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Tennessee · Established 2019
Unite. Mobilize. Serve.
The Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative unites Tennessee's faith communities, nonprofits, and state government around our most vulnerable neighbors — children in foster care, men and women returning home from prison, families fighting their way out of crisis. Three initiatives. One mandate.
04 — Responsive work
Special Projects.
Not every challenge fits inside a long-running initiative. When something acute hits Tennessee, GFBCI moves fast to coordinate the response.
Active · 2025
FeedTN
When federal SNAP benefits were interrupted, hundreds of thousands of Tennessee families — many already living without margin — faced an immediate question: how do we eat this month? For the network GFBCI has spent years building, the answer didn't require a new program. It required activation.
Built and coordinated by GFBCI, FeedTN mobilized Tennessee's food banks, faith communities, and nonprofits to bridge the gap, serving as the connective tissue of the response: a single front door where families could find food near them, and where churches, donors, and volunteers could find the fastest way to help.
The response was immediate and statewide. Thirteen news outlets covered the launch on day one — from Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and Jackson to the Tri-Cities and rural counties — with at least nineteen stories in the first two weeks centering FeedTN.org as a resource. The Department of Human Services, the United Way of West Tennessee, regional food banks, state legislators, and nonprofit newsletters all working together for vulnerable Tennesseans.
690,000+ — Tennesseans faced food-assistance disruption during the SNAP freeze
~75,000 — estimated total visitors to FeedTN.org from launch through the restoration of SNAP benefits
~45,000 — estimated visitors in the first week alone
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Ongoing
Disaster Relief Coordination
When tornadoes, floods, or other disasters strike Tennessee, GFBCI coordinates between TEMA ReadyTN Faith, faith-based response networks, and community organizations to make sure relief reaches the people who need it.
08 — Staff and councils
Staff. Councils. Board.
GFBCI is intentionally small. Our staff is supported by councils built around lived experience and field expertise — and accountable to a board that holds the work to its standards. Each shapes what we do in different ways.
GFBCI is intentionally small. Our staff is supported by councils built around lived experience and field expertise — and accountable to a board that holds the work to its standards. Each shapes what we do in different ways.
Executive Director
Nashville
Regional Director, East Tennessee
East Tennessee
Senior Advisor, Strategy & Communications
Nashville
Director, Every Child TN
Nashville
Director, Volunteer Mentorship Initiative
Nashville
Regional Director, Western Tennessee
West Tennessee
Regional Director, Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee
Project Coordinator, Every Child TN
Nashville
Director of Operations
Nashville
Office Manager & Events Coordinator
Nashville
Program Manager, Volunteer Mentorship Initiative
Nashville
Executive Assistant
Nashville