Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in California

The Wolcott Family Foundation focuses on funding grassroots organizations that drive social change and environmental stewardship. They prioritize support for projects that empower communities, strengthen civil liberties, and address ecological challenges. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations in Colorado classified under section 501(c)(3), with grants awarded for one year. The foundation values projects emphasizing environmental preservation and community involvement aimed at tackling societal issues.

The Bee a Rae of Sunshine Foundation – MaKenzi Rae Cash Memorial Animal Compassion Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Carroll County, aims to support students dedicated to animal welfare. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors from Carroll County, Maryland, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 125 service hours. This scholarship reflects MaKenzi Rae Cash's love for animals and her commitment to kindness and anti-bullying advocacy.

The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People Grant supports partnerships with economically disadvantaged groups in the U.S. It aims to empower these communities to take control of their lives and address systemic issues of poverty and oppression. This initiative encourages sustainable change through community-led programs that advocate for justice, human dignity, and economic equity, fostering a transformative impact on their local environments.

The Guru Krupa Foundation Grant supports charitable causes in social, educational, and religious/cultural areas, rooted in Hindu values. The foundation prioritizes projects that aid the underprivileged, enhance education, and preserve cultural heritage, particularly in India and the US. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and demonstrate a commitment to effective accounting practices. The foundation seeks specific projects with measurable outcomes, focusing on direct funding for programs rather than administrative costs.

Self-Defense Grants for MMIR Day

Facilitators, educators, organizers — May 5th is the Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Relatives. In honor of that day, we are offering mini grants to host a self-defense workshop for Indigenous girls and gender-expansive youth.

Why self-defense?

• Native women are murdered at 10x the national rate
• 84% experience violence in their lifetime
• Over 5,700 Native girls go missing each year

We also name the invisible crisis:

• Indigenous people from Mexico & Central America (Maya, Nahua, Zapotec, Mixtec, Lenca, and others) living in the U.S. face detention, deportation, and disappearances that are rarely counted in MMIR data.
• When a Tzotzil 18 year old like Royer Perez Jimenez dies in ICE custody, the silence is deafening.

Self-defense must include all Indigenous relatives.

XCNC has:

• $500 mini grants for stipends, space, supplies, and translation.

What we ask:

• Plan a workshop between May 5–31, 2026, rooted in community care.

Unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description and criteria statement, applicants can attend accredited schools of their choice within the United States.

CFNJ scholarships awards vary. On average, awards range from $500 to $2,500. However, the award could be larger based on the number of qualified applicants and the parameters set by donors who have established the funds. 

James L. and Ruby L. Murray Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a college-bound, graduating senior from one of the following high schools: Trenton High School, Ewing High School, Cherry Hill High School West, or East Orange High School. Applicants must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history, social science, or political science at any college/university of their choice within the United States. Students also must have achieved a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Ronald Clark McDaniel Memorial Scholarship Fund

To honor the life and legacy of Ronald Clark "Ron" McDaniel, family and friends established the Ronald Clark McDaniel Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2008. Ron, born in Harlan, Kentucky, moved to Battle Creek, Michigan at the age of 5. He was involved in the National Honor Society, Boys State, played baseball and football and graduated in the top ten of his class at Pennfield High School. He then served in the United States Air Force obtaining presidential awards and honors before he made his home back in Battle Creek. Ron managed to balance his commitment and love for his family and sports while exhibiting an unequaled work ethic, often working 7 days a week, at the same company for 38 years. This fund was established to carry on his value of education. He believed that all young adults should participate in extra-curricular activities in or outside of school while focusing on education. Most of all Ron McDaniel believed education was the key to success. Scholarships in memory of Ron will be awarded to graduating seniors who have participated in high school athletics and are seeking educational opportunities in teaching/education.

The Smart Growth Grants program, managed by the National Association of Realtors, aims to enhance community development through educational initiatives aligned with Smart Growth Principles. Available in three levels, the grants support REALTOR Associations in promoting sustainable land use, community planning, and stakeholder engagement. Maximum awards range from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the grant level. Note that the program is currently not accepting applications for 2025 and will reopen in January 2026.

The Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program aims to support organizations in their efforts to screen and educate individuals who have been exposed to radiation from uranium mining and U.S. nuclear weapons testing. This initiative emphasizes the importance of awareness and education in mitigating health risks associated with radiation exposure, ensuring affected communities receive the necessary resources and support for health management.

Linda Norton Good Neighbor Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to support exceptional students within the Poudre School District who aspire to pursue degrees in finance, economics, business, or real estate. It embodies Linda Norton’s legacy of community service, advocacy, and significant contributions to the field while providing opportunities for the next generation of students in these related disciplines.

Scholarship amount:

• $1,500

Number of awards:

• 1

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.

The Arts and Culture Nonprofits: Organizational Support Grant Program (OSP) by the City of San Diego provides vital funding to tax-exempt, nonprofit arts organizations. It supports projects that enhance the quality of life and cultural engagement in the city. Organizations can receive operational support based on their annual income, with awards ranging from $5,000 to 22% of their income. This initiative fosters a thriving arts ecosystem and broadens access to cultural activities.

The Jason Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Travel Grant supports five black/African American youth and teen services librarians annually. Each grant, ranging from $1500 to $3000, covers expenses for travel, housing, registration, and attendance at the ALA Annual Conference, including the Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast. This initiative aims to empower underrepresented librarians in their professional development and community engagement.

The MPS Physics Research Programs, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), support transformative research in various fields of physics. This includes experimental and theoretical work in atomic and molecular physics, particle physics, gravitational physics, and more. The NSF aims to promote ambitious projects without the need for immediate commercialization, focusing instead on foundational advancements that push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.

The DEVCOM Analysis Center Broad Agency Announcement invites research proposals to support the U.S. Army's mission of informed modernization through data-driven analysis and technology development. Open until January 4, 2028, it seeks innovative whitepapers and proposals from various organizations to enhance Army capabilities and technologies. This initiative aims to foster significant advancements that align with national security needs and drive scientific exploration in applied research and advanced technology.

GALLO Giving

GALLO is committed to making a difference in the communities where their employees live and work and is proud to support a variety of non-profit organizations. Because of the number of deserving requests received each year, donations are primarily directed toward the community where the corporate headquarters is located – Modesto, CA. Donations are also available for organizations in Fresno, Livingston, Napa, and Sonoma in California, as well as in Chester County, South Carolina, and Canandaigua, New York.

GALLO offers corporate donations to nonprofits that support Family Well-Being, the Arts, and Overall Community Health.  

In order to help as many organizations as possible, GALLO appreciates limiting your requests to one (1) donation per year. In an effort to manage their contributions in an equitable and efficient manner, all requests must be submitted via web form. 

Grant applications undergo a thorough evaluation process, which includes assessing the organization's reputation and its adherence to the eligibility criteria listed here. Applying does not ensure the receipt of funds. 

Generally, it is not GALLO’s practice to provide donations to private or public universities, or national disasters (some exceptions may apply).  

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) program, established by NIGMS, aims to enhance research funding efficiency by providing stable financial support to investigators. This allows for greater scientific flexibility and encourages innovative studies. MIRA is pivotal for distributing funding among promising researchers, fostering groundbreaking research. The program invites applications from eligible NIGMS-funded and NIH-defined New Investigators, as well as current MIRA grantees seeking renewal, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach to advancing science.

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation

Mission: In partnership with our community, we ignite positive change and create a legacy of impact.

Scholarships

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation annually awards more than $2 million in scholarships to students pursuing higher education, job training and certification. The Foundation hosts several different scholarship opportunities throughout the year. 

Space Camp Scholarship

Open to students (grades 4-12) or adults from Chautauqua County, NY or Warren County, PA to support the cost of attending U.S. Space Camp. 

The Social Psychology Program at NSF advances knowledge in social psychology by supporting innovative research and infrastructure. It encourages diverse projects that enhance understanding of human social behavior, addressing topics such as social cognition, group dynamics, and emotions. Proposals must demonstrate intellectual merit and broader societal impacts, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches. The program prioritizes research that benefits society and strengthens national security, while also ensuring representation across various demographics.

The Pop Culture Collaborative offers Major Grants to support initiatives that promote long-term narrative change and social justice through pop culture. Targeting U.S.-based nonprofits, for-profits, and individuals, these grants aim to engage mass audiences in transformative experiences. With a focus on communities often marginalized, the Collaborative's efforts are designed to foster a pluralistic society where everyone belongs. Grants range from $20,000 to $200,000, depending on project scope and duration, with applications reviewed biannually.

The Will Glickman Award, presented by Theatre Bay Area, honors the best new play premiering in the San Francisco Bay Area each year. Established in 1984, this award celebrates excellence in playwriting, recognizing outstanding original works that enrich the local theatre community. It not only highlights the playwright's achievements but also encourages the development and production of new plays. Submissions are accepted year-round, emphasizing the commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive artistic voices.

Mission: A non-profit, charitable, Private Foundation established in 1959 by the Long family to support local charities, schools, education events and general community needs.

Grants

Our approach to grant requests focuses on fostering local neighborhood vitality and excellence. The John F. Long Foundation supports local non-profit organizations that promote this objective. The Foundation looks for groups who are working to help themselves, help their own communities, and help others like themselves through self-empowering, community organizing efforts. To be eligible for consideration, the grant request must meet the following criteria:

• Funds’ use must have measurable benefits
• Your organization must have good management, a solid financial background, well-established administration policies and Board of Directors
• The grant request must be precise and complete, providing necessary detail
• The Foundation Questionnaire is to be completed in its entirety
• The grant request amount and time frame must be clearly communicated, i.e. one-time grant, ongoing support, or special project
• If your request is for a particular event or program, providing a budget is always helpful
• Requests for grants of $1,000.00 or more, as well as groups we have not funded within the past two years, must: (i) Provide financial reports/statements for past and current fiscal year; (ii) Provide a list of past donors going back no more than two years.

The Kazanjian Economics Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing economic literacy across various educational settings. With a history of over 70 years, the foundation supports projects that deliver economic education to youth, particularly in non-school environments. It emphasizes teacher training and initiatives for underserved communities, while also promoting behavioral economics and entrepreneurship. The foundation welcomes letters of interest year-round, with recommended deadlines of March 10th and September 10th for grant cycles.

The Santa Barbara Foundation offers Community Grants for Shelter & Safety, providing up to $30,000 in unrestricted funding for two years. This program is designed to enhance nonprofit capacities in addressing community needs related to shelter and safety. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and operate within Santa Barbara County, focusing on serving vulnerable populations. The next application cycle will open in 2026, following a mid-cycle evaluation in the first grant year.

About Spirit of Blue

Our Vision

To become the nation’s leading supplemental provider of law enforcement safety equipment and training across the county.

Our Mission

Spirit of Blue is dedicated to the enhancement of officer safety throughout the law enforcement community by fulfilling unfunded safety equipment and training needs.

Safety Grant Program

Spirit of Blue’s primary initiative is the granting of safety equipment and training to municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies in an effort to protect their sworn personnel. 

Most grants are 100% funded, meaning that no match is required. In the majority of cases, Spirit of Blue conducts the procurement of the goods or services being granted so that the recipient agency isn’t burdened with having to negotiate prices, place orders or track delivery. Rarely, if ever, does Spirit of Blue provide cash awards. Once selected, Spirit of Blue will provide the recipient agency with an official grant award letter outlining everything that is contained in the award. The recipient agency must gain acceptance of the grant, whether on the authority of their agency head or by working with their local governing authority as their policy may dictate. There are no reporting requirements after the award of the grant, but agencies are asked to submit a photo to be used in the announcement of their grant.

Grant Application

The Spirit of Blue Safety Grant Program is designed to award equipment, or in some cases training, that will protect officers serving on duty. You should only request items that you can articulate will have a positive impact on officer safety.

The NSF Geosciences Core Research program funds innovative projects across atmospheric, geospace, earth, and ocean sciences. It encourages proposals that push the boundaries of knowledge in fundamental research, promoting interdisciplinary approaches. This initiative seeks transformative ideas that may not have immediate commercial applications but are crucial for advancing scientific understanding and addressing complex environmental challenges. Researchers are invited to explore various domains or integrate multiple disciplines to enhance our comprehension of the Earth and its systems.

Ann Query Scholarship

Graduating senior who attends public, private, or home school and resides in the Zeeland Public School District area (student does not have to attend Zeeland Public Schools to be eligible)

Southern Exposure's Alternative Exposure (AltEx) Grant supports independent and artist-centered projects in the San Francisco Bay Area. Launched in 2007, it has awarded over $1.2 million to 260 projects, fostering a national network of regional regranting programs. AltEx provides up to $5,000 for diverse visual arts initiatives, encouraging collaboration among artists. The current application round is open, inviting eligible artists to present their innovative projects to the public, enhancing local art scenes.