THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND 2025
APPLICATION CRITERIA, PROCESS & FORMAT

Application Deadline Friday, May 30, 2025

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is an endowed fund that supports the next generation of fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee by providing an annual financial award and resources for EXPERIENTIAL professional development opportunities. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund has been established to generate income each year. This endowment is designed to fund financial awards that support a professional development opportunity for one or more individuals working in fashion-related industries for many years to come. ALL experienced fashion industry professionals, including designers, photographers, stylists, models, hair and makeup artists, retailers, content creators, etc., are encouraged to apply for this award to pursue an EXPERIENCE that will further their career in our local fashion industry. 

The award recipient is selected by a committee of the Board of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, based on demonstrated talent, experience, achievement and commitment, and capacity for future distinction in the fashion industry. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Selection Committee will have sole authority over award decisions and administration. Selection will not discriminate on the grounds of race, color or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age or gender. Founders of Nashville Fashion Week will have no role in the vetting or selection of recipients. Recipients can only receive a Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award once.

Applications must be received at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee office by 4:30 p.m. on May 30, 2025 to be considered. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Selection Committee will review all material submitted by eligible applicants. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award recipient(s) will be notified early next year.

Please read the following criteria and instructions carefully. Should you have additional questions, please contact Amy Fair, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships, (615) 321-4939, ext. 102 or afair@cfmt.org.

SUMMARY OF THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND APPLICATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS

  • Complete and submit the application no later than 4:30 p.m. by May 30, 2025 (applications received after this time/date will not be considered);

  • Be at least 21 years of age;

  • Have ties to Middle Tennessee (i.e., live, work, educated or grew up in Middle Tennessee);

  • Have at least two years of professional related experience before date of application submission with demonstrated commitment to a specific career

  • Submit a 350-word biographical statement that provides specific and detailed information about your past experience as well as a summary of career goals and objectives;

  • Provide a detailed description of how the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund’s financial award would impact and support your professional development and career goals (with specifics as outlined on the application form below) through an EXPERIENTIAL opportuntiy;

  • Submit relevant material, appropriate to your fashion-related field of work (e.g. sketches, photographs, video, business plan);

  • Provide 3-5 references from people familiar with your work and experience.

As noted, your application form and related material must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 30, 2025. Applications received after this time/date will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s office hours are 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. If you intend to mail your application, we recommend a mailing method that provides tracking and insurance of receipt.

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Selection Committee will review all material submitted by eligible applicants. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award recipient(s) will be notified within 90 days of the application deadline

By Mail or In-Person:

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Attn: Nashville Fashion Forward Fund
3421 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37215

By Email:

afair@cfmt.org
Subject: Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award Application

THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND APPLICATION FORMAT

NAME:
OCCUPATION:
DATE OF BIRTH:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL:

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT (350 words)
Provide specific and detailed information about your past experience and a summary of your career goals and objectives. Include information about your ties to Middle Tennessee.

IMPACT OF A NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND AWARD
Describe how a financial award from the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund would impact and support your professional development and career goals. Please address the following specifics:

  • What EXPERIENTIAL professional development opportunity would you pursue with this award? (Your proposal should support the professional development experience that you'd like to pursue to advance your career. This is not a request to purchase supplies or equipment.)

  • What would your desired experience cost? (Please include information on the basis for your cost estimation.)

  • What would be the outcome of such an opportunity, and how would you measure its success on your professional growth?

  • Why is this professional development important to you and your career?

Since some professional development opportunities may include parameters relating to cost, selection or other criteria, please describe how you would utilize this award if you were not able to meet all the parameters of a particular opportunity.

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED (350 words)
Provide a brief description and context for the materials you are submitting with your application.