Strategic Partners and Initiatives
WFGM leverages local and national partnerships, expanding our economic footprint and garnering millions in grants to support and implement services geared towards the economic security of women and their families while continuing conversations to tackle women's issues.
Evidence2Success
WFGM began partnering with the Annie E. Casey Foundation in February of 2018, making Memphis one of seven cities in the country to implement the Evidence2Success program in zip code 38126. The Evidence2Success framework examines children and youth well-being in the five critical areas of Behavior, Educational Attainment, Emotional Wellbeing, Physical Health and Positive Relationships. WFGM adopted and is actively integrating the framework as it provides a programmatic and evaluative structure and addresses Goal 4 of the Vision 2025 plan and various aspects of our Two-Generation Approach. The framework provides an outline and direct technical assistance to address community needs with programs and strategies proven to work, utilizes strategic financing mechanisms to realign public funds and secure additional resources to support a portfolio of evidence-based programs, and achieves improved child and youth well-being outcomes. “Evidence2Success Memphis selected two evidence-based programs to implement in South City—Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) and Strong African American Families (SAAF). Knowledge Quest is the administrator for the SAAF program, and Shelby County Schools, the CBITS Program.
WFGM COVID-19 Response Project
COVID-19 has paralyzed Memphis and has had multiple impacts on the health, safety and economic security of our community. Due to insecurities created by COVID-19, WFGM has adapted and pivoted our work to ensure the greatest impact amidst the pandemic. Since March 2020, with the support of community partners, more than 200 volunteers have helped 1,550 families in need through the distribution of more than 110,000 pounds of food, personal hygiene kits, face masks, diapers, hand sanitizer, gift cards and community resource packets.
Young Women’s Initiative
WFGM’s Young Women’s Initiative (YWI-Memphis) seeks to increase equal access to opportunity, economic security, safety, and leadership opportunities for and with young women of color. YWI-Memphis is focused on building leadership and advocacy for positive change for young women and girls, ages 12-24. The initiative is designed to be girl-led from start to finish.
South City Digital Inclusion Initiative
In partnership with the University of Memphis, the City of Memphis, CodeCrew, Knowledge Quest, Urban Strategies, and Start Co., WFGM launched the 38126 Digital Inclusion Initiative that will connect 1,000 households in South City (over three years) with internet access; provide digital literacy training and education; improve the home environment; and build a technology lab for instruction and self/peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Annual 38126 School Supply Drive
An annual event supporting Booker T. Washington and LaRose Elementary Schools. Since 2017, WFGM and sponsors have donated:
• 142,240 school supply items
• 2,450 backpacks
• 400 electronic tablets
• More than 200 Memphians have also given 1,259 volunteer hours
Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center
WFGM is the fiscal sponsor for the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC) that was launched in 2019. GMFEC provides free one-on-one financial counseling to assist clients with opening bank accounts, reducing debt, increasing savings, and increasing credit scores.
WFN Economic Mobility Hub
Women’s Funding Network (WFN) launched nine regional Women’s Economic Mobility “hubs,” developed by a national cohort of women’s and girls’ funds/foundations representing a diverse group of cities, states and regions across the United States. WFN’s Regional Women’s Economic Mobility Hub project is part of an 18-month effort funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to increase support and resources necessary to advance economic mobility among women and girls. For this pilot project, WFN is supporting each Hub with technical assistance, capacity building strategies, and shared learning opportunities.
Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis is one of nine WFN Economic Mobility Hubs employs a framework specifically designed for low-income women to identify both the needs and strengths in their own lives. The Memphis hub will be a place-based initiative that involves partnering with nonprofits, the public sector and businesses to provide training, wraparound services and policy solutions to mobilizing women’s prosperity. Other goals include addressing the digital dive and playing a key role in the city’s COVID-19 relief efforts.