After many years of dedicated planning and support, we’re excited to share that Tremont has reached our $5 million endowment goal!
For a nonprofit of Tremont’s size, this is a transformational moment. An endowment is different from annual fundraising – it’s a permanent investment fund that generates revenue year after year. Now that Tremont has reached $5 million, we can sustainably draw income from the fund every year, providing steady, reliable scholarship support for students who otherwise might not have the chance to learn in the Smokies.
What does that mean in real terms? It means that scholarships will always be there. Each year, hundreds of students will be able to hike the trails, turn over rocks in the creek, and discover their place in the natural world. This fund supports scholarships for generations to come.
In this video, you’ll hear from founding board members Bill Cobble and Cathy Ackermann, along with Jen Sauer, a Knoxville teacher whose students are able to have a Tremont experience because of scholarship support. Their reflections show how deeply this endowment will impact both our work and the lives we touch.
This achievement has been nearly twenty years in the making, built through vision, generosity, and unwavering belief in Tremont’s mission. But our work doesn’t end here. The endowment provides a strong foundation for scholarships, ensuring lasting access to Tremont’s programs, while ongoing support makes it possible to deliver those programs today and dream even bigger for tomorrow. With plans underway for our second campus expansion, we are building on this momentum to create new spaces where even more learners can connect with the Smokies. Every gift continues to matter – fueling scholarships, sustaining programs, and bringing our bold vision for Tremont’s future to life.
Whether you’ve been part of this journey for decades or are just joining us now, thank you for believing in Tremont and helping the Smokies inspire wonder for generations to come.
About the Author
Megan Womack is Tremont’s Development Director. Raised outside of Washington, D.C., Megan regularly retreated to the Appalachian mountains during her childhood summers for respite from a demanding schedule of school, music lessons, and Beltway traffic. Moving south to Richmond, VA, to study Vocal Performance and Marketing at Virginia Commonwealth University, she stayed in the area after graduation to build her career in communications, marketing, and relationship management at regional and national companies and non-profits. Megan moved to the region and joined the Tremont team in 2021.
