Education Funds
Alliance Française Cultural & Educational Fund
Established 2007Coach Joe Gwynne Atkinson Fund
Established 2001This Fund perpetuates the memory of a man who taught Lebanon High School students the importance of education during and beyond high school. The proceeds of the Fund will build the resources of the school’s library, for both teachers and students, furthering the opportunity for education.
The Barton-Landers Theological Fund
Established 2008The necessity for an educated ministry for the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was first articulated by Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne at the AME General Conference of 1844 in Pittsburgh, PA. The contemporary continuance of this need is evidenced by the late Reverends D.B. Barton and John Landers, whose gift and bequest, respectively, have made possible the establishment of this Theological Fund by the Board of Trustees of the AME Church. The proceeds of this fund will provide one or more annual scholarships to a theological student who has been admitted to an accredited seminary to study for the M. Div. degree, has a strong academic record, demonstrates a financial need and is committed to a ministerial career in the AME Church.
Benton Hall School Endowment Fund
Established 1997Benton Hall, established in 1977, is a private school that serves students in grades 1-12 who have learning differences or who have not performed successfully in the traditional school environment. Offering small class sizes and individual attention, Benton Hall is located in the Grassland community near Franklin.
BOOK ‘EM! Agency Endowment
Established 1997Book’em and Reading Is Fundamental Nashville share the desire to inspire a love of books and reading in all children by providing reading volunteers to schools, pre-schools and library story times, and books to children who may not have books of their own, in order to send the message that reading is important and fun. The two organizations merged in 2006 under the name of Book’em in order to enhance and expand services. This Fund was created to help ensure the future growth and stability of Book’em.
Books From Birth of Middle Tennessee Endowment Fund
Established 1997Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee, the literacy initiative of the Monroe Carrell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, recognizes the benefits of an endowment partnership with The Community Foundation to provide giving options for all of Nashville interested in supporting literacy efforts.
Ann and Monroe Carell, Jr. Family Fund to Benefit Aquinas College’s Undergraduate Degree in Education
Established 2001The Ann and Monroe Carell, Jr. Fund was established to provide Aquinas College the resources to train teachers. Through this Fund, young women who wish to dedicate their lives to God as religious sisters and teach as members of the Dominican Sisters of the St. Cecilia Congregation will be supported as they earn their teaching certificates at Aquinas.
Judy Jean and John Chapman, M.D. Designated Fund
Established 2006Dr. John E. Chapman served Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine for more than a quarter of a century. During his career, which culminated as dean of the school, Dr. Chapman’s priority was the students. He focused on students individually, and he championed their access to faculty as a means to improving the quality of the education those students received, earning him the distinctive title: “Dean of Deans.” Dr. Chapman and his wife, Judy Jean, planned this Fund together before his death. Their goal: to benefit medical schools teaching as Dr. Chapman always did, helping well-rounded, deserving students attend schools which make them a priority, treat students as individuals and valued colleagues, and emphasize quality education.
Cheatham County Public Library Endowment Fund
Established 1998Established by John Mayfield, this Fund enables the library to purchase reading materials so that all of its current and future patrons will be well-informed and up-to-date.
The College Trust, Inc. Endowment Fund
Established 1999In 1983, Marcel Kellar, Kelly Miller Smith, Andrew White, John Corry, and Norman Reed set up The College Trust to invest in the futures of the local historically African-American Colleges and Universities and the students who attend them. Led by the Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship, many of the churches in the Nashville community contribute to The College Trust on a regular basis. In addition, they support the Fund in order to build the endowment to ensure that students of American Baptist College, Fisk University, Meharry Medical College, and Tennessee State University have financial help in the years to come.
The Community Education Fund
Established 1996The board of The Community Foundation created this Fund to serve as a vehicle for building a pool of philanthropic venture capital available to support the present and future of education within our community.
Rascoe B. Davis Family Designated Fund
Established 2005Delta C. Davis chose to honor her husband and his passion for education with a Designated Fund to benefit several educational institutions in perpetuity. Notre Dame High School, The Girls Preparatory School, University School of Nashville, Montgomery Bell Academy, Meharry Medical College and Harpeth Hall School will receive annual distributions from the Fund.
Dickson County Public Library Endowment Fund
Established 2002In 2002, the Dickson County Public Library moved into a new building, which houses 75,000 books and much more. Dollars from this Fund will be dedicated to specific children and adult programs throughout each year, which range from pre-school literacy to computer classes for seniors. The library’s board has big plans for the future, and its members hope that residents of Dickson will continue to contribute to this Fund to support this wonderful community asset.
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring Endowment Fund
Established 1998The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, established in 1987 in Murfreesboro, is dedicated to providing a warm environment where families can explore together and learn from discovery. Hands-on exhibits and programs in art, social studies and science help to increase self-esteem, encourage critical thinking and questioning, strengthen family bonds, and stimulate creativity.
Grace M. Eaton Day Home Endowment
Established 1998Founded in 1926, Grace M. Eaton Childcare and Parent Resource Center was the first nonprofit childcare organization in Nashville, established for the express purpose of serving black, low-income, inner-city children. The mission of the program flows from the philosophy that Grace M. Eaton provides quality childcare for children of working parents, or those who are preparing for productive employment by completing educational programs or employment training. The Center works with parents and the community to prepare children for a healthy and successful future. This endowment is a component of that commitment to nurturing young lives.
The Education First Fund
Established 2008Nashvillians recognize the need for education reform in public schools. To seize this opportunity, Nashville's Mayor Karl Dean helped create the Education First Fund to provide a vehicle for all Nashvillians to participate in this transformation. Nashvillians are taking charge of their city's future by helping to secure innovative reforms - to benefit our children, and make our schools a model for the nation.
Fund for Ministry, Education and Rehabilitation for Women in Prison
Established 2001This Fund seeks to provide healing for women in prison, generally victims of poverty, abuse and neglect in the developmental years. It further seeks to provide opportunities for them to learn how to survive in the free world upon release and take care of their children in a healthy, productive way.
Margaret North Gessler Fund to Benefit Susan Gray School
Established 2007Miss Julia Green Fund for Public Education
Established 1999For the majority of her 88 years, Julia McClung Green worked to improve education for public school children in Davidson County as a teacher and as the first elementary education supervisor. Established by the PTA of Julia Green School in her honor and supported by the community-at-large, this Fund supports programs designed to encourage parental and community involvement, enhance educational opportunities, and upgrade facilities and equipment.
Hands-On-Science Center, Inc. Endowment Fund
Established 2004Hands-On-Science Center in Tullahoma saw the need to provide an understanding of science and math, particularly among children. This Endowment Fund is intended to ensure the future of the Center as well as the ongoing efforts to increase participation at the Center.
Cynthia J. Hardy Memorial Benefiting the Tapping Individual Potential Program
Established 2005Nurse Cynthia Hardy died in an unfortunate place — at the very top of the liver transplant list. Through an ill-fated accident she contracted Hepatitis, which led to her passing. Rather than focus solely on her death, in her memory friends and family created this Fund to capture the best in her life — her personal passion for art — in hopes of passing it on to others through The Foundation’s Tapping Individual Potential Program.
David William Howard Memorial Designated Fund
Established 2004David Howard was a model student and athlete at Clarksville High School. He worked hard on the field to become the best athlete he could be, and his dedication, work ethic and talent always helped him to rise above his challenges to succeed. David demonstrated these characteristics throughout his life, and it surprised no one when David reacted instantly to help someone in trouble — even though the act of heroism brought about his own death. David was nearby the chief of maintenance at the plant at which he was working when he ran into trouble. To save a worker from electrical shock, David pushed the man aside, paying the ultimate price by saving someone else. Through the Fund, an award will be given each fall to a senior on the Clarksville High School Football Team to assist with upcoming college tuition and fees.
Hume-Fogg Endowment
Established 2002Even the most highly acclaimed schools in Metro Nashville struggle to make ends meet. So began the list of reasons behind the effort of three Hume-Fogg seniors to endow the future of the school they love. Heather McClure, Sarah Hymes and Anne Gooch were the ambitious young women who made this vision a reality. They worked at Titans games and put what they earned in the Fund. They approached corporations, foundations and individuals for contributions and passed out fliers explaining the need and their plans. Sarah, Heather and Anne have now all graduated from college, leaving other students in charge, but Hume-Fogg’s future will be better off because they cared.
League of Women Voters of Tennessee Education Endowment Fund
Established 1996Who does the public turn to for information on the election process or government in general? The League of Women Voters. And, where does the League turn for the resources to provide this information? The LWV of Tennessee Education Fund. The League’s Education Fund is its research and education arm, which provides impartial information about government and the election process. The Education Fund established an endowment with The Community Foundation to help create an assured source of funding for the future.
Monroe Harding, Inc. Endowment
Established 1999Monroe Harding partners with at-risk youth and their families to foster a transformation of the mind, body and spirit through residential independent living programs for older adolescents as well as non-residential programming. A foundation of education, vocation and life skills training provides a bridge to independence and success.
Montgomery Bell Academy Scholarship Endowment Fund
Established 2001Founded in 1867 as a scholarship school for young men, Montgomery Bell Academy is a 7-12 grade all-boys school. The MBA Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by the school’s trustees to ensure that scholarships and financial aid will always be available to guarantee that able students from different cultural and economic backgrounds can attend.
Nashville Public Education Foundation Fund
Established 1997The Nashville Public Education Foundation was dedicated to encouraging and supporting high quality educational practices in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Created in 1987, the Foundation provided active encouragement and financial support for public education from individuals, businesses and foundations that saw the future of quality public schools as vital to the future of the community. The Foundation donated more than $4 million to benefit the 70,000 children in Nashville’s public schools. In its name, The Community Foundation is honored to perpetuate its good work in support of public education.
Nashville Public Library Permanent Endowment Fund
Established 2001A great city has a great library! The Main Library Building, which opened in 2001, is making a significant impact on life in our city. System-wide, the library offers high-tech informational systems, thousands of books and significant outreach programs. This Endowment Fund provides much needed funding to expand the library’s collections and keep the services up-to-date and state-of-the-art.
Nashville Public Television Endowment Fund
Established 2003Nashville Public Television provides thought-provoking, educational, informative, and entertaining television to our community in an environment free from commercial interruption. NPT offers some of the most respected programs in the areas of education, history, drama, performance, and finance, as well as a wealth of educational resources for teachers. The money from the endowment will help this Middle Tennessee treasure continue to serve our citizens for years to come.
Pencil Foundation Agency Endowment Fund
Established 2006PENCIL Foundation plays an essential role in Nashville by linking community resources of both volunteers and materials with Metro Nashville Public Schools. PENCIL responds to the needs of Metro Schools, matching over 500 businesses and service organizations with individual schools as PENCIL Partners, collecting donated school supplies for teachers and training volunteer tutors to work with at-risk students. This Endowment Fund was created to ensure the growth of PENCIL’s programs as it serves at-risk youth.
Project Reflect Agency Endowment Fund
Established 2007Project Reflect serves children at high risk of school failure. Through Nashville area programs that include a charter school and education reform activity focusing on the State of Tennessee, Project Reflect strives to move children from a culture of poverty to a culture of learning. This Fund helps build a brighter future for at-risk children; reduce school dropout, crime and welfare; provide a stronger work force for business; and improve quality of community life for everyone.
The Public Schools Forum Fund
Established 2009The Nashville Chapter of The Recording Academy’s Fund Designated to Benefit the Nashville Alliance for Public Education
Established 2006The Recording Academy’s signature awards, The Grammys, bring out the best in people and encourage them to reach higher and dream bigger. Now, The Recording Academy is encouraging the students of Metro Public Schools to do the same, providing annual support to the Nashville Alliance for Public Education to build and enhance music education in the schools of Music City.
Richards Fund to Support the Study of Latin and the Classics at Harpeth Hall School
Established 1999Latin shows up every day in the English language and the study of Latin helps students perfect their grasp of English, as well as other romance languages. In addition, study of Latin and the Classics makes one a more well-rounded person. To that end, this Fund provides an annual contribution to Harpeth Hall School.
South Cheatham Library Endowment Fund
Established 1998The South Cheatham Library is in a quaint log cabin building in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. This Fund was established by John E. Mayfield in 1998, and it is his hope that others donate to this Fund to ensure that current and future generations of Cheatham Countians will continue to enjoy strong libraries.
Escuela Anne Stevens in Ecuador Fund
Established 2006There is a beautiful school in the lowlands of Ecuador that opened in 1998 called the Anne Stevens Escuela. It is named after Anne Stevens, the former director of St. Luke’s Community House. It serves grades K-8 and has 125 students. This Fund will provide the school a steady stream of income now and in the years ahead.
Student Educational Loan Fund for Gays and Lesbians
Established 1997Sometimes parents and children need time and space to bridge a gap that has developed between them because the children are gay or lesbian. The Student Education Loan Fund (SELF) can buy students and parents a chance to work things out between them by providing emergency loans to young men or women whose parents have discontinued financial support for their education because they are lesbian or gay.
Tapping Individual Potential (TIP)
Established 1998The Tapping Individual Potential (TIP) program works with Metro Public School children who have extraordinary talent or potential. Identified by a teacher or guidance counselor, the student’s skill is highlighted and an enrichment experience — tailored to the child — is developed. It may be art classes, science camps, a visit with someone with a similar interest, or a visit to an archeological dig. This Fund helps promote talents or interests for students who may not otherwise have these extracurricular opportunities.
Tennessee Foreign Language Institute Endowment Fund
Established 2000The Tennessee Foreign Language Institute Endowment Fund was created to support the goals and activities of the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute (TFLI), a state agency established to promote, encourage, enhance, and facilitate the learning and teaching of foreign languages and cultures. The Fund allows for such initiatives as foreign language pilot programs in local elementary schools and promotion of foreign language education for children.
Tennessee Holocaust Commission Endowment Fund
Established 1995This Fund was established to endow the activities of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, Inc., which develops and implements programs in Holocaust education for Tennessee’s public and private secondary schools, colleges, universities, and citizens of all ages.
Tennessee State Commission on Reforming Education Fund
Established 2009The Edna S. Thomas Fund
Established 2000Judy Lewis came to The Community Foundation in July 2000, armed with a vision of creating a legacy for her mother, Edna Thomas. Edna had been an outstanding parent and, as a result, Judy felt a fitting tribute would be a Fund to endow an annual fall lecture series, focusing on raising healthy children and giving parents the tools to succeed.
Pauline and Julius Weil Fund
Established 1997Peggy Weil Steine had a life-long interest in Peabody Demonstration School (now University School of Nashville or USN). Peggy attended the school for 12 years and graduated in 1937. Subsequently, her three children graduated from USN and three of her grandchildren are currently enrolled. When Peggy wanted to make sure the support she had given USN through the years would continue after her death, she set up this Fund named for her parents, Pauline and Julius Weil, who had helped establish the school.
Megan Whaley Fund for St. Cecilia Academy
Established 2003Megan Whaley was an outstanding 16-year-old sophomore at St. Cecilia Academy when she was tragically killed in a one-car accident on April 22, 2002. An exceptional athlete, Megan loved basketball, soccer and softball, and served as an excellent role model for many of the other students. In Megan’s memory, her father, Steve Whaley, and other family members and friends established the Megan E. Whaley Fund for St. Cecilia Academy within The Community Foundation to provide tuition assistance for girls who wish to attend this excellent school. Each year in the spring, a softball tournament named for Megan is held to raise additional dollars so the Fund will continue to grow and help even more girls in the future.
Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams and Dr. McDonald Williams Designated Fund
Established 1992Jamye Coleman and McDonald Williams, recipients of the 2002 Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award, established this Fund to benefit Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary. The Williams, who serve on the boards of each of these esteemed educational institutions, wanted to endow their support. In perpetuity, payments from this Fund will be issued to these schools annually. We are honored by their tireless support and by their decision to entrust this legacy to The Community Foundation.
Jean H. and William K. Wright Fund
Established 2008Little is available to spend on the “good” kids in Metro Nashville Public Schools who have extraordinary talent and potential, but whose families can not afford to help nurture those skills. Thanks for Mr. and Mrs. Wright, through this fund, each year talented children will be awarded access to individualized enrichment opportunities in their names through the Tapping Individual Potential (TIP) program of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. They will experience extracurricular opportunities they would have missed otherwise.
