BrightStone - Empowering Potential, Enriching Lives

Giving Tuesday
$100,000 Match

Now thru Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, every dollar given can double the impact for our students.

Homecoming Capital Campaign

Helping more adults gain independence and the life they envision.

BrightStone Christmas Program

Get in the holiday spirit with a festive BrightStone student performance!
December 9 at 6:30 pm.

DAF Day 2025

Join us for DAF DAY on October 9th!

DAF DAY is a national day of giving with donor-advised funds (DAFs), which are a simple, flexible, and tax-advantageous way to give to your favorite charities.

On DAF DAY, we invite you to use your DAF to make a grant to BrightStone and help us continue our mission. Your generosity will have a greater impact, allowing us to serve even more families.

I Believe in BrightStone

Welcome to the “I Believe in BrightStone” Project! A powerful tapestry of our families’ stories of hope, resilience, and joy—stories made possible through the unwavering support of YOU, our BrightStone Family! The “I Believe in BrightStone” project helps close the gap between what families pay and the true cost of our life-changing programs. Every donation supports students, ensuring that all adults at BrightStone have the opportunity to live with purpose, dignity, and joy.

Whether you share, donate, or simply believe—thank you for believing in BrightStone.
Click the link below to explore the campaign and read the stories under the teams tab.

Click Here

Our Mission

BrightStone’s mission is to provide a comprehensive work, social support, and residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), expanding their potential and helping them develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Located in Franklin, Tennessee, BrightStone is a nonprofit, 501(c)3, work and life-long learning program for adults who live each day with IDD.

We aim to nurture and develop the abilities of adults with IDD across all facets of life – mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Our approach is to focus on each individual’s unique abilities, talents, and skills, offering a diverse range of programs that include vocational training, art education, development of life and social skills, and over 10 elective programs to give our students more individual choice. We’re not just a program but a community where friendships are forged and skills are honed.

At BrightStone, the spiritual environment plays a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging, purpose, and peace for adults with IDD. By integrating meaningful spiritual practices into daily life, individuals are encouraged to explore their own spiritual beliefs, connect with others in a supportive community, and experience a sense of dignity and worth. This environment nurtures personal growth, promotes emotional well-being, and helps individuals develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

What Families Are Saying

“When my sister Catherine graduated from High School, we didn’t know what the next chapter would be in her life. For someone as social as she is, it was very important for us to find a place where she can go daily and continue to flourish. Thankfully, we did. BrightStone has provided Catherine with endless love and support from day one. Words will never be able to express the gratitude we have for BrightStone. It’s been such a blessing to my family!”

“At BrightStone our parents and families are considered the “experts” on their adult student. It is from their testimonies that we are challenged and inspired to continue providing the best loving care for the one they love so much. For us, BrightStone has been an answer to prayer. It is impossible to see the smiling faces of the students and the enthusiasm of the staff to deny God’s presence. The fruits of the spirit are so evident! Peace, joy, love and understanding, may they all continue to abound!”

“God works through people, and for me BrightStone is a shining example of God’s love pouring through the amazing teachers and staff every day as they work with my daughter and her friends. BrightStone is one of the greatest blessings in my daughter and my family’s lives.”

“BrightStone gives my son a chance to develop more independence in a safe, accepting, loving environment. In a less caring, less motivating setting, he would probably deteriorate, but at BrightStone, he excels and he feels good about himself and those around him. He has good days at BrightStone.”

Students In The Community

2nd Annual UniFIVEd Campaign

July 22-26,2024!
Our 2nd Annual UniFIVEd campaign will feature five days of celebration as we highlight our BrightStone students and programs, and work to reach a goal of $100,000 for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Preparation and Training for Hireability (P.A.T.H) program expands

New students have joined the P.A.T.H program to intern at our community partner sites, while others have graduated to a new leadership program.

Funny Guys - BrightStone students share their talents in the community

Congratulations to students Tracey and Josh for sharing laughs at Backlight Productions comedy night.

Sign up for BrightStone news & updates

Keep up to date with what’s going on around BrightStone!