Best Memphis Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

The ArtsFirst Grants, sponsored by the First Horizon Foundation and ARTSmemphis, support local 501c3 arts organizations in Shelby County that promote artistic excellence. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $30,000 and can be used for general operating support, project support, sponsorship, and capital campaigns. Organizations must have a minimum three-year history of quality arts programming and an active board. This funding aims to strengthen community arts initiatives and enrich cultural engagement.

The Positively Memphis Community Grant supports nonprofits in the Mid-South, offering grants between $1,000 and $25,000 for initiatives that drive positive change. The program, linked to the FedEx St. Jude Championship, focuses on empowering organizations that align with community needs. Quarterly applications prioritize specific focus areas, ensuring targeted support to maximize impact. This grant aims to strengthen the Memphis community through collaborative efforts and meaningful engagement.

Detroit HBCU Scholarship Endowment

This generous Detroit HBCU Scholarship provides need-based awards to support students who are in one of the eligible zip codes of Detroit.

The purpose of the Detroit HBCU Scholarship Endowment Fund is to provide 1 (one) annual, renewable, and need-based scholarships up to $5,000 (five-thousand dollars) to students graduating from a high school with a Detroit address or students transferring from a metro-Detroit community college to attend a partner HBCU.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on improving economic mobility and social progress through partnerships with nonprofits. It prioritizes basic needs, income creation, stable housing, and community empowerment. By supporting vulnerable populations, the foundation aims to enable individuals to achieve their goals and contribute positively to their communities. The foundation emphasizes sustainable progress, ensuring that all community members have access to essential resources and opportunities for growth.

The Positively Memphis Community Grant supports nonprofit organizations in the Memphis area, providing funding between $1,000 and $25,000 for initiatives that promote health, wellness, and sports. This grant aims to empower organizations that align with the mission of creating positive change and strengthening the Mid-South community. Applications are accepted quarterly, focusing on various priority areas to address community needs effectively.

Delta Workforce Grant Program

The Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP) is an initiative designed to build long-term community capacity and increase economic competitiveness by providing grants to support workforce training and education programs throughout the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

DWP supports projects and initiatives that create a more vibrant economic future for the Delta region by expanding opportunities to recruit, train, and retain a diverse and local workforce; aligning workforce and economic development strategies; creating sustainable talent pipelines; establishing or enhancing locally/regionally significant sector-based partnerships; and supporting enhanced workforce productivity through investments in innovative programming or services.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Memphis, Tennessee can apply for Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Stable Housing and Empowering Communities funding to support basic needs, income creation, affordable housing, and community development. Organizations serving low- and moderate-income residents with housing stability and broader community revitalization programs in eligible local markets may benefit.

The Steel Dynamics Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community quality of life and local economies by supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Priorities include higher education, economic development, and human services, particularly in communities where Steel Dynamics operates. Grants are awarded based on community impact, employee involvement, and organizational integrity. Applicants must demonstrate a strong ethical track record and effective community engagement to qualify for funding opportunities.

Foot Locker Foundation, Inc-UNCF Scholarship

Foot Locker Foundation, Inc. has partnered with UNCF to fund this scholarship program for students attending a UNCF member college or university during the 2026-2027 school year.

Foot Locker Foundation works to improve upward mobility to build a more equitable and inclusive future through education, economic development and community empowerment. For nearly twenty years, it has partnered with leading organizations helping to mobilize and uplift local communities. 

When applying, a UNCF member school will appear in the drop down options in the application. 

Completed application packages include: transcript, essay, and one letter of recommendation from a faculty member, employer or other community member familiar with your academic performance. All information will be submitted in the appropriate section of the online application.

Individual Award

• Up to $5,000.00

The FedEx St. Jude Championship offers an equipment grant to Memphis nonprofit organizations with 501(c)3 status, aimed at supporting local athletes in their golf pursuits. This initiative promotes equity and access to the sport, ensuring that all equipment provided is used solely for the intended programs. By focusing on under-resourced communities, the grant encourages participation in golf, fostering a love for the game and helping to develop young athletes in the region.

Focused on basic needs, health, education, and civic initiatives, this program invites Memphis, Tennessee 501(c)(3) organizations in Shelby County to seek support for community-focused services. Valero Energy Foundation funds nonprofits near its major operations, so Memphis-area groups addressing these priority areas may be eligible for invitation-only grants.

The Ferguson Cares Grant is an essential aspect of Ferguson's Sustainability strategy, focusing on social challenges and community wellbeing. This grant supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. dedicated to affordable housing, skilled trades workforce development, clean water access, and enhancing local economic quality of life. Ferguson aims to create lasting partnerships that drive positive impact within their operational regions, reflecting their commitment to social responsibility and community support.

Undergraduate students from Memphis, Tennessee attending accredited HBCUs can receive up to US $5,000 to support their higher education costs through this scholarship program. With a mission to advance Black student success, United Negro College Fund partners with the NBA Foundation to assist eligible Bay Area and designated county residents, including those in Shelby County, Tennessee.

The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is offering a Mini Tech Skills Workshop Grant to support local and national non-profits in providing STEAM skills workshops for youth aged 13-19. These workshops, which include topics such as coding, filmmaking, and robotics, aim to enhance technical skills and career exploration. Funding can reach up to $24,999, with a focus on hands-on, facilitator-led experiences, and additional programming opportunities may be considered.

Undergraduate music majors at UNCF member institutions, including those from Memphis, Tennessee (Shelby County), can apply for the Joe Williams Music Scholarship, with awards up to US $6,000 for the 2025–2026 academic year. Eligible students must be full-time, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and major in visual and performing arts.

Academy Sports + Outdoors, a leading sporting goods retailer, supports community initiatives by providing donations to registered 501(c)(3) organizations. Their focus is on promoting safety and responsibility in sports and outdoor activities. Proposals must foster community engagement and must not be affiliated with religious or political groups. Events should take place in areas with Academy stores, ensuring a positive local impact while encouraging active lifestyles and connection among community members.

Memphis, Tennessee educators and school-based professionals can access funding through Leaders Education Foundation to support K-12 classroom projects, teacher appreciation initiatives, and professional development. Eligible public and private K-12 schools, technical schools, colleges, and universities in West Tennessee may receive support for books, STEM/STEAM projects, virtual learning, or other educational opportunities.

The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis offers Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants to enhance the organizational health of nonprofits in the Mid-South. These one-time financial grants, averaging $15,000 with a total of $210,000 available, are for projects that improve governance and management, rather than direct programming. Organizations must raise matching funds dollar-for-dollar to leverage additional resources. Eligibility requires a reviewed profile on LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org and meeting specific operational criteria.

Memphis, Tennessee medical students interested in clinical research and community health can access funding through the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation’s Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program. Eligible 1st–3rd year MD, MD/PhD, DO, or DO/PhD students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds receive a US $7,500 stipend for a 6-week, in-person externship in community-based clinical research organizations.

Memphis, Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in education, community development, arts, public spaces, or civic leadership can access funding through Hyde Family Foundations to strengthen local programs and impact. Eligible U.S.-based organizations must serve Memphis or influence Tennessee statewide policy, with priority for initiatives that build a thriving, unified Memphis.

The Neighborhood Builders Program, supported by Bank of America, empowers 501(c)(3) nonprofits through a two-year leadership development initiative. Participants receive funding, training, and networking opportunities to enhance their impact in communities. Since its inception, the program has invested over $346 million, training more than 4,000 leaders. The initiative focuses on advancing social mobility and economic opportunities, ensuring affordable housing, and fostering resilient communities. This program is vital for nonprofits aiming to strengthen their leadership and community engagement.

The TAC Arts Project Support grant provides funding for diverse arts projects that enhance community vitality in urban areas. Eligible applicants, including Tennessee-based nonprofit organizations and local government entities, must match the requested grant amount dollar-for-dollar. Projects may encompass various art forms such as visual arts, music, and theater, promoting engagement and accessibility. Applicants should carefully review ineligibility criteria to ensure their proposals align with the funding philosophy.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Memphis area can seek project or capital funding for health and wellness, education and youth development, community development, or arts access initiatives. Focused on community impact, Autozone Foundation invites Memphis, Tennessee nonprofits to apply for one-time grants that support inclusive, community-wide programs rather than general operating expenses.

Students from West Tennessee counties, including Memphis-area Shelby County, interested in aviation-related careers can receive scholarship support for college study. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee gives preference to applicants from Carroll County and nearby counties, helping high school graduates and other students pursue aviation education and training through the Walter Reece (Walt) Montgomery Scholarship Fund.

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

Grants help Memphis, Tennessee municipal governments and eligible counties develop household hazardous waste collection facilities and infrastructure. Administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, funding supports permanent or temporary collection sites, storage buildings, safety equipment, signage, and operating and disposal reimbursement in line with the state’s 2015–2025 Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan.

Arts Build Communities

We are proud to partner with the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) to fund 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 in West Tennessee counties: Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton.

Overall, 12 designated agencies administer the Arts Build Communities (ABC) program on behalf of TAC in all 95 counties of the state. If your organization is new to ARTSmemphis grant applications, this grant is a great way to get started.