Who decides Memphis Tomorrow's agenda?
Projects and activities are determined by vote of the Board of Directors through a careful study process. They involve educational, health, social, civic, and economic matters affecting the general welfare of greater Memphis and affecting or benefiting all or a substantial segment of the community. Click here for more information.

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What are the criteria for membership eligibility?
Memphis Tomorrow members are top executives of local corporations and enterprises that have over $200 million in annual revenue or over $100 million in assets, or top executives of professional services firms with annual revenues over $75 million. Members must demonstrate community commitment and contribution.

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So, anyone who meets this criteria may join?
Memphis Tomorrow limits its membership to approximately 30 members. So, yes, as long as membership slots are available.

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How much does it cost?
Dues are determined by the annual budget approved by the board of directors each year.

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Are there other organizations like Memphis Tomorrow in other cities?
Yes, there are other CEO associations in other cities that get involved in economic and community development and public policy.  Each has a unique approach and methodology.

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Why was Memphis Tomorrow founded?
Memphis Tomorrow was formed because local business leaders believe in civic responsibility and recognize that their active, collaborative participation in guiding and supporting our community's development is essential to its successful future.

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How do I apply for project funding from Memphis Tomorrow?
Memphis Tomorrow is not a grant-making foundation. We fund only those initiatives developed through internal committee work. Looking at issues of major importance to the community, our primary role is one of convener, long-range planner, and facilitator of breakthrough solutions to significant local challenges

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Why aren't there more minority and women members of Memphis Tomorrow?
Part of our vision for Memphis is that local business leadership will be more reflective of our nation's diversity. We value diversity and believe that community leadership will be most effective when shared by all genders and races. We also believe economic success is achieved when shared by all members of the community.

In all of our initiatives, we ensure through our partnerships that a diverse array of voices and perspectives guide our work.  Additionally we have implemented a supplier diversity project -- in partnership with Mid-South Minority Business Council -- in an effort to help strengthen and grow local minority businesses.

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How is Memphis Tomorrow different from the Memphis Regional Chamber?
The Chamber is one of MT's many partner organizations, and as such we collaborate closely where appropriate and helpful. However, the two organizations are very different.

First, the missions are very different. Memphis Tomorrow exists to engage CEOs of our largest companies in community change -- focusing its efforts on a range of issues including early childhood development, safety and security, government efficiency, and strategy industry development. Alternatively, the Chamber represents and supports the business interests of 2000+ member businesses and focuses on improving the business environment and leading our community's efforts to attract jobs and capital investment.

Second, Memphis Tomorrow gets involved in only a very few large-scale initiatives and is non-programmatic, relying on and supporting select partner organizations within the community to implement the programmatic and operational solutions that result from planning work. Conversely, the Chamber implements a wide variety of programming that supports local business interests, job growth, and capital investment.

Finally, Memphis Tomorrow operates solely through the direct participation of CEOs of the city's largest corporations and enterprises; while the Chamber engages and serves a broad spectrum of personnel from their 2000+ member companies.

Memphis Tomorrow and the Chamber have active partnerships on such efforts as Bioscience Industry Development, and share ideas and agendas regularly. As is the case with a number of our key partner organizations -- such as Memphis Bioworks Foundation, Memphis Music Foundation, First Years Institute, Memphis & Shelby County Crime Commission and Mid-South Minority Business Council --a number of Memphis Tomorrow members are active on the Chamber's board.

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