Best Murfreesboro Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

The Archie Hartwell Nash Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by Carolyn Nash, honors her husband’s legacy by supporting students at Middle Tennessee State University who exemplify his work ethic and commitment to education. Managed by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the fund aims to foster a thriving, inclusive community by transforming generous contributions into impactful educational opportunities for deserving students.

Nonprofit organizations running arts, education, health, or human services programs in Middle Tennessee, including Murfreesboro, can apply for grants supporting community impact. Grants from Ingram Charitable Fund help organizations that make Nashville and the broader Middle Tennessee region better places to live and work, rather than individuals or projects with a very limited audience.

Grants help Murfreesboro, Tennessee municipal governments and priority entities develop household hazardous waste collection facilities and temporary collection infrastructure. Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation funding can support permanent sites, temporary storage buildings, safety equipment, signage, and operating and disposal reimbursement for HHWCFs in Rutherford County and other eligible Tennessee counties.

Focused on financial literacy and housing, 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Murfreesboro, Tennessee can seek Union Home Foundation support for programs that build economic self-sufficiency. Eligible organizations in Rutherford County may receive more than US $1,000 for one-year projects that advance financial education, equitable and affordable housing, or supportive housing and shelters.

The Ferguson Cares Grant is an essential aspect of Ferguson's Sustainability strategy, focusing on social challenges and community wellbeing. This grant supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. dedicated to affordable housing, skilled trades workforce development, clean water access, and enhancing local economic quality of life. Ferguson aims to create lasting partnerships that drive positive impact within their operational regions, reflecting their commitment to social responsibility and community support.

The Phoenix Club of Nashville Grant supports nonprofits making a positive impact on the lives of children in Middle Tennessee. Founded in 2001, the Phoenix Club has a legacy of fundraising for local charities, having raised millions for various causes. To apply, interested organizations can complete an initial request questionnaire available on their website. This opportunity allows nonprofits to connect with a network of leaders dedicated to community service and enhancement.

The Cox Enterprises Project Learning Garden Grant Program offers schools the opportunity to create outdoor learning laboratories through established gardens. This initiative promotes inquiry-based STEAM education and provides essential resources such as raised garden beds, a mobile cooking cart, and professional development for teachers. By integrating real-world experiences with curriculum goals, students engage actively in their learning. Cox employees may also volunteer to install and maintain gardens, fostering community involvement and healthy eating habits among students.

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 Middle Tennessee Fund Grant, offered by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, supports nonprofits in addressing community needs related to basic necessities, healthcare, education, and the arts. Since its inception in 1997, it has prioritized organizations with established relationships with HCA Healthcare. Eligible applicants must be 501c3 organizations with a minimum budget of $250,000, serving the Middle Tennessee area, and demonstrating engagement with HCA Healthcare through board involvement or volunteerism.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local government entities in urban Tennessee counties, including Rutherford County, can receive US $1,000 - US $18,000 to support community-focused arts projects across disciplines. Tennessee Arts Commission funds activities like performances, festivals, workshops, exhibitions, artist residencies, and accessibility improvements that enhance community vitality and engagement.

The Cameron Blake Parnell Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, honors the legacy of Cameron Parnell, a beloved pilot and rugby enthusiast. This scholarship supports MTSU students in their junior or senior years who are pursuing aerospace studies with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to those who are also members of the rugby team, helping to foster a sense of community and support for aspiring pilots.

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.

The TAC Small Urban Partnership Support Grant provides competitive operating support to arts organizations in Tennessee's urban counties. Eligible organizations must have a minimum budget of $30,000 and can request up to 20% of their cash operating expenses. A one-to-one dollar match is required. Applicants must demonstrate a history of funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission and meet specific eligibility criteria related to IRS status and recognized art forms.

The Charlene (Charlie) Jane Toomey Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, honors the legacy of a beloved community member dedicated to education and empowerment. This scholarship aims to support college-bound female students from 40 counties in the region, prioritizing those with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a commitment to extracurricular and community involvement. Through this initiative, we celebrate Charlie's belief in the transformative power of education and her enduring impact on future generations.

International Paper Grants focus on community engagement, emphasizing education, hunger relief, health & wellness, and disaster relief. They support nonprofit organizations that demonstrate good financial standing and effective management. Eligible organizations must operate in areas where International Paper has facilities. The foundation prioritizes local needs, particularly critical and environmental issues, while encouraging employee involvement. Ineligible entities include private foundations and those without a local presence. Applications are accepted through mid-September in the U.S. and Canada.

High school students seeking academic scholarships for postsecondary education in Murfreesboro, Tennessee may be eligible for The Sponsors Scholarship Fund, administered by Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Grants from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee help Murfreesboro, Tennessee education-focused programs identify and support financially disadvantaged young people of promise pursuing college or other post–high school education.

Care professionals in Murfreesboro, Tennessee pursuing education in a care-related field can receive scholarship support, with awards of US $500 - US $2,000 paid directly to federally accredited institutions. Grants from Jean Griswold Foundation help caregivers further their training, enhance their skills, and advance their careers while improving care for clients.

The Nashville Predators Foundation, empowered by SmileDirectClub, provides annual Helper Grants to support local charities in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. With grants ranging from $500 to $10,000, the foundation focuses on projects benefiting youth and families. In 2022, it distributed over $800,000 to 172 organizations. The program prioritizes those with detailed expense lists and organizations with budgets under $2 million, fostering community engagement and support for impactful initiatives.

Middle Tennessee students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in education, theology, music, film, historic preservation/public history, or fine arts may be eligible for this renewable scholarship in Murfreesboro and surrounding counties. With a mission to build a thriving, inclusive community, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports well-rounded students with at least a 3.0 GPA who demonstrate financial need.

501(c)(3) organizations in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that promote safety and responsibility in sports or outdoor recreation, or support first responder programs, can access funding through Academy Sports + Outdoors. Eligible initiatives must serve collective groups and take place in a community with a local Academy store, with proposals submitted at least 90 days before the event.

About PLTW Biomedical SciencePLTW Biomedical Science students have experience with state-of-the-art tools and techniques that are used by professionals in hospitals and labs every day.Through this partnership, Regeneron is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW Biomedical Science programs beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year.Program Requirements:

• Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Biomedical Science program.
  • Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Biomedical Science course not previously offered,
  • and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Biomedical Science courses previously offered,
  • and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Biomedical Science courses for the 2027-2028 academic year. 

Grant Distribution Schedule:

• Total Award: $10,000
  • 2027-2028: $10,000

Female students pursuing technology-related degrees in four-year programs who live in the Middle Tennessee counties served by this fund can receive scholarship support for higher education. With a mission to build a more thriving and inclusive community, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee helps future women technologists from areas including Murfreesboro access needed college funding.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in arts and culture, education and leadership, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, or health and human services can access funding through First Horizon Foundation to strengthen local communities. Eligible organizations must be located in Murfreesboro or nearby cities such as Brentwood, Franklin, Clarksville, Gallatin, Lebanon, Columbia, or Nashville.

Murfreesboro students pursuing law degrees can access funding through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to help pay for tuition while preparing for legal careers. Applicants must be from Middle Tennessee and enrolled in, or planning to attend, an accredited or Tennessee Supreme Court–approved law school, with preference for working students at Cumberland School of Law.

The CFMT Community Foundation of Rutherford County Grant aims to promote positive change in Rutherford and Cannon Counties by supporting local nonprofits. Established in 2017, the foundation encourages grant requests for program and project support, allowing eligible organizations to apply for funding up to $3,000. This initiative reflects the foundation's commitment to building a thriving and inclusive community by transforming generosity into impactful actions.

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.