May 2026 Grant Winner

Queer Youth Adventure Camps 2026

Huge congrats to REconnect Nature School, our May 2026 grant recipient! They're using their award to help run Queer Youth Adventure Camps, three weeks of outdoor day camp built for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 10-18 right here in Chattanooga.

REconnect is a nonprofit microschool where 80% of students and 60% of staff identify as LGBTQIA+ or gender non-conforming. Last summer their camp planned for 30 campers and got 36. This summer it's grown to three full weeks with room for 45 kids each week, staffed by queer adult counselors who show campers what community and joy look like even when things are hard.

Thirty campers are signed up so far, and half of them need a full scholarship to attend. Our grant goes straight to closing that gap: activity costs for paddling and climbing days, mileage for volunteer counselors, and snacks and water to keep everybody fueled across all three weeks.

Camp runs June 22-26, June 29-July 3, and July 13-17, alongside partners like Four Bridges Outfitters, Chattanooga Queer Climbers, Chattanooga Audubon Society, the Seed Theatre, The Food Forest Coalition, and Reflection Riding. The goal isn't just a fun week. It's proof that Chattanooga's wild spaces belong to every kid, and that being a Park City means being a Park City for all of us.

April 2026 Grant Winner

Blades of Hope

Summer is here! Huge congrats to The Reentry Playbook, one of our April 2026 grant recipients! They're using their $1,500 award to launch Blades of Hope, a lawn care and entrepreneurship program that puts tools, paychecks, and a real shot at a fresh start in the hands of returning citizens and high-risk youth right here in Chattanooga.

Founder Troy Rogers has spent 30+ years in public safety, reentry, and community healing. He knows firsthand that the people closest to the problem are often closest to the solution — which is why The Reentry Playbook is powered by credible messengers: formerly incarcerated individuals who turn their lived experience into a roadmap for others.

Our $1,500 investment goes straight to work: push mowers, weed eaters, and the gear needed to get a crew out the door and on the job. Within 30 days of funding, Blades of Hope will be operational — employing 1–3 returning citizens, providing workforce training, and delivering lawn care services to seniors and low-income homeowners who need them most. The goal isn't just clean yards. It's visible, tangible proof that second chances work, and that Chattanooga is better when everyone has a seat at the table.

February 2026 Grant Winner

Young Ladies of Power

Year Long Youth Camp

Since 2012, Young Ladies of Power, Inc. (YLOP) has been proving that "girl power" isn't just a catchy phrase—it's a full-time job.

We are thrilled to name them our February grant winner, awarding $3,000 to keep their "Youth Camp for the Year" series thriving through 2026. After a major sponsor hit budget cuts, we stepped in to ensure girls ages 4–18 still have access to their Spring, Summer, and Fall Break retreats at Booker T. Washington Park.

This funding covers everything from $1,000 in art supplies, $1,000 for expert speakers, and $1,000 for dedicated youth and adult staffing. These camps are leadership incubators where ballet, STEM, and mental health awareness meet civic action.

Whether they’re learning to pass bills at the State Capitol or leading local Days of Service, these young ladies are bringing serious tools back to the Scenic City.

By hitting their March 19 deadline, YLOP is set to keep empowering hearts and minds all year long. Congratulations to YLOP for making Chattanooga a lot more awesome, one future leader at a time!

September 2024 Grant Winner

Do you care about kids? We do. Enter our $1,500 grant to the Family Visitation Center of Chattanooga! This incredible organization is making a real difference in the lives of families in need.

The Family Visitation Center provides a safe and supervised space for families to connect, even in the most challenging circumstances. Their dedicated staff ensures that visits are conducted in a secure and supportive environment, promoting positive interactions and strengthening family bonds.

With the support of this grant, the Family Visitation Center will be able to furnish their new location with essential items like office furniture, toys, and supplies. This will create a welcoming and comfortable space for families to visit and reconnect.

By providing a safe and supervised visitation space, the Family Visitation Center is helping to protect families and promote healing. We're proud to support their important work and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will continue to make in the Chattanooga community.

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!

June 2024 Grant Winner

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.

April 2024 Grant Winner

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.

April 2024 Grant Winner

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.