Best Bronx County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

The Lily Auchincloss Foundation, established in 1997, aims to enhance the quality of life in New York City through grants focused on human services, arts, and environmental initiatives. The foundation supports small to mid-sized organizations across the five boroughs, providing both general operating and program-specific funding. Its Human Services cycle prioritizes organizations dedicated to social change and education, ensuring a positive impact on all residents' lives.

International Paper Grants focus on community engagement, emphasizing education, hunger relief, health & wellness, and disaster relief. They support nonprofit organizations that demonstrate good financial standing and effective management. Eligible organizations must operate in areas where International Paper has facilities. The foundation prioritizes local needs, particularly critical and environmental issues, while encouraging employee involvement. Ineligible entities include private foundations and those without a local presence. Applications are accepted through mid-September in the U.S. and Canada.

The PLTW Engineering Program Expansion by Burns and McDonnell aims to enhance STEM education in eligible communities. This initiative supports schools in expanding their existing PLTW Engineering programs, providing students with hands-on experiences and essential skills. The program focuses on empowering students through new courses and teacher training, ensuring access for underrepresented populations. By fostering excitement around STEM, Burns and McDonnell is committed to shaping the future workforce and enhancing educational opportunities in critical areas.

The Goldman Sachs Community Development Grants Program aims to strengthen low- and moderate-income communities through funding for nonprofits. This initiative includes multi-year unrestricted grants and one-time grants for homeownership initiatives. Eligible organizations must focus on community development, particularly in New York City and parts of New Jersey and Utah. The program emphasizes affordable housing, small business development, and neighborhood revitalization, aligning with the urgent community needs identified through extensive partner consultations.

The Neighborhood Business Grant, offered by CitizensNYC, provides microgrants up to $5,000 to small business owners in New York City. This initiative supports businesses that enhance community life, especially in low-income areas. Eligible applicants must operate for at least two years, have 10 or fewer employees, and demonstrate profitability. By fostering local commerce, this grant encourages businesses to contribute positively to their neighborhoods, strengthening community ties and creating goodwill.

The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) offers Community Engagement Grants (CEG) to support high-quality arts projects that enrich the cultural landscape of The Bronx. Open to individual artists and nonprofit organizations, these grants foster cultural equity and community connection. Applications are encouraged from diverse artists, including those historically excluded. Since 1982, BCA has been dedicated to nurturing artists and building strong cultural ties within the borough.

The Community Progress Makers Fund, an initiative by the Citi Foundation, aims to empower local organizations by providing $50 million in unrestricted funding. This program, established in 2015, will support 50 selected community organizations over three years with grants of $1 million each, alongside technical assistance and opportunities for collaboration. The fund prioritizes organizations with strong community ties and a proven impact in areas such as affordable housing, economic development, financial health, and workforce readiness.

The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) provides Community Engagement Grants (CEG) to enhance cultural life by funding community-based arts projects across various disciplines. Since 1982, these grants have supported individual artists, artist collectives, and nonprofit organizations, promoting cultural equity and nurturing diverse artistic expressions. Applicants from historically excluded communities are especially encouraged to apply, fostering a rich cultural ecosystem in The Bronx while recognizing outstanding local talent.

The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) offers Community Engagement Grants (CEG) to support innovative community-centered arts projects. Since 1982, these grants have empowered individual artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations in The Bronx to enhance cultural connections. The program encourages applications from diverse artists, including those historically excluded, fostering a rich cultural ecosystem. Applicants can apply for three funds simultaneously, promoting a variety of artistic disciplines and community engagement.

The Conservancy Trail Grants, offered by the New York State Hudson River Valley Greenway, support recreational trail projects that align with the goals of the Greenway Trail Program. Eligible projects include trail construction, rehabilitation, education, and disaster recovery. This program emphasizes enhancing connections to the Empire State Trail, ensuring that funding fosters sustainable and accessible outdoor experiences for all.

The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) is inviting proposals for habitat restoration projects that support wildlife in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary. With $250,000 available, HEP aims to distribute funding through two to four grants for projects lasting one or two years. These initiatives are crucial for enhancing local ecosystems and engaging communities in conservation efforts, as outlined in the Comprehensive Restoration Plan.

The City of Water Day Grants support organizations across New York and New Jersey in hosting free community events focused on waterfront engagement and climate resilience. With funding ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, organizations can collaborate with local artists and schools to promote awareness of climate change through interactive activities. This year's theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of NY and NJ communities, aiming to foster a sustainable and vibrant waterfront experience for all.

KKR Charitable Donations supports impactful collaborations and programs addressing current needs while paving the way for future progress. Through their Corporate Citizenship program, KKR focuses on philanthropy, employee engagement, and sustainable community initiatives. The KKR Cares initiative enables employees to engage with communities worldwide via matching gifts, board service, and volunteer opportunities, aiming to enhance economic opportunity and security for underserved populations.

The Affinity Legacy Community Grant Program aims to enhance health and well-being in underserved communities through funding for organizations focused on mental health, food insecurity, re-entry for formerly incarcerated individuals, and consumer health education. Eligible groups must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities operating within Affinity's 10-county service area. This initiative reflects a commitment to collaboration and compassion, ensuring vital support for those in need.

About The New York Community Trust:

As New York's largest community foundation, The New York Community Trust (The Trust) fosters and engages in enduring and innovative philanthropy, making grants that bring together the local knowledge and expertise of its team, nonprofits, and partners to help donors fulfill their vision for the causes they love. From education and the arts to health care and the environment, The Trust seeks to improve every aspect of the cultural and civic life of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.

The Trust is a regional philanthropic leader. In addition to a distinguished competitive grantmaking program, The Trust hosts donor-advised funds that make grants throughout the United States as well as funder collaboratives that work on the leading edge of philanthropy to improve the lives of New Yorkers. In 2025, it made close to 11,000 grants totaling nearly $230 million.

Having celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2024, The Trust has catalyzed innovations in philanthropy ranging from establishing the first donor-advised fund in the 1930s to making landmark grants, including some of the first to fight AIDS, build the High Line, support immigrant communities in the region, and respond quickly in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four broad priorities of this grantmaking program are to:

• Mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing legacy carbon from the atmosphere and oceans;
• Adapt and become more resilient to the consequences of a warming world;
• Protect public health from toxic chemicals and other environmental hazards; and
• Preserve and create ecological connectivity by supporting terrestrial and marine conservation corridors. 

Grants made pursuant to this request for proposals will be for national projects, i.e., projects working in the United States (including its territories). Grants will not exceed $150,000 per year for up to two years.

The Jacki Apple Award in Performance and Artist Projects, presented by Franklin Furnace, honors the legacy of Jacki Apple in the New York art scene. This annual award, distributed over ten years, supports a mid or late-career artist based in New York City, with a focus on performance art. Each year, $10,000 will be awarded to fund projects in performance, media, exhibition, or publication, fostering creativity and innovation in the arts.

The Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust supports capacity-building for performing arts organizations in New York City. In 2024, theater organizations are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 annually, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and undertaking small-scale capital projects. Eligible applicants must be IRS-designated public charities with budgets under $1 million. This initiative fosters arts diversity, encouraging organizations to align their applications with the designated focus area each year.

The Community Fund by NewYork-Presbyterian aims to empower community-based organizations (CBOs) in New York City and Westchester. Launched in 2023, it addresses health disparities by funding programs targeting social determinants of health, such as social isolation, housing insecurity, and economic recovery. Grants range from $75,000 to $150,000 annually, with a maximum of $300,000 over two years, reflecting a commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved neighborhoods.

The NewYork-Presbyterian Mini-Grants Program offers financial support to community-based organizations (CBOs) in New York City and Westchester County, focusing on health and wellness initiatives. Launched in 2011, it aims to assist CBOs in creating sustainable programs addressing nutrition, urban gardening, and youth development. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 over three years, with an emphasis on projects serving specific neighborhoods like Crown Heights and Harlem. Eligible organizations must maintain a budget under $500,000 and demonstrate proof of nonprofit status.

The Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund Grant aims to enhance the capacity of community-based organizations led by people of color in New York City. Established with $2.5 million from the City Council, this fund supports organizations to address critical needs through various capacity-building projects. Eligible organizations can apply for funding ranging from $35,000 to $45,000 based on their budget size, with a focus on sustainable development and community engagement.

The Bronx Cultural Visions Fund Grant supports the live performing arts in the Bronx by funding new project development for individual artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations in theater, music, and dance. Grants of up to $20,000 are available for project realization, with an emphasis on emerging and mid-career artists. The program requires participation in cohort meetings and aims to foster long-term relationships within the borough's artistic community.

The Sills Family Foundation provides grants to nonprofits focused on early childhood education, environmental justice, arts and culture, and support for families in crisis. They prioritize programs benefiting communities affected by the criminal justice system, as well as refugees and asylees. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $25,000, with an emphasis on systemic change and community-based solutions. The foundation operates primarily in metro New York City and California, accepting applications for one-year grants only.

The Howard Gilman Foundation Grant aims to support New York City's vibrant performing arts organizations. By providing general operating support, the foundation fosters long-term partnerships with those that reflect the city's diverse cultural community. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities or fiscally sponsored, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility in the arts. The foundation prioritizes organizations of color and those in underserved neighborhoods, ensuring a thriving arts ecosystem for all.

The Woodman Family Foundation Housing Stability Grant for Artists provides $30,000 over three years to NYC-based visual artists facing housing instability. This initiative addresses the rising unaffordability of rental housing in New York City, aiming to enhance artists' housing security. The funds can be used for rent, security deposits, or utilities, allowing recipients to maintain focus on their artistic practices while ensuring stable living conditions. This grant supports five artists in its inaugural cycle.

The New York State Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program aims to enhance K-12 meal preparation by utilizing fresh local farm products. With a total funding of $50 million over five years, the program will award $5 million to each of the ten regions, encouraging projects that alleviate food insecurity and bolster market opportunities for local producers. This initiative seeks to strengthen the state's food system resiliency while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

The Dammann Fund, Inc. supports charitable organizations in New York City, Southwestern Connecticut, and Charlottesville, VA. Established in 1946, it focuses on mental health programs promoting independent living for the mentally ill and initiatives that enhance parenting skills among young parents. Eligible organizations must not be private foundations and can receive funding for a single program for up to three years, with annual reapplication required.

The Awesome Foundation offers Local Chapter Grants of $1000 to individuals and groups for innovative projects that enhance community engagement. Each chapter operates independently, focusing on unique interpretations of 'awesome' across various fields such as arts and technology. Grants are awarded monthly, emphasizing no-strings-attached support. This initiative encourages creativity and experimentation, aiming to inspire and delight communities worldwide. For more details, applicants can explore individual chapter preferences and restrictions through the foundation's website.