Second Round of Tennessee American 250 grants opens
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:
- Project Support Grants (up to $20,000)
- Community Support Grants (up to $25,000)
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 501(c) and 501(a) organizations, and local historical societies, libraries, museums, and other applicable organizations. Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply.
Deadlines
On Nov. 17, 2025, the application portal will open for the second round of Project Support and Community Support Grant applications. These will be accepted until Jan. 20, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CST). At this time, the application portal will close, and no late applications, application changes, or additional document uploads will be accepted, including via email. Applicants will be notified of acceptance or rejection by February 26, 2026. Additional deadlines may be added at a later date if funding is not exhausted in this round.
Applicants for the January deadline will be notified of acceptance or rejection by Feb. 26, 2026. Additional deadlines may be added at a later date if funding is not exhausted in these first two rounds.
Application Overview and Documentation
View an overview of 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 completed 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.
Please double-check required documents to make sure you are submitting correct materials. In particular, please make sure you are submitting the last three years of completed fiscal budgets (not current/open or future budgets) and, for nonprofits, a letter received directly from the IRS confirming the organization's nonprofit status.
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 501(c) and 501(a) 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
Before beginning the application, we highly recommend you scroll down and read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. You may find what you're looking for!
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 501(c) and 501(a) 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.
Before beginning the application, we highly recommend you scroll down and read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. You may find what you're looking for!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For frequently asked questions, click below to expand section. If you have questions not addressed in the FAQs, contact Tennessee 250 Coordinator Carrie Tipton at carrie.tipton@tn.gov.