Helper Grants

The Nashville Predators Foundation, empowered by SmileDirectClub, provides annual Helper Grants to support local charities in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. With grants ranging from $500 to $10,000, the foundation focuses on projects benefiting youth and families. In 2022, it distributed over $800,000 to 172 organizations. The program prioritizes those with detailed expense lists and organizations with budgets under $2 million, fostering community engagement and support for impactful initiatives.

Predators Foundation Helper Grants
Through an annual grant cycle, the Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub gives out hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities for projects and programs benefiting youth and their families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Last year, the foundation distributed $800,040 to 172 charitable organizations.
In 2022 the Preds Foundation renamed their grants program to Helper Grants empowered by SmileDirectClub after former Preds Senior VP & Advisor Gerry Helper. Helper retired after 40-plus years in the NHL, including 24 with Nashville, where he ended his career as Preds Foundation Chairman of the Board.
Grant Guidelines
Grants may range from $500 to a maximum of $10,000. Average grant last year was $4,651.Projects with a detailed itemized list of grant expenses are more likely to be funded.
Organizations looking to partner with the Nashville Predators and the Nashville Predators Foundation beyond funding are given stronger consideration.
Organizations whose operating budget is under $2.0 million will receive priority consideration.
Organizations that have received funding in three consecutive years will be considered but organizations that have not received grants in consecutive years may receive priority consideration.
What Do We Fund?

Eligibility

Applicant must be a 501c3 organization or government agency serving the Nashville or Middle Tennessee areaProjects/programs must benefit youth and their familiesEach organization can only submit ONE application.

Ineligibility

What We Do Not FundGeneral operating costsStaff salariesSponsorship or fundraising of any kindCapital campaignsEndowments or reserve funds or grants to individualsPTAs or Booster Clubs