5th Annual Dia de Muertos Community Ofrenda | Semillas TN

Get ready for a cultural feast! We are pumped to support Semillas TN's 5th Annual Dia de Muertos Community Ofrenda. This incredible event celebrates the rich traditions of Latinx culture and honors loved ones who have passed.

With our $1,900 grant, Semillas TN will be able to elevate its Ofrenda to new heights. Imagine educational workshops, a "U-pick" cempasúchil, commonly known as Mexican marigolds, flower day, and a captivating Catrina parade. The stunning Ofrenda centerpiece will be adorned with vibrant decorations, fragrant flowers, and delicious food.

Semillas TN is creating a space for connection, reflection, and joy by bringing the community together. This event honors tradition and fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of Latinx culture. We're excited to see how this year's Ofrenda will inspire and uplift the Chattanooga community.

Outdoor Adventure Club | East Side Elementary

Get ready for some outdoor excitement! We're thrilled to announce our August grant has been awarded to East Side Elementary's Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC). This amazing club is giving 5th graders the chance to explore nature, build confidence, and create lasting memories.

With this grant, OAC will be able to take their young adventurers on three unforgettable trips:

• Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center: A peaceful escape into nature's beauty.

• Raccoon Mountain Caverns: An underground adventure filled with wonder and awe.

• YMCA Camp Ocoee: A thrilling experience of canoeing and outdoor skills.

These trips will be completely free for all participants thanks to our $1,100 grant, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to connect with nature and learn valuable life skills. We can't wait to see the impact this grant will have on these young explorers!

Name Change Clinic | Black Rainbow Movement

Get ready to queer cheer! The Black Rainbow Movement has been awarded our July grant for a Name Change Clinic. Our $3,000 will support them as they walk alongside Black, queer individuals to create a more inclusive Chattanooga.

With this grant, they'll be able to expand the Name Change Clinic, helping even more transgender people live authentically and confidently. Dropping a dead name and owning your chosen name costs money, and our grant will fund those fees. It's not just a name-changer; it’s a game-changer!

Alongside their amazing partners, Homeserve USA, the Chattanooga Trans Liberation Collective, and Legal Aid of East Tennessee, they are working tirelessly to make this happen in Fall of 2024.

Together, we're building a brighter future for Black, queer people. Let's celebrate them and keep the momentum going!

Summer Art Camp | The Seed Theater

Surely you know about The Seed Theatre. Their mission is to support marginalized communities (particularly LGBTQ+, BIPOC and their families) by providing resources, education, support and community while celebrating differences through arts and culture.

Enter Summer Art Camp, led by the acclaimed art educator Brouquelle Long. Designed to spark creativity in Chattanooga’s youth, campers aged 6-18 explored painting, sculpture, and more through engaging workshops and collaborative projects, all within a supportive and inclusive environment.

The camp featured three dynamic 3-day sessions (yeah, 9 sessions total) tailored to different age groups: 6-10, 11-13, and 14-18. Each class was taught by Brouquelle, whose six years of experience and numerous awards make her a standout in the art education field.

Our $3,000 grant offered 24 scholarships to ensure that financially marginalized children can participate at no cost, with the remaining spots available to paying participants.

Shouldn’t everyone have access to art education? It offers them a chance to express themselves, boost their confidence, and develop vital skills—all while having fun. By making the arts accessible, future generations of artists and community leaders can spring to life.

Essential Items | Chattanooga Free Store

What is the Chattanooga Free Store? It is a mutual aid organization located at 1701 Dodson Avenue, Suite C. The storefront is where anyone can access things like clothing, food, sexual health items, harm reduction supplies, and more, all for free and without having to show any form of ID. In order to access these same items elsewhere, you need money or an ID.

This local organization is a vital lifeline for community members in need. By expanding access to essential items, The Chattanooga Free Store is making a significant impact on the lives of those facing hardship.

With this grant, the Free Store will be able to increase its stock of essential items, ensuring that community members have consistent access to these necessities. By removing barriers to basic needs, the Free Store enables individuals and families to focus on other aspects of their lives, such as finding employment or pursuing education.

We commend The Chattanooga Free Store for their dedication to serving the community and congratulate them on this well-deserved $3,000 grant.

DuPont Elementary School Care Closet | Melody Hoffman

We are excited to announce that the UNFoundation has awarded a $1,000 grant to DuPont Elementary School!

Melody Hoffman, the school counselor, will use the grant to replenish the school’s Care Closet, which provides essential clothing and hygiene items to students in need. By addressing these basic needs, DuPont Elementary is creating a more equitable learning environment where all students can thrive.

DuPont Elementary is a Title I school serving a predominantly low-income population. The Care Closet is a vital resource for students who may not have access to essential items. With this grant, the school will be able to restock its supply of clothing, ensuring that every student has the clothing they need to feel confident and ready to learn.

We commend Melody Hoffman and the DuPont Elementary community for their dedication to supporting students’ overall well-being. This grant is a testament to their hard work and commitment to creating a brighter future for their students. Rock on, counselors and social workers. Y’all rule the school.

No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town! | Sleep in Heavenly Peace

We are thrilled to announce that Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), has been awarded it’s third grant from the UNFoundation in the amount of $2,000!

SHP is on a mission to ensure that no child sleeps on the floor in our community. Through volunteer-driven efforts, they build and deliver beds to children in need, transforming lives and strengthening families.

With this grant, SHP will expand its reach, providing more children with the essential comfort and dignity of a good night’s sleep. This investment will directly impact the lives of countless children in Chattanooga, fostering healthier, happier, and more productive futures.

We are proud to support SHP's incredible work and look forward to seeing the positive impact this grant will have on the community.

Toy Lending Library | Chattanooga Public Library

Imagine a library where kids don't just borrow books, they borrow their next playtime adventure! That's the vision behind Chattanooga Public Library’s Toy Lending Library. You've likely seen firsthand the joy of learning through play, and access to educational toys can be a challenge. Like the popular Tool Library (funded by yours truly) for grown-ups, this initiative will provide a vibrant collection of age-appropriate toys, games, and puzzles for children from 0 to 8.

This project is about making Chattanooga even more awesome by fostering a love of learning in our future leaders! The Toy Lending Library will:

• Level the Playing Field: High-quality educational toys can be expensive. This program will ensure all families, regardless of income, have access to these valuable tools for playful learning.

• Spark Curiosity: From building blocks to pretend play, these toys will ignite a passion for learning and exploration, laying the foundation for future academic success.

• Strengthen Families: The library is a welcoming community space. This program will be a fantastic resource for families to discover new toys, create lasting memories, and bond through playful experiences.

Our grant of $3,000 will purchase a diverse collection of educational toys, games, and puzzles. This initial investment will allow us to pilot the program, ensuring Chattanooga's littlest learners have access to the tools they need to play, explore, and grow! Our library is so cool. #wefundcoolideas