For Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, 2024 was a landmark year.
Together, we crossed a significant milestone with more than $223 million contributed and $103 million granted to nonprofits across the region. That’s the largest single-year contribution and grant total in our history. Over the past three years, CFMT has grown by more than 50%, even through economic ups and downs.
But what matters most is what our growth is making possible.
This past year, we helped launch the Nashville Catalyst Fund to address the region’s attainable housing challenge and the Nashville Early Education Coalition to focus on the childcare crisis. We welcomed more than 15,000 people and over 280 nonprofit partners through CFMT’s doors, earning us the badge of “the community’s clubhouse.” We supported hundreds of students with scholarships, celebrated 21 Black philanthropic leaders as Gamechangers, and saw partners like Jelly Roll turn personal stories into real community impact.
That’s what your trust and support make possible — bold ideas, lasting partnerships, and a stronger Middle Tennessee.
Thank you for being part of it.
Dear Friends,
One of the few lessons I remember from elementary school was the first time I heard a teacher tell our class the old folk tale about the village that learned to make “stone soup.” You may remember it as well.
A group of exhausted travelers arrive in a village where they are not exactly greeted with open arms. Regardless, they propose making a special dish called stone soup. They fill a pot with water, add a “magical” stone, and begin to cook it over a fire. Curious villagers ask about the soup and the travelers suggest that additional ingredients would enhance its power. The villagers, intrigued and interested in tasting this magic soup, start contributing random ingredients like carrots, potatoes, onions, and even a little meat.
The more the villagers contributed, the heartier and more nourishing the soup became. Once it was ready, the travelers removed the stone that got it all started and shared the soup with the entire village. The villagers then realize that the true magic was not the stone, but their collective effort and willingness to share
As we all know, the moral of the story is the power of collaboration and generosity. The role of this community foundation is to model the same. By working together and contributing what each person can, we are all able to achieve a greater good than any single individual or organization could alone.
CFMT, which welcomed more than 15,400 people through our doors this past year, may serve as our community’s starter stone but it was your contributions that helped us achieve something magical. Last year, CFMT fundholders, ranging from GRAMMY Award winners to middle school giving circles to retirees, gave over $47.9M in local grants through this foundation. Your generosity has
- helped ensure every childcare center in the city has a permanent library,
- provided miles of trails and acres of greenspace available for Nashvillians to enjoy,
- diverted over 100 tons of food waste from landfills,
- delivered mental health resources to schools,
- provided Thanksgiving dinners for thousands impacted by homelessness.
These are just a few of the thousands of stories I could share about your generosity in action. Every contribution helped someone, or someplace, make more possible.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your trust and support are the foundation upon which we can together continue building a brighter, more thriving, and inclusive village — today and for generations to come.
Gratefully,
For our 2024 Annual Report, we decided to share how the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee makes more…affordable housing, child care, disaster relief, visual and performing arts, scholarships, opportunities for women and girls, after school programs, positive mental health…possible.
How Deep Partnerships Make More Possible
When the right partners come together, transformative change is possible.
In 2024, two bold initiatives launched to drive transformative change in Nashville. The $76M Nashville Catalyst Fund is preserving affordable housing, while the Nashville Early Education Coalition unites leaders to expand access to quality childcare. Both efforts show the power of trust, shared vision, and collaboration in tackling urgent community needs and building lasting impact.
How A New Address Makes More Possible
We welcomed 284 nonprofits and more than 15,400 people through CFMT’s doors.
In 2023, CFMT opened its new home as a space for connection and collaboration. A year later, over 15,400 people and 284 nonprofits had gathered there. These moments deepened our purpose and trust. We remain committed to going beyond the check—supporting one another, learning together, and building lasting change through people, partnerships, and care.
How CFMT Grantmaking Makes More Possible
CFMT is making more possible for communities across the region by supporting bold, responsive mental health initiatives.
Through its Positive Mental Health & Quality of Life grantmaking, CFMT supports bold initiatives like Healing in the Margins. A 2024 grant helped expand therapy access to over 475 underserved individuals via pop-up clinics, youth programs, and community education. Their inclusive, trauma-informed care model brings healing to overlooked spaces, turning support into lasting connection and change.
How a Family Legacy Makes More Possible
What is the legacy you want to leave behind?
Anne and Bob Zelle’s legacy is one of trust, generosity, and belief in community. Introduced to CFMT in 1994, they made the visionary decision to include CFMT in their estate plans, establishing what has been our most significant planned gift to date. Their trust in CFMT’s local expertise continues to support nonprofits and guide responsive, purpose-driven efforts that address evolving community needs for generations to come.
How Your Story Makes More Possible
Jelly Roll’s journey shows how sharing your story with heart and purpose makes more possible.
Middle Tennessee native Jelly Roll, a GRAMMY-nominated artist, uses his platform to inspire change through music and service. In 2024, he launched The Buddy DeFord Charitable Fund at CFMT to honor his father and support causes like prison ministry, mental health, and homelessness—proving that where you start doesn’t define the impact you can make.
2024 Highlights
CFMT partners with donors to make a lasting impact. Whether your goals are to support a beloved nonprofit or find new and innovative solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges, we provide you with the connections and expertise to bring your charitable aspirations to life.
NUMBER OF GIFTS
MADE TO CFMT
IN 2024:
6,539
TOTAL DOLLARS
DONATED TO CFMT
IN 2024:
$223,040,700
MIDDLE TN
AND SOUTHERN KY
COUNTIES SERVED:
43
Nonprofit partners play a vital role in strengthening our community, and CFMT seeks to support and reinforce their impactful work through a variety of grantmaking opportunities. We are honored to invest in and partner with the agents and agencies of change who are working daily to address our most pressing issues.
GRANTS MADE
IN 2024:
$103,099,872
NUMBER OF
UNIQUE GRANTEE
PARTNERS IN 2024:
5,029
AMOUNT OF GRANT
DOLLARS DISTRIBUTED
SINCE 1991:
$1,433,775,962
Through CFMT’s various types of funds and our commitment to donor intent, financial gifts support nonprofit organizations, causes, and concerns in the Middle Tennessee community and beyond. Outside of our annual grantmaking process, CFMT’s fundholders direct their charitable gifts to lift what matters most to them.
CFMT SERVICE
AREA:
$67,796,192
REST OF
TENNESSEE:
$8,585,037
OUTSIDE OF
TENNESSEE:
$26,718,643
Through our grantmaking initiatives, we have been able to fund and support projects that address some of our community’s most pressing challenges. This infographic serves as a testament to the collective effort and unwavering commitment to positive change.
AFFILIATE FUNDS
Designated to support a particular geographic area, be it a county, a community, or a specific region.
Total Funds: 12
Market Value of Fund Type:
$2.82 million
Fund Value Range:
$5,000-$1.42 million
AGENCY ENDOWMENT FUNDS
Established by nonprofits as a means of building charitable dollars for the future of their mission and work.
Total Funds: 150
Market Value of Fund Type:
$21.20 million
Fund Value Range:
$5,000-$2.98 million
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Ensure regular, endowed support in the form of a steady stream of income provided to specific charitable organizations the donors select.
Total Funds: 219
Market Value of Fund Type:
$48.59 million
Fund Value Range:
$5,000-$4.28 million
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
Set aside charitable dollars when it is best for you, then over time make recommendations about the distribution of grants.
Total Funds: 748
Market Value of Fund Type:
$517.23 million
Fund Value Range:
$5,000-$128.55 million
EMPLOYEE CARE FUNDS
Create a charitable vehicle through which employees of participating companies who need assistance when facing serious personal financial hardship can apply for help.
Total Funds: 101
Market Value of Fund Type:
$8.60 million
Fund Value Range:
$10,000-$2.34 million
FIELD-OF-INTEREST FUNDS
Target support to broad areas of concern, such as education, the arts, the environment, youth services, the disabled, or geographic areas they choose.
Total Funds: 201
Market Value of Fund Type:
$113.06 million
Fund Value Range:
$5,000-$14.00 million
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
Help to further the education of students who are selected based on criteria donors outline, whether a student is from a particular geographic area, attending a certain school, or planning a career in a specific field.
Total Funds: 169
Market Value of Fund Type:
$24.51 million
Fund Value Range:
$25,000-$3.64 million
UNRESTRICTED IMPACT FUNDS
Provide the greatest flexibility, allowing the Community Foundation to respond to changing need and circumstance.
Total Funds: 24
Market Value of Fund Type:
$10.37 million
Fund Value Range:
$5,000-$2.80 million
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
Individuals, families, and companies with existing private foundations or those seeking to open one can turn to CFMT for specific advice, support, and other collaborative opportunities.
Total Funds: 1
Market Value of Fund Type:
$19.49 million
AGENCY ENDOWMENT FUNDS
ARTS & CULTURE
Gloria Belle Memorial Bluegrass Education Fund
Paul S. McConnell Music Fund for The South Cumberland Community Fund
Terry Baucom Bluegrass Education Fund
HUMAN SERVICES
Dickson County Help Center Endowment Fund
Nations Ministry Future Fund
DESIGNATED FUNDS
AWARDS
30th Anniversary Fund to benefit The Women’s Fund
Lynn Erwin Memorial Award for Sheriff Association of Texas Excellence Award Fund
EDUCATION
Ada High Martin Memorial Valedictorian Award Fund
GIRLS GIVE
Girly Pops Fund
Giving is a Girl’s Best Friend Fund
Mighty Girls Fund
Stella & Gigi’s Fundekhari
Vintage Girls Fund
HEALTH/MEDICAL
McDonald Boersma Hanley Cancer Research Endowment Fund
Susie McClure Fund for American Baptist College
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
4 For Good Fund
Aaron and Anna Hall Family Fund
Amanda Hardin Fund
Amelia Goar Trickett Grandchildren Fund
Anastasia Greenebaum Advised Fund
Anna-Gene and Scott O’Neal Philanthropic Fund
Billy F. Gibbons Charitable Fund
Buddy DeFord Charitable Fund
Curfew Fellowship Fund
Elliott Greenebaum Advised Fund
George and Joyce Fournier Fund
Good Friends Fund
HARDY Fund
Happiness in Giving Fund
Hersperger Family Charitable Fund
Higgins Family Advised Fund
Jackson Francis Advised Fund
Jamie Eskind Advised Fund
John S. Greenebaum Advised Fund
Justin Pitt Family Charitable Fund
Keepin’ The Lights On Fund
Little Family Advised Fund
Lynn Goldsmith Family Advised Fund
Mack Lewis Page Music Education Fund
Magical Narwhal Fund
Mark and Shaherah Yancy Solidarity Impact Fund
Mary Harriet Waltemath Advised Fund
Mary’s Hug Fund
Mary Moss Greenebaum Advised Fund
Mr. & Mr. – The Caring and Kindness Fund
Patricia Ann (Brewer) Cooper Advised Fund
Paws Across America
PMC Cares Advised Fund
Shelby Nashe Advised Fund
Sophie’s Legacy Ride Fund
Starlight Fund
Toby Keith: American Icon Fund
Westlake Family Fund
Wiseman Fund
Tim & Shannon Wiseman Family Fund
EMPLOYEE CARE FUNDS
Ajax Turner Team Member Emergency Support Fund
Barbaricum Employees First Fund
Barge Design Solutions Employee Care Fund
Compassus CARES Employee Assistance Fund
Imagine Pediatrics Employee Assistance Fund
McDonald’s ACC Employee Assistance Fund
Mitsubishi Motors Confidence & Care Fund
OvationCares Foundation
Richland Place Corporate Care Fund
Sanctuary – Health One Alliance Employee Assistance Fund
FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS
ARTS & CULTURE
Asbury Place Legacy of Service Fund
Community Enrichment
Dickson County Agricultural Center Fund
Project ForeSight Fund
EDUCATION
Nashville Early Education Coalition
PARKS & RECREATION
BlueCross Healthy Place at Quake Lake Maintenance Fund
BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park Maintenance Fund
HUMAN SERVICES
Children of Zimbabwe: Village Hope Fund Sabbatical Fund
Sabbatical Fund
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
Eddie Dale Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund
Marjorie and Herman Collier STEM Scholarship
Natalie Lauren White Memorial Scholarship Fund
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION
Nashville Catalyst Fund
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors committed to the highest standards of governance and fiduciary responsibility. Our board members bring a wealth of experience, diverse perspectives, and a shared passion for making a positive impact in our community.
Our Trustee’s Council provides strategic guidance, institutional knowledge, fund development, and networking opportunities.
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is a nonprofit organization committed to creating a more thriving and inclusive community. We do this by identifying the challenges facing our region and bringing together resources and relationships to address them.
Through tools for long-term charitable giving and local expertise, donors can help make a lasting difference in our communities and with our communities. CFMT currently administers more than 1,600 charitable funds, manages more than $700 million in assets, and awards more than $60 million in grants and scholarships each year.
