Best Grants for Women in Tennessee

Tennessee nonprofits and local charities seeking support for operations, new or ongoing programs, capital needs, or equipment may be eligible for funding from CBE Companies. Focused on community enrichment, CBE Companies invites organizations near its Tennessee offices, including those serving women and girls through human services, education, health, or arts and culture, to apply.

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

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.

501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting youth health, education, development, or welfare can apply for the DanPaul Foundation’s grants, awarding up to US $15,000 for direct-service programs. Tennessee organizations serving children and teens, including those focused on girls’ services, poverty, homelessness, clean air and water, or refugee enrichment, may be eligible if their work aligns with the foundation’s mission.

Tennessee educational institutions, government programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and 501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies can access funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives that serve women and girls through State Farm Companies Foundation. Grants may support auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, financial literacy, food insecurity, and K–12 or higher education, including STEM and college-career pathways.

Tennessee nonprofits and other eligible charitable organizations working in health, education, or community services can access funding via Labcorp Charitable Foundation to support their programs. Grants may benefit groups serving women and girls through food pantries, healthcare for underserved populations, STEM education, or healthy lifestyle initiatives. Requests are reviewed in March and September.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee communities where PNC operates can apply for PNC Foundation’s grants to support early childhood education and economic and community development programs serving low- and moderate-income families. Funding may benefit women and girls through initiatives like affordable housing, job training, small business support, arts, and essential human services.

Focused on community, education, humanitarian aid, and contemporary arts, Roche invites accredited charities in Tennessee to propose high-quality projects. Eligible organizations may seek support for youth services, STEM education, primary health care, environmental initiatives, or arts and culture programs that promote sustainable development and can actively engage Roche affiliates and employees.

Nonprofit organizations providing women and girl services, health care access, or humanitarian aid in Tennessee and worldwide can apply for support from Semnani Family Foundation. The foundation funds programs in women’s health, children’s health, literacy, and disaster relief, and may benefit Tennessee groups serving marginalized women and girls as part of broader human and social services work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee working on community development, basic needs, workforce education, arts, environment, or inclusion may be eligible for sponsorship support. Bank Of America Charitable Foundation supports initiatives that preserve neighborhoods, address hunger and shelter, and strengthen the economic, social, and cultural life of local communities.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

Nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in Tennessee can seek one-time support for programs that help low-income women and their families build self-sufficiency and resilience. Focused on women and girl services, the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee invites agencies in eligible East Tennessee counties to address urgent needs or emerging opportunities that advance long-term independence.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation provides Tennessee nonprofits with funding for community-based programs, including education, cultural institutions, health facilities, environmental efforts, and services for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. IRS-qualified organizations, including those serving women and girls, can request US $1,000 - US $20,000 for projects where modest support creates significant impact.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Tennessee

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee working on basic needs, community development, or cultural enrichment may be eligible for Ameriprise Financial Community Grants. Focus areas include hunger relief, shelter and supportive housing, adult self-sufficiency, neighborhood revitalization, arts education, and access to arts for underserved populations, with strong preference for programs engaging Ameriprise volunteers.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible Community Foundation funds serving rural West Tennessee residents can receive flexible funding for operating support or specific projects. Grants from 100 Women Who Care: West Tennessee help Tennessee women- and community-focused groups request up to $10,000, with two awards selected following finalist presentations at the March 5, 2026 luncheon.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee can seek project funding in education, social services, health care, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental programs. Grants from Dr Scholl Foundation help U.S. organizations, including those serving women and girls, with one-year support ranging from US $5,000 - US $25,000 through an annual October–March cycle.

Tennessee organizations serving women, children, and youth in Knox County can access funding through East Tennessee Foundation to support projects in early childhood education, health drivers, and prevention or mitigation of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, government units, and fiscally sponsored emerging groups, with awards up to US $20,000 for local programs.

Community organizations and 501(c)(3) public charities in Tennessee serving women and girls can receive unrestricted operating support to advance economic self-sufficiency, prevent violence, and promote health and talent. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Women’s Fund awards up to US $20,000, prioritizing smaller-budget organizations and those devoting at least 75% of their work to women and girls.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Middle Tennessee seeking to launch innovative, self-sustaining projects can apply for Spark Grants, which fund new or elevated solutions to issues like homelessness, poverty, addiction, hunger, and more. Grants from Impact100 Nashville help Tennessee groups, including those serving women and girls, address debilitating conditions and break cycles in their communities.

Established 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Middle Tennessee residents with innovative programs addressing issues like homelessness, poverty, addiction, hunger, literacy, human trafficking, or recidivism can apply for Impact100 Nashville’s Transformation and Innovation Grant, with awards up to US $100,000. Grants from Impact100 Nashville help Tennessee organizations driving social transformation, including those focused on women and girls, fund new or expanded high-impact projects.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

Lawson Family Foundation

The Lawson Family Foundation was established by Phil Lawson in 2020 to serve as a catalyst for the development of a more healthy, prosperous, and inclusive Knoxville community. As a private grantmaking foundation, the Lawson Family Foundation focuses support on organizations involved in the areas of Justice & Economic Mobility, Education & Youth Development, Prevention of Exploitation & Violence, and Community Health & Food Security. 

Driven by the belief that every life has equal value, the Lawson Family Foundation exists to support efforts that promote justice and opportunity in all aspects of society, primarily in Knoxville, Tennessee. In doing so, it seeks to achieve a positive impact in marginalized communities that will last for generations.

Lawson Family Foundation Prevention of Exploitation & Violence Grant

Human trafficking and domestic violence remain urgent and growing threats across Tennessee, with women and children disproportionately affected. These forms of exploitation and abuse undermine individual dignity and destabilize families and communities.

The Foundation is committed to preventing exploitation and supporting survivors through a comprehensive approach: strengthening education and prevention efforts, supporting victim protection and restoration, and advancing the prosecution of offenders.