At the Community Foundation of West Tennessee, we believe strong nonprofits build strong communities. Our Community Impact Grants are designed to support programs and projects that address critical needs and create measurable change across West Tennessee.

Whether you’re a returning applicant or considering applying for the first time, this guide will walk you through eligibility, application requirements, and helpful tips to strengthen your proposal.

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Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To ensure grant dollars are used effectively and responsibly, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Organizational Requirements

• Must hold 501(c)(3) status for at least three years prior to applying
  OR
• Be a current, active fund of the Community Foundation in good standing

Geographic Focus

Projects must benefit residents in one or more of the following West Tennessee counties: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Tipton, or Weakley.

Funding Term

• Grants support a one-year period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
• Expenses must fall within this timeframe

What We Do Not Fund

Community Impact Grants do not support:

• Unrestricted operating support
• Endowments
• Loans or debt service
• Grants to individuals
• Government entities
• Fundraising events

Funding for a program or project is limited to two consecutive grant cycles.

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Application Timeline & Process

• Applications Open: February 9, 2026
• Deadline to Apply: March 31, 2026
• Award Notifications: By June 1, 2026

Applications must be submitted online at cfwtn.org/grants. If selected, grantees will sign a grant agreement prior to receiving funds.

Important: Community Impact Grants are reimbursement-based. Grantees submit receipts along with a Grant Request Form to receive payment.

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Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• IRS Determination Letter (unless a fund of the Foundation)
• Detailed Program/Project Budget
• Supporting materials (if applicable), such as letters of support or permits

Incomplete applications may be disqualified, so double-check before submitting.

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What We’re Looking for in Your Proposal

Your narrative responses play a critical role in the review process. Strong applications clearly connect community need to measurable outcomes.

To support transparency and help applicants prepare stronger proposals, the Community Foundation of West Tennessee uses a scoring rubric to evaluate Community Impact Grant applications. This rubric guides our review committee and ensures each proposal is assessed fairly and consistently.

Download the full Community Impact Grant Scoring Rubric

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Here’s what reviewers expect in each section:

1. Grant Summary (20 words max)

A concise, compelling sentence that clearly states what you’re doing and who you’re serving.

Tip: Be specific. Instead of “support youth development,” say “Provide weekly STEM workshops for 40 middle school students.”

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2. Organizational Overview (250 words max)

Briefly describe:

• When you were established
• Your mission
• Who you serve
• Staff structure
• Board governance

Tip: Focus on credibility and capacity. Reviewers want to know you can successfully carry out the project.

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3. Needs Assessment (550 words max)

Explain:

• The community issue or opportunity
• Why it matters
• Data or evidence supporting the need

Tip: Use local data whenever possible. Connect the dots between the problem and your proposed solution.

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4. Program/Project Details (750 words max)

Describe:

• Services delivered
• Timeline of implementation
• Why your approach is effective

Tip: Specificity strengthens your proposal. Instead of “provide meals,” say “deliver 150 weekly meal boxes to homebound seniors in Madison County.”

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5. Results & Impact Measurement (500 words max)

Outline:

• Clear, measurable outcomes
• Exact metrics you’ll track
• Timeline for evaluation

Tip: Distinguish between outputs (what you do) and outcomes (the change that happens).

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6. Financial Strategy & Sustainability (250 words max)

Explain:

• Full project budget
• Confirmed vs. pending funding
• How the project continues if full funding is not awarded

Tip: Discuss your plans if all the requested funding is not awarded. Reviewers frequently award partial grant amounts but want to know the funds can still make an impact.

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Reporting & Accountability

All grantees must submit an Impact Report by June 30, 2027, including:

• Data demonstrating results
• Participant testimonials
• Photos or videos of the project

Failure to submit reporting may affect future funding eligibility.

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Before You Apply: A Final Checklist

✔ Does your project serve residents in eligible West Tennessee counties?
✔ Are expenses within the July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 timeframe?
✔ Have you clearly defined measurable outcomes?
✔ Is your budget detailed and realistic?
✔ Did you proofread for clarity and completeness?

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We’re Here to Help

If you have questions about the Community Impact Grant process or would like to schedule an informational meeting, please contact Haley Fortune at haley@cfwtn.org or (731) 984-2146.

We look forward to partnering with organizations that are building stronger communities across West Tennessee.

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Helpful Resources

• Community Impact Grant Guidelines: Download
• Community Impact Grant Rubric: Download
• Application Link: https://forms.gle/T7MTLfsKuaMuN7uf6