A Chattanooga non-profit is helping families plan ahead for their children’s future after high school with a new initiative. Chattanooga 2.0 and Hamilton County launch the Chattanooga Future Fund– a one-time contribution that provides financial assistance to students that they can use for secondary education or career training.
Starting January 23rd every kindergartner, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth graders enrolled in Hamilton County Schools over the next five years, will receive a tax-free $150 seed fund. Keri Randolph , Executive Director at Chattanooga 2.0 explains this fund isn’t just about dollars—it’s about instilling hope, fostering ambition, and helping students see a brighter future for themselves.
“It’ll be almost 40,000 students who are eligible in our community. Just this year alone we have 13,500…This is not just about college because we know that students take many different paths” says Randolph.
Families can access the savings account by visiting the Chattanooga Future Fund website
Their parents/ guardians will be asked to enter basic information about their child to confirm their eligibility. Once registered families can claim $150. There is also an additional $50 families can secure that sets up the account for the student long term.
Even if the parents/guardian or the child do not have a bank account themselves, they will still be able to access the one with the Chattanooga Future Fund.
In addition, Randolph clarifies families “will have access to that account and can see it at any time through a web portal. They can see how it’s growing over time. They can add additional funding and organizations in the community can add additional funds to students accounts as well by providing us with the name of the student.”
As college may not be the path that students follow after they graduate, the funds can also be used towards assistance for various post-high school training opportunities or apprenticeships. The funds can even be used for housing while the student is in training.
Families will not have to worry about any additional tax burden as the Chattanooga Future Fund is made up of investments from multiple community partners. It’s all a result of a collective effort involving local organizations like the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Foundation, the City of Chattanooga, and, philanthropic organizations, and other community donors. This ensures that students can focus on their goals without financial stress.
Although the initiative is currently a five-year pilot program, leaders have high hopes for its long-term impact. The Chattanooga Future Fund has the ability to shape not only the educational landscape but also the economic and cultural future of Hamilton County.
Comments