In 2019, the City of Memphis and Shelby County will celebrate our 200th anniversary and embrace our next 100 years--our New Century of Soul. We’re inviting the world to join us as we honor our story and the next chapter that is about to be written. It’s time to engage our next generation of innovators, artists, and leaders to create our region’s future. And that includes you.

The New Century of Soul Challenge is driven by community. It’s your chance to create projects of lasting impact in your neighborhoods--it could be new park benches or a community garden. As long as your project is a physical installation within the Shelby County borders you can start fundraising today for potential dollar-for-dollar matchings funds up to $10,000.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Donations are no longer being matched, but are still appreciated! Support a project below:

  • Speedway Terrace Historic District Signage

    We are proud of our community and our history. As a local historic district we want to be able to share that fact with the world. Help us purchase signs for our neighborhood!

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,434
  • ID the Trees

    We want to add labels that identify native trees that have been planted in the Carnes School neighborhood over the last 18 months.

    NEEDS: $0 of 874
  • Gooch Park Rehab!

    Help us bring new life to Gooch Park!  Gooch Park and Pool is the site of the first African American bicycle rodeo in Memphis in June 1959. Elvis Presley was known to play basketball there.

     

    NEEDS: $0 of 2,212
  • Boat Dock Rendering

    Paddle on the Greenway

    Help Wolf River Conservancy build a boat dock on the Wolf River Greenway. The boat dock will be open to the public and used to teach kids and adults how to canoe and kayak.

    NEEDS: $0 of 20,635
  • Carnes Garden East

    Mural for Carnes Garden East

    Spring is here! We want to continue our mission of bringing nature and beauty to the visitors to this formerly vacant lot which is now Carnes Garden East.  Murals are a lovely addition. 

    NEEDS: $0 of 412
  • Colonial Park UMC/Sea Isle Community Garden

    This garden of hope in the Sea Isle area will be a place where people from all backgrounds & traditions can come together to grow produce for their home to help supplement their spending at the Grocery store.

    NEEDS: $0 of 4,406
  • Hospitality HUB image

    The Hospitality HUB Day Plaza

    The Hospitality HUB has secured a space for the first barrier-free women's shelter in Memphis, and is working to fund an adjacent Day Plaza for the homeless to rest safely and comfortably.

    NEEDS: $0 of 20,635