In a moment both celebratory and sobering, City of Memphis officials awarded nearly $6.44 million to 35 local nonprofits as part of an ongoing investment in grassroots solutions addressing housing, poverty, education and other community needs.
The funds — distributed through the city’s Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) — represent the fourth round of annual awards since the initiative began in 2022. Administered by the Division of Housing and Community Development, the SCIF program supports nonprofits working on the front lines with Memphis’ most vulnerable populations.
“This isn’t just a budget line — it’s a vehicle for hope and opportunity,” said Mayor Paul Young, addressing recipients during the awards ceremony July 14 at City Hall . “At the end of the day, it’s about real people whose lives are being changed and real neighborhoods that are being strengthened.”
This year’s $6.44 million total includes major grants in five categories:
- Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA)
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
- Community Service Grant (CSG)
- HOME-Tenant Based Rental Assistance (HOME-TBRA)
- Neighborhood Partnership Grant (NPG)
Notable recipients include:
- Friends for Life Corp. – $1.94 million (HOPWA)
- Hope House – $1.74 million (HOPWA), plus $22,000 (ESG) and $32,000 (CSG)
- MIFA – $182,000 for hotline services, shelter referral, and rapid rehousing
- Community Alliance for the Homeless – $432,500 (HOME-TBRA)
- Catholic Charities of West TN – $107,000 (ESG)
- The Salvation Army – $78,000 (ESG) and $35,000 (CSG)
- Room In The Inn – $83,000 (ESG)
Additional CSG grants ranging from $31,000 to $36,000 were awarded to organizations such as Kindred Place, Downtown Memphis Ministries, YWCA of Greater Memphis, Synergy Treatment Center, Creative Aging Memphis and others.
In the NPG category, 12 grassroots agencies received $15,000 each for neighborhood-based work, including Alpha Memphis Education Foundation, United Housing Inc., RISE Memphis, Service Over Self and SchoolSeed/Project STAND.
While the award ceremony celebrated what’s working in Memphis, it also cast light on the growing demand for support — especially amid concerns over potential federal funding cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and housing assistance.
“In this climate, this local support is more important than ever,” said Mary Hamlett, vice president of Housing Stability Programs at MIFA. “One illness, one flat tire, and suddenly a family can’t pay rent. These grants allow us to keep people housed, connected to services and moving forward.”
Hamlett noted that MIFA received funding for its housing hotline, shelter referral network (including hotel stays) and rapid rehousing assistance.
“We hate that the need is there, but we’re glad we can meet the challenge,” she added.
Mayor Young said the city remains committed to supporting its nonprofit partners, not just with grants but with collaboration and long-term vision.
“I’ve visited many of these organizations and seen the work firsthand,” he said. “It’s a godsend to so many individuals in our city.”
He encouraged other organizations to explore funding opportunities through HCD.
“Some of these grants are year-round, some are annual,” he said. “Visit the Housing and Community Development section of our website to learn how to apply.”
The SCIF program is funded by a mix of federal HUD dollars and city allocations. While the total FY26 investment is slightly less than the rounded $6.5 million cited in public remarks, it reflects a continuing trend of prioritizing community-led solutions in Memphis.
Since its inception, the SCIF initiative has funneled more than $16.5 million into local nonprofits.
A full list of this year’s recipients and amounts is available online at memphistn.gov.
