The Opportunity Endowment Fund, administered by the East Tennessee Foundation, is designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations operating within the foundation’s 25-county service area. The fund aims to enhance the capacity, sustainability, and collaborative potential of local charitable organizations to improve the well-being of communities across East Tennessee. This initiative is part of the foundation’s broader mission to foster effective, impactful philanthropy in the region.
The fund prioritizes capacity-building efforts, supporting projects that enhance operational, financial, and programmatic systems. Grant-funded initiatives are expected to foster long-term sustainability, with particular emphasis on collaborative solutions. Funded activities may include streamlining systems for evaluation, logistics, and human resources, building stronger financial strategies, improving donor engagement, enhancing professional development, or increasing access to technology infrastructure. Special attention is given to initiatives that address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), drivers of health, and early childhood education through preventative strategies.
Eligible organizations may request funding of up to $25,000. Grants will not exceed one year in duration. Applicants are encouraged to leverage matching funds when possible, as the Foundation favors projects demonstrating the potential to attract additional financial support and produce replicable outcomes across networks.
The fund operates on a biannual cycle. The first cycle opens on March 31, 2025, with a submission deadline of June 1, 2025, and awards distributed by June 30, 2025. The second cycle opens on July 1, 2025, with applications due by November 30, 2025, and awards announced by December 31, 2025. Eligible proposals will be reviewed by a grant panel, and all applicants will be notified of their status following the respective cycle’s close.
Applicants do not need to be physically located in East Tennessee, but the proposed work must benefit communities within ETF’s 25-county region. The application must be submitted via the ETF grant portal, which includes a step-by-step tutorial and submission confirmation process. Required components typically include organization details, project narrative, and relevant documentation uploads. Any questions may be directed to the ETF Grantmaking Team at grantmaking@etf.org or by calling 865-524-1223 or 877-524-1223. Performance periods are limited to one year, and successful applicants must upload a signed grant award letter and submit a final report—or midterm progress report if awarded for two years—via the portal.
Proposals should demonstrate collaboration, leverage matching funds, and prioritize outcomes that are scalable or replicable across similar organizations.
