Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis opens 2026 grant cycle for Shelby County nonprofit projects up to $5,000
Small grants, targeted goals
Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis has opened its 2026 grant cycle, inviting eligible Shelby County nonprofit organizations to apply for awards capped at $5,000 per request. The organization—founded in January 2005 and funded by its members—operates a once-a-year grant process focused on programs designed to strengthen economic self-sufficiency.
The current application window runs through March 31, 2026. The organization has scheduled its review process to include interviews by May 1, 2026, with grant decisions expected by May 31, 2026.
Who can apply—and who cannot
Eligibility requirements center on organizational status and geography. Applicants must be federally recognized as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits and must be located within Shelby County. The organization also limits repeat funding: previous recipients are eligible to apply only once every three years.
Grant recipients are required to submit a written report 12 months after an award is made, a condition intended to document progress after funding is deployed.
- Eligible applicants: Shelby County-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits
- Maximum request: $5,000
- Reapplication rule: once every three years
- Reporting: written report due 12 months after award
Incomplete applications are not considered. The organization does not fund individuals, for-profit entities, or churches and programs that promote religious activities. It also excludes projects scheduled to take place before the grant-making process concludes, and it does not support political campaigns to elect public officials.
Funding priorities: economic self-sufficiency across five program areas
The 2026 cycle is oriented toward programs that promote economic self-sufficiency, with a stated emphasis on career development, education, entrepreneurship, scholarship, and health. The guidelines also prioritize proposals that include evaluation tools capable of measuring both process and outcomes, with clearly defined indicators of program success.
Additional considerations include whether a program’s board, staff, and volunteer base reflect the diversity of the community served, and whether the work reaches underserved populations or neighborhoods.
Key dates for the 2026 cycle: applications due March 31, 2026; interviews scheduled by May 1, 2026; awards expected by May 31, 2026.
Organization and membership
Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis describes itself as a private organization supported by member funding. The group lists nine current members: Gloria Boyland, Nelda Burroughs, Monice Moore Hagler, Carolyn Chism Hardy, Sharon Harris, Edith Kelly-Green, Deidre Malone, Mary McDaniel, and Belinda Watkins.
The grant cycle structure—annual awards paired with reporting requirements and a three-year reapplication limit—positions the program as a targeted, small-scale funding tool designed to help local nonprofits advance defined initiatives within the organization’s focus areas.