Best Aging Grants in Tennessee

Low-income agencies serving elderly or disabled homeowners in Tennessee can access funding to address critical home safety repairs and accessibility needs. Focused on emergency housing stabilization, Tennessee Housing Development Agency supports repairs to roofs, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural elements, windows, doors, and accessibility improvements, with awards up to US $24,999 per home.

Senior centers in Tennessee can apply for capital funding to improve buildings and equipment and enhance services for older adults, with awards ranging from US $5,000 to US $50,000. Grants from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging support senior services that provide resources, activities, and social connection for aging populations.

Nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public transit agencies in Tennessee can access funding to improve transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities through the Section 5310 program. Grants from Tennessee Department of Transportation support rolling stock and mobility management projects in small urban and rural areas, helping aging populations reach essential services and activities.

Organizations developing innovative projects that increase independence for people with disabilities and older adults in Tennessee can apply for the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging’s Innovation Grant, with awards up to US $20,000. Funding supports forward-thinking, scalable approaches, especially those using enabling technology and advancing employment, workforce development, person-centered practices, and quality of life.

Company culture at Clark Associates emphasizes responsibility, sharing our success with others, and the importance of building strong communities. To help fulfill these goals, Clark Associates Charitable Foundation (CACF) was incorporated in 2001 and provides funding to organizations serving people in need and those delivering positive experiences for youth. CACF supports non-profits operating in and around its business locations and those where our employees volunteer and actively contribute. To date, CACF has distributed over $44 million in charitable contributions.

Organizations must be registered 501c3 charities serving three basic categories: people in need, innovative youth educational programs, and youth programs in music and the arts. People in need represents the largest giving category and includes homelessness, food insecurity, individuals with disabilities, victims of abuse, and people in recovery. Examples of other grant recipients include those assisting veterans, senior citizens, at-risk youth, academic enrichment, mentorship, leadership development, and those focused on the performing and visual arts.CACF evaluates grant applications submitted by non-profit organizations every month of the year.

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

Tennessee Arts Commission

The Tennessee Arts Commission was created in 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly with the special mandate to stimulate and encourage the presentation of the visual, literary, music and performing arts and to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Tennessee. TN Arts Commission Governing Policies can be found here.

The mission of the Tennessee Arts Commission is to cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities. Our vision is a Tennessee where the arts inspire, connect and enhance everyday lives.

Creative Aging Tennessee IV

Building on the successes of Creative Aging Tennessee I, II, and III initiatives, the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) continues to expand arts learning opportunities for older adults through its latest initiative, Creative Aging Tennessee IV. Funded in part by E. A. Michelson Philanthropy and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies; and the State of Tennessee, this initiative connects vital resources to under-resourced communities to provide arts programming to older adults through nonprofit senior centers and governmental entities. Through this initiative, creative aging art classes and programs will continue to support serving older adults in rural communities and urban counties with “art deserts” to offer arts programming for older adults living with social isolation, reduced access to trained artists, and in geographically challenged areas. One of the purposes of this grant is to encourage local communities to apply for small micro-grants for projects that will remove barriers for older adults to increase participation in arts activities.

Application Deadline is 30 days prior to the beginning date of the project activity. This is a Rolling Grant opportunity which means applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are depleted and/or until April 1, 2027.

With a mission to support health and human services, the Albert G and Olive H Schlink Foundation provides Tennessee organizations serving seniors and aging populations with flexible grant funding. Nonprofits focused on senior services, gerontology, patient care, hospice, or residential care may be eligible, with special consideration given to programs based in or benefiting Ohio communities.

Tennessee organizations serving LGBTQ+ older adults can access funding through Leonard Litz Foundation to strengthen senior services and aging programs. Grants support efforts that reduce isolation, improve quality of life, and expand affirming resources such as social connection, healthcare navigation, housing support, and case management for LGBTQ+ elders within the foundation’s Eastern U.S. footprint.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) public charities addressing the needs of older adults through innovative programs can access funding through Friends Foundation for the Aging. Grants support senior services, aging and gerontology initiatives, caregiver support, and related programs, with priority for underserved populations, small community-based organizations, and projects that are collaborative, replicable, and grounded in Quaker-aligned values.

U.S.-based nonprofits, government entities, and universities working to make aging more affordable through systems-level change can seek Changing Aging support for innovative programs serving marginalized older adults, including in Tennessee. Grants from Next50 Foundation back efforts ending ageism, advancing digital equity, and supporting aging in place through collaborative, multi-year initiatives.

Tennessee research institutions and universities focused on senior services and gerontology can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to establish Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers. These P30 center grants support geriatrics research and research education that advance ways to maintain or restore independence for older adults, within a nationally competitive program.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with projects serving Japanese American seniors, youth, history, or arts and culture in Tennessee and nationwide can apply for JA Community Foundation grants of US $2,500 - US $50,000. Programs must be project-based rather than ongoing operating support, and fiscally sponsored projects are eligible.

Nonprofit organizations conducting applied research on adults age 60+ can seek support for interventional, translational, or health services and policy studies benefiting older adults and caregivers. Grants from RRF Foundation for Aging help Tennessee and other U.S. aging-focused groups pursue projects with national or Illinois regional relevance and strong dissemination plans.

501(c)(3) nonprofits serving older adults in Tennessee can apply for West End Home Foundation’s grants to support aging-related programs or capital projects. Funding is available for mission-aligned services in Cheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties that promote dignity, connection, and successful aging for adults, especially those age 60 and older.

Tennessee nonprofits serving older adults with health, wellness, or quality-of-life programs can access funding through the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations may seek support for specific projects such as adult day care, dementia and stroke services, home health, nutrition, transportation, or geriatric research that helps seniors stay active and engaged.

Nonprofit organizations advancing advocacy for adults 60+ through regional or national policy-change projects in the U.S., including Tennessee, can apply for funding of US $10,000 - US $160,000. The Retirement Research Foundation supports efforts addressing seniors’ economic security, health care, housing, and related systemic issues, excluding lobbying for specific legislation.

About The John A. Hartford Foundation

The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care.

Since 1982, The John A. Hartford Foundation has awarded more than $758 million in grants to enhance the health and well-being of older people.

JAHF New Partners Program Call for Proposals:

National Initiatives Advancing Improvements in Care for Older Adults

The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) is entering a new chapter that builds on its work to improve care for older adults and support family caregivers while bringing new organizations, leaders and ideas into its community of grantees and partners.

Through this funding opportunity, JAHF is seeking proposals from organizations that have not previously received a major grant from the foundation.

Proposed initiatives must have a national or multi-site scope and align with at least one of the foundation's three priority areas:

• Age-Friendly Health Systems
• Family Caregiving
• Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care

Health care leaders focused on aging and senior services in Tennessee and nationwide can receive scholarships covering US $13,995 in fees to join the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship, implementing the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms. The John A Hartford Foundation supports fellows leading system-level change for older adult care, with preference for AHA member organizations.

The AARP Community Challenge Grant supports innovative projects that enhance community livability for people aged 50 and older. Funded by the AARP Foundation, these demonstration grants range from $10,000 to $25,000 and aim to improve pedestrian safety, expand broadband access, and reconnect divided communities. Since 2017, AARP has awarded over $20 million in grants, fostering immediate improvements and long-term progress across the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty supports early career investigators in aging research, focusing on -omics studies related to biological aging and age-related diseases. Research areas include genomics, proteomics, and interventions targeting aging. Eligible applicants are independent researchers at U.S. not-for-profit institutions, with 10 years or fewer since their postdoctoral training. The award may cover overhead costs, promoting innovative research in the vital field of gerontology.

The Piñon Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions focused on enhancing the education, health, and well-being of children and the elderly. Although it primarily funds initiatives in West Texas, the Dallas Fort Worth area, and Oklahoma City, it is open to proposals from other regions that can positively impact community growth. The foundation believes in the transformative power of education and health to foster community success and development.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance the participation of older adults in the Senior Nutrition Program by focusing on preventative health initiatives. The project seeks to build capacity through statewide efforts, develop shared resources for program sustainability, and foster collaboration among senior nutrition programs and key organizations. By achieving these goals, the initiative will improve health outcomes and strengthen community ties for older adults.

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards aim to support innovative research in cognitive aging and memory loss, offering two 3-year grants of $750,000 each. Targeted at early-career investigators, the program encourages high-risk, high-gain proposals that explore clinical translational research and the biological mechanisms of cognitive aging. By fostering emerging scientific leaders, the initiative seeks to advance transformative discoveries in this critical area of aging research, enhancing understanding and treatment of age-related cognitive decline.

The JTMF Foundation Grant focuses on improving the lives of individuals in need, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. By partnering with organizations addressing immediate needs and long-term challenges, the foundation supports children, older adults, veterans, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Guided by Catholic values, JTMF aims to empower communities while seeking innovative solutions to societal issues. Organizations that align with these focus areas are encouraged to connect, fostering a collaborative effort towards meaningful impact.

The Aging Services Leadership Fellowship, offered by the United Negro College Fund, is a one-year non-clinical program for recent master's graduates or mid-career professionals with at least five years of experience. The program emphasizes cohort learning, community building, and skill development in aging services. Participants engage in specialized training, networking events, and mentorship opportunities designed to foster leadership and cultural humility, ultimately preparing them to lead in the aging services sector.

The Combating Social Isolation of Older Adults Grant, provided by the Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation, aims to combat elder abuse and neglect exacerbated by social isolation. This initiative recognizes that isolation can lead to severe mental and physical health issues among older adults. It promotes trauma-informed care and mental health services to help these individuals reconnect socially. Additionally, the Foundation supports intergenerational programming as a vital strategy to foster community connections and reduce isolation among seniors.