Empower Knox Grant Funding

GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN NOVEMBER 3, 2025

More information and the application window for these grant opportunities will open on November 3, 2025. Additional information will be available at that time.

Youth Mental Health Cohort Grant

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

	FILES
	Youth Mental Health Cohort Grant Funding Application [PDF] Youth Mental Health Cohort Grant Funding Guidelines [PDF]
	DETAILS
	Award Available: Up to $10,000 Program Timeline: Grant funding must be utilized for programming carried out between February 1, 2026 and September 15, 2026 Application Deadline: December 3, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. (Optional) Opportunity for Application Preliminary Review and Feedback Deadline: November 17, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Emily Norris

The City of Knoxville’s Empower Knox Initiative recognizes that young people across the country and in our city are experiencing a mental health crisis. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are increasing for many high school students, with female students and LGBTQ+ students more likely to report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness (Sources: here and here). Young people need strong social connections and access to effective mental health services to provide them with the coping skills and strategies necessary to thrive.

Empower Knox seeks to provide grant funding to non-profit and community-based organizations capable of providing high-quality youth programming, including youth mental health supports, in Knoxville. Successful applicants will demonstrate engagement of young people between the ages of 12 and 24 in positive youth development activities that will incorporate youth mental health. Organizations do not need to have a history of incorporating mental health supports in their programming, and preference may be given to those who show the most need for capacity-building.

Proposals receiving funding will also be awarded technical support from Harmony Family Center through the Empower Knox Youth Mental Health Cohort. Participation of awardees in the cohort is a required element of receiving funding.

The City of Knoxville has funding available in this round of grants to be awarded in late January 2026 for programming carried out between February 1 and September 15, 2026. Awards may range between $5,000- $10,000 and shall specifically support programming, stipends, payment, or other services directly for youth ages 12 to 24 engaged in positive youth development activities incorporating mental health supports. 

This is a competitive process. Some applications may not be funded, and some may be only partially funded. Additionally, previously receiving funding does not guarantee selection for funding this cycle.

Applications for the Empower Knox Youth Mental Health Cohort Grant must be received by December 3, 2025 before 4:30 p.m.


TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please read the Grant Funding Guidelines before you start filling out your Application. If you have a question or need help understanding these Guidelines or the Application, call Emily Norris at 865-215-3524 or email [email protected], or Tiffany Davidson at 865-215-3057 or email [email protected].

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Event Grant Funding

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

	FILES
	Event Grant Funding Application [PDF] Event Grant Funding Guidelines [PDF]
	DETAILS
	Award Available: Between $500 and $1,500 Program Timeline: Events should be held between January 1, 2026 and September 15, 2026. Application Deadline: Open on a rolling basis until May 1, 2026 before 4:30 p.m. (Optional) Opportunity for Application Preliminary Review and Feedback Deadline: April 20, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Emily Norris

The City of Knoxville’s Empower Knox Initiative recognizes community events for young people as an essential component in developing strong, positive social connections with peers and trusted adults. According to Tufts Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, “Research has consistently shown that participating in communities and being a part of groups working together on an issue has numerous benefits for young people themselves. Youth engagement can lead to increased academic performance and improved social-emotional well-being" (CIRCLE, 2024).

The City of Knoxville has funding available in this round of grants for events held between January 1 and September 15, 2026. Awards may range between $500 and $1,500 and shall specifically support events for youth ages 12 to 24. This funding is not suitable for sponsorships of fundraising events. The purpose of the event must be for direct youth engagement. Applications are available on a rolling basis from November 3, 2025 – May 1, 2026.

This is a competitive process. Some applications may not be funded, and some may be only partially funded. Additionally, previously receiving funding does not guarantee selection for funding this cycle.


TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please read the Grant Funding Guidelines before you start filling out your Application. If you have a question or need help understanding these Guidelines or the Application, call Emily Norris at 865-215-3524 or email [email protected], or Tiffany Davidson at 865-215-3057 or email [email protected].