April 2026 Grant Winner

Learn to Skate Clinics | ChattSkates

Chattanooga calls itself one of the greatest outdoor cities in the country. ChattSkates is here to make sure that's actually true for everyone.

We're stoked to name ChattSkates our April 2026 grant winner! This freshly minted 501(c)3 nonprofit has been building and activating the greater skatepark community since spring of 2020 — 30+ events, thousands of attendees, and a hand in launching Chattanooga's very first "Learn to Skateboard" program in partnership with Outdoor Chattanooga back in 2022. Over 150 local youth and adults took their first roll that year. Then the clinics went quiet. ChattSkates decided not to wait around for someone else to bring them back.

With their $1,500 UNFoundation grant, they're building out a fleet of skateboards, ramps, and safety gear to bring free Learn to Skate clinics directly into rec centers, parks, churches, and schools across the city — with a clear priority on underserved communities. They're also covering the operational nuts and bolts: insurance, licensure, event fees, and fundraising merch to keep the whole thing rolling long-term.

Oh, and while they're at it? They're pushing to change a little-known Chattanooga law that makes it illegal to ride a skateboard downtown — even as a form of transportation. Yeah, we said what we said.

ChattSkates isn't just building ramps. They're building access, equity, and a front door into a community that's been here all along — and three locally owned skate shops are pretty happy about it too.

Congrats, ChattSkates!

Alex Reed, Nollie Kickflip. photo Brent Sanders

August 2024 Grant Winner

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!

Summer Programming | Soft Animal

Soft Animal is a new Chattanooga startup dedicated to centering marginalized people through events and learning opportunities — from drag shows to American Sign Language classes. If you attended Will This Float back in the Fall of 2021 you likely heard their pitch. They are up and running with programs galore. Enter our $3,000 grant for additional programming. So what’s coming down the pike as far as events? Queer Craft Night, Pride Skate with Moonlight Roller, LGBTQ movie night + bonfire, and “Get Outside for Pride!” paddle boarding at Greenway Farms with Outshine Adventures.

Make Music Day | Make Music Chattanooga

Make Music Chattanooga brings to life here in our city an event called Make Music Day, or Fêta De La Musique. This worldwide celebration of music, where musicians – of all levels at any age – fill the city’s streets, parks, rooftops, etc., playing live music on June 21st (the Summer Solstice). Started in France in 1982 it has grown to include over 700 cities in 120 different countries. All cities have the freedom to celebrate Make Music Day in whatever way best represents their talent, people, and musical culture.

In its sixth year, all events will be outdoors and our $2,085 grant will mostly be used to pay artists. We’re talking everything from a Music Themed Art Class at Keeody Gallery to a Jazz on Kazoo Workshop by Doors Open Jazz. Find an event near you and show up!

Spring Break Camp | Young Ladies of Power

Young Ladies of Power (YLOP), started in 2012 by Joyce Watson, educates, mentors, and empowers young ladies aged 4-18 focusing on self-improvement, self-esteem and self-respect. COVID-19 took a toll on young minds, with virtual school work at home. The YLOP spring break camp put aside the computers and brought learning and activity outside. They visited downtown landmarks, swam at the YWCA, created art in the park, and did yoga. They also danced with drums and took pictures with their disposable cameras on Main Street and on the North Shore, not areas they typically frequent. Our $3,000 grant wet to everything from art supplies to the yoga instructor.

YLOP come from different schools and neighborhoods all over our city. Through this Summer camp they get to see the downtown area in a way they don’t normally see it. These young ladies of color are the leaders of tomorrow, so getting to know our city at a young age and being exposed to people of all races is a win for everyone.

The Hughes Project | Net Resource Foundation

$1,400 is going to The Net Resource Foundation, thanks to Executive Director Raquetta Dotley. For what? Trees. In partnership with the Westside Community Baptist Church, The Hughes Project will beautify the area between 3996 Hughes Avenue (you picking up on why its called The Hughes Project?) and the Westside Community Garden located at 4023 Hughes Avenue. This beautification aims to cool the area from the Urban Heat Island Effect with cooling from strategically placed trees, provide recreational green space, and an open food source with the community garden.

In a partnership with the city, we’ll be buying 20 bare root Apple Serviceberry and American Redbud trees and getting most of them planted. We’re looking forward to having an ice cold lemonade with under one of them real soon.

ASL Inclusion Youth Camping Crew | Southeast Conservation Corps

Did you know there are American Sign Language Inclusion (ASLi) trail crews in every other region in the country but the Southeast? These crews for deaf youth and young adults provide access to job training and skills in conservation or the outdoor environmental field. With Chattanooga gaining national recognition for its outdoor recreational opportunities, Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) believes those perks should be extended to all members of our community. ASLi crews are one way to increase inclusion to a population of people who otherwise have greater barriers to access and less opportunity to work and explore our natural places. 

Our $985 grant will be used to purchase eight sets of camping equipment, one for each member of the ASLi crew. This includes eight tents, eight sleeping bags, and eight backpacks thanks to a pro deal from The North Face. This gear will be used by both crews in 2019, as they run consecutively, totaling the number of people being supported by the gear to 16 teens (16-19 years in age) in 2019. After launching the pilot crew this summer, SECC believes this program will build upon itself and operate annually as our other SECC teens crew do each summer. Get outside, folks.

Rivermont Elementary Outdoor Classroom | Eagle Scout Project

J.Y. is 15 years old. He's a sophomore at McCallie School and a member of local Boy Scout Troop 223. To complete his Eagle Scout Rank he's working with Principal Nikki Bailey to design and create an outdoor classroom at Rivermont Elementary School. Our $1,000 May grant coupled with most of J.Y.'s summer break equals completion.

Why? Eagle Scout candidates complete a project to demonstrate leadership of others while executing a project to benefit their community. With the help of volunteers from his troop, the school, the adjacent neighborhoods, as well as friends and family- the classroom includes picnic table seating for 24 students, smaller "stump like" stools, a lectern for teacher, as well as birdhouses placed appropriately in the area surrounding the classroom. And a partridge in a pear tree. Whoa.