DDA Providing $5 Million in Grant Funding to Senior Centers

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 | 12:00pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—

The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) will be accepting applications for competitive grant funding for senior centers. This one-time grant funding is intended to support senior centers in providing older adults with access to resources, activities and social connections.

The Tennessee General Assembly has provided $5 million to be distributed to senior centers throughout the state. This year marks the sixth consecutive year of funding through the Tennessee General Assembly to support the vital work of senior centers in improving the lives of older adults in their communities.

“Senior centers provide life saving resources to older adults across the Volunteer State,” said DDA Commissioner Brad Turner. “We’re proud to see the legislature recognize how vital senior centers are to providing physical, emotional and mental nourishment to Tennessee’s growing aging population. Grant funding will allow for updated equipment, upgraded facilities and exciting programming that help senior centers, and entire communities, thrive.”

Senior centers are invited to apply for grant funding ranging from $5,000 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 organization must meet the following definition of a senior center:

  • A non-residential community facility for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of services which shall include provision of health (including mental and behavioral health), social, nutritional, and educational services and the provision of facilities for recreational activities for older individuals, including as provided via virtual facilities; and
  • Be 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.

Applications will open for submission on June 22, 2026. Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, August 7, 2026. Grant funding must be spent by March 31, 2028.

Learn more about the grants at the DDA website: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/disability-and-aging/resource-directory/grants.html