Mission Statement

To accelerate revitalization of disinvested neighborhoods to create a thriving Memphis for all.

Background

Community LIFT, also known as LIFT (Leveraging Investments For Transformation), emerged as the Greater Memphis Neighborhoods (GMN) plan’s driving organization and its top recommendation. Completed in 2009, GMN: A Blueprint for Revitalization plan is meant to accomplish several goals, namely to:

• Revitalize Distressed Neighborhoods

• Build the Human Capacity of those in Distressed Neighborhoods

• Improve Economic and Residential Vitality in Distressed Neighborhoods

• Improve Quality of Life of Citizens

LIFT officially launched in 2011 with founding supporters The Assisi Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, National Bank of America Foundation, and City of Memphis Division of Housing & Community Development. To date, we have garnered over $7 million in national and local funding to benefit Memphis neighborhoods.

LIFT’s Investment Strategies

Build Capacity

Empower Residents

Grow Businesses

Note: Arts and culture through creative placemaking is embedded throughout each of our investment strategies.

Values

Integrity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Collaboration, Maximizing Resources, Excellence

Memphis must link distressed neighborhoods to its broader framework for economic development, poverty alleviation, and improved public education, public safety, and public health.

Memphis must increase the number of equitable, pro-neighborhood revitalization policies across institutions, particularly within local government and quasi-government entities and the philanthropic sector.

Memphis must increase allocation of resources for neighborhood revitalization, particularly for housing, economic development, and workforce development entities that target adults.

Memphis must increase the number of high-capacity, place-based nonprofits, particularly among CDCs and within the economic, workforce development, and housing sectors.

Memphis must invest in its resident leaders to integrate community voices in the decision-making process and for lasting change.

Memphis must establish agreed-upon priorities and advance them through collaborative and cross-sectorial work.

There are no open positions at this time. Please check back soon!

Community LIFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from individuals who will contribute to its diversity.