What do our youth and environmental partners need from us at this moment in time?
What does the community need Maddox to be?
How can Maddox challenge itself live more fully into our justice and liberation values?
Where will our new leader, Jen Bailey, lead us in service to Middle Tennessee?
How is the legacy of Dan and Margaret Maddox embodied 26 years after their deaths?
These questions require us to lean into learning, exploration and listening to the experts—our nonprofit partners. In anticipation of strategic planning, the Maddox Fund will hold listening meetings with nonprofit leaders. We invite nonprofits to sign up now and come ready to guide the Maddox Fund’s future.
All listening meetings will be held from 11:00-1:00 in the Maddox office at 100 Taylor Street 37208. Lunch will be served. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions/preferences. Executive Directors can also sign up for a one-on-one with Jen Bailey in March using this link.
“We are thrilled to have Jen lead the foundation into the next season of justice and liberation work in Middle Tennessee,” said Indira Dammu incoming board chair. “Jen brings a wealth of nonprofit and foundation experience to Maddox.”
“We believe Jen’s understanding of the Beloved Community is expansive and includes our sacred obligation to care for the planet that nurtures us,” said David Esquivel, chair of the search committee. “She is the right leader to help us live into our vision of people and planet flourishing together.”
“I am so honored to step into this role. Our focus on youth and the natural world are a public declaration of our unwavering commitment to work toward building for the better future and leave this world better than we found it. My deepest gratitude to Rev. Kaki Friskics-Warren and the Maddox team for the incredible foundation you have laid. And my heartfelt thanks to the Maddox Board for your trust in me. I am so excited to help shape this next chapter of our work alongside our partners.” Rev. Jen Bailey
Jen assumes the role as Executive Director on February 3, 2025. Jen will oversee the vision and operations of the foundation. She succeeds Rev. Kaki Friskics-Warren who has served the foundation since 2009.
About the Maddox Fund
Maddox Mission: We seek a world in which people and planet flourish together in regenerative systems free from oppression and threat. The Maddox Fund supports youth and environmental work in Middle Tennessee through program and advocacy grants. Information on our grantmaking can be found at maddoxfund.org. For more information: [email protected]; 615-385-1006
The Maddox Fund Environmental Participatory Grant Advisory Board, composed of young environmental professionals and activists, seeks inquiries from Middle Tennessee nonprofits regarding environmental grants available Q4 of 2024.
Grants of up to $30,000 will be made in the following areas:
Access to Green Space—including but not limited to, environmental equity-focused activities and programs, liberatory outdoor teaching practices, preventing loss of natural space, access to natural space.
Climate Justice—including but not limited to, reparations for communities impacted by climate change including community resiliency, just transition from fossil fuel to renewable, safe and affordable energy, mitigation of invasive insects and diseases caused by climate change, mitigation of flooding caused by climate related severe weather.
Food Justice—including but not limited to addressing agricultural land loss, advancing food justice for marginalized communities, land justice for marginalized communities.
Schedule
November 4: Inquiries due
November 15: Notification of next phase
December 5: Full proposal due (not to exceed xxx pages or composed of xx questions)
December 20: Anticipated announcement
Format for Inquiry: One page, including program/organization description, area of interest (green space, climate justice, and/or food justice), skeleton budget, and requested amount
Inquiry Evaluation Lenses: Indigenous and racial justice, intersectionality, advocacy & direct service
Who is the Maddox Fund: The Maddox Fund is a Middle Tennessee foundation that works to better our community through partnerships that improve the lives of young people and protect the natural environment.
What is Participatory Grantmaking: PGM a shift in power. Participatory grantmaking processes engage those who are directly affected by the issues at hand in the decision-making process.
Composition of Environmental Participatory Grant Advisory Board
Members of the advisory board were recruited from Maddox partner organizations and environmental advocates. The advisory board includes:
5 African American Females
1 African American Male
3 White Females
8 Cis Gender
1 Agender
Send letters of inquiry to [email protected]. If you have any questions about the grant opportunity, please email [email protected] or call the Maddox office at 615-385-1006.
Dan Maddox used to say, “It is my job to make the money and her job to give it away. She is doing a better job than I am.” He was referring to his wife Margaret – in fact a Vice President of the Maddox companies and fully engaged in business matters. Still, the anecdote (a popular joke at parties in the ’70s and ’80s) illustrates a persistent practice among foundations: the disconnect over how the money is made and how it is given away.
Historically, the Maddox Fund’s Investment Committee structured the organization’s investment program with the singular focus maximizing returns. The Grant Committee, another group altogether, developed a process for giving the money away. The committees reported to each other at board meetings; their work, however, was guided by different values and directives.
With this siloed structure, Maddox’s market investments and grants could easily work against each other. For example, we might have invested in a company that degrades water quality while our grants prioritized healthy water systems; or, we might have invested in companies with extractive labor practices even as Maddox espouses justice and liberation.
During our 2020 equity audit, we interrogated our practices and began to ask how we could align our resources with our values. We asked ourselves what it would look like if every dollar we invested worked to further our mission.
Meanwhile, the Investment Committee went to work crafting our investment North Stars, which led to a 14-month search for an investment adviser who specialized in mission-aligned investments. In 2022, we hired Bivium Westfuller – a multi-racial, gender-diverse investment advisor “compelled by the power of financial resources, invested with purpose, to drive a flourishing society and planet.”
As of March 2024, approximately 71%, or $41M, of our assets have moved to Bivium Westfuller and invested with seven (7) diverse managers focused on solutions to three of our society’s most pressing problems – affordable housing, renewable energy and economic equity.
One of Maddox’s overarching North Stars is to be a “learning organization embracing all stages of transformation and change toward liberation.” We are in a steep learning curve right now as we plan for the transition of the remaining 29% of Maddox’s legacy investments toward alignment with our North Stars. In the year ahead we will be learning about impact measurement, shareholder activism and Net Zero investing. We are also learning, alongside other area foundations, about program- and mission-related investments in order to invest 95% of our resources in companies/markets that work for good.
The Maddox Fund seeks a world in which people and planet flourish together in regenerative systems free from oppression and threat. The old ways of working will not address our society’s most intractable systems and problems. New ways of thinking and investing are required.
I come by it honestly. For 50 years my mom was part of a women’s group called the “Walkie Talkies.” You got it, they walked and talked weekly—seeing one another through personal crises, solving the world’s problems and cooking up a good deal of southern-woman mischief. It is no surprise that my response to almost every organizational crisis or transition is, “You want to take a walk?”
In my 15 years at the Maddox Fund, I’ve walked with long-term CEOs and young folx entering the nonprofit space. Walking puts people on an equal footing, creating a safer and more mutual environment for conversation. It also embodies what I believe to be true—we move forward together. ¡Adelante!
Walking also gets us outside, connecting us to nature and its rhythms. In the Spring, I choose Centennial Park, which is full of goslings and protective parents. In the Fall, Shelby Park’s colors make it my go-to place. And any season is perfect for Mill Ridge Park—our newest anchor park, thanks to the support of the Joe C. Davis Foundation and the excellent leadership of Darrell Hawks. The natural environment reminds us that seasons come and go—as do problems—and that our place in creation is both profound and insignificant.
In my final months at Maddox, I’d like say goodbye to everyone personally because you have shaped my life. But the closest I can get is inviting you on a walk–in small groups for cross-pollination and conversation. As appropriate, we might grab a coffee or a beer after our stroll. Recognizing that walking is not for everyone, and even ableist, I’ve included some times at the Maddox office for a bite of lunch.
Use the form to RSVP for one of the sessions. All the dates below are open, but we will keep the groups small so that I can connect with each of you.
I anticipate that, as we stroll together, I’ll say “thank you” a lot. For your inspiration and courageous leadership, thank you. For your boundless compassion and demand that systems be transformed, thank you. For your insistence that Maddox lead toward justice, thank you. For envisioning a more liberatory Middle Tennessee, thank you.
In the months ahead, the Board of Directors of the Maddox Fund will announce the name of our new Executive Director. We hope they will join the team in the 4th quarter of 2024 as I exit at the end of the year. I know the new leader will be motivated by the Middle Tennessee nonprofit community as you welcome the next season of Maddox philanthropy.
The Maddox Fund believes that real expertise lies within the community. We have lived that out in the past through participatory grantmaking with LGBTQ+ high school students making funding decisions or HBCU students guiding our priorities. Shifting grantmaking power to those connected to issues gets dollars closer to community-led solutions.
This year, the Maddox Fund has set aside $100,000 for environmental causes in Middle Tennessee. We are seeking advisors to guide how to direct those funds to area nonprofits. Each participant will be paid $1,000 for their time and expertise.
The ideal advisory committee member:
Is a middle Tennessee student or young professional, ages 15-35
Has a demonstrated commitment to environmental causes
Has knowledge of Middle Tennessee environmental nonprofits & their work (participants may be employed by an area environmental nonprofit, but will be required to abstain from voting if there is a conflict of interest)
Has the desire to learn about and participate in democratizing of philanthropy
Is available for opening session on September 14 (required)
Is able to attend 75% of all virtual meetings (required)
The Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund is pleased to invite applications, expressions of interest, and/or nominations for the position of Executive Director. This position is responsible for strategic leadership as well as administrative and managerial oversight of a $56M endowed foundation located in Nashville Tennessee.
Salary $160,000-200,000 annually
Starting 4th Quarter 2024
All inquiries should be directed to our search partners at NPAG
Full Position Description Available Here
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Maddox Fund commits to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination. It is the policy of the Maddox Fund that all applicants and employees are entitled to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion or creed, sex (includes sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), gender (includes gender identity or expression), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected characteristics as required by local, state and federal law. As such, the Maddox Fund does not discriminate in employment decisions, including with regard to hiring, termination, promotion, transfers, leave of absence, compensation or training. The Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund is an equal opportunity employer.
Salary: $160,000 – $200,000 annually
Starting 4th Quarter 2024
All inquiries should be directed to our search partners at NPAG.
The Maddox Fund commits to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination. It is the policy of the Maddox Fund that all applicants and employees are entitled to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion or creed, sex (includes sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), gender (includes gender identity or expression), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected characteristics as required by local, state and federal law. As such, the Maddox Fund does not discriminate in employment decisions, including with regard to hiring, termination, promotion, transfers, leave of absence, compensation or training. The Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund is an equal opportunity employer.
We met with Dorian Hines from the Tennessee Nonprofit Network, an organization that serves the state’s nonprofit community “by building the momentum of the nonprofit sector in Tennessee to create equitable, measurable, and lasting change.” Here are some questions we asked him.
Could you please introduce yourself?
Sure thing! My name is Dorian Hines and I am the Middle Tennessee Regional Director for Tennessee Nonprofit Network. I am a native of North Carolina (born and raised) and relocated to Nashville from Memphis. I’ve served nonprofit organizations in several capacities – including community engagement and recruitment & marketing. I have a never-ending passion for public service and giving back to the community. I’ve volunteered with a great number of nonprofit organizations throughout my career. I earned my Master of Public Administration from Auburn University, and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from North Carolina A&T State University.
What is the Tennessee Nonprofit Network? How did it get started?
Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN) is a nonprofit organization that serves as a statewide association for nonprofits in the State of Tennessee. TNN started as an organization who provided grant expertise for nonprofits in West Tennessee, serving as a regional nonprofit association, and since, evolved from Momentum Nonprofit Partners to the now Tennessee Nonprofit Network. We are dedicated to supporting and strengthening the nonprofit sector across the state. At TNN, we provide resources, training, advocacy, and networking opportunities for nonprofits, aiming to enhance their effectiveness and impact.
What are the benefits of membership?
There are a great number of benefits that come with becoming a member of TNN. Some of these benefits include networking opportunities, training and professional development, advocacy and representation, access to resources, peer-to-peer support, information and updates on sector trends, and more. Also, membership to TNN will be free to all 501(c)3 organizations in Tennessee or organizations serving Tennessee residents for the first three (3) years. For more information on TNN’s member benefits and how your nonprofit can access them, please visit www.tnnonprofits.org and click on “Become a Member Organization” under the connect tab.
What do you think are the biggest issues nonprofits will face in the next few years?
Over the next few years, nonprofits will be faced with several issues – funding and financial sustainability, digital transformation, advocacy and policy changes, public trust and reputation, etc. – to name a few. However, while specific challenges can vary based on the nature and focus of individual nonprofits, it’s important to note that they can also be based on the mission, size, and geographic location of each nonprofit. Adapting to change, staying informed about sector trends, and fostering resilience are key strategies for nonprofits to navigate these changes.
What should nonprofits expect from the February 27 and 28 network training and day on the hill?
On Tuesday, February 27th, we will be hosting our Nonprofit Advocacy Summit. This event will take place at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, TN. As you represent and advocate for your organization, TNN wants to ensure that you are empowered to do so. You’ll learn effective techniques to more your legislative agenda forward, hear from successful and seasoned government relations and nonprofit professionals, network with colleagues from across Tennessee’s nonprofit sector to make our collective voice stronger. Following our Advocacy Summit, TNN’s Nonprofit Day on the Hill is the day that you’ll put those best practices into action. This two-day legislative engagement event will empower nonprofit staff and board members to be confident advocates and carry out that confidence to meet with our elected officials and advocate for our sector and all the work that our organizations do. The overarching goal of our Day on the Hill is to advocate on issues that are important to nonprofit sector partners, but also to cultivate and strengthen your organization’s relationship with lawmakers and their staff. For more information on TNN’s Advocacy Summit and our Nonprofit Day on the Hill, please visit our website and click on the calendar tab. Here, you will find the schedule for both events, as well as location and hotel information if needed.
How do people get connected with you?
Currently, I am headquartered at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee but am a Tennessee Nonprofit Network employee. If you would like to schedule some time to meet to go over member benefits, any assistance in upcoming programs and/or information on how to help your organization, or how you can become a member with us, please contact me at [email protected] and we can schedule a time to chat over breakfast, coffee, lunch, or even zoom.
Anything else to add?
Every day, your organizations make a profound impact on the communities you serve. As you navigate these challenges and triumphs that come with your mission, I want to emphasize the importance of coming together and joining forces with a network that truly understands and supports your journey – Tennessee Nonprofit Network. You are not alone in your mission and TNN is a powerful ally with a coalition of organizations dedicated to amplifying the impact of nonprofits across the state. Take advantage of this – especially with free membership for the first three (3) years. There is strength in unity. Public policy and advocacy matter to truly impacting systems change. It is a nonprofit’s right to engage in nonpartisan policy work, and at TNN we believe it is your duty. Let’s make a difference together!
The Maddox Fund has signed onto a statement from the Council of Foundations and Independent Sector to support the rights of philanthropic organizations, charitable nonprofits, and individual donors to give in ways that align with their values. That includes efforts to support historically marginalized groups.
The Maddox Fund submitted the following comment to the members on the committee reviewing a potential rejection of $1.8 billion in federal education funding.
