WOMEN'S FOUNDATION FOR A GREATER MEMPHIS RECEIVES HUD SECRETARY'S AWARD
HUD and Council on Foundations honor work of place-based funding organization

ATLANTA - Across the nation, philanthropic organizations and community foundations work to improve neighborhoods and the lives of the people who live in them, often without much recognition for the critical work that they do. Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in partnership with the Council on Foundations, announced the 2013 winners of the HUD Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships (www.huduser.org/portal/research/CommFndAwards_2012_Intro.html).

Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is being recognized for its outstanding partnership with the public sector to improve housing and neighborhoods, education, health and recreation, transportation, community participation, arts and culture, public safety, sustainability, and economic development. The award was presented at the Council on Foundations' Community Foundations Conference in San Diego.

"These organizations are doing the heavy lifting to improve neighborhoods, often without much thanks. Today, we say 'thank you!'" said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "These foundations are teaming up with public and private partners to bring about positive change and lasting solutions that are making a real difference in their communities."

"These awards provide us all a moment to reflect on the good work that foundations are doing to advance communities across the country," said Vikki Spruill, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. "I am grateful to HUD and Secretary Donovan for recognizing the many different ways that foundations are thoughtfully responding to the needs of those around them."

Ruby Bright, Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis, Executive Director added, "The Women's Foundation is overwhelmed with appreciation to receive this prestigious honor and humbly accept this award on behalf of the entire city of Memphis. We recognize the difference public private partnerships can make when all parties involved have a unified vision to create a vibrant, prosperous city for all of its citizens."

The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) joined forces with the City of Memphis, the Memphis Housing Authority (MHA), and national nonprofit Urban Strategies to implement US Memphis HOPE, a model public-philanthropic partnership dedicated to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty for Memphians. Since 2004, the partnership has secured $88 million in grant funds under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOPE VI program for the community revitalization of three public housing locations - Lamar Terrace/University Place, Dixie Homes/Legends Park and Cleaborn Homes. The transformation of Memphis' languishing public housing became the keynote project of this partnership.

HUD Secretary Awards are given to place-based funders for completed or ongoing initiatives that are executed in partnership with a local, regional, or federal government agency. Read more about the winners announced today and the HUD Secretary's Award for Community Foundations (www.huduser.org/portal/research/CommFndAwards_2012_Intro.html).

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.

The Council on Foundations (www.cof.org), formed in 1949, is a nonprofit membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. Council members include more than 1,700 independent, operating, community, public and company-sponsored foundations, and corporate giving programs in the United States and abroad. The Council's mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools philanthropic organizations need to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.