Welcome! Below you will see all of our current opportunities, surveys, and polls.
- You will need to create a free Submittable account, or sign in with Google or Facebook credentials in order to submit to these forms.
- You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the form at a later date.
- If anything changes with the information you submitted, please request to edit the submission
- Our platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported.
- Please make sure you are using a supported browser, and that the files are valid file types. You can find the acceptable file types under the "Choose File" button on the application.
- We will follow-up with you about your submission by email. Please be sure to whitelist notification emails from Submittable and check the email you used to sign up for your Submittable Account regularly.
- Please reach out to Submittable's Customer Support team with any technical questions at support@submittable.com
Thank you for your interest in the Memphis Empowerment Fund Grant.
The Memphis Empowerment Fund Grant is designed to provide support for neighborhood-based community projects that improve the built environment, expand social connections or community networks, promote economic development, or promote community advocacy. Grant awards are up to $2500 per project.
NOTE: All projects sponsored in part or entirely with Memphis Empowerment Funds must be accessible to the public and benefit the broader community.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, January 30, 2026.
Please click here to access the budget document template. We ask that you download the document and attach it to your fund application request.
About the CDC Capacity Building Fund Grant
The vision of the CDC Fund grant is to ensure a robust, effective network of CDCs that are capable of serving as quarterback agencies for scaled revitalization efforts that significantly enhance the quality of life in Memphis’ distressed neighborhoods, thus serving as catalysts for equitable economic growth and advancement. Since launching the grant in 2017, Community LIFT has invested $1.1 million into communities to help build CDC capacity.
For the purpose of this grant, the term capacity building refers to the development of core skills, management practices, strategies, and systems to enhance an organization’s effectiveness, sustainability, and ability to fulfill its mission.
How we define a CDC
The CDC Capacity Fund is exclusively for CDCs; other community-based organizations are ineligible to apply. To be clear, we define CDCs as nonprofit, community-based organizations focused on the community engagement and physical and economic revitalization of the areas in which they are located, typically low-income, underserved neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment. While their ultimate goal may be comprehensive community redevelopment, CDCs generally focus on one or more program areas, such as housing development, economic development (job training, commercial development, small business assistance, etc.), neighborhood planning, infrastructure, and the development of community facilities. In addition, CDCs often serve as the neighborhood quarterbacking agency for resident empowerment, community collaboration and engagement.
Grant Eligibility Requirements
- 501 C3
- Must fit the definition of a CDC
- Paid staff and/or volunteer support
- Must complete the Community LIFT Capacity Assessment administered exclusively by Community LIFT.
- Functioning Board
- Organizational Budget
- Operating for more than 1 year
All applications must be submitted via Community LIFT’s online application form by February 27, 2026 AT 11:59PM CST. Late proposals will not be accepted.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Information sessions are scheduled for CDC organization board and staff members to receive information on the grant and instructions on completing the online application. Please register for a session using the link below.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Click this link to download a copy of the Organizational Budget and Project Budget Templates.