Click here to download a “Logic Model” to help you build your initiative’s feasibility and sustainability: Logic Model Explanation

Click here to download an overview of the Trinity grant process: Trinity Grant Process

Click here to download outline information and tips: Outline Information and Tips

Trinity will pursue six initiatives with its grants in 2026. These topics were determined from discussions with community health leaders, community roundtable discussions with area service providers, Trinity board deliberation, and a review of studies on our region’s health needs. The same five (5) initiatives from last year will guide our efforts for 2026. 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 annual revenue greater than $1.5 million). The Small Grants Division Phase I “Planning Grant” proposals will be limited to $5,000 and will be eligible to compete for a Phase II “Implementation Grant” of up to $50,000. The Large Grants Division Phase I “Planning Grant” proposals will be limited to $15,000 and will be eligible to compete for a Phase II “Implementation Grant” of up to $150,000.

To download the Initiative and Phase I Proposal details, click here.

In 2026, Trinity will grant in two phases in a Small and Large Grants Division. Phase I is an open solicitation on six initiatives with grants for three (3) months and up to $5,000 for the Small Grants Division and up to $15,000 for the Large Grants Division. We anticipate awarding up to 12 Phase I grants in the Small Grants Division and up to 11 in the Large Grants Division in June 2026. Phase II proposals will be solicited from Phase I recipients. Phase II will be for one (1) year and up to $50,000 for the Small Grants Division and up to $150,000 for the Large Grants Division. We will award Phase II grants in October 2026.

In a nutshell, to be eligible for a Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee grant, the lead proposing organization must have the following credentials:

• Nonprofit status as an organized church, non-governmental 501(c)(3), or equivalent organization.
• Registered to operate a business in Tennessee and in good standing. (Annual reports must be filed and up to date.) This is separate from a registration to solicit funds.
• Have a service area that touches Knox and the surrounding contiguous counties (Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson, Loudon, Roane, Sevier, and Union)
• Serve as the lead proposer on only one proposal each year. A single organization can collaborate on multiple proposals, but only one can serve as the budgetary lead on a single proposal each year.
• Small Grants Division applicants must meet the criteria above and have annual revenues of no more than $1.5 million.
• Phase II winners from the previous year will not be eligible for consideration in the current year’s proposal cycle.

Trinity requires all lead-proposing organizations to have a 501(c)(3) or equivalent status. While specific tasks within a project can be subcontracted to for-profit entities, their participation must be under the supervision of the 501(c)(3) bidder. Phase I grants are for planning and prototyping activities. They can include labor, consultants, travel, overhead, and minimal materials if needed for the initial demonstration (no funds for capital or equipment in Phase I).

Phase II grants are for implementation and can be used for a broad range of activities beyond Phase I, including, but not limited to, equipment, training courses, capital facilities, etc. Trinity desires but does not require matching funds and/or in-kind support (volunteer labor, use of facilities, infrastructure development, such as software, databases, products, and websites, promotion, etc.) for proposed efforts, particularly in Phase II. Only successful Phase I grantees will be able to submit for Phase II. Trinity is a faith-based organization, but will consider proposals from non-faith-based entities if there is no conflict with our mission.

Trinity serves the contiguous 9-county region that borders and includes Knox County. We serve a broad demographic (age & gender) population and seek to reach all residents in our area without giving economic, age, gender, or racial preference when selecting projects, unless clearly stated in the specific initiative request for proposal.

Phase I grant proposals must be submitted online. See the required Proposal Outline tab for required outlines. We require concise, organized proposals to minimize your proposal development efforts and make our volunteer team’s review process more manageable. Three pieces of information are needed to complete the proposal submission. First, you will set up a password-protected login to enter the submission site (on Trinity’s homepage) and edit your information until you submit a finished proposal. Once you submit a certified proposal, it will be locked, and your organization’s information/proposal will be transmitted to Trinity for grant consideration.

How to Submit a Proposal:

Click here for detailed submission instructions.

Three Information Steps to Proposal Submission:

• Step 1: Organization Information (Name, Federal EIN, Contact Info, Proposal Initiative Selected, etc. – completed online)
• Step 2: Proposal Outline (Small Grants and Large Grants will be completed in short answer format – completed online)
• Step 3: Proposal Certification (Organizational Officer – organization’s president, executive director, CEO, or board officer, certifying the status of the organization, approval of the proposal, and a conflict of interest disclosure – completed online)

2026 Phase I Grant Submissions are due by NOON on March 18, 2026.

If you have any questions on the application process or require additional resources or support, please email Lynn Metler at lmetler@trinityfound.org.

The purpose of the Phase I proposal is to convince Trinity of the value of the effort proposed and your organization’s ability to perform the proposed project with excellence. Trinity will provide Phase I funds to collaborating nonprofit organizations to thoroughly explore approaches to address initiatives identified by the topics presented in the request for proposal. The Phase I Planning/Pilot Scale is an opportunity for your organization to pursue the following:

• Discover best practices related to the opportunity
• Perform small-scale tests before large implementation
• Solicit implementation and support partners for Phase II
• Develop a project plan for Phase II implementation and sustainability

Activities might include, but are not limited to:

• surveys, acquisition of collaboration commitments
• research into successful programs in other locations
• development of data collection methods for the measurement of success
• development of educational materials
• conferring with organizational and subject matter experts
• observing related projects elsewhere, etc.

The Small Grants and Large Grants Phase I proposal is limited to the Organization Information and Short Answer Proposal submission completed online.

Small and Large Grants Division

Click here to download the Small Grants Division and Large Grants Division outline: 2026 Phase I Submission Outline – Small and Large Grants.pdf

*The Phase II Proposal outline will be provided to Phase I winners after the June awards luncheon.

February 1, 2026 – Phase I Solicitation Opens

March 18, 2026 – Phase I Proposals due by NOON.

May 18, 2026 * – Phase I Winners notified (*Date subject to change as needed)

September 1, 2026 – Phase II Proposals due by NOON. (Phase II proposals are submitted online. A link will be sent to the Phase I recipients. Only Phase I winners can apply for a Phase II grant.)

October 5, 2026* – Phase II Winners notified (*Date subject to change as needed)