Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in California

The Joseph E. and Marjorie B. Jones Foundation is a private philanthropic organization committed to enhancing life quality in the greater Washington, D.C. area. The foundation focuses on human services, healthcare, and educational initiatives, believing in the inherent dignity of all individuals. It supports projects that foster community trust and partnership while avoiding funding for basic research, scholarships, or sectarian activities. The foundation aims to inspire and uplift communities through strategic partnerships.

The PLTW Computer Science program, funded by the John Deere Foundation, aims to enhance STEM opportunities for underserved students in John Deere communities. This initiative supports schools initiating or expanding PLTW Computer Science courses starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. With a commitment to inclusive education, the foundation seeks to empower students by providing essential resources and opportunities to develop critical skills that will serve them in future careers.

The Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD) History Grant is designed to support projects that research, interpret, or celebrate the history of ALWD and its contributions to the legal writing discipline. These grants reflect ALWD’s commitment to preserving the history of ALWD, honoring community contributions, and making ALWD’s history accessible to scholars, teachers, and practitioners into the future.

Types of Fundable Projects

• Oral History & Interview Projects - Projects may include interviews with founders, early leaders, past presidents, award winners, or other members central to ALWD’s history. 
• Archival Preservation & Digitization - A project may include scanning, organizing, and preserving historical materials such as conference programs, newsletters, board minutes, and committee records, accompanied by the creation of searchable digital archives for long-term access.
• Creative Dissemination Projects - Short documentary films, podcasts, interactive digital exhibits, timelines, or “museum-style” digital or physical installations are possible projects.
• Conference Integration  - Projects may include the preparation of history-focused materials for ALWD’s biennial conferences, such as poster sessions, anniversary exhibits, or a temporary “history wall.”
• Publications & Reflections  - Written projects may include essays, case studies, memoir pieces, or historical analyses suitable for publication 

The Herman Frasch Foundation Grant, administered by the American Chemical Society, supports research in agricultural chemistry with practical benefits for U.S. agriculture. Eligible applicants include tenured or tenure-track faculty within seven years of their first appointment. Grants of $50,000 annually for five years are available, with a focus on training students and disseminating research findings. The next application period opens on November 5, 2026, following a five-year cycle.

The Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32) supports early-stage postdoctoral scholars through rigorous research and career development over three years. Applicants must submit their proposals up to a year before or two years after starting their postdoctoral positions. This award emphasizes innovative research ideas and strategic planning for training and mentorship, aiming to cultivate independent investigators in research fields aligned with the missions of NIH Institutes and Centers.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is seeking applications to establish Regional Medical Libraries within the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Since 1965, the NNLM has enhanced public health information access through partnerships with libraries and health organizations. The initiative aims to improve community engagement, disseminate NIH research findings, and foster collaborations to promote health literacy and access to biomedical data, thereby supporting local clinical research efforts.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Muskegon Community College Faculty Association Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Muskegon Community College Faculty Association (MCCFA), who established the Muskegon Community College Faculty Association Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship is awarded to students continuing their education at Muskegon Community College, or pursuing an education at another college or university.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is seeking applications for a Training Center under the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). This initiative aims to enhance professional development for librarians, community engagement, and access to health information. By fostering partnerships and disseminating NIH resources, the NNLM will broaden its impact and improve public understanding of health data and information. The NTC will develop innovative training curricula and materials to meet diverse audience needs.

The Knut Eriksen Leadership and Management Fellowship, established by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), supports civil engineering students and young engineers under 35 who are pursuing advanced degrees in leadership and management. This fellowship aims to foster future leaders in civil engineering by providing financial assistance for tuition, research, and living expenses. It promotes the development of skills essential for management roles within the profession, ensuring a commitment to excellence in both education and practice.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Michelle Hawley TEACH THE CHILDREN Scholarship

Established by the family and friends of Michelle Hawley to provide college tuition assistance to a Blue Ridge, Elk Lake, Forest City, Montrose, Mountain View or Susquehanna Community High School graduate who will major in Elementary Education.

The Clinical & Translational Science Award TL1 Postdoc Fellowship Training Grant offers comprehensive support for biomedical researchers at Vanderbilt University. This program empowers scholars through career development tools, mentoring opportunities, and participation in national Translational Science meetings. Trainees must hold a doctoral degree and be committed to translational research while pursuing full-time training. This fellowship fosters innovation and collaboration among researchers, enhancing their contributions to the field.

The Truckee Core Values Event Fund, established by the Truckee Chamber of Commerce and the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, aims to support community events that reflect Truckee's core values: Healthy Lifestyle, Family-Friendly, Natural Beauty, Community-Mindedness, and Arts, Culture, History. Grants ranging from $500 to $2000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations or partnerships that align with these values, fostering community engagement and enhancing local culture.

The ARS Friends in Research Award, funded by the American Rhinologic Society, offers $25,000 over two years to support innovative research in rhinology. Eligible candidates include members who have completed residency without significant outside funding. The award encourages early and mid-career investigators to explore diverse areas within rhinology. Recipients can publish their findings, with the society retaining first refusal rights for publication. This grant aims to foster career development in the field of rhinology.

Destination Home Sv Co Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Destination: Home is a public-private partnership ending homelessness in Silicon Valley. Our goal is to END homelessness in our community and we’re committed to advancing solutions that will deliver true systemic change. 

Through our collective impact model, we convene and collaborate with stakeholders across our community to advance strategies that address the root causes of homelessness and help ensure that all our neighbors have a stable home. We embrace a data-driven and human approach to our work – advocating for policies, incubating new ideas and programs, and investing in strategies that reduce and prevent homelessness in our community.

WiFi Equity and Access Program

Destination: Home is interested in supporting equitable unlimited access to high-quality internet for people who are participating in the Santa Clara County Supportive Housing System, are extremely low-income, and need access to allow for MyConnectSV use. If your 501(c)(3) organization has a Permanent Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing, Shelter, or Service Center located in Santa Clara County where you are interested in partnering to bring free wifi access to your residents and guests so they can connect to MyConnectSV, we'd love to hear about it. 

The O. H. Ammann Research Fellowship in Structural Engineering, awarded by the American Society of Civil Engineers, supports innovative research in structural design and construction. This prestigious fellowship is aimed at members in good standing and encourages original contributions to the field. Recipients must demonstrate the ability to explore new ideas and may not engage in other research during the fellowship term. This initiative strengthens the expertise within the civil engineering profession globally.

The City of Chico Arts Grant Program aims to enhance cultural engagement by supporting local artists and arts organizations. Funded by a portion of the Transient Occupancy Tax, the grant promotes diverse projects that include community participation and artistic excellence. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a 1:1 cash match and a commitment to serving underserved populations. This initiative fosters inclusivity and access to quality arts experiences, ensuring a vibrant cultural landscape for Chico's residents.

The Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund offers financial support to public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations aiming to preserve historic places along Route 66. This initiative prioritizes projects that enhance underrepresented narratives, including those related to diverse communities. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, with a focus on activities that restore, rehabilitate, or educate about significant historical sites, ensuring that this iconic American highway's legacy is maintained for future generations.

Nebraska Library Commission Grants Schedule

Nebraska Library Commission Grants: The Nebraska Library Commission awards grants to Nebraska libraries and library organizations according to the following schedule. These grants are financed with funding made available through the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature or through the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.

Continuing Education and Training Grants

This year, the Nebraska Library Commission is opening the CE grants to 1) online learning, 2) attending out-of-state conferences or workshops, and 3) larger continuing education projects.

The purpose of these continuing education grants is to assist Nebraska libraries in improving the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library's mission.

For this round of CE and training grants, applications should be for events happening before June 2026. (All reimbursement forms and receipts must be submitted by June 12, 2026.).

The FY26 Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program's Platform Clinical Translation Award facilitates early-phase clinical trials for innovative healthcare technologies, catering to the needs of military Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. The program allows collaborations among multiple Principal Investigators and mandates an external advisory board with patient advocate involvement. Approximately $30M is allocated to fund two applications, each capped at $15M, over a maximum period of four years, with funding contingent on performance milestones.

The Beveridge Family Prize in American History, awarded annually by the American Historical Association since 1945, recognizes exceptional historical writing. Eligible works include biographies, monographs, and interpretations published in 2024. This prestigious award honors Senator Albert J. Beveridge and aims to promote outstanding scholarship on American, Latin American, and Canadian history. Recipients will be announced in October 2025 and celebrated at the 2026 AHA annual meeting in Chicago.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Congressman Mark Foley Scholarship for Political Science Education Fund

Must be enrolled in a degree program with a major in Political Science.

The NNLM CHIS Training Award Year 5 aims to enhance the capabilities of rural and small library staff in providing reliable health information. This initiative not only supports health literacy but also promotes community engagement by enabling awardees to conduct CHIS classes. By utilizing existing materials, participants can present these classes in various formats, ensuring broader access to essential health resources. This award fosters local health information leaders, ultimately improving public health outcomes.

Women Create Foundation Grants

Empowering women creators.

About

Women Create, LLC is the publisher of two industry leading magazines, Where Women Create and What women Create. Every issue of WHAT & WHERE includes in-depth features about women from diverse geographies and backgrounds, the mediums they use and the projects and studios that support their passion.

Through our search for women artist/creators, we’ve seen the significant barriers and disparities in accessing funding they face to nurture their visions. The Women Create Foundation was created with the mission to empower women creators through grants that help bring projects to life and foster innovation.

The grant amounts vary depending on the artist’s needs. Financial awards typically range from $500-$2,000.

Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) 

Founded in 1967, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is a national community of academic leaders committed to developing an accomplished family medicine workforce, prepared to serve as the foundation of America’s health care system. Our members include physicians, PAs, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, researchers, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals, health system executives, administrators, coordinators, fellows, residents, students, and others involved in the education of family physicians. 

F. Marian Bishop Leadership Award

Established in 1990 in honor of Dr. F. Marian Bishop, the F. Marian Bishop Leadership Award is presented by the STFM Foundation to honor senior leaders who have significantly enhanced the credibility of family medicine by a sustained, long-term commitment to family medicine in academic settings.

The award recipient will be honored during STFM's Annual Spring Conference. The award winner will receive a commemorative award and a complimentary registration to the STFM Annual Spring Conference.

The Fund for UU Social Responsibility Grant supports Unitarian Universalist organizations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, focusing on social justice, community engagement, and fostering generosity. With backing from the Unitarian Universalist Association, the program encourages innovative projects that promote the values of Unitarian Universalism while enhancing community involvement. Grants are typically for one year, with potential for renewal based on project success and community impact.

Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) 

Founded in 1967, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is a national community of academic leaders committed to developing an accomplished family medicine workforce, prepared to serve as the foundation of America’s health care system. Our members include physicians, PAs, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, researchers, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals, health system executives, administrators, coordinators, fellows, residents, students, and others involved in the education of family physicians. 

H. Winter Griffith Resident Scholarship

The H. Winter Griffith Resident Scholarship honors H. Winter Griffith, MD, who was an advocate for patient engagement through patient education. Thus, this award recognizes outstanding patient interaction, education, care, and outcomes by a resident or resident team in the family medicine medical home setting. 

 Entries will be judged on the following:

• The extent to which the project emphasized improvements in patient centered care
• Effectiveness or outcomes of the project
• Feasibility of the improvement project for dissemination to other health centers or systems

The Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society invites applications for the Mary DeDecker Botanical Grant, honoring the contributions of a notable botanist. This program aims to support research and projects that enhance the understanding of native plants in the Eastern Sierra Nevada and northern Mojave Desert. Eligible projects should focus on regional flora and promote public awareness. We encourage student proposals, especially those that engage local communities and educational institutions.