March 2025 Community Spotlight
The Generosity Trust is pleased to share the incredible work being done by local ministries and non-profits. This month, we are focusing on a few organizations doing work with our local schools – all of them are over 100 years old and remaining true to their missions!
Philanthropy in Chattanooga has also stood the test of time, even 100 years ago our philanthropic spirit was strong and has sustained our community nonprofits through the years. In 2024, in partnership with our donors TGT granted a total of $2.3MM to the three highlighted organizations in 2024.
Read below to see how you can get involved and make an impact in our Chattanooga community.
Legacy Spotlight
Our founder, Dora Maclellan Brown, graciously made her founding gift back in 1965, and almost 60 years later, The Generosity Trust continues to empower Christian philanthropy. Aunt Dora left behind a letter, which still guides us to this day:
In making my will which will give to this organization a large portion of my estate, I am thinking of the future when the present trustees will be replaced by new ones who may not fully know the ideals of the founders and who may find it helpful to have them set forth more fully than is done in the constitution of this organization. While I am writing this only for myself, I feel that it will express the wishes of all who are the originators of this endeavor to use our means for the benefit of mankind. …
Because of this Christian background and training and my own Christian experience has been so precious to me, I long to use my means in a way that will give this privilege to others.
One of the causes she cared deeply about, was Bible in the Schools. The Generosity Trust continues to honor “Aunt Dora’s” legacy by giving an annual grant to Bible in the Schools.
Bible in the Schools, a local Chattanooga 501(c)(3), provides Hamilton County public school students in grades 6-12 with the opportunity to electively study the Bible in their classrooms, as part of the regular school curriculum. The Bible program consists of five courses that are taught non-devotionally as literature. The program is inclusive to students from all walks of life and seeks equal access for all students. For 102 years, the Bible education program has been a free gift to public school students through private charitable donations. No tax dollars are used.
We celebrate Aunt Dora’s legacy, and the ability to continue to give toward this cause dear to her heart.
To learn more about Bible in the Schools, click here.
Nonprofit Highlights
Northside Neighborhood House
Northside Neighborhood House operates primarily in Northern Hamilton County, supporting residents on their path to stability and opportunity.
We were able to attend Red Bank Elementary School, where we learned about their Community School model. Now operating in 10 schools in northern Hamilton County (Red Bank, Hixson and Soddy feeder patterns, and then Sale Creek Middle/High School), the model is innovative in that it NNH employs and places a full-time CommUNITY School (CS) Coordinator in the school and provides programming to offer a range of support services and opportunities to children, families, and communities. By providing wraparound support, they can create a community hub that fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, enhancing education (read their whitepaper here). The impact they have seen is increased student engagement, improved academic success, stronger family involvement, and a more connected, inclusive school community where students feel supported both in and out of the classroom. Read more here.
The Bethlehem Center
The Bethlehem Center (“The Beth”) offers a range of programs, to help at-risk youth thrive. They offer a holistic approach to supporting children and families, in areas such as food security, resource access through client support services, and wellness programs. To serve students, they offer these programs and more:
- For K-8 students, they offer their “Read to Lead Academy” which is an after-school environment where kids can go to be safe and grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
- The Read to Lead Summer Program (Jump StART Camp) weekly during summer months, focusing on STREAM and various learning expeditions.
- Their Boys to Men at The Beth program’s mission is to partner with and engage families and the community in the personal, social, and spiritual development of young men toward high school graduation and crafting a post-secondary plan for success.
- The Nehemiah Project helps furnish low-income families with school supplies and backpacks, necessary for academic success.
- Bridge Outdoors at The Beth offers a program for middle and high school students to learn and connect to nature, enjoying various outdoor adventures while inspiring joy.
The Beth partners with some smaller organizations, giving them an umbrella to come under, without having to launch their own 501(c)(3). Additionally, they regrant funds annually for their Summer Grant Program, awarding more than 30 grants in 2024, multiplying their impact! Read more about them here.
Did you know that there are some amazing collaborations supporting local students?
- The Chattanooga Future Fund is encouraging parents to open college savings accounts and will deposit $100 into an account for public school students in Kindergarten or 6-8th grade. When they graduate, students can use the money to pay for educational expenses including apprenticeships, tuition, technical training, and education-related expenses.
- Chattanooga 2.0 is a cross-sector partnership dedicated to improving economic opportunity and quality of life through system change in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, TN, starting with education. They are research based and are committed to focusing on early childhood, literacy, and viable career pathways.
Upcoming Events & Resources
*Please contact these organizations directly to register.
Bridge Innovate – offering complementary studio use to any 501(c)(3) organization through the end of April.
Scenic City Women’s Network Praise Breakfast – March 27
Maclellan Giving Together – March 27
Pastor/Ministry Leadership Banquet – March 28
Choices Walk for Life – April 5
Good Friday Chattanooga – Pray Chattanooga – April 18
Bible in the Schools Annual Luncheon – April 7
National Day of Prayer – May 1
Women’s Prayer Brunch – Kingdom Partners – May 3
MOMentum “Gather” – May 15