The 15th year of grantmaking at the Maddox Fund was an exercise in unlearning. Instead of reverting to traditional practices, we stretched ourselves to live more intentionally into our vision of a world in which people and planet flourish together in regenerative systems free from oppression and threat. Unlearning isn’t easy. Imagining a liberated world hidden behind a veil seems impossible, but with practice we have a chance to glimpse that longed-for future for which we strive.
This year the Grant Committee noted that words like budgets, outcomes and measurements gave way to the more relational language of trust, co-creating, healing and justice. These North Stars were centered in every discussion, as was our priority to fund more organizations that have been historically and systemically starved for the funding they need to bring about change in their communities. Our funding areas—youth and the natural environment—remained unchanged. In the spirit of transparency, you can find the last 5 years of grantmaking on our website—including 2023. So that data can become knowledge that transforms our actions, we offer this analysis of our 2023 grants to date:
| Total Grants | Advocacy | BIPOC-led | |
| 2018 | $2.1 million | 8% of funding | 17% of funding |
| 2023 YTD | $1.4 million | 33% of funding | 77% of funding |
The Maddox Fund will also have two participatory grant processes later in the year. $100,000 will be allocated to the community by HBCU students and an additional $100,000 will be distributed to area nonprofits by LGBTQI+ young people. To stay informed, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. In addition, the Maddox Fund has set aside an additional $100,000 to support LGBTQI+ advocacy, knowing that a mere 4% won’t bring justice for a community under attack.
Liberation is only as permanent as our practice. The Grant Committee knows there is more internal work required to ensure that equity, justice and liberation are normalized, formalized and woven into the fabric of the Fund. As a learning organization, we are convinced of and committed to the relentless pursuit of that practice.
Grants
| Organization Name | Grant Amount |
| Conexion Americas | $ 40,000 |
| Equity Alliance | $ 60,000 |
| Futuro Inc | $ 40,000 |
| Launch Pad | $ 55,000 |
| Music City Construction Careers Inc | $ 20,000 |
| Nashville Freedom School Partnership | $ 50,000 |
| Nashville International Center for Empowerment | $ 30,000 |
| One Willco | $ 30,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi | $ 30,000 |
| Salama Urban Ministries | $ 40,000 |
| Southern Movement Committee | $ 60,000 |
| Sunrise Movement | $ 50,000 |
| Tennessee Educators Of Color Alliance | $ 62,000 |
| Tennessee Immigrant And Refugee Rights Coalition | $ 50,000 |
| Tennessee State University Foundation | $ 25,000 |
| Tennessee State University Foundation | $ 40,000 |
| The Education Trust | $ 25,000 |
| Waterbear | $ 25,000 |
| Why We Can’t Wait | $ 30,000 |
| Women of Color Collaborative | $ 30,000 |
