Tennessee Science and Technology Grants

This grant provides funding to charitable organizations in Davidson County, Tennessee, to support their operational needs and specific projects that align with the Foundation's mission.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) is seeking applications for its Site Development Grant Program. Donor Name: Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) State: Tennessee County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/22/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant opportunity will improve many of TNECD’s nationally recognized Select Tennessee certified sites and prepare other sites to achieve certification. Eligible Activities Construction Activities Access roadways, acceleration/deceleration/turn lanes, traffic signalization, rail lines/signalization/switching, utility line construction/relocation including electricity, water, sewer, gas and telecommunications Property-Related Activities Purchase of property, right-of-way, easements, legal fees, tree/vegetation clearing, grubbing, grading, drainage improvements, detention/retention ponds, due diligence studies Due Diligence Grants  Due diligence grant amounts are limited to $100,000 (maximum). Site must be under option for a minimum of three years prior to grant being awarded. Funding for site due diligence may not be awarded if there are other problems with the site that cause concern for development. Though TNECD prefers that the options be secured at no charge, if option costs are necessary, they can be used as local match. Rehabilitation of Publicly-Owned Industrial Buildings  Certification requirement would be waived if funded. Brownfield  remediation Application must be accompanied by an industrial clean-up plan approved by TDEC Division of Remediation. Properties must meet normal eligibility requirements for the Site Development Grant Program.     Speculative Building Construction Site and building must be publicly owned. Site must meet eligibility requirements for the Site Development Grant Program. Minimum building size is 100,000 square feet expandable to 200,000 square feet. Additional requirements will be included in the application. Funding Information Site Development Grant Maximum: $5,000,000 Due Diligence Site Development Grant Maximum: $100,000 Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be a governmental entity (City, County, Industrial Development Board, etc.) One application per governmental entity may be submitted One application per site may be submitted Site must be publicly-owned at the time of application, unless the grant request is to purchase the property  or for Due Diligence Studies County where site is located must meet all Three Star annual requirements Sites must  be at least 20 acres and have gone through at a minimum the site visit by Austin Consulting (Foote) for the Select TN certification program, the site visit and evaluation by Austin Consulting for PEP or the site visit by KPMG for the Invest Prep program. Entities in Tier 3 and 4 counties may submit sites that are at least 10 acres and meet all other requirements. Sites with open SDG projects are not eligible to apply For more information, visit Grants.gov.

Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is accepting applications for its 2024 Families First Community Grants. Donor Name: Tennessee Department of Human Services State: Tennessee County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/10/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Department is looking to engage eligible non-profit organizations in Tennessee with evidence-based and evidence- informed program models that can administer community-based services to meet the needs of low-income families, placing the whole family on a path to permanent economic security. The Department requires these services to be delivered in a manner that improves economic security and well-being for low-income families and fosters a more strategic use of TANF funds, specifically as it pertains to the four purposes of TANF:  Providing assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes;  Reducing the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;  Preventing and reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and  Encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.  The Department is seeking to partner with eligible non-profit organizations in Tennessee that demonstrate an understanding of the challenges low-income families experience in their community, including those related to:  Education;  Health and well-being;  Economic stability; and  Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships. The Department seeks to partner with organizations that have:  Implemented or developed community-based programs that have been proven to be effective even when subjected to third-party evaluation.  Demonstrated strong leadership and coordination of cross-sector partnerships.  Demonstrated a proven track record for providing services intended to help low-income families achieve economic mobility.  Identified a diverse set of resources, secured cross-sector partnerships, and developed a plan to deliver services from a family-led approach that is aligned with one or more of the four purposes of TANF.  Articulated long-term impact of the community’s approach, including applicable return on investment and cost- benefit analysis, to support and sustain delivery of services.  Articulated a desire to work in partnership with the Department, community-based organizations, other stakeholders, and current and former customers to co-create solutions that address significant social problems.  Innovative initiatives leveraging other public resources to build the economic, social, and developmental capital of those served to reduce dependency. Eligibility Criteria Eligible nonprofit organizations who wish to apply, including subcontractor partners, must maintain tax-exempt status under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(19), with such status acknowledged by IRS determination letter. All eligible entities who wish to apply must not be currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible to conduct business in the State of Tennessee. Grant Contracts with the Department may be entered for services on a short-term basis and based upon the type of service needed, available resources and funding, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. For more information, visit TDHS.

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. Donor Name: Tennessee Arts Commission State: Tennessee County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: ABC funds may be used to: Provide innovative arts experiences that are new or unfamiliar to community residents Offer arts programs that are designed to help affect positive change in community social issues Develop arts programming that strengthens social networks through community engagement Undertake cultural arts initiatives that enhance a community’s identity and/or economic development Offer training that helps experienced or emerging artists/arts administrators develop entrepreneurial skills or innovative strategies for building sustainability Funding Information Maximum Request of $5000 (non-matching). Grant Period FY2025: August 16, 2024 – June 15, 2025. Appropriate Activities The following are examples of activities and expenditures that are consistent with the funding philosophy for ABC: Projects that involve and promote Tennessee artists Visiting artists conducting master classes Festival coordination and programming Public performances, productions and exhibitions produced by the applicant Exhibitions of art by Tennessee artists and artists from outside Tennessee Promotion, publicity and newsletters Administrative and artistic staff support Research and documentation as part of a project or program development Touring projects that bring professional performers to communities across the state Improved program accessibility for underserved constituencies, such as at-risk youth, economically disadvantaged individuals, people living in rural communities or isolated settings, people with disabilities, people of color and senior citizens Art in public places Extensions of literary projects, journals with continuing publication or juried anthologies Apprenticeship programs Computer software/training that builds or enhances creative workforce skills Technical/production support Eligibility Criteria An organization is eligible to apply for funding support of its arts activities if the organization meets one of the following qualifications: The organization is a nonprofit organization legally chartered in Tennessee and in possession of a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service declaring the organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Private educational institutions must be a nonprofit and meet these tax-exempt requirements. -OR- The organization is an entity of government (such as city/county government departments, public libraries, public schools, etc.) Colleges and universities are eligible only for activities that clearly serve the needs of surrounding communities or the State and are designed to involve a broad audience. Activities that are credit-producing or are oriented primarily to collegiate students and the academic community are not eligible. Requirements for 501(c)(3) Applicants All 501(c)(3) applicants must upload their most recent copy of the organization’s By-laws into their organizational profiles in the Online Grants System. Nonprofit applicants’ 501(c)(3) statuses will be verified independently prior to being reviewed by a designated agency panel. Any applications from organizations with lapsed or unconfirmed nonprofit determination will be disqualified. For more information, visit Tennessee Arts Commission.

The Economic Development Fund supports charitable and educational programs aimed at fostering regional economic development. Donor Name: East Tennessee Foundation State: Tennessee County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/07/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Funding Information Amounts will range from $5,000 – $6,500. Grants will be awarded for one-year terms in August 2024. The grant term is August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible organizations must have and be able to provide documentation to verify the following: Confirmation that the organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity, unit of government, or public educational institution New or emerging groups that do not have nonprofit status may apply if they have an established nonprofit organization as a fiscal sponsor Employee Identification Number (EIN) Legal name of organization, address, and contact information (phone, email address, fax) Primary contact person and title Most recent financial statements and/or most recent audit and/or IRS Form 990 Current year organization operating budget List of current board of directors or equivalent governing body List of staff administering the project Confirmation that the organization operates and is organized so as to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, sexual orientation, age, disability, covered veteran status, or other characteristics as identified in the Foundation’s Diversity and Non-Discrimination Statement. The following types of requests will not be funded: Check eligibility requirements specific to each competitive grant program for variations. Grants to individuals. They are restricted by law and therefore unable to provide grants directly to individuals. Debt retirement or budget deficits Endowment funds or general fundraising campaigns Capital campaigns Faith based organizations and houses of worship are welcome to apply. However their projects that have explicit religious content, express a particular religious view, limit participation based on faith affiliation, or require participation in religious activities or services will not be considered. For example, a church’s food pantry may be awarded funding if participation in the program is not limited based on faith or attendance. For more information, visit ETF.

The Spark Cleantech Accelerator program supports early stage cleantech businesses and drive commercialization of their technologies in Tennessee. Donor Name: UT Research Park State: Tennessee County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The Spark CTA was created in partnership with Evergreen Climate Innovations (previously Clean Energy Trust) and other partners to support early stage cleantech businesses and drive commercialization of their technologies in Tennessee and throughout the Midwest and the Southeast. The Spark Cleantech Accelerator is a 12-week program and the UT Research Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. The program provides mentorship, connections, stipends, prototyping services, and business acceleration services to early stage cleantech entrepreneurs to help commercialize new innovations. In 12-week, in-person program, the offer: $15,000 Stipends to help defray travel/living costs and to support business and technical milestones Prototyping services through the University of Tennessee’s Center for Materials Processing, Mentoring and one-on-one support from our experts in business, market analysis and positioning, and IP/ patent strategy, product design, engineering, prototyping, testing, material selection, tooling design, and manufacturing, Connections with customers, investors, strategic partners, suppliers, and universities and national laboratories, Training Workshops and one-on-one support. Partnership opportunities with organizations such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, Oak Ridge National Lab, the University of Tennessee, the City of Knoxville, and members of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council. Eligibility Criteria Application from Tennessee, the Midwest, and beyond. Companies that demonstrate a positive impact to energy efficiency, generate renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, carbon capture, increase recycling/upcycling and a circular economy. Companies that show strong market potential and defensible intellectual property, with issued patents or pending patents filed. Those who demonstrate their technology can support the challenges and needs of Spark partners, such as utilities, local governments, universities, manufacturing companies, commercial building operators, etc. Those that create software of hardware technologies including intelligent connected devices, advanced materials process, or with technology companies at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2-6. Applicants who are open to Tennessee as a permanent business location. For more information, visit UT Research Park.

The West End Home Foundation is seeking applications from organizations to enhance the quality of life for older adults. Donor Name: West end Home Foundation State: Tennessee County: Cheatham County (TN), Davidson County (TN), Robertson County (TN), Rutherford County (TN), Sumner County (TN), Williamson County (TN), Wilson County (TN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The West End Home Foundation is dedicated to helping support and sustain a comprehensive system of care for older adults in Middle Tennessee. The broad spectrum of programs that benefit each year address one of the key impact areas: Advocacy – legal assistance and education for issues related to aging and advocacy for new or expanded initiatives to ensure a comprehensive system of care for older adults Enrichment and Socialization – opportunities for meaningful social interaction and lifelong learning Food and Nutrition – services such as groceries, home-delivered and congregate meals to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable older adults Healthcare – primary health care including diagnosis and treatment of chronic and critical conditions, oral health care and behavioral health services Housing – home repair and safety modifications, rent and utility assistance and access to appropriate housing solutions to facilitate safe and affordable housing Transportation – safe and affordable transportation to ensure that older adults have access to needed services and have opportunities to remain engaged in community life Wellness and Supportive Care – prevention, wellness and in-home supportive services to promote and sustain healthy aging Special Projects – other initiatives that complement and enhance the mission of The West End Home Foundation. The West End Home Foundation administers a competitive grants process that carefully evaluates each request in light of identified community needs, resources available, impact on target population, agency capacity and success in delivering the highest quality of service with demonstrated outcomes. Types of Grants Awarded: Program – funding to support implementation of a specific program or project. Projects may be new or ongoing. Capital – funding to support a capital investment in agency infrastructure such as equipment, technology, facility maintenance or facility acquisition/expansion Annual – all grants are awarded for a period of one year. Eligibility Criteria  To Be Eligible for Funding, Applicants Must: Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Provide services that align with the WEHF mission. Priority consideration is given to projects specifically designed to meet the unique needs of adults age 60 and older. Demonstrate capacity to deliver services that achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes Provide services in one or more of the following middle Tennessee counties: Cheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson. For more information, visit West End Home Foundation.

Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget ae NOT requested at this time.Project Title: Environmental Contaminants Exposure from Streams to Terrestrial Foodwebs and T Bat Vulnerability at Arnold Air Base, Tennessee.Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential organizations for this project. Approximately $227,000 is expected to be available to support this project for the base period. No additional funding will be available for optional tasks and/or follow on work in subsequent years.Brief Description of Anticipated work: See attached Statement of Objectives.Period of Performance:Base Period: 24 months from date of award.Please send responses or direct questions to:Maria LopezGrants SpecialistUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: [email protected]: 817-886-1881Kelsee CrawleyProject ManagerUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: [email protected] for Review of Statements of Interest: RSOIs are required to be posted on www.Grants.gov for 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals.

The City of Germantown is excited to announce the Neighborhood Grants Program. Donor Name: City of Germantown State: Tennessee City: Germantown Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of Germantown has a program to support neighborhood leaders as they engage their neighbors, beautify their surroundings, improve resident communications and increase a sense of well-being in their neighborhoods.  To that end, Germantown’s Neighborhood Grants Program supports Germantown homeowner and neighborhood associations by providing grants for projects that fall under one of the following categories: Engagement Projects that bring neighbors together for fellowship and recreation Examples: block/cove parties, movie nights, food trucks, face painting, youth projects, neighborhood festivals, etc. Communications Projects that increase the effectiveness of neighborhood organizations Examples: website development, newsletter development, flyers, printing costs, mailers, association establishment, governance training for neighborhood leaders, etc. Beautification Projects that enhance or improve public areas Examples: holiday decorations, common area landscaping, neighborhood art projects, HOA/entry signs, gardening supplies, decorative street sign funds, etc. Safety Projects that increase a sense of safety and well-being Examples: Germantown Night Out, health and wellness seminars, spotlights, Neighborhood Watch awareness, emergency preparedness, Flock (license plate reading) cameras, etc. Funding Information Two maximum awards of $5,000 each will be awarded per grant period. Additional microgrants ranging from $500 to $1,000 will be awarded until the allotted $25,000 per fiscal year has been reached. Eligibility Criteria Applying neighborhood organizations must be established with elected leaders and bylaws Applicants must submit an IRS W-9 form with their application. Program Requirements Applications must be legible; typed is appreciated. Only one grant application per neighborhood association will be accepted. Grants must be used for public purposes only. Proposals must be drafted and approved by the neighborhood or homeowners association. All grant funds must be used by June 30, 2025. The association must provide receipts after the project or event. Any unused funds must be returned to the City. If the grant is used for an event, the event must be documented with photos and a sign-in sheet. The event must take place within the designated neighborhood. Events must be free of charge and open to everyone without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law. All receipts and documentation must be returned to the City within 30 days of the project or event’s completion. Grant funds may not be used to purchase weapons or alcohol. For more information, visit City of Germantown.

The Downtown Johnson City Facade Improvement Grant Program is to provide incentives to improve the facades of buildings within the Redevelopment District of Downtown Johnson City, with a priority within the Historic Overlay District. Donor Name: Johnson City Development Authority State: Tennessee City: Johnson City Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: All Time Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: By improving the appearance of building facades, the program serves to increase the economic viability of this area, improved aesthetics, increase property values, enhance the marketability of space within the buildings, eliminate blight, and draw businesses and residents to the area. The Downtown Johnson City Facade Grant Improvement Program is administered by the Johnson City Development Authority and is supported through the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program. Conforming commercial and mixed-use properties located in the Historic Overlay District are eligible for the façade improvement program.  Examples of Eligible Activities Masonry repairs and repointing bricks; Repair/replace/preserve historically significant architectural details; Storefront reconstruction; Removal of false façade; Cornice repair; Exterior painting and stucco; Awnings and canopies; Window and door repair or replacement; Permanent exterior lighting; Repair/replacement of gutters and down spouts; Permanent exterior signage integrated into the design; Visible roof repairs in conjunction with structural improvements; Decking and stairs; and Visible electrical, mechanical equipment enclosures Eligibility Criteria In order to be eligible for a facade grant, applicants must receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City’s Historic Zoning Commission or receive preapproval from the City’s Planning Division staff. In addition to design criteria, the Planning Division will determine if the use of the building conforms to the use requirements for the zoning district in which the property is located. Furthermore, the application must submit their proposed renovations to the JCDA and receive approval prior to commencing the renovations. The level of funding for each grant will be based upon the availability of funds and the impact of the project upon the Redevelopment District. Eligible properties will be considered for reimbursement at 50% of the costs of renovations associated with eligible facade improvements to the primary facade of the building and 25% of the costs of renovations on side of the buildings that are street facing. Re-imbursement will be capped at $10,000 per application for eligible facade improvements to single-faced buildings. For buildings with multiple street facing facades, up to an additional $5,000 may be awarded. Larger grants may be awarded for projects that show substantial economic impact, including job creation and sales tax generation in the downtown area. Grants will be evaluated and awarded on a case-by-case basis and may be denied for any reason. Additional Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be current on all taxes, mortgages, and insurance for the proposed project site. Property owners who are licensed general contractors must provide a second quote from a licensed contractor in order to be eligible. Projects that have been approved but have failed to commence within six (6) months of the approval date must reapply. For more information, visit JCDA.