2025 Grantees
Bridge City Community DBA Corner Evolution
Program Director- Mark Thomas
About our Ministry:
Corner Evolution is a youth-focused organization rooted in the belief that every young person deserves access to opportunity, guidance, and community support. Their mission is to cultivate dreams, Opportunities, Perspectives, and empowerment (D.O.P.E.), helping students grow from elementary age through college and into the workforce. Through a holistic approach, they engage youth with programs that build confidence, character, and capacity to succeed—while encouraging them to give back to their communities.
Over 90% of the youth they serve are African American, many from under-resourced communities Alton Park, East Lake, West Side and Highland Park. Corner Evolution is committed to standing in the gap— offering hope, opportunity, and long-term support that empowers young people to rise above their circumstances and become leaders in their neighborhoods and beyond.
Our Request:
With this one-time gift, Corner Evolution aims to address two significant and impactful needs:
Camp Evolution takes students out of their comfort zones into nature to develop resilience, teamwork, and self-awareness. Our goal is to cover transportation costs, purchase camping equipment, and provide essential supplies such as bedding, sleeping bags, and meals for youth participants. These resources will enable students, many of whom have never experienced outdoor environments, to fully engage in team-building, leadership development, and activities that foster spiritual and personal growth.
Showered with Hope is our youth-built mobile shower unit, providing hygiene and dignity to the unhoused, showing how young people can solve real community challenges. We will utilize the funds to purchase hygiene products (including soap, shampoo, towels, and feminine care items), maintenance supplies for the mobile shower unit, and additional items that improve service quality, such as portable water tanks, sanitation materials, and signage, and printed gospel devotionals and scripture cards for hygiene kits.
These investments will directly enhance the experiences and outcomes for the youth and communities we serve.
Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Ministry
Reverend- Alonzo Noble
About our Ministry:
Our men’s ministry fosters spiritual growth and leadership, developing and encouraging fellowship among men within our church and community. We assist men who feel broken and encourage them not to look down on themselves but to understand that where they are now in life is not the end. We also let them know that their story can help someone else who might be experiencing what they have gone through.
We share the gospel of Jesus Christ with men who do not have a relationship with Him. Our prayer is always that God will prick their hearts by the Holy Spirit and cause them to make a confession of faith in salvation. We endeavor to equip men to be godly leaders in their families, churches, and communities. Our ministry strives to let them know we are accountable to each other and, most of all, our heavenly Father. In our community, we serve about 95% of African American Men.
Our Request:
Funding will be used to support the ministry as a whole:
– Part of the funding will be used for the homeless ministry
– A community engagement cookout
– Purchasing theological training eBooks
– Helping men learn to navigate computers for general job and life readiness
Our goal for implementing this project is to continue with our current bi-weekly men’s ministry Bible Study, mentoring men and young adult men who have problems and need one-on-one guidance. We also plan to accomplish this by example, and teaching the WORD of God, equipping men to develop into total Godly men in every area of life. We will teach men how to walk, talk, and live everyday life according to scripture.
Our Journey of Hope Cancer Care Ministry (at Greater Tucker Baptist Church)
Certified Christian Counselor- Charlaine Price
About our Ministry:
Our Journey of Hope Cancer Care Ministry is a Christ-centered outreach dedicated to walking alongside cancer survivors, caregivers, and families with the love, compassion, and hope found in Jesus Christ. Rooted in the national Our Journey of Hope model developed by Dr. Percy McCray of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, our ministry provides faith-based emotional, spiritual, and practical support to cancer patients.
Founded and led by trained cancer care ministers—many of whom are survivors themselves—our ministry serves the Chattanooga area, as well as individuals from Birmingham, AL; Fayetteville, GA; Indianapolis, IN; and Hampton, VA. We are honored to serve a community that is 100% African American, offering culturally sensitive care that meets both spiritual and emotional needs in meaningful, personal ways.
Our core mission is threefold:
1. Encourage, educate, and empower cancer survivors of all types through hope, health, and faith.
2. Equip other churches, especially within the African American community, to launch their Cancer Care Ministries through training and support.
3. Provide ongoing care that addresses not only the physical challenges of cancer but also the emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual needs of those affected.
Our Request:
The funds will be used to:
– Develop and distribute culturally relevant cancer support materials to better equip families navigating a cancer diagnosis at TN Oncology Resource Center and churches.
– Assist other African American churches in launching their Cancer Care Ministries through training and outreach efforts, expanding the reach of faith-based cancer support. This will take place through a two-day training at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) outside of Atlanta, GA.
– Provide meals for quarterly and monthly meetings.
– Offer honorariums to cover travel expenses for those who come in to share ongoing services with our community. Speakers (who offer their services at no charge) are accomplished leaders, dealing with chronic diseases, support for caregivers, health and nutrition education, and compassion.
– Support direct survivor assistance efforts, including transportation, care packages to meet immediate personal needs, gift cards/supplies to help maintain dignity, and access to spiritual counseling for those facing emotional, financial, and physical hardship.
– Purchase T-shirts for members to wear at the quarterly and annual meetings.
Pain Perseverance Character Hope, Inc
Founder and CEO- Allen Green
About our Ministry:
We are inspired by Romans 5:3-5, which speaks to the power of suffering to produce perseverance, character, and ultimately, hope. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to serve and uplift at-risk youth who need encouragement, education, and motivation through self-development rooted in biblical principles. 98% of the youth we serve are African American.
PPCH exists to empower those who have experienced trauma, hardship, or feelings of hopelessness. We believe that pain and suffering, rather than being the end of a story, can become the foundation for transformation and growth. By fostering a positive mindset, our programs help youth rise above adversity, break cycles of negativity, and discover their true worth and potential.
Our vision is clear: to see the once hopeless no longer defined by failure or hurt but driven by purpose and hope. Through character development, personal empowerment, and spiritual grounding, our youth will not merely survive—but thrive. They will no longer just move through life, but propel forward, boldly playing the best hand life has dealt them.
Our Request:
We need funding to build operational capacity and implement impactful programming for at-risk youth. To deliver mentorship, life skills training, academic support, and spiritual guidance effectively, we request critical funding to cover basic operational expenses, including facility rental, educational materials, participant transportation, virtual outreach technology, and staff support.
A grant award would directly support the launch and sustainability of our core initiatives, including our mentoring programs, allowing us to:
– Secure a dedicated community space for youth engagement and programming
– Hire qualified mentors, counselors, and program facilitators
– Provide meals, supplies, and transportation for youth participants
– Develop a structured curriculum integrating biblical principles with personal development
– Expand outreach to high-need communities where youth are underserved and overlooked
This funding will not only help stabilize our organization but will also serve as a launching pad to propel young lives beyond trauma and into purpose.
Resurrected Ministries
Sheryl and Erskine Oglesby
About our Ministry:
The Dementia Support Ministry is a ministry under Resurrected Ministries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The mission is to promote, encourage and enhance the skills of individuals who provide care and support for those who suffer with Dementia in a Christ-centered way. Our vision is to transform the lives of individuals who suffer from dementia and those people who support them in the church and the greater community.
1 in 5 African Americans are likely to get Alzheimer or a related Dementia and Tennessee data indicates that older African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s compared to any other ethnic group.
We provide educational sessions and seminars to equip families and caregivers with tools to navigate dementia care. Healthy aging classes are also offered. Our certified dementia support group facilitator will help establish and guide peer led support groups for your church or organization. Through pastoral care and established partnerships in the community we can help provide families with encouragement and connect them with available resources.
Our Request:
In 2025, our goal is to expand our ministerial outreach to more area churches, civic groups, and community organizations. We believe that providing educational opportunities can help improve the quality of life for people who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, as well as their caregivers.
With this generous one-time gift, we can provide more educational workshops and seminars that equip individuals and families with the tools to navigate Dementia care through:
– Educating church leaders on identifying and interacting with individuals and families with Dementia.
– Partnerships with faith-based and social service organizations for collaborations.
– Establishing more peer led dementia support groups in churches.
– Increase marketing to the public through social and traditional media outlets including a website, e-mail, text and newsletters.
– Host a caregivers’ conference that provides valuable information about available resources. The conference will feature a keynote speaker, panel discussions, and specific topic-focused breakout sessions.
Sisters Who Care
Director- Cynthia Brown
About our Ministry:
Sisters Who Care is a faith-based ministry (under the umbrella of HACOBA) whose vision is to make disciples of Jesus, who intentionally live on mission. We passionately serve and collaborate with churches, community organizations, agencies, and individuals to meet spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs. Our primary focus areas are: Spiritual Wellbeing; Mental & Emotional Wellness, Poverty, and Education. We remain focused by asking the following questions before outreach efforts: Does it glorify Christ, share the Word of God, share the love of Christ, and has it been covered in prayer?
A few ministries fall under our outreach that serves everyone for the purpose of sharing the gospel and engaging in missions together. Our primary focus group is African Americans. Throughout all our ministries and outreach efforts, approximately 90% of those we serve and impact are African Americans. We conduct:
– Our Christian Job Corp/SWC Transformation Place, provides life and job skills along with mentorship. Classes include interviewing skills, resume writing, conflict resolution, nutrition, personal financing, etc. We partner with Tech Goes Home to offer computer skills training. Bible study is required at the beginning of each class.
– Radiant Wives Club outreach to widows.
– Nehemiah Movement to address unique and challenging needs in the African American community through partnership and collaboration.
Our Request:
Funds are requested for the following:
– Christian Job Corps: training materials and meals for participants during the classes, including a scholarship for a graduate who wants to continue their education.
– Nehemiah Movement for organization of a city-wide collaboration effort to address needs and empowerment in the African-American community (including location, meals, etc.).
– Community Needs: materials and supplies, including meals, and honorariums for African American churches requesting training on important issues, topics, skills, etc.,; outreach to kids in foster care; ministry to the homeless.
– A contribution for a car to be given to either one of our students in need or an underprivileged individual in the community, through a partnership with a faith-based mechanic organization willing to do the work for free and provide a car for $2500. They receive donated cars and fix them free- then collect funds from a ministry partner (not the individual) to give away to the recipient at no cost.
Spring of Living Water Bible Baptist Church – Homeless Ministry/Resource Pantry
Minister- Allen Lee
About our Ministry:
The primary objective of the Homeless Ministry at Spring of Living Water Bible Baptist Church is to alleviate food insecurity and improve the quality of life for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or economic hardship in our community. Through our outreach efforts, we aim to provide consistent access to nutritious food, clean clothing, essential furniture, and household necessities. In doing so, we seek not only to meet immediate physical needs but also to foster long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Our ministry is committed to being a tangible expression of God’s love by serving the most vulnerable with dignity, compassion, and hope.
Our Request:
The Homeless Ministry at Spring of Living Water Bible Baptist Church seeks a one-time gift to enhance our capacity to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Chattanooga. Specifically, we aim to:
– Expand our food distribution program by purchasing additional shelving and refrigeration units, allowing us to store and distribute a greater volume of perishable and non-perishable food items.
– Acquire essential household items such as clothing, bedding, and basic furniture to assist those transitioning from homelessness to stable housing.
– Provide transportation assistance through bus passes or fuel vouchers, enabling individuals to access employment opportunities, medical appointments, and other critical services.
This funding will directly address the immediate needs of our community members, promoting stability and self-sufficiency in alignment with our mission to combat food insecurity and improve overall well-being.
Team Mentoring
Founder- Freddie Brooks
About our Ministry:
We are rooted in the belief that every young person in Chattanooga deserves the opportunity to thrive—spiritually, emotionally, and academically. Our mission centers around equipping youth with the tools and experiences they need to grow into confident, capable, and purpose-driven individuals.
At the heart of our work is our signature program: a week-long immersive summer retreat explicitly designed for youth ages 11–16. This annual retreat is more than just a getaway—it’s a transformational experience where students explore leadership, faith, identity, and community through workshops, mentorship, creative expression, and outdoor activities. Guided by trained staff and spiritual leaders, participants leave empowered with a renewed sense of purpose and practical tools for everyday success.
Our focus is on serving students from the Midtown and Missionary Ridge learning communities, areas that often face educational and socioeconomic challenges. We are proud to say that over 85% of the youth we serve identify as African American, and our programming is intentionally designed to reflect and honor their communities’ cultural and spiritual richness.
TMI believes in meeting students where they are and walking with them as they grow. Through this retreat and our year-round mentorship and engagement, we are committed to planting seeds of faith, resilience, and excellence in Chattanooga’s next generation of leaders.
Our Request:
The gift would help cover Summer Youth Retreat tangible needs such as transportation, meals, lodging, workshop materials, ensuring that no student is turned away due to financial barriers. We open the retreat with two pastors who lead sessions on integrity, conflict resolution, and personal growth, laying the spiritual and emotional foundation for the rest of the week. These early teachings are followed by hands-on workshops, teambuilding activities, and guided self-improvement exercises that help participants build confidence, leadership skills, and healthy relationships.
By supporting these core aspects of the retreat, this gift would directly empower underserved youth in the Midtown and Missionary Ridge learning communities giving them access to a safe, inspiring space where transformation can truly begin.