Engaged Leadership & Civic Pride
We believe that merging unified leadership, dedicated philanthropic support, and civic participation and pride will catapult Memphis into the future.

Our city’s leaders are diverse, entrepreneurial, and collaborate across sectors to address the challenges we face. The Hyde Family Foundation recognizes the importance of nurturing and supporting these leaders, as they are the driving force behind the progress we envision. We are committed to providing the necessary resources and opportunities to empower leaders in our community.

We invest in programs and initiatives that cultivate the skills, knowledge, and capacity of emerging and established leaders. By equipping them with the tools they need, we help enable them to effectively navigate complex challenges and drive meaningful change in Memphis. We prioritize grants to organizations that focus on leaders of color, youth leaders, early/career emerging leaders, public sector leaders, and nonprofit board members. We also provide support to build the operational capacity of our partner nonprofits and intermediaries to ensure that they are equipped to fulfill their missions.

Our approach to fostering engaged leadership and civic pride also includes building the philanthropic bench. We believe in the power of strategic philanthropy to make and sustain progress in our city. That’s why we strive to engage donors across generations, encouraging their participation in supporting our city’s growth and development. By supporting partners and engaging programs that nurture a philanthropic culture, we ensure a sustainable future for Memphis.

Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We also work closely with corporate funders and public agencies to maximize the impact of our collective capital. We actively partner and align with both local and national philanthropic organizations to leverage collective resources and expertise. Together, we can amplify our impact and make a significant difference in the lives of Memphians.

Showcasing Memphis’ unique assets and progress is equally as important. By enabling our partner organizations to promote positive, authentic stories and news about Memphis, we encourage a sense of pride and awareness both in and outside of our community . Most importantly, knowledge fosters civic engagement and action.

For more information about our Engaged Leadership & Civic Pride impact area, contact Rachel Knox.

Grantee Spotlights
New Memphis

New Memphis fosters connections with talented Memphians and guide them to become actively involved in their community. Through Community Engagement and Leadership Development offerings a more prosperous and vital new Memphis is forged by developing, activating, and retaining talent.

memphis challenge
Founded in 1989 by Joseph “Pitt” Hyde, the Memphis Challenge coaches high-achieving students of color through leadership and professional development. Our program serves high school students in grades 9-12 from public, private, independent, charter, and parochial schools across the county.