Community Impact Fund

Community Impact Fund is sponsored by Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt University's Community Impact Fund supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee that strengthen children and their families through education and personal development, build capacity for those most challenged, and foster a vibrant creative and artist…

Community Impact Fund | Community Relations | Vanderbilt University The Community Impact Fund is designed to strategically contribute to and partner with local organizations making a positive difference in our local community. Vanderbilt University is committed to sustaining a thriving community.

Through the Community Impact Fund, we support 501c3 nonprofit organizations that are strengthening children and their families through education and personal development; capacity building for those most challenged in Nashville and fostering a vibrant creative and artistic culture in Middle Tennessee.

By investing in community-based organizations, the university strives to amplify the nonprofit sector’s strengths and resources to foster social impact and improve the well-being of our community. The Community Impact Fund makes financial and in-kind contributions for special programs, events and provides seed funding for important projects.

The Community Impact Fund prioritizes programs that increase service capacity or ensure long-term sustainability for organizations. Grants typically receive an average of $5,000 per grant and may be direct financial contributions or through in-kind exchanges. Event or fundraising sponsorship Financial and in-kind contributions Funding is just one component of our broader community impact strategy.

Vanderbilt University's Community Relations team takes a strategic approach to fostering meaningful partnerships—both within the university and throughout Middle Tennessee. We actively convene internal and external stakeholders, facilitate connections, support collaborative programming, and promote the university’s community engagement efforts.

Please visit our Partners in the Community webpage to learn about additional ways Vanderbilt can support community partners. Vanderbilt University is dedicated to fostering a thriving and inclusive community. Through the Community Impact Fund, we invest in organizations that enhance the well-being of children and families and promote creativity and cultural vibrancy across Middle Tennessee.

Grants that fall in the following categories are prioritized: Social and Human Services To be eligible for funding, your organization must be: Located in Davidson County and primarily serving Davidson County residents Operating as a 501(c)(3) for a minimum of 3 years If your organization is new or has not received funding from the Vanderbilt Community Impact Fund in the last three years, please schedule an appointment with a community impact officer.

This is required before an application can be accepted for review.

The following types of requests are ineligible: Endowment or scholarship funding Political campaigns/parties Religious organizations seeking funding for religious purposes School sports teams, clubs, student activities or events Organizations with explicit discriminatory practices Sponsorships for walks, runs, golf tournaments, and similar fundraising events The grant program does not typically support disease-specific charities, initiatives or medical research organizations Application Process & Timeline We have two application openings: If your event or program spans the full academic year, please apply during the fall application period.

If your organization would like to apply for funding for multiple events or programs that take place throughout the year, please apply for all requests during the fall application window. This gives our team a full picture of your requests for the year, and in the event we cannot fund all requests, we may be able to connect you with other funding programs. Applications will open June 15, 2026 and will close on August 9, 2026.

For funding requests pertaining to event sponsorship and/or programmatic opportunities scheduled between July 1 and December 31, 2026. If your organization would like to apply for funding for multiple events or programs that take place throughout the year, please apply for all requests during the fall application window.

This gives our team a full picture of your requests for the year, and in the event we cannot fund all requests, we may be able to connect you with other funding programs. If you are a first-time applicant, you mus t schedule an introductory meeting with a Community Impact Officer. These meetings have concluded for the Fall 2026 cycle.

The Spring 2027 application cycle will reopen in December 2026. For funding requests related to event sponsorship and/or programmatic opportunities occurring between January 1 and June 30, 2027. Introductory meetings for new applicants or those that have not received funding in the last 3 years, have not been scheduled yet, but will likely be in October 2026.

Please check back for any updates. For questions and information, please contact impactfund@vanderbilt. edu .

You can submit an application for either/both event sponsorship or programmatic opportunities. When applying for sponsorship, you are asked to upload a sponsorship document outlining the benefits of all levels. When applying for a programmatic opportunity, please provide a description of the program.

As part of the application process, we will inquire about any existing affiliations between your organization and Vanderbilt. This information will assist us in facilitating further connections. It's important to note that funding is not dependent on any Vanderbilt affiliations.

Frequently Asked Questions How do I submit my application? You will need to create a login ID on our new online portal to submit your application. Can I save my application and finish it later?

Yes, the portal allows you to save your progress and return to complete your application later if needed. What documentation do I need to have ready when applying? Please ensure you have your IRS tax determination letter demonstrating your organization's 501(c)3 status ready for upload.

Please note: this is not your tax exemption form from the state of Tennessee. When applying for sponsorship, you must upload a sponsorship document outlining the benefits of all levels. When should I apply if my event or program spans the full academic year?

If your event or program spans the full academic year, please apply during the fall application period. If your organization would like to apply for funding for multiple events or programs that take place throughout the year, please apply for all requests during the fall application window.

This gives our team a full picture of your requests for the year, and in the event we cannot fund all requests, we may be able to connect you with other funding programs. Do I need to be affiliated with Vanderbilt to receive funding? Funding is not dependent on any Vanderbilt affiliations.

When can I expect to receive approval/denial of my funding request? You will receive notice of approval/denial of your application within 4-6 weeks of submission. Other questions?

Contact impactfund@vanderbilt. edu . Chief Community Impact Officer Senior Community Impact Officer