The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting applications for its 2021 Challenge Grant Program, which awards grants up to $2,500 to qualifying nonprofit projects associated with public parks or recreation facilities located within City limits.

Qualifying organizations will be designated 501(c)3, 501(c)4 and 501(c)6 status community groups, homeowner associations, schools, Scout troops and other organizations. The 2021 Challenge Grant Application is now available online.

Challenge grant recipients will be reimbursed 50 percent of the cost of a single project, up to $2,500. 

The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department has been awarding challenge grants to nonprofit groups for more than 25 years. 

Within the past year, Trees Knoxville used grant funds to plant trees at Victor Ashe Park; North Hills Garden Club established an arboretum with iron signage; Vestal Community Organization with support from the East Tennessee Community Design Center created and installed historic markers in Mary Vestal Park; and Dogwood Elementary supported by Great Schools Partnership planted native plants and posted signage for nature trails and outdoor classrooms. Other recipients have installed playground equipment, water fountains, benches and landscaping. 

Proposed projects are preferred to be on City-owned or -leased property, but must be related to a facility that is available year round to all residents.

Important dates: 

•  Application deadline is Friday, June 25, by 4:30 p.m. 

•  Award notifications will be made in July 2021

•  Project work must be completed by Friday, January 21, 2022

Applications can be mailed to Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department, P.O. Box 1631, Knoxville, TN 37901, or emailed to Greenways Director Tim Hester at [email protected].