Explore the latest community impacts in Memphis

Across Memphis, our second-largest corporate location, parts of the community grapple with challenges relating to poverty and crime. In a dedicated effort to address these pressing issues head-on, local Raymond James leaders and associates focus on investing in nonprofit organizations that play a vital role in creating a positive and meaningful impact throughout the community. Read their stories below.

Memphis Opportunity Scholarship Trust (MOST)

The best options for a child’s education aren’t always available to families living in low-performing school districts that lack the resources for quality private schools. Fortunately, MOST bridges the affordability gap by providing crucial scholarships to families facing limited educational alternatives. 

Since 1998 MOST has granted over $26 million in need-based scholarships to approximately 3,600 students. Among its scholars, the college matriculation rate has been an astounding 95% – many of whom are the first in their families to graduate college. 

Dozens of local Raymond James associates support MOST financially, and three – Calvin Sullivan, Nick Goetze and Collie Krausnick – serve on the board of directors. 

The impact doesn’t stop at the scholarship recipient’s trajectory; it can be transformational to their younger siblings or other children from their neighborhoods. By opening a whole new world of possibilities, MOST views its work like compound interest.

“It’s important to emphasize MOST isn’t merely a handout program. Students and their parents must stay committed to retain ongoing scholarship eligibility. It’s that accountability that’s been truly critical to the success of our organization’s efforts.” – Calvin Sullivan, Chief Strategy Officer, Fixed Income Admin

Slingshot Memphis

Slingshot Memphis aims to improve the effectiveness of poverty-fighting organizations by applying financial principles and rigorous analyses to identify opportunities to enhance the outcomes of poverty-fighting organizations that help Memphians seeking pathways out of poverty. 

Today, Slingshot enhances the effectiveness of 57 Memphis-based organizations, allocates resources and empowers decision-makers with evidence-based insights. Supported areas currently include education, literacy, workforce, housing, food security, health, youth programming, transportation, justice re-entry and place-based programs.

More than 50 Raymond James associates are currently connected to Slingshot Memphis. The firm’s philanthropic investment supports Slingshot’s ability to conduct impact studies with more nonprofits. Impact studies involve a rigorous process over several months that combines interviews with nonprofit leaders, quantitative analysis, and an extensive review of third-party research on an annual basis.

In 2023, Slingshot was able to grow its portfolio of nonprofits by 20%, which added 11 new nonprofits into the fold. 

“Much like the firm’s, Slingshot’s work is focused on people. Since its inception in 2017, $6.6 million has been contributed to Slingshot’s Accelerate Impact Fund, of which, more than $11 million has been generated in estimated poverty-fighting benefits. We’re proud to bring an uncommon level of rigor to fighting poverty and hold ourselves to exceptionally high standards when improving the quality of people’s lives.” – Hunter Cowan, Director, Fixed Income Sales

Church Health 

Church Health is a faith-based healthcare nonprofit, focused on providing top-quality healthcare to socially and economically challenged people across Memphis. 

Serving 60,000 patients each year, Church Health directly addresses the needs of under-resourced, underinsured or uninsured Memphians. The organization proudly helps people of all backgrounds, beliefs, ages and work status.

In 2023, Raymond James donated to expand Church Health’s new eye clinic, designed to add seven new exam rooms, increase patient capacity by 30%, and enhance the amount and standard of patient services. The firm’s donation matched other local nonprofit organizations dollar for dollar. 

Construction on the new eye clinic began on January 1, 2024, and the clinic is set to open its doors on July 1, 2024. 

“I’ve been closely involved in the partnership between Raymond James and Church Health and have seen the impact firsthand. It’s heartwarming to see the many associates across Memphis who put our core values into action by donating and volunteering with Church Health to make a positive difference in the community” – Michael Pagliari, Managing Director, Fixed Income Sales

More meaningful impacts in Memphis

In addition to the impactful organizations mentioned above, Raymond James and its associates have also invested in Memphis Allies, the MIFA Plus-1 program and Hopeworks. Like the organizations mentioned prior, these organizations all play a substantial role in improving the Memphis community as a whole.

Together, we make a difference. To learn more about the firm’s corporate philanthropy, click here.