Tennessee Community Cares Program (TN Cares)

Administrator for Southeast Tennessee: United Way of Greater Chattanooga

State-level pandemic relief grant program providing financial assistance to eligible nonprofit organizations for COVID-19 response-related expenses. United Way of Greater Chattanooga served as the regional grant administrator for Southeast Tennessee.

Geographic Service Area

Franklin, Marion, Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, and McMinn counties

Funding Amount

• Regional Allocation: Over $24,000,000 designated for Southeast Tennessee region
• Total Distributed: $24,239,734 in applications received
• Actual Awards: All $24,000,000 distributed among 85 nonprofit organizations

Eligible Expenses

Nonprofits could request reimbursement for pandemic-driven expenses including:

• Personnel expenses
• COVID-19 contact tracing
• Distance learning infrastructure
• Economic support for individuals
• Food programming
• Housing support
• Telework capabilities
• Medical expenses
• Nursing home support
• Payroll expenses
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Public health initiatives
• Prevention of COVID-19 spread through supply provision

Eligibility

• Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Must have worked or be working in COVID-19 response capacity
• Must be able to prove incurred or projected expenses due to COVID-19 response
• Expenses must fall within timeframe: March 2020 - November 2020

Program Results (Completed)

• Applications Received: 1,003 submissions
• Organizations Funded: 85 nonprofits
• Funding Distributed: 100% of available funds ($24,000,000)

Application Timeline (Historical)

• Application Period: August 1 - August 15, 2020 (First window)
• Second window: Opened subsequently (dates not specified)
• Status: Completed program

Administrator Role

United Way of Greater Chattanooga responsibilities included:

• Outreach and marketing to eligible nonprofits
• Receiving and reviewing grant applications
• Approving eligible applications
• Monitoring spending of approved programs
• Coordinating with Tennessee Department of Human Services
• Working with volunteer reviewers to evaluate applications
• Technical assistance through Venture Forward

Technical Assistance

• Venture Forward (United Way's nonprofit advancement arm) provided:
  • Educational roundtables
  • Information sessions
  • Grant application preparation support
  • Capacity building for smaller, grassroots nonprofits

Additional Support

• Partnership with Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson (TN-11)
• Outside consultant support for application optimization
• Community volunteer reviewers for applications

Background

This program was part of the United States Financial Stimulus Accountability Group effort, distributing CARES Act funds to address pandemic impacts. The program recognized nonprofits that "pivoted in crucial ways" during the crisis, including standing up new crisis response funds, implementing social work programs, and launching feeding programs.

Application Process (Historical - Program Completed)

Note: TN Cares Program application period has closed. The following describes the historical application process:

1. Application Submission
   • Applications submitted through Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS)
   • Application Portal: https://tncaresact.tn.gov/nfp-application
   • Submitted by the nonprofit organization
2. Application Review
   • United Way of Greater Chattanooga received copies of applications
   • Community volunteer panels reviewed applications
   • Evaluations based on state criteria for COVID-19 related response work and services
   • Outside consultants assisted in application optimization
3. Award Determination
   • United Way recommended organizations for funding
   • Funding distributed by State of Tennessee based on application merit
   • All $24,000,000 in available funds were distributed
4. Technical Assistance Available
   • Organizations could attend Venture Forward training sessions
   • Roundtable discussions on grant requirements
   • Information sessions for nonprofits
   • Particularly valuable for smaller, neighborhood-based organizations unfamiliar with grant processes

Required Materials

• Proof of 501(c)(3) status
• Documentation of incurred or projected COVID-19 response expenses
• Detailed expense breakdown showing:
  • Type of expense
  • Amount
  • Justification for COVID-19 relationship
  • Dates of expense (March 2020 - November 2020)

Eligibility Requirements

• Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Evidence of COVID-19 response work or plans
• Expenses must relate to pandemic response
• Expenses must fall within March 2020 - November 2020 timeframe
• Ability to document incurred or projected expenses

Program Support Resources

• Venture Forward Training: ventureforwardnow.org/tncommunitycares
• State Program Information: www.tn.gov/humanservices/tennessee-community-cares-program
• DHS Application Portal: https://tncaresact.tn.gov/nfp-application