The Lillian L. Colby Foundation strives to strengthen the Greater Chattanooga region by responding with compassion to urgent community needs today and opening paths to economic mobility for tomorrow, with special emphasis on the marginalized.
The Colby Foundation places priority on innovative programs, projects and organizations that have a meaningful impact on the unmet needs of underserved children, adults and families in the greater Chattanooga area.
We encourage programs that are addressing the root causes of poor outcomes in the Foundation’s interest areas:
Economic Mobility
- Address root causses
- Break the cycle of poverty
- Innovative and collaborative
Community Needs
- Homelessness
- Hunger and food insecurity
- Other acute needs
We seek to encourage collaboration among nonprofit organizations, funders, public initiatives and leaders. Our directors attend site visits and hear presentations from nonprofits by invitation only. The Lillian L. Colby Foundation provides general operating and program/project support. We typically do not make grants to private schools, capital projects and faith-based organizations. We do not fund individuals or political efforts or lobbying.
