Best Grants for Solar Panels for Nonprofits in Tennessee

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest landowners, Tribes, and water management entities in Tennessee can receive technical and financial help to implement conservation practices on working lands. With a mission to improve natural resources, USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of Tennessee supports projects that enhance soil health, water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience, which may include on-farm energy and efficiency improvements.

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1)/(2) organizations working in education, human services, conservation, health, or cultural programs, including those in Tennessee, can apply for McGraw Foundation grants supporting general operations, specific projects, or occasional capital needs. Typical awards range from US $2,000 - US $10,000, with larger grants possible for especially promising, high-impact efforts.

Graduate students researching drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive US $3,000 to advance projects with practical benefits for the water industry. Focused on water-related research, American Water Works Association invites applicants whose work may intersect with clean energy, infrastructure, or sustainability efforts relevant to Tennessee nonprofits exploring solar and related projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee working on economic and workforce advancement, affordable housing, or community arts and culture may be eligible for this program. Grants from US Bancorp Foundation help Tennessee nonprofits that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and may include projects like workforce training, equitable housing, or arts access in local communities.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits and independent volunteer emergency response organizations can access funding for safety, workforce development, community vitality, or environmental sustainability projects through the Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, with awards from US $5,000 - US $30,000. Programs that also advance clean energy or environmental sustainability, such as solar-related initiatives, may be eligible if they serve Union Pacific communities.

Nonprofits and local agencies providing homelessness and housing stability services in Tennessee can use this program to support emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and related supports, with awards from US $35,000 - US $125,000. Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s Emergency Solutions Grant may benefit organizations whose solar projects are part of shelters, supportive housing, or related facilities.

Nonprofit organizations addressing humanitarian needs such as homelessness, education, food security, health care, and child welfare in Tennessee can apply for funding from The Father's Table Foundation. This highly selective program offers up to US $750,000 to expand self-sufficiency, support women and children, and strengthen community resilience, including projects with sustainable development components.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in Tennessee conducting small-scale biomedical research can receive up to US $375,000 to expand research opportunities and enhance their research environment. The National Institutes of Health supports projects in areas such as public health, neuroscience, genetics, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related biomedical fields at baccalaureate degree–granting campuses with limited prior NIH funding.

Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation help Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits fund education, environmental projects, and healthy, vibrant community initiatives. Organizations in Tennessee communities where Cleveland-Cliffs operates may be eligible, including those whose solar or sustainability efforts advance environmental protection, land and water restoration, green spaces, or community-improvement programs.

Early-career medical and health research faculty in low- and middle-income countries, including those studying environmental or respiratory health relevant to energy use, can receive approximately US $140,000 for mentored clinical research and career development. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Tennessee-focused partners collaborate with LMIC investigators on diseases from cancer and stroke to mental health and genetics.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Montgomery County, Tennessee working in education, health, human services, environment, arts, or community development can be nominated for Altra Foundation’s Best Life Community Awards, offering US $2,500 - US $10,000. Eligible nonprofits with community-focused projects, including those that may involve solar or energy-related improvements, must be nominated by an Altra Federal Credit Union member.

About CommonSpirit

A calling that defines and unites

At CommonSpirit Health, we passionately care for the most vulnerable, relentlessly innovate how and where healing can happen and believe in uniting to benefit the common good. Our expansive network spans diverse communities, uniquely positioning us to meet their changing needs, improve population health and help chart the path to health equity.

Our mission, vision and values inform every aspect of our work each day and remind us that we serve our patients, their families, our communities – and each other. Our community health, research and home health programs help us address the primary barriers to healthier communities.

Sponsorship requests

We’re proud to support nonprofits that expand access to care, advance health equity and healthier communities. Learn more about our priorities.

Supporting our communities

CommonSpirit Health and our local facilities support nonprofit organizations that share our mission, vision and values. We give priority to programs that improve access to care and promote health equity and healthier communities.

CommonSpirit is proud to support nonprofit organizations that help improve the health and well-being of our communities. Guided by our mission, vision and values, we prioritize projects that focus on advancing health equity, improving access to care and improving community wellness.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in eligible low- and middle-income countries proposing health-related research can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, with approximately US $140,000 in support. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Tennessee-based partners mentor LMIC investigators on projects reflecting LMIC health priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee seeking support for education, youth programs, arts, community initiatives, or related services may be eligible for grants of US $5,000 - US $20,000. John Ben Snow Memorial Trust funds new or enhanced programs and short-term support, which could include educational components within solar or energy-related projects.

Nonprofit and institutional organizers of medical congresses, events, or initiatives in Tennessee can seek sponsorship to support disease-focused programming, exhibits, and related activities. Biogen Foundation supports areas such as neurology, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological and immune conditions, offering funding in exchange for reasonable recognition or marketing benefits.

Nonprofit and 501(c)/170(c) organizations in Tennessee can receive matching funds to support community development, education and workforce readiness, financial wellness, arts and culture, veterans, and disability services. Focused on community impact, Regions Bank invites eligible organizations within its footprint to benefit when full-time associates or recent retirees make tax-deductible donations.

Tennessee nonprofits and accredited educational institutions working in community development, education, financial wellness, arts and culture, veterans’ support, or disability services can access funding through Regions Bank’s matching gifts for recent retirees, with awards up to US $1,000. Eligible organizations benefit when recent Regions retirees request matches for their monetary donations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee working on regenerative agriculture, climate justice, healthy food access, or pollution-free environments can receive US $5,000 - US $50,000 for general operating support. Clif Family Foundation prioritizes grassroots groups with strong community ties and U.S.-focused work, which may include sustainable energy or solar-related initiatives within broader environmental and food system efforts.

Nonprofit organizations near eligible data centers, including parts of Tennessee, can seek funding for STEM education, economic opportunity, digital access, sustainability, health, and arts projects. Focused on community impact, Meta (Facebook) invites nonprofits to propose innovative, measurable initiatives; awards are typically more than US $5,000 for discrete, high-impact projects.

The William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on education, environmental protection, medical research, and support for the underprivileged. This trust, based in Florida, primarily serves communities in Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties, along with select areas in Appalachia. It seeks to assist public charities classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring support for impactful charitable initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee seeking major capacity-building, capital, or impact-expansion support may be eligible for the Joe C Davis Foundation’s Transformational Grant. Grants from Joe C Davis Foundation help Nashville-area education, healthcare, and community and social service providers strengthen programs, facilities, or infrastructure, which may include energy or solar-related upgrades within their broader missions.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund

The NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund supports the launch or expansion of clinical programs and new service areas that increase access to care for underserved patients. This funding is designed to help NAFC members introduce new services or grow existing programs that address unmet community health needs and improve access to comprehensive, patient-centered care.

The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, provides financial support to students pursuing careers in natural resources. Applicants must reside in specific Illinois counties and plan to enroll in a full-time program related to fields such as ecology, hydrology, and conservation. Academic performance is a key consideration in the selection process. For more details, contact the Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District.

The OECD Conference Sponsorship aims to enhance scientific knowledge and provide essential information to influence policy decisions on sustainable resource use in food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It supports international events that showcase innovative research and developments, inviting applications from scientists in these fields. The event sponsorship encourages collaboration among policymakers, industry, and academia, ensuring that research insights are effectively communicated and utilized in decision-making processes.

The RNRF Planning and Small Grants program provides funding up to $50,000 to support projects that enhance collaboration among community partners in addressing critical environmental issues. Eligible applicants must be 501c3 organizations in the U.S. and demonstrate multidisciplinary cooperation. Projects should align with RNRF's mission and focus areas, including air quality, biodiversity, and renewable energy. The initiative aims to create sustainable and impactful outcomes by bridging research and practical implementation.

The RNRF Implementation/Collaboration Grants support innovative projects that enhance collaboration among stakeholders to address critical challenges in environmental, social, and economic systems. Offering up to $200,000 for initiatives lasting 12 months or more, these grants aim to implement evidence-based practices and facilitate multidisciplinary teamwork. Eligible applicants must be from 501c3 organizations in the U.S., ensuring alignment with RNRF's mission and focus areas, fostering sustainable and impactful outcomes.

The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, established by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, has distributed over $16.3 million in grants since 1999. It supports charitable organizations and local governments in eleven Oregon counties, as well as Native American initiatives across the U.S. The fund prioritizes education, health, public safety, addiction prevention, housing, arts, and environmental preservation, ensuring the Tribe's commitment to community support and cultural heritage.