Nashville, Tennessee is a city that has been shaped by the many nonprofit organizations that have been serving its community for decades. From Monroe Harding, which began as an orphanage and then as a children's home, to the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF), these organizations have adapted to meet the changing needs of the city's ever-growing and diversifying population. The NPEF was established in 2002 with the mission of eliminating systemic barriers that prevent students from succeeding in school. In response to the coronavirus pandemic and the transition to virtual learning, the NPEF partnered with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and other community organizations to bridge the digital divide by providing technology and expanding wireless internet access.
This allowed all students to continue their education from home. In addition to the NPEF, there are 103 other historic societies and organizations in the Nashville metropolitan area, including Franklin and Murfreesboro. These organizations offer a wide range of services, such as food assistance, housing support, job training, and more. The history of nonprofit organizations in Nashville is one of remarkable resilience and adaptation.
As the city has grown and changed over time, these organizations have evolved to meet the needs of its citizens. By providing essential services and resources, they have helped make Nashville a better place for everyone.