Community Reentry Reinvestment Grant Program

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), Tennessee Office of Reentry (TOOR), is committed to supporting justice-involved individuals in overcoming barriers to employment, increasing successful reentry outcomes, and reducing recidivism. TOOR advances these goals through multiple strategies, including the Community Reentry Reinvestment Grant (CRRG) Pathway to Employment (P2E).

The CRRG/P2E is a competitive, cost-reimbursement grant designed to engage for-profit, nonprofit, faith-based, local government, and other eligible organizations in delivering coordinated workforce and reentry services. Funded programs must combine employment-focused training, work-based learning, case management, and supportive services to prepare justice-involved individuals for permanent, unsubsidized employment.

This grant prioritizes partnerships with Workforce Development Boards, community-based organizations, and employers to address region-specific labor market needs. Grantees will establish clear pathways that identify, upskill, and support justice-involved individuals into in-demand industries, with employer partners committed to fair-chance hiring and/or on-the-job training. Through these collaborative efforts, CRRG/P2E seeks to strengthen community impact, improve employment outcomes, and support long-term workforce attachment for justice-involved individuals.

This funding opportunity is open to organizations with demonstrated experience in workforce development or reentry services, or the capacity to rapidly implement such programs.

Eligible applicants include:

  • State and local government agencies
  • Nonprofit and community-based organizations
  • Faith-based organizations

Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Experience serving justice-involved or similar populations
  • A clear understanding of workforce barriers faced by returning citizens
  • Strong employer partnerships and access to viable job opportunities

Applicants must also:

  • Be in good standing with the State of Tennessee
  • Demonstrate the ability to manage grant funds and meet reporting requirements
  • Collaboration with Local Workforce Development Boards and other community partners

Applicants should be prepared to implement both workforce preparation and direct employment placement components.

Important Dates

Funding Announcement Release: May 7, 2026

Information Session: May 22, 2026

Application Deadline: June 5, 2026 (4:30 p.m. CT)

Review Period: June 8-12, 2026

Award Notification: Week of June 15, 2026

Contract Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

Information Session

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will host a virtual information session for organizations interested in applying.

The session will be held on May 22, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Central time. It will provide an overview of program design, funding requirements, and the application process. It will also allow prospective applicants to ask questions and seek clarification.

Attendance is not required but is strongly encouraged, particularly for organizations new to this funding model.

Join the Information Session via Microsoft Teams.

Meeting ID: 266 993 369 392 961
Passcode: Dn2yE2BL

Community Reentry Reinvestment Grant  Application Process

Funding Opportunity Announcement Grant Application Guide

Applications must be submitted electronically to reentry@tn.gov.

All applications are due by June 5, 2026, at 4:30 PM Central time.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The goal of the application is to show that your organization has a clear, workable plan and partnerships in place to deliver real employment outcomes.

Explanation of each section of 424A Form:

Personnel: Salaries and wages for individuals employed by your organization who will work on the grant

Fringe: Employee benefits associated with personnel listed above

Travel: Cost of project-related travel

Equipment: Tangible personal property with a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit cost of $5,000 or more

Supplies: Consumable or low-cost tangible items under the equipment threshold

Contractual: Cost for services provided by non-employees

Other: Costs that do not fit into the categories above, including participant stipends.

Indirect: Cost that supports the overall operation of your organization but cannot be directly tied to one project

Consult the CRRG Scoring Rubric.

2025-2026: Complete a monthly report.

2026-2027: Participant monthly reporting will be completed through case management in the Jobs4TN/Virtual One Stop (VOS) System.