HCS Talent Retention & Culture - July Grant Winner

The Hamilton County Schools Foundation just scored the July UNFoundation grant—

and they’re putting it straight into the hands of those who shape our future: teachers.

This fall, the HCS Talent Retention & Culture Initiatives will expand, giving educators more than lesson plans and grading rubrics. We’re talking mentorship, quarterly professional development, and a community that keeps teachers feeling connected, supported, and inspired.

Teacher retention might not sound flashy, but here’s the truth: when educators stay, schools thrive. This program is designed to keep Hamilton County’s best and brightest in the classroom, creating ripple effects that benefit every student.

Think of it as fuel for teacher inspiration—and $3,000 worth of momentum to keep great ideas growing.

At the UNFoundation, we love backing projects that make our community stronger. This one hits the mark: teachers supported, students thriving, and a school culture built to last.

The Sattva Project - June Grant Winner

The Sattva Project just snagged a $3,000 grant from the UNFoundation, and they’re not wasting a second (or a savasana). On a mission to make yoga radically accessible, they're flipping the script on who gets to flow, breathe, and heal—offering trauma-informed classes to folks navigating incarceration, recovery, and reintegration.

With zero paid staff and a crew of passionate, certified teachers (many of whom have been personally impacted by the justice or recovery system), Sattva has already taught over 135 free classes to nearly 900 students. We’re talking weekly sessions at the jail, parole programs, recovery homes, and soon—St. Andrew’s Church, where yoga meets AA and creates a bridge to long-term healing for women at The Launch Pad and beyond.

The grant will help fund yoga mats, blocks, and marketing to reach more students, and give teachers a modest stipend (aka gas money) to keep showing up. They’re also launching their first trauma-informed yoga teacher training on July 17 to empower 20 future teachers to carry the movement forward.

M-PACT Chattanooga: Where Men Connect - May Grant Winner

Making Connection Cool Again

In a time when male loneliness is a silent epidemic, M-PACT is breaking the cycle - Chattanooga-style. With a $3K grant from the UNFoundation, they’re throwing a citywide outdoor fest that's more “cold plunge and high fives” than “group therapy vibes.”

Live blues, yoga, group runs, lawn games, food trucks, and even an inflatable soccer field? Yep. But the real magic is in the 20+ community orgs showing up with real ways for men to connect—run clubs, dad circles, fantasy leagues, and more.

The UNFoundation grant will directly fund musicians, local marketing (radio + digital), print materials, and custom event tees—ensuring the vibe stays high and the impact stays deep.

M-PACT isn’t here to fix men—it’s here to include them. With heart, humor, and a whole lot of movement, they’re building a culture where belonging isn’t a buzzword, it’s embodied.

Link Up at the Library - April Grant Winner

Link Up at the Library is a summer pilot program by the 423 Chain Breakers, a City of Chattanooga initiative helping youth avoid or leave gang involvement. Led by mentors who’ve walked the walk—many formerly gang-affiliated themselves—this team connects with kids through real talk and real opportunity.

Running May 2 to July 4, the program offers two Friday night meetups: one at the downtown library for ages 10–14 and one at First Presbyterian Church's gym for teens 15 and up. The library crew gets hands-on with screen printing, creating their own t-shirts that say, “I’m not about that gang life.” Meanwhile, older kids hit the courts or jump into video games—if they can secure consoles, controllers, and games with grant funding.

The UNFoundation’s $3000 will cover 250 shirts and screen printing supplies, an Xbox and PlayStation setup, and a budget for advertising to reach parents and spread the word.

The program isn’t just about keeping kids busy - it’s about keeping them safe, seen, and supported. By offering creative outlets and community connections, the 423 Chain Breakers are flipping the narrative for Chattanooga’s most vulnerable youth.

THE HAUNTING OF LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA | Lookout Live

THE HAUNTING OF LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA isn’t your average night at the theater—it’s a full-on historical reckoning wrapped in stage lights and creative fire. Spearheaded by local producer Courtenay Cholovich and a dream team of Chattanooga’s finest performing arts organizations, this powerful play by legendary Chatt-born writer Ishmael Reed takes Hamilton himself to task, with a ghostly twist. It’s bold, timely, and unapologetically real—a perfect blend of art and activism that brings the past into conversation with the present.

With the UNFoundation’s $500 boost, Courtenay and crew are one step closer to making this May production sing (and haunt) even louder. From community conversations to spotlighting underrepresented talent and raising awareness about the historic Howard School auditorium, this project is more than a performance—it’s accessible, collaborative, and steeped in Chattanooga soul.

Boyd's School Support Program | Loftis Middle

Boyd School Social Work Program, led by the unstoppable Emetria Boyd, LMSW, is all about meeting students and families where they are—and lifting them up with dignity, heart, and swift action. With 20 years of experience, Emetria isn’t just a social worker; she’s a first responder to life’s toughest moments inside the school system. When a child doesn’t have food, running water, or even shoes that fit, she doesn’t fill out forms and wait—she moves. Fast. Whether it's providing hygiene items, household supplies, or stepping in when the lights get cut off, she shows up with solutions, not red tape.

Thanks to the $2,500 UNFoundation grant, Emetria can continue to meet urgent needs immediately—especially when other systems take too long. From breakfast bars for hungry kids to emergency utility support, these funds ensure students can focus on learning instead of surviving. The Boyd School Social Work Program is transforming Chattanooga, one powerful act of care at a time.

Cocoa & Community: Food Truck and Farmers Market Fridays

Cocoa & Community: The Food-Filled Fridays South Chattanooga Deserves!

The Net Resource Foundation is brewing up something special in South Chattanooga with Cocoa & Community: Food Truck and Farmers Market Fridays! Thanks to a $2,870 boost from The UnFoundation, they’re turning an empty street into a hub of flavor, fellowship, and fresh produce.

Starting in April, on the second Friday of each month, this pop-up event will feature food trucks, local farmers, and community vendors, serving up delicious eats and farm-fresh finds from 5 to 7 PM. Think of it as your go-to spot for good food, good vibes, and even better connections.

So, where’s the money going? Right where it counts: permits to keep the streets clear and safe ($300), barricades for smooth traffic flow ($1,100), security to keep things family-friendly ($720), and portable toilets ($750) because, well, nature calls.

Beyond just a fun Friday night, this initiative is laying the groundwork for Cocoa Cafe, a future community-driven food hub that will serve as a business incubator, food truck commissary, and gathering space for local entrepreneurs. In other words, this isn’t just about food—it’s about fueling South Chattanooga’s economy, culture, and community spirit.

With the first event launching April 11, expect instant results: more fresh food access, more small businesses thriving, and more neighbors connecting. So bring your appetite, bring a friend, and get ready for a delicious transformation in the heart of South Chattanooga!

NCNA Green Spaces Initiative: Sylvan Bird Sanctuary Restoration | North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association

Let’s give a round of applause to NCNA Green Spaces Initiative—the proud winner of our $3,000 UNFoundation grant!

What’s the goal, you ask? Restoring Sylvan Park Bird Sanctuary and creating a safe, accessible trail that will connect two sections of North Chattanooga. Sylvan Park, a historic gem in our city, has been underutilized and, let’s be honest, a little neglected. But not for long!

With this grant, NCNA will use the funds to build a 400-foot trail, complete with weather-treated steps (no more sliding down muddy hills!) and educational signage that will tie together the park’s natural beauty and rich history. This is no ordinary park revitalization; it’s a community-focused effort that ties into Chattanooga’s National Park City vision.

The trail will be the key connector for local kids to safely reach the Wyatt Community Center, for nature lovers to explore and bird-watch, and for neighbors to enjoy a walk without worrying about getting lost in poison ivy. (Yeah, we’re done with that!)

And there’s more! The NCNA team has already secured a dream partner—a local construction company donating labor and equipment to clear the way. And they’re not stopping there; they’re also working with the Southeast Conservation Corps for additional trail building support. With the $3,000 grant, they’re set to kick things off this winter and spring.

This project isn’t just about restoring a park—it’s about creating a space where the neighborhood connects, wildlife thrives, and kids can get to the community center safely. It’s about turning Sylvan Park into a beloved green oasis for all.