Nineteen small businesses across Tennessee are receiving a financial boost through the Tennessee Titans’ ONE Community 1^st & Goal Small Business Assistance Grant program, an initiative designed to help entrepreneurs expand their operations, invest in equipment and strengthen local economies.

During a July 22 celebration in Nashville, representatives from the Titans’ ONE Community initiative surprised eight Middle Tennessee business owners with grant checks, boxes of Titans merchandise and visits from members of the Titans cheerleading squad. In all, the program awarded $172,500 to 19 businesses statewide during its latest grant cycle.

The grants are part of the Titans’ broader ONE Community initiative, a long-term commitment to economic opportunity, neighborhood investment and education that was launched in conjunction with the construction of the franchise’s new stadium. The 1^st & Goal program falls under the initiative’s ‘Opportunity’ pillar, which focuses on expanding access to capital and business development resources for small and minority-owned businesses.

Unlike traditional business loans, the grants do not require repayment and are intended to help owners overcome one of the biggest obstacles facing small businesses: access to affordable capital.

The program is backed by a $3 million fund housed at Citizens Bank. The Titans contributed $2 million to establish the fund, while Tennessee Builders Alliance (the construction manager for the new Nissan Stadium) provided an additional $1 million. Organizers expect the initiative to assist roughly 35 businesses each year through grants, loans and business development opportunities.

Grant recipients may receive between $500 and $15,000 to support a variety of business needs, including purchasing equipment, upgrading facilities, expanding services and strengthening day-to-day operations. The program is open to businesses across all industries, provided they are independently owned, legally operating in Tennessee and meet established revenue and employment requirements. Applicants must have operated for at least three years, employ at least one full-time worker and report annual revenue between $100,000 and $5 million.

In addition to direct financial assistance, eligible business owners can receive capacity-building scholarships through the Nashville Business Incubation Center (NBIC) and Corner to Corner, organizations that provide training in financial management, marketing, leadership and long-term business growth. The goal is to help entrepreneurs build stronger, more sustainable companies beyond the initial grant award.

The Titans say the investment reflects a broader effort to create lasting economic opportunities across Tennessee, particularly for businesses that have historically faced challenges obtaining financing through traditional lending institutions.

Programs within the ONE Community ‘Opportunity’ initiative also include workforce development efforts tied to the new stadium, supplier diversity programs, internships in sports and real estate development, and future community programming at the Titans’ Hope and Imagination Center, a planned 12,000-square-foot community space inside the new stadium.

Applications are already open for the next round of the 1^st & Goal Small Business Assistance Grant.

The current funding cycle will distribute up to $150,000 to qualifying Tennessee businesses. Applications opened April 27 and close May 24, with recipients expected to be notified in late June. Eligible businesses must agree to provide a report within one year documenting how the grant funds were used and the impact they had on their operations.

Since launching the ONE Community initiative, the Titans have expanded their community investment well beyond the football field. In addition to supporting entrepreneurs through the 1^st & Goal program, the organization has funded nonprofit organizations, youth programs, housing initiatives and educational opportunities across Tennessee as part of its long-term commitment to community development.