Community Foundation of West TN celebrates 40 years of service
JACKSON, Tenn. — The Community Foundation of West Tennessee is celebrating 40 years.
Guests were given a candle to illuminate 40 years of impact and a plantable bookmark to plant a seed of philanthropy in West Tennessee.
“In our beginning when we started in 1985 we were partnered with West Tennessee Healthcare and supported the health system. We’ve always been about supporting the community,” said Haley Fortune, community impact manager for community impact manager for CFWT.
The Community Foundation of West Tennessee has been able to support not only organizations related to health care but those that help with arts and education. This organization first began in Jackson-Madison County, but now covers 20 different counties.
“So our Community Impact Grants is a grant program that we support nonprofits and the work they’re doing. Some of our recipients are in attendance with us tonight including the Boys and Girls Club, RIFA, and All Saints Immigration Service,” said Fortune.
What began as a small contribution of around $400 soon grew to around a contribution of $78 million.
“We’re so grateful for our donors for trusting us. With over $78 million in contributions that we’ve turned around and invested with more than $116 million into our community to make West Tennessee a better place to call home,” said Fortune.
Their annual charity gala is the largest fundraiser they have and it continues to award organizations through their community impact grant awards.
“Our center pieces for this 40th event included center pieces from past years galas including our Studio 54 year, Great Gatsby year with the feathers, and different things to celebrate the past as we look forward to the charity gala this year,” said Fortune.
This year, during the Community Impact Grant Awards, they will be awarding a significant amount of money to local organizations that apply.
“So we will be awarding $100,00 total through our Community Impact Grants. Grants range anywhere from $1,000 to $40,000. So the amounts that we award is based on the needs in our community and the types of projects and programs that our organizations apply for,” said Fortune.
The Charity Gala will be held on November 8 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
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