MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro Community Investment Trust (CIT) Committee on Contributions will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport Business Center Community Room, located at 1930 Memorial Blvd. Committee members are expected to continue work on recommendations for charitable grant funding in the upcoming fiscal year.
According to the published agenda, the Committee will consider several action and discussion items, including approval of prior meeting minutes, discussion and possible action on the proposed grant calculation process, and formal FY27 funding recommendations to be forwarded to the Community Investment Trust Board of Trustees. Members will also review the FY27 evaluation process, discuss timelines and support for FY28 recommendations, and consider a draft final report form before adjournment.
During the current fiscal year, FY25–26, the Trust distributed $490,696 to 29 qualified charitable organizations operating within Murfreesboro. City officials report that, due to continued growth of the Community Investment Trust fund, an estimated 11 percent increase—approximately $53,976.56—in available funding is anticipated for FY26–27, expanding the potential impact of future awards.
Although the FY26–27 grant cycle is now closed, another opportunity for eligible nonprofit organizations to apply for Community Investment Trust funding will open in October 2026. Projects funded during that cycle would be implemented during the following fiscal year, from July 1 through June 30.
During a meeting held this past October, members of the Trust Committee on Contributions participated in an in-depth discussion with a community panel focused on local needs, services for vulnerable populations, and the City of Murfreesboro’s response to homelessness. Panelists highlighted coordinated outreach efforts by organizations such as Cold Patrol, Stepping Stones, Salvation Army, Journey Home, and United Way, noting that Cold Patrol often serves as the first point of contact while efforts remain focused on prioritizing Murfreesboro residents.
The discussion also emphasized support systems for children and families, including McKinney-Vento services for students experiencing housing instability, school-based behavioral health supports, free lunch programs, weekend backpack food programs, and multilingual assistance. Law enforcement officials outlined the Murfreesboro Police Department’s homelessness response, including encampment procedures, coordination with property owners, and the work of specialized officers and co-responders partnering with Volunteer Behavioral Health to provide crisis stabilization, detox services, and mental health support.
Panelists further described resource coordination through United Way programs such as Launch Point and 2-1-1, food access initiatives operated by Journey Home and Nourish, and public messaging that encourages charitable giving to organizations rather than panhandling. Housing insecurity, access to medical care for ALICE families, and exploration of additional school-based resource centers were also discussed, with speakers stressing the importance of collaboration, strategic use of grant funding, and long-term solutions.
Public comment at Tuesday’s meeting will be accepted only on actionable agenda items. Individuals wishing to speak must register at least six hours prior to the meeting by submitting a request through the City of Murfreesboro’s online public comment form or by calling 615-849-2629. Those who do not register in advance will not be permitted to address the committee.
The Committee on Contributions plays a key role in overseeing the Community Investment Trust’s annual community grant program. Eligible nonprofit organizations submitted applications for the FY26–27 cycle between October 1 and October 31, 2025. The City has announced that award decisions will be posted online by March 31, 2026, following committee review, Board of Trustees consideration, and final approval by the Murfreesboro City Council.
Committee members are selected for their experience in charitable, civic, and community-based activities. Applications are reviewed and scored based on project design, community impact, outcomes, organizational capacity, and financial accountability. Once evaluations are complete, funding recommendations are forwarded to the CIT Board of Trustees and then to City Council, which holds final approval authority.
The Community Investment Trust was established using proceeds from the sale of the City-owned Murfreesboro Electric Department and is designed to provide long-term, sustainable support for projects that enhance quality of life within the city. Grant funds may be used to address a broad range of community needs, including education, public safety, health, social services, economic development, arts and culture, and other initiatives that benefit Murfreesboro residents.
Grant eligibility guidelines require applicants to be IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations legally chartered in Tennessee, operating year-round, and providing services within Murfreesboro city limits. Projects must offer a clear local benefit, align with the purposes of the Trust, and comply with restrictions on ineligible expenses such as fundraising events, political activities, capital campaigns, and direct payments to individuals.
For more information on the Community Investment Trust Committee on Contributions, visit https://www.murfreesborotn.
