Speaker Friday, July 11, 2025
If you want to give, how do you know where your gift will do the most good? Who can you trust to manage it wisely and connect it with the people and places that need it most? The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee was built to answer those questions. Under Hal Cato’s leadership, CFMT helps generous individuals become confident philanthropists—matching intent with impact to strengthen lives and communities across our region.
The Green Hills Rotary Club invites you to hear from Hal Cato, CEO of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 7:15 AM at the Boy Scout Service Center.
Mr. Cato leads a dedicated team committed to shaping and deepening CFMT’s positive impact on the region. With more than 1,600 charitable funds and nearly $800 million in managed assets, CFMT has become a trusted steward of philanthropy—awarding more than $90 million annually in grants and scholarships.
Throughout his career, Mr. Cato has been recognized as a visionary and community leader, from founding Hands On Nashville to leading the Oasis Center and serving as CEO of Thistle Farms. His work spans both nonprofit and corporate sectors, and he continues to bring bold ideas and collaborative leadership to some of Middle Tennessee’s most pressing challenges.
This is an excellent opportunity to learn how strategic philanthropy shapes the well-being of our community—and how trust, transparency, and connection turn generosity into lasting impact.
For more information check out their website.
Recent and Future Speakers
| 4/10/26 | Steve Bland, CEO WEGO Public Transit | ||
| 4/17/26 | William Jeffries, Executive Director, African American Music Museum | ||
| 4/24/26 | Eric, Editor in Chief, Nashville Business Journal | ||
| 5/1/26 | Jim Easter, Healthcare trends in 2026 | ||
| 5/8/26 | Yuri Cunza, CEO Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | ||
| 5/15/26 | Christiane Buggs, Bob Kucher, of PENCIL CEO | ||
| 5/22/26 | District Governor, John Christopher Williams | ||
| 5/29/26 | Laurel Creech and Casey Davis, The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee | ||
| 6/5/26 | Nashville Opera, Keri Alkema, Chief Strategy & Ops Officer |

