Turn Up Knox receives outside funding after city contract terminated
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A local violence prevention nonprofit has secured outside funding after the City of Knoxville decided to end its partnership with the organization.
Turn Up Knox's contract with the city was canceled in February, and the nonprofit received over $100,000 of outstanding payments from the city in April. The city partnered with the organization in 2022 to launch violence prevention and intervention initiatives following an increase in gun violence.
18-year-old charged with attempted murder after shooting in Knoxville
Executive Director Denzel Grant said the city funding helped build the organization from the ground up, but Turn Up Knox will continue to operate despite losing this funding.
'We do have our 501(c)(3) status now. Currently, we've received funding from the Gene [and Florence] Monday Foundation. The Appalachian Fund has been a great resource for us as well, and we're continuing to have conversations with other philanthropists who are out here supporting the work,' said Grant.
Knoxville 311 launches 'Rocky Bot' AI tool launched to help residents
6 News conversation with Denzel Grant continues Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Tennessee This Week. He and Bo Williams talk more about violence prevention in the community, and the Knoxville City Council District 6 race which Grant announced he was running.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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