The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a charitable organization benefiting nonprofits serving worthy causes in Middle Tennessee, announces the upcoming application deadline for Arts Build Communities (ABC) grants. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2011, at 4:30 p.m.

The Arts Build Communities grant is funded by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The ABC grant program aims to strengthen communities by funding projects that nurture artists and arts organizations.

Those eligible to apply for ABC grants are tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public or private educational institutions (kindergarten through college), libraries, or governmental agencies. Funds awarded to a single organization range from $500 to $2,000. Applications must contain a clear, single-project focus. ABC grant funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the recipient.

The Community Foundation oversees ABC grant applications for 34 counties. Organizations in the following counties are eligible to apply: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, and Wilson.

To download a grant application, view guidelines or more information, visit www.cfmt.org/grants.

ABC grants fund a variety of quality arts projects, and The Community Foundation encourages eligible organizations to apply. The application is available at www.cfmt.org/grants. For assistance, call The Community Foundation at 615-321-4939.