United Way of Greater Knoxville News

United Way of Greater Knoxville Awarded Grant to Advance Education Work

United Way of Greater Knoxville has received a grant from United Way Worldwide (UWW) to further efforts in the East Tennessee region to cut high school dropout rates and graduate all students who are then ready for college or the workforce.  Three other metropolitan United Ways and the state organization, United Ways of Tennessee, also received grants to ensure statewide implementation.

The grant is designed to help the state and local communities develop communication and advocacy strategies to help support teachers in their work to improve education and to lead an active regional conversation about the successful work already being achieved by teachers.  Funding for United Ways of Tennessee’s work has been provided by United Way Worldwide (UWW).  United Ways of Florida and North Carolina also received state grants.  UWW received their grant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

United Ways of East Tennessee have been substantially engaged in education efforts, including supporting community work around pre-Kindergarten initiatives, after-school programs, peer mentoring programs, Family Resource Centers, and school supply drives.  The grant allows United Way to take its involvement in education to the next level, from working with community partners to deliver services to working with community partners to set community-wide education priorities. 

Gavin Luter has been hired by United Way of Greater Knoxville to focus solely on this project.  From his previous work at the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, Gavin worked closely with students on civic engagement and education policy issues.  “This is an excellent opportunity for United Way, as a trusted voice in the community, to convene a group of diverse stakeholders around an issue central to education reform—teacher quality.  I look forward to listening to the community and trying to build consensus about what works in schools.” 

“Receiving this grant is an honor and a privilege,” United Way of Greater Knoxville President Ben Landers commented.  “We are pleased to have the chance to collaborate with local education experts and see this grant as another way for our region to strengthen our education system.”

Buzz Thomas, co-chair of the Public School Forum of East Tennessee and president of the Knoxville Public Education Foundation said, "I am thrilled to see United Way lend its considerable resources and clout to the current efforts to improve teacher preparation, training, supports and quality.  We sink or swim together when it comes to educational improvement in east Tennessee, and United Way is well-positioned to help coordinate a regional approach.  United Way is a consensus builder, and this effort must unite democrats, republicans and independents for the sake of our children's future.  Bravo, United Way!"

About United Way of Greater Knoxville:

United Way of Greater Knoxville is a local, independent organization dedicated to building a stronger community by focusing on the areas of education, income and health.  In partnership with nonprofit agencies, local business, community leaders and ordinary citizens, United Way is improving the lives of every individual in Knoxville. By working together, we provide a network of services addressing Knoxville's most urgent needs while working toward lasting change.  For more information, please call (865) 523-9131.