Tennessee Private Grants

This program provides funding for out-of-school arts initiatives that help underserved youth develop essential skills for success in education and careers through artistic engagement.

This grant provides funding for innovative arts education projects that engage diverse communities in hands-on learning experiences across various art forms outside of traditional school settings.

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 grant provides funding for nonprofit arts organizations, schools, and higher education institutions in Tennessee to conduct immersive professional development workshops focused on arts education and integration.

This program provides financial support to exceptional professional artists in Tennessee across various disciplines, enabling them to further their creative work and enhance the state's cultural landscape.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community and faith-based organizations in select Tennessee counties for innovative projects that promote health equity and address social determinants of health.

The Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund provides grants in support of gifts for children in Tennessee during the holiday season. Donor Name: East Tennessee Foundation State: Tennessee County: Campbell County (TN), Claiborne County (TN), Cocke County (TN), Grainger County (TN), Hamblen County (TN), Hancock County (TN), Hawkins County (TN), Morgan County (TN), Scott County (TN), Union County (TN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Funding Information Amounts will range from $5,000 to $10,000. The grant term is November 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria 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. Additional Eligibility Criteria specific to the Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund: Grants must provide support to children who are under-resourced and underserved. Children served must live in Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Morgan, Scott, or Union counties. Please note the following exceptions to the general eligibility requirements: Because Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund is a donor advised fund, applicant organizations are not required to provide their most recent financial statements and/or audit and/or IRS Form 990; current year operating budget; or list of current board of directors. The following types of requests will not be funded Check eligibility requirements specific to each competitive grant program for variations. Grants to individuals. We are restricted by law and therefore unable to provide grants directly to individuals. Projects that have explicit religious content, express a particular religious view, or advance a religious purpose Debt retirement or budget deficits Endowment funds or general fundraising campaigns Capital campaigns. For more information, visit ETF.

The Women’s Fund, an endowment fund within the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is dedicated to fund long-term solutions to transform the lives of women and girls in Middle Tennessee. Donor Name: Community Foundation Middle Tennessee State: Tennessee County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Women’s Fund grants are classified as unrestricted operating support. Funds may be used at the discretion of the organization to cover any costs necessary to carry out its core mission and programs within one of The Women’s Fund focus areas. The Women’s Fund is prioritizing supporting organizations whose total operating budget is less than $3,000,000, however, those above that amount are still eligible to apply. Funding Goals Increase Economic self-sufficiency for women; Improve strategies for the prevention of violence against women and girls; Promotion of health, well-being, and talent of women and girls. Funding Information The Women’s Fund maximum grant award will be $20,000 for organizations 3 years or older. Organizations under 3 years old may request up to a maximum of $5,000. Grant Period December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025. For more information, visit CFMT.

The Community Foundation Middle Tennessee provides grants to support organizations that provide the necessary care and resources to care for animals across Middle Tennessee. Donor Name: Community Foundation Middle Tennessee State: Tennessee County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Funding Goals Increase free or low-cost spay/neuter services and educational programming on the effects of pet overpopulation Sponsor retention programs that would help keep pets in low-income homes. Provide a safe and healthy home for a pet available for adoption Promote education and the humane treatment of animals through animal adoptions, injured animal rescue, and the use of animals for therapeutic services for people. Funding Information Nonprofits may request grants up to a maximum of $15,000. Grant Period December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025. For more information, visit CFMT.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is seeking applications for its Lillian Ashley Fund. Donor Name: Community Foundation Middle Tennessee State: Tennessee County: Coffee County (TN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Lillian Ashley, a Manchester, Tennessee native, lived a wonderful life filled with extensive travel, but Lillian always wanted to give back to the community she loved. She created this endowment to benefit the children, animals, and the environment and conservation efforts of Coffee County. Funding Goals Support for the wellbeing of children and youth; Provide for the care and welfare of animals, and; Support environment and conservation efforts. Funding Information Nonprofits may request grants up to a maximum of $15,000. Grant Period December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities or may be entities of government (i.e., libraries, departments, etc.). For more information, visit CFMT.

The Sports Fund exists to help ensure that children across this community can become part of a team. Donor Name: Community Foundation Middle Tennessee State: Tennessee Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Organizations with programming using a team approach such as sports and troupes which provide children and youth with a sense of belonging and hope, particularly in the critical afterschool hours, are eligible to apply for funding from the Sports Fund. Funding Goals Organizations with programs using a team approach which provide children and youth with a sense of belonging and hope. Funding Information Nonprofits may request grants up to a maximum of $5,000. Grant Period December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities or may be entities of government (i.e., libraries, departments, etc.). For more information, visit CFMT.

The Community Foundation for Dickson County supports local nonprofits to address unmet needs within Dickson County. Donor Name: Community Foundation for Dickson County State: Tennessee County: Dickson County (TN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Foundation serves as an endowment that will benefit the community in perpetuity. At the onset, The Community Foundation for Dickson County selected three categories to address: improved education, invigorated leadership, and an enhanced quality of life. Organizations that are located in Dickson County are welcome to apply for consideration of funding from the Community Foundation for Dickson County.  Funding Goals Support for environmental efforts; Support the needs of youth and the elderly, and; Preservation of historical places in the Dickson County. Organizations located in Dickson County are welcome to apply for consideration of funding from the Community Foundation for Dickson County. Funding Information Nonprofits may request grants up to a maximum of $5,000. Grant Period December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities or must be entities of government (i.e., libraries, departments, etc.). For more information, visit CFMT.

The Community Foundation of Rutherford County awards grants to promote the betterment of Rutherford and Cannon Counties and provides a way to make lasting gifts for the benefit of nonprofits in the community. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Rutherford County State: Tennessee County: Cannon County (TN), Rutherford County (TN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Organizations located in Rutherford and Cannon Counties are welcome to apply for consideration of funding from the Community Foundation of Rutherford County. Funding Information  Nonprofits may request grants up to a maximum of $5,000. Grant Period December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities or must be entities of government (i.e., libraries, departments, etc.). For more information, visit CFMT.

Applications are now being accepted for the Bellevue Community Foundation Grant. Donor Name: Community Foundation Middle Tennessee State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: In 2007, the Bellevue Community Fund was established in association with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee with a goal to grow the fund and create a pool of charitable dollars to support programs serving the Bellevue Community. In 2020, the name evolved to become the Bellevue Community Foundation, an organization committed to working in collaboration with like-minded civic organizations in Bellevue. Organizations located in the Bellevue area (37221 zip code) are welcome to apply for consideration for funding from the Bellevue Community Foundation. Funding Information Nonprofits may request grants up to a maximum of $5,000.  Grant Period December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities or may be entities of government (i.e., libraries, departments, etc.). For more information, visit CFMT.

The Bonnaroo Works Fund aims to grow its support of nonprofits that are changing the world through social impact and human development. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Bonnaroo Works Fund is administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and all proposals or inquiries should be directed to that organization. Program interests include, but are not limited to: education, music and arts programs for children or communities, protection of the environment and environment sustainability, and the arts & humanities. The Fund generally does not support: endowment programs, fundraising events, annual appeals of well-established organizations, or grants to individuals or religious or political causes. Funding Information The average grant allocation is between $1,000 and $10,000. Eligibility Criteria Grants are made to tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and to government agencies without regard to factors of race, religion, sex or national origin. To complete this application you will need: Complete organizational information, including Grant Contact and Executive Director Information Detailed project information including detailed description, amount requested, total project budget, and timeline Detailed project implementation narrative, including how success of your efforts will be measured Information about future funding plans A completed and attached Project Budget Form Required organizational documentation. For more information, visit CFMT.

This grant provides financial support to organizations and initiatives that improve the economic, social, cultural, and educational quality of life for residents in Monroe County.

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 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.