[East Tennessee Foundation](https://easttennesseefoundation.org)

September 30, 2026 (Full application deadline, closes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern)

Up to $25,000 per grant; project period up to one year; awards made mid-November 2026.

Supports East Tennessee nonprofits in capacity building, collaboration, and sustainability, with emphasis on environmental and conservation initiatives.

--- ## Description The Opportunity Endowment Fund, administered by the East Tennessee Foundation, is dedicated to strengthening the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofit organizations serving East Tennessee’s 25-county region. The program prioritizes capacity building projects that foster collaboration, improve organizational systems, and advance environmental, natural resource, and conservation work. Grants are designed to help nonprofits enhance operational efficiency, develop financial and leadership capacity, leverage partnerships, and create solutions that can be shared or duplicated across networks. --- ## Due Dates - Application opens: August 15, 2026 - Application deadline: September 30, 2026 (closes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern) - Awards announced: mid-November 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Organizations may request up to $25,000. - Grant terms are up to one year. - Awards are disbursed in mid-November 2026. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be charitable organizations directly supporting work in ETF’s 25-county service area. Organizations do not need to be physically located in the service area, but proposed projects must directly benefit communities within the region. - Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) public charities, units of government, or public educational institutions. - New or emerging groups without nonprofit status may apply with a qualified fiscal sponsor. - Applicants must provide documentation, including EIN, legal name, board list, financial statements, and confirmation of non-discriminatory practices. - Grants are not awarded to individuals, for debt retirement, endowments, general fundraising, or capital campaigns. Projects with explicit religious content or restricted by faith affiliation are not eligible. For full details, see the [General Eligibility and Funding Criteria](https://easttennesseefoundation.org/nonprofits/grants-we-offer/general-eligibility-and-funding-criteria/). --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online via the [East Tennessee Foundation grant portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=easttennesseefoundation). - New users must create an account; returning users log in with existing credentials. - A [detailed application guide (PDF)](https://easttennesseefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ETF-Grant-Application-Guide.pdf) is available. - Required documents include project budgets, organizational budgets, financial statements, and lists of board and key staff. - Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their project leverages matching funds, fosters collaboration, and can be shared or replicated. - Technical assistance is available from ETF’s Grantmaking Team before the deadline. --- ## Additional Information - Priority is given to projects that support environmental, conservation, and natural resource initiatives. - Proposals that demonstrate collective impact, leverage funds, and have outcomes that can be shared across organizations are highly valued. - Grant recipients may be required to submit progress and/or final reports. --- ## External Links - [Program page and application details](https://easttennesseefoundation.org/grants/opportunity-endowment-fund) - [Grant portal (apply or log in)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=easttennesseefoundation) - [General eligibility and funding criteria](https://easttennesseefoundation.org/nonprofits/grants-we-offer/general-eligibility-and-funding-criteria/) - [ETF grant application guide (PDF)](https://easttennesseefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ETF-Grant-Application-Guide.pdf) - [List of ETF’s 25-county service area](https://easttennesseefoundation.org/about-us/our-counties-your-community/) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------------------| | Grantmaking Team | [grantmaking@etf.org](mailto:grantmaking@etf.org) | (865) 524-1223 x144 / (877) 524-1223 x144 | | Ashley Siferd Butler, Director of Competitive Grants | [ab*****@*tf.org](mailto:ab*****@*tf.org) | | | Brooke Anguiano, Assistant Director of Grantmaking & Operations | [ba*******@*tf.org](mailto:ba*******@*tf.org) | | | Team directory | [ETF Team Members](https://easttennesseefoundation.org/about-us/team-members/) | |

Opportunity Endowment Fund

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