The Community Solutions Grants are provided by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, an organization dedicated to fostering collaborative, community-driven approaches to addressing systemic challenges in the Mid-South region. The Foundation believes that sustainable solutions arise from communities working together to identify root causes and leverage collective strengths. With a focus on fostering trust and authentic engagement, the Foundation supports transformational initiatives that address personal, organizational, and societal issues. The Community Solutions Grants exemplify this philosophy by providing flexible, multi-year funding to organizations deeply embedded in their communities and focused on addressing complex challenges through ground-level, innovative strategies.

The 2025 Community Solutions Grant cycle will focus specifically on the theme of Safe and Resilient Places. This theme emphasizes the creation of innovative, community-led solutions that enhance safety and well-being at the neighborhood level. Funding will prioritize organizations that deeply understand the systemic barriers contributing to public safety challenges and that address the root causes of crime and insecurity. Additionally, eligible organizations must demonstrate their ability to amplify underrepresented voices, co-design strategies with affected residents, and advance long-term solutions that prioritize community perspectives and sustainable well-being.

The total funding available for 2025 is approximately $300,000, and the grants will take the form of general operating support provided over multiple years. To qualify for funding, organizations must maintain a reviewed and published profile on LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org throughout the grant period. This profile must demonstrate that the organization has been a 501(c)(3) entity for at least the past three consecutive years, operates within Memphis and Shelby County, is registered to solicit funds in Tennessee, has submitted audited financials and IRS Form 990s for the past three years, employs at least one paid staff member, is financially stable, and maintains strong relationships with and reflects the communities it serves.

The application process for the 2025 Safe and Resilient Places Community Solutions Grants begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI), which opens online on February 18, 2025. Applicants must attend one of the mandatory pre-application information sessions held on February 20, 25, or 27. The LOI and LIVEGIVEmidsouth profile must be submitted by March 14. Selected applicants will be invited to submit budgets and participate in site visits starting April 4, with site visits and interviews occurring throughout April and May. Grant awards will be announced in May 2025.

Applications will be evaluated by the Community Initiatives Grant Committee, which consists of 21 members representing diverse perspectives from the community and the Community Foundation’s Board of Governors. This committee may also involve subject-matter experts as needed. All committee members are trained in the grant requirements and use a standardized evaluation tool to guide their decisions. Evaluation will align with the Community Foundation’s Community Investment Principles, which emphasize inclusion, equity, and community voice in grantmaking decisions.