Best Human and Social Service Grants in Tennessee

Nonprofit organizations providing human and social services in Tennessee can apply for Republic Bank Foundation grants to support programs such as family and community welfare, healthcare and human services, and youth initiatives. Grants from Republic Bank Foundation help eligible 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(19) organizations that serve broad community needs within the bank’s service area.

Nonprofit agencies providing direct human and social services in Tennessee, typically within Knox County and the 865 area code, can seek program support through the Akima Grant Program. Akima Club funds specific line-item requests for community agencies serving all ages, including those working in arts, culture, science, medical, and social services.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing human and social services, youth development, hunger and nutrition, basic needs, or military and veterans support can apply for Sundt Foundation grants of US $2,500 - US $25,000. Grants from Sundt Foundation help eligible organizations with a local presence fund specific programs that address community needs.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) organizations offering human and social services through arts, culture, humanities, or education projects may be eligible for project sponsorships up to US $50,000. Focused on these program areas, the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Supporting Foundation invites proposals for innovative performances, publications, and similar initiatives, with activities starting after February 15, 2027.

Human and social service nonprofits in Tennessee working in conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, or health can apply for project or capital support from the James M Cox Foundation. Eligible 501(c)(3) or equivalent government entities must be in Cox service areas, with outside-Atlanta applicants needing a local Cox management endorsement letter.

Tennessee human and social service nonprofits seeking capital improvements or education programs to boost graduation rates can access funding through the David, Helen, and Marian Woodward Fund. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee and neighboring states may also work in areas like health, human services, education, environment, religion, arts, or public benefit.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing human and social services, education, health, or community programs can apply for the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation’s corporate giving awards of more than US $1,000. Funding supports community betterment efforts, with preference for areas near Perdue facilities and organizations where Perdue associates are involved.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering human and social services or related community programs in Tennessee can apply for the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation’s corporate giving support, with awards up to US $1,000. Funding may benefit initiatives in education, hunger relief, health, poverty alleviation, public safety, agriculture, and the environment, with Perdue associate endorsement required.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Tennessee communities with human and social services, education, or environmental programs can seek project support from the Cleveland Cliffs Foundation. Focused on education, environment, and healthy, vibrant communities, this funder invites proposals for initiatives that enhance opportunities, improve community health, and strengthen quality of life where Cleveland-Cliffs operates.

The AFI Grant, administered by the Adient Foundation, Inc., aims to support philanthropic organizations in the U.S. that are tax-exempt. While primarily offering one-time grants, the Foundation evaluates proposals based on organizational structure, community impact, and management capacity. The Foundation complements public institutions and does not guarantee future funding based on past contributions. Grantees must operate with equal opportunity objectives, and past recipients must submit new applications each year.

The Warren Alpert Foundation aims to enhance public health by funding medical research, education, and basic human services. With grants under $25,000, it supports initiatives that advance medical treatments and health education. The foundation is committed to fostering innovative research and solutions in healthcare, making a significant impact on community health and well-being.

The Warren Alpert Foundation supports initiatives aimed at enhancing public health through grants exceeding $25,000 for medical research, education, and basic human services. Applications are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines preceding board meetings. The foundation's mission encompasses advancing medical treatments and cures through rigorous research and health education. This commitment empowers various projects that align with their vision of improving community health and fostering innovation in medical practices.

The Lozier Foundation

Formed in 1986, The Lozier Foundation is a family foundation funded by Allan and Dianne Lozier. The foundation’s focus is education, social services and issues involving women and children with an emphasis on the inner city and underrepresented populations.

Our Mission: The Lozier Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the underrepresented communities in the Omaha/Metro area.

Grants

Funding Priorities

• Education
• Women & Girls
• North Omaha Initiatives
• Human Services

Grantseekers wishing to apply to the Lozier Foundation should begin by reviewing the Mission, Values, Funding Priorities and Funding Eligibility Statements.

The Lozier Foundation grant applications include: Capital Application; Education Application; General Application; and Program Application.

Organizations may receive general operating, program, and capital grants. While The Lozier Foundation prefers to provide ongoing general operating support, organizations can receive a program and/or capital grant in the same calendar year.

Lozier Foundation Education Application

The Education Application follows the foundation guidelines provided here.

The Ken W. Davis Foundation Grant provides essential funding to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that align with the Foundation's mission of promoting basic human needs and education in line with Constitutional freedoms. With a minimum grant size of $2,500, the Foundation focuses on supporting human service organizations in Tarrant County, Texas, and the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, while also offering national support for grants related to Constitutional freedoms.

Middle Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking to transform human and social services through innovative programs or projects can apply for Impact100 Nashville’s Transformation and Innovation Grant, offering up to US $100,000. Eligible organizations must serve at least one Nashville Economic Market county and address issues like homelessness, poverty, addiction, hunger, illiteracy, trafficking, or recidivism.

Human and social service 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Middle Tennessee can receive funding for innovative, self-sustaining projects that break cycles of homelessness, poverty, addiction, hunger, illiteracy, human trafficking, and related issues. Grants from Impact100 Nashville help Tennessee organizations serving at least one of ten Nashville-area counties launch or elevate high-impact programs, with priority for under-served populations and unmet community needs.

Graduate and medical students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows conducting human sexuality or sexual wellness research in the U.S. or Canada can receive US $5,000 to support project expenses. With a mission to advance sexual medicine, Sexual Medicine Society of North America provides early-career investigators, including those serving underserved populations, with funding and complimentary membership that may benefit Tennessee human and social service programs.

Graduate and medical students, residents, and post-doctoral fellows conducting human sexuality or sexual wellness research in the U.S. or Canada may be eligible for research support that can include salary and project expenses. Tennessee human and social service researchers may benefit from the Sexual Medicine Society of North America’s Scholars in Sexuality Research Grants Program, which prioritizes underserved populations.

Tennessee human and social service nonprofits supporting children and families affected by crises or natural disasters can access funding via the CAPTRUST Community Foundation. Focused on disaster relief, crisis intervention, and family services, these crisis grants may benefit organizations helping families cope, recover, and rebuild after severe hardship, including those served by CAPTRUST employees.

Local charities and organizations near CBE Companies offices in Tennessee can apply for the Community Outreach Program Grant to support human and social services and related community needs. Funding can cover general operations, new or ongoing programs, capital projects, or equipment and materials across human services, health, education, and arts and culture.

Unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description and criteria statement, applicants can attend accredited schools of their choice within the United States.

CFNJ scholarships awards vary. On average, awards range from $500 to $2,500. However, the award could be larger based on the number of qualified applicants and the parameters set by donors who have established the funds. 

James L. and Ruby L. Murray Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a college-bound, graduating senior from one of the following high schools: Trenton High School, Ewing High School, Cherry Hill High School West, or East Orange High School. Applicants must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history, social science, or political science at any college/university of their choice within the United States. Students also must have achieved a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better.

Melton Foundation

The Melton Foundation is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in the USA, and a leading proponent of Global Citizenship education and practice worldwide. Established nearly thirty years ago with the credence that collaborations across boundaries can forge sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, today, our programs reach millions of young leaders, having crystallized into a network of over 750 life-long Melton Fellows spread across 40+ countries. Our primary operations are in Chile, China, Germany, Ghana, India, and the United States of America, with legal subsidiaries in Bangalore, India; Jena, Germany; Temuco, Chile; and Accra, Ghana. 

Through our fellowship and collaborative programs we promote and enable global citizenship as a way for individuals and organizations to work together across boundaries of place and identity to solve challenges in an interconnected world.

Melton Foundation Action Grants

The Melton Foundation offers grants year-round to support Melton Fellows in developing skills, perspective and wider networks to further their capacity as global citizens and contribute towards building an equitable, sustainable, and peaceful world.

In almost 10 years of granting, more than 100 Fellows’ initiatives have been awarded with a Melton Foundation grant to

• Build awareness and/or further awareness raising around global issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
• Develop individual and collective responsibility for sustained, collaborative action,
• Grow capacity to collaboratively drive and sustain social impact at the local and/or global level,
• Further the design, implementation and evaluation of collaborative actions that embody the spirit of global citizenship practice and further social impact, or
• Support coordinated social-impact efforts in a particular or across (emerging) Melton Foundation Hub regions to promote global citizenship practice (s) and the organization’s mission.

The Towsley Foundation Grants support initiatives that enhance community welfare and sustainability, focusing on diverse fields such as education, health, and the arts within Michigan. With a commitment to effective philanthropy, the foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate creativity and strategic impact. Eligible organizations must operate in Michigan and adhere to specific funding guidelines, fostering financial sustainability. Grants are allocated based on project merit and organizational capacity, reinforcing the foundation's mission to improve lives through thoughtful partnerships.

The Ambler Trust Grants, provided by the Elizabeth Raymond Ambler Trust, support various sectors including education, health, arts, culture, and environmental initiatives. Eligible applicants include municipal, religious, charitable, benevolent, or educational organizations as determined by the Trustees. These grants aim to enhance community welfare and promote beneficial projects, ensuring a positive impact across diverse fields.

The First Horizon Foundation Grant supports organizations in East Tennessee, focusing on areas such as arts, education, environment, financial literacy, and health services. Grants are available to eligible entities in cities like Knoxville, Maryville, and Chattanooga, while individuals and certain organizations, including K-12 schools and political groups, are ineligible. This initiative aims to strengthen communities through strategic investments.

The Jay L. Smith Family Foundation provides grants to tax-exempt non-profit organizations in the United States, primarily focusing on healthcare, family values, and supporting the disadvantaged. With a strong commitment to Alzheimer's research, the foundation has funded various initiatives including elderly care, domestic violence prevention, and cancer research. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities through meaningful contributions, aiming to address critical social issues and promote well-being.

The Lozier Foundation

The Lozier Foundation is a private family foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska, funded by Allan and Dianne Lozier. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations working to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life for people and families who have historically had less access to resources.

The Foundation’s grantmaking is grounded in a long-term commitment to Omaha and the surrounding region. We are especially interested in work that helps level the playing field, supports people during important moments of need or transition, and gives individuals and families greater ability to make choices about their own lives and futures.

The Foundation’s support has historically focused on established nonprofit organizations working in areas such as education, human services, youth development, health, family stability, and community well-being. While those areas describe much of our grantmaking, they are not intended to serve as fixed categories or a comprehensive list.

The Foundation is selective in its grantmaking. We generally support organizations with a meaningful operating history, capable leadership, sound governance, financial discipline, and a demonstrated ability to serve the community effectively. The Foundation does not typically support early-stage organizations, small projects or organizations with limited reach, or requests that fall outside our geographic and charitable priorities.

The Foundation also considers whether a request reflects a clear understanding of the existing community landscape. We are generally skeptical of efforts that duplicate services already being provided effectively by other organizations, particularly when collaboration, coordination, or partnership would better serve the community. Organizations seeking support should be prepared to explain how their work fits within the broader field, who they collaborate with, and why the proposed work is needed.

Grants

Grantseekers wishing to apply to the Lozier Foundation should begin by reviewing the Mission, Values, Funding Priorities and Funding Eligibility Statements.

The Lozier Foundation grant applications include: Capital Application; Education Application; General Application; and Program Application.

Organizations may receive general operating, program, and capital grants. While The Lozier Foundation prefers to provide ongoing general operating support, organizations can receive a program and/or capital grant in the same calendar year.

Lozier Foundation Program Application

Funding Priorities

• Education
• Women & Girls
• North Omaha Initiatives
• Human Services

The Program Application follows the foundation guidelines provided here.