Community Impact Fund

The Community Impact Fund is designed to strategically contribute to and partner with local organizations making a positive difference in our local community.

Group photo in front of a Frida Kahlo mural in Nashville

Application Process

We have made a significant enhancement to the application process for the Vanderbilt University Community Impact Fund. All funding requests are now submitted through our online portal.

Applications will open on June 16, 2025.

Overview, Goal & Mission

By making contributions to area nonprofits, the university seeks to promote the strengths and resources of the nonprofit sector to foster social impact and improve the well-being of our community. The Community Impact Fund makes financial and in-kind contributions for special programs and events and provides seed funding for important community projects.

The Community Impact Fund prioritizes projects that increase service capacity or ensure long-term sustainability for organizations.

Grant Types

Grants typically range from $1,000 to $30,000, with an average of $5,000 per grant and may be direct financial contributions or through in-kind exchanges.  

  • Direct program support
  • Event or fundraising sponsorship
  • Financial and in-kind contributions
  • Other Support

    In addition to financial support, we collaborate with organizations to create community engagement opportunities for our students, faculty and staff.

    We also facilitate connections with other Vanderbilt resources, including students for internships, volunteers, research collaborations and board service. Contact impactfund@vanderbilt.edu for more information.

Areas of Focus

Grants that fall in the following categories are prioritized:

K-12 and Adult Education

The Arts and Humanities

Social and Human Services

Youth Development

Funding Requirements

To be eligible for funding, your organization must be:

  • Located in Davidson County and primarily serving Davidson County residents
  • 501(c)(3) organization
  • Operating as a 501(c)(3) for a minimum of 2 years

If your organization is new or has not received funding from the Vanderbilt Community Impact Fund in the last three years, please schedule an appointment with a community impact officer. This is required before an application can be accepted for review. 

  • Ineligible Requests

    The following types of requests are ineligible:

    • Endowment or scholarship funding 
    • Individuals 
    • Political campaigns/parties  
    • Religious organizations seeking funding for religious purposes 
    • School sports teams, clubs, student activities or events  
    • Statewide initiatives 
    • Organizations with explicit discriminatory practices

Application Process & Timeline

We have two application openings:

Vanderbilt and Dare to Grow signage with fall colors

Applications will open on June 16, 2025.

For funding requests pertaining to event sponsorship and/or programmatic opportunities scheduled between July 1 and December 31, 2025.

If your event or program spans the full academic year, please apply during the fall application period.

If your organization would like to apply for funding for multiple events or programs that take place throughout the year, please apply for all requests during the fall application window. This gives our team a full picture of your requests for the year, and in the event we cannot fund all requests, we may be able to connect you with other funding programs.

  • Application Details
    • You can submit an application for either/both event sponsorship or programmatic opportunities.
    • When applying for sponsorship, you are asked to upload a sponsorship document outlining the benefits of all levels.
    • When applying for a programmatic opportunity, please provide a description of the program.
    • As part of the application process, we will inquire about any existing affiliations between your organization and Vanderbilt. This information will assist us in facilitating further connections. It's important to note that funding is not dependent on any Vanderbilt affiliations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I submit my application?

    You will need to create a login ID on our new online portal to submit your application.

    Apply Now

  • Can I save my application and finish it later?

    Yes, the portal allows you to save your progress and return to complete your application later if needed.

  • What documentation do I need to have ready when applying?
    • Please ensure you have your IRS tax determination letter demonstrating your organization's 501(c)3 status ready for upload.
    • When applying for sponsorship, you must upload a sponsorship document outlining the benefits of all levels.
  • When should I apply if my event or program spans the full academic year?

    If your event or program spans the full academic year, please apply during the fall application period.

    If your organization would like to apply for funding for multiple events or programs that take place throughout the year, please apply for all requests during the fall application window. This gives our team a full picture of your requests for the year, and in the event we cannot fund all requests, we may be able to connect you with other funding programs.

  • Do I need to be affiliated with Vanderbilt to receive funding?

    Funding is not dependent on any Vanderbilt affiliations.

  • When can I expect to receive approval/denial of my funding request?

    You will receive notice of approval/denial of your application within 4-6 weeks of submission.

Other questions? Contact impactfund@vanderbilt.edu.

Staff

  • Midori Lockett

    Midori Lockett

    Chief Community Impact Officer

  • Elizabeth Garza Bumpas

    Elizabeth Garza Bumpas

    Community Impact Officer