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We argue in this article that applied anthropology offers a compelling model for conducting engaged scholarship in higher education and developing an engaged scholarship platform. As colleges and universities increasingly endorse meaningful ways to address critical needs of their wider communities, anthropology faculty, students, and alumni can lead the way in forging successful and effective partnerships and grappling with crucial community needs. With the growth of participatory action research—and its theoretical and methodological perspective—anthropologists have tackled challenging societal issues in collaboration with community partners (Schensul). Typically this entails involving multiple stakeholders in the articulation of solutions. Anthropology is in a prime position to take the lead in advancing the "engaged university" model. This article builds upon Baba's thesis (2009) that the survival of the discipline of anthropology is linked to its relevance in addressing critical societal issues and its ability to integrate the work of academic and practicing anthropologists. Many approaches from anthropology can be drawn upon as promising models for community connectedness. We offer an example from the University of Memphis that has been particularly effective: through their research and practical experience as students of anthropological study, alumni cycle back into collaborative ties with faculty and other alumni and nonanthropological colleagues, connecting the community with the university in a dynamic and productive system. In addition, long‐term commitment to addressing relevant local issues such as poverty and health disparities through analysis and reflection of outcomes is critical to developing a meaningful engaged scholarly tradition.

Corporate philanthropy is set in the context of local political econ omy. This study of corporate giving in a mid-South city finds that community development is not a priority for giving, despite its place in neighborhood and citywide political agendas. Corporate support remains centered on established nonprofit organizations with con cerns for traditional charity and service.

AbstractIn this paper we define "The Memphis Model," or the type of praxis‐oriented, critically engaged anthropology developed and used by the Department of Anthropology at the University of Memphis. This model draws inspiration from the Grit and Grind ethos of the city of Memphis, along with its deep cultural and political traditions of grassroots activism for social justice. Here, we define how this is done in practice. The Department of Anthropology continually brings together current students, faculty, alumni, and community partners in coalition to develop approaches to address emerging social justice issues throughout the city, country, and world. This paper draws on one specific example, the Welcome Home Memphis Initiative, a long‐term partnership with community housing agencies, alumni, faculty, and students to counter exploitative housing practices, to explain the process of the Memphis Model.