Best Grants for After School Programs in Tennessee

Local educational agencies, community-based and faith-based organizations, and other public or private groups serving Tennessee students can seek more than US $50,000 to run after-school enrichment programs. With a mission to support out-of-school education, Tennessee Department of Education provides three-year Lottery for Education Afterschool Programs grants to reinforce and complement regular K-12 academics.

State education affiliates in Tennessee and across the U.S. can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s ARP Implementation Network Grant, awarding up to US $100,000 to fund a coordinator position supporting American Rescue Plan implementation for public education. This staffing support may benefit affiliates coordinating after school and extended learning programs.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) organizations running after-school or summer educational programs for economically or educationally disadvantaged youth may be eligible for support, including program-related investments and grants. The Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation backs self-sustaining efforts in education, youth services, housing, health, and community economic development in the U.S. and select international regions.

After-school and summer educational programs in Tennessee serving grades 3–8 can receive donated Walking Classroom materials to combine physical activity with academic enrichment. Alliance for a Healthier Generation prioritizes public schools and sites with the greatest socioeconomic and academic need, offering free training, lesson plans, and resources to support evidence-based, walk-and-listen learning.

Out-of-school time and afterschool programs serving middle school youth in low-income or disadvantaged communities can receive US $20,000 in one-year general operating support to strengthen transition-to-high-school programming. The New York Life Foundation funds U.S. programs with strong student engagement and impact data, which may include eligible after school initiatives in Tennessee.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children in middle Tennessee can seek program funding for critical needs, medical care, education, and after school support. Focused on vulnerable youth, Speedway Children's Charities prioritizes homeless, foster, orphaned children and victims of sex trafficking. After school and tutoring programs in eligible counties may be strong candidates.

Nonprofit organizations offering STEAM workshops or tech skills programs for teens ages 13–19 can apply for funding from Best Buy Foundation to partner with local Teen Tech Centers. Focused on youth tech skill-building, this grant supports after-school or summer educational programming in Tennessee counties where Teen Tech Centers operate, with awards up to US $24,999.

After-school and youth programs in Tennessee serving low-income, at-risk children can access free ticketed educational, cultural, and enrichment experiences through the Tickets for Kids Grant Program. Grants from Tickets For Kids Foundation help nonprofits, schools, government agencies, and qualifying church-based ministries supplement existing programming with theater, arts, camps, and academic success opportunities at no cost.

The Wabtec Direct Grant Program focuses on creating sustainable impacts in local communities by funding 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Emphasizing education and environmental stewardship, the program supports initiatives that improve literacy, academic outcomes, and workforce readiness. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, prioritizing organizations that engage local Wabtec employees in volunteerism. The program promotes equitable access and non-discrimination while ensuring measurable results in funded projects.

High school students from economically disadvantaged families in Tennessee interested in chemistry-focused summer learning can apply for paid Project SEED research fellowships, receiving up to US $20,000 in support. Offered by the American Chemical Society, this program provides 8–10 week lab internships, mentoring, and potential college scholarships for STEM majors.

Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research can receive summer stipends to work in a clinical or lab setting through this program in Tennessee and nationwide. With a mission to support childhood cancer research, St Baldricks Foundation provides institutions with US $5,000 per Summer Fellowship Award to fund these educational experiences.

The Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation offers grants through its Education Committee to support programs enhancing educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students. These grants focus on initiatives like tutoring, college preparation, and internship programs. To qualify, organizations must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3). Preference is given to projects that provide ongoing support to students post-graduation, particularly in specific geographic areas such as San Diego County and the New York Metropolitan Area.

The Aim High Grant Program, funded by the New York Life Foundation, offers 15 two-year grants of $100,000 each to support out-of-school time programs that assist middle school students in their transition to high school. This initiative addresses chronic absenteeism and promotes educational attainment in low-income communities, enhancing the cognitive, social, and emotional development of youth. By fostering skills necessary for academic success, the program aims to create brighter futures for participants.

The Kars4Kids Small Grant Program aims to support educational initiatives globally, impacting the lives of children. This program welcomes applications from IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations focused on youth development, mentorship, and education. Grants typically range from $500 to $2,000, depending on mission alignment and available funds. Kars4Kids, a national Jewish nonprofit, is dedicated to nurturing productive community members through educational and mentoring opportunities.

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants to support innovative educational programs that enhance student learning for low-income children. These grants, up to $10,000 per year for two years, aim to foster creativity and critical thinking in K-12 education. Applications are accepted from educators at nonprofit organizations who engage with students directly. The initiative emphasizes collaboration and seeks projects that enrich academic experiences and inspire student curiosity.

SHAPE America’s NAGWS Legacy Award provides US $1,000 to current SHAPE America members for projects advancing opportunities for girls and women in sport, including after-school or leadership programs. Tennessee educators and program leaders may be eligible if their proposals support girls’ and women’s participation or leadership in sports and physical activity.

Graduating high school seniors from Williamson County public schools in Tennessee can receive academic scholarship support for college, with preferences for in-state or Southeast institutions. Grants from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee help students in after-school or extracurricular programs who meet GPA, ACT, residency, and income criteria pursue postsecondary education, with renewal contingent on continued academic progress and activities.

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.

Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations, and public schools in Tennessee that regularly distribute food to people in need can receive unsold bread and baked goods through Panera Bread Foundation’s Day-End Dough-Nation program. After school programs and youth-serving organizations able to pick up weekly donations may be eligible to support their students and families.

Tennessee after-school and youth-serving nonprofits can seek support for programs that feed the hungry, assist youth and families, support education, and enrich neighborhoods. Tennessee after school programs can access funding through Wegmans Family Foundation to expand youth sports, after-school activities, tutoring, and related services that promote health, education, and long-term economic mobility in local communities.

High school graduates pursuing CTE-focused associate degrees, licenses, or certificates in fields like agriculture, automotive, culinary, nursing, paramedics, or IT can receive scholarship support for summer courses through Arizona Community Foundation. Although centered on Sedona/Verde Valley residents, Tennessee after-school or summer educational programs may find this model relevant for vocational pathway development.

With a mission to advance education for high-achieving students with financial need, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides U.S. middle schoolers with a selective five-year Young Scholars scholarship. Eligible 7th graders in Tennessee can receive academic advising and funding for school, after-school and summer educational programs, internships, and other enrichment opportunities.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant supports educational programs and initiatives that assist individuals demonstrating financial need. Founded in 1975, it prioritizes funding for organizations that enhance educational opportunities, arts, culture, and community initiatives, particularly for youth and disadvantaged populations. The Trust encourages proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations, with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. It also considers limited proposals in disabilities, environmental protection, and historic preservation, focusing on educational impact.

After-school and summer music program directors in Tennessee can request donated instruments to support youth music education and enrichment. Grants from Hungry for Music help programs obtain brass, woodwinds, strings, keyboards, percussion, amps, and accessories, with site visits required before being added to the organization’s U.S. distribution network.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

There are more than 800 Community Foundations in the US, each devoted to a specific region. We operate independently, with a common goal in mind: to be a platform for local people who want to pay it forward. To deliver resources to effective charitable programs. And to make our communities stronger and more successful by doing these two things.

Among our peers, Napa Valley Community Foundation ranks first on several key measures of donor satisfaction and impact, according to a recent donor survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Our donors say that we deeply understand their interests, and deeply understand the needs of Napa Valley. That, in a nutshell, is our job.

Coppola Family Travel Scholarship

The Coppola Family Travel Scholarship benefits Napa County High School students in grades 10-12 who have a desire to explore the world. This one-time award (“educational enrichment grant”) can be used to pay for tuition and associated costs for participation in a summer enrichment program in the United States or in Europe. Applicants must show a commitment to hard work and diligence in the pursuit of their goals. 

501(c)(3) and similar tax-exempt organizations offering after-school or summer educational programs in Tennessee may be eligible for McGraw Foundation support. This grant provides US $2,000 - US $10,000 for general operating, specific projects, or occasional capital needs, with a focus on academic enrichment, tutoring, special needs education, and related youth services.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Duke Energy Foundation provides Tennessee after-school and summer education programs with up to US $20,000 for K–12 energy and engineering education, workforce readiness, and community development. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities and governmental entities serving Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas communities, with measurable program outcomes and inclusive services.