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Children & Youth Service Funds

  • ABLE Wheelchair Sports Fund for Children Established 1999

    As part of his estate planning, John Mayfield started an endowment as a surprise for his good friend, Rick Slaughter. Rick, who is in a wheelchair, runs ABLE (Athletes Building Life Experiences), which introduces children in wheelchairs to all types of sports, such as basketball, tennis and skiing. The program helps children become independent in all of their daily activities.

     
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  • Bethlehem Centers of Nashville Endowment Fund Established 2007

    Bethlehem Centers of Nashville serves more than 6,000 people each year, delivering quality programs and services that promote self-reliance and positive life choices for children, youth and adults in Middle Tennessee. Founded in 1894, Bethlehem Centers now has facilities in North, South and downtown Nashville and in Cheatham County at Camp Dogwood. This Fund exists to help protect a rich tradition and the bright future of those it serves.

     
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  • Rob Bironas Fund Established 2008

    Rob Bironas founded The Rob Bironas Fund in 2008 with a desire to raise and distribute support to causes that have children at the center of their missions. The Fund makes grants with guidelines supported by five “keystones” which were taken from Bironas’ own approach to his kicking career and life. These are: discipline, focus, preparation, overcoming adversity, and recovering from mistakes.

     
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  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Endowment Established 2001

    The Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Nashville's youth for more than 100 years. Its eight sites serve a culturally and economically diverse youth population, ages 6-18. It is open to the public, and no one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay. The Clubs give kids a safe place to learn and grow with life enhancing programs and character development.

     
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  • A Cause For Celebration Fund Established 1998

    The A Cause for Celebration Fund wants to ensure that every child, even those living in difficult circumstances, knows that they are celebrated. Currently, the Fund provides birthday parties for mothers and children living at the YW's Domestic Violence Shelter. Contributions of any size are welcome to perpetuate the joy that this Fund supplies.

     
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  • The Dogwood Fund Established 2012

    The Dogwood Fund of The Community Foundation has been created to support opportunities to help children who have lost a parent or a close relative get through the grieving process.

     
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  • Dundon Family Advised Fund Established 2010

    When Dr. Mary Catherine Dundon explored a way to give to the causes she cares about, and also plan for the future and leaving a legacy, The Community was the right place to accomplish both goals. Now, through this Fund, the Nashville pediatrician extends her everyday commitment to the well-being of children through support for worthy causes promoting healthy children and communities here and around the world.

     
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  • Exchange Child Abuse Prevention Center Endowment Fund Established 1996

    The Exchange Club Family Center, Inc. was established in 1985 to prevent child abuse and improve the lives of families in Middle Tennessee. The center's services include parent education, in-home case management, safe exchanges and supervised visitation, and education and awareness. This endowment ensures the children of tomorrow will be protected from abuse and neglect, and families will be strengthened for generations to come.

     
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  • Exchange Club/Stephens Center Child Abuse Prevention Endowment Established 2000

    The Exchange Club/Stephens Center was established in 1988 with the mission of preventing child abuse and neglect in the Upper Cumberland area. The Center identifies families who are at-risk of child abuse or neglect and then offers appropriate services, including home-visitation programs, parent education classes, community education activities, a community resource closet, and 24-hour on-call access for families needing support or assistance. The Fund will help ensure the continued availability of caring, responsive, community-based efforts for child abuse prevention.

     
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  • First Steps, Inc. Agency Endowment Fund Established 2005

    The mission of First Steps, Inc. is to educate and care for infant to kindergarten-aged children with special needs and medical conditions alongside their typically developing peers in an inclusive environment. With this Fund, First Steps can continue its more than 50-year history in the Nashville community of serving children and their families, many of whom are often turned away from other programs because of the severity of their health issues and/or limited resources.

     
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  • Girl Scout Council of Middle Tennessee Endowment Fund Established 2005

    Through this Fund, the board of directors of the Girl Scout Council of Middle Tennessee wishes to permanently endow its organization to continue its mission to help girls find courage by exploring new adventures, confidence by discovering their abilities, character by shaping their values, and connections by forming friendships with other girls.

     
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  • Anne and Steve Goodhue Fund for Child Abuse Prevention and Healing Established 2011

    Anne's more than 25 years of volunteer work at domestic violence shelters, in roles such as therapeutic play facilitator, and with other related programs, has fueled the couple's desire to invest in long-term solutions. Anne and Steve note, "The invaluable experience Anne received from her work with children, teens and women of all ages helped us realize not only the severity of the harm and dysfunction that abuse, particularly sexual abuse, creates but also how the cycle is perpetuated ... Addictions, behavior issues, emotional/psychological trauma and low self-esteem usually result and can continue if untreated. Secrecy and denial give great power to the immensity of the problem." Through this Field-of-Interest Fund, Anne and Steve intend to permanently endow support for children who need healing as a result of child abuse, and in particular, sexual abuse, and to support education related to prevention of such abuse.

     
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  • Grace M. Eaton Day Home Endowment Fund Established 1998

    Founded 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.

     
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  • Helping Children Heal: A Fund for the Healing Arts Established 2004

    Wendy Kanter, Marna McKinney and Garth Whitcombe developed this Fund so that sick children might take part in a wide range of healing including massage, arts and crafts, music, play therapy, laughter, and reading/storytelling. Grants are made to institutions serving children in hopes that through these activities, their lives may be made easier, if even for a moment.

     
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  • Carroll Hines Fund for Medical Needs of Children Established 2001

    With great compassion and concern for the welfare of children, the Hines family set up this Fund to endow support of programs addressing the health and medical needs of children.

     
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  • Kip's Kids Advised Fund Established 2015

    Kip Moore has been drawn to the outdoors and alternative sports for much of his life as an avid rock climber, surfer, skateboarder, and outdoor enthusiast. He also has a heart for small town and inner city kids growing up with too few options. As a result, the Kip's Kids Fund provides alternative outlets for youth to engage in healthy habits and physical activities like skateboarding, in addition to the traditional sports offerings where they live. The Fund's first project is Comeback Kid Skate Spots which will create customized skate spots to make the most of the size and space available. Most will range from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet. Skate spot designs will include elements such as quarter pipe, bank-to-curb, hubba ledges, hand rail and step up; suited for anyone of any age that wants to learn how to skate. The first five skate spots are planned for Nashville, TN, Annapolis, MD, San Marcos, TX, Boston, MA, and Tifton, GA.

     
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  • LadyAid Fund Established 2012

    The LadyAid Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is a charitable effort founded by the members of Lady Antebellum – Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott – to bring awareness to and generate support for the plight of children locally, nationally and globally who cannot otherwise help themselves. The multi-level campaign will focus primarily on children's hospitals in the United States and Canada, and the overall betterment of children's lives around the world. This effort will partner with organizations to aggregate their collective resources and form a global alliance to promote treatment & research of child-related illness, disease, and disability.

     
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  • Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund Established 2007

    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.

     
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  • Alice and John Lindahl, Jr. Fund for Youth Programs at Bethel Freewill Baptist Church (Ashland City, Tennessee) Established 2005
     
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  • The Littrell Blessing Fund Established 2013

    Brian Littrell, a member of the Back Street Boys, has enjoyed great success as a performer. Be he has not forgotten that he faced health problems as a child. From his own challenges, Brian and wife Leighanne have great hearts for helping children in need. They created this fund to support the causes they believe in.

     
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  • Martin Fund for At-Risk Children Established 2014
     
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  • The Mary Elizabeth “Molly” English Fund Established 2015

    Molly suffered through many challenges during her 7 years of life, but she always had an angel’s face and an angel’s heart. As a special tribute to Molly, her mother Sandra English established this fund. The fund is intended to bring some comfort to the families of special needs children through support of nonprofits which provide services like therapeutic activities, respite care, schools, camps, and adaptive technology. May we always remember the special angels among us.

     
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  • Matthews Mission Fund Established 2016

    The Matthews Mission Fund, established in 2016 by Jordan Matthews, works with communities to FEED: Feed the hungry, Educate the children, Empower the family, and Donate to those in need.

     
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  • McNeilly Center For Children Endowment Fund Established 2008

    For more than 100 years, McNeilly Center for Children has nurtured children's development and helped families thrive. Providing quality, affordable child care to Nashville families with parents who are working, in job training, or in school, McNeilly promotes the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of young children during crucial developmental years, while supporting families with parenting education and social services. This Fund will help ensure McNeilly can continue this work for years to come.

     
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  • Micah Children’s Academy Endowment Fund Established 2012

    Established 2012

     
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  • The MJ93-90 Advised Fund Established 2010

    The Cincinnati Bengals' Michael Johnson believes the success of an exceptional athlete comes from building a strong educational foundation. Through the MJ93-90 Fund, Michael is focused on helping children enrich their lives through education and athletics, by providing funding for youth programs and facilities, mentoring, tutoring, and scholarship opportunities.

     
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  • Monroe Harding Children's Home Endowment Fund Established 1999

    Monroe 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.

     
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  • Nacarato Family Fund Established 2000

    This Fund is intended to permanently endow assistance to families and children in need, such as those who are without food, clothing, medical assistance, or shelter. It will also benefit children who have lost their parents.

     
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  • Opportunity NOW Fund Established 2016

    Opportunity NOW is a youth employment initiative spearheaded by Mayor Megan Barry's office to create a more comprehensive out-of-school network, while improving the overall climate for hiring young people in Nashville. This initiative will create paid job opportunities for thousands of Nashville's youth and young adults. It will support the next generation as they develop valuable life skills and confidence, while ultimately aspiring for a path to a brighter future. Opportunity NOW provides recruitment, training and placement, and is broad enough to be responsive to a variety of ages and skills levels, creating pathways to both subsidized and unsubsidized employment. Opportunity NOW's goal is to empower the youth of Nashville, while providing real chances to learn real skills that will stimulate the next generation of growth in our economy - benefiting our youth, our businesses, and our city. They say, "It takes a village..." and we agree.

     
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  • Our Kids, Inc. Agency Endowment Fund Established 1999

    OUR KIDS provides expert medical and psychosocial services for children who may have experienced sexual abuse. Each year, about 1,000 children and their families receive services from the OUR KIDS team, which stands ready 24 hours each day to help children deal with abuse. This Fund helps ensure OUR KIDS is available to give compassionate care whenever concerns about child sexual abuse arise.

     
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  • Project Meet Me Halfway Established 2010

    We've all heard the admonition to walk in someone else's shoes. Jimmy Wayne, now a successful author and entertainer, knows all too well what it's like to be homeless. So in January 2010, he took that expression to heart, embarking on a 1,700-mile walk, from Nashville to Phoenix, in the shoes of homeless youth. He has called his effort "Meet Me Halfway," the words uttered by the generous souls who adopted Jimmy from the streets when he was 16-years-old. The goal of Project Meet Me Halfway is to raise awareness about the plight of teens aging out of foster care and to provide homes for them as they move into adulthood. Please help Jimmy build “Bea’s Home,” the first transitional residence for at-risk youth. Learn more at ProjectMMH.org.

     
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  • The Sports Fund Established 2011

    There are lessons only sports can teach. Sports often provide positive and constructive after-school activities, and they can promote and inspire active, healthy lifestyles and life-long habits among people of all ages, all races, and all backgrounds. Sports and team membership provide: A sense of belonging, self-esteem, hope, and the inspiration of coaches; A source of activity particularly in those critical after-school hours; And a “hook” to attract kids to nonprofit programs also offering tutoring. Through The Sports Fund of The Community Foundation, Middle Tennessee nonprofit organizations providing these opportunities will have a permanent endowed source of funding to ensure support.

     
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  • The Michael Stanley Fund for Children's Hospital Established 2010

    Cindy and Tony Stanley were devastated by the news that their son, Michael, had cancer. After surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and over 100 days in the hospital, Michael was officially in remission. The Stanley family partnered with The Community Foundation to help ensure there are always funds to support the Child Life Services at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. These services were a godsend to Michael and his family, and they want to do what they can to ensure others confronting ill health receive similar help.

     
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  • TASP Fund to Benefit the Girl Scout Council of Cumberland Valley Established 1997

    The decision of the Tennessee Association of Sales Professionals (TASP) to grace the Girl Scouts with a Fund for its benefit is quite fitting. Not only are the members of the TASP all women who believe in service and responsibility, but there is no paragon of virtue in the annals of salesmanship that can equal the Girl Scout with her box of cookies. As the Girl Scouts continue to make a positive difference in the lives and futures of numerous young women, this Fund will endow the future of the organization it is designated to support.

     
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  • Tennessee Children's Home Fund Established 2000

    Tennessee Orphans Home was incorporated in Tennessee on September 14, 1909, for the purpose of “supporting and educating orphan children regardless of sect, creed or denomination.” In April 1947, TOH received not-for-profit 501(c)(3) recognition by the Internal Revenue Service. Since 1909 it has served over 20,000 children, youth and families. In September 1982, the name was changed to Tennessee Children’s Home. In 2000 Tennessee Children’s Home merged with Happy Hills Youth Ranch, now renamed Tennessee Children’s Home- North Central. Its mission is to serve abused, neglected, abandoned, wayward, or orphaned children and youth as well as their families, in a Christian manner. They provide for the physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and educational needs of children and youth in a safe and secure environment. This Fund will produce revenue to support important services to children and youth.

     
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  • The Tennessee 4-H Foundation Endowment Fund Established 2013

    Tennessee 4-H encourages diverse groups of youth to develop their unique skills and talents to the fullest potential. This Agency Endowment Fund ensures there are permanent resources for this important work serving Tennessee's youth.

     
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  • Bill Weaver Fund to benefit the Time to Rise Program Established 2002

    Founded in 1992, Time to Rise gives at-risk students the chance to discover their potential and excel during structured summer and year-round academic programs. The program targets fifth and sixth grade boys and girls attending Metro Nashville public schools, living in impoverished conditions and demonstrating academic potential. These are students who could conceivably fall through the cracks without intervention.

     
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  • Tulip Street Church-Frances Southerland Legacy Fund Established 2016

    The congregation of Tulip Street United Methodist Church has a long history of community engagement. Since its founding in 1859, Tulip Street has been a constant community presence in East Nashville. The congregation has reached out into the neighborhood, the city, and our country time and again, to offer aid to those in need. Frances Southerland (1926-2013) was a prominent fixture in the congregation at Tulip Street Church, and those who knew her were always impressed with her generosity of spirit. Her primary concern was always to ensure that Tulip Street remained able to help those within its immediate community, having a particular concern for the children of lower income families. Her bequest is the seed of this fund.

     
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  • Anne and Robert Zelle Designated Fund for the Benefit of First Steps, Inc. Established 2016

    Anne and Robert Zelle Designated Fund for the Benefit of First Steps, Inc. | Established 2016

     
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  • Robert K. Zelle Fund to Support Children's Educational Programs Associated with Symphonic Music Established 2011

    Robert K. Zelle Fund to Support Children's Educational Programs Associated with Symphonic Music | Established 2011

     
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  • Robert K. Zelle Fund to benefit Junior Achievement in Nashville, Tennessee Established 2011

    Robert K. Zelle Fund to benefit Junior Achievement in Nashville, Tennessee Established 2011

     
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  • Village Hope, Zimbabwe Advised Fund Established 2009

    Village Hope, a farm located in troubled Zimbabwe, provides a loving home to AIDS orphans. Education is a top priority and serving others is a way of life. From a simple beginning ... "let's save a couple of kids" ... this project has grown to include 18 children of various ages in residence. The goal is to make a college education available to each of them. Ensuring these children's future is but one goal, however. Village Hope reaches out into the community, organizing programs that feed lunch to 900 hungry school children while also providing broader community feedings for over 400 people from surrounding villages. Village Hope also supports a "seed to sadza" project that provides seed corn for planting and enough mealy meal to get households by until their crops come in. Most recently, Village Hope conducted its own "habitat project," called "pass it on," where they provided animals to neighbors in deep need. Imagine this ... children once homeless living in hope and passing hope onto neighbors in need. This is the spark of Zimbabwe's future!

     
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  • The Children of Zimbabwe Advised Fund Established 2004

    A staggering number of children -- throughout Africa broadly and in Zimbabwe specifically -- have been orphaned by AIDS and other diseases. Their tragedy has touched the heart of millions throughout the world. This Fund exists to provide support for the children of Zimbabwe by giving them shelter, food, an opportunity for academic education, and training toward self-sufficiency in adulthood.

     
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  • Home of Hope, Zimbabwe Advised Fund Established 2009

    One woman who wanted to do something for orphans on the streets of Zimbabwe's capital city, for years, quietly served tea and bread to children at the same spot in Harare. She was overwhelmed by the growing AIDs crisis in Zimbabwe and the large number of children who had no place to live after their parents died. Joan, who is from South Africa, came to be known among the street children as "The Tea and Bread Lady." Her simple acts of kindness caught the attention of a group visiting from a Presbyterian Church in Nashville. Church members decided to help Joan take her ministry further. Home of Hope provides Joan with a place for the orphans to come and get food, basic medical supplies and love. These children would have no hope without the care that Joan provides. It is our honor to support her work through this Fund.

     
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  • Mildred B. Zindler Fund for Children Established 1994

    Mildred Zindler, a Winchester native, was a woman who simply wanted to give something back. To ensure that her spirit of charitable concern would continue after her passing, Mildred and her advisors turned to The Community Foundation to endow her generosity through this Fund. A bequest in her Will asks that the proceeds from this Fund be directed toward the care, shelter, education, and maintenance in health of needy children, guaranteeing that Mildred Zindler's legacy of kindness would continue long after her death in 1994.

     
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