The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga (CFGC) has established a new fund dedicated to supporting the children and spouses of last Thursday’s shooting victims.
The newly-created 7-16 Freedom Fund will provide scholarship funds to support family members’ pursuit of continuing education, according to Foundation President Pete Cooper.
“The families of the servicemen who gave their lives in the horrific events of July 16 stand to face significant expenses in the coming years,” Mr. Cooper said. “The 7-16 Freedom Fund will honor these fallen fathers and husbands by helping ensure access to post-secondary educational opportunities for their spouses and children.”
The fund has already received significant commitments from a variety of individuals, companies and organizations locally and across the country, and the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga has expressed its support.
Several other organizations, including the National Center for Victims of Crime, are helping provide shorter-term support for the families’ immediate needs, but the loss of each spouse and/or parent could also bring far-reaching financial stress for each surviving spouse and child. With this in mind, the 7-16 Freedom Fund is looking ahead to anticipate and ease part of the longer-term burden the families may face by focusing on providing financial support for post-secondary education in the coming years.
According to Mr. Cooper, the fund will be managed by CFGC at no cost, and monies in the fund will be used to provide last dollar scholarships for spouses and children and will be allocated at the discretion of CFGC.
“The fund’s primary focus will be bridging the financial gap between any other scholarships and financial aid the beneficiary has accrued, and his or her total financial need,” Mr. Cooper said. “The fund may also be used to provide financial assistance for educational materials, supplies and fees as needed.”
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has a long, successful history of managing funds dedicated to addressing critical needs here in our own community, including more than 50 college scholarship funds totaling over one million dollars.
Contributions of any amount are welcomed from individuals, companies or organizations.
Checks should be made payable to the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga with “7-16 Freedom Fund” specified on the memo line. Mail checks to:
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
1270 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Donations can also be made by calling CFGC at 423 265-0586 or online at CFGC.org.