Tennessee for Nonprofits Grants

The Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination Program (BEP) assists with the removal of blighted properties in targeted areas within the state of Tennessee. Removing these properties will help to reduce foreclosures, promote neighborhood stabilization, and maintain property values. BEP is designed as a targeted, first come first served program to lend recaptured HHF funds for the demolition and/or acquisition and demolition of blighted one to four unit residential structures in targeted areas to assist in neighborhood stabilization and in preventing foreclosure by helping to stem decline in home values. To be eligible, entities must submit applications that meet BEP requirements and THDA's goals for blight elimination.

Support for presenting touring performing artists and groups for events and festivals in communities across the state, including in rural counties. This grant category supports Tennessee presenters by providing grant funds up to $5,000 to offset the costs of professional artist fees for performing artists and groups that present to the public and offer an educational component with their engagement. Any eligible organization may apply for up to $3,000 of the agreed upon artist’s fees. If an organization or touring artist being presented meets one of the following criteria, the organization may request up to $5,000 of the agreed upon artist’s fees.

Competitive grant process. Rental housing development program designed to encourage the production and preservation of affordable rental housing. Two competitive grant rounds offered during the spring and fall of each year. THDA's Tennessee Housing Trust Fund Competitive Grants are awarded to agencies for the purpose of developing and/or preserving rental housing for low- and very-low income households, the elderly, and those with special needs. Examples of special needs populations include the disabled, formerly incarcerated individuals, victims of domestic abuse, and youth aging out of foster care.

Support for arts projects in underserved, rural communities with special focus on distressed counties. The Targeted Arts Development Initiative (TADI) is a strategy developed to reach counties identified by the Tennessee Arts Commission as under-represented in Commission investments. TADI is designed to build capacity and develop leadership potential, while encouraging applications from the identified counties to existing Commission grant categories or programs. Government and nonprofit entities within identified counties above with projects that use arts and cultural activities to benefit their community, build upon existing assets, or overcome challenges are urged to apply.

Statewide downtown revitalization program for communities that seek designation as Main Street communities. The Main Street movement has been transforming the way communities think about the revitalization and management of their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts for decades. Specifically, Main Street is three things: a proven strategy for revitalization, a powerful network of linked communities, and a national support program that leads the field. The National Main Street Center is a subsidiary or the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Forestry programs under the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) were developed to promote long term investments in Tennessee’s forests by providing cost share incentives to qualifying landowners. Forestry programs under the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) were developed to promote long term investments in Tennessee’s forests by providing cost share incentives to qualifying landowners. The programs help promote sustainable forest management practices on family forestland, which provide multiple resource benefits such as timber, wildlife habitat, clean water, and soil protection.

The overall goal of Lottery for Education: Afterschool Programs (LEAPs) is to provide Tennessee students with academic enrichment opportunities that reinforce and complement the regular academic program. In November 2002, Tennesseans voted to create a state lottery. The General Assembly established that profits from the lottery be used for specific educational programs: college scholarships, early childhood programs and afterschool programs.

Focused on projects that improve workforce development, improve health outcomes, and create jobs. Awarded to approximately recipients at up to $300,000 each. The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is a federal-state partnership that represents 252 counties in eight states along the lower Mississippi River Delta. The DRA is focused on creating jobs, building communities, and improving lives of the more than 10 million people of the Delta Region. DRA envisions the region as a place where people and businesses have access to economic opportunities in vibrant, sustainable, and resilient communities. DRA’s mission is to realize that vision through the practical application of innovative ideas and strategies that will foster inclusive communities, strengthen regional collaboration and productive capacity, achieve sustained, long-term economic development, and produce meaningful opportunities for all people in the DRA region.

This grant provides funding to local education agencies in Tennessee to establish Family Resource Centers that support children and families facing high-risk challenges such as poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence through collaborative community partnerships.

Federal program designed to help homeless individuals / families enter into a shelter with the goal of finding affordable housing or maintain affordable housing. THDA administers the federally funded Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program for the state of Tennessee in 92 of the state's 95 counties in order to fund the provision of services necessary to help persons who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness to quickly regain stability in permanent housing.

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program, provides dedicated federal funding to state Departments of Transportation for projects that improve air quality and reduce congestion. The federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program provides dedicated federal funding to state Departments of Transportation for projects that improve air quality and reduce congestion. The CMAQ program improves air quality by funding transportation projects and programs that reduce air emissions from cars, trucks and buses (mobile sources) in air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas, which are the only areas eligible for CMAQ funding.

The THDA Challenge Grant Program provides initial seed funding to support the private fundraising efforts of nonprofit organizations across Tennessee to implement housing and related activities that represent unique milestones, are part of a broad community initiative, or are part of a significant expansion of work outside the normal day-to-day activities of the organization. Selected proposals must generate cash leverage of at least 300% within nine months of THDA’s commitment of Challenge Grant resources to the housing initiative.

Online Resources for Starting Businesses. Economic inclusion describes the efforts made to bring DBEs into the economic mainstream. For the purposes of BERO, DBE refers to businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities; as well as those in areas of chronic high unemployment and low income. BERO was legislatively established within the Department of Economic and Community Development in 1977 by Title 4, Chapter 26 as the office of business enterprise. Serves as a voice for and advocate of economic inclusion; Analyzes, disseminates, and promotes best practices and access to capital to service providers; and Reports on the status of DBEs statewide (disadvantaged businesses).

The Services * Training * Officers * Prosecutors* (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program supports communities in their efforts to develop and strengthen effective responses to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault (including adult survivors of child sexual abuse), or stalking. This also includes victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are also victims of trafficking and female genital mutilation or cutting, or forced marriage. The program encourages community partnerships between law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim services organizations to enhance victim safety and hold offenders accountable. STOP is authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) through the Office on Violence Against Women under the U.S. Department of Justice.

Block Grant: Subawards to provide additional personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice projects. The Edward JAG Formula Grant Program is a partnership among federal, state and local governments, and non-profit organizations to create safer communities and improve criminal justice systems. The JAG program, created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690), emphasizes controlling violent and drug-related crime and serious offenders, and fosters multi-jurisdictional and multi-state efforts to support national drug-control policies. This grant program provides funding for projects which assist local and state government and non-profit agencies in their efforts to reduce violent crime and illegal drug activities, improve the criminal justice system and support local, state and national priorities.

Provides gap funding to eligible nonprofit entities to help cover the costs to build new construction or substantially rehabilitate homes in distressed communities where property values still have not recovered. The Appraisal Gap Pilot Program (“Gap Program”) is a pilot program designed to provide a subsidy to eligible nonprofit entities, based on the difference or gap between the costs to build new homes or to substantially rehabilitate homes and the appraised value of the home that the nonprofit will sell to an eligible buyer. The Gap Program Subsidy may not fill the entire gap. The Gap Program’s goal is to expand the availability of affordable housing in areas of the state where property values have not fully recovered from the mortgage crisis.

The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department offers an annual Challenge Grant Program, which provides grants to non-profit projects associated with public parks or recreation facilities within the City limits. Donor Name: City of Knoxville State: Tennessee City: Knoxville Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Challenge Grants may also be used to promote activities in City Parks and on Greenways. Grants can provide match funds for various fitness classes such as Yoga, Tai Chi, or other activities. Passive programming for activities such as painting and birdwatching will also be considered. Approved activities must be on City Park properties, and all other rules associated with the Challenge Grant Program will apply. In order to receive a grant, the projects are preferred to be on City-owned or -leased property, but must be related to a facility that is available to all residents on a yearly basis. Funding Information Recipients of a challenge grant will be reimbursed 50 percent of the cost of a single project, up to $3,000. Eligibility Criteria  The grants are available to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) status community groups, homeowner associations, schools, Scout troops and other organizations. Ineligibility  The grant funding may not be used to purchase a new facility, regular maintenance, or for the purchase of individual or team equipment. For more information, visit City of Knoxville.

Spay/Neuter Grant for Tennessee Organizations Eligibility: Government shelters or 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee. Provides spay and neuter services for dogs and cats. Grant Coverage: Covers spay and neuter procedures only. Does not cover expenses like fences or food. Procedure Requirements: Procedures must be performed by a Tennessee clinic with a licensed Tennessee veterinarian. Funding Source: Funding is from sales of the Spay/Neuter license plate. Application Process: Send an email to [email protected] to be added to the grant information email list. Set up an account as an Edison Supplier: Edison Supplier Portal Fill out the application when available in the spring and submit supporting documentation. Awards are determined based on various factors such as procedure price, number of animals served, counties served, etc. Once awarded, sign and return the contract. It goes through Department of Agriculture approval. Contracts are entered into Edison, and invoices are created and emailed to the organization. During the fiscal year, organizations perform procedures, fill out invoices with procedure information, and send them to the Animal Friendly email for reimbursement. Note: Application availability and award criteria subject to change.