SANKOFA FUND
FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Uniting and Inspiring African Americans' Involvement in Philanthropy
The Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement is a giving circle committed to funding and supporting organizations, projects, and efforts which improve Chattanooga's Black community.
The fund is housed at the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. Members commit to donating an annual gift to the fund and collectively make funding decisions.
Celebrating 5 years and more than $300,000 invested in Black Chattanooga
Our Story...Our Legacy
There is a long history of philanthropy in Chattanooga's African American community. Our group, which consists of 20 founding members, met in late summer 2015 and decided to use our diverse professional backgrounds, understanding of the city, and money to be a resource to supporters of Chattanooga and its black community.
Previous Grantees
Educate 2 Elevate - The Lytle Foundation - Family Fit Together - Girl Stance - Girls, Inc. - A Step Ahead Chattanooga - Scenic City Clay Arts Sankofa Internship - Dalewood Middle School - Urban League Warren E. Logan Endowment - Chris Ramsey Scholarship Fund - Howard Connect Academy - SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop - The Chattery iFund Women - The Net Resource Foundation - Fund for Social Good - #BLM - Chicken-w-Bones - Divine Purity - LoAdebar - Chef Express - Busy Body Fitness - Levelz - LSMB Business Solutions - Tiny Tigers Learning Center - Jagged Edge - Special Touch Lawn Care - N Ur Element - Southeast Tennessee Health Consortium - CPR Wrap - CALEB - Paramount Podiatry - Tennessee Campus Democracy Network - ArtsBuild Artists Emergency Fund COVID - We Over Me - Kingship Chess Academy - Barbershop Books - Move N Groove Kidz - Girls Leadership Summit - The Bethlehem Center - RISE Chattanooga - Backpacks for School - Urban League Shoes for School - Young Black and Giving Back Institute - Art120 - National Achievers Society - Ed Johnson Memorial Project - African American Cemetery Preservation Fund - Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association - Chattanooga Theatre Centre - MLK Week Celebration - Boyce Station Neighborhood Association - PEAK Youth Basketball Camp - Second Missionary Services, Inc. - Tinnillink Dance Group - Bicycles for CARES Youth Program - HBCU Battle of the Bands College Tour - The Passage Program - Project College Trip - Father to the Fatherless - Each One Reach One - Haven on Hughes - World Smart Youth Travel Program - Calvin Donaldson Library Maker Space - Journey Educational Services - Twenty Two Six Incorporated - and many more!
SANKOFA IN THE NEWS
Black Philanthropy Month Organizers Hope Current Crisis will Spur a Burst of Giving
The Mad Priest Comes to East Chattanooga
RISE Presents Black Folks Must Vote
Chattanooga Giving Group Launches Effort to Help Black Businesses during COVID
We Over Me, Borne of the Pandemic Grassroots Benevolence
Head of WalMart’s Diversity Effort Says a Little Grace Goes a Long Way
National Philanthropy Day Celebration
The Passage Brings the Classroom to Students and Parents
AVA Hosts the Souls of Free Folk
Young African American Professionals Organize Philanthropy Group
2020 - 2021 OFFICERS
James McKissic - Chairperson
Lakweshia Ewing - Vice Chair
Gabe Franceschi - Treasurer
Carmen Davis - Secretary
Rebecca Suttles, Past Chairperson