Discretionary Small Grants Program

Purpose
In keeping with the mission of the Coalition to help build a society that includes and values people with disabilities, the purpose of the grants is to build capacity in the disability community to serve individuals with disabilities and their families. In general, there is no funding available for one-time conferences.

Announcement of Grants Competition
The Coalition announces its request for Letters of Interest for the Small Grants Program on a semi-annual basis in the Spring and Fall, depending upon funds availability. The request is disseminated broadly and also available on the Coalition’s website, www.tndisability.org. 

Eligibility
The Tennessee Disability Coalition grant funds are available for award to projects/programs in the State of Tennessee, United States of America (USA) that are IRS-designated tax-exempt organizations-501(c)(3) and to governmental entities. Private foundations and agency members of the Coalition Grant Committee are not eligible to apply.

Amount of funding
In general, the Coalition makes $100,000 available for discretionary grant each year, dependent upon funds availability, with $50,000 available for the Spring grants and $50,000 available for the Fall grants. Five grants for up to $10,000 each for a one-year term may be awarded in a grant cycle. Awards will be merit based, following a point system outlined in the application.

Application process
There is a two-step application process:
1. Submission of a brief Letter of Interest with budget outline
2. Submission of a full proposal, if requested, using the standard application format

Funding Process
Funds will be awarded in two installments: half of the award after a contract is signed, with the second payment half to be made upon receipt and approval of the five-month Summary of Activities report.

Required Reports
All grantees will be required to submit:

  • A five-month progress report
  • A final report, including a final budget report, within six weeks following the end of the project term.

Many organizations apply for grants each year and the overall amount of funding requested far exceeds our resources.  Declined applications in no way reflect the worthiness of an organization's mission or programming and these groups are encouraged to apply again in future cycles. 

For more information, contact: 
Alice Owens Gatlin
Email: alice_o@tndisability.org
Phone: (615) 383-9442