Small Grants Program

The Coalition is pleased to annouce the recipients of the Fall 2009 Small Grants Award Competition.  The awardees are: 

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)-Nashville Chapter – The project will support the purchase of a new projector, replacement lamp, screen and surge protector for the Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)/caption writer to provide needed communication support to Hard of Hearing individuals in the Middle Tennessee area. The HLAA will identify two community venues to provide specific information about hearing loss and communication needs and provide a free, one-time CART/captioned event.

Kids in Action in Murfreesboro – Through the project five to seven organizations will be identified that will work with Kids in Action to match individuals with disabilities transitioning from, or recently transitioned from, high school with the organizations for a one-year internship. The organizations include the public school system, city and county government, and possibly the federal government.  It is anticipated that these individuals will acquire the skills, competency, and confidence necessary to be successful in the position for which they will eventually be hired.  Two major products are envisioned. The first is a handbook of how to implement the program in other school districts, government organizations, or public/private businesses, along with sample job descriptions, success stories, and the realities of implementing such a program.  The second product is a handbook for candidates and their families that will explain the program and benefits long-term to the intern/employee.

League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Ear Foundation in Nashville – The project involves a rebranding of the League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/EAR Foundation (LDHH/EF).  The League and the EAR Foundation merged in September 2008. The goal of the rebranding is to provide a new and completely unified home from which to embrace the D/deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing communities. The objective is to help rebrand the fully merged agencies through one shared name, logo, and mission statement to accurately reflect the services provided and to alleviate confusion from customers seeking services related to deafness and hearing loss.

The Tennessee Disability Coalition is pleased to announce our semi-annual round of discretionary grants, awarded in May and November each year.  The Application with Guidelines for November 2009 is now available at our website.

Purpose
In keeping with the mission of the Coalition to help build a society that includes and values people with disabilities, the purpose of the grants is to build capacity in the disability community to serve individuals with disabilities and their families.

Deadlines
Letter of Interest: September 18, 2009 by noon
Full Proposal, if requested: October 30, 2009 by noon

Eligibility
The Tennessee Disability Coalition will make grants to IRS-designated tax-exempt organizations-501(c)(3) and governmental entities. Private foundations and agency members of the Coalition Grant Committee are not eligible to apply.

Amount of funding
The Coalition has approximately $100,000 available for discretionary grant making this year. Five grants for up to $10,000 each for a one-year term may be awarded in this grant cycle. Awards will be merit based, following the point system outlined in the application.

Application process
There is a two-step application process:
1. Submission of a brief Letter of Interest with budget outline
2. Submission of a full proposal, if requested, using the standard application format

Letter of Interest
The Coalition will accept only one Letter of Interest per organization. The Letter should not exceed three (3) pages in length including a budget outline. The letter must be signed by an officer of the organization or the organization’s Executive Director. To be considered for funding for the current grant cycle, your letter must be received by noon on September 18, 2009. If letters are e-mailed or faxed, do not follow up with a mailed letter.

A Letter of Interest should include the following:

• Organization/Agency information:
• Agency name
• Mailing address with zip code
• Indication of not-for-profit agency or governmental entity
• Federal ID number
• Name and title of person submitting Letter of Interest
• Telephone number / E-mail address
• A brief statement of the history, mission, and services of your organization.
• The geographic area and population served (if applicable)
• A brief description of the project to be funded including a statement on how the project will contribute to capacity building.
• A description of the overall goal of the project to be funded
• Budget outline
• Note: The letter should not exceed three (3) pages, inclusive of the budget outline.

All Letters of Interest will be reviewed to determine if the Coalition Grant Committee and Coalition Board wish to pursue a full proposal. Applicants will be notified not later than  October 1, 2009 of the results of the review process. The deadline for a full proposal, if requested is noon on October 30, 2009. Notifications of awards will be sent by e-mail by November 30, 2009.

Submission information
Letters of Interest can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed.
Mail:
Donna DeStefano
Tennessee Disability Coalition
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Fax:  615-383-1176
E-mail: donna_d@tndisability.org

Funding Process
Funds will be awarded in two installments: half of the award with the second payment half to be made upon receipt and approval of the five-month Summary of Activities report.

Required Reports
All grantees will be required to submit:

• A five-month progress report
• A final report, including a final budget report, within six weeks following the end of the project term.

For more information, contact:  
Donna DeStefano
Email: donna_d@tndisability.org
Phone: 615-383-9442

Download Application with Guidelines

The Tennessee Disability Coalition is pleased to announce our semi-annual round of discretionary organizational grants, awarded in May and November each year. Guidelines and Sample Application Form for May 2009 are now available below. 

Purpose - In keeping with the mission of the Coalition to help build a society that includes and values people with disabilities, the purpose of the grants is to build capacity in the disability community to serve individuals with disabilities and their families.  

Deadlines

Letter of Interest: March 20, 2009

Full Proposal, if requested: April 30, 2009

Eligibility - The Tennessee Disability Coalition will make grants to IRS-designated tax-exempt organizations-501(c)(3) and governmental entities. Private foundations and agency members of the Coalition Grant Committee are not eligible to apply. 

Amount of funding -The Coalition has approximately $100,000 available for discretionary grant making this year. Five grants for up to $10,000 each for a one-year term may be awarded in this grant cycle. Awards will be merit based, following the point system outlined in the application. 

Application process

There is a two-step application process:

1. Submission of a brief Letter of Interest with budget outline of proposed project

2. Submission of a full proposal, if requested, using the standard application format 

Letter of Interest

The Coalition will accept only one Letter of Interest per organization. The Letter should not exceed three (3) pages in length including a budget outline of the proposed project. The letter must be signed by an officer of the organization or the organization’s Executive Director. To be considered for funding for the current grant cycle, your letter must be received by March 20, 2009. If letters are e-mailed or faxed, do not follow up with a mailed letter. 

A Letter of Interest should include the following:

1) Organization/Agency information:

• Agency name
• Mailing address with zip code
• Indication of not-for-profit agency or governmental entity
• Federal ID number
• Name and title of person submitting Letter of Interest
• Telephone number / E-mail address

2) A brief statement of the history, mission, and services of your organization.

3) The geographic area and population served (if applicable).

4) A brief description of the project to be funded, including a statement on how the project will contribute to capacity building.

5) A description of the overall goal of the project to be funded.

6) Budget outline of the proposed project.

Note: The letter should not exceed three (3) pages, inclusive of the budget outline.  

All Letters of Interest will be reviewed to determine if the Coalition Grant Committee and Coalition Board wish to pursue a full proposal. Applicants will be notified no later than April 3, 2009 of the results of the review process. The deadline for a full proposal, if requested, is April 30, 2009. Notifications of awards will be sent by e-mail by May 29, 2009. 

Submission information

Letters of Interest can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed.

Mail:

Donna DeStefano

Coalition Grants Committee

Tennessee Disability Coalition

955 Woodland Street

Nashville, TN 37206

Fax: 615-383-1176

E-mail: donna_d@tndisability.org 

Funding Process

Funds will be awarded in two installments: half of the award after a contract is signed, with the second payment half to be made upon receipt and approval of the five-month Summary of Activities report. 

Required Reports

All grantees will be required to submit:

• A five-month progress report
• A final report, including a final budget report, within six weeks following the end of the project term.

For more information, contact:

Donna DeStefano

Email: donna_d@tndisability.org 

Phone: 615-383-9442