Investing in Memphis: Paul Shifflet

Originally from Charlotte, Paul Shifflet has called Memphis home for the past three years. He relocated to Memphis to take a job with NewSouth Capital Management. Having lived several places, Shifflet says Memphis feels “different in all the right ways.” With no previous ties to the city and moving here just as COVID emerged, he had to be intentional about connecting to his new community. Now, what he appreciates most about Memphis is its people, cultural depth, and authenticity.

Shifflet’s understanding of the role community foundations play began in his North Carolina hometown. As he traveled for work, he grew to see them as unique connectors, sitting at the intersection of industries, nonprofits, and engaged citizens. When he moved to Memphis, this perspective guided his decision to get involved. While he initially considered commercial donor-advised fund sponsors, the Community Foundation’s emphasis on collaboration and its deep local focus resonated with him most.

“I was particularly attracted to the fact that the Community Foundation is very plugged into Memphis,” he says. “It’s not the least expensive model, but it’s far more effective. It educates you on how giving works and integrates closely with LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org, which I think is an excellent resource.”

Looking for ways to engage further, Shifflet became a GiVE 365 member and later joined its Advisory Team. 

What started as a way to meet other philanthropically-minded Memphians quickly became much more. Through GiVE 365, Shifflet was introduced to new neighborhoods, organizations, and approaches to addressing challenges in Memphis. The experience encouraged him to think critically about the problems nonprofits aim to solve and the strategies they use. “It’s an experience that gives back more the more you put into it,” he explains.

Shifflet’s next step was joining the Community Foundation’s Next Gen Philanthropic Initiative, a program designed for people early in their philanthropic journey. While he already had a history of giving, he wanted to move beyond supporting familiar organizations or defaulting to what seemed expected.

During his time in the Next Gen cohort, Shifflet was encouraged to select a handful of organizations he might want to fund. The exercise was meant to help participants move past a quick internet search when supporting an organization and instead reach out, ask questions, and connect with a leader within the organization. He ended up having meaningful and enlightening conversations about nonprofits, many of whom were partnered with one another and housed in Crosstown Concourse.

“It helped me bridge the gap between knowing I should give back and developing a plan for how to do it in a way that creates real change,” he shares.

One of Shifflet’s biggest takeaways from Next Gen was discovering what matters most to him as a donor. Whole Child Strategies stood out to him as an organization aligned with his values. Its focus on serving the residents of Smokey City and Klondike impressed him, as did its commitment to addressing root causes. By building partnerships and listening to community needs, Whole Child Strategies has developed creative solutions for recurring challenges.

“For me, it was about leveraging existing resources and creatively thinking about partnerships that could exist but don’t yet,” Shifflet says. “I was also drawn to their focus on community input and tailoring solutions to what neighborhoods actually need.”

As he deepens his connection to Memphis, his thoughtful approach to philanthropy sets an inspiring example of how to make a meaningful impact. Through his partnership with the Community Foundation, he’s investing not just in organizations but in the city’s future.

As he deepens his connection to Memphis, his thoughtful approach to philanthropy sets an inspiring example of how to make a meaningful impact. Through his partnership with the Community Foundation, he’s investing not just in organizations but in the city’s future.