Winter Gear for Calvin Donaldson

There are few things more important than a warm snuggly coat during the winter. We’re thrilled to support Maggie Rose as she helps to ensure students of Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy are bundled up during cold days. Our $1425 grant helps Ms. Rose, who’s been working directly with teachers at the school for eight years, purchase new and lightly used coats, hats, and gloves to give to the students. Though she begins collecting this gear in August, she continues through the winter to ensure as many students as possible are able to sport their new duds through the cold months. Through a simple gesture, students start and end their days at school warm, proud, and ready to learn. 

Photo Credit: Brick City Live

Magic Markers: A Mark Making Project

We are proud to work with Mark Making to cover the John McCloud artist fees for this endeavor. 10-20 East Chattanooga at risk teens will participate in daily 4 hour workshops consisting of one hour of art class, one hour of hard/soft/life skills and two hours of beautification of storefronts on Glass Street with abstract muralettes. The participants will also be paid studio assistants on various public mural projects. They will learn hard skills like washing paintbrushes, preparing a wall for a mural, working opening events, and art installation; all of this while generating an income for themselves. Skills taught in the classroom setting will include problem solving, reliability, making wise choices, and budgeting of money. Investing in these teens will change lives and our community for the better.

Community Art Gallery on Glass Street

A new Master's of Fine Arts program is coming to Glass Street in 2016! A long term lease has been secured for their campus, but funds are needed to develop it's first phase, which is a community art gallery. That's where we come in! Our grant will allow them to construct ten pop up walls and the lighting to accompany them so they can begin using the great open space right in the middle of downtown East Chattanooga. The art exhibitions will focus on finding and developing local artistic talent and empowering them through the voice of quality art exhibition opportunities.  The impact on the neighborhood will be immediate.

Tents for the Lookout Farmers Market

Helping a Chattanoogan sell their wares at a farmers market could mean the difference between paying a bill and not quite making it. By helping provide the market with vendor setups (EZ-Up tents with weights, tables, chairs, and benches) someone who might not have the opportunity to sell their vegetables or craft at one of seven markets will get it. Last year the market loaned a tent and a table to a Ukrainian immigrant. By the end of the market season, she was able to buy her own tent and table. This made a huge impact in her life and the success of the market. Not only will this help the vendor but having more wares available at the market will better serve our communities. The newest market location is in Highland Park, where fresh vegetables are in desperate need.

Regional Film Awards at Chattanooga Film Fest

We couldn't pass up another opportunity to support the Chattanooga Film Fest this year. It really is the perfect platform for The UNFoundation to find local and regional fimmakers that need funds to propel their artistry. For its second year, we sponsored the awards ceremony to the tune of $1500.  The grand prize winning feature film will take home $1000, while the best short will take home $500. Big checks will be presented Sunday night, April 5th at the closing ceremony in Waterhouse Pavillion (that's the building in Miller Plaza, guys).

The festival brings everything from a Vampire Western to family friendly shorts to an LGBTQ-esque documentary to light up the screens. It's sure to be a reel good time for all. Pun intended.

Flashlight Shows

We couldn't pass up an opportunity to support bringing indie bands to Chattanooga while giving back to our community. I mean, who do you think we are? Flashlight Shows puts on shows in music venues and gives a portion of profits to a designated non-profit. For the love of music and all things good, we love how philanthropic these young folks are! Flashlight Shows shines a light on hard working DIY independent bands, deserving charities, and showcase what a great city Chattanooga can be to the bands who pass through.

Great Southern Old Time Fiddlers' Convention Documentary

Thanks to our $1,800 grant, a documentary of this historic event will be made. Back in 1925 here in Chattanooga, an old time fiddle contest was born to determine the best local fiddler who would then challenge Henry Ford’s self proclaimed “Champion Fiddler” Mellie Dunham. The annual event grew to be the premier old time fiddling contest of the south. Considered the “Southern Championship”, this was a huge deal for the music, musicians, and for Chattanooga, drawing over 5,000 spectators to the new Memorial Auditorium in 1927 for the contest. The event continued strong up until war and fuel rationing put an end to it in the 1940’s. Matt Downer revived the convention in 2010 and the response has been outstanding. Held in historic Lindsay Street Hall, everything is 100% acoustic, no microphones, amps, PA, etc. and is as authentic and true to its roots and the traditional music as it can possibly be. This documentary will bring youngsters and old timers together with a camera and lots of fiddles.

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.