FAQs

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.

Tennessee Members 1st FCU specifically focuses on working with the Norris Area Community Foundation and Oak Ridge Fund for Achieving Community Excellence as part of our Community Partnership with East Tennessee Foundation.

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.

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.

Emory Valley Center enhances the lives of children, adults, and families in an environment that promotes independence, dignity, and respect. At Emory Valley, they strive to demonstrate their values of compassion, forward-thinking, inclusion, quality, and value in everything they do.

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.

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.

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.