Tennessee Grants

Prioritizes the use of funds for two purposes: 1) to improve the reporting of dispositions and 2) to improve the reporting of persons prohibited from possessing firearms for reasons related to mental health to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) The National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) awards grants to States to help improve the Nation’s safety and security by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information and by insuring the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems. The National Criminal History Improvement Program is administered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Designed to offset the capital expenses in the deployment of broadband in unserved areas. The goal of this program is to facilitate broadband access to all Tennesseans while promoting practices that increase deployment and encourage adoption. The goal of this program is to facilitate broadband access to all Tennesseans while promoting practices that increase deployment and encourage adoption. Funds will be targeted to areas that are unlikely to receive broadband service without grant funding.

Online Resources for Starting Businesses. Economic inclusion describes the efforts made to bring DBEs into the economic mainstream. For the purposes of BERO, DBE refers to businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities; as well as those in areas of chronic high unemployment and low income. BERO was legislatively established within the Department of Economic and Community Development in 1977 by Title 4, Chapter 26 as the office of business enterprise. Serves as a voice for and advocate of economic inclusion; Analyzes, disseminates, and promotes best practices and access to capital to service providers; and Reports on the status of DBEs statewide (disadvantaged businesses).

The purpose of the RSAT for State Prisoners Program is to break the cycle of drug addiction and violence by reducing the demand for, use, and trafficking of illegal drugs. RSAT’s objectives are to enhance the capabilities of states and units of local and tribal governments to provide residential substance abuse treatment for incarcerated inmates; prepare individuals for reintegration into communities and assist individuals and communities through the reentry process by delivering community based treatment and other broad based aftercare services.

This program provides funding to prevent and reduce crime and enhance the criminal justice system through innovative approaches that accelerate justice by identifying, defining, and responding to emerging or chronic crime problems and systemic issues using innovative approaches. BJA is looking for proposed strategies to address these issues, including trying new approaches, addressing gaps in responses, building or translating& research knowledge, or building capacity. There are two categories of funding available. Category 1: State, local, tribal, or regional research partnerships and Category 2: National strategies.

The THSO’s mission is to reduce Tennessee traffic fatalities as part of the nation’s vision Toward Zero Deaths. The THSO works to achieve this goal by changing driver behavior through increased education, enforcement, and community partnerships. The THSO works in tandem with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to implement statewide programs addressing the behavioral side of traffic safety. Programs administered by the THSO are 100 percent federally funded.

Technical and financial assistance to venues aimed at attracting visitors to farm, winery, farmers market, or other agritourism providers. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture offers educational and marketing resources for established or developing agritourism operations. TDA holds workshops and an annual conference focusing on marketing, safety and other important issues. The Pick Tennessee Products campaign and website are valuable free marketing tools provided by the Business Development Division.

Funding for inspection of honeybee colonies. Since 1995, the Department of Agriculture has offered grants to local beekeeper associations for the inspection of honeybee colonies. Grant funds are used to pay bee inspectors selected by their association who are willing and qualified to inspect honeybee colonies in their geographical area. Tennessee has allocated $22,050 to be divided among local associations that request grants.

Provides gap funding to eligible nonprofit entities to help cover the costs to build new construction or substantially rehabilitate homes in distressed communities where property values still have not recovered. The Appraisal Gap Pilot Program (“Gap Program”) is a pilot program designed to provide a subsidy to eligible nonprofit entities, based on the difference or gap between the costs to build new homes or to substantially rehabilitate homes and the appraised value of the home that the nonprofit will sell to an eligible buyer. The Gap Program Subsidy may not fill the entire gap. The Gap Program’s goal is to expand the availability of affordable housing in areas of the state where property values have not fully recovered from the mortgage crisis.

The purpose of the grant is to provide academic instruction and education services below the postsecondary level. Services include Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, English as a Second Language and Corrections Education. Adult Education, as part of the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA), provides services to adults to build the knowledge and skills necessary for high school equivalency (HiSET), employment, post-secondary opportunities, and economic self-sustainability.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in central and western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee that deliver educational, medical, and essential human services to individuals in need.

The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department's annual Challenge Grant Program aims to support non-profit projects that enhance public parks and recreation facilities within the city limits. This initiative aligns with the department's mission to foster community engagement and promote the use of public spaces for recreation and well-being. The program's focus on projects associated with public parks and recreation facilities directly contributes to the department's strategic priority of maintaining and improving accessible recreational opportunities for all residents. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include various community groups such as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) status organizations, homeowner associations, schools, and Scout troops. The impact goals are to encourage activities within City Parks and Greenways, offer match funds for fitness classes like Yoga and Tai Chi, and support passive programming such as painting and birdwatching. These goals are intended to increase community participation in park activities and enhance the quality of life for Knoxville residents. The program prioritizes projects that take place on City-owned or -leased property and are related to facilities available to all residents on a yearly basis. This ensures that the grants directly benefit the broader community and support accessible public resources. The funding structure, which reimburses recipients 50 percent of the project cost up to $3,000, aims to make these projects more feasible for eligible organizations. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse activities offered in city parks and greenways, a greater number of residents participating in fitness and recreational programs, and improved utilization of public recreational facilities. The measurable results would involve tracking the types of projects funded, the number of participants in various activities, and the overall engagement with city parks. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial support for community-led initiatives in public spaces, the City of Knoxville can cultivate a more active, engaged, and healthy populace.

The Downtown Johnson City Facade Improvement Grant Program, administered by the Johnson City Development Authority (JCDA) and supported through the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program, aims to revitalize the Downtown Johnson City Redevelopment District, with a particular focus on the Historic Overlay District. The core mission of this program aligns with increasing the economic viability, improving aesthetics, and enhancing property values within this crucial area. By providing financial incentives for facade improvements, the JCDA seeks to prevent urban blight and create a more attractive environment for both businesses and residents, directly supporting community development and economic growth initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are conforming commercial and mixed-use properties located within the Historic Overlay District. The impact goals extend beyond individual property improvements, aiming for a broader community uplift. Key objectives include enhancing the marketability of commercial spaces, attracting new businesses and residents, and ultimately stimulating economic activity through increased job creation and sales tax generation in the downtown area. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate substantial economic impact, thereby supporting the strategic goal of fostering a vibrant and economically robust downtown. The program focuses on a range of eligible activities designed to preserve and enhance the architectural integrity and visual appeal of buildings. These include masonry repairs, storefront reconstruction, removal of false facades, cornice repair, exterior painting, awnings, window and door repair/replacement, permanent exterior lighting, and signage integrated into design, among others. Eligibility criteria require applicants to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City’s Historic Zoning Commission or preapproval from the City’s Planning Division, ensuring that renovations align with historic preservation standards and zoning requirements. Proposed renovations must also be approved by the JCDA before commencement. Expected outcomes include a noticeable improvement in the physical appearance of downtown buildings, leading to increased property values and a more inviting urban landscape. Measurable results will include the number of improved facades, the amount of private investment leveraged by the grants, and, importantly, the economic impact in terms of new businesses, job creation, and sales tax revenue within the Redevelopment District. The JCDA's theory of change posits that by directly investing in the physical infrastructure of downtown properties, a ripple effect will occur, stimulating broader economic development and enhancing the overall quality of life in Johnson City. The program's flexible funding model, offering up to $10,000 for single-faced buildings and an additional $5,000 for multiple street-facing facades, with potential for larger grants for projects with substantial economic impact, underscores its strategic priority of maximizing community benefit.