The Tennessee Bar Foundation is accepting applications for its 2026 Tennessee Legal Iniaitives Fund.
Donor Name: Tennessee Bar Foundation
State: Tennessee
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/08/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Originally launched in 2018, the TLIF grant program focuses on funding projects that broaden the capacity of selected organizations across the state to break the cycle of poverty and the barriers to justice by using civil legal aid and education.
Historically, the grants have supported a diverse range of critical projects and services. For example, TLIF supported an innovative medical-legal partnership that placed legal staff directly on-site at mental health centers to resolve civil legal issues—such as eviction or disability benefits—that were negatively impacting a patient’s health and recovery. In addition, TLIF supported the deployment of conferencing technology that links rural and underserved populations with community mediation centers.
Categories
Applicants must self-select one of the following categories for their proposed project:
- Capacity Building and Readiness (CBR): Strengthening capacity building “infrastructure” (e.g., technology enhancements, streamlining client intake workflows, developing standardized case management protocols, or optimizing volunteer attorney recruitment process). Budget Guidance: $5,000 – $50,000.
- Rapid Innovation: Testing a brand-new “proof of concept” or low-cost solution (e.g., AI/LLM integrations, legal navigation tools or assets). Budget Guidance: $5,000 – $50,000.
- Implementation and Scaling: Expanding a proven model that has already demonstrated successful outcomes. Budget Guidance: Up to $100,000.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants MUST:
- Be an organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. For projects involving multiple partners, the lead agency must be a 501(c)(3), meet the eligibility criteria, and agree to use the TLIF grant only for purposes that are charitable or educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as amended and meets the conditions of use under which the application is approved.
- Be an equal employment opportunity employer which does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, marital status, color, national origin, sex, age or disability; AND
- Must uses project funds exclusively in the state of Tennessee.
- If an application is selected to receive funding, the organization will be required to:
- Execute and comply with the terms of the Grant Agreement, including performance of the project as described in the applicants successful grant application;
- Submit timely reports to the Foundation detailing the project’s progress and the expenditure of TLIF funds; AND
- Cooperate with data collection and evaluation requests of the Foundation or its representatives.
For more information, visit TBF.
