Best Cycling Grants in Ohio

The McDonough Foundation Grant aims to enhance communities in West Virginia by providing funding to nonprofits focused on social welfare. Prioritizing tax-exempt organizations under IRS Code 501(c)(3), the foundation supports initiatives that address basic human needs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with applicants limited to one grant per calendar year. This commitment helps local organizations overcome resource limitations and fosters community growth through targeted financial support.

The Civic Experiment Grant by the Trust for Civic Life supports innovative, community-driven projects aimed at enhancing civic engagement. It focuses on rural areas, empowering local leaders to tackle challenges collaboratively. Grants up to $25,000 are available for organizations that are non-partisan and primarily serve rural communities, emphasizing inclusivity and sustainable impact. The next nomination period begins in early 2026, following a closed cycle for 2025. This initiative fosters long-term civic infrastructure and community resilience.

The Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform Grant by The Joyce Foundation aims to create safer communities in the Great Lakes region. It focuses on reducing gun violence, addressing racial disparities in the justice system, and promoting violence intervention strategies. The foundation invites innovative proposals that support these goals, emphasizing research, policy advocacy, and community engagement to effectively address the challenges of gun violence and promote racial equity.

The Joyce Foundation's Democracy Grants aim to enhance participation and representation in the electoral process across the Great Lakes region. With a focus on combating voter suppression, gerrymandering, and disinformation, the Foundation supports policy changes that protect voting rights and ensure fair representation. Through public engagement and litigation, it seeks to empower communities of color and young voters, fostering a more equitable democracy for all residents.

The Joyce Foundation's Education & Economic Mobility Grants aim to close income and race disparities in college and career success. The foundation prioritizes equitable access to high-quality education, supporting policies for effective educators, high school graduation, and affordable college credentials. Focused on racial equity and economic mobility, it addresses the needs of historically underserved young people in the Great Lakes region and invests in research, policy development, and advocacy to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Joyce Foundation's Environment Grants focus on addressing critical environmental challenges in the Great Lakes region, such as climate change and water safety. The foundation prioritizes equitable, carbon-free energy solutions and clean water access for all communities. Grants are awarded to organizations committed to environmental justice and innovation in climate policy, particularly in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, ensuring that the voices of affected communities guide project development.

The Joyce Foundation's Journalism Grants support independent, nonpartisan reporting to address critical issues in the Great Lakes region. By investing in high-quality journalism, the Foundation aims to promote informed decision-making and strengthen community cohesion. Eligible applicants include nonprofit journalism organizations and projects that enhance local news and support early career journalists, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. The application process requires advance planning, with funding decisions made quarterly.

The Ohio Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) supports agricultural producers in enhancing their conservation practices while improving their operations. It offers technical and financial assistance tailored to meet specific goals such as improving soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat. With year-round application acceptance and annual payments for implementing conservation practices, CSP encourages participation through flexible contract options. This program is vital for achieving sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship in Ohio.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), administered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Ohio, offers vital technical and financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. This program addresses environmental challenges like soil erosion, water quality, and improved wildlife habitats, fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Applications are accepted year-round, providing ongoing opportunities for producers to enhance their land management while contributing to conservation efforts across Ohio.

The Unrestricted Community Grants, provided by the Hamilton Community Foundation, empower local organizations to address various community needs. Since 1951, generous donors have contributed to the foundation's funds, enabling grants that foster impactful projects within the greater Hamilton, Ohio area. These grants are vital for supporting tax-exempt organizations classified as 501(c)(3) charities. Applications are accepted annually, with a focus on significant community impact, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to enhance local services.

The GPD Employees' Foundation supports K-12 public schools and local non-profits that assist at-risk children and those with special needs. Established in 2014, the foundation aims to enhance educational experiences and community well-being through grants. With a focus on impactful programs like STEAM and literacy, it ensures funds are directed towards initiatives aligned with its mission. The grant cycle runs annually from October to January, and applicants are encouraged to apply if their projects align with the foundation's goals.

The Adams Legacy Foundation Grant focuses on supporting non-profit organizations that utilize nature to enhance personal growth and healing. For the 2022-2026 cycle, applicants must provide programming in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties in California, as well as Franklin County, Ohio. The foundation encourages collaborative efforts aimed at improving access to green spaces in urban areas. It seeks projects that foster a connection with nature to promote well-being among diverse populations.

The Richard L and Freda K Flerlage Foundation

Our Mission

Working to empower underserved populations through small grants in support of literacy, healthcare, reduction of poverty, and the promotion of social and environmental justice.

We are a small family foundation, when possible we aim to support organizations with relatively small operating funds where our small grants will have their greatest possible impact.

Our average grant is $3,800.

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is dedicated to addressing the opioid epidemic by allocating funds from pharmaceutical settlements to enhance substance misuse prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives across Ohio. For Regional Grant Cycle #2, the Board authorized $40 million to support evidence-based investments in local communities. This funding model aims to create sustainable impacts while ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency in managing resources for long-term recovery efforts.

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation's Regional Grant Cycle 2 aims to fund organizations addressing substance use disorders in Ohio. This initiative supports local efforts in prevention, treatment, and recovery, utilizing a portion of funds from the pharmaceutical industry due to the opioid crisis. Eligible applicants must align their proposed services with the foundation's approved purposes, ensuring a direct benefit to individuals with substance use disorders and their families.

The Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area, focusing on education, health, arts, and community welfare. Established in 2004, the foundation prioritizes projects that enhance community well-being, ensuring grants are awarded to nonprofits with operating budgets under $10 million. Organizations must apply annually and adhere to specific eligibility criteria, including geographical and operational restrictions. The foundation aims to empower local initiatives that promote positive societal impact.

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's MHJF Open Grants support innovative projects that enhance student learning and teaching in Ohio's PK-12 schools. Eligible applicants include public school districts, non-religious private schools, and 501(c)(3) organizations. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $55,000, with a focus on deep learning and excellent teaching. Note that proposals from new applicants will not be accepted during the August and October 2025 cycles, as the foundation prepares for a new strategic vision in 2026.

The Middletown Community Foundation offers grants for recreation, arts, festivals, events, and sponsorships to enhance community engagement. Established in 1976, the foundation supports collaborative projects that meet specific community needs, aiming for efficient use of philanthropic funds. Eligible applicants include IRS-recognized nonprofits and local organizations, while individuals and for-profit entities are ineligible. The foundation encourages initiatives that foster the development of responsible youth and safe living environments.

The PACF Community Action Grants support nonprofits in West Virginia through a competitive grant process twice a year. Grants up to $20,000 are available for diverse fields such as Arts, Education, and Community Development. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities serving the Foundation's 11-county area. Projects addressing community needs and enhancing organizational capacity are prioritized, especially in areas with limited support options. Interested applicants should ensure project eligibility before applying.

The Cyrus Eaton Foundation Grant focuses on advancing sustainable environments, social justice, cultural enrichment, and peaceful coexistence. It funds innovative and small nonprofit organizations, primarily in Northeast Ohio and Pugwash, Nova Scotia. The foundation typically distributes $160,000 annually across two funding cycles, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, and occasionally offers high-impact grants of up to $15,000 for significant projects.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation's Building Bright Futures: Education initiative aims to empower children and young adults by funding innovative programs that foster academic success. This inaugural grant cycle focuses on evidence-based solutions that enhance mentoring, tutoring, and socio-emotional development. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to high-quality education in the Greater Cincinnati region. Funding can support new initiatives, program expansions, or operational support, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

The Health Foundation of Greater Massillon Fall Grant Cycle supports innovative health and wellness programs in Western Stark, Northern Tuscarawas, and Eastern Wayne counties. Since 1999, it has awarded over $3 million to enhance community health. The foundation encourages proposals that demonstrate effective health initiatives and directly impact designated service areas. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations and government entities within Stark County, with a focus on well-planned projects that promote holistic well-being.

The Middletown Community Foundation, established in 1976, aims to support local nonprofits through collaborative capital projects that address community needs. With over $41 million in assets, it emphasizes projects that foster youth development and community responsibility. Eligible applicants include IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations located in specified areas. The foundation does not fund individuals or for-profit entities, focusing instead on impactful community initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Middletown and surrounding areas.

The AES Ohio Foundation, a leading corporate foundation in the Dayton region, offers Community Impact Grants aimed at improving quality of life and fostering sustainability. With a focus on poverty reduction, workforce development, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, the foundation supports initiatives that address basic community needs. Organizations seeking funding must align with these priorities while demonstrating measurable outcomes and a commitment to equity. The application deadline for 2024 is October 15, 2024.

The Programmatic Support - Education Pillar Award by Honda aims to enhance workforce readiness in the manufacturing sector. It supports nonprofit organizations and schools focused on hands-on programs in design, software/data analytics, and AI/machine learning. Eligible applicants must be US-based and have 501(c)(3) status. The initiative prioritizes projects that train individuals for manufacturing roles, develop technical skills, and introduce automation to prepare for evolving industry demands, ultimately fostering economic prosperity in local communities.

The American Honda Foundation provides programmatic support to nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S., empowering impactful initiatives aligned with community needs. Funding opportunities are available through Honda corporate and Honda USA Foundation, focusing on projects that enhance education and community welfare. Eligible organizations must have nonprofit status or be recognized educational institutions. The application process opens each fall, with funding decisions announced the following spring, ensuring alignment with Honda's commitment to social responsibility.