Memphis is home to a diverse array of nonprofits dedicated to addressing community needs, from education and housing to health and cultural enrichment. These organizations embody the city’s rich history of compassion, innovation, and resilience, tackling pressing issues while celebrating the community’s unique heritage and potential.
Nonprofits in Memphis not only address immediate challenges like hunger, homelessness, and access to healthcare but also invest in long-term solutions that promote equity, education, and cultural enrichment. Whether through groundbreaking research, hands-on community service, or programs that nurture artistic and personal development, these organizations enhance the quality of life for countless residents.
Memphis’s nonprofit sector reflects the city’s vibrant spirit and collaborative ethos, bringing together individuals, businesses, and local leaders to create meaningful change. From empowering underserved families to preserving the city’s rich cultural legacy, these nonprofits are a testament to the transformative power of collective action.
Below is an overview of notable Memphis nonprofits that are making a profound difference. These organizations not only share a dedication to their missions but also demonstrate how impactful partnerships and innovative programs can help build a stronger, more inclusive Memphis for everyone.
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Memphis Union Mission
Memphis Union Mission is a faith-based organization committed to providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families facing homelessness, addiction, and crises. Through its holistic approach, the mission addresses not only the immediate physical needs of shelter, food, and clothing but also the deeper emotional and spiritual struggles its clients face.
By offering recovery programs, counseling, and practical life skills training, Memphis Union Mission empowers individuals to rebuild their lives, achieve self-sufficiency, and reintegrate into the community with hope and dignity.
History: Founded in 1945, the mission has provided shelter, food, and recovery programs to countless individuals in need.
Vision: To see clients become mature disciples of Jesus Christ, achieve freedom from substance abuse, reunite with loved ones, and reemerge as self-sufficient community members.
Impact: Through comprehensive programs, the mission has transformed lives by addressing both immediate needs and underlying issues, facilitating long-term recovery and reintegration.
Christian Community Foundation
The Christian Community Foundation (CCF) serves as a trusted partner for individuals, families, and businesses looking to maximize the impact of their charitable giving. Rooted in Christian values, the foundation provides resources and guidance to help donors align their giving with their faith and long-term philanthropic goals.
By managing donor-advised funds and facilitating strategic giving, CCF supports a wide range of ministries and nonprofits, fostering transformative change in communities locally and beyond. With a focus on generosity, stewardship, and collaboration, the foundation empowers donors to make a lasting difference in the lives of those they aim to serve.
History: Since its inception in 1992, CCF and its family of givers have granted nearly a billion dollars to charities across the United States.
Vision: To transform Memphis through churches and ministries that combine Christian faith and action, impacting spiritual, academic, economic, and relational aspects of the community.
Impact: CCF facilitates donor-advised funds, enabling donors to support causes aligned with their values, significantly contributing to the city’s philanthropic landscape.
Wolfpack Group
The Wolfpack Group is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting underserved minority communities and individuals in need through targeted support, resources, and opportunities for growth. By addressing critical challenges such as economic inequality, lack of access to education, and systemic barriers, the Wolfpack Group creates pathways for individuals and families to achieve personal and collective success.
Through mentorship, skills training, and community-building initiatives, the organization fosters empowerment, resilience, and self-sufficiency, ensuring that those they serve can overcome obstacles and thrive. Driven by a commitment to inclusivity and equity, the Wolfpack Group inspires lasting change in the communities it touches.
History: Founded with a mission to create a supportive village for the city of Memphis, the organization focuses on compassionate outreach and inclusive projects.
Vision: To foster a loving and inclusive community where every individual has access to the resources needed for personal and economic advancement.
Impact: Through various programs and initiatives, the Wolfpack Group addresses immediate needs and promotes long-term development in underserved communities.
Memphis Inter-Faith Association (MIFA)
The Memphis Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the independence and well-being of vulnerable seniors and families in crisis. Through a range of high-impact programs, MIFA provides essential services such as meals, housing support, and emergency assistance, addressing immediate needs while promoting long-term stability.
Guided by a mission to unite people of all faiths and backgrounds in service to the community, MIFA plays a critical role in strengthening the social fabric of Memphis by offering compassionate care and practical resources to those in need.
History: Established in 1968 following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, MIFA was created to unite the community through service.
Vision: To unite the diverse community through service and leadership to address the challenges of poverty.
Impact: MIFA serves thousands annually through programs like Meals on Wheels, emergency housing assistance, and senior companionship, promoting independence and dignity.
Mid-South Food Bank
The Mid-South Food Bank is a nonprofit dedicated to combating hunger across the Mid-South region. By collecting and distributing nutritious food to those in need, the organization works tirelessly to ensure that individuals and families facing food insecurity have access to healthy meals.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, the Mid-South Food Bank engages in education and advocacy initiatives to raise awareness about hunger and address its root causes.
Partnering with local agencies, schools, and community organizations, the food bank strives to build a hunger-free region and empower communities with the resources and knowledge they need to thrive.
History: Serving the community for decades, the food bank has been a crucial resource for individuals facing food insecurity in the region.
Vision: Creating a hunger-free Mid-South.
Impact: Distributing millions of pounds of food annually, the organization plays a vital role in alleviating hunger and improving nutrition for countless families.
Slingshot Memphis
Slingshot Memphis is a poverty-fighting organization dedicated to transforming how poverty is understood and addressed in the city. By combining data-driven evaluation with a focus on measurable impact, Slingshot Memphis works to amplify the effectiveness of local poverty-fighting initiatives.
The organization partners with nonprofits, philanthropists, and community leaders to identify gaps, allocate resources strategically, and implement innovative solutions that create meaningful, sustainable change.
Through its evidence-based approach, Slingshot Memphis seeks to redefine the standards for tackling poverty, ensuring that efforts are not only compassionate but also impactful and scalable.
History: Founded with a mission to create equitable opportunities, Slingshot Memphis evaluates and amplifies the impact of poverty-fighting organizations.
Vision: For all Memphians, regardless of circumstances, to have equitable opportunities for personal and economic success.
Impact: By providing data-driven insights and strategic support, Slingshot Memphis enhances the effectiveness of local nonprofits, leading to more efficient poverty alleviation efforts.
Agape Child & Family Services
Agape is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to providing children and families with the resources and support needed to build healthy, stable homes. Through a combination of housing assistance, education, and mentorship programs, Agape empowers families to overcome barriers and achieve long-term success.
History: Established in 1970, Agape began as a foster care agency and has since expanded its mission to address systemic issues affecting underserved families in Memphis. Its holistic approach focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring children and families thrive.
Vision: To transform communities into safe, stable environments where every family has the opportunity to succeed.
Impact: Agape serves nearly 10,000 individuals annually, providing everything from housing and employment assistance to mental health resources. Their PLACE-based strategy works directly in schools and neighborhoods, ensuring that families receive the support they need where they live and learn.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-renowned nonprofit medical center focused on treating and curing pediatric catastrophic diseases, including cancer. The hospital ensures no family receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food, so they can focus entirely on their child’s care.
History: Founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude began with a groundbreaking vision: to treat and defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its mission has led to significant advancements in research and care, making it a global leader in pediatric medicine.
Vision: To advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.
Impact: St. Jude has revolutionized the treatment of childhood cancer, raising survival rates for diseases like acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 4% to 94%. Its research is shared freely with the global medical community, benefiting countless children worldwide.
Memphis Music Initiative (MMI)
Memphis Music Initiative invests in the power of music to engage, enrich, and empower Memphis youth, particularly those in underserved communities. Through partnerships with schools, mentoring programs, and creative opportunities, MMI fosters personal and artistic growth.
History: Launched in 2014, MMI was born from the belief that Memphis’s rich musical legacy could be leveraged to inspire and uplift young people. The organization has since partnered with schools and community groups to integrate music into education and youth development.
Vision: To create pathways for Memphis youth to succeed artistically, academically, and personally by embedding music deeply into their lives.
Impact: Serving thousands of young people annually, MMI provides access to music education, mentorship, and career opportunities in the arts. Its work helps students cultivate creativity, build confidence, and achieve their dreams while honoring Memphis’s musical heritage.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis (BGCM) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for children and teens to learn, grow, and thrive. Through academic programs, leadership development, and recreational activities, BGCM equips young people with the tools they need to succeed in life.
History: Established in 1962, BGCM has served thousands of youth across Memphis, offering a haven where children can build relationships, discover their potential, and achieve their dreams. Over the years, the organization has expanded its reach with multiple clubs and specialized programs tailored to meet the evolving needs of its members.
Vision: To inspire and empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
Impact: Serving over 5,000 children annually, BGCM has become a vital resource for youth in Memphis. From tutoring and college preparation to arts and sports programs, the organization provides a comprehensive platform for personal and academic growth. Its targeted initiatives help bridge opportunity gaps and set young people on paths toward brighter futures.
Let’s Innovate Through Education (LITE Memphis)
Let’s Innovate Through Education (LITE Memphis) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping African American and Latinx students with 21st-century skills to build wealth through entrepreneurship. By providing transformative entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and access to resources, LITE empowers students to launch ventures that drive systemic economic change in Memphis and beyond.
History: Founded in 2013, LITE Memphis began in a classroom at a Title 1 school, recognizing the need to engage students with material that prepares them for the workforce. Since its inception, LITE has been named one of the five most innovative grassroots organizations driving change in the country by The Renewal Project and one of the 20 ideas that can change the world by Forbes magazine. The program has already helped over 2,000 students in Memphis develop and strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.
Vision: To ignite potential, foster growth, and shape the futures of aspiring entrepreneurs by spreading the entrepreneurial mindset through partnerships and community workshops, leading to systemic economic change in Memphis and beyond.
Impact: LITE Memphis has empowered over 2,000 students, guiding them through a 16-week program that transforms dreams and ideas into reality. By providing seed investment, mentor matching, and ongoing professional development, LITE ensures that students, particularly those from underserved communities, have the support needed to succeed. The organization has been instrumental in reducing talent drain and enhancing workforce development by cultivating creative thinking and problem-solving skills among Memphis youth.
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis serves as a vital link between donors and the causes they care about, leveraging philanthropy to drive meaningful, lasting change in the Mid-South.
By managing donor-advised funds and providing resources to nonprofits, the foundation enables individuals, families, and businesses to maximize the impact of their charitable giving.
With a focus on addressing critical community needs and fostering collaborative solutions, the foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents in the region.
History: Established in 1969, the foundation has grown to become the largest grantmaker in the region, managing over 1,200 charitable funds.
Vision: To be the hub that connects capital with solutions that make the community thrive.
Impact: The foundation has granted millions to various causes, addressing critical issues and supporting community assets to create transformational change.
