Nashville, TN (March 10, 2026 ) – The Morning Pointe Foundation, established by Morning Pointe Senior Living co-founders Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, has received the 2026 SOAR Philanthropy Award from the College System of Tennessee, recognizing the organization and its founders for their lasting contributions to students, communities, and workforce development across the state.
The SOAR Philanthropy Award honors organizations whose generosity and leadership help strengthen Tennessee’s colleges while preparing students for meaningful careers.
The Morning Pointe Foundation was established in 2014 as the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living. Built on the belief that strong communities begin with compassionate and well-trained caregivers, the Foundation works to support students pursuing careers that serve others, including nursing, therapy, social work, and culinary scholarships, while helping to address the growing needs of an aging population.
Altogether, Morning Pointe Senior Living and the Morning Pointe Foundation have invested more than $2.1 million in support of Tennessee’s community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, helping expand educational opportunities and strengthen the state’s workforce.
Through 2025, the Morning Pointe Foundation has provided scholarships to 15 colleges within the College System of Tennessee. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than 140 scholarships to community and technical college students, representing a $200,000 investment in their education and future careers.
Morning Pointe’s commitment to education and workforce development extends well beyond scholarships. Vital and Farrow provided the lead gift to establish the Tom Edd Wilson “First in the Family” Scholarship at Chattanooga State Community College, which is now endowed at more than $345,000 to support first-generation college students.
They have also served as presenting sponsors and co-hosts of Chattanooga State’s signature fundraising event, Dinner of Firsts, which has raised $1 million for first-generation scholarships.
Support for students is also evident at Cleveland State Community College. Since 2017, Vital has donated more than $572,000 to the college, creating new opportunities for students and faculty. His support helped establish Cleveland State’s first named program, the Greg A. Vital Center for Natural Resources and Conservation, a state-of-the-art facility that provides hands-on training for students studying forestry, wildlife, and fisheries.
“This recognition is incredibly meaningful to all of us,” said Vital. “Education opens doors for people who want to serve others and make a difference in their communities. Through the Morning Pointe Foundation, we have been honored to support students as they pursue their education and step into careers where they can truly impact the lives of others.”
The Morning Pointe Foundation also provides free caregiver education events and support programs for families, helping people better understand aging, memory loss, and the challenges of caregiving.
Under the leadership of Miranda Perez, Executive Director of the Morning Pointe Foundation, the organization has continued expanding its partnerships with schools across the Southeast. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living, which was founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Vital and Farrow. Morning Pointe operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states including Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
“This award reflects the incredible collaboration between our school partners, the College System of Tennessee, and the students who are working so hard to pursue their education,” said Perez. “For the past four years, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand how these scholarships help students stay in school, gain experience, and move forward into careers where they can truly make a difference. We are grateful to be part of that journey.”
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states, including AL, GA, IN, KY & TN. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
