Tennessee 250 Grants Available
PROJECT SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANTS
Overview
The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial offers two grant opportunities for organizations and communities centered around Tennessee’s unique stories. The total combined allocation for these two grant opportunities is $3,500,000. The two grant opportunities are:
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- Project Support Grants (up to $20,000)
- Community Support Grants (up to $25,000)
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Grants are facilitated by the Tennessee State Museum and will be reviewed until funding is exhausted. Successful grant applicants will propose projects that support the mission of the Tennessee Semiquincentennial Commission, which is to promote an inclusive statewide celebration and educational commemoration of America’s 250th by interpreting and preserving Tennessee’s unique stories, objects, landmarks, and places across our diverse state that defined who we are as Tennesseans and Americans. The Commission has a statewide focus on Tennesseans and Tennessee events that have shaped American democracy from the Revolutionary era to the present.
Eligibility
The grants are open to county/municipality organizations, non-profit 501c organizations, and local historical societies, libraries, museums, and other applicable organizations. Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply.
Deadlines
Both Project Support and Community Support Grant applications will be accepted until September 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. CDT) and January 20, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CST). Applicants for the September deadline will be notified of acceptance or rejection by October 30, 2025. Applicants for the January deadline will be notified of acceptance or rejection by February 26, 2026. Additional deadlines may be added at a later date if funding is available. Grants will be made until funding is exhausted.
Application Overview and Documentation
For an overview of the application, click here for a sample application. Before starting your application, gather the following documents (for multiple organizations partnering to apply for a Community Support Grant, use the lead organization’s documents):
Project Budget and list of all expected expenses to be covered by your requested grant amount
General Operating Budget indicating organization’s revenue/expenses for the last 3 fiscal years. You can combine the three budgets into one attachment or upload three attachments. See information about General Operating Budgets in FAQ section
Completed and physically signed Form W-9 (no electronic signature will be accepted); the Form W-9, rev. March 2024 version, can be found at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf.
If applicant is a 501c organization, a copy of the IRS determination letter confirming organization’s nonprofit status under the applicable provision of the Internal Revenue Code
Vendor/contractor quotes for relevant Archival Support Grant and Historic Preservation Grant requests.
PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTS
The Commission offers Project Support Grants in three areas: Archival Support, Historic Preservation, and Exhibitions and Programs (details below). The total allocation for Project Support Grants is $1,125,000. The Project Support Grants are open to eligible organizations such as county/municipality organizations, non-profit 501c organizations, and local historical societies, libraries, and museums, and other applicable organizations.
Successful grant applicants will submit proposals in one of the three Project Support Grant areas that align with the United States Semiquincentennial by interpreting and preserving Tennessee’s unique stories, objects, landmarks, and places across our diverse state that defined who we are as Tennesseans and Americans. The scope of the projects should focus on the timeframe of the Revolutionary era to the present.
Project Support Grants have a maximum amount of $20,000. Full or partial funding may be awarded. All projects must be completed within 12-18 months from award. Project reporting requirements will be assigned in the award letter.
Details about the three Project Support Grant areas follows below.
Archival Support contains two categories. Applicants may apply for one or both categories in the same application.
I. Archival Support | Category 1: Collection Maintenance
I. Archival Support | Category 2: Collection Preservation and Professional Development
II. Historic Preservation
III. Exhibitions and Programs
COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANTS
The Commission offers Community Support Grants to assist Tennessee communities in their America 250 activities. The total allocation for Community Support Grants is $2,375,000. The grant is open to county/ municipality organizations, non-profit 501c organizations, and local historical societies, libraries, and museums and other applicable organizations.
Organizational partnerships are encouraged (but not required) in applying for Community Support Grants. If two or more organizations partner to apply for a grant, a lead organization (LO) should be designated in the appropriate application box, and the grant’s Project Director (PD) must be from the lead organization.
Full or partial funding may be awarded. The Community Support grant has a maximum amount of $25,000.
In evaluating Community Support Grant applications, the Tennessee Semiquincentennial Commission will consider geographic diversity of applications within the state. All projects must be completed within 12-18 months from award. Project reporting requirements will be assigned in the award letter.
For questions or assistance with your grant application, contact Tennessee 250 Coordinator Carrie Tipton at carrie.tipton@tn.gov.