The Village

What is the core mission of your organization? The Village is an intentionally curated incubation space providing culturally-aligned infrastructure of support for historically under-resourced nonprofit leaders and organizations serving primarily marginalized communities through capacity building, and increased access & upskilling.

What keeps you motivated in this work? Statement of Context
Leaders of color, particularly Black leaders, and organizations primarily serving Black residents in our community have historically faced significant resource gaps, including limited access to funding, lack of mentorship opportunities, insufficient upscaling support, and restricted exposure to networks, both social and political. ​

Moreover, these organizations’ lack of operational structure exacerbates their challenges, impeding their capacity to effectively address community needs. Furthermore, the lack of diversity at the executive level of large nonprofits in Nashville presents an additional hurdle that must be addressed to foster inclusivity and equitable representation within the sector.​

In response, The Village is committed to supporting community leaders through capacity building, addressing the lack of administrative support, and investing in leadership talent to amplify their impact, while also addressing issues within the local Nashville, TN landscape that contribute to the stated challenges, including disparities in access to resources and systemic barriers.