Belmont University is now accepting proposals from Nashville-area nonprofits for two $50,000 Generous Life Course Fund grants, part of a new year-long academic experience that equips students to practice philanthropy in real time.
The Generous Life Course launched this fall with a transformational $100,000 gift from Anchor Investments, whose mission is to build “America’s Most Generous Real Estate Company.”
Throughout the semester, students have explored generosity through personal reflection, research into Nashville’s most pressing community needs, and hands-on study of philanthropy and nonprofit work. One student reflected on how differently they now understand the core of charitable giving: “Now I know that real generosity is systematic and aims to dedicate resources toward a community need that the giver actually understands.”
This year’s funding focus centers on education and health care access for marginalized communities, including low-income families, immigrants, individuals with transportation barriers and those facing gaps in mental, physical or dental care.
Nonprofits may submit proposals that offer innovative solutions or scale existing programs that advance these goals.
“Students have been deeply engaged in understanding generosity as more than financial giving,” said Hilary Taft, academic director of Belmont Innovation Labs and professor for the course. “They’ve gained both the heart and the head knowledge to responsibly steward this opportunity. We want Nashville’s nonprofit community to know this invitation is genuine, transparent and open to all.”
Taft also emphasized how meaningful Nashville’s nonprofit sector has been in shaping the course. “The generosity of Nashville’s nonprofit community has been a real gift to our ‘Generous Life’ students,” she said. “Dr. Mona Ivey-Soto and I are profoundly grateful to all the guest speakers who have stepped into our classroom, sharing the stories of their organizations and the transformative work they are doing across the city.”
The application window opens Dec. 15, 2025, and closes Jan. 15, 2026. After reviewing submissions, students will determine two grant recipients before spring break and collaborate directly with funded partners from March through May 2026. Their work — and the community impact — will be captured through documentary video storytelling later in the year.
Belmont encourages Nashville nonprofits of all sizes to review the RFP and consider applying.
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