Grants & Funding
United Way
The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation (ETKF) is a public charity; that means we rely predominantly on grants, donations, volunteers & fundraising events to effectively and efficiently operate our local agency. One of our largest sources of program funding comes from United Way Community Impact Grants. ETKF is a proud community partner agency with United Way organizations in ten East TN counties, allowing us to provide financial assistance to impoverished individuals whom cannot afford the expense of roundtrip transportation to life-sustaining dialysis treatments three times per week, every week. Through our flagship program, the Dianne Hagey Dialysis Transportation Program, we currently provide up to $100 per month to over 250 patients, every month, to alleviate their financial barriers to dialysis and improve their physical & mental health, independence, and quality of life.
ETKF is grateful for the following annual Community Impact Grants designated by the following United Way communities:
- United Way of Anderson County
- United Way of Blount County
- United Way of Campbell County
- United Way of Claiborne County
- United Way of Grainger County
- United Way of Greater Knoxville
- United Way of Jefferson County
- United Way of Loudon County
- United Way of Roane County
- United Way of Union County
KenJo Markets
KenJo Markets is a long-time partner of ETKF, supporting the foundation since its inception in March 2010. KenJo Markets produces a store coupon book every year with valuable coupons for free & discounted in-store items, as well as some Buddy’s coupons at select locations only. KenJo Markets sells the coupon books in all its area locations for a suggested donation of only $1/book. KenJo Markets donates proceeds to the ETKF every year, making KenJo Markets the largest corporate supporter for thirteen years running, 2010 – 2023. ETKF is so thankful and gracious to have such wonderful support right here at home from KenJo Markets. We owe our independence & sustainability to KenJo Markets. Thank you!
Akima Club of Knoxville
The Akima Club of Knoxville provides annual grant funding for ETKF’s Nutritional Supplement Program. This program provides over 1800+ dialysis patients in East Tennessee with high protein nutritional supplements, usually in the form of protein bars. While on dialysis, a patient with kidney disease is restricted to a limited renal diet. This diet is difficult as well as expensive, and extra money is not something that many low-income patients have to spend on quality, nutritious foods. Patients usually eat the protein bars while dialyzing at the clinic; for some, it is the first thing they’ve had to eat all day. ETKF and area dialysis patients are very grateful to the Akima Club of Knoxville for allowing this grant to help so many people. Thank you!
