Trinity is implementing a two-phase proposal/grant process to seek partners to address posted topics of interest related to our region’s general health and well-being (defined as Knoxville and counties contiguous to Knox County, Tennessee). This year, Trinity will seek proposals for the 2026 Health Initiatives in the Small Grants Division (nonprofit organizations with annual revenue of less than $1.5 million) and the Large Grants Division (nonprofit organizations with an annual revenue greater than $1.5 million.

Phase I (Planning Grant) and Phase II (Implementation Grant) will be awarded to the most responsive partnering proposals. Phase I Planning Grants are for up to $5,000 in the Small Grants Division and up to $15,000 in the Large Grants Division, with a duration of 3 months from the award date. The Phase I funds can be used to support personnel costs and materials to study the need to be addressed, determine effective methods of addressing those needs from local or distant sources, solicitation of collaborative partners for the Phase II implementation, determination of logistics for the Phase II implementation, prototyping efforts for testing ideas, and a full proposal and budget development for the Phase II Implementation Proposal. Funds may not be used for operational expenses.

The minimum final deliverable from a funded Phase I grant is a report on the project efforts, including a Phase II Implementation Proposal with a fully developed budget and collaboration/implementation plan. The Phase II Implementation Proposal, delivered at the end of a Phase I effort, should develop the project idea into a clear implementation plan, including partnerships, in-kind resources, metrics, a budget, and a description of the sustainability approach.

Phase II grants, up to $50,000 in the Small Grants Division and up to $150,000 in the Large Grants Division (a one-year grant), will be available only to successful Phase I partners.

Visit the Grant Instructions page for helpful Grant Writing and Submission Tips.

Grant Size:

• Phase I: One-time award of $5,000 maximum in the Small Grants Division and $15,000 maximum in the Large Grants Division
• Phase II: If selected for Phase II, the grant amount will be $50,000 maximum in the Small Grants Division and $150,000 maximum in the Large Grants Division.

Grant Term:

• The Phase I grant term will be a one-time award for planning/pilot projects over three (3) months (applies to both Small and Large divisions).
• The Phase II grant term (if awarded) is 1 year (applicable to both Small and Large divisions).

Funding NOT Supported in Phase I:

• Capital projects for the organization’s facilities, including bricks and mortar/construction, and major equipment purchases
• General operating support for an organization or “unrestricted grant.”