Connecting, cultivating, inspiring, and engaging the rising
generation of philanthropic leaders in Middle Tennessee
The Rising Philanthropist Institute is a learning cohort program of Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for individuals who are ready to deepen their understanding of strategic philanthropy and strengthen their capacity to create meaningful, lasting change through thoughtful, community focused giving.
Why Join Us?
Guided by expert facilitators over a series of gatherings, participants move through a personal and professional growth cycle: assessing current realities, defining a compelling vision, and shaping the cultural foundation for the future of philanthropy.
In this cohort, you will:
- Understand the difference between charity and philanthropy to move from reactive giving to strategic, impact-driven investment in community.
- Craft your philanthropic story and identity, including values and motivations, and design a personal giving plan to maximize your impact.
- Learn what nonprofits do, how to assess their impact and financial health, and how they create change.
- Explore local and national giving trends to understand what’s shaping philanthropy today, and move beyond social gestures to intentional giving that meets both long-term and urgent needs.
- Work alongside other emerging philanthropists to build a shared giving identity; create thoughtful grants together.
- Build your community leadership skills to support local giving now and in the future.
Philanthropic Advising
Two one-hour individual advising sessions with a CFMT Philanthropic Services Team member to strategically select a grantee and finalize your personalized giving plan.
Community Foundation Donor Education & Programming
Access CFMT donor learning programs and events.
Rising Philanthropist Institute Alumni Network
Graduates of the program become part of the Rising Philanthropist Institute Alumni Network, a community dedicated to lasting impact. Alumni can continue their philanthropic journey by opening donor advised funds or pursuing other personalized giving opportunities.
$1,000 Charitable Donation
Instead of a tuition fee, each participant makes a $1,000 charitable contribution to the Rising Philanthropist Institute Fund. Each participant’s gift will be granted to a strategically selected nonprofit organization of their choice at the conclusion of the program.
The Tomorrow Fund
In addition, the cohort will collectively select a nonprofit to receive grant funds provided by The Tomorrow Fund, an endowed fund at CFMT to build community awareness, leadership, and responsibility in young Nashville residents by establishing a pattern of community service and charitable giving.
How to Participate
To express interest in the Rising Philanthropist Institute cohort, please complete the CFMT Rising Philanthropist Institute Interest Form. To nominate a Rising Philanthropist in your life, visit the CFMT Rising Philanthropist Nomination Form.
To learn more, contact Amy Fair at [email protected] and Jacob Tudor at [email protected].
The Rising Philanthropist Institute cohort is limited to 20 participants annually.
2026 Program Schedule
February 22 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Program Kick-Off Event:
Getting to Know One Another and CFMT
March 19 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Learning Event:
Developing a Personal Philanthropic Identity
April 16 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Learning Event:
Exploring the Nonprofit Sector and the Local Community
May 14 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Learning Event:
Building a Group Identity
June 18 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
From Nonprofit Research to Site Visits:
The Many Ways to Learn About Nonprofits
August 13 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Grant Presentations & Group Grantee Selection
September 17 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Individual Giving Selection Presentations & Celebration
Photo: The Tomorrow Fund members networking at a past event, part of CFMT’s more than 20 years of cultivating young philanthropic leaders, and now expanding with the launch of the Rising Philanthropist Institute.
