Hugh SimonsAn organization in Antioch teaches dance to empower young people. A handful of other Middle Tennessee nonprofits help feed and clothe struggling families. At Thompson’s Station, a program uses horses to help victims recover from trauma.
These are three of two dozen Middle Tennessee organizations currently fundraising through August 12 as part of the Gannett Foundation’s A Community Thrives.
The 2022 A Community Thrives program, a $2 million initiative created by the Gannett Foundation, will award grants to groups seeking to improve their communities. Gannett, the parent company of the USA TODAY Network, sponsors A Community Thrives.
Crowdfunding program:Help Nonprofits Get Grants Through The Gannett Foundation’s Crowdfunding Program
Since the program’s inception in 2017, more than $17 million has been donated through crowdfunding efforts and paid out to more than 500 organizations.
How it works
Nonprofits have one month to fundraise through the Mightycause online platform to reach a minimum of $3,000 or $6,000, depending on the group’s operating budget, in order to qualify as a grantee of the grant.
Through the site, users can donate to an organization of their choice by filtering the type of cause, location, and category.
Organizations will be able to keep the money they raise, but the best projects will also be eligible for additional grants to support their change ideas.
In addition to funding, A Community Thrives increases the visibility of participating organizations with national and local media coverage and exposes the organizations’ missions to potential new donors.
“This is a national program with equal opportunity for small, fledgling organizations and well-established organizations. Building community through connections and helping communities thrive are key drivers of the program,” Madden said.
Top fundraisers from all walks of life will receive a total of $200,000 in grants and all eligible organizations will be eligible for consideration for National Project and Local Operating Grants.
More than 700 organizations applied for the $2 million initiative in hopes of implementing community development ideas.
There are 24 Middle Tennessee nonprofits and municipal organizations participating this year.
A Community Thrives: Meet the Middle Tennessee Participants
Meet the organizations in Middle Tennessee that help your communities.
Cheatham, Montgomery Counties
RELATED:Maury County Chaplain Ministries
County of Maury
Williamson County
Rutherford County
Middle Tennessee, Nashville area
- Arts Inside, Cowan: A community-based organization that provides arts and education programs to incarcerated people and their families in rural central Tennessee.
- Moves and Grooves Inc., Antioch: Inspiring young people to grow and explore through creative arts programs.
- Gallatin Cares, Gallatin: Provides short-term relief and economic assistance to people in need in Sumner County.
- Recovery Court of Sumner County, Gallatin: Reducing recidivism through support services, mentoring and funding to help participants integrate into society after incarceration.
- Monthaven Cultural and Arts Center, Hendersonville: A creative, visual and performing arts center that offers classes, exhibits and events.
- Covenant Cupboard, Madison: Community food pantry serving the Madison area.
- Nashville Civic Design Center, Nashville: Advocating for civic design that promotes cohesive neighborhoods that thrive.
- Nashville Angels, Nashville: Serving youth and families in the foster community through intentional giving, relationship building and mentorship.
- Oasis Center, Nashville: Counselling, outreach and leadership programs to help youth in crisis transition into productive adulthood.
- API (Asian and Pacific Islander) Middle Tennessee, Nashville: Supporting Asian-owned and immigrant-owned businesses.
- Small World Yoga Inc., Nashville: Free, donation-based yoga for all communities and ages, including detention centers, schools, and homeless shelters.
- Book’em, Nashville: Providing free books to promote literacy for Nashville children.
Robertson County
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