Grow Hope Youth Farm December 2014

Recipient: Brenda Trigg | Grow Hope Urban Farm

Grow Hope Urban Youth Farm, in partnership with Hope For the Inner City,  is not only providing food that's good for the neighborhood, but also serves as a gang-prevention activity, empowers young people to give back to the community, gain pre-employment skills, and moves the good food revolution one step closer to food justice. We are pumped about the good work this crew is doing out in East Chattanooga! So pumped that we are helping fund a water catchment project to expand their production in the spring of 2015. We also plan to volunteer at their MLK Day of Service project-- more details to come! Please join us. 

FREEze your Half Off November 2014

Recipient: Run Chattanooga

Did you participate in Ironman Chattanooga this year?  If so, you probably noted the $685 general entry fee (yikes).  We’ve noticed a continuing trend of 5k and race events getting more and more expensive.  However, this month we received an appy from Run Chattanooga for a FREE (yes, FREE) Half Marathon.  Run Chattanooga hosts free group runs and workouts five days a week, and special events periodically, all over the Chattanooga area.  We’re supercharging their upcoming Half Marathon FREEze your Half Off.  Give them a LIKE on Facebook and get ready to run on January 10th!

Coats for Chattanooga October 2014

Recipient: Relevant Hope

When Relevant Hope asked us to help fund a pilot program that would provide innovative winter coats to local homeless folks, we jumped at the chance.  The coats double as sleeping bags, and are the brainchild of The Empowerment Plan, an organization based in Detroit that aids the homeless in their area.  As a result of our grant, 22 coats were purchased from them, and distributed here just in time for that nasty cold snap in November.  And with another harsh winter looming, the coats will be invaluable to those lucky enough to receive them.  Here’s some more news coverage on the results.  They may raise additional funds to expand the program and purchase more coats, so please follow them on Facebook to stay tuned!

NeighborFloat September 2014

Recipient: Andy O’Brien, Katie Hargrave, Lauren Ruth 

The Apothecary Art Gallery is a student run art gallery (created by the UTC Art Department) that is located in the MLK neighborhood.  We weren’t sure what a “NeighborFloat” was, but once we figured it out, we were excited to provide them with a grant to purchase the needed materials to build it.  It is literally a parade style float, that has since been designed and constructed by UTC students and neighborhood partners.  The NeighborFloat project is an initiative designed to create awareness and connection between the Apothecary Gallery and the MLK neighborhood.  We can’t really think of a better way to create awareness and bring folks together than a parade!

See Me Educate 3D Printer August 2014

Recipient: Kimberly Elbakidze | Red Bank High School

Kimberly Elbakidze has been on a mission to make her classroom the coolest one at Red Bank High School, and what’s cooler than a 3D printer!? Mrs. E’s students told her that they had to have one, and we at the UnFoundation agree. Thanks to our August grant, Red Bank High School purchased the See Me Educate 3D printer and 3D printing curriculum for the technology class. Now, over 240 students are learning how to 3D print, and we think that’s awesome.

A Band of Ukuleles July 2014

Recipient: Lindsey Hagan

Wouldn’t you rather learn to play the ukulele than the recorder? I sure would, I mean, what cool band is looking for a hip recorder player? At least if you learn to play the ukulele you have a forever job in Hawai’i. Although still in the curriculum, recorders are loathed by many around the world, including Hamilton County teacher Lindsey Hagan. Ukuleles cost more than a recorder so public schools typically can’t afford them. Well, now Bess T Shepherd Elementary has 30 on hand, thanks to the UNFoundation, so hundreds of students each year are playing the ukulele instead of the recorder. #CHA is more awesome for many years to come!

Friends of Stringers Ridge June 2014

Recipient: Jim Johnson

Stringer’s Ridge is a new 92 acre urban park located in Hill City on the Northshore.  If you haven’t been, check it out!  Friends of Stringer’s Ridge is a grassroots organization formed to promote this fantastic opportunity for Chattanoogans to enjoy the outdoors in an urban setting.  Please view their fundraising campaign on Causeway.  Their lastest cool idea was to host a symphony event on the peak of Stringer’s Ridge.  WE FUND COOL IDEAS, and obviously had to jump on this one!  On a crisp fall day, we sponsored a brass quintet to perform on that hilltop and had a great experience.  Can’t say we’ve ever been to a symphony on a hilltop before.  But we did, and it was awesome.  Look for this event next year, it’s going to be a lot of fun.

Camp Horizon Zip Line Adventure May 2014

Recipient: Steven Sharpe

Fun stuff should be for all kids, right? We think so. That’s why we granted to Camp Horizon. The purpose of Camp Horizon is to allow kids with physical disabilities the opportunity to broaden their horizons by spending time with other kids in similar situations in the outdoor environment. Broaden horizons wanted to be expanded upon by Steven Sharpe, husband of camp founder Lindsey, to include a zip line. Camp Horizon is held every August at Camp Lookout and through Peyton Manning's Peyback Foundation built the zip line and wheelchair accessible platforms. We funded the necessary hardware and safety equipment so kids in wheelchairs could use it too. And this is the only wheelchair accessible zip line east of the rockies, folks. Wow!