United Way of East Tennessee Highlands, First Tennessee Development District, & East Tennessee Foundation Partner, Spurring More Than $1.1 Million for Long-Term Disaster Recovery Groups

United Way of East Tennessee Highlands, in partnership with the First Tennessee Development District (FTDD), is pleased to announce the receipt of more than $1 million from the East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) to coordinate and sustain Long-Term Disaster Recovery Groups (LTRGs) and long-term disaster recovery operations across Northeast Tennessee.

The latest disaster-related grant from the East Tennessee Foundation, totaling $858,980, will provide critical support for the operations of LTRGs in four Northeast Tennessee counties (Carter, Cocke, Johnson, Unicoi). Combined with previous ETF grants awarded to Washington and Johnson Counties, the total support for the trifecta’s East Tennessee-based LTRG operations now stands at $1,134,085, ensuring that disaster recovery efforts remain strong and effective in helping impacted communities rebuild and regain stability.

This collaborative initiative brings together key regional partners to maximize resources, improve coordination, and ensure long-term resilience across East Tennessee:

• United Way of East Tennessee Highlands spearheaded grant applications, coordinated with LTRGs to budget items for each county’s regional needs, and is overseeing regional disaster coordination.
• FTDD manages fiscal oversight for the bulk of funding, ensuring the grant funding has effective financial oversight and management to address needs across Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington LTRGs.
• United Way of East Tennessee Highlands is managing the grant award for Cocke County’s LTRG.
• LTRGs work directly with affected people and communities, following National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) standards to deliver structured, community-driven recovery efforts in Carter, Cocke, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
• The Northeast Tennessee Regional Director of Disaster Recovery, housed under United Way of East Tennessee Highlands and funded in part by the ETF, ensures collaboration, resource-sharing, and efficiency across the region. This position helps ensure LTRG leaders share resources, expertise, and best practices. This collaborative approach strengthens recovery efforts, streamlines assistance, and enhances the long-term resilience of affected communities.
• The ETF continues receiving donations, processing grants, and awarding grants through its Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund to strategically maximize impact and support locally led long-term recovery for communities in East Tennessee facing devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene.

“As East Tennessee’s local community foundation, we are coordinating and collaborating with a variety of partners, including donors, frontline nonprofits, and other regional funders to multiply and mobilize resources to help our neighbors,” said Keith Barber, ETF President & CEO. “Partnerships are key to East Tennessee’s recovery – and we are proudly partnering with United Way of East Tennessee Highlands and First Tennessee Development District as these locally-led organizations share our commitment to ensuring that disaster recovery efforts are well-funded, coordinated, and effective to make lives better and communities stronger across the East Tennessee region.”

“United Way of East Tennessee Highlands extends deep appreciation to the East Tennessee Foundation and First Tennessee Development District for their unwavering support of long-term disaster recovery in our region,” said Leslie Dalton, United Way of East Tennessee Highlands President & CEO. “Their commitment to strengthening communities, empowering recovery groups, and fostering regional collaboration is invaluable in rebuilding stronger, more resilient counties.”

“The FTDD was created to grow and strengthen the region through cooperation and collaboration, and I can’t think of a better example of that mission than through this partnership,” said Mark Stevans, Deputy Director of the First Tennessee Development District. “Long-Term Recovery Groups simply wouldn’t be able to meet their mandate in Johnson, Unicoi, Carter, Washington and Greene Counties without this funding and the support of the East Tennessee Foundation, and we’re proud to be part of that effort.”

This funding is a testament to the power of regional collaboration and partnership, bringing together local organizations, government agencies, and community leaders to coordinate recovery efforts and maximize resources. By working together, the East Tennessee Foundation, First Tennessee Development District, and United Way of East Tennessee Highlands are strengthening East Tennessee’s ability to recover, rebuild, and become more resilient in the face of future disasters.

The Northeast Tennessee region has faced unprecedented devastation in the wake of Hurricane Helene and the massive flooding that followed, leaving widespread destruction across multiple counties. Homes were destroyed, businesses were severely impacted, and vital infrastructure was compromised, displacing families and overwhelming local resources. Many residents continue to struggle with housing instability, financial hardship, and emotional trauma as they work to rebuild their lives. The long-term recovery process requires a coordinated, well-supported effort to address these ongoing challenges, making this grant funding essential for sustaining the operations of the LTRGs and ensuring that affected communities receive the support they need to fully recover and rebuild stronger than before.

LTRGs play a crucial role in ensuring a structured, collaborative approach to disaster recovery. Each group has developed executive committees, established by-laws, and adopted the National VOAD standards, reinforcing their commitment to high-quality and coordinated disaster response and recovery.