Big Brothers History
Big Brothers of Nashville was founded in 1912 by two compassionate businessmen who were concerned about the needy of Nashville; it is one of the oldest local charities in Nashville.
In the 1920's and 1930's surplus funds allowed the organization to fund other assistance - artificial teeth, prosthetic limbs, coal, medicine, furniture. Big Brothers furnished Nashville's first two kidney dialysis machines to Vanderbilt Hospital.
Until 1955, the organization was entirely volunteer based; in 1955, an office was opened, a staff person hired and a Board of Directors formed - made up of representatives of civic groups, churches, service organizations and other persons interested in helping the less fortunate.
Big Brothers' History – A Timeline:
| 1912 |
Founded by two compassionate Nashville businessmen who were concerned about Nashville’s needy and wanted to be a solution. From 1912-1955, the organization was entirely volunteer based. |
| December 1912 |
First Tabloid fundraising pieces was distributed among Nashville’s neighborhoods and businesses by partnering business people and companies. |
| 1920/1930 | Surplus funds allowed the organization to fund life- changing assistance including artificial teeth, prosthetic limbs |
| 1930s | Big Brothers furnished Nashville's first two kidney dialysis machines to Vanderbilt Hospital. |
| 1930s | Big Brothers provided funding, materials, and referrals, as demand dictated – items included coal, medicine, and furniture. |
| 1955 | Big Brothers opens an office, hires the first staff person, and forms a Board of Directors |
| 1955–present | Big Brothers is served by a Board of Directors represented by civic groups, churches, synagogues, service organizations and other civic and business people who are interested in helping the less fortunate. |
| 1980 | First Rudolph’s Red Nose Run precedes the Annual Christmas Parade in downtown Nashville to benefit Big Brothers of Nashville |
| 2008 | First Big Tribute fundraising dinner held at the downtown Sheraton honoring Jo Walker Meador and Andrew Benedict. |
| 2009 | Second Annual Big Tribute fundraising dinner held at the Marriott at Vanderbilt hornoring Decosta Jenkins and William J. Denny. |
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"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill |
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"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." - Maya Angelou |
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"No one has ever become poor by giving." - Anne Frank |
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"The love we give away is the only love we keep." - Elbert Hubbard |
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"Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege." - John D. Rockefeller Jr. |
How Can I Help?
Give
You may also donate to Big Brothers of Nashville through Giving Matters.
Donate to Project Help through the NES website.
If you have any questions about donating, please contact us by email at donate@bigbrothersofnashville.org.
You can find more ways to donate on our Support Us page!
