FAQs
General
What is the eligibility criteria?
The eligibility criteria is located here.
How many years of operating experience must an agency have before applying?
An agency must have been in operation as a 501(c)(3) for at least one year and have at least one year of financial statements. We will consider agencies using a fiscal agent on a case-by-case basis.
What doesn't The Trust fund?
The Trust does not fund:
- Capital projects: purchase, construction, or renovation of facilities
- Individuals and fraternal organizations
- Other grant-making organizations
- Organizations that have discriminatory policies or practices
- Partisan politics, political lobbying, or electoral campaigns
- Single-disease, research-oriented organizations
- Media organizations
- Organizations whose purpose is to raise money for another nonprofit
- National organizations without Middle TN-based staff, board, and independent financials.
Can I apply if my organization’s budget is less than $35,000?
Yes, but please contact a member of the program team at grants@healingtrust.org before applying.
How large are your grants?
Grant size varies by type of grant. Click here for a description of the types of grants we offer and the request amounts.
Do you give multi-year grants?
No, awards are granted on a year-to-year basis.
How does The Healing Trust define operating expenses?
Nonprofit operating expenses refer to the costs incurred by a nonprofit organization to carry out its day-to-day activities and fulfill its mission. These expenses are necessary for the organization to function effectively and achieve its goals. Common examples of nonprofit operating expenses include:
- Salaries and Benefits: This includes the wages, salaries, and benefits provided to the organization’s employees, including executive staff, program managers, administrative personnel, and support staff.
- Rent and Utilities: The cost of leasing or renting office space, as well as utilities such as electricity, water, heating, and internet services.
- Office Supplies and Equipment: Expenses related to purchasing office supplies, such as stationery, computers, printers, furniture, and other equipment required for daily operations.
- Professional Services: Fees paid to external professionals such as accountants, lawyers, consultants, and auditors who provide specialized services to the organization.
- Communications and Marketing: Costs associated with promoting the nonprofit’s mission, including advertising, public relations, website maintenance, social media management, and printing materials.
- Travel and Transportation: Expenses related to business travel, including airfare, accommodation, meals, and transportation for staff members or volunteers attending conferences, meetings, or conducting fieldwork.
- Program Expenses: The costs incurred to deliver the organization’s programs and services, including supplies, equipment, training, and materials specific to each program or project.
- Fundraising Expenses: Costs associated with fundraising activities, such as events, direct mail campaigns, donor management systems, online fundraising platforms, and professional fundraising services.
- Insurance: Premiums are paid for various types of insurance coverage, including general liability, property insurance, directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance, and workers’ compensation.
- Administrative Expenses: Overhead costs that support the organization’s overall operations, including office management, accounting, and financial services, human resources, and technology infrastructure.
How does The Healing Trust define capacity-building grants?
Capacity building grants are restricted grants to help organizations build their internal capacity and can be used as stated: To operationalize racial equity, support leadership training, staff development, and/or consulting programs to address issues like turnover, staff communication, or staff burnout. To hire an outside consultant with specialized expertise, engage in strategic planning, staff self-care and/or compensation, board development, build fundraising capacity, strengthen internal controls, program evaluation. Grant funds cannot be used to compensate staff members or board members to conduct the work of a consultant.
Application and Report Submission
I'm new to The Trust. How do I apply?
Please review the eligibility guidelines. If your organization meets the guidelines, email grants@healingtrust.org to set up a time to have a conversation with a program staff member.
How often can I apply?
Applicants are allowed to apply only twice per year (e.g. if an applicant is not awarded a grant the first time that they apply, they may make one more application attempt within a 12-month period). An organization may only have one operating grant at a time (e.g. organizations cannot have a Thriving Communities and Resilient Families grant simultaneously).
What are the application deadlines?
Grant deadlines are available here.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. CT on the date of the deadline.
The grant policies, guidelines, programs, application requirements, and funding decisions are the responsibility of the Board of Trust. These items may be modified by the Board of Trust at any time in its sole discretion.
How do I access an application that I already started?
If you are a current applicant and you need to return to your application, click here to access your account.
When will I find out if my application will be awarded or declined?
Notification dates are located here.
I missed the deadline. Can I still submit my application?
To be fair to the other applicants, we will not accept applications after the deadline. You will have to apply in the next cycle. Applications are due by 5 p.m. CT on the date of the deadline.
What happens if my grant is declined?
Please schedule a phone call with a member of the program team to receive feedback on your declined application. Applicants may submit two grant applications within a twelve-month period.
Does The Trust give feedback on strengths and opportunities of grant applications?
We are happy to do provide feedback on approved or decline applications. Please contact your program staff member and they are happy to discuss this feedback with you.
How often do grant recipients submit reports to The Trust?
All reports are submitted verbally. A Healing Trust team member will reach out to you between the 9th and 12th month of the grant term to schedule a final report conversation. The conversation will be focused on the responses to the initial application questions and will help us assess the organization’s progress in achieving the grant’s purpose and alignment with The Trust’s mission and values. Grants are awarded for one year and a renewal of grant funding hinges on the final report meeting which serves as an application for the next grant cycle.
During the Grant Term
Does The Trust offer extensions?
The Trust provides no-cost extensions in some instances. Please call your program officer to discuss your specific circumstance. Please note that an extension will not be offered after a grant term has ended.
What should I do if my agency receives negative publicity?
Please call us if you anticipate receiving negative publicity or unexpectedly receive negative publicity. We would prefer to hear the news from you rather than the media.
What should I expect during a partner visit?
Partner visits provide an informal, optional opportunity to allow our team and board members to learn more about your organization. This opportunity is not required and organizations are able to choose from the following options:
- an in-person coffee (60 min)
- an in-person check-In (60 min)
- a virtual check-in (30 min)
- an invitation for our staff to participate in an activity/event/volunteer opportunity (90 min)
The site visit is not an audit and should not interrupt the organization’s normal operations. Partner visits will be offered annually and new grantees will be visited in the first year of Trust funding.
Beyond Grantmaking
How do I reserve a meeting room at The Trust?
How do I register for Healing for Healer Retreat?
Retreat registration is located here.