Best Knox County Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Knox County, Tennessee working on economic and workforce advancement, affordable housing, or community arts and culture may be eligible for this support. With a mission to create equitable, lasting community change, U.S. Bank Foundation prioritizes organizations in its service areas, especially those led by people of color and addressing multiple Work, Home, and Play pillars.

Knox County, Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting children, education, or health and human services can access funding via Costco Foundation for monetary program needs in communities where Costco operates. Eligible organizations must request cash support only and demonstrate community need, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and a broad base of financial support in their project budgets.

501(c)(3) nonprofits with at least one year of status and innovative approaches to social problems can apply for Creag Foundation’s invitation-only funding, which is open nationally including Knox County, Tennessee. Support may benefit human services, health, environment, literacy, community development, and related programs; interested organizations should begin with a letter of inquiry.

Early-stage independent nonprofits and impact-first social enterprises in Knox County, Tennessee can apply for Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation’s support; awards up to US $300,000 for scalable solutions serving underserved communities. Organizations should be 2–10 years old, post-pilot, and working toward significant, measurable social or environmental impact with potential to reach at least 10,000 people.

Nonprofit and NGO programs using technology for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment, including in Knox County, Tennessee, can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants of up to US $100,000. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative, early-stage solutions serving predominantly economically underserved communities worldwide, with applications accepted year-round via an initial LOI.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

Nonprofit cultural institutions in Knox County, Tennessee offering arts or science programming may be eligible for William Randolph Hearst Foundation support for program, capital, or limited general and endowment needs. Grants from the foundation help U.S. organizations in performing arts, museums, arts education, and STEAM initiatives that demonstrate broad impact and strong sustainability; awards are typically more than US $100,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Knox County, Tennessee can seek funding for early childhood education or community economic development initiatives. Focused on early learning for children birth to five and services for low- and moderate-income communities, PNC Foundation supports programs like classroom instruction, educator development, housing, small business support, job training, and cultural enrichment.

Nonprofit organizations providing health, education, or humanitarian services in Knox County, Tennessee and beyond can seek support for programs serving marginalized and vulnerable communities. Semnani Family Foundation supports initiatives such as health care access, disaster relief, child welfare, and women’s and children’s health across multiple countries, so Knox County nonprofits with similar work may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations conducting charitable, educational, scientific, or medical work in Knox County, Tennessee can apply for funding to support programs that broadly benefit their target populations. Sidney Stern Memorial Trust provides U.S.-based nonprofits with support for projects that materially contribute to the general welfare and are carried out within the country.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Knox County, Tennessee can receive support for community sponsorships that advance economic mobility and social progress, including housing, jobs, hunger, arts, and culture. Bank of America Charitable Foundation provides regional U.S. sponsorships for programs such as neighborhood preservation, workforce education, basic needs, environmental initiatives, and diversity and inclusion efforts.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Knox County, Tennessee with programs in areas like education, poverty relief, children and families, health, disaster relief, or veterans’ issues may be eligible for support; funding is limited to single-year, non-capital needs. Robinson Foundation focuses on fiscally responsible Southern-region charities demonstrating tangible, meaningful impact.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations providing community services in Knox County, Tennessee can receive philanthropic grants or event sponsorships to advance their financial and service goals. Insperity offers support to U.S.-based charities that engage its employees, are Insperity clients, or strengthen communities where its employees live and work, with applications accepted once per year.

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.

Focused on environmental and human services programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and libraries in Knox County, Tennessee can seek $5,000 - $10,000 in unrestricted operating or program support. The Lawrence Foundation has no geographic restrictions, so eligible Knox County organizations working in these areas may benefit.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

Arts-focused 501(c)(3) organizations and public arts councils in Knox County, Tennessee can seek operating support for visual, performing, literary, folk, or media arts through this competitive program, with awards up to US $45,000. Eligible applicants must be Tennessee-chartered, meet budget thresholds, and have a recent history of Tennessee Arts Commission funding.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing basic needs, community vitality, or volunteer-driven programs can apply for Ameriprise Financial’s community grants, including those serving Knox County, Tennessee. Funding supports hunger relief, shelter and housing, adult self-sufficiency, community development, and arts and cultural access, with priority for organizations engaging Ameriprise employee or advisor volunteers and showing strong outcomes.

Dr Scholl Foundation provides Knox County, Tennessee nonprofits with project funding in education, social services, health care, civic and cultural programs, and environmental initiatives. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations with at least three years of financial activity can request US $5,000 - US $25,000 for one year of support, submitting one application per grant cycle.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government units, and fiscally sponsored groups serving women, children, and youth in Knox County, Tennessee can seek up to US $20,000 for local projects. Focused on early childhood education, health drivers, and preventing or mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences, East Tennessee Foundation invites Knox County programs to apply.

Knox County, Tennessee nonprofits that directly serve clients with arts, culture, science, medical, or social service programs can access funding through the Akima Club Grant Program. Eligible 501(c)(3) agencies in the broader 865 area code may request specific line-item support, excluding salaries, rent, utilities, capital improvements, and K–12 school funding.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with public charity status can seek US $5,000 - US $30,000 for safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability projects in communities served by Union Pacific, including Knox County, Tennessee. Union Pacific Foundation supports direct services and capacity-building efforts, with emphasis on DEI and underrepresented populations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth and families with education, housing, food security, or environmental programs in Knox County, Tennessee may be eligible for the True Inspiration Awards, offering US $30,000 - US $350,000. Focused on community impact, Chick Fil A Foundation invites applications from U.S., Canadian, U.K., and Singaporean charitable organizations.

Nonprofit organizations in Knox County, Tennessee with exemplary, replicable community partnerships addressing significant social issues may be eligible for national recognition and support through the Community Partnership Award. Mutual of America Foundation honors six U.S. nonprofits annually whose cross-sector collaborations measurably improve lives, with distinctions for impact, multi-community reach, and scalable social change.

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.