Tennessee Healthy Built Environment Grants

Tennessee Healthy Built Environment Grants is sponsored by Tennessee Department of Health. This program funds built environment projects to advance community health and resilience.

Tennessee Department of Health Built Environment and Health Built Environment and Health The Tennessee Department of Health recognizes the link between the built environment and public health and supports the creation of healthy built environments to protect, promote, and improve the health and prosperity of all Tennesseans.

Built Environment + Health The places where we live, learn, work, play, and worship influence how we view and understand our communities, ourselves, and each other. A well-designed built environment can decrease obesity, heart disease, and diabetes rates while increasing physical, mental, and social health and building community resilience.

The Tennessee Department of Health recognizes the link between the built environment and public health and supports the creation of healthy built environments to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of all Tennesseans. Healthy Development Coordinators TDH has seven regional positions to promote the development of healthy built environments across the state.

These Healthy Development Coordinators (HDCs) serve as external-facing positions that engage in cross-sector collaboration to address the social and environmental determinants of health primarily in Tennessee’s rural and suburban areas.

Each HDC lives and works in one of the state’s seven health regions, developing relationships and collaborating with a wide range of local stakeholders to prioritize health in decisions related to land use planning, transportation, housing, greenspace, food access, and economic development. The HDCs have a variety of backgrounds and expertise, including public health, urban and regional planning, and outdoor recreation.

List of HDC Regional Contacts Counties Served: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, McNairy, Obion, Tipton, Weakley Counties Served: Bedford, Coffee, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Wayne Mid-Cumberland Region HDC Counties Served: Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, Wilson Upper Cumberland Region HDC Counties Served: Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, White Counties Served: Bledsoe, Bradley, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie Counties Served: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Union Counties Served: Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington An Active Living Workshop is a half day of learning and action planning with elected officials and key community partners with an interest in built environment planning.

During the workshop, participants evaluate the health impacts of their current community design and discuss ways to improve it. The agenda includes: Active Living Education Session; Walk Audit; Mapping of Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement.

Tennessee Map of Active Living Workshops This Tennessee map is clickable and links to a website hosted by a third-party with location and contact details about Active Living Workshops throughout the state. Upon completion of workshop, the HDC will review the findings from the activities above to create an After Workshop Report with suggested next steps.

These workshops are an excellent way to catalyze built environment projects in your community! If you are interested in hosting or organizing an Active Living Workshop, contact your Regions HDC .

Technical Assistance and Training Grants, Sources, and Descriptions Community Transportation Planning Grant Cities, towns, and counties outside of MPO's Community mobility plans, corridor studies, multi-modal studies, major street plans, etc. Surface Transportation Block Grant Automatically granted to municipalities >5,000 Transportation system improvements Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Main funding source for general pedestrian and bicyling infrastructure projects Local governments (or government agencies working locally) and non-profits Making your community bike friendly, broad grants Community Development Block Grants Providing essential, pressing community development needs in underserved areas.

Can go towards community livability projects.

America Walks Community Change Grants Non-profits, local governments Improving community walkability-eligible for program, policy, or environmental projects improving traffic safety for all road users through activities, programs and training Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure "Led in partnership with the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) , BICI will: Fund ambitious cycling infrastructure projects by providing grants of $400k USD to $1M USD; Refine project plans by connecting winning cities with world-class technical assistance from GDCI; Implement projects and track progress by training city leaders on data collection, resident engagement and other industry best practices; Connect cities with a global network of peers."

local governments, 501c3, higher ed if benefits public / open to and benefits the public.

Getting art to happen in our communities - programs, events, art in public places Tourism Enhancement Grant TN Department of Tourist Development city or county governments / one application per county; must have former grants closed out; can split between multiple places as long as it tells a cohesive story Developing and improving tourism assets for tourism-related economic impact...

can't be for something completely new, but can build on what you have National Parks and Recreation Association and Disney Local Parks and Recreation Agencies Increasing participation in the outdoors and working in innovative ways to protect the environment National Fish & Wildlife Foundation 501c3s, state and local governments, Native American tribes, and educational institutions Providing access for people to enjoy the outdoors; and, ensure the future of local economies that depend on forestry, ranching and recreation Government entities and non-profit organizations with experience implementing large-scale civic projects Making active, healthy public spaces (likely parks) / can't go towards purchasing land, staffing pay, or co-branded projects Inspiring youth outdoor participation and engaging diverse audiences through innovative and creative approaches.

National Endowment for the Arts 501c3s, local or state government units Supporting small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. TN Disability Coalition Small Grants 501c3s and government entities build capacity in the disability community to serve individuals with disabilities and their families. Can go towards infrastructure.

outdoor education opportunities for low income and underserved communities Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series Grants Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation Funding 10 free outdoor concerts that are musically diverse and of high-caliber talent. Technical assistance provided. Good projects will help revitalize an underutilized public space.

501c3s, 501c6s, Government Entities, other types of organizations considered on case-by-case basis Quick-action projects across the country, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages.

Appalachian Regional Commission Local development districts, Native American tribes, local governments, higher education institutions, public or private non-profits Helps communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries Consumer Product Safety Commission State and Local Governments Assistance to help implement enforcement and education programs, with the goal of preventing drownings and drain entrapments in pools and spas.

GameTime Cares Playground Grants 100% matching funds for playground equipment Up to $5,000 for community garden projects. U.S. Cities with a population of at least 30,000 "connects mayor’s offices with community residents to revitalize their neighborhoods one block at a time... From turning vacant lots into community gardens to helping elderly neighbors with home repairs to avoid fines and safely age in place."

NFL and National Dairy Council Nutrition and Physical activity improvements.

Examples: signage and paint for walking tracks, equipment for lunchrooms, visits to farms, water bottles, GoNoodle, etc. Teachers' equipment and funding for programs School Breakfast Grant Program Starting or expanding school breakfast participation For schools to improve or introduce new nutrition and physical activity programs Sports Equipment for underserved children Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative Colleges and Universities Accelerate and expands the adoption and implementation of 100% smoke- and tobacco-free policies on college and university campuses.

Grants ranging from $8,000 to $20,000 Safe Routes to Parks Activating Communities Program Community based non-profits Developing an action plan and executing it to deliver safe non-car routes to parks Developing walking and walkable community advocates 10-Minute Walk Planning Grant and Technical Assistance local government agencies operating parks OR affiliated 501c3s Grants and technical assistance to support planning efforts that help cities increase access to high-quality parks within a 10-minute walk Farmers Market Promotion Program all organizations involved in getting food directly from producers to consumers Improving taking goods directly from farmers to market Local Food Promotion Program supporters of local and regional food business enterprises Planning or implementing new local and regional food business enterprises Healthy Food Financing Initiative SNAP processing staple and perishable food retailers in underserved areas providing healthy food retail options in underserved areas school districts, state and local agencies, tribal organizations, agricultural producers, and non-profit organizations Designed to improve access to local foods in eligible schools Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program Public food program service providers, tribal organizations or private nonprofit entities To create community-based food projects and to plan for improving community food security Non-profits, tax-exempt organizations, schools Development of new and expansion of existing youth garden programs with sustainability plans Non-profits, public or private schools, youth programs School or youth community gardens and gardening programs that enhance the quality of life for students and their communities Safer School Garden Grant Students on behalf of their schools School garden development School systems or non-profits Edible, educational school/youth gardens 2021Budding Botanist Grant Public, private or charter schools from which 40%+ of kids would qualify for free and reduced lunch helping kids learn about plants, explore their world and inspire them to take care of the life they discover in their local ecosystems The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program government agencies and non-profits Supports projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase.

Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program State agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; Federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations, foundations, or corporations; individuals; or any group consisting of 2 or more entities described in this paragraph "The purpose of the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program is to increase the knowledge of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health of children.

The program’s goal is to increase the capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and classrooms, while fostering higher levels of community engagement between farms and school systems by bringing together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to not only increase access to school meals for low-income children, but also to dramatically improve their quality."

For profit organizations other than small businesses; Public, State controlled, and private institutions of higher education; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education "USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has established the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative to improve the nutritional quality of school meals through food systems transformation, school food authority recognition and technical assistance, the generation and sharing of innovative ideas and tested practices, and grants."

Innovations in Accessibility Grant Funding Opportunity Local and regional private nonprofit or government organizations that directly provide transportation services Provides up to $30,000 support develop program innovations for increasing accessible transportation in the community that are ready to implement on Day 1 TDOT Rural Planning Initiative (Contact your RPO) TN Counties and Municipalities in at-risk or distressed counties located outside an MPO boundary Fund corridor studies, access management studies, road diet analysis, resurfacing and striping plans for local roads, transportation facility inventories, transportation feasibility studies, and all CTPG eligible planning documents Current recipients and subrecipients of the FTA's Forumula Grans for Rural Areas Program Eligible applicants can "apply for grant awards of up to $100,000 for projects that develop or strengthen transportation partnerships that improve social determinants of health in rural and tribal communities."

Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning Federal Transit Administration to integrate land use and transportation planning in new fixed guideway and core capacity transit project corridors.

Community Mobility Design Challenge National Center for Mobility Management Government Agencies and Non-Profits "support communities in seeking innovative ways to address the personal well-being of community members that face transportation barriers to health care access, economic opportunity, healthy food, or community and peer support opportunities" SS4A (Safe Streets and Roads or All) Metropolitan planning organizations; Counties, cities, towns, and transit agencies or other special districts that are subdivisions of a State; Federally recognized Tribal governments; and Multijurisdictional groups comprised of the above entities.

Discretionary program to fund grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

Global Ideas for U.S. Solutions: Cities Taking Action to Address Health, Equity, and Climate Change Robert Wood Johnson Foundation organizations from a wide range of fields and disciplines—both within and outside the health/public health sector Funds proposals that stimulate action in U.S. cities around smart, effective approaches from abroad that mitigate the unequal health risks posed by climate change.

Specifically, they seek proposals that explore changes in city planning, policies, and programs that address: buildings and energy; land use and urban planning; transportation; waste; food systems and food security; and air quality. Community Tree Planting Program Local governments, private non-profits, educational institutions Funds to plant trees in riparian areas.

Advancing Environmental Justice Through Technical Assistance Mini Grants American Public Health Association 501c3 Non-profit organizations A grant and technical assistance program to help community-based organizations work to advance environmental justice. Conservation Alliance Grants "The Conservation Alliance seeks to protect threatened wild places throughout North America for their habitat and recreational values.

" Building Resilience Against Climate Effects: Implementing and Evaluating Adaptation Strategies that Protect and Promote Human Health Creating Homes Initiative 2. 0 Develop and expand the number of safe, affordable and quality permanent housing options for Tennesseans living with substance use disorder, in particular opioid use disorder.

State of Tennessee Search for Grants Tool Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) Grants and Funding For more information, email shannon. velasquez@tn. gov .

Healthy Built Environment Grants Every year, TDH allocates about $860,000 to fund built environment projects that support physical activity, healthy eating, and community resilience. The grant aims to address health disparities and promote inclusivity of individuals of all abilities and backgrounds. Local and State government entities, American Indian tribes, and non-profit entities with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply.

This Tennessee map is clickable and links to a website hosted by a third-party with location and contact details about Active Living Workshops throughout the state. Tennessee Map of Funded Healthy Built Environment Projects This Tennessee map is clickable and links to a website hosted by a third-party with details about funded Healthy Built Environment Projects.

Built Environment + Health Newsletter Health and Built Environment Resources Built Environment and Public Health Core Competencies Officials with the Tennessee Department of Health, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials collaborated to develop a set of core competencies, Built Environment and Public Health Core Competencies (August 2025) for practitioners working at the intersection of public health and the built environment.

Built Environment Evaluation Guide The Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Primary Prevention developed a Built Environment Evaluation Guide (2017) as a resource for Healthy Built Environments grantees. The guide provides a practical approach to evaluating built environment projects through a public health lens.