New Memphis and Give Back Memphis are pleased to announce that they are joining forces to support local nonprofits through pro bono consulting. Give Back Memphis (GBM) was started and managed by Bill Craddock and Babs Feibelman, two local leaders with deep ties to the non-profit community. Their goal was to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofits by making professional consulting services accessible to organizations regardless of the agency’s mission or size. Calling on their extensive network of peers in the community, GBM also provided many highly successful professionals with an opportunity to give back to their community using their unique skills and career experience.
“After retiring from a travel-intensive career, I wanted to allocate some of my free time to support Memphis nonprofits that were making a positive impact in our community,” said Give Back Memphis Co-Founder, Bill Craddock. “Seven years ago, in conversations with Babs Feibelman, we realized that there were a lot skilled, experienced people in Memphis who wanted to give back and shift from ‘money-making’ to ‘meaning-making’ life opportunities.”
What started out with one consultancy in 2016 has grown exponentially. Since its inception, GBM has completed 82 unique consultancies and is currently developing three this year. To date they have served 68 different nonprofits whose services span the gamut of needs in Shelby County.
Beginning in April 2023, the GBM program is moving under the New Memphis umbrella, with dedicated staff and resources to continue building on its strong foundation of service. Leveraging the existing consultant list as well as the diverse network of New Memphis alumni, the program continues to expand its impact on Memphis-area nonprofits.
“I feel confident that New Memphis will maintain the important basic elements of Give Back Memphis: pro bono consulting provided by skilled professionals,” says Babs Feibelman, Give Back Memphis Co Founder. “I was inspired to start Give Back Memphis after a conversation with a friend from D.C. who was participating in a similar program. We added the twist of drawing upon people either retired or after lengthy and successful careers. People who were looking for the next way to find purpose.”
“The ‘secret sauce’ in the Give Back Memphis DNA has been the skilled, experienced, and committed consultants,” adds Bill Craddock, Give Back Memphis Co-Founder. “With the resources and support of New Memphis, we envision that the Give Back Memphis program will be expanded and, at the same time, preserve the integrity and excellence of consulting services to the non-profit community.”
New Memphis has been empowering and connecting the city’s leaders, inspiring them to create positive community change since 1979. Anna Mullins Ellis, New Memphis President and CEO, explains, "Give Back Memphis’ work is well-aligned with our mission to develop and activate leaders serving in the Mid-South. New Memphis has a vibrant network of professionals who can help GBM continue to grow its consultant base, and this is an excellent complement to our existing work of encouraging our program alumni to serve in Memphis."
Thanks to the generosity of the Assisi Foundation and the Hyde Family Foundation, New Memphis will be able to grow this program under the leadership of a new Director, for whom the organization is currently searching. With support from the New Memphis team, the Director will manage the Give Back Memphis program and network of consultants and clients. For more information about this position, click here.