Built Environment Funding Opportunities
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Deadline: February 26, 2021
CDBG projects must align with one of three national objectives: principally benefit low and moderate income person, eliminate slums and blight, and address imminent health and safety problems. There are a number of regulations that apply. Principal among these are the following: environmental review, Davis-Bacon wage rates, civil rights legislation, and competitive procurement. All communities in Tennessee are eligible except those in entitlement communities which are communities that receive CDBG funds directly from HUD. Read more here.
Citizens' Institute on Rural Design
Deadline: March 12, 2021
"Rural communities are invited to submit applications to receive design support and technical assistance to host a virtual and on-site local Design Workshop (if local public health guidelines allow) or participate in the Design Learning Cohort." Read more here.
Nature's Path Gardens for Good
Deadline: March 24, 2021
Garden projects can apply for up to $5,000. Read more here.
AARP Community Challenge
Deadline: April 14, 2021
The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more. Read more here
The Home Depot Community Impact Grants
Deadline: Open now through December 31, 2021
"The Foundation offers grant awards up to $5,000 to 501(c)(3) designated organizations (recognized and in good standing with the IRS for a minimum of one year) and tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the community. Grants are given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials or services and are required to be completed within six months of approval date." Read more here.
ARC's POWER Initiative
Deadline: March 5, 2021
"The POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production." Read more here
Andrew Family Foundation Grants
Deadline: March 15, 2021
"Our goal is to have an impact in the communities that lack access to economic and social opportunity and essential resources. We desire to work toward resolving these inequalities by alleviating disparities in food access, affordable housing, high quality education, physical and psychological healthcare, and/or criminal justice." Grants can be up to $600,000. Read more here.
Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Program
Deadline: March 31, 2021
"Through our Garden Grant program, schools and non-profit organizations turn outdoor spaces into powerful hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity and support classroom curriculum." Read more here.
Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program
Deadline: May 3, 2021
"The purpose of the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program is to increase the knowledge of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health of children. The program’s goal is to increase the capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and classrooms, while fostering higher levels of community engagement between farms and school systems by bringing together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system. The initiative is part of a broader effort to not only increase access to school meals for low-income children, but also to dramatically improve their quality." Read more here.
Local Community Grants
Deadline: Open now through December 31, 2021
These grants are funded through local Walmarts and affiliated stores. The grants are $250-$5,000, and "Access to Healthy Foods" is one of the areas they cover. Read more here.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Grants
Opens: March 10, 2021
"Up to $4,000 per year is available to qualified K-12 schools enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 to jump-start healthy changes." Read more here.
Funding Opportunities Lists from Other Organizations:
| Grant Name | Agency | Who Can Apply | Brief Description |
| Community Transportation Plannng Grant | TDOT | Cities, towns, and counties outside of MPO's | Community mobility plans, corridor studies, multi-modal studies, major street plans, etc. |
| Multi-Modal Access Grants | TDOT | Cities and counties | Multi-modal infrastructure improvements along state routes |
| Surface Transportation Block Grant | TDOT | automatically granted to municipalities >5,000 | Transportation system improvements |
| Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) | TDOT | Local governments | Main funding source for general pedestrian and bicyling infrastructure projects |
| People for Bikes grants | People for Bikes | Local governments (or govrnment agencies working locally) and non-profits | Making your community bike friendly, broad grants |
| Recreational Trails Programs (RTPs) | TDEC | Local, state, and federal land managing organizations, 501c3's with written agreements for a trail management agency | Land acquisition for trails, trail maintenance, trail construction, trail rehavilitation and for trailhead support facilities |
| Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation grants | Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation | bike-supporting non-profits | Making your community bike frindly - must go towards a specific projct or program |
| Community Development Block Grants | TNECD for HUD | cities, counties, | Providing essential, pressing community development needs in underserved areas. Can go towards community livability projects. |
| America Walks Community Chnage Grants | America Walks | Non-profits, local governments | Improving community walkability---eligible for program, policy, or environmental projects |
| AAA Traffic Safety Grant | AAA | tax-exempt organizations | improving traffic safety for all road users through activities, programs and training |
| Grant Name | Agency | Who Can Apply? | Brief Description |
| Local Parks and Recreation Funds (LPRFs) | TDEC | city and county governments | Land acquisition, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, trail development |
| Creative Placemaking | TN Arts Commission | local governments, quasi-governmental entities, 501c3s / public-private partnerships; public placeq | Art that makes places more inviting |
| Arts Build Communities | TN Arts Commission | local governments, 501c3, higher ed if benefits public / open to and benefits the public. | Getting art to happen in our communities - programs, events, art in public places |
| Commit to Health | NPRA, the Walmart Foundation | Applicants must: be a local government agency, serve meals/snacks through SFSP and/or the CACFP or NSLP in 2018 (USDA programs), have not received funding from NPRA for a previous healthy out-of-school time grant | Increasing healthy meals served to children, improving nutrition literacy in kids, and implementing HEPA standards |
| Tourism Enhancement Grant | TN Department of Tourist Development | city or county governments / one application per county; must have former grants closed out; can split between multiple places as long as it tells a cohesive story | Developing and improving tourism assets for tourism-related economic impact...can't be for something completely new, but can build on what you have |
| Kaboom | Kaboom! | Most groups | Playgrounds |
| Play Space | National Parks and Recreation Association and Disney | Local Parks and Recreation Agencies | Inclusive play spaces |
| The Explore Fund | The North Face | 501c3s | Increasing participation in the outdoors and working in innovative ways to protect the environment |
| Acres for America | National Fish & Wildlife Foundation | 501c3s, state and local governments, Native American tribes, and educational institutions | Providing access for people to enjoy the outdoors; and, ensure the future of local economies that depend on forestry, ranching and recreation |
| BlueCross Healthy Places | BCBSTN | Government entities and non-profit organizations with experience implementing large-scale civic projects | Making active, healthy public spaces (likely parks) / can't go towards purchasing land, staffing pay, or co-branded projects |
| 2019 NEEF Health and Natural Environment Grant | National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) | 501c3s with an existing connection to Forest Service agencies | Mobilizing a diverse community of volunteers, primarily youth and hispanic families, and educating participants about how protecting the long-term sustainability of their local public lands greatly benefits people's health |
| KEEN Effect Grants | KEEN | 501c3s | Inspiring youth outdoor participation and engaging diverse audiences through innovative and creative approaches. |
| Climbing Conservation Grant Program | Access Fund | nearly anyone (even individuals) | Preserving or enhancing climbing access and opportunities and conserving the climbing environment |
| Cornerstone Conservation Grant | American Alpine Club, REI and Clif Bar Foundation | Partners of members of local climbing community | creates healthy climbing landscapes, promotes respect for places people climb, and empowers local climbing communities |
| Challenge America | National Endowment for the Arts | 501c3s, local or state government units | Supporting small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populaitons |
| TN Disability Coalition Small Grants | TN Disability Coalition | 501c3s and government entities | build capacity in the disability community to serve individuals with disabilities and their families. Can go towards infrastructure. |
| BOGS Impact Fund | BOGS | 501c3s | outdoor education opportunities for low income and underserved communities |
| Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series Grants | Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation | 501c3s | Funding 10 free outdoor concerts that are musically diverse and of high-caliber talent. Technical assistance provided. Good projects will help revitalize an underutilized public space. |
| Our Town | National Endowment for the Arts | 501c3s, local governments | Creative placemaking grants program for projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes. |
| AARP Community Challenge | AARP | 501c3s, 501c6s, Government Entities, other types of organizations considered on case-by-case basis | Quick-action projects across the country, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages. |
| POWER Initiative | Appalachian Regional Commission | Local development districts, Native American tribes, local governments, higher education institutions, public or private non-profits | Helps communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries |
| Community Impact Grants | Home Depot |
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| Pool Safely | Consumer Product Safety Commission | State and Local Governments | Assistance to help implement enforcement and education programs, with the goal of preventing drownings and drain entrapments in pools and spas. |
| GameTime Cares Playground Grants | GameTime | Communities | 100% matching funds for playground equipment |
| Hope VI Main Street Program | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | Local Governments | Provides grants to small communities to assist in the renovation of an historic or traditional central business district or “Main Street” area by replacing unused, obsolete, commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units |
| Grant Name | Agency | Who Can Apply? | Brief Description |
| Fuel up to play 60 | NFL and National Dairy Council | Schools | Nutrition and Physical activity improvements. Examples: signage and paint for walking tracks, equipment for lunchrooms, visits to farms, water bottles, GoNoodle, etc. |
| Donors Choose | individuals | Teachers | Teachers' equipment and funding for programs |
| School Breakfast Grant Program | Action for Healthy Kids | Schools | Starting or expanding school breakfast participation |
| Game on Grants | Action for Healthy Kids | Schools | For schools to improve or introduce new nutrition and physical activity programs |
| Good Sports Grants | Good Sports | Schools and 501c3s | Sports Equipment for underserved children |
| Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative | American Cancer Society | Colleges and Universities | Accelerate and expands the adoption and implementation of 100% smoke- and tobacco-free policies on college and university campuses. Grants ranging from $8,000 to $20,000 |
| Grant Name | Agency | Who can Apply? | Brief Description |
| Safe Routes to Parks Activating Communities Program | Safe Routes Partnership | Community based non-profits | Developing an action plan and executing it to deliver safe non-car routes to parks |
| Walking College | America Walks | Anyone | Developing walking and walkable community advocates |
| 10-Minute Walk Planning Grant and Technical Assistance | NRPA | local government agencies operating parks OR affiliated 501c3s | Grants and technical assistance to support planning efforts that help cities increase access to high-quality parks within a 10-minute walk |
| Grant Name | Agency | Who Can Apply? | Brief Description |
| Farmers Market Promotion Program | USDA | all organizations involved in getting food directly from producers to consumers | Improving taking goods directly from farmers to market |
| Local Food Promotion Program | USDA | supporters of local and regional food business enterprises | Planning or implementing new local and regional food business enterprises |
| Healthy Food Financing Initiative | USDA | SNAP processing staple and perishable food retailers in underserved areas | providing healthy food retail options in underserved areas |
| Farm to School | USDA | school districts, state and local agencies, tribal organizations, agricultural producers, and non-profit organizations | Designed to improve access to local foods in eligible schools |
| Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program | USDA | Public food program service providers, tribal organizations or private nonprofit entities | To create community-based food projects and to plan for improving community food security |
| Gro More Good Grassroots | KidsGardening | Non-profits, tax-exempt organizations, schools | Development of new and expansion of existing youth garden programs with sustainability plans |
| Youth Garden Grant | KidsGardening | Non-profits, public or private schools, youth programs | School or youth community gardens and gardening programs that enhance the quality of life for students and their communities |
| Safer School Garden Grant | Safer Brand | Students on behalf of their schools | School garden development |
| High Obesity Program | CDC | Land grant universities | work with community extension services to increase access to healthier foods and safe and accessible places for physical activity in counties that have more than 40% of adults with obesity. |
| Garden Grant Program | Whole Kids Foundation | School systems or non-profits | Edible, educational school/youth gardens |
| Improving Senior (age 50+) Food Security | AARP Foundation | Most entities | Evidence-based projects to improve food security among older adults |
| 2021Budding Botanist Grant | KidsGardening | Public, private or charter schools from which 40%+ of kids would qualify for free and reduced lunch | helping kids learn about plants, explore their world and inspire them to take care of the life they discover in their local ecosystems |
| Grants for Gardens | Annie's | Schools | edible school gardens |
| Community Innovation Grants Program | United Fresh Start Foundation | Most entities, small businesses, retail and foodservice/restaurants | increasing chidren's access, selection, and consumption of fresh produce while they are outside of school |
| The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program | USDA | government agencies and non-profits | Supports projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase. |
| Grant Name | Agency | Who Can Apply | Brief Description |
| Innovations in Accessibility Grant Funding Opportunity | Advancing States | Local and regional private nonprofit or government organizations that directly provide transportation services | Provides up to $30,000 support develop program innovations for increasing accessible transportation in the community that are ready to implement on Day 1 |
| TDOT Rural Planning Initiative (Contact your RPO) | TDOT | TN Counties and Municipalities in at-risk or distressed counties located outside an MPO boundary | Fund corridor studies, access management studies, road diet analysis, resurfacing and striping plans for local roads, transportation facility inventories, transportation feasibility studies, and all CTPG eligible planning documents |
| Grant Name | Agency | Who Can Apply | Brief Description |
| Global Ideas for U.S. Solutions: Cities Taking Action to Address Health, Equity, and Climate Change | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | organizations from a wide range of fields and disciplines—both within and outside the health/public health sector | Funds proposals that stimulate action in U.S. cities around smart, effective approaches from abroad that mitigate the unequal health risks posed by climate change. Specifically, they seek proposals that explore changes in city planning, policies, and programs that address: buildings and energy; land use and urban planning; transportation; waste; food systems and food security; and air quality. |
| Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant | HUD | Housing authorities, non-profits, local governments, others | Up to $450,000 to develop a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy for public and/or assisted housing. |
| Community Tree Planting Program | TDA | Local governments, private non-profits, educational institutions | Funds to plant trees in riparian areas. |
| Meharry-Vanderbilt Community-Engaged Research Core Mini Grants | Meharry-Vanderbilt | Community and Academic Partners | Activities that promote on-going, mutually beneficial, health-oriented research partnerships between community organizations and academic researchers. Applicants may propose a community-engaged research project or a capacity building project that enables the partners to pursue an identified research agenda. |
| Culture of Health Prize | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | U.S. Communities | Recognizes communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. |
| Community Solutions for Health Equity | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | Diverse groups and organizations | Focused on elevating the voices of communities of color and other communities left out of discussions when local health care systems in the United States are creating policy. |
| Advancing Environmental Justice Through Technical Assistance Mini Grants | American Public Health Association | 501c3 Non-profit organizations | A grant and technical assistance program to help community-based organizations work to advance environmental justice. |