The West End Home Foundation is dedicated to helping support and sustain a comprehensive system of care for older adults in Middle Tennessee.

The Foundation conducts an annual grants process during which time we accept applications from organizations providing programs that seek to enhance the quality of life for older adults. The broad spectrum of programs that benefit each year address one of our key impact areas:

Advocacy – legal assistance and education for issues related to aging and advocacy for new or expanded initiatives to ensure a comprehensive system of care for older adults

Enrichment and Socialization – opportunities for meaningful social interaction and lifelong learning

Food and Nutrition – services such as groceries, home-delivered and congregate meals to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable older adults

Healthcare – primary health care including diagnosis and treatment of chronic and critical conditions, oral health care and behavioral health services

Housing – home repair and safety modifications, rent and utility assistance and access to appropriate housing solutions to facilitate safe and affordable housing

Transportation – safe and affordable transportation to ensure that older adults have access to needed services and have opportunities to remain engaged in community life

Wellness and Supportive Care – prevention, wellness and in-home supportive services to promote and sustain healthy aging

Special Projects – other initiatives that complement and enhance the mission of The West End Home Foundation

Grant Guidelines and Eligibility Criteria:

The West End Home Foundation administers a competitive grants process that carefully evaluates each request in light of identified community needs, resources available, impact on target population, agency capacity and success in delivering the highest quality of service with demonstrated outcomes.

Types of Grants Awarded:

Program – funding to support implementation of a specific program or project. Projects may be new or ongoing.

Capital – funding to support a capital investment in agency infrastructure such as equipment, technology, facility maintenance or facility acquisition/expansion

Annual – all grants are awarded for a period of one year

To Be Eligible for Funding, Applicants Must:

Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Provide services that align with the WEHF mission. Priority consideration is given to projects specifically designed to meet the unique needs of adults age 60 and older.

Demonstrate capacity to deliver services that achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes

Provide services in one or more of the following middle Tennessee counties: Cheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson

We Do Not Award Grants:

To churches and religious organizations for projects that primarily benefit their own members; however, we may support church-based programs funded by multiple sources with broad community reach and support

To disease-specific organizations seeking support for national research projects and programs

To sponsor special events, telethons, performances or similar fundraising and advertising activities

For legislative lobbying or political purposes

To retire accumulated debt

To individuals

Grant Process and Timeline:

The grant application for 2025 Project Funding will be available on our grant portal in mid-April. The deadline to apply for 2025 Project Funding is June 28, 2024.

Letters of Intent:

If you are not receiving funding in 2024, you are required to submit a Letter of Intent. Please include a brief overview of the project for which you are requesting funding and the amount of funding you intend to request. Please also provide a copy of your 501(c)(3) determination letter. Letters of Intent must be submitted no later than May 15, 2024 to cindy.dickinson@westendhomefoundation.org. Letters of Intent must not be submitted via our grant portal.

For More Information:

If you have not previously received funding from The West End Home Foundation, but are interested in applying in the future, please reach out to one of our staff members to arrange an introductory meeting. This will provide us with an opportunity to learn more about each other – for you to gain a fuller understanding of the Foundation’s funding priorities and partnership opportunities and for us to learn more about your mission and your work in the community.

Dianne Oliver, Executive Director  dianne.oliver@westendhomefoundation.org

Chandra Allen, Program Director  chandra.allen@westendhomefoundation.org

Grant Application for 2025 Project Funding

The grant application for 2025 Project Funding will be available on our grant portal in mid-April.


The deadline to apply for 2025 Project Funding is June 28, 2024.

Click Here to Access Your Organization’s Account

Video and Written Tutorials will walk you through the online application process.

Applicant Tutorials
Applicant Tutorial: Invite Collaborators

If you have questions about the grant process, please contact one of our staff members:

Dianne Oliver, Executive Director
dianne.oliver@westendhomefoundation.org

Cindy Dickinson, Administration and Technology Manager
cindy.dickinson@westendhomefoundation.org

Chandra Allen, Program Director
chandra.allen@westendhomefoundation.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Q  What is an appropriate amount to request from The West End Home Foundation?

A We have not established minimum or maximum grant award amounts. Grant award amounts in recent years have varied widely.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to present a budget that is appropriate for the type and amount of service proposed.

Q Can I apply for and receive funding two or more years in a row?

AWe accept applications every year from many of the same agencies. There is, however, no guarantee that programs funded during one grant cycle will be funded in the next.

Q What is the fiscal year for the grant award?

A Our fiscal year is January 1 – December 31.

Q When and how are grant awards made?

A All applicants receive written notification regarding approval or denial of grant requests in early November.  Successful applicants will receive their actual grant award in early January.

Q Are there specific issues impacting older adults that are given greater priority in the grant process?

A We have not identified priorities among the eight service categories that we fund. We consider all service categories to be important components in the comprehensive system of care for older adults.

Q What reporting requirements does The West End Home Foundation expect from grantees?

A We ask all grantees to submit a year-end report detailing program accomplishments and expenditures.  In some cases, more frequent reporting may be requested. We also encourage year-round communication between our staff and recipient agencies to remain apprised of progress and changes that may be impacting your organization and your work.

Q Are first-time applicants required to meet with the Foundation staff before applying?

AIf you have not previously received funding from The West End Home Foundation, but are interested in applying in the future, please reach out to one of our staff members to arrange an introductory meeting. Please also note that if you are not currently receiving funding from The West End Home Foundation, you are required to submit a Letter of Intent by May 15, 2024. Instructions for the LOI can be found in the grant guidelines section.

Q Can I start my online application and finish it later?

AYes, of course. Each time you sign in to your online application you have the option to “Save Application”.

Q Do you ever grant exceptions to the application deadline?

A No, we hold firm to the application deadline. The online application portal automatically shuts down at the time of the posted deadline.

Q Do I need to create a new online application account each year?

A You must create a new account the first time your organization accesses the application process. Once your organization has created an account, you will use the account to apply for funding and submit any requested documents, contracts or reports. You will also be able to view your current application and view your organization’s historical records. Please create only one account per organization. If you need assistance with creating an account or accessing the account after registration, please contact Cindy Dickinson at cindy.dickinson@westendhomefoundation.org or 615-383-1395.

Q Is there a different application for a capital request?

A Yes, in the grant portal choose Capital or Operating