Restore Hope Fund

Emergency financial assistance fund created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support individuals and households in the Greater Chattanooga area experiencing lost wages or other adverse circumstances due to the pandemic.

Purpose

Provide direct financial assistance to individuals and households for:

• Rent payments
• Utility bills
• Other basic needs impacted by lost wages or pandemic-related hardship

Program Impact (as of January 2021)

• Total Assisted: 1,132 households
• Individuals Served: 1,719 adults and 1,505 children
• Total Funds Raised: $826,753
• Funds Distributed: Approximately 98% of funds distributed

Implementation

• Partnered with 12 local nonprofit agencies to administer grants
• Partner organizations included:
  • La Paz
  • Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga
  • Rock Bridge Community Church
  • Helen Ross McNabb Center
  • Clinica Medicos
  • Bethlehem Center
  • Chattanooga Area Command
  • Northside Neighborhood House
  • Partnership for Families, Children and Adults
  • Signal Centers
  • United Way of Rhea County
  • Walker County Heartbeat Fund

Major Supporters

• Corporate/Foundation Partners: Truist, Maclellan Foundation, Chattanooga Whiskey, First Horizon, HamiCo Inc., Chattanooga Gas, Southtree, Pinnacle Financial Partners
• Special Matching Support: EPB and TVA each contributed $160,000 in matching funds (plus EPB employee donation of $20,000)

Geographic Scope

• Greater Chattanooga area

Status

• Relief efforts ongoing

Contact/Donation Information

• Donate/Learn More: https://unitedwaycha.org/restorehopeimpact/

Application Process

Applications are submitted through partner nonprofit agencies, not directly to United Way.

1. Contact a Partner Agency
   • Applicants reach out to one of the 12 partner nonprofit organizations
   • Partner agencies determine eligibility and need
2. Partner Agency Assessment
   • Partner organization assesses financial hardship due to COVID-19
   • Partner determines appropriate grant amount
   • Partner allocates Restore Hope Fund grant to eligible household
3. Eligible Uses
   • Rent payments
   • Utility bills
   • Other basic needs due to lost wages or pandemic impact
4. Support Resources
   • Applicants unsure which partner to contact can call United Way's resource hotline: 2-1-1
   • 2-1-1 helpline can direct individuals to appropriate partner agency

Eligibility

• Individuals/households experiencing lost wages or financial hardship due to COVID-19
• Residing in Greater Chattanooga area
• In need of basic living assistance (rent, utilities, etc.)

Partner Agencies Contact

For specific partner agency contact information, call 2-1-1 or visit unitedwaycha.org/restorehopeimpact/