Best White County Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

The Tennessee Arts & Rural Health Initiative Grant, funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission, aims to enhance health and wellness in rural hospitals through arts-based programs. With a budget of $75,000 from the NEA, the initiative supports 4-6 hospitals, offering grants between $5,000 to $25,000. Projects may include artist-led classes, meditation gardens, and healing spaces, leveraging the therapeutic power of the arts to improve patient outcomes and community engagement in healthcare settings.

The Sponsors Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, has awarded over $2.5 million in scholarships over 20 years to support financially disadvantaged students. This initiative continues the legacy of George Langstaff, who aimed to enhance educational opportunities and economic prospects for youth in Middle Tennessee and Allen County, Kentucky. By fostering collective philanthropy, the fund empowers young individuals to pursue higher education and contribute positively to their communities.

The Rural Arts Facilities Fund, established by the Tennessee Arts Commission, aims to support rural communities in enhancing their arts and cultural facilities. Grants of up to $200,000 are available for projects that benefit local arts programming, foster community identity, and promote economic growth. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit organizations in rural Tennessee. By investing in these facilities, the program seeks to improve access to arts experiences, create jobs, and stimulate tourism in underserved areas.

White County, Tennessee arts nonprofits can access funding through Tennessee Arts Commission’s Small Rural Partnership Support program for general operating expenses. Eligible 501(c)(3) arts organizations must be chartered in a designated rural county, have a three-year Commission funding history, and a minimum $30,000 budget; awards are up to US $25,000 with a 1:1 cash match.

Environmental and conservation organizations in White County, Tennessee can seek funding to restore forests, grasslands, and freshwater habitats through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Focused on habitat and ecosystem restoration, this program supports projects that improve wildlife populations, soil health, water quality and quantity, and carbon sequestration within the Cumberland Plateau region.

The William Thomas McHugh and Lou Gower McHugh Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, supports students from Middle Tennessee attending accredited law schools. It honors Bill McHugh's legacy, a devoted lawyer and veteran. Applicants must maintain a C average and preference is given to those attending Cumberland School of Law. This scholarship aims to promote legal education and uphold the values of integrity and service in the legal profession.

The Lowell Hill, Virginia Wilson Hill and Pegine Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2022 by Virginia Tameron Hedge, honors her grandparents and mother, emphasizing the importance of education and community service. Administered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, this renewable scholarship targets students pursuing degrees in education, the arts, and historic preservation, particularly within the 40 counties served by CFMT, with a preference for applicants from Bedford and Williamson counties.

Nonprofit organizations providing arts, education, health, or human services programs in White County, Tennessee and the broader Middle Tennessee region can apply for funding that strengthens quality of life. Focused on community impact, Ingram Charitable Fund invites organizations making Nashville and surrounding counties better places to live and work to seek support.

The WiTT Endowment Scholarship Fund, established by Women in Technology of Tennessee, aims to support women pursuing technology careers and enhance gender diversity in the IT industry. Operated by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, this scholarship seeks to empower female students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, who reside in the 40-county area served by CFMT, and are enrolled in technology-related degree programs.

College-bound female students from White County, Tennessee, planning to pursue higher education may be eligible for this memorial scholarship supporting academic study. Grants from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee help students from its 40-county service area, with preference for applicants holding at least a 3.0 GPA and demonstrating extracurricular or community involvement.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in White County, Tennessee working on science education, environmental initiatives, or health and safety projects may be eligible for BASF Corporation charitable contributions. With a mission to combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, BASF Corporation supports programs that enhance quality of life in its site communities.

Individual Black Appalachian storytellers connected to White County, Tennessee and other ARC-designated Appalachian counties can receive funding to sustain Black storytelling traditions. Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation provides US $5,000 fellowships honoring oral tradition culture bearers, with fellows recognized at the “In the Tradition…” National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference through the Central Appalachia Living Traditions program.

State and local agencies, local governing boards, nonprofits, tribes, and higher education institutions in White County, Tennessee can seek funding for critical infrastructure and business and workforce development projects. With a mission to strengthen Appalachian communities, Appalachian Regional Commission provides support for water and wastewater systems, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, worker training, and related economic development initiatives.

Nonprofits and public entities in eligible Appalachian counties, including White County, Tennessee, can apply for Appalachian Regional Commission ARISE planning or implementation grants; awards up to US $10,000,000 for multi-state economic and community development projects. Organizations working on workforce readiness, community revitalization, tourism, or broader economic growth across state lines may benefit.

College juniors, seniors, graduate students, or mid-career journalists from Middle Tennessee pursuing journalism or broadcast news can receive scholarship support for education or professional training through the Drue Smith/Society of Professional Journalists’ Scholarship Fund. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee serves multiple counties, including White County, Tennessee, making local journalism students eligible.

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is to work as a team to promote workforce and economic development and improve workplace safety and health throughout Tennessee.

Rural Workforce Initiatives

Rural communities in Tennessee often struggle to access quality healthcare due to factors like limited facilities, long travel distances, workforce shortages, and high costs. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) is leading efforts to address workforce shortages across various industries, with healthcare as a priority.

Rural Healthcare Initiatives Grant 

The Program's Purpose

The Rural Healthcare Initiatives grant program aims to leverage existing healthcare training structures and expand apprenticeship and Workforce Development Initiatives to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals in rural communities.

Financial support will be provided to sponsoring entities to offer training, certification, and apprenticeships, while also addressing ancillary costs like transportation, childcare, and examination fees that create barriers for participants.

Where will the grant provide services?

Potential recipients must identify a desired service area in their application. Service area must be in the 91 counties outside the major metropolitan counties of Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby. Entities located within the counties of Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby may apply for funding if funding is utilized for programing located in one of the other 91 counties in Tennessee. The service area must identify the need for the designated training or certification of the population based on county and regional employment opportunities and needs using local/state data and Labor Market Information. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will consult with applicants to ensure services are offered equitably across Tennessee.

What is the total grant award amount?

Applicants will propose their desired funding amount up to a maximum of $250,000 and will use the guidance found in this document.

How will subrecipients receive funds?

This is a reimbursable grant. Recipients will be required to submit requests at least once per month with supporting documentation to be reimbursed for allowable costs. Recipients must use The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s grant system, SmartSimple, for submissions. 

Learn more here.

White County, Tennessee land and habitat nonprofits can access funding through Open Space Institute to acquire permanent conservation easements or fee interests in large forest blocks on the Southern Cumberland Plateau. Eligible projects must permanently protect high-priority forests within the fund’s mapped region and be completed within 18 months, with limited support for transaction and stewardship costs.

The Tennessee Appalachian Regional Commission Funding supports economic development projects in middle and east Tennessee. Grants can reach up to $1,000,000 for construction and $500,000 for non-construction projects. Priorities include water and wastewater services to industries, basic services in rural areas, and unique community opportunities. This funding aims to enhance the quality of life and foster self-sustaining development in the Appalachian region.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing technology access and digital literacy education in White County, Tennessee, and other Spectrum markets can apply for Spectrum Digital Education Grants; awards range from US $2,500 - US $50,000. Programs must serve families or seniors, partner with low-income or multicultural communities, and demonstrate measurable, lasting impact on closing the digital divide.

The Appalachian Community Fund's Technical Assistance Grants are designed to strengthen grassroots organizations in Central Appalachia. These small grants support specific technical assistance needs, enhancing skills in areas such as leadership, fundraising, and community organizing. ACF prioritizes projects that address systemic issues and promote social, economic, and environmental justice. Organizations eligible for funding must be community-led and demonstrate a commitment to creating equitable change in their communities.

The LGBTQ Fund Grant Program, offered by the Appalachian Community Fund, supports grassroots social change in Central Appalachia. It prioritizes funding for organizations that promote inclusivity and tackle systemic issues affecting LGBTQ communities, particularly youth. Grants are available to community-led organizations with a focus on building capacity and addressing social, economic, and racial justice. This initiative embodies a commitment to collective action and resource-sharing, fostering positive transformation in Appalachian communities.

Nonprofits and local partners in White County, Tennessee can seek funding for economic development, workforce training, job creation, and related planning or implementation projects serving coal-impacted communities. With a mission to revitalize the Appalachian economy, Appalachian Regional Commission provides competitive POWER Initiative grants up to US $2,500,000 for regional, collaborative efforts that diversify local industries and expand quality employment opportunities.

African-American students from Middle Tennessee with at least a 2.5 GPA and a record of community service can receive scholarship support for higher education, including graduate study. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides these awards, and eligible students from White County, Tennessee are among those who may benefit from this academic scholarship program.

Graduating high school seniors in Middle Tennessee, including White County, who self-identify as LGBTQ+ can receive renewable scholarship support for higher education. Grants from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee prioritize students whose families have withdrawn financial support, helping them pursue academic goals through the H. Franklin Brooks Scholarship Fund.

High school seniors from the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee, including White County, Tennessee, planning to attend Tennessee State University or Vanderbilt University can access funding through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Teddy Wilburn Scholarship Fund. Eligible students must have at least a B average over their last two years of high school.

The Educational Foundation of America (EFA) supports the Reproductive Health & Justice Grant Program to enhance access to abortion and contraception throughout the U.S., particularly in Appalachia, Alabama, and Florida. EFA funds innovative organizations that advocate for reproductive rights, provide direct support to abortion services, and leverage impact investing strategies. This commitment aims to ensure reproductive freedom, foster equity, and promote sustainability in underserved communities.

The In These Mountains: Infrastructure Grants, offered by South Arts, aim to preserve and promote the folk arts and traditional culture of Central Appalachia. This initiative supports non-profit organizations in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee, focusing on enhancing the resources necessary for sustaining and advancing traditional arts. Grants of up to $30,000 are available to address non-programming expenses, ensuring the continuity of cultural practices while prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility.