Tennessee Education Grants

The Sports Fund, established by the Community Foundation Middle Tennessee, aims to ensure that children across the community have the opportunity to participate in team-based programming. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster a sense of belonging and hope among youth, particularly during critical after-school hours. By supporting organizations that utilize a team approach, the fund directly contributes to the development of positive social skills, improved well-being, and increased community engagement for young individuals. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are children and youth involved in programs that employ a team-based methodology, such as sports and performance troupes. The overarching impact goal is to instill a sense of belonging and hope in these young participants. The fund prioritizes programs that operate during after-school hours, recognizing this period as crucial for positive youth development and the prevention of negative behaviors. The Sports Fund focuses on supporting organizations that can demonstrate a clear team approach in their programming. This includes activities where participants collaborate, learn together, and support one another, thereby promoting camaraderie and mutual respect. The expected outcomes include an increase in youth participation in structured team activities, enhanced feelings of community and belonging among participants, and the development of important life skills through collaborative efforts. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the grant size and duration, the program implies a focus on the number of children and youth served by funded organizations and the qualitative impact on their sense of belonging and hope. Organizations may request grants up to a maximum of $5,000, with a grant period spanning December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025. This funding is intended to support the operational and programmatic needs of eligible organizations, which must be 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in community programs that directly uplift and empower the next generation, with a theory of change positing that participation in team-based activities leads to improved social-emotional well-being and a more resilient community.

This grant provides funding for innovative arts learning projects in community settings, aimed at engaging participants of all ages through hands-on experiences in various art forms.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community events that engage youth aged 12-24 in Knoxville, promoting social connections and well-being through meaningful participation.

The South Arts In These Mountains (ITM) initiative is a grant program designed to support projects that promote the sharing, teaching, learning, preserving, documenting, and continuity of folk arts and traditional culture within Central Appalachia. This aligns with a broader mission to foster cultural preservation and community enrichment, particularly in underserved regions. The program seeks to empower communities through their unique cultural heritage, ensuring these traditions are passed down through generations and remain vibrant within the region. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are nonprofit organizations and educational organizations located in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) counties in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This includes a wide array of entities such as community cultural organizations, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, museums, performing arts presenters, community festival organizations, and faith-based organizations. The primary impact goal is to strengthen the traditional arts and cultural fabric of these communities, particularly those in rural areas with populations under 50,000, by providing essential funding for relevant projects. South Arts has several key priorities and focuses for this initiative. They are deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, actively encouraging applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led and LGBTQIA+-led organizations, as well as organizations led by people with disabilities. Furthermore, they prioritize applications that feature BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and traditional artists with disabilities. Another significant focus is on funding traditional arts projects specifically in rural communities. The grants are awarded in the amount of $10,000, with a project period from October 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The expected outcomes and measurable results of the ITM initiative include a sustained and increased engagement with folk arts and traditional culture in Central Appalachia. Success will be measured by the number and quality of projects that effectively share, teach, learn, preserve, document, and support the continuity of these cultural practices. The prioritization of diverse and rural-led organizations aims to ensure that funding reaches those most in need of support and that a wide array of voices and traditions are represented and uplifted. The strategic priority of South Arts, as evidenced by this grant, is to build a more equitable and culturally rich Central Appalachia through targeted investment in its traditional arts.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in central and western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee that focus on education, medical services, and essential human services.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that improve education, health, and financial stability for communities in seven counties of South Central Tennessee.

This grant provides up to $5,000 in seed funding for Vanderbilt students and registered student organizations to develop innovative projects that promote community belonging, collaboration, and inclusivity on campus.

This grant provides financial support and professional development opportunities to exceptional scriptwriters residing in the Southern United States, celebrating their contributions to the region's cultural landscape.

This funding opportunity supports Tennessee-based nonprofit organizations and local government entities in creating community-focused arts projects that enhance access to the arts and improve quality of life.

This funding opportunity supports organizations that create innovative programs to improve the well-being and future prospects of youth in East Tennessee by addressing education, health, and the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and government agencies in Williamson County to implement local solutions addressing the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on educational initiatives in communities where Donaldson Company operates, helping to enhance access to education and address local educational needs.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Loudon and Monroe counties that are focused on innovative programs and projects aimed at improving childhood development and education.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Tennessee colleges and universities to create and improve inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in the Appalachian region for projects that promote economic diversification and workforce development in communities impacted by coal industry job losses.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits and public organizations in East Tennessee to strengthen their operational capacity and foster collaboration on projects that address community needs and promote prevention initiatives.

This grant provides funding to organizations that enhance education, culture, social services, and economic development for residents of Monroe County, encouraging community collaboration and engagement.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects between arts organizations and non-arts entities in the Southern U.S. to creatively address health and wellness challenges in their communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that offer hands-on STEAM training and paid summer internships for teens aged 16-19 from low-income areas, in partnership with Best Buy Teen Tech Centers.