Washington County Community Foundation

An affiliate fund of East Tennessee Foundation

In celebration of its 20th year, and with the blessing of its founder, Ms. Eva Stanley Harris, the Harris Fund changed its name to the Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF). The WCCF – affiliate fund of East Tennessee Foundation – renews its name and its mission to improve the lives of underserved and at-risk children and families in Washington County.

The Harris Fund’s powerful impact reached many worthy organizations that assisted and protected women and children, that provided cultural and educational enrichment, and that encouraged economic development, environmental enhancements, and historic preservation.

Initial Advisory Board members included the following dedicated community leaders – Carol Transou, Louie Gump, Al Spritzer, Ruth Brading, Tom Hodge, Carol Ferguson, and Phil Carriger – all of whom were committed to educating, protecting, and supporting the citizens of Washington County. The County benefited tremendously from their leadership and from their designated awards. As prior Advisory Board Chair Carol Transou points out, “Without the Harris Fund, many of our community agencies would not have survived or flourished to continue their good works, which benefitted both individuals and programs. The Harris Fund provided over $525,000 to agencies within Washington County during its twenty-year existence.

The WCCF respects and honors the Harris Fund legacy. With its new name comes a similarly strong commitment to the welfare of Washington County. While the Harris Fund’s scope was broad, benefitting a wide assortment of nonprofit organizations, the WCCF will sharpen the focus and concentrate specifically on those organizations that address the County’s most pressing problems, the most difficult of which is the vicious cycle of generational poverty.

WCCF is an essential bridge to a Washington County where every person can fulfill their true potential. Our Mission is one in collaboration with diverse community partners to promote a culture of health and wellness that enables Washington County residents to lead healthier and more-fulfilled lives.

Why We Are Re-focusing Our Lens

Although the WCCF has always supported children and families, the need for targeted assistance is increasingly urgent. As of 2013, 20% of Washington County’s population was living in poverty, approximately 25,000 people. Of that number, 7,000 are children. Poverty’s accompanying problems – including poor health and poor education – concern the WCCF most. We have identified the problems, and now we must solve them. And with your help, we will.

Life Literacy and the Pursuit of Healthiness

What are life literacy skills? Knowledge of and access to nutritious foods and health care, competent and nurturing childcare, reading and literacy, household management know-how, and sound financial decision making are the kinds of life literacy skills individuals and families need, not only to survive, but to thrive. While many of us take these skills for granted, underserved populations do not.

How will WCCF address these needs?

  1. By funding and promoting organizations that have proven success records for imparting basic life literacy skills to underserved and at-risk populations.
  2. By serving as a “connecting funder” between collaborating organizations that are willing to develop partnerships and share their collective expertise for the good of our Washington County community.

How You Can Help Us Build a Stronger Washington County

Talk to us. For more information, please contact:

Jill Murphy
Regional Advancement Officer
East Tennessee Foundation
(865) 524-1223 or toll-free 1-877-524-1223
Email: jmurphy@etf.org

Make a tax-deductible donation or gift* to the WCCF.

You may currently reside in Washington County, may have been born there, spent your childhood there, or this may be the community in which you one day desire to live. Whatever your relationship with Washington County, your interest and support is greatly needed and appreciated. We can accept *gifts of many assets of value and encourage you to contact us at any time to discuss your contributions to enhance the Washington County “Legacy”. ETF staff are ready to meet with you to discuss how to make this a reality!

Make a donation today by clicking the link on this page “GIVE NOW.” This will forward you to our automated giving site where you can complete your donation. You may prefer to mail a check. Please make the check to “Washington County Community Foundation” and mail to:

Washington County Community Foundation
In Care Of East Tennessee Foundation
520 W. Summit Hill Drive, Suite 1101
Knoxville, TN 37902

Tell people about WCCF and how to promote a culture of health and wellness in Washington County!

We, the members of the Washington County Community Foundation Advisory Board thank you in advance for your interest and support of Washington County!

Chloe Campbell
Cathy Chang
Adam Dickson
Marcy Walker
Randy Wykoff