SANKOFA FUND
FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Uniting and Inspiring African Americans' Involvement in Philanthropy
ROOTED IN LEGACY. DRIVEN BY CHANGE.
Since 2015, the Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement has been committed to strengthening and uplifting the Black community in Chattanooga. Through collective giving, strategic partnerships, and grassroots leadership, we invest in bold ideas and community-driven solutions.
To date, the Sankofa Fund has invested over $1.1 million into initiatives that support education, cultural preservation, civic engagement, and economic opportunity.
The Fund operates through two key pillars: (1) Collective Philanthropy and (2) Community Empowerment. Together, these pillars drive our mission to cultivate a network of VISIONARY GIVERS and IMPACTFUL CHANGE-MAKERS — guided by the principle that lasting change begins with us.
Our Story. Our Legacy
The Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement stands on the shoulders of a long tradition of collective giving in historically underserved communities. Long before formal foundations existed, communities of color—particularly African Americans—created mutual aid societies, faith-based giving, and informal networks to provide education, healthcare, housing, and opportunity where systems had failed them.
At the heart of our Fund is the guiding principle of Sankofa, a word from the Akan people of West Africa. Often symbolized by a bird reaching back for an egg on its back, Sankofa teaches us this: “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.”
It is a philosophy of remembrance and reclamation—reminding us that we must look to our past, honor the wisdom of our ancestors, and carry forward what is valuable as we shape the future.
When we formed the Sankofa Fund in 2015, we leaned into that truth. We believed that the answers to many of our most pressing challenges could be found in our own stories, leadership, and resilience. What began as a circle of friends, changemakers, and cultural leaders quickly evolved into a powerful force for civic engagement and grassroots philanthropy in Chattanooga.
Housed at the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, the Fund benefits from robust infrastructure while maintaining full control over its grantmaking priorities. Since its founding, Sankofa has invested over $1 million into initiatives that center equity in education, entrepreneurship, wellness, arts, and youth development—resourcing those closest to the work.
But our impact goes beyond funding. It is about reclaiming philanthropy as a tool for justice. It is about nurturing a legacy where communities once excluded from decision-making are now defining their own futures.
Sankofa is more than a name—it’s our compass. A reminder that in order to move forward, we must reach back.
Priority Areas Of Funding
Our collective giving model supports organizations, initiatives, and projects that are community-driven, culturally grounded, and equity-focused.
The following are our core funding priority areas.
Proposals should align with one or more of these areas:
Empowerment & Community Engagement
We support initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for individuals and communities to come together, build trust, and work toward shared goals.
These efforts highlight community strengths, foster authentic relationships, and promote inclusive dialogue and positive interaction.
Education & Learning Access
We fund programs that expand knowledge, inspire curiosity, and promote lifelong learning.
Whether through formal instruction, community-based education, or cultural literacy, these efforts help individuals and communities grow intellectually and socially.
Arts & Cultural Enrichment
We invest in projects that use the power of the arts to bridge divides, celebrate identity, and expand access to inclusive cultural experiences.
We prioritize creative efforts that elevate underrepresented voices and build a more vibrant cultural landscape.
Entrepreneurship & Business Development
We support efforts that grow the number and capacity of minority-owned businesses in Chattanooga.
This includes training, mentorship, capital access, and other strategies that help local entrepreneurs launch, sustain, and scale their enterprises.
Notice: Proposal Submissions Currently Closed
The Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement is not currently accepting new funding proposals as we are engaged in a strategic planning process to assess and strengthen our long-term impact.This pause allows us to reflect on our grantmaking priorities, evaluate community needs, and ensure our resources are aligned with the most effective and equitable strategies moving forward.
We remain deeply committed to supporting grassroots leadership, community-driven solutions, and sustainable investment in Chattanooga’s underserved communities. We look forward to sharing updates and future funding opportunities as they become available.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Previous Grantees
Huemans Outdoors - Chattanooga Hip Hop Summit - City Farms Grower Coalition - B&C Transporters Community Health Transportation - Brainerd High School Football Team Uniforms - Dalewood Middle School Volleyball - Soil Resources Initiative - CALEB Bail Fund - Royal Circle of Sisters - A Step Ahead - 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!