Organizations selected through the Thriving Youth Executive Leadership Council –– including the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative, Tennessee Department of Children's Services and Belmont Innovation Labs –– will pilot innovative solutions for youth aging out of foster care.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – February 26, 2026 – Every Child TN’s Thriving Youth Executive Leadership Council announced today that six organizations have been selected to receive funding through its $1 million Reconstruct Thriving Youth Challenge, a venture philanthropy initiative designed by Belmont Innovation Labs to address the gaps in stable housing, supportive relationships and mental health care for the more than 800 youth who transition out of Tennessee’s foster care system annually.
Connect Our Kids, TN Voices, Jonathan's Path, Elmington Elevates, New Culture Project and Forward Steps will each receive $100,000 to pilot their solutions over the next 12 months. In addition to funding, each organization will receive technical assistance and support to pursue follow-on investment beyond the initial pilot period.
The challenge was developed through the Thriving Youth Executive Leadership Council which included leaders from Belmont Innovation Labs, Youth Villages, Monroe Harding, I Am Next, the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI), the Department of Children's Services (DCS) and additional thought-partner and philanthropic community members.
The most lasting solutions come from strong communities –– nonprofits, churches, community leaders and impact-minded businesses, working in partnership with the state government. The Reconstruct Thriving Youth Challenge brings that shared belief to life by aligning state leadership with community partners and innovators who are ready to step in and walk with these young adults.
“Together, we are building a stronger runway to independence –– one rooted in community, accountability and hope,” said Lance Villio, executive director of the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative.
In 2024, GFBCI and DCS launched Every Child TN to put that belief into action, mobilizing Tennesseans across the state to care for children, youth and families before, during and after foster care.
With support from General Assembly appropriations, Belmont Innovation Labs conducted research in full partnership with GFBCI and DCS. The findings revealed that without targeted support, outcomes for youth aging out of care are often devastating. Yet with strategic, trauma-informed interventions –– particularly consistent relationships with stable, caring adults –– these outcomes can be transformed.
“I’m encouraged by the strong response to the Reconstruct Challenge and by the partners willing to test solutions that can deepen stability, connection and well-being for these young people,” said Tennessee Department of Children's Services Commissioner Margie Quin.
"Tennessee's leadership and willingness to innovate, combined with the urgent needs of our youth, create conditions for venture philanthropy to thrive right now," said Tom Baldwin, director of innovation at Belmont Innovation Labs. "With new sources of philanthropic capital, state commitment to foster care reform and payers looking for evidence-based solutions, we have the necessary leadership alignment to move innovations from pilots to statewide scale."
The $1 million challenge fund was capitalized entirely through private philanthropic sources and is separate from the General Assembly appropriations that supported the research and design phase. Belmont Innovation Labs and Access Ventures led the administration and execution of the challenge process.
"The Reconstruct Challenge brings together the private sector, public sector and social sector with catalytic capital to take real innovations from the theoretical to the field,” said Bryce Butler, founder & managing director of Access Ventures. "Philanthropy should be the risk capital that helps identify solutions that are impactful, scalable and enduring, and which we recognize can come from anywhere."
The six recipients were selected from 58 applicants across 11 states using a "reverse-pitch" model where solutions are designed with input from the programs that could fund them long term. Recipients begin pilots in March 2026.
More About the Reconstruct Challenge Recipients:
Connect Our Kids provides software and training to help caseworkers map kinship networks and identify supportive adults for youth.
TN Voices integrates clinical services, peer mentorship and digital wellness tools into transitional housing.
Jonathan's Path pilots family-based housing where youth live with consistent caregivers.
Elmington Elevates is developing an affordable housing community using Foster Youth to Independence vouchers.
New Culture Project provides transitional housing combined with supportive relationships and opportunities for personal and professional growth
Forward Steps offers the Guardian Scholars Program, providing emotional support, mentoring, career guidance and financial assistance as students with foster care experience transition into adulthood and pursue postsecondary education
About the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI)
The Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI) mobilizes Tennessee's Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) to unite with the state government in serving vulnerable Tennesseans. Current GFBCI priorities are Every Child TN, the Volunteer Mentorship Initiative, and the Human Flourishing Initiative. Learn more at www.governorsinitiative.org.
About the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS)
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services is the state’s child welfare agency. Through the Bright Futures program, DCS provides young adults transitioning from foster care with wraparound support up to age 23 so they can move into adulthood with stability and choice.
About Every Child TN
Every Child TN, an initiative led by the TN Department of Children's Services and the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative, mobilizes all Tennesseans to care for children, youth, and families before, during, and after foster care. They do this with the support of agencies, advocates, faith communities and advocates across the state focusing on four priorities: preservation, recruitment, retention and transition. Learn more at everychildtn.org.
About Belmont Innovation Labs
Belmont Innovation Labs is a cross-sector collaboration platform within Belmont University that convenes stakeholders and launches solutions to address complex social challenges. Learn more at www.belmont.edu/innovation-labs.
About Access Ventures
Access Ventures focuses on creating a more inclusive economy through a "blended finance" approach, investing in startups and organizations across different sectors. They aim to align financial returns with social and environmental impact by using "one-pocket" investing, where all assets are managed to reflect core values. Learn more at www.accessventures.org.
Interested in this work?
Learn more about Belmont Innovation Labs