing an avenue for charitable giving of money and time, the Tomorrow Fund strives to offer a unique social outlet for young Nashville residents. The Tomorrow Fund brings together a dynamic group of individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, educations and experiences bound by a common interest in charitable service and giving.
The Tomorrow Fund puts together an annual spring fundraiser and silent auction as well as a fall kickoff party to raise money for the Fund. Happy hours are held frequently throughout the year.
2012 Battle of the Food Trucks
Benefiting The Tomorrow Fund
Date Set for Highly Anticipated Second Round
October 21, 2012 – 3 - 6 p.m.
Greer Stadium (534 Chestnut Street, Nashville)
Buy tickets
Get ready for the rematch of the century! The Tomorrow Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will hold the 2nd annual Battle of the Food Trucks on Oct. 21, 3-6 p.m., at Nashville’s Greer Stadium. Attendees will sample food from each food truck, then vote on their favorite dish.
Proceeds from the event support The Tomorrow Fund, which builds community awareness and responsibility in young professionals by establishing a pattern of community service and charitable giving. In 2011, The Tomorrow Fund was able to provide support to A.B.L.E. Youth, Foundation for Tennessee Chess, IKE Services, In Full Motion, and Our Kids through its grantmaking process.
Last year, at the inaugural Battle of the Food Trucks event, more than 500 attendees awarded food trucks Riff’s with the "most savory dish" and The Cupcake Collection for "best sweets."
Past Events
2011 Battle of The Food Trucks
Greer Stadium
October 2, 2011
The Tomorrow Fund of The Communtiy Foundation welcomed some of Nashville's finest food trucks to the inagural BATTLE OF THE FOOD TRUCKS. More than 500 people came from near and far to come sample food from a fleet of Nashville's finest food trucks.
Learn More
ArtisTree
St. Cloud's Corner
April 1-2, 2011
An Annual Art show and sale to benefit The Fund