October 2025 Community Spotlight

The Generosity Trust hosts four local giving circles bringing donors together for collaborative giving and fellowship. This month, we highlight Sharing God’s Goodness, which supports African American-led organizations or those that serve African American communities. Since 2023, they have given nearly $200,000 to 25 organizations!

Sharing God’s Goodness Celebration

On September 8th, circle members gathered at Washington Hills UMC to award $43,500 in grants to eight local ministries. The celebration was a culmination of the giving circle’s participatory grantmaking. Members nominated potential grantees, grant seekers attended training, completed an application, hosted a site visit, and recorded a video proposal for the members (see their proposals here). Each organization has a budget under $100,000 and actively shares the gospel through their work in the African American community. The giving circle’s leadership team coordinates all the back-end due diligence, allowing members to participate meaningfully without all the work.

This year, we awarded grants to:

Bridge City Community Church (Marcus Thomas)
Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Ministry (Alonzo Noble)
Our Journey of Hope Cancer Care Ministry (Charlaine Price)
Pain, Perseverance, Character, Hope (Allen Green)
Resurrected Ministries Dementia Support Ministry (Sheryl and Erskine Oglesby)
Sisters Who Care (Cynthia Brown)
Spring of Living Water Bible Baptist Church Homeless Ministry/Resource Pantry (Allen Lee)
Team Mentoring, Inc. (Freddie Brooks)

We were thankful to have members, grantees, their friends, and community members present for this celebration (photos here).

Learn More

Updates from Prior Grantees

We ask grantees for updates a year after their grant award. This creates a loop where donors can see the impact of their donations, and organizations remain accountable for the work. Here is one update:

R.E.S.T. – Over the past year, the truck R.E.S.T. purchased with the grant has played a crucial role in supporting our mission to serve formerly unhoused individuals and families. The vehicle has allowed us to provide transportation for clients to vital appointments, including medical visits, job interviews, and housing placements, helping to remove one of the most significant barriers to stability. It has also been used to deliver essential household items to newly housed individuals, helping them transition into safe and functional living spaces. It has become an essential tool in our operations and outreach, directly enhancing our capacity to meet people where they are and walk with them on the path to stability and self-sufficiency.

Join with Us!

With a gift of just $50 per month, you can join any of our giving circles, which are diverse enough to fit anyone’s schedule or passions. If you can’t attend meetings, that’s okay!

Want to support small ministries to African Americans, and review requests once a year? Sharing God’s Goodness is right for you!
Love ministry to churches and organizations serving the Latino community, and hoping to get connected a few times during the year? Join Unidos!
Are you 40ish or younger and looking for a highly relational giving circle with regular in person gatherings? Young Givers would be a perfect fit.
Are you a woman who cares about local women and children, want to review requests once a year, and have a few social opportunities sprinkled in? Join 100 other women in Stepping into Generosity.

All grantees are chosen by members, and 100% of member donations go directly to the ministries!

Upcoming Events & Resources

*Here are some community wide events. Please contact these organizations directly to register or volunteer.

October 15th and 21st: Mission Increase Empowering Board Members to Fundraise as Champions

October 23rd: Scenic City Women’s Network October Marketplace Luncheon

October 30th: Faith Co-Op Lunch and Learn “Trusting God with Uncontrollable Factors Affecting My Work”

November 5th: Pray Chattanooga Noonday Prayer

November 10th: Pray Chattanooga Citywide Worship Night

November 12th: Pray Chattanooga Ministry Leaders’ Luncheon

November 20th: Gratefull Chattanooga Free Thanksgiving Meal

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Books to Share!

Do you love books and learning? We have books to share with you next time you stop by the office. Come by to take your pick from “The Treasure Principle,” “Lead with Prayer,” or “Splitting Heirs.”

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