KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ― The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Thursday that 344 nonprofits and community programs have received more than $4.7 million this year to support local initiatives addressing hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic through its Community Care Fund. The initial $2 million TVA pledged to the fund was matched by 136 local power companies, ultimately doubling the financial impact to communities in need, across the Valley. The success of the partnerships encouraged TVA to announce it will double its total commitment to $4 million in matching funds.

This initiative is part of a comprehensive portfolio of assistance programs that TVA is providing to support communities and customers across the Valley. 

“The Community Care Fund exemplifies the spirit of public power, which enables us to put people first,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “We prioritize serving the region and partnering with our local power companies to support those hit hardest by the COVID-19 outbreak. Public Power Week 2020 is a great opportunity to highlight the initiative’s impact in the communities we serve.”

Local power companies will continue to identify organizations for which they will seek TVA’s matching funds for existing or new community initiatives. The fund is intended to help sustain and improve the quality of life in the Valley and support economic recovery.

The largest portion of donations went to a variety of food banks across TVA’s service territory to help meet immediate needs for families experiencing sudden income impacts due to the pandemic. Many children who historically have been food insecure in the Valley benefitted from the program as public schools received funds aimed to stabilize and increase box lunch programs, while chapters of the United Way and Boys and Girls Clubs also saw support.

The COVID-19 Community Care Fund is part of a broader effort by TVA and local power companies to support communities with resources, programs and assistance and reinforce the strength of public power in the Tennessee Valley.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.