Find Nonprofit and Small Business Grants

Grants to Tennessee nonprofits, for-profits, government agencies, and individuals to provide mediation and parent education services for low-income families undergoing divorce proceedings. Funding may be requested for the continuation or development initiatives that provide such services.

In 2000, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted Public Chapter 889 known as the Tennessee Parenting Plan Law. In developing this legislation, the general assembly “recognize[d] the fundamental importance of the parent-child relationship to the welfare of the child, and the relationship between the child and each parent should be fostered unless inconsistent with the child's best interests.” T.C.A. §36-6-401.

The legislation also provided for funding to be distributed by the administrative office of the courts “for the specific purpose of funding the parenting plan requirements pursuant to this part, through the divorcing parent education and mediation fund, which funding includes the costs of court-ordered mediation, parenting education programs and any related services to resolve family conflict in divorce, post-divorce, and other child custody matters.” T.C.A. §36-6-413.

Eligible initiatives may include but are not limited to:
-Recruitment of pro bono attorneys for limited or full scope representation of parents involved in visitation/custody actions before the court;
-Conducting pro se clinics for parents who are self-represented regarding the parenting plan process and description of court process, including referral to pro bono or reduced fee attorney with the goal of obtaining a final court order;
-Interpreters for no cost or reduced fee mediations;
-Education of the community such as lawyers, mediators, and parents regarding the parenting plan process;
-Education costs for the training of Rule 31 bilingual mediators;
-Any related services to resolve family conflict in divorce, post-divorce, and other custody matters.