TEGNA, First Coast News, On Your Side offering thousands of dollars in grants to local non-profits | Here's how to apply

Applications are open for grants from the TEGNA Foundation and First Coast News, On Your Side.

The TEGNA Foundation supports nonprofits in communities served by TEGNA television stations such as First Coast News, On Your Side. The program addresses local community needs and commonly supports areas such as education, youth development, hunger, emergency assistance to families and individuals in crisis, and environmental conservation. 

Average grants are in the $1,000-to-$5,000 range.

To Apply:

Send one copy of the application form and your proposal (plus attachments) to foundation@firstcoastnews.com . Do not send a proposal to the foundation offices in Tysons, VA.

Your grant proposal must contain the following information:

1. Completed TEGNA Foundation Grant Application Form
2. IRS letter of determination for 501(c)3 tax exemption
3. Your organization’s non-discrimination policy
4. One-page project budget, and a one-page summary organizational budget
5. Project proposal of no more than three pagesthat includes:
   • needs statement
     • objectives of the project to be funded
     • whether the project is new or ongoing
     • constituency to be served
     • community and volunteer involvement
   • sustainability statement
     • your organization's qualifications to carry out the project
     • how the project will be evaluated
     • plans for continued funding, committed and applied for
6. Pertinent recent publications may also be included

Deadlines & Timeline

We consider grant applications twice a year. Please submit your proposal to the contact at the station in your area. Applications should be received by your station representative by August 21.

A committee of employees reviews all proposals. Applicants are notified of final decisions about 90–120 days after deadlines.

What We Do Not Fund

Like many donors, we receive many more requests than we can fund. As a result, grants will not be considered for the following purposes:

• Individuals
• Private foundations
• Organizations not determined by the IRS to be a tax-exempt public charity under §501(c)(3)
• Organizations classified by the IRS as 509(a)(3)
• National or regional organizations unless their programs address specific local community needs
• Programs or initiatives where the primary purpose is the promotion of religious doctrine or tenets
• Elementary or secondary schools (except to provide special initiatives or programs not provided by regular school budgets)
• Political action or legislative advocacy groups
• Endowment funds
• Multiple-year pledge campaigns
• Organizations located in or benefiting nations other than the US and its territories
• Fraternal groups, athletic teams, bands, volunteer firefighters or similar groups.

The TEGNA Foundation will not engage in philanthropic giving to organizations which the Foundation finds discriminate against a person or group because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, disability, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, veteran status or genetic information.

The TEGNA Foundation will also not engage in philanthropic giving to non-religious organizations that have a written policy of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/ or gender identity and/ or have a policy explicitly permitting its own chapters, affiliates, etc. to discriminate.

The Foundation has implemented internal processes to ensure compliance.

For more, visit the TEGNA Foundation's website.