Task force approves 2026 grant recipients, urges outreach to small nonprofits

The task force overseeing equity-focused grant recommendations voted to approve its suggested recipients for the 2026 cycle and asked staff to strengthen outreach to smaller nonprofit and housing-focused applicants. The motion passed after a second and an "Aye" vote; the recommendations will be presented to city council for final approval.

Members praised the review process. One investment committee member said the selection used a "really rigorous process," and staff described the required impact reports that awardees must file detailing spending, participant counts and geographic reach. The committee emphasized that annual impact reporting will be used to track how funds were spent.

Several members raised concerns about uneven applicant pools. Committee members said multiple grant "buckets" had few applicants, with housing singled out as a major gap. One member urged the task force and subcommittees to encourage more housing and small-business proposals in future cycles and to consider capacity-building measures so smaller organizations can complete applications.

Suggestions included workshops, video walk-throughs and short public presentations or resource booths so grantees can explain work to residents and potential partners. The task force noted the East Tennessee Foundation's pre-grant workshops as a possible model.

The chair asked members who can to attend the city council meeting when the recommendations are presented to show unified support. No dollar amounts for the 2026 awards were specified in the meeting record, and exact vote tallies were not taken on a roll call.