Grant Funding Opportunities

Applying for a DDA Grant?

Available Grant Funding

Request for Applications

Division of Program Innovation

In 2020, the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) established the Division of Program Innovation to advance forward‑thinking strategies that strengthen the Department’s mission to empower, support, and enhance the lives of people with disabilities and older Tennesseans by promoting independence, inclusion, and lifelong health.

The Division’s work includes:

  • Identifying challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and older adults aged 60 and over.
  • Researching innovative practices to address those challenges.
  • Designing and testing pilot projects.
  • Integrating successful strategies into the Department’s Long-Term Supports and Services.

The Division operates through a people-centered, provider-driven, and program-based approach:

  • People: Empower individuals to increase independence at home, at work, and in the community.
  • Providers: Support provider agencies in expanding their capacity through innovative practices.
  • Programs: Develop new service models that enhance independence and further the Department’s mission.

DDA Innovation Grant

DDA is pleased to announce the availability of one-time grants for up to $20,000 to fund projects that develop innovative approaches aligned with the Department’s mission. Proposals should be forward‑thinking, practical, and scalable. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate new, emerging, or existing Enabling Technology (ET) solutions used in novel or expanded ways. A strong emphasis should be placed on increasing independence for individuals with disabilities and/or older adults aged 60 and over—whether at home, in the workplace, and/or within their community.

Priority consideration will be given to proposals that advance:

  • Technology First
  • Employment First
  • Workforce development
  • Person‑centered practices
  • Quality of life improvements
  • Increased independence

Funding Information

  • Awards will be granted up to $20,000 per project.
  • Applicants may submit multiple applications and may receive funding for more than one project.
  • Funding will be awarded to the five (5) highest-scoring application.
  • Pre-approved expenses will be made on a reimbursement basis.
  • Tentatively, the grant contracts will begin July 1, 2026, and end June 30, 2027 (12‑month period).

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be physically located and operating within the State of Tennessee.
  • Maintain a formal affiliation with the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging Services.

Application Materials

Applicants must review all instructions and required documents included in the full Request for Applications (RFA).

Application Timeline

  • Notice of Request for Applications: February 13, 2026
  • Final Date for Questions: March 10, 2026
  • Application Deadline: March 13, 2026
  • Completion of Notifications and Clarifications: April 17, 2026
  • Anticipated Grant Contract Start Date: July 1, 2026

Submission Instructions

  • All application materials should be submitted in PDF format.
  • Completed applications must be emailed to: angella.broussard-chrisman@tn.gov
  • Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. Central Time on March 13, 2026.
  • Applicants may submit multiple proposals.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please contact:
Angella Broussard-Chrisman | Innovation Project Manager
Phone: 865‑594‑9371
Email: angella.broussard-chrisman@tn.gov

Tennessee Believes Grant Request for Applications

The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) is accepting applications for the Tennessee Believes Grant.

Launched in 2021, the Tennessee Believes program supports the expansion of inclusive higher education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state. For Fiscal Year 2027, Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly have provided $1 million in annual funding to continue this initiative. Approximately $500,000 of this amount will be available for new awards, with the remaining funds supporting previously awarded multi‑year grants.

Funding Availability

  • This grant is competitive.
  • Applicants may request funding for up to three years.
  • Standard requests may be made for up to $130,000 per year.
  • Requests exceeding $130,000 annually will be considered with appropriate justification and evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.

The purpose of this grant is to expand existing or establish new inclusive higher education programs that promote meaningful participation of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in academic coursework, campus life, and community engagement. Funding is intended to support strategic planning, partnership development, and program implementation.

Eligible Applicants:

  • Public institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Current TN Believes grantees with contracts ending June 30, 2026

While all qualifying inclusive higher education programs are encouraged to apply, priority consideration will be given to:

  • Community colleges
  • Vocational institutions
  • Technical schools

Application Timeline

Application Materials

For full application instructions and required documents, please review:

Submission Instructions

All application materials should be submitted in PDF format. Completed applications must be submitted via email to: angella.broussard-chrisman@tn.gov

Contact Information

If you have questions, please contact:
Angella Broussard-Chrisman
Phone: 865‑594‑9371
Email: angella.broussard-chrisman@tn.gov

The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) is accepting applications for competitive grant funding for senior centers. The Tennessee General Assembly has provided $5 million to be distributed to senior centers throughout the state.  The one-time funding is intended to support senior centers in providing older adults with access to resources, activities and social connection.

Senior centers are invited to apply for grant funding ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.  The grant funding is encouraged to fund the following goals:

  • Capital Projects, including building improvements and equipment
  • Marketing
  • Programming/Activities
  • Routine Operating Expenses, not including staff salaries

In order to qualify for grant funding, the senior center must be:

  • A single-purpose agency with programs and activities designed and operated only for the benefit of adults aged 60 and over; or
  • A multi-purpose agency with a broad spectrum of services, which shall include provisions of health, social, nutritional, and educational services, and the provision of facilities for recreational activities for adults aged 60 and over; and,
  • An organization with established programming that provides a minimum of 16 hours a month of activities or services specifically targeted for adults 60 and over.

The grant is not available to individuals or to long-term care and assisted living facilities.

How to apply for the grant? 

Grant submissions will be open on June 23, 2025 and information such as applications will be shared on this page. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. Central on August 8, 2025. Grant funding must be spent by March 31, 2027.  

Grant Information Session:

DDA will also be hosting a Senior Center Grant Information Session on Wednesday, June 11 from 1:00p-2:30p CST (2:00p-3:30p EST) to provide an overview of the process and answer any questions. We strongly encourage every center have a representative attend. The session will also be recorded and posted in the TN Senior Center Resource Library. You will receive a calendar invite for this session shortly and I have included the webinar information below.   

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 278 002 306 784 4

Passcode: 5Um6Hu7V

Dial in by phone

+1 629-209-4396,,837800328# United States, Triune

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 837 800 328#

Join on a video conferencing device

Tenant key: stateoftn@m.webex.com

Video ID: 119 605 353 9

 

If you have any questions, please contact Sidney Enss at Sidney.Enss@tn.gov or 615-741-1585. 

The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging is accepting grant funding applications for adult changing tables. DDA is offering up to $10,000 in grant funding for the installation of adult changing tables in area businesses, municipalities, and public spaces. The funding will allow for businesses to fund reasonable renovation costs associated with the installation of the table.

The grants will provide funds for facilities open to the public, such as parks, recreation centers, malls, and restaurants. Private and municipal entities can use the funds to purchase and install powered, height-adjustable, adult-sized changing tables for single-occupancy family restrooms.

Applicants may submit requests for funding up to $10,000 per table. Previously, funding was capped at $5,000.

“Adult-sized changing tables have the ability to change lives and communities for children with disabilities, as well as those caring for aging family members,” said DDA Commissioner Brad Turner. “With an increase in grant funding, we hope more businesses and municipalities will apply and help create more inclusive spaces for Tennessee families and individuals.”

In 2022, the Tennessee General Assembly approved $1 million for this grant program. So far, this funding has provided for the installation of more than 40 adult-sized changing tables across Tennessee. Past grant awardees include Dollywood, Nissan Stadium, and the Creative Discovery Museum.

Those wishing to apply must be either private or municipal entities within the state of Tennessee, and the funding must be used for facilities that are open to the public within the state.

Interested in Installing a Table?

Tables can range in cost, with recommended models costing between approximately $2445 to $6200. 

Requirements for changing tables include:

  • Powered and height-adjustable, for safety of the person and caregiver assisting
  • Placed in single occupancy restrooms, universal to gender, open to the public
  • Room size of at least 10x14.6 ft.  This allows for a turning radius of 60” for the wheelchair in the middle of the room and 36” of space at one end of the table
  • Clear signage at the entrance of the building.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying for a universal adult changing table, please fill out the application at this link. The DDA team may contact you for clarification or further information.

Be prepared to provide:

  • Name of organization
  • Contact email
  • State of Tennessee Edison ID or W9
  • Location of proposed installation site
  • Anticipated breakdown of costs
  • Anticipated timeframe to complete installation

Have Questions?

Vendors:

  • Foundations, a changing table vendor, is also available to provide technical assistance about table specifications and installation of the tables at mjurosic@foundations.com.
  • MaxAbility, a changing table vendor, is available to provide technical assistance about table specifications and installation of the tables at darrell@max-ability.com.
  • Smirthwaite, a changing table vendor, is also available to provide technical assistance about table specifications and installation of the tables at chris.doran@smirthwaite.com.

Please note that the state does not endorse any particular vendor.

If you have additional questions about tables, installation, or other components of this grant program, please contact the Public Affairs inbox at DDA.PublicAffairs@tn.gov.  We will assist in directing your question to the appropriate party.

Thanks to the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities for their advocacy on this important issue.  You can learn more about the origin of this grant program on the Council’s website.


Earlier this year, the department partnered with the Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee State Parks, and the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy to install an adult-sized changing table in the visitors’ center at Natchez Trace State Park. 

Adult Size Changing Table

The State of Tennessee, Department of Disability and Aging is accepting applications for a residential pilot program in West Tennessee and Middle Tennessee. Please see the links below for details regarding the program and application.

Previous Grant Initiatives

The department is providing up to $25,000 in one-time funding to faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with the purpose of creating respite ministries or programs that provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families with a safe place of rest.  An example of faith-based respite includes providing a church activity with trained staff for people with disabilities so that parents can enjoy a night out. The grant is designed to provide flexibility to applying organizations to build a respite plan that meets the needs of their faith community.

DDA has $500,000 of total funding for this grant program and accepted applications for funding until June 14, 2024.

Questions about the grant can be directed to Braden.Odom@tn.gov.


The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) is providing $2.5 million in new funding aimed at creating more inclusive parks and playgrounds in communities across Tennessee.

The department is providing up to $500,000 to local communities or nonprofit organizations to create inclusive parks, playgrounds, and other facilities.  The goal is to provide opportunities for children and adults with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities to experience the physical, social, and emotional benefits of play alongside their peers without disabilities.

DDA began accepting applications on Monday, May 22, 2023.  Applicants should be government entities or 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies, and all proposals should be open to the community, rooted in family involvement, community engagement, inclusion, and empowerment.  The application format can be found in the RFA attachment below.  DDA is accepting applications for funding until June 30, 2023.