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Woman with retinitis pigmentosa receives grant from 'Just One More' to help others with low vision

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Vinettea Freeman is a former IT professional who lost much of her professional and personal life when she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa.

She is just a few courses short of completing her master’s degree. She had to drop out of graduate school as she began to lose her sight. She has since learned many techniques and technology applications that help her function and work, however, because she hasn’t been able to work as an IT professional, she was short of funds to complete her degree.

Freeman will receive a $5,000 grant to re-enroll in graduate school to complete her degree. She plans to pursue a new career developing resources for other individuals with low vision challenges.

Want to witness a great moment? Watch as we surprise Ms. Freeman with news that Just One More is fulfilling 100% of the funds she requested in her application.

Learning about Just One More

By the way, Ms. Freeman learned about Just One More when CBS News did an incredible story on our foundation and founder Richard Rogers. Have you seen it? Freeman says she bawled her eyes out the first time she watched it.

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of our most recent Just One More Foundation grants.

The competition was very strong. We have awarded 15 grants awarded to individuals and nonprofit organizations from 10 states. 

The grants range from $4,000-$16,710.

Our winners are:

Nonprofit organizations

Individual winners

  • Becky Clarke
  • Vinettea Freeman
  • Belinda Nixon

Congratulations to our grantees!

Are you interested in a grant from Just One More? We will open applications for our next round of grants on January 1, 2024. We would love to hear from you.

Official News Release

Just One More Foundation

Mon, November 27, 2023

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, November 27, 2023:  Just One More Foundation has awarded 15 grants to people in 10 states to help them achieve their goals. All of the award winners have overcome obstacles to get to where they are and want to help others.

The Foundation has given out more than $250,000 in its first year of existence including more than $116,000 in its latest round of giving. Each grant ranged from $1,500-$22,500.

One individual, Vinettea Freeman, will receive a $5,000 to re-enroll in graduate school to complete her master’s degree. Freeman is a former IT professional who lost much of her professional and personal life when she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. She plans to use the money to complete her master’s degree and pursue a new career developing resources for other individuals with low vision challenges.

The Denton County LOSS Team in Denton, TX is one of 12 nonprofit organizations receiving a grant. They provide immediate on-scene resources to individuals impacted by suicide and loss of a loved one. Their $12,000 grant will fund cleaning services for families who have lost a loved one to suicide. These specific circumstances require specialized cleaning that is often unaffordable, especially for families managing other death-related expenses.

The Just One More Foundation grant winners come from across the United States including California, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

The group’s founder Richard Rogers says, “I created this foundation to inspire hope and provide an opportunity to individuals who have experienced hardships and the organizations that serve them. Foundation priorities include funding individuals or nonprofits who serve people dealing with substance use and/or mental health, general health care, education and opportunity issues.”

Rogers’ second chances include surviving a near fatal lightning strike and, with his brother’s help, bringing their family business back from the brink of bankruptcy following their father’s suicide, Rogers says. “We can’t save the world, but we can help out. And this is our way of giving back.”

This is “Just One More Foundation’s” second round of giving. The nonprofit plans two rounds of giving each year; and will be accepting applications for next round beginning January 1, 2024. For more information on the foundation and grant process, contact Executive Director Daryn Kagan, daryn@justonemorefoundation.org or go to the website: justonemorefoundation.org.

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of our first Just One More Foundation grants.

The competition was very stiff. We have awarded 17 grants awarded to individuals and nonprofit organizations from 13 states + Washington DC. (CA, FL, IL, KS, LA, MD, MT, NH, NY, TN, TX, UT, VA, Washington, DC)

The grants range from $1,500-$22,500.

Our first round winners are:

Nonprofit organizations

Individual winners

  • Tausoa Mulitalo
  • Alfred Perkins, III
  • Katelin Viens

Congratulations to our first grantees!

Are you interested in a grant from Just One More? We will open applications for our next round of grants on July 1, 2023. We would love to hear from you.

Official News Release

Just One More Foundation

Mon, May 22, 2023 at 9:00 AM EDT

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, May 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — “Just One More Foundation” has awarded 17 grants to people in 13 states and Washington DC to help them achieve their goals, to help other people. All of the award winners, nonprofits, and individuals have overcome obstacles to get to where they are and want to help others.

The Foundation gave out more than $110,000 in its first round of giving. Each grant ranged from $1,500-$22,500.

One individual, Air Force Staff Sergeant Alfred Perkins III, will receive an award of $3,000 to become a professional grant writer to help veterans and people in inner-city neighborhoods.

The Launch Pad in Chattanooga, Tennessee is one of 14 nonprofit organizations receiving a grant. They serve women recovering from addiction. They will receive $22,500 toward additional staff to create a third sober living facility.

The winners come from across the United States; including California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and, Washington, D.C.

The group’s founder, Richard Rogers says, “I created this foundation to inspire hope and provide an opportunity to individuals who have experienced hardships and the organizations that serve them. Foundation priorities include funding individuals or nonprofits who serve people dealing with substance use and/or mental health, general health care, education and opportunity issues.

Rogers’ second chances include surviving a near fatal lightning strike and, with his brother’s help, bringing their family business back from the brink of bankruptcy following their father’s suicide,” Rogers says. “We can’t save the world, but we can help out. And this is our way of giving back.”

This is “Just One More Foundation’s” first round of giving. The nonprofit plans two rounds of giving each year; and will be accepting applications for a second round beginning July 1st. For more information on the foundation and grant process, contact Executive Director Daryn Kagan, daryn@justonemorefoundation.org or go to the website: justonemorefoundation.org.