Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Arizona

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding up to $25,000 for organizations focused on improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Established in 1943, the foundation prioritizes health equity through strategic partnerships aimed at reducing cancer burdens, preparing healthcare professionals, and enhancing crisis response efforts. Eligible applicants include national and local nonprofits targeting specific regions in the U.S. and Canada. The foundation emphasizes projects that align with its mission and demonstrate significant community impact.

Child and Family Advocacy Center Fund 

During the 2025 legislative session, the Arizona Legislature appropriated monies from the State General Fund into the Child and Family Advocacy Center fund for the purposes of funding grant support to Child and Family Advocacy Center’s (CFACs) across the state.

To address this need, the AGO is providing up to $100,000 for multiple, one-time grant awards based on all victims served per CFAC in calendar year 2024.

The Critical Needs List by Community Foundation Tampa Bay addresses urgent, unforeseen needs of nonprofits that threaten their ability to serve the community. This innovative program allows nonprofits to submit requests for funding up to $250,000 for critical expenses such as emergency repairs and essential equipment replacement. With a focus on supporting local organizations, the program aims to match funding with community philanthropists, ensuring timely assistance to those in need.

The Medical Student Education Program (MSE) supports public medical schools in states facing primary care provider shortages, aiming to enhance medical education for future physicians. Eligible states include those in the top quartile projected to face shortages by 2038. Currently, 12 states such as Alabama and Texas are recognized, with 23 public medical schools identified as potential beneficiaries. Note that current MSE grantees are ineligible for the 2026 funding cycle.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is funding pilot and feasibility studies aimed at preparing for substance use and HIV prevention research trials. The program encourages innovative interventions for substance use disorders and HIV eradication, focusing on stakeholder collaboration and practical application. Projects may include assessment of service models, intervention development, and community engagement. This initiative is designed to fill critical research gaps and enhance partnerships, although applications are not currently being accepted.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers the DGLF Summer Reading Grants, which support the development and expansion of summer reading programs aimed at Pre-K to 12th grade students, particularly new and below-grade-level readers, including those with learning disabilities. Eligible organizations, such as nonprofits, schools, and libraries within 15 miles of a Dollar General store, can apply for grants up to $3,000 to foster literacy and education initiatives.

The DGLF Youth Literacy Grants, established by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, aim to enhance literacy among underperforming students in K-12. Organizations such as schools and libraries can apply for funding to implement or expand literacy programs, purchase necessary materials, and acquire technology. With over $159 million awarded to date, the foundation supports efforts that provide equitable education opportunities, ensuring every child has the chance to learn and succeed, regardless of their background.

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Inc supports independent medical education to enhance healthcare professional competence and improve patient health outcomes. Their mission is to be a global leader in innovative medical education, focusing on evidence-based activities that address critical gaps in knowledge. By fostering excellence in healthcare, they aim to ensure measurable improvements in performance and patient outcomes across various disease areas.

Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services

The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services provides direct services to Veterans, service members and their families through a number of state and federally funded programs and initiatives including:

• Veteran Benefits Counselors to help Veterans connect with their VA benefits 
• Four skilled-nursing Veterans homes in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma to provide long and short-term care
• Three Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemeteries in Bellemont, Marana and Sierra Vista.
• Financial Assistance programs with the Veterans’ Donation Fund and Military Family Relief Fund
• Education and Tuition Assistance

Arizona Hall of Fame Grant

The purpose of this program is to support programs, projects, and events that will benefit Arizona's veterans. Through this program, the funding agency intends to engage the community and veterans services organizations in the efforts to inform Arizona's 600,000 veterans about benefits and lawfully assist them in their claims for benefits. Generally, supported initiatives must be compatible with the following objectives:

• Veteran Employment
• Veteran Health/Mental Health
• Legal
• Women/Minority Veteran-Specific Issues
• Veteran Homelessness
• Tribal or Rural
• Transportation
• Social Determinants of Health

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Evotek Giving Foundation Technology Scholarship

The Evotek Giving Foundation Technology Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Plan to enroll full-time at a College or University in California, Arizona, or Colorado
• Plan to major in finance (San Diego only) or computer science or information technology
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Open to all applicants, with a focus on advancing gender equity in careers in technology
• If selected as a recipient of the Evotek 2026 Technology Scholarship, recipients will be invited to meet monthly with a mentor and, as needed, attend foundation/press events and speak to their experiences as technology majors.

The APS Foundation Grants support programs aimed at enhancing academic achievement in STEM fields. Since 1981, the foundation has invested over $44 million into educational projects in Arizona, focusing on developing a workforce skilled in science, technology, engineering, and math. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that improve educational outcomes and access, while occasionally offering support for capital requests from longstanding partners.

The RMS-SEPM Scholarships: The Donald L. Smith Research Grant offers $2,000 for Ph.D. candidates conducting sedimentary geology research in the Rocky Mountain region. This grant honors Professor Donald Smith and is open to students at U.S. universities, with preference for those in states like Montana and Colorado. The funding aims to enhance understanding of the geology in these areas through dedicated research efforts.

The High Priority HIV and Substance Use Research funding opportunity aims to support innovative research that addresses the intersection of HIV and substance use. Researchers are encouraged to submit proposals that include a detailed research plan and preliminary data, exploring new avenues for prevention, treatment, and potential cures for HIV among people who use drugs. Applications are due by 5 PM local time, with optional Letters of Intent recommended 30 days prior.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

Coover/Rural Schools Partnership Celebrate Rural Schools Grant Program

The Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Foundation, a partnership between Community Foundation of the Ozarks and The Commerce Trust Company is proud to offer the Celebrate Rural Schools grant program, which will support projects that celebrate, strengthen, and elevate the unique identity of rural schools and the communities they serve. This grant supports projects that celebrate the unique culture, achievements, and identity of rural schools and their communities. It encourages districts to amplify local voices, showcase student success, and strengthen community connections. 

• Eligible applicants must be a member of the CFO's Rural Schools Partnership program.
• Total amount to award is $100,000.00.
• This is a single year grant program with final reports due in May 2027.
• Applicants may apply for up to $5,000 in funding for this grant cycle. 

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its Rural Schools Partnership Program are committed to supporting rural schools. In awarding grants, the CFO and its affiliates will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. As part of the grant process, all grantees will be required to affirm that, in providing services funded in whole or in part by a CFO grant, the grantee will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status either in its employment practices or in its policies and procedures concerning access to services. 

Mission

The Foundation was established in December 2013 by Kathryn B. McQuade, after retiring from 33 years of working in the business community. I was blessed to have been born into a loving middle class family. My father worked very hard to insure that all of his children were given an opportunity for a good education and my mother, “a stay at home Mom’ was always there for us. My world was safe and comfortable. My life is in stark contrast to how much of the rest of the world lives. I continue to read of the terrible injustices waged against women and children globally and hope that this foundation can provide them the opportunity and resources to succeed. We will support organizations that help us achieve our goal of Striving to make sustainable improvements in women and children’s rights education and welfare.

Kathryn McQuade Foundation Grant

The Foundation will make timely decisions on your grant request and provide clear communications on our expectations of reporting progress.

Women

The Foundation’s goal is to provide women assistance and provide them an opportunity to succeed. Assistance can take many forms, however our goal is to help them become self sufficient and enable them to lift themselves out of poverty and provide for their children. Access to education, job training and professional skills, even access to capital in order to build a business are possible ways we will consider helping women to succeed. Grant requests should focus on enabling the women to sustain financial independence.

We look forward to hearing of the many creative ways organizations are working on helping women succeed through out the world. To help women is to help their children and the communities they live in.

Children

Too many children in the US and across the world live in poverty and lack the access to education. Education and/or appropriate skills training are necessary to break the cycle of poverty and crime. While the assistance to women may take many forms, the foundation’s focus for children will target education and/ or skills training. The Foundation is open to many ideas on how to accomplish this goal and look forward to receiving proposals to help all children achieve their potential.

The Tree Campus Higher Education Program, initiated by the Arbor Day Foundation, encourages colleges and universities to enhance their green spaces and community forests. By participating, institutions can reduce energy consumption, combat climate change, and promote mental health among students and staff. The program offers recognition and resources for schools to foster environmental stewardship, making campuses healthier and more beautiful while instilling pride in their commitment to sustainability.

The Forrest Shreve Student Research Fund, awarded by the Ecological Society of America, supports research in North America's hot deserts, including the Sonoran and Mojave. This fund aims to enhance our understanding of desert ecology through innovative projects. Eligible applicants include graduate and undergraduate students who are ESA members. Proposals are evaluated based on their significance, feasibility, and design, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, granted annually.

The Freeport-McMoRan Native American College Scholarship supports enrolled tribal members pursuing higher education. Funded by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, it offers $3,000 for four-year programs, $1,500 for two-year programs, and $5,000 for graduate studies. Additional funds for trade schools are available, capped at $15,000. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA and engage in the Success Services Program, ensuring academic and career support throughout their educational journey.

The Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League David McClure Memorial Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools and alternative education programs pursuing a degree in wildlife-related fields. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be accepted into accredited colleges or vocational programs. This scholarship fosters educational growth while promoting conservation efforts, reflecting the commitment of the Ashland County Community Foundation to enhance community development and support future leaders in wildlife conservation.

The F26AS00104 State ANS Management Plan 2026 aims to combat aquatic nuisance species through pre-proposals followed by full applications. Managed by the US Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, this initiative requires a 25% cost-share and limits administrative costs to 5%. Applications are due by October 14, 2026, though the funding opportunity closes on December 16, 2026. The plan is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting a coordinated national approach to invasive species management.

Arizona Community Foundation

For more than four decades, the Arizona Community Foundation has worked in tandem with generous individuals, families, and organizations to address some of the biggest challenges facing our state.

Scholarships

In partnership with our generous donors, we award millions of dollars annually to help students achieve their educational goals. Through our online system, students complete one application and are matched with available scholarships, based on their eligibility requirements.

The Morfessis Family Scholarship

Education has been a core value of the Morfessis family, and college attainment a passion and goal for all of its members. To assist others who are driven toward similar goals, the Morfessis Family, in conjunction with the Helios Education Foundation, has established a scholarship fund. This fund was established to support Arizona women pursuing a bachelor’s degree in select in-demand career fields at one of Arizona’s three public universities or at one of the state’s community colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees.

This scholarship is renewable.

The Patterson Foundation offers Oral Health Grants to support programs that enhance access to dental care for underserved communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations can apply for funding up to $35,000 for capacity expansion, $10,000 for personnel support, or $10,000 for program support. The foundation prioritizes projects led by volunteer dental professionals and requires follow-up reports for continued funding. Applications are accepted year-round through a two-step process.

The Genung Scholarship

The Genung Scholarship Fund was established as a generous lasting legacy of Normal & Eleanor Genung. The scholarship is intended to support first-generation college students with gaps between their cost of attendance and financial aid package, while attending any public Arizona post-secondary institution. Recipients may be eligible to renew their awards for up to 4 years, if good academic standing is maintained.

The RMS-SEPM Scholarships for Fluvial Sedimentology Research Grant supports Ph.D. or Master’s degree candidates conducting research in fluvial sedimentology. This $2,000 grant is exclusively available to students at U.S. universities, specifically those engaged in studies or research in states like Montana, North Dakota, and Colorado. The Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) offers this opportunity to foster academic growth in sedimentology and related fields.

The Day-End Dough-Nation® Program by Panera Bread exemplifies community generosity through the donation of unsold bakery products to local charities. This impactful initiative supports various organizations that distribute food to those in need, including shelters, health centers, and youth programs. By partnering with thousands of non-profits nationwide, Panera Bread not only reduces food waste but also plays a crucial role in addressing hunger and promoting equality within communities.

Arizona Community Foundation

For more than four decades, the Arizona Community Foundation has worked in tandem with generous individuals, families, and organizations to address some of the biggest challenges facing our state.

Scholarships

In partnership with our generous donors, we award millions of dollars annually to help students achieve their educational goals. Through our online system, students complete one application and are matched with available scholarships, based on their eligibility requirements.

Lake Design Foundation Scholarship

Award-winning interior designer Lawrence Lake, ASID, owner of Lawrence Lake Interiors in downtown Tempe, created the Lake Design Foundation Fund Scholarship to support students majoring in Interior Design who demonstrate outstanding creative potential. Students must be enrolled full time in undergraduate study in Interior Design and planning to pursue a career in interior design. The purpose is to identify students who will become the next generation of talent.