The Community Foundation welcomes grant proposals from nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities by the Internal Revenue Service and entities of government located in and serving Middle Tennessee. If you have questions about eligibility, review the Community Impact Grant Guidelines and Eligibility.

Yes, it does. Organizations headquartered outside Middle Tennessee, even though their project may benefit residents and communities in this region, must have a local presence that includes a physical address/office, local staff and board, and local financials for the Middle Tennessee operations. Contact the Grants Team if you have questions about your organization’s eligibility ([email protected]).

Yes.

No.

New organizations, within their first two years of operation, are not eligible to apply for support.

No. Applications are not accepted for Donor Advised Funds.

The Community Foundation funds faith-based organizations when the organization is providing a social service to the wider community, beyond their own members and when the nature of the grant application is appropriate for Foundation funding. The Foundation will not make grants for religious activities that serve only the members of a single congregation or to any organizations offering programs of a religious nature or programs requiring participation in religious activities or adherence to a particular set of beliefs as a condition for receiving services.

All 501(c)(3) public charities interested in being considered for a Community Foundation grant must maintain a complete and up-to-date profile in GivingMatters.com. This requirement ensures that we have all the necessary information to thoroughly consider your organization for funding. Only organizations with current profiles will be eligible for grant support.  To create a GivingMatters.com profile, CLICK HERE. Note: Governmental entities are exempt from this requirement and do not need a profile.

Our Community Impact Grants will focus on three strategic priority areas that are essential for Middle Tennesseans to thrive and have a greater sense of belonging.

• Arts & Creative Culture
• Child/Youth Development & Education
• Positive Mental Health

Community Impact Grants will award grants as unrestricted operating support. Funds can be used at the discretion of the organization to cover any costs necessary to perform its core missional work within one of the Foundation’s focus areas.

Community Impact Grant application:
OPENS: July 1, 2025
DEADLINE: July 31, 2025.
AWARD NOTIFICATIONS: Community Foundation plans to announce grants on or around November 2025.
GRANT PAYMENTS: Payments begin December 2025.

Instead of asking for grant request amounts, Community Foundation is developing a more equitable system based on asset size of nonprofit organizations.

PLEASE NOTE: Community Foundation is prioritizing its support to organizations whose total operating budget is less than $5,000,000, however, those above that amount are still eligible to apply.

No. Each organization can only submit ONE application and select only ONE priority area.

No. Currently, the Community Foundation does not award multi-year grants.

We understand organizations may find it helpful to discuss their ideas with our Grants Team, however, due to volume, we cannot promise that we will be available to help if it is too close to the deadline. To discuss your proposal, contact us at [email protected].

Community Foundation’s volunteer board members and Foundation staff review grants and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval.

The decision to decline a grant proposal is not necessarily a reflection on the value of the program. We receive many more requests to support programs than our relatively limited resources will permit. Feel free to reapply the following year and as always, the Grants Team is available to answer questions.

Two decades ago, our community’s philanthropic leaders envisioned a unique community resource—a comprehensive database of local nonprofits and the community needs they support. Today, GivingMatters.com stands as a testament to that vision, having grown into an invaluable tool that showcases more than 1,500 Middle Tennessee nonprofit partners. We recognize the invaluable role each of our nonprofit partners plays in our community and are deeply committed to supporting your efforts through GivingMatters.com.

Each nonprofit profile provides deep insights into an organization’s mission, impact, governance, and financial health. By partnering with numerous local foundations, this initiative not only streamlines our internal due diligence but also minimizes the workload for each nonprofit partner during the grant application process, enabling you to dedicate more time to your critical missions.

GivingMatters.com helps the Community Foundation to fulfill its mission of uniting compassionate individuals with worthy causes to build a more thriving and inclusive community.

While having a GivingMatters.com profile does not guarantee funding, it significantly increases your visibility to potential donors and ensures that your organization is considered for grant opportunities. We aim to provide your nonprofit with a platform that amplifies your impact and connects you with resources that can further your mission.

All 501(c)(3) public charities interested in being considered for a Community Foundation grant must maintain a complete and up-to-date profile in GivingMatters.com. This requirement ensures that we have all the necessary information to thoroughly consider your valuable projects for funding. Make sure your profile is updated and complete before the grant deadline; only organizations with current profiles will be eligible for grant support.  Note: Governmental entities are exempt from this requirement and do not need a profile.

You can work on completing your GivingMatters.com profile and your grant application either proactively or simultaneously. However, all required fields must be completed in entirety by July 31, 2025.

Note: If you had a profile on our old site and have not yet claimed and reviewed your profile on the new site, you are not complete. You will need to create a new login, then provide organization name and EIN to claim. Profiles must be claimed, reviewed, and all required fields submitted correctly by July 31, 2025.

Claiming your profile is just the first step:

1. Once your profile claim is submitted and approved, please review your profile for accuracy. This is a great opportunity to update any outdated information or add new details.
2. To review your profile once logged in, click the “Organization Profile” tab at the top.
3. You must click “Save” on each field individually as you review your profile. After you save each field in a particular section of your profile, you can then click “Submit All” at the bottom of the page and then move on to the next section. Once you have submitted all of your required fields, we will be able to review and publish your profile.

We’re here to help! If you have additional questions or need guidance, reach out directly at [email protected]. Your insights and feedback are incredibly important—they help us refine and enhance our services, ensuring we offer the most effective support to our nonprofit leaders and partners. We are committed to working alongside you to build a stronger, more connected community.