Hope in Action Fund

Hope in Action Fund is sponsored by East Tennessee Foundation. Supports research and projects that foster dialogue, education, arts, and systemic change to address racism, oppression, and injustice in East Tennessee.

Hope in Action Fund - East Tennessee Foundation Grants support innovative solutions that dismantle racism, oppression, and injustice and provide a region where we can grow a more just, equitable, and inclusive future. The fund will not be administering a competitive grant cycle in 2026. The Hope in Action Fund was established in conjunction with East Tennessee Foundation’s Annual Meeting in January 2019.

After a surge in hate crimes across our region and nation, the Foundation established this new fund to support programs that nurture hope and equality in our culture. In 2020 and 2021, the Foundation activated this fund to competitively award grants to nonprofit organizations addressing racism and injustice in our community. Since its inception, the Hope in Action Fund has awarded $188,000 in grants to many regional organizations.

Funded projects include collaborations among partners with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, projects that promote constructive dialogue, programs that provide space for individuals to thrive, learn, and grow, education and arts programs, or programs working toward systemic change in one or more communities within our region. Click on the links below to learn more about these Hope in Action Fund supported organizations.

100 Black Men of Greater Knoxville, Inc. Alliance House Community Coalition Asian Culture Center of Tennessee Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, Inc. – Office of Immigrant Services Coalition for Home Repair (formerly known as ReFrame Foundation) Community Building Institute Drums Up Guns Down (fiscally sponsored by Community Shares ) East Tennessee State University – Slocumb Galleries George Clem Multicultural Alliance Highlander Research & Education Center Knoxville Area Urban League Knoxville Equity Partners (fiscally sponsored by Three3, Inc. ) Knoxville Internationals Network Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Inc. Lincoln Memorial University – Mountain Fiesta Metro Drug Coalition – The Gateway The S.

M. A. R.

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Institute (also known as A 1 Learning Connections) The University of Tennessee, Knoxville – Knoxville Arab Fest The University of Tennessee, Knoxville – WUOT’s “Losing Home: Black Neighborhoods and Urban Renewal” Town of Jonesborough – McKinney Center United Way of Blount County Please direct your questions to a member of East Tennessee Foundation’s Grantmaking Team: Ashley Siferd Butler , Director of Competitive Grants Brooke Anguiano , Assistant Director of Grantmaking & Operations Email: gr ********* @ * tf.

org Telephone: (865) 524-1223 ext. 144 or toll-free (877) 524-1223 ext. 144 Please consider donating to this Fund to help serve organizations working in our region to dismantle racism, oppression, and injustice, allowing the Foundation to make well-placed and wise grants.

Click here to donate online, recommend a grant from your ETF donor advised fund , or write a check payable to East Tennessee Foundation with “Hope in Action” in the memo line.