Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley received 2026 First Horizon Foundation funding designated for event sponsorships, supporting an organization that provides after-school and summer opportunities for children and teens across East Tennessee.
The organization operates 29 Clubs in six counties, including numerous sites in Knox County. Local Clubs provide safe places for young people when school is out, along with academic enrichment, STEM, arts, health and wellness, sports, technology, mentoring and workforce-development programs.
In Knox County, Club locations include the DeBusk Family Club, Vestal Club, Middlebrook Club, Regal Teen Center, Haslam Family Club University and several community and school-based sites. Programs vary by location but are designed around the programmatic pillars of academic success, healthy lifestyles, character and leadership.
First Horizon’s Brandon Ford is sharing with students
“At Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, we like to say, ‘We change lives and can prove it,’ and partners like First Horizon Foundation are part of that proof. Every event they sponsor brings new supporters into our Clubs and pays for the mentoring, reading help and safe spaces that show up in our results,” stated BGCTNV President and Chief Executive Officer Bart McFadden. “When a second-grader’s reading takes off or a teen lands a first job, First Horizon has helped make that happen. They change lives too, and we’re grateful to have them in this work with us.”
The impact goes far beyond providing a safe place during out-of-school times. “We change lives and can prove it” is more than a tagline. It’s a commitment to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for the 8,400 youth served annually. Through academic support programs, 57% of K-2 members showed reading growth, beating the state benchmark by 34 points. This outcome and more demonstrate the impact of consistent engagement, mentorship and enrichment. To ensure families have access to these powerful programs, Clubs fully or partially scholarship 80% of members across their footprint. From academic achievement to workforce readiness, Boys & Girls Clubs programs help young people build the skills and confidence they need for successful futures.
“First Horizon Foundation is proud to sponsor Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley events that rally our community and expand
First Horizon’s Lori Rose shares with students.
the after‑school and summer opportunities kids and their families count on. As a board member and longtime supporter, I’ve seen the impact across Knox County and East Tennessee: safe places, caring mentors, and brighter futures,” shared Jim Atchley, Knoxville Market President at First Horizon Bank. “We are proud to invest in the next generation of citizens through the First Horizon Foundation.”
Events sponsored by First Horizon Foundation help Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley to engage community supporters while building awareness and financial support for programs serving young people.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley has served the region since 1943. Its stated mission is to enable young people, especially those who need support most, to reach their potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. To learn more, visit bgctnv.org.
First Horizon Foundation is the private charitable foundation of First Horizon National Corporation. Founded in 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $200 million to meet community needs. Grants from the Foundation support the following impact areas: Arts & Culture, Education & Leadership, Environment, Financial Literacy, and Health & Human Services. More information is available at www.firsthorizonfoundation.com.
First Horizon: Funding Our Town — supporting the people and organizations that strengthen our community.
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