The Assisi Foundation of Memphis is dedicated to addressing critical challenges and uncovering root causes for a healthy, positive transformation in the community. Their mission revolves around philanthropy done well, focusing on health and human services, education and lifelong learning, social justice and ethics, cultural enrichment and the arts, and community enhancement. They aim to support non-profit organizations in their efforts to improve Memphis and the Mid-South region by fostering community well-being, ethical values, social justice, educational growth, and cultural appreciation.
The grant program from The Assisi Foundation targets non-profit organizations working within specific sectors during designated quarters. For arts and culture organizations, applications are accepted in the Foundation's first quarter by the November deadline. Schools and education-related organizations have their window in the second quarter, with a February deadline. The Foundation's grant-making efforts include general grants for projects, programs, operations, and capacity building that align with their guidelines, and capital grants for purchasing, renovating, or constructing facilities. The focus areas are health and human services, education and lifelong learning, social justice and ethics, cultural enrichment and the arts, and community enhancement and capacity building. Special consideration is given to activities with clear community benefits, addressing gaps, and strengthening resilience, including support for capital campaigns, renovations, repairs, and special programming. Other requests, such as those for audience development or arts education, are referred to Arts Memphis.