The Community Foundation

National Museum of African American Music Endowment Fund Established 2007

Recognizing the need for long-term financial sustainability, the National Museum of African American Music Endowment Fund will secure future acquisitions, collection care, temporary exhibitions, educational programs and general operations. This Endowment will allow the Museum to maintain the relevance and strength of collections, offering of exhibitions and educational platforms for the preservation of one of the America’s most cherished pastimes - music!

Betty Brown Fund to Benefit Nashville Tree Foundation Established 2012

Betty Brown planted thousands of trees never expecting to enjoy their shade. Nashvillians have her to thank for green spaces and shaded spots throughout the city. Within The Community Foundation, her legacy lives on through an endowed Fund to benefit the Nashville Tree Foundation. Now, there’s a permanent stream of support for the continued planting of seeds, and to carry on Betty’s commitment to the needs of generations to come.

Lucius Burch, Jr. Wildlife Habitat Fund Established 1996

Lucius Burch Jr. helped improve the quality of life in this state for all its citizens. At Burch, Porter and Johnson law firm in Memphis, he argued landmark cases, defending Martin Luther King Jr., among others. In addition to his love for the law, Lucius was "mindful of the generations that follow us and their just claim upon this good earth that is our heritage," as he put it. This Fund was established in his memory by Shirley Caldwell-Patterson, to ensure that his lifelong commitment to the earth became a portion of his legacy.

The Clement Railroad Hotel Museum Endowment Fund Established 2010

In downtown Dickson, Tennessee, the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum, previously known as the Hotel Halbrook, is one of the very few examples of a railroad hotel in the state. The museum's historical display panels tell stories about railroad construction during the Civil War, the history of local industries and other area community histories, such as Promise Land that was founded by freed blacks. Governor Frank Clement was born in the hotel while his parents lived there and managed its operations. Items belonging to his family and artifacts from Mr. Clement's life are on display in exhibit rooms. This endowment will ensure the future funding of the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum.

The Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Endowment Fund for the benefit of Land Trust for Tennessee Established 2013

The Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Endowment Fund for the benefit of The Conservancy for the Parthenon and Centennial Park Established 2014

The Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Endowment Fund for the benefit of The National Museum of African American Music Established 2014

Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, Inc. Endowment Fund Established 2007

Drawing on the legendary heritage of the 101st Airborne, Special Operations soldiers and Fort Campbell, The Fort Campbell Historical Foundation supports the "Wings of Liberty" Museum in Clarksville. The museum is a tribute to the traditions of soldier patriots, preserving their history and reminding each visitor that these heroes are not just soldiers, they are sons, daughters, husbands, and wives who have served to protect Americans' freedom. The Foundation seeks to educate young and old, inspire patriotism, and build a bridge between the military and civilian communities. This Fund seeks to ensure that it always can.

GAIA Community Fund Established 1992

The GAIA Fund is a Field-of-Interest Fund established by Shirley Caldwell-Patterson, the LifeWorks Foundation and Elizabeth Queener to endow environmental enrichment of the Middle Tennessee area. Named for Mother Earth, this Fund has initiated several seminars and educational fora.

Tennessee Holocaust Commission Endowment Fund Established 1995

This Fund was established to endow the activities of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, Inc., which develops and implements programs in Holocaust education for Tennessee's public and private secondary schools, colleges, universities, and citizens of all ages.

Humanities Tennessee Endowment Established 1999

For nearly 30 years, Humanities Tennessee has been a leader in creating civic dialogue and public programming in the humanities across the state. Among its initiatives are grants in support of humanities programs; Teacher Awards for outstanding teachers of the humanities; Museums on Main Street, which promotes a broader and deeper understanding of Tennessee's history and cultural life; the Southern Festival of Books; a family literacy program; and a week-long summer program at Austin Peay State University. Humanities Tennessee also makes grants for film, video and radio programs on southern history and culture.

Robert M. Jones Designated Fund Established 2000

Robert Jones was born and reared in Fentress County, but like several of his brothers, he ended up in Toledo, Ohio, where he was a successful carpenter and builder. When Robert died in 1998, as he wished, he was laid to rest in the beautiful countryside near Jamestown in the Range Cemetery, along with many of his ancestors and a host of Fentress Countians. Prior to his death, Robert provided in his Will for the establishment of this Fund, which finances the upkeep of the Range Cemetery, so it will always be a beautiful place and a testament to rich tradition.

Lucille Courtney Memorial Fund for St. John Church Established 1995

Alyne Massey and Elizabeth Queener established this Fund to ensure the ongoing architectural and historic integrity of St. John's Church and Cemetery and to commemorate the life of their sister, Lucille Courtney. The cemetery, known as The Bishop's Graveyard, is the final resting place of many noted Episcopal bishops. Founded in the 1840s by the family of Leonidas Polk, the Bishop of Louisiana, the church is remarkable for its Gothic structure. Following the Battle of Franklin, five Confederate Generals were buried there.

Historic Mansker's Station Agency Endowment Fund Established 2000

Mansker's Station Historic Site is a staffed, living-history locale maintained by the City of Goodlettsville. The site is a reproduction, built at one-third scale, of the station developed by Kasper Mansker in the late 18th Century as a respite for weary pioneers traveling west. To make sure this educational site is maintained for all time.

Historic Nashville City Cemetery Endowment Fund Established 2007

This is a Fund established to preserve the past for the future. Opened in 1822, the City Cemetery is the oldest continuously operated public cemetery in Nashville. The stories of 20,000 individuals and families from the 1820s to the present day, including city mayors and some of Nashville's founders, are told through the gravestones - both simple and ornate. The City Cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its historical and architectural significance, and this Fund will help maintain its grandeur for future generations.

Oral History Fund Established 1995

This Fund was established by the board of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to collaborate with agencies and individuals in Nashville and Middle Tennessee to preserve the past and present for the future. One critical aspect of life here is our rich historical tradition and the tapestry of personal contributions that have given it strength, complexity and meaning. Copies of the individual oral histories are shared with the public through the Nashville Room at the Public Library and the Tennessee State Archives.

planetFISH Ocean Fund Established 2002

For the Franck Family, a love of fishing has led to an even deeper love of the waterways - be it ocean, marsh, lake or stream - that support so many kinds of life and allow us all to enjoy the great outdoors. It was this love that led to the publication of "Fish - A Fishing Journal for the Waters We Love," proceeds of which will be used in part to support this Fund. The Fund primarily supports marine awareness programs and efforts to preserve healthy coastal, ocean and related habitats.

The Shofner Luthern Chapel Fund Established 2010

In 1808, Martin Shofner migrated with his family from the state of North Carolina to settle a tract of land, given to him for services rendered in the American Revolutionary War. Being a devout German Lutheran, Martin dedicated an acre of this land for a church constructed of logs, with a cemetery beside it. It became the first Lutheran church in Tennessee and the "Mother Church" of the denomination in the area west of the Great Smokey Mountains. This Fund was established to ensure it will be around to serve successive generations of the Shofner family, by endowing annual support for the maintenance of the historic building and grounds.

Elias Skovron Fund Designated to Benefit the Cordell Hull Museum and the Friends of Cordell Hull Established 2004

Through the intervention of Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Elias Skovron was one of 250 people from Poland to enter the United States in 1938. Hull, at the request of his personal friend Judge John Gore, wrote to the American Ambassador in Poland asking that Skovron receive a visa, which was granted immediately. This Fund is a lasting tribute to the intercession of Cordell Hull and benefits the people of Pickett County, Tennessee.

Elias Skovron Fund Designated to Benefit Jackson County Historical Society & the Memory of Judge John Gore Established 2004

As a personal friend of Lillian Glean Bogatzky, the donor's aunt, Judge John Gore played an integral role in the immigration of Elias Skovron from Poland to the United States on the brink of World War II. This Fund was established to honor Judge Gore as one of the benefactors who helped this man escape the realities of wartime Poland and enjoy a very long and happy life in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tennessee Beautification Fund Established 1999

We Tennesseans spend a lot of time extolling the virtues of our state and the quality of life we enjoy here, and former Governor Don and Martha Sundquist wanted to help ensure that we always have those same bragging rights. The goal of the Tennessee Beautification Fund, which they established, is to create a mechanism to encourage and enhance protection of our environment. Projects may include the planting of wildflowers, the collection of litter, the beautification of town squares, the involvement of civic clubs and school children, and the planting of trees to shade future generations.

Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation Endowment Fund Established 1999

The Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Tennessee's natural treasures. The Foundation believes the identification, preservation and protection of the most ecologically rich, historically significant and incredibly beautiful places in Tennessee are vital to protecting wildlife, improving water and air quality, providing close-to-home recreation opportunities, and creating sustainable communities and regions.

Tennessee Wildlife Federation Endowment Established 2013

Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s mission is to lead the conservation, sound management and wise use of Tennessee’s wildlife and great outdoors. This Endowment Fund will provide resources for them to do so for generations to come.

The Watkins Family Cemetery Designated Fund Established 2010

In an effort to preserve and perpetuate the Watkins Family Cemetery in Loudon, Tennessee, William Watkins established this Fund to serve as a permanent endowment. By working to ensure the cemetery is available for generations to come, William also hopes to teach the younger Watkins generation the importance of preserving the rich family heritage.