Commitment to Community
People helping people is the greater mission of Credit Unions across the world. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), TN Members 1st works to invest in our local communities and the residents who live there but we know that true commitment to our community goes far beyond the products and services we’re able to offer as your local credit union. Our Commitment to Community Initiative focuses on partnering with local organizations to make a difference through charitable giving and program support.
We welcome area organizations with similar and complementary missions to that of the credit union to participate in our Commitment to Community Initiative! Community partnerships can be formed as general partnerships, grant-based partnerships, or a combination of both. Our partnership opportunities are not contractual and withdrawal can be done at any time by contacting the TN Members 1st marketing department at [email protected].
All partnerships are reviewed on a regular basis by the credit union leadership team and Board of Directors. Becoming a community partner with TN Members 1st does not guarantee a specific number or dollar amount of contributions from the credit union to the community partner each year.
- Education: Providing information and resources from trusted community partners.
- Engagement: Sharing information about and participating in opportunities to give back to the areas we serve.
- Growth: Responsibly participating in CDFI grant opportunities to help cultivate a growing, healthy local economy.
Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC)
Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) began in the mid 1980’s as a local ecumenical effort to provide assistance to impoverished families. As the broad needs of the low-income community became evident, the faith-based collaborative moved to become a 501(c)(3) public charity in January, 1987. Over the years, ADFAC has honored its roots by developing a broad variety of programs designed to meet unfilled needs in the community and currently answers over 6,000 requests for assistance each year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee has been transforming the lives of children since 1970. A member agency of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, consisting of more than 350 agencies nationwide, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee has a mission to create and professionally support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and potential of youth in our area.
CASA of Tennessee Heartland
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, who are trained to represent the best interests of children in juvenile abuse and neglect court cases. CASA is a local, nonprofit organization in communities all across the nation. The core purpose of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is to provide a voice for abused and neglected children in our community. As a non-profit, volunteer-based agency, our mission is to empower CASA volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in juvenile court.
East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is a public charity and community foundation created by and for the people of East Tennessee, where many donors join together to make the region they love a better place, today and for future generations. ETF, like other community foundations, operates as a collection of hundreds of distinct charitable funds and supporting foundations established by individuals, families, businesses, and other nonprofits.
Free Medical Clinic
The Free Medical Clinic provides no-charge primary and medical care for low-income and uninsured residents of Anderson, Morgan, and Roane Counties of Tennessee and for partners enrolled in their medical service program including Telehealth options, access to free or discounted medications, special medical programs, treatments, imaging, tests, lab work, and preventative care with annual physicals.
Knox Area Rescue Ministries
Knox Area Rescue Ministries’ mission is to rescue and restore the poor and needy of the Knoxville area by providing recovery services in Jesus’ name. KARM provides daily for those most vulnerable and desperate among us, first supplying rescue services of food and shelter, then healthy, supportive relationships, and ultimately restoration, including job-training opportunities.
Norris Area Community Foundation
Norris Area Community Foundation believes in the importance of supporting one’s own community and East Tennessee Foundation stands ready to facilitate this by the launch of “Give Where You Live Norris Area” which serves the larger Norris area, including the unincorporated areas of Andersonville, Bethel, and Fairview in Anderson County, Tennessee. The “Give Where You Live” platform for giving provides multiple options for supporting current and future Norris Area needs.
Oak Ridge Fund for Achieving Community Excellence
Established in 2017 with the purpose to make Oak Ridge the premier living and working community in the state of Tennessee, the Oak Ridge Fund for Achieving Community Excellence helps shape Oak Ridge’s future by reinforcing its established role in science, enriching the programs and tradition of excellence in the public school system and stimulating economic development, and by including all our citizens in contributing to and benefiting from this community.
Roane State Foundation
Since 1979, Roane State Foundation has been on a mission to strengthen communities and eliminate barriers to student success. With help from donors and other community partners, the Foundation provides financial support to students and programs on nine Roane State campuses across ten counties of East Tennessee. Foundation initiatives to support Roane State students and communities include annual student scholarships; professional development opportunities for RSCC faculty and staff; institutional facilities and equipment for Roane State Community College; funding for RSCC academic programs, athletics, and more; and community programs that fuel student growth.
Remote Area Medical
Remote Area Medical® – RAM is a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics with a mission to prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing free, quality healthcare to those in need. RAM’s clinics provide free dental, vision, medical, and veterinary services to everyone, regardless of background, in an ongoing effort to address healthcare disparities. Since its founding in 1985, RAM’s corps of more than 196,000 volunteers – comprised of licensed dental, vision, medical, and veterinary professionals, as well as general support staff – have treated more than 910,500 individuals delivering more than $189.5 million worth of free healthcare services.
Tennessee Out-Reach Center for Homeless (TORCH)
TORCH opened its doors in January 2013 as the only comprehensive homeless service in Anderson County, TN.
Because there is no shelter in the county, TORCH operates the Housing First model. Efforts are made to find affordable, sustainable housing as quickly as possible. If extra financial assistance is needed after an address is established and a client qualifies an agreement may be made to assist for a predesigned amount and/or time. We call that plan “Shelter in the Future Home” and find it a much more cost-effective way to assist those we house in reaching self-sufficiency. The first step in future success is establishing a permanent address.
United Way of Anderson County
United Way of Anderson County improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good by focusing on Youth Development, Self-Sufficiency, and Senior & Health Services—the building blocks for a good life and strong community.
Are you interested in becoming a community partner with Tennessee Members 1st? Contact our marketing department for more information. Looking to share information about TN Members 1st with your organization’s team or community? Click the button below for a printable PDF with credit union information including who we are, what we offer, and how to become a member!
