It’s about taking what you can give and making it meaningful for both you and those who will ultimately benefit. It’s not about the size of the gift; every gift matters.
Give to support a cause, address an issue or help a charitable organization. You can start your own fund, give to an existing fund, or give directly to Middle Tennessee nonprofits.
Dr. Abram Shmerling was a great dad, a committed and caring physician and someone who invested of himself in the people and community he loved. After a career of more than 45 years serving the medical needs of the Woodbine and Southern Hills Hospital area and after his children were grown, Alzheimer's began to rob Abe of who he was. The disease is progressive, taking something, however small, day by day, week by week, year after year. At his passing, his family decided that a fitting legacy to this man, who cared so deeply about the health and well-being of others, would be a Fund to assist people suffering from the ravages of Alzheimer's. And, so this Fund named for Abe's Garden, was created.
George Oliver Benton, who died in 2001 at age 86, led a rich and varied life, often spent in service to the community. An attorney from Jackson, George was elected Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee on his first day in the Senate and served for two years. He then began a career as a lobbyist, which lasted until the year before his death. Known as the dean of the state's lobbyist corps, colleagues sought him out for his wisdom and experience. The George Oliver Benton Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed to benefit Tennessee's legislative interns.
Wauline A. Duggin was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Wauline's love for her family, and her church family, prompted her husband of almost 59 years and her daughters to set up this Fund. The Fund is designed to support a range of religious, educational and charitable programs serving the youth at the Woodbury Church of Christ.
At her passing, friends of Barbara White Fridrich wanted to create a memorial for her to benefit the legacy of compassion and kindness she left. They turned to The Community Foundation to create a charitable fund capable of supporting important causes in the community she called home. Barbara’s four children—Steve Fridrich, Howard Fridrich, Chip Fridrich, and Lisa Fridrich Grayson—work with The Foundation to make grants that will keep her memory alive.
Margaret North Gessler passed away in January 2007 after a long illness. Her extraordinary life was filled with family, art, friendship and learning. Margaret Gessler was a respected Nashville artist whose career began with her apprenticeship in the Medical Illustration Department at Vanderbilt University in 1935. There Margaret met her husband, Carl, and they settled in Donelson and had four children. Their youngest daughter, Cathy, was a child with Down syndrome. After Cathy's death in 1974, Margaret championed children with disabilities. Another of Margaret's daughters earned her doctorate in Special Education, making it her career focus. This Fund benefits the Susan Gray School's work to serve young children with developmental disabilities and those at risk for developmental delay.
C. B. Harwell was much beloved prior to his untimely death at age 22 in a car accident in Arizona. Coleman Harwell II established this Fund to perpetuate the memory of his son, as he continues his history of support to his favorite charitable organizations.
Fanny May Hite bequeathed a portion of her estate to The Community Foundation for the creation of a Fund in her memory. At her death in 2000, this money was transferred to The Foundation so that causes about which she cared could continue to receive support. Fanny May, who was educated at Vanderbilt University, spent her 98 years living in Boston and Nashville. She performed numerous volunteer jobs to help the community, and among her favorite charities were Senior Citizens, Inc. and the Arthritis Association.
David 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. 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.
This Fund was established by her family to commemorate the life of Barbara Jordan Jones, who brought so much joy to those who knew her. Barbara, a native of Louisiana, resided in Nashville with her husband, Gary, and her children Greg, Christopher, and Jordan Elizabeth, from 1986 until her death in 1995. She was a graduate of Louisiana State University; a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and the Junior League; a Sunday school teacher at Westminster Presbyterian Church; and a loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister. Special interests include religion, education and health care.
When Mary Jones died of breast cancer, her friends honored her memory by creating a Fund to benefit the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition. The coalition's mission is to provide assistance and education to Tennesseans facing breast cancer and to advocate for advancements in medical research and legislative action regarding breast cancer. Mary's Fund will provide an ongoing source of much needed support to help TBCC achieve its goal of saving lives as quickly as possible.
Alex LeVasseur, a Franklin 13-year-old, was full of life, a friend to everyone he met, and an example to his peers to include everyone and make the most of each moment. Alex passed away in early 2007 in a tragic ATV accident. To permanently memorialize Alex and share his passion for skating with other teenagers, his parents, Stephanie LeVasseur and Jeffrey Steele, established the Fund, which helps motivate kids in school and life by providing incentives and mentors to kids with a passion for skateboarding in Nashville. Visit www.rememberalex.com to learn more.
From a very early age, Virgil Maupin wanted to help others. He knew that hope, dreams and aspirations are what propel any individual to imagine and attain a better future. Virgil Maupin's life was cut short in a tragic accident on April 13, 2006. A passionate and idealistic young man, when he died he was in the process of establishing a nonprofit organization, Dreams4Youth (Dreams for Youth), to help disadvantaged youth. His hope was to enhance the activities of groups like the YMCA or 100 Black Men by supplementing their programs. This fund was created in Virgil's name to give money to nonprofit organizations that help young people advance themselves and, may one day, establish a scholarship to a trade school - because Virgil knew not every student is suited for college.
While living, Rosemary May shaped a legacy by instilling in all whom she met an appreciation for life, freedom, tolerance, and understanding, by sharing the lessons she learned as a survivor of the Holocaust. Through her daily efforts, she sought to preserve the memory of Holocaust victims, including many family members and friends who did not survive. At her death, Rosemary created a different legacy by establishing Funds with The Community Foundation, to give her children, Rick and Emily, the wherewithal to continue her acts of charity and righteousness.
While living, Rosemary May shaped a legacy by instilling in all whom she met an appreciation for life, freedom, tolerance, and understanding, by sharing the lessons she learned as a survivor of the Holocaust. Through her daily efforts, she sought to preserve the memory of Holocaust victims, including many family members and friends who did not survive. At her death, Rosemary created a different legacy by establishing Funds with The Community Foundation, to give her children, Rick and Emily, the wherewithal to continue her acts of charity and righteousness.
One in five families in the United States is affected by brain disorders (mental illness). NAMI Nashville is dedicated to improving the quality of life for an estimated 30,000 people in the Nashville area with these disorders. NAMI Nashville provides emotional support and education to families, mental health consumers and the public.
Johnnie Sue O'Neill inspired strength, courage and love in every life she touched. Deaf since birth, she reveled in her special ability to communicate her determination and grace to those around her. Johnnie Sue did not wish to hear; she wished that the deaf be heard. At age 15, she was stricken with bone cancer and seized the opportunity to inspire a new audience of people by enriching the lives of her caregivers and fellow patients. Her cancer in remission, Johnnie Sue returned to high school at the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville, Kentucky, where she graduated valedictorian of her class in 1995. She continued her studies at Gallaudet University and Eastern Kentucky University before her passing in February 2000 at age 23. In honor of her faith and courage, Johnnie Sue O'Neill's family established this Fund to benefit members of the deaf community.
The Olive Branch Fund: A Thisbe and Noah Scott Legacy was founded by Franklin residents John and Laurian Scott in honor of their two children, Elenna "Thisbe" and "Noah" McArthur Scott. John and Laurian's whole world began to change when their beautiful daughter, Thisbe, was 17-months-old. Thisbe began suffering from a disease that caused her nerve cells to die, no longer sending messages to the muscles, telling them to move. Thisbe became paralyzed piece by piece and spent the last 18 months of her short life suffering, which she bore with unbelievable grace and fortitude. Her death was caused by the motor neuron disease Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere (BVVL) on April 30th, 2007. Just one month after Thisbe's death, her healthy, precious brother Noah, just 10-months-old at the time, started showing one of the initial symptoms of BVVL: a droopy eyelid. He too started the degeneration, full of love and purity of spirit. The disease took his life nine months later, on April 9th, 2008. Through a profound brokenness, the Scott's have begun the mission to raise awareness, fund research and provide support to families of all forms of pediatric motor neuron diseases. In this way, they hope to honor the amazing little lives that they were graced with in Thisbe and Noah - and to show that they mattered, not just to their parents, but to the world.
In memory of Joyce Beisswenger, this Fund provides lasting support for the Penuel Ridge Retreat Center in Cheatham County, Tennessee. A contemplative interfaith retreat center, Penuel Ridge was the realization of a dream for Don Beisswenger and his late wife, Joyce. The Center is a place for personal spiritual renewal, nurturing the journey inward to strengthen the journey outward. Homeless men and women are invited monthly for retreat, where healing, hope and wisdom are nurtured through silence, safe space and the beauty of creation, as well as community, contemplation and meaningful work which provides dignity.
Longtime Nashville residents Jim and Cecy Reed's names are synonymous with what's become a local institution - Jim Reed Automotive. Founded by Jim's father, Jim Reed, Jr., in 1917, the first Jim Reed Chevrolet Group opened at 1223 Broadway and sold 500 cars in its first year of business. Jim Reed III joined the company after World War II and became its president in 1956. Now with his children involved in the company, it represents a family tradition that has lived for three generations. While running a successful family business, Jim and Cecy were always highly involved in the community, a joy and privilege they wanted to share with their five children. At their passing, a Fund within The Community Foundation was established for each of their children, giving them the opportunity to support the causes they care about through the flexibility of a Donor-Advised Fund.
The John R. Story Memorial Advised Fund was created to recognize the life of Charles Story's father. Though not highly educated, John was a voracious reader and student of language. Charles honors his father's legacy through this Fund, proceeds of which will support literacy efforts in the greater Nashville community.
Marguerite Miller Trost was born in 1901 in Alabama where she lived most of her life. She was unusual for her time and place in that when she graduated from Judson College in 1920, she was following in the tradition of her mother, a graduate of the University of North Alabama, and her grandmother, who attended Queens College before the Civil War. She was an intellectual who continued her education throughout life, ultimately receiving a Masters in History. For Marguerite, history was her vocation and avocation. She taught in Alabama public schools for more than 30 years. Her son, Charles Trost, and his wife, Annie, established this Fund to advance the teaching of American History in public education, with an emphasis on the Constitutional rights and responsibilities of citizenship given to us by the founders of the American Republic.
Chad Welch was diagnosed with Acute Mylogenous Leukemia on April 26, 2005. After 26 months, he lost his courageous battle with cancer. Throughout his illness, Chad not only fought his own disease, but he also became an advocate for the greater fight against leukemia by raising money for related charities and challenging his family and friends to join the fight against leukemia. Inspired by Chad's courage and selfless nature, this Fund continues the fight against leukemia in Chad's name.
During her very long and happy life, Ellen Wemyss (1895-2000), beloved Nashville native and Sumner County resident, rallied forces to preserve many irreplaceable architectural treasures. They included President Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, Gen. James Winchester's Cragfont in Sumner County, and the preservation of properties in rural historic Smith and Trousdale Counties. The loving care she and her husband, Will Wemyss, gave their home, Fairvue, resulted in its National Landmark recognition. Established in fond memory of a remarkable and inspiring woman, this Fund provides promotion and continuation of historic preservation.
Megan 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.
As a child, Zoë was full of life and quick to share her infectious laugh. From the outset, she was a "charmer," always able to get her point across. At the tender age of seven months, Zoë was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive tumor found in the cerebellum and spinal areas of children younger than three-years-old. Marie and Daniel Maggipinto, Zoë's parents, knew from the beginning there was only a 20-25% chance their little girl would survive but they threw themselves into the fight with the help of St. Jude Hospital. Even with that powerful team, Zoë passed away just after Thanksgiving in 2002. The Zoë Marie Brain Tumor Research Fund was created to continue the fight against childhood illness so that other families may have greater hope.