Best Grants for Elementary Education in Tennessee

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits running youth development, education, housing, or arts programs can access funding through U.S. Bank Foundation’s Community Possible Grant Program. Organizations serving elementary-age students through workforce readiness, financial literacy, arts education, or safe and affordable housing initiatives may be eligible, with priority for groups led by people of color in designated U.S. Bank communities.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting children, education, or health and human services can seek monetary program funding that demonstrates clear community need and measurable outcomes. Grants from Costco Foundation help organizations, including those with elementary education programs, that show community collaboration, a broad base of financial support, and well-documented project and operating budgets.

Elementary education nonprofits in Tennessee with 501(c)(3) status and innovative human services approaches can seek support for new or reimagined programs. Focused on innovation, Creag Foundation invites organizations addressing social problems in areas like literacy, community development, or health-related services for children to submit a letter of inquiry for potential funding.

501(c)(3) nonprofits worldwide, including those serving elementary-age students in Tennessee, can apply for DanPaul Foundation grants up to US $15,000 to support youth health, education, development, and welfare programs. Funding may back early childhood development, child advocacy, poverty and homelessness services, environmental education, refugee enrichment, and related youth-focused initiatives.

Early-stage, impact-focused nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organizations working on scalable social or environmental solutions in Tennessee can access funding through Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, with awards up to US $300,000. Grants from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation help Tennessee elementary education initiatives that serve underserved communities if they fit the foundation’s early-stage, high-growth criteria.

Tennessee elementary education programs run by schools, government entities, or eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits can apply for State Farm Companies Foundation’s Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants to support safety, education, and community development initiatives. Funding may support K–12 academic performance, STEM, and pathways for college and career success, alongside related community safety and development efforts.

Tennessee elementary education nonprofits offering substantial arts or science programming can access funding through the William Randolph Hearst Foundation to support culture-focused programs, capital projects, or limited general support; awards are typically more than US $100,000. Eligible U.S.-based 501(c)(3) cultural institutions with audited expenses over $2 million and strong, measurable impact on youth may benefit.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

Tennessee elementary education nonprofits and other 501(c)(3) organizations can seek funding for health, education, and community initiatives that benefit local students and families. Labcorp Charitable Foundation provides support for programs such as STEM education, food pantries, meal programs, and healthcare or preventative services for underserved populations in U.S. communities.

Nonprofits, schools, governments, and other eligible organizations in Tennessee working on education for urban low-income children can apply for Michael & Susan Dell Foundation grants; awards are more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling. Programs in elementary education may be eligible if they serve children in poverty and meet the foundation’s focus and location criteria.

Nonprofit charities running humanitarian, education, community, environmental, or arts programs can seek philanthropic support from Roche in many countries, including the U.S. Focused on global humanitarian, science education, community development, and contemporary arts, Roche invites accredited charities, including those with elementary education initiatives in Tennessee, to propose innovative, sustainable projects that engage local partners and volunteers.

Nonprofit organizations providing health, education, or humanitarian services can seek support to aid marginalized communities in Tennessee and worldwide. Semnani Family Foundation provides Tennessee elementary education programs and related child welfare or literacy initiatives with funding for health care access, children’s health, literacy, and broader human and social services in the U.S. and multiple countries.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits running community, education, or basic needs programs can seek sponsorship support for initiatives that benefit local residents. Bank of America Foundation supports efforts like workforce education, hunger relief, housing and shelters, arts and culture, environmental projects, and diversity and inclusion, which may include elementary education–related community programming.

Elementary education and other eligible 501(c)(3) or aligned for‑profit organizations can seek the Storytelling Grant to share their community impact through high-quality storytelling. Focused on preservation, education, and wellness, the Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation offers awards of more than US $50,000 to support narrative projects, including those benefiting Tennessee elementary students.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) organizations serving elementary-age children through education, family services, or youth programs can access funding via Robinson Foundation for single-year projects. Eligible nonprofits must operate in the Southern region for more than three years and may also work in areas like poverty relief, disaster relief, health, animal welfare, or spiritual endeavors.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking community services grants or event sponsorships can apply for funding that supports their service and fundraising goals. With a mission to help communities where employees live and work, Insperity provides nonprofits with philanthropic grants and sponsorships when staff are involved, the group is a client, or it serves Insperity communities.

Elementary education nonprofits in Tennessee seeking support for community services, environmental education, or peacebuilding-related programs may be eligible for funding from the Dudley T Dougherty Foundation. Focused on community, environment, and respect for all people, this grant supports 501(c)(3) charitable organizations with forward-looking, change-driven initiatives.

Elementary schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and local government entities in Tennessee within 30 miles of a Georgia-Pacific manufacturing community can apply for Georgia-Pacific Foundation support for education, entrepreneurship, environment, and community enrichment projects. Programs that strengthen GP communities and serve students or families in these areas may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting basic needs, at-risk youth education, workforce readiness, or domestic violence safety in Tennessee and other U.S. communities can seek funding that supports vulnerable children and families. The TJX Foundation requires applicants to be within 15 miles of a TJX site, aligned with its mission, and to complete an eligibility questionnaire and LOI process.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Tennessee can seek US $5,000 - US $10,000 in unrestricted support for environmental, human services, or related programs. With a mission to back these priority areas, Lawrence Foundation provides operating or project grants that may benefit elementary education initiatives fitting its funding interests.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation provides Tennessee education-focused nonprofits with US $1,000 - US $20,000 to support elementary and other youth programs, museums, cultural activities, and community services. IRS-qualified organizations serving children, including elementary-age students, may apply for program support, skills training, life skills education, and related community-based initiatives in the U.S.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee can seek project funding for elementary and broader educational programs, as well as social services, health care, civic, cultural, and environmental initiatives. Grants from Dr Scholl Foundation help U.S. nonprofits with one-year projects, with awards ranging from US $5,000 - US $25,000.

Nonprofit organizations in Tennessee improving economic stability, health, literacy, or disaster relief can access funding through the O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for project, general operating, or capital support. U.S.-based 501(c)(3)s serving local communities, including those offering elementary education and children’s literacy programs, may be eligible if they operate where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a business presence.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee can apply for Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $30,000 for safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability projects in Union Pacific–served communities. Elementary education programs run by eligible nonprofits, including those operating in school settings, may be supported when they fit these priority areas.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.