Community Impact Grantseeker FAQs

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 (grants@cfmt.org).

Yes

No

New organizations, within their first two years of operation, are only eligible to apply for support from our JumpStart grants. New organizations are welcome to apply for our JumpStart grants in 2025.

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.  For more information on how to create/update your profile and the GivingMatters.com requirement, 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 & Quality of Life

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.

Beginning in 2024, the Community Impact Grant application:
OPENS: June 3, 2024
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024
AWARD NOTIFICATIONS: The Community Foundation plans to announce grants on or around October 1, 2024.
TERMS OF AGREEMENT & GRANT PAYMENTS: Payments will begin on or around November 1, 2024, pending receipt of the Terms of Agreement.
FINAL REPORTS: You will have one year (November 1 – October 31) to expend the awarded funds and to report your successes.

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 grants@cfmt.org.

The 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 items as outlined here in Step One of the Build a Profile Tab must be submitted in entirety by June 15, 2024. Furthermore, GivingMatters.com profiles must be complete as outlined here in Step Two of the Build a Profile Tab by June 30, 2024.

Your GivingMatters.com profile contains information about your mission, programs, organizational finances, and more, that are not requested within the grant application. CFMT will use this information to gather more context while reviewing your application. Please ensure the following sections of your GivingMatters.com profile is up to date:

• Governance: Name and term dates of the current Board Chair & Current Board members
• Management & Team: Name, experience, & demographic details of the Executive Director
• Program: Descriptions & budget of your program(s)
• Financials: Fiscal year dates, income & expense projections, the current budget document, the most recent Form 990, charitable solicitations permit document, & audited financial statements (required if annual revenues exceed $500k)

In addition to its use for the CFMT grant, your profile will make your organization eligible for a host of other grant opportunities in Middle Tennessee and will place your nonprofit in a searchable database used by donors and volunteers in the area.

Creating a GivingMatters.com profile is a guided two-step process. Detailed instructions can be found on the Build a Profile tab here. The completion of Step One is required by June 15, 2024, and Step Two by June 30, 2024.

Not sure if your organization is already a GivingMatters.com nonprofit partner? Search for your organization’s legal name here.

Emailing your initiation documents is just the first step. Once received, a Profile Coach from the GivingMatters team will reach out to assist you in how to complete your profile online. For more detailed information, please review the Build a Profile tab here.

If your organization has a completed profile, start by verifying its accuracy. Focus particularly on the following fields:

• Governance: Name and term dates of the current Board Chair & Current Board members
• Management & Team: Name, experience, & demographic details of the Executive Director
• Program: Descriptions & budget of your program(s)
• Financials: Fiscal year dates, income & expense projections, the current budget document, the most recent Form 990, charitable solicitations permit document, & audited financial statements (only required if annual revenues exceed $500k)

For more guidance about the Annual Update process, please visit the Profile Enhancement tab here.

For organizations whose profile’s annual update has not been processed for multiple years, it may be helpful to review your profile’s accuracy alongside the Required Fields Checklist found here.

We’re here to help! If you have additional questions or need guidance, please visit our Nonprofit FAQs or reach out directly at givingmatters@cfmt.org. 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.

Profile Information Requirements: Please ensure the following sections of your GivingMatters.com profile is accurate and complete:

• Governance: Name and term dates of the current Board Chair & Board members list
• Management & Team: Name, experience, & demographic details of the Executive Director
• Program: Descriptions & budgets of your program(s)
• Financials: Fiscal year dates, income & expense projections, the current budget document, the most recent Form 990, charitable solicitations permit document, & audited financial statements (required if annual revenues exceed $500k)