Best Lawrence County Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

Educational and health-focused 501(c)(3) public charities, academic institutions, and government entities in Lawrence County, Tennessee can seek funding to expand access to abortion and contraception. The Educational Foundation of America supports litigation, direct support for providers, abortion funds, and communications and advocacy efforts, especially within Appalachian communities, through its Reproductive Health & Justice program.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Lawrence County, Tennessee that preserve or promote Central Appalachian folk and traditional arts can apply for South Arts’ In These Mountains Infrastructure Grants, with awards of US $30,000 for non-programming needs. Funding can cover professional development, minor equipment or software, travel, marketing, strategic planning, and similar operational infrastructure costs.

Lawrence County, Tennessee 501(c)(3) children’s nonprofits can access funding through Speedway Children's Charities to support programs serving kids in middle Tennessee. Eligible organizations focus on areas like homelessness, foster care, trafficking survivors, medical or mental health, literacy, tutoring, and after-school programs; capital projects and general operating costs are typically not funded.

The Rural Arts Facilities Fund, established by the Tennessee Arts Commission, aims to support rural communities in enhancing their arts and cultural facilities. Grants of up to $200,000 are available for projects that benefit local arts programming, foster community identity, and promote economic growth. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit organizations in rural Tennessee. By investing in these facilities, the program seeks to improve access to arts experiences, create jobs, and stimulate tourism in underserved areas.

The Tennessee Arts & Rural Health Initiative Grant, funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission, aims to enhance health and wellness in rural hospitals through arts-based programs. With a budget of $75,000 from the NEA, the initiative supports 4-6 hospitals, offering grants between $5,000 to $25,000. Projects may include artist-led classes, meditation gardens, and healing spaces, leveraging the therapeutic power of the arts to improve patient outcomes and community engagement in healthcare settings.

College-bound female students from Lawrence County, Tennessee pursuing postsecondary education can apply for scholarships supporting academic costs. Grants from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee help young women from any of its 40 Middle Tennessee counties, including Lawrence County, with scholarship assistance. Preference is given to applicants with a 3.0 GPA and extracurricular or community involvement.

The Brown Center for Autism: Benjamin M. Liske Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, supports graduating seniors from Middle Tennessee diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This scholarship honors Ben Liske, who excelled academically despite his challenges. Since its inception in 2008, the Brown Center has provided vital resources and training to families and professionals, aiming to enhance the lives of those affected by autism and promote a thriving, inclusive community.

The Brandon Key Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, honors a young man dedicated to community service and civil rights. This scholarship supports Middle Tennessee students with a minimum GPA of 2.5, who demonstrate a commitment to serving their community and plan to attend an accredited college. Preference is given to applicants from low socioeconomic backgrounds aiming for Historically Black Colleges or Universities, promoting inclusivity and opportunity for future generations.

The B’nai B’rith Maimonides Lodge #46 Scholarship supports legally blind students pursuing post-secondary education. Established by the oldest Jewish service organization in Nashville, this scholarship honors 38 years of community service through a summer camp for visually-impaired children. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee administers the fund, ensuring assistance reaches those in need while fostering an inclusive community. Eligible applicants must provide documentation of their legal blindness to apply.

The H. Franklin Brooks Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, offers renewable scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Middle Tennessee. This fund particularly supports self-identified LGBTQ+ students, especially those whose families have ceased financial support for their education. With over 30 years of community impact, CFMT aims to foster a thriving, inclusive environment through collective philanthropy.

Female students pursuing technology-related degrees in four-year programs who live in Lawrence County, Tennessee, may be eligible for scholarship support to advance their higher education. Grants from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee help women studying fields like computer science, information systems, or cyber security, which can benefit local nonprofits focused on education and women’s services.

The Teddy Wilburn Scholarship Fund, established by country music star Teddy Wilburn, aims to provide financial assistance to students at Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University. This scholarship supports those who have demonstrated a commitment to their education, requiring a minimum B average in the last two years of high school. By promoting access to higher education, it reflects Wilburn's dedication to helping others achieve their academic aspirations, despite his own lack of a college experience.

The Bishop Joseph and Stephaine Walker Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, supports African-American students from the region who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and a demonstrated history of community service. Annually, two to five scholarships are awarded to eligible graduate students pursuing advanced degrees, helping to foster educational advancement and community engagement in Middle Tennessee.

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is to work as a team to promote workforce and economic development and improve workplace safety and health throughout Tennessee.

Rural Workforce Initiatives

Rural communities in Tennessee often struggle to access quality healthcare due to factors like limited facilities, long travel distances, workforce shortages, and high costs. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) is leading efforts to address workforce shortages across various industries, with healthcare as a priority.

Rural Healthcare Initiatives Grant 

The Program's Purpose

The Rural Healthcare Initiatives grant program aims to leverage existing healthcare training structures and expand apprenticeship and Workforce Development Initiatives to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals in rural communities.

Financial support will be provided to sponsoring entities to offer training, certification, and apprenticeships, while also addressing ancillary costs like transportation, childcare, and examination fees that create barriers for participants.

Where will the grant provide services?

Potential recipients must identify a desired service area in their application. Service area must be in the 91 counties outside the major metropolitan counties of Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby. Entities located within the counties of Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby may apply for funding if funding is utilized for programing located in one of the other 91 counties in Tennessee. The service area must identify the need for the designated training or certification of the population based on county and regional employment opportunities and needs using local/state data and Labor Market Information. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will consult with applicants to ensure services are offered equitably across Tennessee.

What is the total grant award amount?

Applicants will propose their desired funding amount up to a maximum of $250,000 and will use the guidance found in this document.

How will subrecipients receive funds?

This is a reimbursable grant. Recipients will be required to submit requests at least once per month with supporting documentation to be reimbursed for allowable costs. Recipients must use The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s grant system, SmartSimple, for submissions. 

Learn more here.

The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative aims to revitalize communities impacted by coal industry transitions. This initiative provides funding for projects that diversify local economies, enhance job training, and create new employment opportunities. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the POWER Initiative supports strategic investments that align with regional economic development plans, ensuring a more resilient future for coal-affected areas.

Students from Middle Tennessee preparing for a legal career and attending, or planning to attend, an accredited or Tennessee Supreme Court–approved law school can apply for the William Thomas McHugh and Lou Gower McHugh Scholarship Fund from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Applicants from Lawrence County, Tennessee, including those at Cumberland School of Law, may be given preference.

Nonprofit organizations serving children and youth in Lawrence County, Tennessee and across Middle Tennessee can seek funding for programs that improve kids’ lives. Phoenix Benefit supports community services initiatives through the Phoenix Club of Nashville Grant, offering partnership-based support to 501(c)(3) groups making a meaningful local impact.

Nonprofit organizations serving Lawrence County, Tennessee and Middle Tennessee can seek support for arts, education, health, and human services programs that improve quality of life. Focused on community impact, Ingram Charitable Fund invites applications from 501(c)(3) organizations whose work benefits broader Middle Tennessee residents, including those in Lawrence County.

Lawrence County, Tennessee students seeking post–high school education can access scholarship funding through the Sponsors Scholarship Fund, supporting academic advancement and long-term economic prospects. Administered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, this fund continues a decades-long effort to help financially disadvantaged, promising young people pursue college and strengthen the broader community.

Nonprofits and public entities in Lawrence County, Tennessee can seek up to US $1,000,000 for construction and US $500,000 for non-construction projects that support economic development, water and wastewater infrastructure, and community revitalization. Grants from Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development help eligible Appalachian counties expand public infrastructure, strengthen businesses, and build workforce and tourism assets.

Students from Middle Tennessee’s 40 counties, including Lawrence County, pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in education, theology, music, film, historic preservation/public history, or fine arts may be eligible for this renewable scholarship. Grants from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee prioritize well-rounded applicants with at least a 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need, with preference for Bedford and Williamson County residents.

High school and college-bound students in Lawrence County, Tennessee who work to afford college and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA can apply for the John and Belinda Havron Scholarship Fund. With a mission to build a thriving community, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports post-secondary education across 40 Middle Tennessee counties.

Focused on social justice capacity-building, Appalachian Community Fund invites Lawrence County, Tennessee grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations to seek technical assistance support. Eligible groups are community-led and working for systemic social, economic, racial, or environmental justice in Central Appalachia, including training in leadership, fundraising, planning, financial management, legal issues, and community organizing.

The LGBTQ Fund Grant Program, offered by the Appalachian Community Fund, supports grassroots social change in Central Appalachia. It prioritizes funding for organizations that promote inclusivity and tackle systemic issues affecting LGBTQ communities, particularly youth. Grants are available to community-led organizations with a focus on building capacity and addressing social, economic, and racial justice. This initiative embodies a commitment to collective action and resource-sharing, fostering positive transformation in Appalachian communities.

The Drue Smith/Society of Professional Journalists’ Scholarship Fund, established in memory of pioneering journalist Drue Smith, supports college juniors, seniors, and graduate students from Middle Tennessee pursuing careers in journalism or broadcast news. This fund honors Drue's legacy as the first woman president of the Society of Professional Journalists in Tennessee, promoting professional development for aspiring journalists and fostering the next generation of media professionals in a rapidly changing landscape.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Lawrence County, Tennessee that run existing digital literacy programs for families or seniors may be eligible for Spectrum Digital Education Grants, funded by Charter Communications. These US $2,500 - US $50,000 awards support technology access and broadband education in low-income or multicultural urban and rural communities, with measurable, lasting impact.

Individual Black Appalachian storytellers connected to Lawrence County, Tennessee, can receive US $5,000 to sustain and share Black oral tradition and culture. Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s CALT Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowship supports culture bearers with strong ties to ARC-designated Appalachian counties, honoring them at the “In the Tradition…” National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference.