STEM and Basic Needs Funding from American Electric Power Foundation
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) charities, government entities, and qualifying foundations in Tennessee can receive support for STEM education, basic needs like hunger and housing, and social justice initiatives. American Electric Power Foundation funds organizations within its service territory or with broader regional or national reach that benefit the public, environment, or AEP customers.
American Electric Power Foundation
Tennessee Community Development Funding via US Bancorp Foundation
Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on economic and workforce advancement, affordable housing, or community arts and culture can access funding through US Bancorp Foundation’s Community Possible Grant Program. Organizations addressing work, home, and play, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and serving designated U.S. Bank communities may be especially competitive, including those with public policy-related programming.
US Bancorp Foundation
Youth and Child Welfare Funding from Dan Paul Foundation
501(c)(3) nonprofits serving youth and children’s health, education, development, or welfare can apply for Dan Paul Foundation grants, with awards up to US $15,000. Organizations in Tennessee working on child advocacy, homelessness, poverty, refugee enrichment, or environmental responsibility programs may be eligible for support that complements their public policy efforts.
The Dan Paul Foundation
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Grants for Tennessee Social Impact
Early-stage, impact-first nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits in Tennessee tackling major social or environmental challenges can access funding and support from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. Grants up to Up to US $300,000 over three years back scalable, systems-focused solutions benefiting underserved communities, which may include organizations whose work intersects with public policy and civic systems.
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
Tech-Enabled Social Impact Funding from Cisco
Nonprofits and NGOs using technology for crisis response, education access, economic empowerment, or climate resilience programs serving mostly economically underserved communities in Tennessee and beyond can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Cisco Systems Foundation supports innovative, early-stage solutions rather than ongoing operations or individual assistance.
Cisco Systems Foundation
Community Development Grants for Nonprofits from PNC Foundation
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on early childhood education or community and economic development in Tennessee communities where PNC operates can seek funding for programs serving low- and moderate-income residents. PNC Foundation supports initiatives such as early learning, affordable housing, small business support, neighborhood revitalization, arts, and essential human services that may complement public policy efforts.
PNC Foundation
Health and Human Services Funding from Semnani Family Foundation
Nonprofit organizations providing health, education, or humanitarian services to marginalized communities in Tennessee and worldwide can access funding through Semnani Family Foundation. The foundation supports programs such as healthcare access, disaster relief, child welfare, women’s and children’s health, and social services, and Tennessee-based groups with related public policy work may be eligible.
Semnani Family Foundation
Tennessee Social Services Funding via Gupta Family
Applications due Jul 31, 2026
Non-sectarian human and social service nonprofits working to help disadvantaged people become self-reliant, including those in Tennessee, can seek US $5,000 - US $250,000 for programs addressing poverty, disability, social exclusion, or disaster relief. With a mission to support focused interventions, Gupta Family Foundation prioritizes smaller 501(c)(3)s and qualifying foreign entities operating in select countries.
Gupta Family Foundation
Accessibility and Arts Funding from South Arts
Applications due Sep 4, 2026
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations, government units, and tribal communities in Tennessee can receive US $500 - US $2,500 to make arts programs more accessible for people with disabilities, including facility and program enhancements. South Arts provides support for activities like accessible materials, interpretation services, transportation, and accessibility planning, which may benefit groups engaged in public policy-related arts initiatives.
South Arts, Inc.
Equity Initiatives Funding for Nonprofits from Dow Company Foundation
Applications due Sep 5, 2026
Nonprofit and charitable organizations in Tennessee counties serving Black youth and adults can seek up to US $10,000 for social, economic, or environmental initiatives that address community-identified needs. Grants from Dow Company Foundation help advance equitable opportunities and may support public policy or systems-change work benefiting Black communities where Dow operates.
Dow Company Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation Support for Youth Gifts
Applications due Sep 17, 2026
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government units, educational institutions, and fiscally sponsored groups in Tennessee can receive US $2,000 - US $10,000 to provide holiday gifts for under-resourced children. East Tennessee Foundation’s Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund supports youth in Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Morgan, Scott, and Union counties, which may benefit public policy-focused organizations serving these communities.
East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation Support for Capacity Building
Applications due Sep 30, 2026
Nonprofits, government units, and educational institutions serving East Tennessee communities can seek up to US $25,000 for collaborative capacity-building projects that strengthen operations, finances, data systems, and programs. With a mission to strengthen communities, East Tennessee Foundation provides Tennessee public policy and community-focused organizations with support to improve sustainability, partnerships, and long-term impact.
East Tennessee Foundation
Tennessee Community Programs Funding via Georgia-Pacific Foundation
Applications due Oct 31, 2026
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and qualified government entities in Tennessee communities near Georgia-Pacific manufacturing facilities can apply for Georgia-Pacific Foundation grants supporting education, environment, entrepreneurship, and community enrichment. Public policy organizations may be eligible if their programs advance long-term well-being and sustainability in these Georgia-Pacific communities.
Georgia-Pacific Foundation
Youth and Basic Needs Grants from TJX Foundation
Letter of inquiry due Oct 31, 2026
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting basic needs, at-risk youth, or domestic violence services near TJX locations in Tennessee can seek program funding that helps vulnerable families and children. The TJX Foundation supports initiatives such as food, clothing, shelter, out-of-school enrichment, and workforce readiness, which may benefit Tennessee groups engaged in community and public policy-related work.
The Tjx Foundation Inc
Lawrence Foundation Support for Tennessee Programs
Applications due Nov 1, 2026
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Tennessee can seek US $5,000 - US $10,000 in unrestricted operating or program support for environmental, human services, disaster relief, or other qualifying work. With a mission to support environmental and human services causes, Lawrence Foundation provides flexible funding that may benefit organizations engaged in public policy-related efforts.
Lawrence Foundation
Tennessee Arts Commission Support for Rural Hospitals
Letter of inquiry due Nov 15, 2026
Rural Tennessee hospitals and 501(c)(3) or local government entities partnering with them can receive up to US $25,000 to create or expand arts-based health and wellness programming. Tennessee Arts Commission funding supports projects like murals, meditation gardens, exhibitions, and artist-led classes, which may benefit organizations integrating arts into community health and public policy efforts.
Tennessee Arts Commission
Tennessee Rural Arts Facilities Funding via Tennessee Arts Commission
Applications due Jan 21, 2027
Local governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations in rural Tennessee counties can receive up to US $200,000 to build, renovate, or expand arts and cultural facilities. Grants from Tennessee Arts Commission help communities improve stages, galleries, museums, and accessibility, which may support public policy goals around rural development and cultural participation.
Tennessee Arts Commission
Dr Scholl Foundation Grants for Tennessee Nonprofits
Letter of inquiry due Jan 31, 2027
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee seeking program support in education, social services, health care, civic and cultural initiatives, or environmental work can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000. Grants from Dr Scholl Foundation help U.S. organizations with one year of project funding through an annual October–March application cycle.
Dr Scholl Foundation
Artist Fellowship Funding from Tennessee Arts Commission
Applications due Feb 3, 2027
Professional artists in Tennessee can receive unrestricted fellowship funding to support their ongoing creative work across craft, media, visual, dance, music, theatre, and literary arts. Focused on strengthening the arts ecosystem, Tennessee Arts Commission awards $5,000 fellowships that may benefit artists whose work intersects with public policy or civic and community issues.
Tennessee Arts Commission
East Tennessee Foundation Grants for Tennessee Youth
Applications due Feb 13, 2027
Tennessee nonprofits, government units, and fiscally sponsored groups serving women, children, and youth in Knox County can seek funding for early childhood education, health drivers, and ACEs prevention projects. Knox County public policy or systems-focused initiatives that improve these outcomes may be eligible for up to US $20,000 from East Tennessee Foundation’s Mount Rest Fund.
East Tennessee Foundation
US $100,000 - US $150,000
Youth Mental Health Funding for Nonprofits from Cigna Foundation
Pre proposal due Mar 12, 2027
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing youth mental health can apply for US $100,000 - US $150,000 from Cigna Foundation to expand evidence-informed programs for ages 5–18. With a mission to improve health and vitality, it supports school and community-based efforts in Tennessee and select states that build social-emotional skills and increase access to care.
CIGNA Foundation
Chick Fil A Foundation Grants for Community Programs
Applications due May 1, 2027
Tennessee public policy and community-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on youth development, housing, food security, or environmental stewardship can access funding through Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards. Grants of US $30,000 - US $350,000 support programs for underserved youth and families, including education, hunger relief, housing services, and community or environmental initiatives.
Chick Fil A Foundation Inc
Community Development Fellowships from NCRC
Applications due May 8, 2027
Graduate students in urban planning, policy, public administration, economics, or related fields can receive US $20,000 fellowships to work on housing, small business, and workforce development projects with community organizations, including in Tennessee. Tennessee public policy and community development groups may apply as host organizations to partner with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and mentor a Student Fellow.
National Community Reinvestment Coalition Inc
East Tennessee Foundation Youth Grants in Tennessee
Applications due May 12, 2027
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government units, and educational institutions serving youth in Tennessee can access funding through East Tennessee Foundation’s Youth Endowment Fund. Grants up to US $20,000 over two years support early childhood education, drivers of health, and prevention or mitigation of Adverse Childhood Experiences in its 25-county service area, benefiting youth-focused public policy efforts.
East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation Support for Economic Development
Applications due May 29, 2027
Nonprofits, government units, and educational institutions in East Tennessee can receive $5,000 - $6,500 for charitable and economic programs that foster regional economic development. East Tennessee Foundation supports economic services and development across its 25-county service area, and public policy organizations working on economic issues in Tennessee may be eligible.
East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation Grants for Tennessee Literacy
Applications due Sep 15, 2027
With a mission to strengthen communities, East Tennessee Foundation provides Tennessee nonprofits, government units, and educational institutions with up to US $50,000 for innovative life literacy projects serving Washington County residents. Programs may address education, health, financial literacy, life skills, or civic engagement, and must show unmet needs, measurable impact, matching funds, and a sustainability plan.
East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation Arts Grants in Tennessee
Applications due Feb 27, 2028
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government units, educational institutions, and fiscally sponsored groups in East Tennessee can apply for East Tennessee Foundation’s Arts Fund for $5,000 - $15,000 to support arts and cultural programming. Public policy organizations that use arts to engage communities or underserved populations in Tennessee may be eligible.
East Tennessee Foundation