Community Foundation Renews TN Local Food's JumpStart Grant
NEWS RELEASE
TN Local Food is excited to announce the renewal of its JumpStart Grant from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), which has awarded the organization $4,000 to continue its mission of supporting small and mid-sized farmers and food advocates across Tennessee. The grant will allow TN Local Food to continue offering workshops, networking activities, and enhanced access to vital information and resources.
Since receiving the JumpStart Grant, TN Local Food has seen transformative growth. The funding has played a crucial role in advancing the organization’s goal of promoting sustainable agriculture and fostering equitable food systems across the state. The grant enabled the organization to expand its team by hiring a Communications & Development Manager, significantly enhancing outreach efforts, driving development initiatives, and securing new funding opportunities.
“We are deeply grateful to CFMT for their continued support,” said Natalie Ashker Seevers, Executive Director of TN Local Food. “This funding has enabled us to grow our capacity, increase programming, and build stronger partnerships with mission-aligned organizations. With these expanded resources, we are better equipped to address critical barriers facing small farmers and enhance Tennessee's local food system.”
The JumpStart Grant also provided a springboard for TN Local Food’s first-ever annual appeal, which raised an impressive $7,000 from more than 100 individuals and businesses. Additionally, a generous $5,000 donation from Farmers Friend, LLC allowed the organization to secure the salary for its new Communications & Development Manager. These fundraising efforts directly contributed to a 25% increase in attendance at the annual fundraising event and a remarkable 20% growth in individual giving from 2023 to 2024.
“The JumpStart Grant has been instrumental in helping us diversify our revenue streams,” said Allie Beukema, Communications & Development Manager. “We’ve increased our individual donor base by 112% and expanded our funding sources through multiple grant partnerships. We’ve also doubled corporate sponsorships for the TN Local Food Summit.”
In line with its 2025 strategic plan, TN Local Food is actively researching additional revenue streams to ensure long-term financial sustainability. The organization is committed to using the JumpStart Grant’s success as a foundation for further growth and increased impact across Tennessee.
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) awards discretionary grants annually through its unrestricted and field-of-interest funds to nonprofit organizations that are addressing significant community needs and benefiting the well-being of the region. CFMT has awarded more than $2.8 million in grants to 264 nonprofit organizations as part of their 2024 grantmaking process.
For more information on CFMT and its grantmaking efforts, visit www.CFMT.org.
About the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT)
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) works to build a thriving and inclusive community by transforming thoughtful generosity into positive change. CFMT provides grants to nonprofit organizations that address critical community needs and promote the well-being of the Middle Tennessee region. Since its inception, CFMT has awarded millions of dollars to support the work of nonprofit organizations throughout the area.
For more information about CFMT, visit www.CFMT.org.