The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is accepting applications for its 2026 Families First Community Grant.
Donor Name: Tennessee Department of Human Services
State: Tennessee
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/13/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Department is looking to engage eligible nonprofit organizations in Tennessee with evidence-based and evidence informed program models who can administer community-based services to meet the needs of low-income families, placing the whole family on a path to permanent economic security. The Department requires these services to be delivered in a manner that improves economic security and well-being for low-income families and fosters a more strategic use of TANF funds, specifically as it pertains to the four purposes of TANF:
- Providing assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes;
- Reducing the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;
- Preventing and reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and
- Encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
The Department is seeking to partner with eligible nonprofit organizations in Tennessee that demonstrate an understanding of the challenges low-income families experience in their community, including those related to:
- Education;
- Health and well-being;
- Economic stability; and
- Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships.
Eligibility Criteria
The Department seeks to partner with organizations that have:
- Implemented or developed community-based programs that have been proven to be effective even when subjected to third-party evaluation.
- Demonstrated strong leadership and coordination of cross-sector partnerships.
- Demonstrated a proven track record for providing services intended to help low-income families achieve economic mobility.
- Identified a diverse set of resources, secured cross-sector partnerships, and developed a plan to deliver services from a family-led approach that is aligned with one or more of the four purposes of TANF.
- Articulated long-term impact of the community’s approach, including applicable return on investment and cost benefit analysis, to support and sustain delivery of services.
- Articulated a desire to work in partnership with the Department, community-based organizations, other stakeholders, and current and former customers to co-create solutions that address significant social problems.
- Innovative initiatives leveraging other public resources to build the economic, social, and developmental capital of those served to reduce dependency.
Eligible nonprofit organizations who wish to apply, including subcontractor partners, must maintain tax-exempt status
under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(19), with such status acknowledged by IRS determination letter. All eligible entities who wish to apply must not be currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible to conduct business in the State of Tennessee. Grant Contracts with the Department may be entered for services on a short-term basis and based upon the type of service needed, available resources and funding, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
For more information, visit TDHS.
