Tennessee Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

This funding initiative provides financial support to community-based organizations, local and tribal governments in eight southeastern states to address environmental justice issues and promote healthier environments.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit and community organizations in Knoxville to implement programs that raise awareness and prevent youth violence during National Youth Violence Prevention Week.

The Tennessee Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Assistance Program, announced by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF), is a grant opportunity provided in partnership with the Forest Service. This program aims to promote the creation, enhancement, and protection of urban and community forest ecosystems throughout Tennessee, supporting full-circle management of these valuable resources. The broader mission alignment for this program is rooted in fostering sustainable and healthy communities through environmental stewardship, which aligns with the strategic priorities of both the Forest Service and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The program targets units of local governments (city, town, county), non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, and public educational institutions. Community tree volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, or civic groups that are not 501(c)3 organizations are also eligible if they apply in partnership with a non-profit or local government. The impact goals are to integrate U&CF principles into planning, promote the role of U&CF in human health and wellness, cultivate diversity and leadership in the U&CF community, strengthen forest health and biodiversity, improve management and stewardship, and increase funding for U&CF initiatives. Key priorities for projects include extreme heat mitigation, urban wood utilization, urban food forests, and workforce development. The program also emphasizes increasing public awareness and environmental education to promote stewardship, as well as engaging with communities under the Justice40 initiative through outreach, education, and technical and financial assistance. This focus reflects a strategic theory of change that links targeted interventions in urban forestry to broader improvements in public health, environmental resilience, and social equity within Tennessee communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include facilitating strong partnerships among various governmental and non-profit entities, increasing awareness and practice of full-circle management in urban forests, and improving community preparedness for natural disasters. The program also seeks to increase the number of communities participating in Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs and to increase awareness of the numerous benefits of trees, such as those related to extreme heat mitigation and stormwater management. Applicants can apply for amounts between $5,000 and $40,000, with projects expected to be completed within one year. Eligible projects encompass urban and community forestry management, tree planting, program development or capacity building, urban and community wood utilization, and workforce development.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit and community organizations in Knoxville that provide engaging programs and employment initiatives for at-risk youth, particularly those involved with the juvenile justice system.

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program, administered by the Tennessee Arts Commission, aims to bolster arts projects that expand access to artistic experiences, leverage the arts to address community quality of life issues, and foster the sustained growth of asset-based cultural enterprises. This program aligns with a mission to enrich communities through the arts, promoting their role in social well-being and economic development. The grant supports diverse initiatives, from innovative new arts experiences to programs that strengthen social networks through community engagement. The program targets a wide array of beneficiaries, including community residents, experienced and emerging artists and arts administrators, and underserved constituencies. The latter group specifically includes at-risk youth, economically disadvantaged individuals, people in rural or isolated settings, people with disabilities, people of color, and senior citizens. The impact goals are centered on positive community change, such as strengthening social networks, enhancing community identity and economic development through cultural arts, and building entrepreneurial skills for artists and administrators. The ABC grant program prioritizes activities that directly involve and promote Tennessee artists, support touring projects that bring professional performers statewide, and improve program accessibility for various underserved groups. Other focuses include public performances, productions, exhibitions, festival coordination, and training that enhances creative workforce skills. The program's philosophy supports a broad range of activities and expenditures, from administrative support and research to art in public places and literary projects. Expected outcomes include increased access to arts experiences, measurable improvements in community quality of life through artistic interventions, and enhanced sustainability of cultural organizations and artists. The program's strategic approach involves funding projects that demonstrate a clear potential to affect positive change, strengthen community ties, and contribute to local identity and economic vitality. The theory of change posits that by supporting diverse arts initiatives and making them accessible, communities will experience enhanced social cohesion, cultural richness, and economic resilience, ultimately leading to a higher quality of life for residents across Tennessee.

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.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in Knoxville that provide workforce readiness programs and social-emotional development for youth aged 12-24, helping them gain essential skills and resilience for future careers.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering Ag Research Grants to fund agricultural research projects conducted between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026, with potential for extension. This program aims to address continued priorities of the agricultural industry within the Commonwealth. The Department’s mission alignment is evident in its focus on scientific studies that improve various aspects of agriculture, from economic impact and farm management to animal health and innovative technologies, ultimately benefiting the state’s agricultural sector and its stakeholders. The target beneficiaries of these grants are researchers and institutions capable of conducting impactful agricultural studies. The program's impact goals are broad, aiming to enhance agricultural sustainability, economic viability, and public well-being within Pennsylvania. Specific goals include mitigating pest infestations, understanding the economic impacts of agricultural practices, improving food security programs, advancing energy efficiency in agriculture, addressing animal health concerns, and fostering innovation in manufacturing and robotic technologies within the sector. The Department's priorities and focuses are diverse, encompassing ongoing multi-year research projects, general agriculture, energy in agriculture, life science, manufacturing, and robotic technology. Within general agriculture, there is interest in food action plans, the impact of food assistance programs (Double Up Food Bucks, Senior Food Nutrition Program, Farmers Market Nutrition Program, TEFAP), surplus food recovery, consumer affairs reporting on food prices, workforce analysis, economic impact studies, urban agriculture capacity and stewardship, land access barriers for BIPOC farmers, and soil testing/remediation. Energy in agriculture focuses on mapping energy generation from agricultural products, reducing greenhouse gases, and Agrivoltaics. In the life science category, the Department seeks to address wildlife crop damage, the impact of Medicare rule changes on fresh food access, One Health initiatives, animal health and productivity, diagnosis of animal diseases, animal welfare, and dairy industry recommendations related to Federal Milk Marketing Order and the PA Milk Board Over-Order Premium, as well as Chronic Wasting Disease strategy development. Manufacturing research is encouraged in areas like food production residual waste, organic processing incentives, biodegradable packaging, pharmaceutical/industrial uses for milk proteins, and conversion of spent mushroom substrate to bio-char. Finally, robotic technology research aims to understand current and future farmer technology use and assess Augmented Reality applications in Pennsylvania's animal and plant industries. The expected outcomes include the development of evidence-based strategies for pest control, improved farm management practices impacting the Chesapeake Bay, enhanced food security through program analysis, validated consumer information, and a better understanding of the agricultural workforce and urban agriculture. In energy, outcomes will include new methods for energy generation, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and optimized Agrivoltaics implementation. Life science research is expected to lead to improved animal health, productivity, and welfare, as well as informed policy recommendations for the dairy industry and effective strategies for Chronic Wasting Disease. Manufacturing research will contribute to sustainable waste management and innovative product development, while robotics research will drive technological adoption in farming. The Department's strategic priorities are to address critical challenges and opportunities facing Pennsylvania agriculture, leveraging scientific research to achieve measurable results. Their theory of change is that by funding targeted research in these key areas, they can provide actionable insights and innovative solutions that will directly benefit farmers, agricultural businesses, consumers, and the environment. All funding is contingent upon budget appropriations, indicating a commitment to sustained investment in agricultural progress as a core component of the state's economic and environmental health.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

This grant provides funding to non-profit and community organizations in East Knoxville to promote equity and address disparities in areas such as education, homeownership, and small business development.

This funding program provides financial support for projects that improve access to the arts for underserved groups, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and military families.

This program provides financial support to arts organizations in rural Tennessee, helping them cover operating expenses while promoting community engagement and sound financial practices.

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 funding to nonprofit organizations and local government entities in Tennessee's rural counties for diverse arts projects that promote community engagement and vitality.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in West Tennessee for community-driven projects that benefit local residents across various sectors, excluding operating support and individual grants.

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

This grant recognizes and supports young entrepreneurs and new business owners who demonstrate trustworthiness and positively impact their communities through ethical business practices.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Tennessee that deliver legal services to low-income individuals, promote access to justice, and support legal education initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to artists with disabilities living in Hamilton County, Tennessee, to help them create, develop their work, and enhance their professional skills.