Neighbors Helping Neighbors

As a community foundation, the East Tennessee Foundation leverages philanthropic resources to make lives better and communities stronger in East Tennessee. We continue to be humbled, grateful, and inspired by the generosity of our “neighbors” across Tennessee, the United States, and beyond who have come together to help our communities heal from Hurricane Helene.

In less than one year after Hurricane Helene, ETF received nearly 7,600 donations from 6,900 individuals, businesses, corporations, and foundations, to support disaster recovery efforts in Northeast Tennessee. We received gifts from all 50 states and around the globe.

Richard Roberts, a resident of Greeneville, Tennessee and a long-time East Tennessee Foundation investor, established the Richard H. Roberts Donor Advised Fund at the East Tennessee Foundation in 2018. On the Monday following the hurricane, Richard contacted ETF to request an urgent $25,000 grant be sent to AIDNET of Greene County,  a nonprofit organization driving disaster recovery in Greeneville. His request was approved, and the check was overnighted to the organization by the end of day – a quick turnaround by the ETF team. Richard’s swift response was not only generous and thoughtful, but it was the beginning of our partnership with AIDNET. Richard’s grant was the first grant ETF made to the recovery group, and since September 30, AIDNET has received nearly $400,000 from the East Tennessee Foundation for immediate and long-term recovery needs.

Similar to Richard, students at the University School of Nashville (USN), who had been studying acts of kindness, wanted to help hurricane survivors in their state. A parent emailed the East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) and asked how they could help. With the help of ETF Sr. Director of Regional Advancement, Dara Worrell, the inquiry quickly grew into a full-scale effort involving students, parents, and teachers.

ETF staff had recently visited Newport, where local contacts highlighted Del Rio School’s needs. Del Rio had suffered massive flooding, mudslides, and extensive property damage. Most of the community, including the students and staff of Del Rio Elementary, were displaced from their homes.

Within days, Dara reached out to Principal Kaye Ramsey, who was deeply honored that USN wished to “adopt” her school. After a brainstorming session in one of USN’s classrooms, students proposed a Jump-A-Thon, asking family and friends to pledge donations for each jump completed.

By early November, plans were finalized. Interest spread rapidly. In a matter of days, 150 USN students were signed up. A special temporary Donor Advised Fund was created at ETF, ensuring contributions would flow smoothly.

On November 22, nearly 150 students took to their jump ropes while parents and teachers cheered them on. Their determination was inspiring—over 20,500 jumps produced 532 pledges totaling over $26,000. The money was granted to Del Rio School to help provide relief for the students, their families, and teachers.

In April, ETF staff and USN representatives visited Del Rio School for the first time, cementing a partnership built on empathy, creativity, and collective action.

It is through the generosity of these and many other donors that ETF is able to provide strategic funding to those who are working to rebuild and recover our communities. With the resources provided, ETF’s mission-based grantmaking team, local volunteers, and community partners are bridging gaps created by Hurricane Helene in early childhood education, economic development, environmental mitigation, mental health services, and much more.