Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

Mission and Vision

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Scholarships

The CBCF scholarship is open each year. Scholarships awarded will be for the following academic year. Scholarships are available only to students who graduated from a high school in one of the counties in the CBCF Service Area: Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio. Thanks to our generous donors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation (CBCF) offers scholarships to students from over 100 funds.

Nueces County Junior Livestock Show Scholarships

This scholarship is open to any active member of a Nueces County FFA or FCCLA chapter or 4-H club who will graduate this academic year and has actively participated in the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show for at least two of his/her high school years.

College Attendance Requirements: It is mandatory that the scholarship winner attend a college, university or certified vocational trade school the fall semester immediately following selection and use the scholarship funds beginning that semester. Only with special permission from the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show Scholarship Committee may the use of the scholarship be deferred one year.

Criteria used in selecting scholarship recipients will include: (1) Stock show participation (2) FFA, FCCLA or 4-H participation (3) Academic achievement (4) College Exams and (5) Interview.

The National Endowment for Financial Education Grant supports innovative research aimed at enhancing the public's financial well-being. This grant prioritizes studies that address financial literacy, systemic inequality, and the effectiveness of financial education among U.S. youth. Eligible applicants include researchers from nonprofit organizations or educational institutions. The funding process involves multiple phases, including evaluations and proposals, ensuring that impactful projects receive necessary support. NEFE aims to foster rigorous research that contributes significantly to financial education.

Who We Are

We Need Diverse Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes a holistic approach in improving literacy and building compassion by affecting change across the entire reading pipeline — turning diverse manuscripts into published books and then donating diverse titles to readers nationwide.

Emergency Grants

WNDB provides emergency grants to diverse authors and illustrators, publishing workers, and educators who are experiencing dire financial need, whether due to loss of employment, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and more.

We aim to bolster the communities we serve by giving grants between $250 and $1,000 each. Since 2020, WNDB has provided more than 160 of these grants.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative: University Scholarships, by the American Theatre Wing, supports high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds with a $10,000 annual scholarship for four years. This initiative addresses financial barriers for students pursuing theatre disciplines, including performance, design, and administration. Scholars are matched with mentors and gain exclusive opportunities such as master classes. This program aims to cultivate a diverse future in theatre, ensuring that talent is nurtured and accessible to all.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Wehrli Custom Fabrication Scholarship Fund

The Wehrli Custom Fabrication company created the scholarship to aid students interested in pursuing a career in the trades. The Fund supports two annual scholarships. The first is for a student attending a trade school or 2-year college, and the second benefits a student attending a 4-year college or university. Eligible areas of study include welding, machine tooling, auto mechanics, auto body, business management, and mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, or agricultural engineering.

The Coors Light Líderes Grant Program honors exceptional Latino leaders across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, awarding five individuals with a $10,000 grant each for their nonprofit organizations. This initiative, active for 17 years, aims to empower emerging leaders who demonstrate significant community impact through innovative programs. Eligible nominees must be between 21-39 years old, associated with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and committed to fostering positive change in their communities.

United Negro College Fund

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”®

For more than seven decades, this principle has remained at the heart of UNCF, enabling us to raise more than $5 billion and help more than 500,000 students and counting not just attend college, but thrive, graduate and become leaders.

We do this in three ways: By awarding more than 12,000 students scholarships, worth more than $65 million, each year. By providing financial support to 37 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). And by serving as the nation’s leading advocate for the importance of minority education and community engagement.

Henry C. McBay Faculty Research Fellowship

Dr. Henry Ransom Cecil McBay (May 29, 1914 – 1995) was an American chemist renowned for his excellence in teaching and mentorship. He received numerous awards for his commitment to encouraging disadvantaged students to pursue careers in the chemical sciences, including the American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences.

The Henry C. McBay Faculty Research Fellowship is open to faculty members at UNCF member institutions and supports faculty-led research conducted in partnership with a student researcher or intern.

The fellowship provides:

• Up to $15,000 to support faculty research in a field of the recipient’s choosing
• Up to $3,000 to support a student researcher/intern
• Total possible award: $18,000

All funded projects must be completed within one academic year and no later than Spring 2027.

Reporting Requirements

Each principal investigator is required to:

• Submit a written final report on the research project at the end of Spring 2027
• A published paper or submitted manuscript may be substituted for the final report
• Submit a financial report detailing fellowship expenditures within six months of completing the grant

The Travel & Training Fund, established by the Women’s Sports Foundation, has supported over 1,500 female athletes since 1984, including Olympians and national team members. Grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 aim to alleviate financial burdens for women athletes pursuing elite competition. Prioritizing those with a plan to contribute back to women's sports, the fund emphasizes eligibility for U.S. citizens or legal residents, ensuring a significant impact on the recipients' athletic journeys.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Esther Mae Nesbitt Medical Student Scholarship Fund

This scholarship supports past or current Illinois residents who are either accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled as a full-time student at an approved college of medicine. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Preference is given to female applicants and current or former residents of DeKalb County, IL.

The OSI Southern Cumberland Land Protection Fund aims to protect vital forest habitats in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, focusing on areas crucial for biodiversity and climate change adaptation. Launched in 2012, this fund has already safeguarded over 30,000 acres through grants, enhancing wildlife habitats and expanding recreational access. By supporting high-priority projects, it plays a significant role in conserving the rich ecological landscapes of the Southern Cumberland Plateau, ensuring the long-term viability of unique species.

The Warren Alpert Foundation's Distinguished Scholars Award aims to enhance public health by funding innovative research in basic and clinical neurosciences. Nominations are invited from medical schools and research institutions in the U.S., focusing on candidates with a strong post-doctoral record. The selection process emphasizes scholarly achievements, scientific proposals, and letters of recommendation. A total of five awards will be granted to deserving scholars, fostering significant advancements in neuroscience.

The Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) supports individuals with clinical doctoral degrees to develop their research careers in biomedical and behavioral fields. This program emphasizes a structured mentoring approach, aiming to address the nation's health-related research needs. Key application deadlines include June 12, 2024, and October 12, 2024, among others, providing opportunities for both new and renewal submissions.

The DoW Rare Cancers Concept Award for FY26 promotes groundbreaking ideas in rare cancer research. This award encourages innovative applications that explore novel courses of investigation without requiring preliminary data. Unique to this program is the prohibition against mentioning the Principal Investigator or collaborators in the proposal materials, ensuring an unbiased review process. This funding opportunity aims to advance scientific discovery in the rare cancer domain.

The Laurel High School Alumni Association Scholarships, managed by the Delaware Community Foundation, provide vital financial assistance to graduating seniors whose parents have been active members for at least three years. These scholarships can be applied to both two-year and four-year colleges or trade schools, supporting students with a minimum GPA of 2.50. For the 2024-2025 school year, a record $850,000 was awarded to 245 students, showcasing the foundation's commitment to advancing educational opportunities.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is one of three NOFOs for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). NCORP is designed to enhance generalizability and dissemination of clinical trial results through accrual in a variety of community settings. The purpose of NCORP is to engage cancer patient populations, those at risk of cancer, and organizations in rigorous studies focused on cancer control, prevention, treatment and care delivery.NCORP will support the following components that will be individually awarded through the respective RFAs indicated below:

• NCORP Research Bases (UG1 Clinical Trials Required);
• NCORP Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed); and
• NCORP Academic Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

NCORP Community Sites are consortia of community hospitals and/or oncology practices, which may or may not be formally affiliated in a healthcare system, that accrues participants to cancer control, prevention, treatment and care delivery clinical trials and other human subjects research.

This grant opportunity invites applications for Large Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects aimed at combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria (CARB). The projects should focus on promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics, minimizing the transmission of resistant bacteria, and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization, as specified in the announcement.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is one of three NOFOs for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). NCORP is designed to enhance generalizability and dissemination of clinical trial results through accrual in a variety of community settings. The purpose of NCORP is to engage cancer patient populations, those at risk of cancer, and organizations in rigorous studies focused on cancer control, prevention, treatment and care delivery. NCORP will support the following components that will be individually awarded through the respective Request for Applications (RFAs) indicated below:

• NCORP Research Bases (UG1 Clinical Trials Required);
• NCORP Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed); and
• NCORP Academic Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Susan B. Agnew Leoser Scholarship

Applicant must be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student with a minimum 2.0 GPA. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens residing outside of the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area and attending a junior college, community college or technical school. Preference is given to students who show a history of volunteer service.

This grant opportunity supports large-scale research projects aimed at combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria (CARB). It focuses on promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics, reducing the transmission of resistant strains, and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), this initiative encourages innovative approaches to address these critical public health challenges.

The BJA FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program offers formula funding to support local governments in enhancing public safety. This grant aids in hiring personnel, purchasing essential equipment, and providing training and technical assistance to address crime and safety challenges. Applicants are encouraged to verify their eligibility for direct JAG funding from BJA before submitting their applications. The deadline for full applications is October 16, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET.

The Etsy Uplift Fund, managed by Brooklyn Org, supports nonprofits that eliminate barriers to entrepreneurship for creators. By addressing challenges like lack of digital education, access to capital, and insufficient benefits, the Fund aims to foster equal opportunities in creative entrepreneurship. Customers can contribute by rounding up their purchases, with the collected funds directly supporting organizations that help creators build successful businesses. This initiative underscores Etsy's commitment to empowering diverse communities.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

S. Emmett Brown Scholarship Fund

The S. Emmett Brown Scholarship Fund was a vision of Reverend Bobby Holley in 2011. This fund was established in honor and recognition of S. Emmett Brown's athletic accomplishments and his giving back to young people in the Battle Creek community. It is S. Emmett Brown's hope that this scholarship will help a young person's dream of a college education come true.

Tiderington Family Scholarship

The Tiderington Family Scholarship was established in 1996 by Dr. Robert H. and Charlotte Hughes Tiderington and their three sons, Robert III, James and Thomas, to provide funding for students pursuing a vocational career. Neither Dr. Tiderington nor his wife Charlotte graduated from college. Dr. Tiderington remarked: “It was important to us that our boys went to college. We always stressed education. When you give a gift of education, you give a gift for life.”

Saginaw Country Club Golf Scholarship

The Saginaw Country Club has been one of the premier private clubs in Michigan for over 116 years. In honor of its centennial year in 1998, the Club’s Board of Governors established the Saginaw Country Club Golf Scholarship.

The scholarship is offered to promote and reward golf playing among Saginaw County’s youth.

The Research With Activities Related to Diversity (ReWARD) program by the NIH aims to enhance research diversity and inclusion across the United States. It supports scientists contributing to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) who lack current NIH funding. The program funds both scientific research and DEIA activities, addressing the needs of various NIH Institutes and Centers to foster a more diverse biomedical research landscape.

The AAD Annual Meeting Registration Scholarship Program offers scholarships to international dermatologists, excluding those from the U.S. and Canada, to support their attendance at the AAD's Annual Meeting. Each country can nominate up to two applicants, who will receive complimentary registration, access to a post-graduate session, and an invitation to the International Scholarship Recipient Reception. This initiative promotes global participation in dermatology.

The LAM Foundation offers Pilot and Feasibility Research Awards aimed at fostering innovative research in lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). These awards support hypothesis-driven studies with the potential to advance understanding and treatment options for this rare disease. Applicants can request a maximum of $50,000 for a period of up to one year. The Foundation prioritizes new researchers, encouraging fresh perspectives in LAM research to enhance patient care and ultimately achieve a future without LAM.