Best Community Health Grants in Tennessee

The Boyd Foundation, established in 2017 by Jenny and Randy Boyd, aims to improve the greater Knoxville area through strategic investments in education, arts, animal welfare, and mental health. With a focus on community strength and sustainability, the foundation supports various local organizations and initiatives. Their commitment to philanthropy reflects the family's dedication to enhancing the quality of life in Tennessee, ensuring meaningful change for those in need.

The CBE Community Outreach Program Grant empowers local charities in Iowa, Tennessee, and Texas by providing financial support through employee donations. With contributions ranging from $5 to $25 per paycheck, CBE Companies donates over $15,000 quarterly to foster community engagement. This initiative reflects CBE's commitment to making a meaningful impact through partnerships and volunteerism, enhancing the quality of life in the communities they serve.

The Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation Charitable Grant supports qualified charities focused on community betterment and basic human needs. Founded in 2016, it aims to enhance lives through initiatives such as affordable housing, health programs, and the arts. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt and serve areas where Frankenmuth Insurance operates. Notably, the foundation excludes support for individuals, political groups, and projects typically financed by governments, ensuring its resources benefit the wider community.

Ingram Charities Grant supports nonprofit organizations and programs that enhance the quality of life in Nashville, focusing on arts, education, and health services. Grants are available for initiatives making a significant impact in Middle Tennessee. However, funding is not provided for individuals, private foundations, political activities, or religious organizations, among others. This grant aims to foster community development and enrich the lives of residents through meaningful contributions.

The Memorial Foundation, established in 1994, aims to enhance community quality of life by supporting nonprofit organizations in areas such as health care, social services, and education. With a focus on data-driven, trauma-informed initiatives, the Foundation funds projects that address critical needs and promote lasting impact. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and demonstrate community support. Grants are not available for individuals or certain specific projects, ensuring resources are allocated effectively for community enhancement.

The Rosendin Foundation Emergency Grant provides financial support for unplanned expenses due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Grants up to $5,000 are available for community-focused non-profit organizations in states where Rosendin and MPS operate. The foundation prioritizes emotional, occupational, and nutritional health initiatives, aiming to positively impact communities and empower individuals through financial support and volunteer efforts.

SA Recycling is a leading metal recycler, operating over 70 facilities across multiple states. Committed to environmental sustainability, the organization promotes recycling to conserve natural resources and reduce production costs. They actively engage with local communities through job creation and support for various programs, including law enforcement and non-profit organizations. SA Recycling also contributes to community well-being via service and monetary donations, striving to enhance the quality of life for employees and their families.

The Frist Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing the quality of life in Nashville and Middle Tennessee by funding nonprofit organizations. With over 40 years of commitment, it prioritizes projects addressing community challenges in areas such as Arts, Food Insecurity, Health Disparities, and support for underserved residents. The Foundation seeks to empower organizations through General, Technology, and Operational Grants, emphasizing sustainability and long-term impact without funding operational expenses or salaries.

The Civic Experiment Grant by the Trust for Civic Life supports innovative, community-driven projects aimed at enhancing civic engagement. It focuses on rural areas, empowering local leaders to tackle challenges collaboratively. Grants up to $25,000 are available for organizations that are non-partisan and primarily serve rural communities, emphasizing inclusivity and sustainable impact. The next nomination period begins in early 2026, following a closed cycle for 2025. This initiative fosters long-term civic infrastructure and community resilience.

The Joe C Davis Operational Grant provides unrestricted operational support to nonprofits in the Nashville area that demonstrate strong leadership and positive outcomes. The grant prioritizes organizations focused on education, healthcare, and social services, particularly those serving low-income and vulnerable populations. It aims to empower motivated individuals and families by offering resources that help them achieve long-term success, aligning with the foundational values of personal initiative, perseverance, and hard work.

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Grant supports nonprofit organizations in improving community health, education, social justice, cultural enrichment, and capacity building. Grants are available for organizations in specific Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi counties, with eligibility focused on tax-exempt entities. Applications are accepted quarterly, with specific deadlines for different focus areas. The foundation seeks innovative ideas that align with its philanthropic mission and encourages organizations to apply for funding that promotes positive community transformation.

The First Horizon Foundation Grant supports organizations in West Tennessee, particularly in Memphis/Shelby County and Jackson, TN. It funds initiatives in Arts and Culture, Education & Leadership, Environmental Sustainability, Financial Literacy, and Health & Human Services. However, it does not provide grants to individuals, K-12 schools, or political organizations. This grant aims to strengthen community impact through targeted support in various essential areas.

The Ralph J. Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund Grant, offered by the UNICO Foundation Inc., aims to combat hunger and provide shelter for the homeless and indigent. Eligible applicants include registered non-profit food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in 13 U.S. states. The grant focuses on direct services, ensuring that all funds are used for food and shelter, not for operating expenses, thereby promoting effective community support for vulnerable populations.

The Women’s Fund, part of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is dedicated to empowering women and girls by funding long-term solutions that enhance economic self-sufficiency, promote health, and prevent violence. With a commitment to collective philanthropy, the Fund prioritizes support for organizations with budgets under $3 million and a focus on women's issues. Grants can reach up to $20,000 for established organizations and $5,000 for newer ones, ensuring impactful contributions to the community.

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.

The Cigna Group Foundation is launching the Improving Youth Mental Health Grant, committing $9 million over three years to enhance mental health support for youth aged five to 18. This initiative targets post-pandemic challenges, offering resources to parents, caregivers, and youth service professionals. Nonprofits are encouraged to apply for funding between $100,000 and $150,000 to develop programs that promote social-emotional skills, enhance caregiver support, and improve access to mental health interventions in underserved communities.

The Thompson Charitable Foundation, established in 1987, aims to enhance the quality of life for communities in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. It focuses on funding nonprofit projects in health services, education, and community development. Grants are available for matching funds and capital projects but do not support endowments or religious activities. Preference is given to applicants previously funded by TCF. Interested organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry before the application deadline.

The Youth Endowment Fund Grant, managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, supports innovative solutions to challenges faced by youth within a 25-county service area. Grants of up to $20,000 are available for projects focusing on early childhood education, health drivers, and the prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to serving youth and adhere to non-discrimination policies. This initiative aims to foster stronger, healthier communities through impactful youth programming.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Home is where life happens, where plans are made, and futures begin. It is the foundation for dignity, health, education, wealth, and community. Yet rents keep going up, paychecks don’t keep pace, and good homes in strong neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach.

The system doesn’t work. It must be changed, and it must be changed by us.

Enterprise has the breadth, scale, and expertise to do it. We support community development organizations on the ground. We aggregate and invest billions to improve housing and strengthen communities across the U.S. We advance housing policy at every level of government. We build and manage communities ourselves. Everything we do is informed by the residents we serve.

Together with our partners, we focus on the greatest need — the massive shortage of affordable rental homes — to achieve three goals:

• Increase the supply of affordable homes
• Advance racial equity after decades of systematic racism in housing
• Support residents and strengthen communities to be resilient to the unpredictable, and make upward mobility possible

Since 1982, we have invested $92.0 billion and created 1.1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We do all this to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

National Housing Innovation Grant Competition

Home is foundational. It’s where we plant roots, raise and care for our families, and build community bonds. Yet in every corner of the country, millions of people of all ages and backgrounds need a home they can afford.

Wells Fargo is meeting this moment with a powerful grant opportunity. Together with Enterprise, Wells Fargo has launched the third iteration of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The 2026 cycle of the housing innovation competition will identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Eligible applicants will compete for five individual grants of $2 million to advance their innovation and drive meaningful, systems-level change in the housing and adjacent industries. Winners will gain access to mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts and join a powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators.

Focus Areas

This third cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across all types of communities: Native, rural, suburban, tribal, and urban.

Proposals must encompass one or more of three focus areas:

• Design and Construction
• Finance
• Service Delivery and Programs

Applicants will be asked to show how their proof of concept or pilot program has achieved clear outcomes and success, and provide a clear pathway to expanding the innovation’s reach and impact

Round 1: Criteria and Scoring

Your innovation must meet the criteria below to advance to the official scoring stage.

Type of Community

Innovations can serve all types of communities:

• Rural
• Urban
• Suburban
• Tribal

Location

Priority scoring will be given to applications from entities that are based in – or whose innovations are designed for – one or more of these 28 states, plus D.C.:

• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Affordability

Innovations must serve residents at these income levels:

• Rental: 80% AMI or below
• Homeownership: 120% AMI or below
• Workforce housing: 120% AMI or below

The Rosendin Foundation Annual Grant provides financial support to community-focused 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations across various states, aiding initiatives in emotional, occupational, and nutritional health. Grants can reach up to $50,000 and are geared towards organizations that positively impact their communities. However, the foundation does not fund discriminatory practices, political efforts, or religiously affiliated projects, ensuring that support is directed towards inclusive and impactful community services.

The Opportunity Endowment Fund, managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofit organizations across a 25-county service area. Grants of up to $25,000 support collaborative projects focused on improving operational systems, fostering partnerships, and addressing community needs. Projects that demonstrate collective impact and leverage matching funds are prioritized, particularly those that tackle adverse childhood experiences and enhance early childhood education.

Impact100 Nashville's Spark Grant Category seeks to empower non-profit organizations addressing critical issues in Middle Tennessee, such as homelessness and poverty. By offering $35,000 grants, the program aims to fund innovative, self-sustaining projects that create lasting social change. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a sustainable plan and a track record of financial stability. This initiative encourages philanthropic collaboration among women to drive community transformation and elevate under-served populations.

The Joe C. Davis Foundation Grant focuses on supporting charitable organizations that embody core values such as personal initiative, hard work, and education. With an emphasis on education, healthcare, and community services, the Foundation primarily supports initiatives in Nashville, Tennessee. It funds a variety of programs, from K-12 education to healthcare services, and prefers one-time grants that enhance existing programs or create new ones with sustainable financial models.

Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.

Inspire Awards

This year’s Inspire Awards seeks nonprofits supporting the career navigation and workforce development needs of workers across the United States. The challenge seeks applications that help individuals gain the skills, guidance, and support needed to access quality jobs, advance in their careers, and build long-term stability in an evolving world of work.

2026 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge Question

How are nonprofits providing innovative direct services, training programs, and career navigation supports for adult workers in the age of AI?

Challenge Dimensions

Nonprofit organizations have long been critical advocates and service providers for workers in the United States. Nonprofits provide workers necessary upskilling opportunities, AI literacy training, career navigation support, and wraparound services in conjunction with career pathways programming. All necessary for the modern workforce. Meeting the moment, Truist Foundation and MIT Solve want to hear the ways in which nonprofits headquartered in the Truist operating footprint are providing innovative career pathway programming in the age of AI. Although solutions don’t need to focus on generative AI specifically, teams should demonstrate how their career pathways programming align with the following dimensions:

• Training and Upskilling Programs – Providing holistic, accessible programming that equips workers with essential skills, industry-validated credentials, and technical literacy for the modern workplace.
• AI Readiness and Literacy – Offering high-quality training that helps workers understand generative AI and agentic technologies as augmented intelligence tools, helping to build practical skills like effective prompting, domain expertise application, and ethical use.
• Additional Wraparound Services and Basic Needs Support – Supporting unemployed and underemployed workers on their journey to economic mobility through comprehensive, integrated resources including childcare, transportation support, mentorship, mental health services, benefits navigation, and more.
• Career Navigation in the AI Economy – Enabling workers to navigate career choices with clarity and confidence by providing accessible information about how AI is reshaping job roles and industries, facilitating informed decisions about high-quality career trajectories that align with individual circumstances, and connecting workers to industry-validated credentials or trainings.

Here are the grants for this challenge

• First place: $250,000
• Second place: $150,000
• Runners-up: $25,000
• Audience favorite: $75,000

The Best Life Community Awards, funded by Altra Foundation Inc, invites nominations for nonprofit organizations that have made a significant impact in their communities. Altra members can nominate eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits they support with their time, talents, or financial contributions. The selected nonprofit will receive a $10,000 grant, aimed at fostering initiatives in education, health, and community services across specific counties in the U.S. Nominate today to help recognize outstanding contributions!

The Athens Federal Foundation Grant supports charitable initiatives in East Tennessee, particularly in Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk counties. Established in 2009 with a $1 million stock contribution and $100,000 in cash, the Foundation prioritizes affordable housing, job training, and educational initiatives for the economically disadvantaged. Non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501c(3) are eligible to apply, while political and fraternal organizations are excluded.

The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis offers Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants to enhance the organizational health of nonprofits in the Mid-South. These one-time financial grants, averaging $15,000 with a total of $210,000 available, are for projects that improve governance and management, rather than direct programming. Organizations must raise matching funds dollar-for-dollar to leverage additional resources. Eligibility requires a reviewed profile on LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org and meeting specific operational criteria.