The Frist Foundation Awards $5 Million Grant to Propel Early Education Initiatives in Nashville

Landmark grant will fund the Nashville Childcare Opportunity Fund and fuel Nashville Early Education Coalition’s mission to transform early education accessibility.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – In a transformative move towards impacting the future of Nashville’s childcare community, The Frist Foundation has awarded a $5 million grant to support the work of the recently established Nashville Early Education Coalition (NEEC). The historic investment will empower NEEC’s burgeoning efforts to strengthen and expand access to high-quality early childhood education across the city. "This remarkable grant underscores the importance of collective action in ensuring every family in Nashville has access to the early education their children need and deserve," said Melanie Shinbaum, Executive Director of NEEC. "We are honored to partner with The Frist Foundation to catalyze change and amplify the impact of our work in early education."

Transforming Early Education in Nashville

NEEC and The Frist Foundation are committed to using these funds strategically to achieve lasting, system-wide improvements. The $5 million grant will serve as an initial investment in the newly forming Nashville Childcare Opportunity Fund. The coalition anticipates this funding will inspire additional investments into Nashville's critical early childhood education sector; investments can be made directly to the Nashville Early Childhood Education Coalition Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and managed by NEEC. The Nashville Childcare Opportunity Fund will seek to increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare by funding innovative programs, supporting ECE workforce development, and fostering public-private partnerships. More information about the fund will be available March 1, 2025. “We believe this grant has the potential to transform the future of early childhood education in Nashville,” said Corinne Bergeron, CEO of The Frist Foundation. “By supporting NEEC’s collaborative model, we recognize its potential to drive meaningful change, and we also hope to inspire others to join us in this critical effort.” The Frist Foundation is happy to partner with fellow NEEC funders and stakeholders who prioritize early education, making NEEC’s launch last year possible.

A Strategic Investment in the Future

With over 60% of families in Nashville struggling to access affordable, high-quality childcare, this investment is poised to make a substantial difference. NEEC’s priorities—focused on advocacy, workforce support, and community collaboration—address these challenges head-on. From increasing workforce compensation and leadership development to enhancing public awareness about the importance of early education, NEEC is laying the groundwork for a sustainable and equitable future for Nashville's children. “Our vision from day one has been to help change the conditions that prevent greater access for working families and higher quality programs for children,” said Hal Cato, CEO of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and NEEC Advisory Council member. “This grant allows us to move faster towards that goal.”

Building Momentum for Change

The Frist Foundation’s investment marks a pivotal moment for NEEC, setting the stage for collective action across sectors. The coalition invites community leaders, policymakers, and philanthropic organizations to build on this momentum and work together to reimagine what is possible for early education in Nashville.

For more information about the Nashville Early Education Coalition and how you can get involved, visit www.nasheec.org.

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About the Nashville Early Education Coalition (NEEC)

The Nashville Early Education Coalition (NEEC) was founded to address the childcare crisis for children ages birth to five in Davidson County. Comprised of critical stakeholders from the diverse sectors of early childhood education, local and state government, business, and philanthropy, NEEC works to ensure all children have access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education by advocating for policy changes, uplifting educators, and supporting families.

About The Frist Foundation

The Frist Foundation seeks to build a stronger Nashville by supporting agencies that address broad community challenges, including housing, food insecurity, and access to childcare, as well as organizations leading collaborative community efforts. Central to the Foundation’s work is its commitment to guiding and partnering with others to invest in Nashville’s future, which they do by advising nonprofits on community engagement, development, talent acquisition, and strategic growth. They have played a key role in initiatives such as establishing the Tocqueville Society at United Way and co-founding the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Middle Tennessee Donors Forum, all vital pillars of our community.

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