In 1986, Dr. Larry Lloyd founded the Memphis Leadership Foundation (MLF) through a $10,000 seed grant from World Vision International. Since then, the MLF has grown to include 18 ministries, with combined budgets well over $7 million dollars.  Each ministry is categorized according to the level of support that the Memphis Leadership Foundation provides. For example, our operational ministries are fully supported by the MLF, our partner ministries have their own 501(c)3 status and receive some support (such as administrative assistance), and our affiliate ministries have reached the point where they are not, necessarily, supported by the MLF, but are partners and co-laborers with us in many of our efforts.

As a whole, the MLF maintains a proven track record of being a proactive intermediary in responding to the needs of the urban community.