Best Franklin County Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

Non-traditional adult students pursuing higher education or GED programs and facing financial need can receive scholarship support for tuition and related costs in Franklin County, Tennessee and nearby counties. Focused on higher education access, the Foundation for Enhancing Communities invites applicants aged 22 or older who have overcome adversity to seek assistance through the TFEC Aspire to Rise Scholarship Fund.

Students pursuing a career in law with ties to eligible Central Indiana high schools can receive US $2,500 for tuition and related educational expenses, plus a paid summer internship. Grants from Central Indiana Community Foundation help Franklin County, Tennessee nonprofits identify scholarship-style support models that expand access to legal education and careers.

Armstrong County Community Foundation (The Community Foundation Serving the Heart of Western Pennsylvania)

In 1997 Merchants National Bank, an Armstrong County community bank, marked its 100th anniversary. The centennial celebration included a unique expression of gratitude to the community in the form of $100,000 to be used as a seed fund to initiate a community foundation for Armstrong County. The bank challenged the community to keep the principal balance of the endowed funds intact and spend only a portion of the interest earnings to ensure a lasting legacy.

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Judy L. (Beveridge) Creel Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is established to honor the memory of Gary and Judy (Beveridge) Creel of East Franklin Township, Armstrong County.

Gary, the son of Clarence and Hally (Sharpe) Creel, was employed in the surface coal stripping industry and then owned and operated a retail tire sales business until his retirement. At the time of his passing, Gary was in the process of getting a patent approved for a canine orthopedic support device.

Judy, the daughter of Floyd "Ernie" and Dorothy (Reesman) Beveridge, was employed in the banking industry. In retirement, Judy designed tombstones/grave markers for both humans and pets. Judy also was a published author having written three books.

Gary and Judy met in high school and shared 55 years of marriage. Life was busy with work, family, and church responsibilities, but both found time to be there for others in their moment of need. Whether it was offering their time, professional skills or personal resources, their compassion was shared authentically and altruistically.

It is the desire of children, Marci and Ryan, to establish this scholarship to continue their parents' legacy of ordinary people doing what they could to help others, simply because it was the right thing to do. Matthew 6:3-4; James 2:15-17

Current public school teachers in Franklin County, Ohio pursuing a master’s degree or equivalency can receive US $1,000 toward graduate-level study. Focused on teacher development, The Columbus Foundation offers two scholarships for educators with at least two years’ experience enrolled in approved public or nonprofit U.S. colleges or universities.

Students pursuing higher education who are legal dependents of full-time Beistle Company employees, or graduates of Shippensburg-area high schools, can receive scholarship support for accredited college or graduate study. With a mission to strengthen communities, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities provides this aid, which may benefit Franklin County, Tennessee students meeting these criteria.

Students pursuing architecture degrees who are present or former residents of eligible Central Pennsylvania counties can apply for the Central PA Architects Foundation Fund Architecture Scholarship from The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. While not limited to Franklin County, Tennessee, local nonprofits supporting such students’ educational goals may find this scholarship relevant to their communities.

Franklin County students pursuing nursing degrees can apply for The Foundation for Enhancing Communities’ Gordon B. and Josephine Hewlett Memorial Scholarship to support undergraduate or, if needed, graduate study. Local 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Franklin County, Tennessee that advise or support nursing students may also find this scholarship relevant for their communities.

Franklin County, Tennessee students pursuing postsecondary vocational or trade education can access funding through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities’ Mabel M. Witmer Scholarship Fund. Eligible applicants must plan to attend a technical or trade school, demonstrate financial need, reside in Cumberland or Franklin County, and may receive preference if they have work or co-op experience in their chosen field.

High school seniors and recent graduates pursuing post-secondary education can receive US $2,000 scholarships to support tuition or training costs, including in Franklin County, Tennessee. With a mission to strengthen communities, The Columbus Foundation provides higher education and college success funding for alumni of Girls on the Run of Central Ohio or children of its volunteers across the U.S.

LGBTQ+ students pursuing higher education or skills training can receive scholarship support to attend accredited universities, trade schools, or technology bootcamps. Grants from Three Rivers Community Foundation help Franklin County, Tennessee learners and those in nearby Benton and Franklin counties access the Cocoa Morris Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides an annual US $1,000 academic award.

Students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color pursuing higher, vocational, or trade education can receive scholarship support in Franklin County, Tennessee. Focused on academic success and enrichment, Three Rivers Community Foundation awards US $1,000 through the Gabe Morris Memorial Scholarship Fund to help cover accredited university, trade school, or skill-based program costs.

Students who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer can receive scholarship support for high school or higher education through the Jim Noland Memorial Scholarship. With a mission to strengthen communities, Three Rivers Community Foundation provides this aid, which may benefit Franklin County, Tennessee students pursuing academic success and enrichment.

Students with a demonstrated interest in business, finance, economics, or accounting may be eligible for this academic scholarship supporting higher education. With a mission to strengthen education, Three Rivers Community Foundation provides scholarship funding that may benefit Franklin County, Tennessee nonprofits with college-bound youth or education-focused programming.

High school students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science or engineering can receive scholarship support through the Thomas Evan Jones Memorial Scholarship, administered by Three Rivers Community Foundation. While created for students at Pasco or Sunnyside High Schools, similar academic scholarship programs may benefit learners connected to Franklin County, Tennessee education-focused nonprofits.

High school graduates from Benton or Franklin County schools planning to major in music education with oboe or string performance can apply for the Victor and Jean Sands Memorial Scholarship. This Three Rivers Community Foundation award supports students pursuing both teaching and performing careers, which may benefit local nonprofits that partner with or mentor emerging music educators.

Students pursuing their first associate or bachelor’s nursing degree at an accredited nonprofit school who reside in Franklin County, Tennessee may be eligible for Deaconess Foundation’s Nursing Scholarship Grants, awarding up to US $15,000 based on financial need. Funding supports tuition for nursing students and is renewable for up to ten semesters.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with public charity status can seek US $5,000 - US $30,000 to support safety, workforce development, community vitality, or environmental sustainability programs in communities served by Union Pacific, including Franklin County, Tennessee. Grants from Union Pacific Foundation prioritize direct services, capacity building, and DEI-focused efforts reaching broad and diverse local populations.

Franklin County, Tennessee students pursuing MD or DO degrees may be eligible for the Dr. U.R. Plante Medical Scholarship, which supports medical education and professional training. Administered by Adirondack Foundation, this competitive scholarship offers up to US $10,000 and prioritizes future primary care physicians committed to serving rural or underserved communities.

Individuals pursuing a J.D. who are residents of, or have a material connection to, Franklin County and demonstrate financial need can receive law school scholarship support through the Faerie L. Angle Memorial Scholarship Fund. Grants from The Foundation for Enhancing Communities help eligible students studying to become lawyers, with preference for Pennsylvania law schools but open to others.

Students involved in 4-H or FFA livestock education, particularly swine, can apply for the 4-H Frank Feeser Memorial Carroll County 4-H/FFA Award, which recognizes excellence in swine knowledge and skills. While based in Carroll County, this scholarship may interest Franklin County, Tennessee nonprofits supporting similar youth agricultural education pathways.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

Nonprofit organizations addressing poverty, disability, disaster relief, or human services in Franklin County, Tennessee may be eligible for US $5,000 - US $250,000 to help disadvantaged people become self-reliant. With a mission to support focused interventions worldwide, Gupta Family Foundation prioritizes smaller, non-sectarian 501(c)(3) entities or qualifying foreign organizations operating in selected countries, including the U.S.