Tennessee grants for Nonprofits

The RTP provides grant funding for land acquisition for trails, trail maintenance, trail construction, trail rehabilitation and for trail head support facilities. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federal funded, state administered grant program. RTP provides grant funding for land acquisition for trails, trails maintenance and restoration/rehabilitation, trail construction, and trail head support facilities. All grant projects must be on publicly owned land.

Downtown revitalization projects following at least one of the 4 points of the Main Street program. Awarded to approximately 6 recipients at $15,000 each. Tennessee Downtowns is an affiliated program of Tennessee Main Street designed to help communities embark on a comprehensive revitalization effort for their downtown. Using the proven National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach® to downtown revitalization, this 24-month program coaches selected downtowns and their steering committees through the steps of launching an effective revitalization effort. Space in this program is limited and highly competitive. Program activities include training, site visits, regional workshops, webinars, technical assistance and an innovation project grant.

Federally funded program to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, grapes, horticultural, etc. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” Projects must show a benefit to the specialty crop industry. This program is not designed for start-ups or projects that only benefit one operation. Universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, industry, or community-based organizations may submit a proposal for funding. A review committee will select projects to be included in Tennessee’s state plan. This is a competitive program. Projects must directly impact multiple Tennessee producers. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture seeks to identify and support projects that are forward thinking with a positive, long-lasting impact on Tennessee Agriculture.

For community and economic development projects. Awarded to approximately 25 recipients at up to $500,000 each. The Appalachian Regional Commission (www.arc.gov) is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. The commission is a unique alliance composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a presidential appointee representing the federal government. Governor Lee serves on the board; the Governor’s Alternate for Tennessee is Brooxie Carlton, and the Program Manager is Brooxie Carlton. Through ARC, Tennessee is able to award grants each year for economic and community development projects in the 52 counties in middle and east Tennessee served by the ARC.

This funding initiative supports Tennessee-based projects that enhance agricultural, food, and forestry sectors by promoting job creation and economic development through innovative processing and market access improvements.

To reduce the incidence of overweight, obesity, pre diabetes, and/or diabetes in Tennessee. A request for applications (RFA) is issued every three years. The next RFA is expected to be issued in January 2025. A letter of intent (LOI) is required for an invitation to apply. The Notice of Award is posted in late April or early May with a July 1 start date. Project Diabetes funds are distributed through a request for reimbursement process. Therefore, applicants must have the funds needed to implement the project upfront. Grantees are reimbursed monthly for their expenses. To be alerted to the posting of this RFA and other TDH grants, sign up on the funding opportunities website https://www.tn.gov/health/funding-opportunities.html.

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.

EELP launched in the fall of 2010 with the purpose of establishing a low interest revolving loan fund to assist commercial and industrial businesses in implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements, which, in turn, reduce operating costs, improve productivity, and make Tennessee businesses more competitive. In January 2016, EELP was expanded to offer financing to local government entities, including municipalities, counties, school districts, and other public agencies.

Funding for local litter pickup operations and prevention education programs. In 1983, TDOT issued the first “Litter Grants” to county governments. These grants established pickup programs and provided litter prevention and recycling education at the local level. Today, Litter Grants improve communities in all 95 Tennessee counties and directly touch thousands of Tennesseans each year through volunteerism and educational programming.

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.

This program provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to implement projects that reduce future disaster risks following federally declared disasters.

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.

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.

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.