Best Akron Grants for Nonprofits in Ohio

The Green Chemistry Student Chapter Award recognizes ACS student chapters for their commitment to green chemistry initiatives. This award highlights the importance of green chemistry in education, encouraging students to engage in activities that promote sustainability. Eligible chapters must submit detailed summaries of at least three green chemistry projects, demonstrating their understanding of the principles and practices that contribute to a more sustainable future.

The Kiwanis Club Grants, administered by the Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation, focus on projects that promote Safe and Healthy Kids. They support community initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of children and families. Eligible applicants include Kiwanis organizations in Ohio, with priority for projects that demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and substantial community impact. Grants can provide up to $3,000, and the foundation operates without discrimination, emphasizing inclusivity in its funding efforts.

The USF Community Impact Grant, established by USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation, aims to enhance competitive opportunities in swimming clubs. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for registered USA Swimming clubs committed to fostering community engagement and collaboration. Eligible clubs can renew their grant for up to three years, promoting diverse access to swimming programs. This initiative particularly supports clubs that partner with educational or public entities and those led by women or minorities.

The USA Swimming Foundation's HBCU Grant program is a $1 million initiative aimed at enhancing swimming opportunities in communities served by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Launched in 2021, the program provides annual grants of $100,000 over ten years, supporting youth water safety lessons and university swim clubs. This initiative is designed to empower HBCUs to expand their aquatic programming, fostering inclusivity and safety in swimming across diverse communities nationwide.

The USA Swimming Foundation's Youth Learn-to-Swim Grant aims to increase access to swim lessons for children across the nation. By providing funding to swim lesson programs, the foundation ensures that financial barriers do not prevent children from learning this vital life skill. Grants can be used for free or reduced-cost lessons, addressing the needs of underserved communities and promoting safety through swimming education.

The Adult Learn-to-Swim Grants, offered by the USA Swimming Foundation in collaboration with U.S. Masters Swimming, aim to enhance swimming safety for adults aged 18 and over. This initiative provides funding to programs that promote swim education, targeting underserved communities. Grants can be used for expenses like pool rentals and scholarships, with a maximum award of $5,000. The goal is to reduce drowning risks and encourage ongoing participation in swimming activities.

Steve's Foundation Grant is a small private funding opportunity providing grants between $500 and $5,000, averaging $2,600. It supports organizations that empower disadvantaged individuals, focusing on cost-effective programs that yield significant impacts. The foundation prioritizes proposals from non-profits that directly assist those in need, especially children and marginalized communities. Applications are evaluated annually in May or June, but due to high demand, the foundation cannot respond to every inquiry.

The Puffin Foundation's Annual Artist Grant Program, focused on odd years, supports individual artists and non-profit organizations in the genres of video/film and theater. Grants, typically around $1,750, aim to uplift marginalized voices in the arts. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with an SSN. The program excludes proposals in other disciplines and projects involving AI. This initiative prioritizes diverse artistic expression and aims to maximize funding impact for those with limited financial resources.

The Puffin Foundation's Annual Artist Grant Program focuses on supporting artists and organizations that are often marginalized. In even years, proposals are accepted in fine arts, music, and photography. With a maximum grant size of $3,500, it aims to empower individuals and groups with limited resources to flourish creatively. This initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to ensuring diverse artistic expressions thrive in society. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or residents, and only one proposal is permitted per year.

The Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program, offered by the National Children’s Cancer Society, supports childhood cancer survivors in their pursuit of higher education. Celebrating resilience and determination, this program awards 50 scholarships annually, empowering survivors to achieve their academic and professional dreams. With over 35 years of experience, the NCCS has provided significant financial assistance to families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer, ensuring that no family faces this journey alone.

The Ken W. Davis Foundation Grant provides essential funding to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that align with the Foundation's mission of promoting basic human needs and education in line with Constitutional freedoms. With a minimum grant size of $2,500, the Foundation focuses on supporting human service organizations in Tarrant County, Texas, and the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, while also offering national support for grants related to Constitutional freedoms.

The ACTA Apprenticeship Program has been supporting California's cultural traditions for nearly 25 years by providing $5,000 contracts to mentor artists for intensive training of eligible apprentices. This program fosters the continuity of traditional arts through one-on-one mentorship, culminating in public presentations and documentation of the learning process. Eligible applicants must submit a collaborative application, demonstrating commitment and quality in their respective art forms. This initiative not only preserves cultural practices but also enhances community engagement.

The Igor Gorin Memorial Award, established in 1993 by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, honors the legacy of Igor Gorin by supporting aspiring vocalists. With $382,000 awarded to 49 young talents, this fund provides unrestricted financial assistance for coaching, travel, and auditions. The 2026 award offers up to $12,000, aimed at those overcoming financial barriers to pursue operatic careers, ensuring that exceptional vocalists can thrive in their artistic journeys.

Community Collaboration Challenge

Applications for the 2026 Community Collaboration Challenge are now open! With support from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, the Challenge provides $5,000 – $10,000 awards to communities and is designed to support collaboration that expands and pilots evidence-based K-12 student supports in the form of high-impact tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and/or wraparound/integrated student supports.

The Smart Family Fund is a private foundation dedicated to supporting early-stage non-profits that demonstrate the potential for scalable, positive impact. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, they aim to assist organizations in refining their models and preparing for larger investments. The foundation, guided by three brothers, focuses on mentoring and backing social entrepreneurs facing challenges in securing funding for innovative yet untested ideas, fostering a brighter future for communities.

The Rona Jaffe Foundation Fellowship supports emerging women writers with a fully funded 7-month residency at the Fine Arts Work Center. Established by the Rona Jaffe Foundation, it includes a $2,500 prize to assist with travel and living expenses. Eligible candidates must be U.S. residents, at least 18 years old, and not enrolled in a degree program during the fellowship year. This prestigious fellowship aims to nurture exceptional literary talent.

This funding opportunity invites renewal applications for existing NINDS-supported clinical trial cooperative agreements (U01) that require additional time and resources. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) expects applicants to request only what is necessary for trial completion, without introducing new aims. Discussions with NINDS prior to submission are encouraged. Eligible applications must be renewals of previously approved cooperative agreements under specified NIH funding announcements.

This funding opportunity invites applications for pilot projects focused on understudied proteins linked to rare diseases. The goal is to generate preliminary data and tools related to these proteins, which belong to druggable families with known rare disease associations. By supporting innovative research, this initiative aims to facilitate the characterization of these proteins, ultimately contributing to advancements in understanding and treating rare diseases.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) aims to advance the identification and evaluation of candidate biomarkers for neurological and neuromuscular disorders. By facilitating the clinical development of neurotherapeutics, the FOA encourages research that includes both animal studies and preliminary human evaluations. The ultimate goal is to produce biomarkers ready for rigorous analytical and clinical validation, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments in clinical practice.

The Limited Competition: Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program, supported by the NIH, invites applications from institutions that have not received significant S10 funding in recent years. This program provides a minimum award of $25,000 and allows for a maximum of $350,000 to purchase specialized instruments essential for NIH-supported research. Eligible instruments include cell sorters, confocal microscopes, and more, promoting advancements in biomedical research.

The Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program supports NIH investigators in acquiring high-cost, specialized instruments essential for research. With a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum of $750,000, this program facilitates the purchase or upgrade of equipment like mass spectrometers and light microscopes. It encourages collaborative efforts among researchers to enhance capabilities and foster innovation in biomedical research.

The High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Grant Program, funded by the NIH, supports NIH-supported investigators in acquiring high-end, specialized instruments. With a minimum award of $750,001 and a maximum of $2,000,000, this program aims to enhance research capabilities. Eligible instruments include nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, mass spectrometers, and advanced imaging systems, among others. Applications are due by 5:00 pm local time of the applicant organization.

The NIH is seeking innovative computational approaches to enhance the curation of biomedical research assets at scale. This initiative aims to accelerate access to secure datasets and computational models, facilitating transformative discoveries in biomedical science. Key deadlines for applications range from January 2025 to January 2027, covering standard, renewal, and AIDS-related grants. Applicants are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent 30 days prior to application deadlines to ensure a streamlined review process.

The Ohio Transit Partnership Program (OTP2) provides essential financial support to urban and rural public transit systems in Ohio, aiming to optimize state and federal funding utilization. It serves public transit agencies receiving FTA Section 5307 and 5311 funds, facilitating capital and operational projects. OTP2 prioritizes Tier I projects focused on preservation while also supporting innovative Tier II projects to enhance transit capabilities. This program ultimately strengthens Ohio's public transportation infrastructure.

The Reboot Representation Tech Coalition aims to significantly increase the number of Black, Latina, and Native American women earning computing bachelor’s degrees. They invite qualified organizations to submit grant inquiries focused on recruiting and retaining these women in tech. Programs that leverage existing resources and operate across multiple regions will be prioritized, and the Coalition seeks initiatives backed by substantial research and community trust.

The JobsOhio Small Business Grant provides essential financial support to qualified businesses in designated communities and those owned by eligible populations. With funding capped at $8 million annually, businesses can receive up to $50,000 to help them grow. This program focuses on small to medium-sized companies, especially those facing unique challenges, and aims to foster job creation and investment in areas that are often overlooked by larger corporate investments.

The OEPA: Source Reduction Grants program provides financial assistance to governments, non-profits, and educational institutions for purchasing equipment that promotes reuse practices. Eligible items include water bottle refilling stations and dishwashers. However, costs for installation and maintenance are not covered by the grant. This initiative aims to support sustainable practices in communities by reducing waste through the acquisition of eco-friendly equipment.