Best Affordable Housing Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

Nonprofit 501(c) or 170(c) organizations in Tennessee working on equitable and affordable housing and related community development can access matching gift funding via Regions Bank’s Matching Gifts Program. Eligible charities must fall within Regions’ footprint and may benefit when full-time associates or recent retirees request matches for their tax-deductible donations.

Nonprofit 501(c) or 170(c) organizations working on equitable and affordable housing in Tennessee can access matching gift funding through Regions Bank, via its recent retirees. Regions will match eligible monetary donations of $25 or more, up to US $1,000 per retiree annually, for organizations within its footprint that meet program criteria.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee working on equitable and affordable housing, homeownership, or supportive housing and shelters may be eligible for this program, which also values leadership by people of color. Grants from US Bancorp Foundation help advance safe, affordable housing alongside related economic and community development efforts.

Nonprofit and other eligible rental housing developers in Tennessee can receive US $300,000 - US $1,500,000 to construct or acquire and rehabilitate affordable rental housing. Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s HOME Rental Housing Development Program supports equitable, affordable housing projects that expand safe, stable rental options for low-income residents across the state.

Nonprofits and agencies providing homelessness and housing stability services in Tennessee can seek funding to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness quickly regain stable permanent housing. Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s Emergency Solutions Grant offers US $35,000 - US $125,000 for activities such as shelters, supportive housing, crisis intervention, and related affordable housing services.

Nonprofit and public agencies in Tennessee developing or preserving affordable rental housing for low- and very-low income households, seniors, people with disabilities, and other special needs populations can apply for Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s competitive grants, awarding US $200,000 - US $600,000. Funding supports new construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, or conversion of rental units serving households at or below 80% of area median income.

Nonprofit or local partner agencies in Tennessee can access funding to provide emergency home repairs for low-income elderly or disabled homeowners. Focused on critical health and safety issues, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s Emergency Repair Program funds urgent fixes to roofs, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural components, windows, doors, and accessibility needs, with awards up to US $24,999.

Nonprofit, community-based rural organizations focused on grassroots organizing for social, economic, environmental, or housing justice in Tennessee and other Southeastern states can seek general or project support. Focused on equitable and affordable housing and related justice issues, Southern Partners Fund invites 501(c)(3) groups with budgets under or over $350,000 to apply, following its specific budget rules.

Adam R Scripps Foundation

Adam Scripps lived a life of humble generosity, helping to improve the lives of others without seeking recognition or fanfare for himself. The family-run Adam R. Scripps Foundation, established posthumously in 2023, allocates millions annually to his cherished causes like animal welfare and community development, with grants overseen by his relatives to honor his legacy.

Honoring Adam’s legacy, we make grants to collaborate, provide support and build resources that create opportunities and transformative pathways. For generations to come, we will improve lives and transform communities because we are a leader in family philanthropy. We value helping communities create lasting change. We do this through compassion, love of neighbor, humility, and generosity.

Self-Sufficiency Grant

Self-sufficiency is not just crucial for individuals; it’s also vital to the communities in which they live. As Adam did in his lifetime, his foundation will focus on initiatives to address employment, food insecurity, housing/homelessness, and critical human needs.

• Housing Access
  • Housing instability can negatively affect job security, academic performance, and physical and mental health.
  • Programs designed to help keep people in stable homes, including emergency shelter, rental assistance programs, transitional housing, and subsidized housing units, can help combat housing instability and promote self-sufficiency. 
• Food Insecurity
  • Persistent poverty in communities increases food insecurity and threatens child welfare.
  • Children deserve full plates and a system (beyond the child welfare bureaucracy) that will fight for them. Recognizing their importance to stability and eventually mobility, we support programs that meet the unique needs of children in vulnerable situations, address the needs of their caregivers and provide consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. 
• Employment Barriers
  • Barriers to employment have detrimental impacts on individuals and families.
  • Economic development programming focused on business growth, job creation, entrepreneurship, financial well-being, job readiness, and stable employment will be embraced by the foundation because of their lasting benefits to individuals, families and communities.

AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation strengthens financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems.

AARP empowers people to choose how they live as they age. There are 125 million Americans who are 50 or older, and people want their money, health and happiness to last as long as they do. We are a wise friend and fierce defender, focusing on the priorities of older Americans.

Purpose Prize® from AARP

Honoring extraordinary people 50-plus who put their purpose into action.

Purpose is a powerful force for good. The Purpose Prize from AARP honors extraordinary older Americans who put their purpose into action to support AARP’s mission of empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Winners receive $75,000 and a year of organizational support from AARP to grow the impact of their nonprofits. Examples of organizational support include data and evaluation, governance and succession planning, fundraising strategy, and prospectus development.

RRCU Gives Foundation Grant

Mission Statement:

RRCU Gives strengthens our region by providing meaningful financial support to nonprofits addressing hunger, housing, and financial education. Through our annual grant awards and major funding initiatives, we help local organizations grow, thrive, and create lasting change.

 We award grants annually, with applications in June and awards in August.

Focus Areas

• Hunger
• Housing
• Financial Education

Crown Automotive Charities/Hawkins Family Foundation Grant

The Crown Automotive Charities/Hawkins Family Foundation supports a wide range of non-profit initiatives, including healthcare, animal welfare, education, veterans' services, the arts, community and economic development, housing, and special needs. The Foundation primarily funds organizations in the communities where they operate: Chattanooga, Tennessee, Dublin/Columbus, Ohio, and the Tampa Bay area in Florida.

After an application is submitted, the review process usually takes four to six weeks. However, depending on the specifics of the request or if additional information is needed, the process may take longer.

There are two types of Applications: Grants; and Sponsorships.

Sponsorship Application

This is for requesting support for fundraising events or initiatives that include public visibility, recognition, or promotional opportunities (e.g., galas, golf tournaments, charity walks, benefit dinners). Sponsorships are typically event-based and may include logo placement or other marketing benefits.

The ROSS Rapid Response Program (RRP) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides expedited funding to assist communities in addressing urgent social needs. This program offers one-time cost-reimbursable grants for service coordination and direct services, especially in response to emergencies like natural disasters or public health crises. By streamlining the application process, the RRP empowers local leaders to efficiently support residents in HUD-assisted housing, promoting self-sufficiency and resilience.

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Opportunity

About RSVP

Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP engages people ages 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers tutor children, help prepare simple taxes, assist victims of natural disasters, provide nutrition/food support, facilitate opioid and substance abuse education workshops, and serve in their communities in many other ways. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week. While serving, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers improve their own lives by staying active and civically engaged. 

Funding Priorities

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programming is designed to meet community needs. Applicants may propose activities intended to address community needs by thoroughly explaining the unmet need and activities to be completed by volunteers to address that need. In addition, AmeriCorps is interested in programming that addresses agency priorities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP priorities for this funding opportunity are:

• Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers: Provide respite, support groups, system navigation, care coordination, and resources for older adults, including custodial grandparents, and caregivers.
• Helping Older Adults Re-enter the Workforce: Offer job readiness, mentoring, training, and remove barriers to employment for older adults (volunteers provide services, not seek jobs).
• Building Strong Families: Support parents in helping children succeed, mentor parents, connect families to resources, and strengthen community partnerships.
• Preventing and Mitigating Fraud and Scams: Use digital navigators and other strategies to protect older adults from financial fraud and exploitation, including emerging AI-driven scams.
• Reducing Homelessness: Develop or renovate affordable housing, assist people experiencing homelessness in finding and maintaining permanent housing, and address housing needs for vulnerable populations.
• Supporting Behavioral Health Initiatives: Improve mental health, reduce isolation, prevent substance use, provide harm reduction tools (Naloxone, fentanyl test strips), peer support, and recovery services.

Award Funding Requirements

Applicants must construct the budget in the following manner. The federal share of the budget must not exceed $75,000 plus up to $350 for every unduplicated volunteer, whether or not they serve in an outcome-based work plan. 

Nonprofit NCRC member organizations in Tennessee working on housing, small business, or workforce development projects can apply to host a National Community Reinvestment Coalition graduate fellow. This fellowship places a part-time, stipend-supported student to advance a compelling, real-world community development project, which may include equitable and affordable housing initiatives in low-wealth communities.

Graduate students in urban planning, policy, public administration, economics, or related fields can apply for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s eight‑month, part‑time fellowship, which provides a US $20,000 stipend for equitable community development projects. Tennessee affordable housing nonprofits may benefit by serving as host organizations for fellows working on housing, small business, or workforce development initiatives.

Tennessee local governments, public housing agencies, and their partners working on equitable, affordable housing can access funding through US HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing to implement comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans. These Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants, up to US $75,000,000, support transforming distressed public or HUD-assisted housing, improving resident outcomes, and revitalizing surrounding communities.

Tennessee nonprofits working on hunger relief, affordable housing, education, youth programs, or neighborhood enrichment can access funding through Wegmans Family Foundation to strengthen local families and communities. Support may include initiatives that expand access to wholesome food, improve housing stability and economic mobility, and provide safe, skill-building opportunities for children and youth.

National and local REALTOR associations in Tennessee can use this grant to educate members on fair housing, diversity, and anti-bias topics through classes, speakers, or book-club-style events. The National Association of Realtors provides up to US $3,000 via reimbursement, including support for At Home With Diversity and Bias Override courses, with one Level 1 grant per year.

Real estate associations and related groups in Tennessee can use this grant to educate REALTORS and the public about housing affordability through classes, forums, speakers, or stakeholder meetings. The National Association of Realtors’ REALTOR Party offers up to US $3,000 on a reimbursement basis, with one Level 1 Housing Opportunity Grant per association each year.

Nonprofit REALTOR associations and partners addressing affordable housing can use this grant to run housing forums, consumer-facing housing expos, or local housing studies in Tennessee and other eligible U.S. locations. With a mission to strengthen communities, National Association of Realtors provides up to US $7,500 in reimbursable support for one Level 2 Housing Opportunity project per year.

Realtor associations developing comprehensive real estate and housing projects can apply for up to US $15,000 from the National Association of Realtors to launch or expand initiatives. Focused on housing opportunity, this program invites associations, including those partnering with Tennessee affordable housing nonprofits or agencies, to work with at least one non-Realtor primary partner on high-impact, community-wide efforts.

Professional and semi-professional musicians, music industry workers, or their close family members facing serious medical or mental health conditions and financial hardship in Oregon or Clark County, Washington can receive living and medical expense support. Grants from The Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust help cover rent, utilities, and other essential costs, which may interest those focused on equitable and affordable housing stability.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities working on equitable and affordable housing and related basic human needs in Tennessee may be eligible for support, with a primary focus on programs serving greater Bridgeport, Connecticut. Elizabeth M Pfriem Foundation funds innovative, growth-ready initiatives that improve education, healthcare, food security, and housing stability for vulnerable children and families.

• Innovative: An approach that brings fresh thinking, tools, or models to homeownership in ways that challenge the status quo and demonstrate a disruptive, future-oriented vision with potential to inspire or shift broader field practice.
• Impactful: A solution with meaningful potential to expand homeownership through knowledge and action, featuring clear and measurable progress indicators that demonstrate capacity to shift trajectories for low- and moderate-income households.
• Bridge-Building: An initiative that effectively connects and unifies a wide range of stakeholders, fostering meaningful collaboration across sectors or perspectives. The strongest submissions will reflect strong community partnerships across the housing ecosystem.
• Durable: A sustainable pathway that addresses root causes of homeownership barriers rather than just symptoms, with compelling evidence of potential to elicit robust support from broad private, philanthropic, and public funding sources over time.

Ecolab Foundation

Ecolab Foundation is a philanthropic arm of Ecolab dedicated to advancing community well-being through programs that promote education, environmental stewardship, and public health. Its mission is to create positive social impact by supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and foster sustainable development.

The foundation’s primary areas of engagement include educational programs that enhance learning and workforce readiness, environmental projects that encourage conservation and sustainability, and health-related initiatives that improve hygiene and safety. It focuses on partnerships that deliver measurable benefits and long-term impact.

Ecolab Foundation operates primarily within the United States while also supporting global initiatives aligned with its corporate responsibility goals. Its geographic scope reflects a commitment to addressing local community needs and contributing to broader sustainability efforts.

The foundation collaborates with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community-based groups. It prioritizes partnerships that demonstrate strong governance, clear objectives, and alignment with its mission of education, health, and environmental responsibility.

Ecolab Match Program

Ecolab established the Volunteer and Community Relations programs to encourage and reward Ecolab employee and alumni involvement in the communities where people live and work. There are three programs including the Board Leadership Volunteer Grant.

Board Leadership Volunteer Grant

Ecolab will donate up to $500 USD annually to a qualifying 501(c)3 organization (some restrictions apply) for which an eligible person serves on the Board of Directors. 

Focus Areas of Giving

• Youth and Education: programs that promote youth development, particularly for programs that ensure all students are successful
• Civic & Community Development: affordable housing, work readiness, crisis assistance and hunger relief
• Environment & Conservation: hands-on environmental learning programs, environment and conservation organizations
• Arts & Culture: arts education for children and youth as well as support for museums and the performing arts

The Eviction Protection Grant Program (EPGP) aims to support low-income tenants facing eviction by offering competitive awards to around 16 nonprofit organizations and government entities. These grants will fund no-cost legal assistance, covering pretrial, trial, post-trial, and alternative dispute resolution services. The initiative, backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is designed to ensure that vulnerable tenants have access to essential legal resources, ultimately reducing eviction rates and promoting housing stability.