Best Public Infrastructure Grants in Tennessee

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting safety, community vitality, workforce development, or environmental sustainability projects that benefit Tennessee communities served by Union Pacific can seek funding for local infrastructure and related programs. Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Giving Program offers US $5,000 - US $30,000 for direct services, capacity building, and public safety or community improvements within its rail footprint.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits with $100,000+ budgets can access funding for workforce readiness, youth development, arts access, community stability, and environmental sustainability projects. Grants from RBC Foundation – USA support job skills, apprenticeships, financial well-being, accessible community spaces, and net-zero transition efforts in communities where RBC Wealth Management has an active business presence.

The Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program, initiated by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), aims to enhance rural electric systems through substantial funding of approximately $175 million. This initiative focuses on increasing emission-free nuclear power and improving transmission infrastructure efficiency, promoting long-term reliability and affordability. Eligible entities include electric cooperatives serving rural areas and their subsidiaries. The program aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, thus fostering a sustainable energy future.

About Boeing

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company

One of the largest employee-managed funds of its kind in the world, the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company has empowered employees to make a greater impact by pooling their tax-deductible donations for more than 60 years. Employee-led grantmaking committees at 20 Boeing sites provide combined employee donations to nonprofits in their communities through ECF grants.

Charitable or educational organizations can apply for grants from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company.

Puget Sound Chapter

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound is a pooled fund consisting of recurring payroll contributions from generous Boeing employees. It funds local nonprofits that help thousands of families and individuals in the Puget Sound region where Boeing employees live and work.

ECF focus areas

ECF makes grants to 501(c)(3) Health & Human Service nonprofits such as food banks, job-training programs, shelters, transitional housing, mental health services, and low-income medical clinics. ECF seeks the direct client benefit of each grant to ensure that our employees’ contributions directly help those in need.

ECF funding criteria

ECF has two distinct grant categories – Supporting Grants and Capital Campaign Grants.

ECF of Boeing Company: Puget Sound Chapter Supporting Grants

Consideration is given to nonprofits/agencies that are performing well and are seeking to upgrade, replace or modify elements of their infrastructure.

• Supporting grants cannot exceed $50,000. The requested amount cannot be more than 10% of an agency’s gross annual revenue.
• Supporting grants will be considered only for agencies benefiting residents in the Puget Sound Region.
• Supporting grants help agencies continue to effectively provide services through enhanced direct client benefit by aiding them in procuring and/or paying for items such as:
  • Equipment (ex. office, kitchen, industrial, furniture, etc.)
  • Vehicles used to support clients and/or transport food and/or goods (cost of vehicle and accommodations, tax, and licensing only; operating expenses, such as insurance, fuel, etc. is not allowed)
  • Phone systems
  • Cell phones for direct client use
  • Remodels and/or renovations (must hold at least a 10-year lease or own the building)
  • Purchase or construction of new buildings
  • Computers or tablets for direct client benefit and/or use
  • Software for direct client benefit and/or use (ex. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device)
  • Information Technology expenses, without which procured tools would not work
  • External improvements for client safety (i.e. security system, exterior lighting, improved ADA accessibility, new or refinished pavement or concrete)
• Supporting grants which are accepted must be spent as approved within nine (9) months.

The Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program (84.041C) offers $19M in funding to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to address urgent school facility needs. This initiative supports repairs, renovations, or replacements required to maintain safe educational environments. Grants cover projects that improve accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that facilities meet health standards. The program aims to enhance learning conditions by responding effectively to emergency situations.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA: Capital Improvement Grants

Any request to support a project that seeks to improve a facility is considered a capital improvement. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Range improvements
• Berm improvements
• Clubhouse/Classroom facility improvements
• Shelter structures/covered firing lines/pavilions
• Road improvements
• Commercial-grade trap machines (see section regarding trap machines, below)
• Any other permanent improvement to an organization’s property or facility

The Grant Program considers requests for certain trap machines to be a capital improvement to the facility. Specifically, requests for commercial grade trap machines that have a capacity of 300 clays and up.

State and local transportation agencies in Tennessee can apply for the DOT Federal Highway Administration’s ATTAIN Competitive Grant Program, with awards up to US $12,000,000 to deploy advanced transportation technologies. Projects may include public infrastructure, transit, safety, and congestion management improvements that enhance mobility, connectivity, and system performance across communities.

Universities, research institutions, and policy-focused organizations working on transportation systems in Tennessee can seek funding to study and improve public infrastructure and transit policies in the U.S. Grants from Arnold Ventures help advance research, data, and policy reforms on transportation capital investment, cost control, access, and implementation across federal, state, and local levels, with awards up to US $200,000.

State and local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes planning rural water, wastewater, or related public infrastructure in Tennessee can get predevelopment support through this program. USDA Rural Development funds feasibility studies, preliminary design, engineering analysis, and technical assistance for proposed water and waste disposal projects in very small, financially distressed rural communities.

Local governments and organizations developing public infrastructure and economic development projects in Tennessee’s Appalachian counties can apply for Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development’s Appalachian Regional Commission funding; awards Up to US $1,000,000 for construction and US $500,000 for non-construction projects. Eligible projects include water, wastewater, utilities, transportation, and related community development improvements.

Tennessee public infrastructure and related policy researchers can access funding through Arnold Ventures to conduct rigorous quasi-experimental evaluations of social programs and policies. Eligible projects use methods like natural experiments or regression discontinuity within AV focus areas such as infrastructure, higher education, workforce training, reproductive health, or public finance, helping build evidence on what works for decision-makers.

Industrial and energy-technology organizations developing thermal or electric storage solutions for industrial facilities in the U.S., including Tennessee, can apply for the Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize to advance cost-effective storage concepts. The U.S. Department of Energy supports multi-phase design, prototyping, and validation of industrial energy storage systems with awards up to US $700,000.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes in Tennessee and nationwide can seek funding to plan, design, construct, rehabilitate, or inspect unsafe or aging Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) bridges. US Department of Transportation: Federal Highway Administration supports improvements to BIA/Tribally owned and other eligible bridges in poor condition or with low load capacity through the TTP Bridge Program.

State and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities in Tennessee can seek funding for major surface transportation infrastructure projects through the US Department of Transportation’s BUILD program, with awards up to US $25,000,000. Focused on public infrastructure and transit, it supports multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects with significant local or regional impact across the U.S. territories and states.

Nonprofits, government entities, and tribal organizations working on traffic safety projects in Tennessee can apply for National Safety Council’s Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants, awarding US $50,000 - US $200,000 for innovative, evidence-based countermeasures. Grants support Safe System approaches, public infrastructure, and pedestrian and bike-friendly improvements that can be replicated or scaled nationally within the U.S.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charities and government entities working on public infrastructure and community development in Tennessee can apply for SC Johnson Giving grants to support healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable communities. Funding may cover projects in public infrastructure, environmental conservation, public health, education, and community revitalization, especially in areas near SC Johnson operations.

Tennessee public infrastructure and transportation-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding for STEM education, transportation safety, and community infrastructure projects through General Motors Foundation. Grants support work in areas like public infrastructure, automotive safety, and electrification in eligible Tennessee counties such as Maury, Shelby, and Williamson, with applications accepted January through September.

Local governments and community-based nonprofits planning temporary street safety pilot projects in Tennessee and other eligible U.S. communities can join this yearlong Community Connectors cohort, receiving up to US $25,000 plus training and travel support. With a mission to repair divisive infrastructure, Smart Growth America provides teams with skills to redesign dangerous arterial roads and reconnect neighborhoods.

State and local agencies, governmental entities, local governing boards, nonprofits, tribes, and higher education institutions working on public infrastructure and economic development in Tennessee’s ARC-designated Appalachian counties can seek funding for critical infrastructure and workforce projects. Appalachian Regional Commission supports water and wastewater systems, transportation networks, broadband, and related public infrastructure that strengthen regional economies and communities.

Tax-exempt environmental organizations in Tennessee and across the U.S. can seek support for innovative projects that move people from environmental awareness to activism. Grants from Ittleson Foundation help public infrastructure and environmental justice efforts by backing pilot, model, and demonstration projects that build grassroots capacity, train current and future activists, and engage new constituencies.

The Entergy Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on supporting initiatives that foster thriving communities through education, poverty solutions, and environmental programs. The foundation prioritizes funding for 501(c)(3) organizations and similar entities. Key areas include education development, innovative poverty solutions, and environmental restoration efforts, such as coastal wetland preservation. Organizations are encouraged to apply at least three months before funding is needed, ensuring timely support for impactful community projects.

The Fund for a Just Society Grant, offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association, supports nonprofit organizations that focus on social and economic justice through community organizing. This grant prioritizes innovative projects that seek systemic change and empower disenfranchised communities. Eligible organizations must operate with an annual budget under $500,000 and demonstrate a clear campaign for change. This funding aims to foster a more just society by addressing root causes and enhancing visibility for Unitarian Universalist principles.

The Emergent Fund Grant, established in 2016, supports BIPOC-led social justice movements through rapid response funding. It addresses urgent community needs by providing low-barrier grants to organizations facing crises such as family separation and systemic oppression. The fund prioritizes initiatives that foster Black liberation, multiracial solidarity, and empower communities to build transformative power. By investing in innovative strategies, the Emergent Fund aims to challenge oppressive structures and advance social justice, ensuring that impacted communities are at the forefront of their own advocacy.

The OpenAI A People-First AI Fund supports U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on AI literacy, community innovation, and economic opportunity. It aims to enhance public understanding of AI, promote participatory design in AI applications by communities, and expand access to meaningful work through inclusive practices. Organizations at all stages of AI adoption are encouraged to apply, especially those addressing the needs of traditionally marginalized populations. This initiative emphasizes equitable distribution of AI benefits.

The EA Infrastructure Fund Grant supports projects that enhance effective altruism by improving access to talent, capital, and knowledge. With grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $200,000, it welcomes applications from individuals, nonprofits, and academic institutions worldwide. However, individuals must ensure their projects conclude by August 31, 2025. The fund aims to amplify the impact of direct charitable work and foster a community committed to effective altruism principles.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers the Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants to support nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building for mission-driven projects and infrastructure investments. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to community flourishing, with funding available for new programs or expansion of existing ones. The Trust prioritizes initiatives that align with its strategic goals, fostering sustainable nonprofit growth and impact in the region.

The When Georgia Smiled Grant, established by the Robin McGraw Revelation and Dr. Phil Foundation, focuses on aiding victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The foundation prioritizes programs that provide shelter, education, and mental health services to ensure safe and fulfilling lives for affected individuals. Additionally, it supports initiatives for children and disaster relief, fostering community resilience and family reunification efforts. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations operating in the U.S. with a commitment to inclusivity.