Chattanooga Launches Future Fund to Support Education Savings for Local Students

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

In The Know with Gino…

This Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Red Bank Middle School will host the public launch of the Chattanooga Future Fund, an innovative initiative designed to help families in Hamilton County save for their children’s educational and career training after high school. Local community leaders, civic representatives, and families from Hamilton County Schools are expected to attend the event, showcasing a united commitment to the academic success of the region’s youth.

The Chattanooga Future Fund introduces an exhilarating opportunity for all kindergarten and middle school students within Hamilton County Schools. Each eligible student will receive an initial deposit of $150 into a dedicated college and career savings account. This foundational amount aims to inspire additional contributions from a variety of sources, including family members, friends, local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and even the students themselves.

Once students graduate and enter their next phase of life, they will have the freedom to utilize these funds for a range of educational expenses. This may include college tuition, vocational training certifications, and other related costs such as housing and transportation.

The initiative is backed by a robust five-year pilot program with a budget of $7.5 million, supported through collaboration with key local partners including Pinnacle Bank, the Benwood Foundation, the Maclellan Foundations, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, and the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation.

The launch event promises to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from Chattanooga 2.0, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Charles Wood, and State of Tennessee Treasurer David Lillard, Jr.

For more information about the Chattanooga Future Fund and its objectives, visit chattanoogafuturefund.org. This program represents a significant step towards enhancing the educational opportunities for students in the Chattanooga area, emphasizing the community’s investment in its future leaders.

SOURCE: Chattanooga Pulse