Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis
The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) is a public charity based in Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 1995. It supports programs intended to help women and children reach their full potential and describes its work as aligning resources and coordinating community services through a two-generation approach to reduce poverty.
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis at a glance
In short: Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis gave $2.1M across 51 grants in 2025 (avg $42K), mostly in Tennessee. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,144,003
- +28.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 51
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $42,039
- +25.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,250
- Total assets
- $13,824,527
- +48.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (10 of 51, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis
- How to Apply
-
WFGM’s 2026–2027 application portal closed on March 31, 2026; this is a past application cycle. Applicants were required to be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation located in Shelby County. Previous grant recipients had to meet all written reporting requirements for an application to be considered. WFGM stated that it does not fund individuals, for-profit organizations, programs promoting religious activities, projects taking place before completion of the application process, projects inconsistent with applicable nondiscrimination ordinances regarding equal employment opportunity, campaigns to elect public officials, or scholarships.
- Review Cycle
- March 31, 2026, for the 2026–2027 cycle; the portal is closed.
- Deadline
- March 31, 2026, for the 2026–2027 cycle; the portal is closed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 40 South Main Street 2280, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 578-9346
Website: https://wfgm.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation ($324K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($47,250), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
235 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 203 grants of 235 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WFGM’s application criteria require applicant organizations to be located in Shelby County. Its stated priorities include programs serving residents of ZIP codes 38126, 38105, 38106, 38107, and 38108 that aim to increase economic self-sufficiency. In its 2025 grant data, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee, 3% to North Carolina, 1% to Virginia, and less than 1% to Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 51 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $43K. How we count
Medians: $28K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $733K (2020) to $2.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 51 grants totaling $2.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation Memphis, TN | Various | $323,950 |
| Moore Tech Memphis, TN | Various | $130,000 |
| Knowledge Quest Memphis, TN | Various | $125,250 |
| Mifa Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association Memphis, TN | Various | $90,250 |
| Urban Strategiesmemphis Hope Memphis, TN | Various | $80,250 |
| YWCA of Greater Memphis Memphis, TN | Various | $70,250 |
| Women of Color Collaborative Nashville, TN | Various | $64,500 |
| Playpower LT-Farmington Inc Huntersville, NC | Various | $60,681 |
| Codecrew Memphis, TN | Various | $57,000 |
| Neighborhood Christian Center Memphis, TN | Various | $50,250 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,824,527 | $8,459,146 | $3,924,990 | $2,144,003 | 51 | $281,783 |
| 2024 | $9,294,110 | $3,548,222 | $3,201,725 | $1,670,019 | 50 | $230,608 |
| 2023 | $9,034,981 | $3,648,446 | $3,412,627 | $1,866,581 | 46 | $81,936 |
| 2022 | $8,382,240 | $4,791,377 | $2,956,621 | $1,318,639 | 43 | $159,069 |
| 2021 | $6,695,356 | $3,630,861 | $2,399,132 | $1,083,984 | 45 | $137,284 |
| 2020 | $4,961,025 | $1,912,794 | $2,095,065 | $733,000 | 43 | $38,808 |
| 2019 | $4,858,025 | $2,440,294 | $2,154,229 | $788,852 | 37 | $45,871 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
WFGM’s stated mission is to encourage philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential. Its 2024 filing describes its program activity as providing grants and assistance to organizations that encourage women and children to develop leadership potential and financial security.
The missions of some 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supported. Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation says it provides financial support to the college for broader educational opportunities. Knowledge Quest says it equips youth and families through education, wellness, and economic mobility; CodeCrew says it teaches children and adults software writing and supports computer science education, careers, and entrepreneurship. Seeding Success describes its work as supporting a cradle-to-career education agenda in Shelby County. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, WFGM reported 51 grants totaling $2,144,003. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $323,950, with a median of $30,250.
Among its largest reported grants were $323,950 to Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation, $130,000 to Moore Tech, $125,250 to Knowledge Quest, $90,250 to MIFA Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, and $80,250 to Urban StrategiesMemphis Hope. Other listed grants included $70,250 to YWCA of Greater Memphis, $64,500 to Women of Color Collaborative, and $57,000 to CodeCrew. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as “VARIOUS.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amity Schulyer as Education, Research and Advocacy Chair; Marcia Bowden-Marche, M.D., as Organizational Effectiveness; Beverly Cross, Ph.D., as Grants and Programs Chair; Susan Stephenson as Vision 2025 Development Chair; Gale Jones Carson as Marketing and Communications Chair; and Karen G. Johnston as Development Chair. It also lists Mary H. McDaniel, Trevia Chatman, Toni L. Boland-Evans, and Christine Clark as directors.
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is led by Shante Avant, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 32 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Shante Avant
President & CEO
Vice President → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$101K (2020) → $191K (2025)
Beverly Cross PhD
Grants & Programs Chair
Organizational Effectiveness Co-Chair → Director, 2020
Director → Grants & Programs Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Evangeline Parker-Guest
At Large Chair
Director → At Large Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gale Jones Carson
Marketing & Communications Chair
Director → Marketing & Communications Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen G. Johnston
Development Chair
Director → Development Chair, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amity Schulyer
Education, Research & Advocacy Chair
Director → Education, Research & Advocacy Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary H. McDaniel
Director
Organizational Effectiveness Chair → Organizational Effectiveness Co-Chair, 2021
Organizational Effectiveness Co-Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Ryan
Director
Policies & Procedures Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Toni L. Boland-Evans
Director
Marketing & Communications → Marketing & Communications Chair, 2023
Marketing & Communications Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Grant
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trevia Chatman
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Lee
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bacarra Mauldin
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beverly Gates
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Clark
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenny Robertson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kandace Stewart
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Taylor
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Richardson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deidre Malone
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenna Bedsole
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruby Hancock
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ursala Madden
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheneka Balogun
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$140K (2024) → $140K (2025)
Denise D. Carpenter
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina Meyers Brewer
Organizational Effectivene
Director → Co-Chair, 2022
Co-Chair → Organizational Effectivene, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcia Bowden-Marche MD
Organizational Effectivene
Education, Research & Advocacy Chair → Co-Chair, 2022
Co-Chair → Organizational Effectivene, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Stephenson
Vision Development Ch
Vision Development Chair → Vision Development Ch, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aimee Gregg
Treasurer & Finance Chai
Director → Treasurer & Finance Chai, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joanna Crangle
Co-Chair of the Board of Directors
Director → Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Wharton
Board Development & Nomi
Director → At Large, 2023
At Large → Board Development & Nomi, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Marie Wallace Msph
Co-Chair of the Board of Directors
Board Development & Nominations Chair → Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Catherine Gammill (2019–2024) — Grants & Programs Chair
- Former: Marilynn S. Robinson (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Cathy Lu (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jeanette Mills (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Portia Frost (2024) — Director
- Former: Gretchen Wollert McLennon (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Nisha Powers (2019–2023) — Organizational Effectiveness, Policies & Proc
- Former: Rosemarie Fair (2019–2023) — Organizational Effectiveness, Policies & Proc
- Former: Ruby Bright (2019–2023) — Past President & CEO
- Former: Sherrie K. Hollis (2019–2023) — Treasurer & Finance Chai
- Former: Tajuan Stout Mitchell (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Tammy O. Young (2019–2023) — Education, Research & Adovacy Chair
- Former: Tara Elliott (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Monica Skipper (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Ann Marie Watkins Wallace (2019–2022) — Board Development & Nomi
- Former: Teresa Dickerson (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Amity Schuyler (2022) — Director
- Former: Mary Tate-Lee (2022) — Director
- Former: Amy J. Schaefer (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Andrea Bienstock (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Shirlee M. Clark-Barber (2019–2021) — At Large Chair
- Former: Toni Boland Evans (2021) — Marketing & Communicaions Chair
- Former: Jeana M. Littrell (2019–2020) — Policies & Procedures Ch
- Former: Jennifer Oswalt (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Leslie Lynn Smith (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Lisa Geater (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Lynne Walker (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Roquita Coleman-Williams (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Simpson (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $191K, to Shante Avant (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis
How much does Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis give each year?
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis gave $2.1M across 51 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 50 grants.
What is Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis's typical grant size?
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis's median grant in 2025 was $30,250, and its average grant was $42,039, across 51 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis that year got $38K on average.
Where does Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis give grants?
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis gives mostly in Tennessee: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (46 grants).
Does Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 51 grants with a stated purpose on Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Various" (51 grants).
Who are Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis's largest grantees?
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis's largest 2025 grantees include Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation ($323,950), Moore Tech ($130,000) and Knowledge Quest ($125,250), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($47,250), which are not listed by name. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis?
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis reported $13.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.5M.
What does Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis fund?
WFGM’s stated mission is to encourage philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis?
WFGM’s 2026–2027 application portal closed on March 31, 2026; this is a past application cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis's EIN?
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2207247. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
Live grants for the work Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/women-s-foundation-for-a-greater-memphis-morg_a1fb2be70bb84002b65be916d7fb4157
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_582207247_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/women-s-foundation-for-a-greater-memphis-morg_a1fb2be70bb84002b65be916d7fb4157},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis down — hundreds of funders to go?