Community Impact Fund

Important Update: New Application Process

We are excited to announce a significant enhancement to the application process for the Vanderbilt University Community Impact Fund. Beginning June 2024, all funding requests must be submitted through our new online portal.

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.

Value Statement

Vanderbilt University endeavors to make an environment where equity, diversity and inclusion are inseparable from institutional excellence and to model intentional practices that respect the humanity of all. We work to promote environments that are welcoming, equitable, inclusive and diverse to foster a sense of belonging, with the goal of advancing human potential and growth.
In keeping with the university's values, the Community Impact Fund is committed to examining and updating our contributions process to ensure it is inclusive and furthering the institution’s commitment to a fair, just and equitable society.

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

Including music and arts programs for children or communities

Social Justice

Social and human services for new Americans, social justice initiatives and basic human needs

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 for a minimum of 2 years

If your organization is new or has not received funding in the last three years, please schedule an appointment with a community impact officer.

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

Open June 3, 2024–September 16, 2024

For funding requests pertaining to event sponsorship and/or programmatic opportunities scheduled between July 1 and December 31, 2024.

Apply Now

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

Chief Community Impact Officer
- Email
Elizabeth Garza Bumpas

Community Impact Officer
- Email