Community Foundation in Chattanooga
We help families, businesses and neighbors give where they live — through named funds, twice-yearly grants to local nonprofits, and scholarships for local students.
Giving That Stays Close To Home
Tenbrook began in 1998, when a group of Chattanooga families pooled their giving into one permanent fund for the city. A community foundation does three things: it holds funds for people who want to give, it makes grants to local nonprofits, and it keeps that money working here for good. Our board are neighbors who volunteer their time, and every grant decision is made in Chattanooga.
- Permanentfunds invested for the long term
- Grantsdecided by a local board
- Fundsthat stay in Hamilton County
Five Ways To Give Or Apply
Whether you want to give, need a grant or are heading to college, start here.
Your Fund, Our Paperwork
A named fund is a simpler way to give year after year.
01Open It
Sit down with our team, name the fund and choose what it supports. Gifts are generally tax-deductible as the law allows.
02Add To It
Give cash, stock or a gift in your will, whenever you like. Each gift is receipted by email.
03Recommend Grants
Tell us which local nonprofits to support. We check each one and send the grant in your fund's name.
How Our Grant Rounds Work
Come To A Grant Workshop
Free workshops each February and August walk through the application and what the board looks for.
Send A Two-Page Application
Spring applications close March 31 and fall applications close September 30.
Talk With Our Staff
A program officer calls or visits to understand your work before the board meets.
Hear Back In Eight Weeks
Every applicant hears back, and anyone turned down can ask for feedback.
Six Areas The Board Funds
Grants go to registered nonprofits doing this work in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
Education
Early reading, tutoring, after-school programs and help getting to college.
Health
Clinics, mental health care and programs for older adults living at home.
Housing & Basic Needs
Food, emergency rent help, shelter and the agencies that connect families to them.
Arts & Culture
Neighborhood arts programs, music for young people and public art.
Parks & Environment
Greenways, river cleanups, tree planting and community gardens.
Neighborhoods
Block clubs, small community projects and grassroots groups just getting started.
One Application, Every Scholarship
Families have created scholarship funds in memory of teachers, coaches and parents. Students from Hamilton County high schools fill in one application each winter, and we match it to every scholarship they qualify for — college, community college or a trade program.
- Openseach January for seniors
- Trades,community college or university
- Renewableawards for students in good standing
Dates Our Community Keeps
Grant Workshops
February and August, for nonprofits planning to apply in the next round.
Scholarship Night
Each May, recipients and the families behind each fund meet over dinner.
Giving Day
One day each fall when gifts to local nonprofits are celebrated across the city.
Why People Give Here
We wanted our giving to outlast us and stay in the neighborhoods we love. Tenbrook set up our family fund in an afternoon, and now our grandchildren help pick the grants each fall.
Our first grant paid for a second van for our after-school pickups. The application was two pages and a phone call — written for small organizations like ours.
I was the first in my family to go to college. The scholarship covered my books every semester, and someone from the foundation checked in every year.
Where The Need Is Greatest
The community fund lets our board respond each year to what Chattanooga needs most. Name the amount and we'll email you a secure link to give it, or call to give stock or plan a gift in your will.
Giving, Grants And Scholarships
What is a community foundation?
A public charity that holds charitable funds for a place. People give to it, it makes grants to local nonprofits and students, and its permanent funds keep giving for good.
How much does it take to open a named fund?
$5,000, which you can build up over two years. Scholarship and memorial funds can start the same way.
Are gifts tax-deductible?
Tenbrook is a 501(c)(3) public charity, so gifts are generally deductible as the law allows. Talk to your tax adviser about your own situation.
Which nonprofits can apply for grants?
Registered nonprofits serving Chattanooga and Hamilton County. Schools, churches and government agencies can apply for specific programs.
Who decides on scholarships?
Volunteer committees read every application. Families who created a scholarship can help shape its criteria, but never pick the winner.
Can I give stock or other assets?
Yes. Call us before you transfer stock so we can send the account details and credit the gift to the right fund.
Start A Conversation
Thinking about a fund, applying for a grant or a scholarship, or just have a question? Send a note and we'll reply within two business days.