Who We Are
Whole Child Strategies, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports children, families, and neighborhoods in Memphis who are disproportionately affected by poverty.
Our Mission
Whole Child Strategies is a place-based organization that engages, organizes, mobilizes, and supports community stakeholders to make positive change so that youth will thrive.
How We Work
We partner with residents, schools, community-based businesses and organizations, faith-based entities, local and state government agencies, as well as national educational non-profits, to reinforce self-determination in our communities and address the root causes of the obstacles our children face inside and outside of the classroom. Unlike many other funding generators, we don’t create programs based on assumptions. Instead, we rely on the experience and expertise of community members to identify needs, develop solutions and implement long-term change.
Decades of research and hard-earned experience have proven that applying short-term solutions to the enduring, generational nature of poverty simply doesn’t work. What’s more, even the most well-intentioned solutions will fail if not informed by the expertise and perspective of the people most impacted — the people living and working in our communities.
That’s why Whole Child Strategies focuses on providing critical insight into the assets, opportunities, and resources of the communities. We employ quality data collection to help residents and community leaders to map resources, form partnerships, and coordinate efforts to improve their lives. Our place is to build capacity for community-led, data-informed advocacy. Together, we can lift up long-term, sustainable solutions to poverty that ensure every child can enter school engaged and ready to learn.
The Result
All community members and stakeholders in Klondike and Smokey City are vocal and engaged in changing their social, economic, and political lives.
Our Toolkit
Grant-making
We provide and monitor the following grant types: network partners, basic needs and implementation.
Partnerships
We identify, cultivate and maintain alliances with local and national organizations.
Community
We utilize neighborhood assets, initiatives, and insights to address barriers.
Data & Accountability
We leverage qualitative and quantitative feedback to plan, execute and adjust our efforts.
Policy & Advocacy
We amplify voices that matter in forums where they need to be heard.