Empowered Students to Thoughtful Donors

The Student Health Coalition (SHC) was founded by Vanderbilt University students in 1968 to improve health care access in Appalachia. Operating into the 1980s, the students addressed economic and environmental issues, established community-controlled health clinics, and provided valuable education for the many students and volunteers who participated.

Over a decade ago, an archival project to document the history of the SHC reignited former members and sparked conversations about how they could continue the SHC’s mission.

By 2020, continued discussions and research had led the group to the East Tennessee Foundation (ETF). That year, long-time SHC organizers Jack Beckford, John Gaventa, Polly McArthur, and Nancy Raybin joined Taylor Loy, grandson of the late Emma Ruth “Kate” Hobbs, a past community leader and coalition partner, to establish the Student Health Coalition Legacy Fund as a donor advised fund at ETF.

They chose to open a fund at the East Tennessee Foundation for several reasons. Nancy said fundraising and grantmaking “can get messy,” so the administrative and grant management that ETF provides is ideal. It allows them to focus on developing and maintaining relationships with the organizations they support and to stay connected with members and other donors. She also shared that ETF allows them to “be flexible and move fast.” Their grant recipients are small and often volunteer led, so needs arise that sometimes require immediate attention. As Taylor noted, “donor advised funds provide autonomy,” enabling them to support mission-aligned causes without the need to establish their own organization.

The fund grants in honor of past and present coalition members and supports causes that align with the original values of the SHC. Since opening the fund, they have granted nearly $400,000 to organizations focused on healthcare access, equality, sustainability, and community organizing to support underserved communities in East Tennessee, West Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, and Southwest Virginia. They focus on unrestricted giving so the organizations can use the funding for whatever their greatest needs are, but they continue to learn as much as possible about the region to better support long-term needs.

The fund advisors meet monthly to discuss potential grantmaking opportunities and other topics related to their philanthropic goals. In addition to their monthly meetings, once a year they host an online session for the grant recipients to share their impact stories with coalition members and other organizations. This annual meeting creates connections that may not have happened otherwise. For example, a recent grant recipient, Higher Ground & Women’s Recovery Residence partnered with Appalachian Sustainable Development to provide workforce training for the women they serve. The SHC members and donors are making connections like this possible, bridging gaps, and providing new opportunities for collaborative community impact.

Since the archival project began, former members have reconnected and helped build a network of 50-100 core donors. Nancy, who wisely realized early on that reengaged members would also serve as an established donor base, calls the fund “a real full circle story.”

One of those donors recently told Taylor to “keep doing it as long as you can keep doing it,” and they intend to follow that advice. The legacy of the SHC is an extraordinary example of the rich and generous history of Appalachia, and the momentum gained by establishing the donor advised fund at ETF will help carry that legacy forward.

The coalition is energized again, reminiscent of the early days in the late 60s when empowered students made a commitment to strengthen their communities. While their commitment has evolved, the Student Health Coalition continues to make lives better and communities stronger for generations to come.

To learn more about the Student Health Coalition archives and impact, please visit HERE.

To donate to the Student Health Coalition Legacy Fund, please visit HERE.

If you are interested in establishing a donor advised fund with us, please reach out to Traci Sisson, Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Services at ts*****@*tf.org or 865-524-1223, ext. 112.