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High Impact Giving
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Downloadable Resources
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FAQs
Tips for High Impact Giving
Whether you’re just starting your giving journey or looking to deepen your impact, you don’t have to go it alone. The High Impact Giving Toolkit offers national guidance on how to give with intention and impact. At GivingMatters.com, an initiative of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, we help you put those principles into practice locally.
These tools don’t just support individual donors — they reflect the same questions we ask ourselves as a foundation: What do we value? What impact are we aiming for? What does meaningful giving really look like?
Explore our step-by-step guide to discover what matters most to you, research local nonprofits, and build a giving plan that reflects your values. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your giving goals, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Step 1: Discover Your Giving Mission
Reflect on your values, life experiences, and the causes that inspire you. This worksheet helps you name your focus and define your giving goals.
Download Discover Your Giving Mission
Step 2: Ask the Right Questions
Use our interactive nonprofit profiles and this companion worksheet to explore the organizations doing meaningful work in Middle Tennessee. You’ll learn what questions to ask and where to find the answers on GivingMatters.com.
Download Ask Better Questions
Browse Nonprofit Profiles
Step 3: Create Your Giving Plan
Now that you’ve done the research and defined your goals, make a plan to act. This tool helps you decide how to use your time, skills, and money to support the causes you care about, and set goals you’ll actually follow through on.
Download Build Your Giving Plan
What is GivingMatters.com?
GivingMatters.com is a free, easy-to-use directory that connects generous people like you with verified nonprofits making a difference across Middle Tennessee. You can explore organizations by cause, location, or need — and learn about their leadership, finances, and impact. An interactive map also shows how nonprofit work aligns with community needs using American Community Survey data.
How do nonprofits get listed on GivingMatters.com?
All organizations featured on GivingMatters.com are verified 501(c)(3) public charities that are based in and/or serve Middle Tennessee. To be listed, each nonprofit provides documentation such as IRS determination letters, financial statements, and board details — so you can give with confidence.
Does GivingMatters.com endorse specific nonprofits?
No. GivingMatters.com does not rank or endorse nonprofits. Our goal is to offer trustworthy, transparent information. A “reviewed” checkmark simply means the nonprofit’s profile has been vetted for tax-exempt status and submitted the required documentation.
How does online giving work through GivingMatters.com?
Many nonprofits on GivingMatters.com accept donations directly through their profile. These donations are processed through Stripe, a secure online payment platform, or through the nonprofit’s own preferred processor. Either way, your donation goes directly to the organization.
Are there any fees when I donate?
Some nonprofits on GivingMatters.com link directly to their own donation platforms. Others use Stripe, a secure online payment processor, to accept gifts through their profile.
If your donation is processed through Stripe, the standard fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. GivingMatters.com and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee do not take any additional fees — so more of your donation supports the nonprofit’s mission.
Why use GivingMatters.com instead of a general search?
Unlike a general internet search, GivingMatters.com gives you direct access to verified, side-by-side information on nonprofits — including mission, programs, outcomes, and leadership. It’s a one-stop resource for informed and intentional giving in your local community.
How is GivingMatters.com connected to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee?
GivingMatters.com is a long-standing initiative of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. For over 20 years, it has supported donors, funders, and community members by providing trusted information about nonprofits doing good work in our region.
How do I know my gift is making an impact?
Each profile on GivingMatters.com includes a nonprofit’s mission, program descriptions, financials, and self-reported outcomes — helping you see where your money goes and the difference it makes.
Want to make an even bigger impact?
Interested in creating a Donor Advised Fund or exploring more strategic giving options? Our Philanthropic Services team can help you align your giving with your values — and deepen your impact over time.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 615-321-4939
Learn more here.
