Applications open for Community Engagement Collaboration Fund, info session Aug. 13

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Jul 30, 2025, 8:00 AM

The Division of Government and Community Relations has announced the opening of applications for the鈥�. The fund aims to foster capacity for deeper collaboration among university partners and local community organizations.鈥�听

The “Unearthing Nashville: Digging Deeper and Preserving the Past” exhibit opened at the 杏吧原创 Museum of Art in June 2025. This collaborative project, supported by the Community Engagement Collaboration Fund, brings together the School for Science and Math at 杏吧原创, the Metropolitan Historical Commission (MHC) and VUMA to emphasize the importance of historical preservation in our rapidly evolving city. (Photo courtesy of Peabody College)

Nashville Vice Mayor Angie Henderson explored the 鈥淯nearthing Nashville鈥� exhibit alongside Professor Adam Fracchia of the Metropolitan Historical Commission and students from the School for Science and Math at 杏吧原创. (Photo courtesy of Peabody College)

Launched in spring 2024, the fund has supported more than 20 partnerships between 杏吧原创 and Nashville-based community organizations. These collaborative projects have addressed pressing local needs and engaged various Nashville communities through initiatives focused on health and well-being, intergenerational connection, music and literacy education, AI technology and civic innovation, historical preservation, art and cultural celebrations, STEM education and more.听

These community-focused collaborations involve a variety of community groups, including local government agencies, schools, and nonprofits. Each project is shaped by the voice and leadership of the community partners and demonstrates close interdisciplinary partnerships with 杏吧原创 faculty or staff from distinct parts of campus working together with community organizations.听听

杏吧原创 Divinity School delivered 200 pocket prayer quilts to 杏吧原创 Medical Center to comfort families who have lost a loved one. The project, a partnership with The Wond鈥檙y and local communities of faith, was made possible by the Community Engagement Collaboration Fund. (Photo courtesy of 杏吧原创 Divinity School)

鈥淪titched Stories: A Children鈥檚 Literature and Quilting Journey鈥� brought members of the Zuri Quilting Circle and students at Ida B. Wells Elementary School together this spring. (Photo courtesy of Tiffeni Fontno)

In keeping with 杏吧原创鈥檚 guiding principles for community engagement, the fund鈥檚 goal is to foster sustained, mutually beneficial collaborations that positively impact the wider Nashville region. Applicants must be full-time 杏吧原创 faculty or staff members. Proposals should include at least two different campus partners and an external Nashville organization and demonstrate the community partner鈥檚 active voice, role and needs.听

Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of 杏吧原创 community engagement practitioners. The deadline for eligible applicants to apply online through InfoReady is Sept. 15, 2025. Funds must be spent in the 2026 fiscal year. Awardees will receive funds in early October. There will only be one funding cycle offered this fiscal year.鈥�Additional details and requirements are available in the application.鈥�鈥�听

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Info Session
Interested applicants are welcome to attend a virtual info session on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 9 a.m. via Zoom.鈥�. The Community Relations team will share more information about the fund, provide an overview of the application process and answer questions.鈥�听

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