Best Grants for Preschools in Ohio

The Ohio Athletic Committee Scholarship, established in 1995, supports graduating seniors from Ohio who have demonstrated outstanding community service, leadership, and academic performance. Eligible applicants must have participated in at least one Ohio Athletic Committee wrestling event or been members of a high school football team or cheerleading squad for four years, with a minimum ACT score of 25. This initiative aims to uplift the community by fostering future leaders.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant by the NCAA Division III aims to bolster ethnic minority and gender representation in senior athletics administration roles. With an annual budget of $1.6 million, it supports up to 46 schools and conferences over five years. Eligible institutions must be active NCAA Division III members and meet various requirements. This grant encourages diversity in leadership, fostering an inclusive environment for student-athletes.

The Health Information Outreach Award, funded by the National Library of Medicine, aims to enhance access to essential health information for underrepresented populations and healthcare professionals. This initiative focuses on improving health literacy and equity through diverse projects, including training, technology access, and community outreach. Eligible organizations from select Midwestern states can apply, prioritizing innovative solutions that address health disparities and promote informed health decisions among vulnerable communities.

The OAC: Sustainability Grants provide essential operational support for large and mid-sized nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Ohio. The program aims to enhance the state's cultural ecosystem by ensuring high-quality artistic experiences are accessible to all. Grants are awarded based on a formula considering panel evaluations and organizational income, with a requirement for a 1:1 cash match. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to arts programming and meet specific financial criteria to qualify.

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.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Markley Family Scholarship Fund

The Markley Family Scholarship Fund was established to assist full-time undergraduate students of Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. Both resident and commuter students are eligible. Students must demonstrate academic potential and financial need.

This scholarship is renewable.

The Coaching Enhancement Grant - Division II aims to enhance diversity in NCAA coaching by providing financial support for new assistant coaching positions. This grant specifically targets increased representation of ethnic minorities and women in athletics. Selected schools receive funding for three years to cover salaries and benefits, totaling $370,000 annually for up to 21 institutions. Eligible schools must be active NCAA Division II members committed to these diversity efforts.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant - Division II offers financial support to enhance ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles across NCAA Division II institutions. With an annual budget of $860,000, the grant aims to fund up to 20 schools and conferences each year. Eligible applicants must be active Division II members and are encouraged to collaborate with their human resources departments during the proposal process, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.

The Valerie Hickman Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Muskingum County Community Foundation, supports Muskingum County high school graduates pursuing a Pre-BSN or BSN program at Ohio University Zanesville. This scholarship aims to enhance students' educational experiences by covering essential expenses like tuition and books. Preference is given to Zanesville High School graduates, honoring Valerie Hickman's legacy of kindness and community support.

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship offers unique research opportunities for graduate students from member universities. Eligible candidates can conduct research at the Smithsonian in diverse fields such as anthropology, ecology, and history of science. The fellowship provides a stipend of $45,000 per year, with additional research allowances, and supports both U.S. and international students. This initiative fosters collaboration among leading academic institutions to advance knowledge and innovation.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Margaret S. Gilbert Scholarship Fund

The Margaret S. Gilbert Scholarship Fund was established to assist Stark County public high school female graduates, who attend or will attend, Oberlin College and major in one of the sciences, mathematics or history.

This scholarship is renewable.

Homeless Crisis Response Program

The goal of the HCRP is to prevent individuals and families from experiencing homelessness and, when homelessness does occur, to provide for emergency shelter operations and to rapidly move persons from emergency shelter into permanent housing.

The HCRP is divided into two components: 1) emergency shelter operations; and 2) homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing activities. Funding is a formula-based model that promotes service coverage throughout the state.

Homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing activities are limited to households below 30% area median income (AMI). Both components are awarded on an allocation basis, assuming grantees meet performance standards.

Grant funds are awarded on a regional basis, requiring collaboration of all providers within the region to develop a single shelter diversion strategy, moving individual programs toward systems-level coordination. Funds are distributed by an allocation to ensure at least minimal access to assistance statewide.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Lt. Colonel Robert G. Moreland Vocational/Technical Fund

The Lt. Col. Robert G. Moreland Vocational/Technical Fund assists students pursuing vocational or technical education or training in a school or college within the State of Ohio with training or education which will lead to an associate degree, certificate or diploma but not to a baccalaureate degree. 

This scholarship is renewable.

The Manufacturing And Small Business Cybersecurity Resilience Program 2026, offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, aims to enhance the cybersecurity resilience of small businesses, particularly small manufacturers. The program invites collaborative proposals focused on innovative training and technical assistance, targeting applicants from Indiana, Ohio, or Virginia with prior experience in cybersecurity training. Up to two awards will be granted to strengthen the cybersecurity awareness and protective measures among small businesses during their critical formative years.

The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation Grant, established in 1981, provides financial support to students pursuing higher education in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. With a focus on STEM fields, the Foundation aims to promote academic excellence through direct grants to qualified colleges and universities. Since its inception, it has awarded millions in scholarships, making a significant impact on the educational landscape. The Foundation invites suggestions for expanding its reach and enhancing its contributions to higher education.

The Mylander Foundation Grant, established in 1987, supports charitable, educational, and civic organizations in Erie County, Ohio. It mandates annual grants to seven key organizations while also distributing additional funds to others twice a year. Grants typically start at $1,000 and focus on projects benefiting Ohio residents. Eligible applicants include IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, with considerations for projects that significantly impact community goals.

The Citizens Charitable Foundation offers grants focused on Workforce Development and Financial Empowerment. Organizations applying must be IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in specific states. The foundation seeks to partner with high-impact nonprofits to create measurable community impact through innovative programs. Funding is directed towards job training, career education, and coaching initiatives, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and volunteerism.

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 Citizens Grants: Financial Empowerment program supports nonprofits focused on creating measurable impacts in financial education for low to moderate income individuals and small businesses. This grant emphasizes partnerships with established 501(c)(3) organizations and encourages collaborative efforts that demonstrate alignment with funding priorities. By investing in financial literacy, Citizens aims to enhance fiscal health in underserved communities across select geographic areas.

The Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions is committed to supporting financial literacy for children, young adults, and adults within Ohio through the Financial Literacy Grant Program.  The fund will award grants to programs focused on providing the knowledge and skills needed to develop and integrate personal financial literacy whether virtually and/or in-person. 

Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program 

The purpose of this funding is to reimburse state and/or local law enforcement and prosecutors for expenses related to sexual assault kit (SAK) testing, results, and related expenses. It is important to note that this includes kits that are collected in suspected drug-facilitated sexual assaults and suspect kits. This funding may be used to build capacity of agencies to complete these types of investigations (e.g., training), Under certain circumstances, other related costs may be covered, and individuals may contact OCJS with questions.

Ohio Department of Health

The Ohio Department of Health’s mission is advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans by transforming the state’s public health system through unique partnerships and funding streams; addressing the community conditions and inequities that lead to disparities in health outcomes; and implementing data-driven, evidence-based solutions.

Ohio Housing Trust Fund Special Projects Grant Program

The Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF) consists of fees collected by county recorders that may be used to make grants, loans, loan guarantees, and loan subsidies to counties, municipal corporations, townships, local housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations to assist in activities that provide housing and housing assistance for specifically targeted low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

Annually, a portion of the OHTF is set aside for the Special Projects Grant Program. This program, administered by the Community Services Division’s Office of Housing Support (OHS), provides funding for special projects and innovative proposals that will principally benefit persons or households with income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and meet the OHTF’s rules and regulations, as outlined in Ohio Revised Code 174.

1-1 match required for funds when applying.

Reducing Problem Gambling Harm on College Campuses RFA

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) releases this Request for Applications (RFA) for the purpose of soliciting applications to identify and support Ohio institutions of higher education (IHE) and coordinate with a non-profit organization and/or coalition to serve as a statewide partner in advancing collegiate gambling harm prevention and early intervention efforts across Ohio. Through this RFA, DBH seeks to expand the availability of evidence-informed prevention programming, strengthen campus capacity to recognize and respond to gambling related concerns, develop a coordinated network of IHEs committed to reducing gambling harm among students.

For the purpose of this RFA, the term “applicant” is defined as a state institution of higher education as defined by 3345.011 of the Ohio Revised Code or a nonprofit institution holding a certificate of authorization pursuant to Chapter 1713 of the Ohio Revised Code. The terms “application” and “response” may be used interchangeably to indicate materials submitted to DBH by an applicant in order to be considered for award of a grant for services described in this RFA. The terms “grantee” and “selected applicant” may be used interchangeably in reference to an organization selected by DBH through this RFA for award. DBH will award funding to only one applicant.

The DBH has released this RFA with the intent of awarding up to $500,000 in FY27 one eligible institution , which will in turn support this project.

The Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant supports entry-level athletics administrative positions for one academic year, promoting diversity in NCAA Division II. It provides $30,000 for intern salaries and $3,000 for professional development, benefiting six schools annually from a total budget of $180,000. Eligible applicants must be active NCAA members, with a focus on enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in athletics administration. This initiative encourages professional growth and compliance in diverse environments.

The HRG Charitable Foundation Scholarship, administered by Scholarship America, aims to eliminate financial barriers for current high school seniors in the mid-Atlantic region pursuing STEM degrees. With a focus on expanding access for underrepresented students, the scholarship supports full-time undergraduate education at accredited institutions. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This initiative reflects Scholarship America's commitment to educational equity and student success, ensuring every student can achieve their academic goals.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

PrimaryOne Health Community Scholarship

The Healthcare Justice Scholarship benefits racial, ethnic, and cultural underrepresented populations pursuing careers in healthcare. The scholarship fund will increase opportunities; educate, train, and employ more individuals of a diverse background; and allow for more diverse perspectives in the healthcare field. The goal is to grow a diverse healthcare pipeline to improve health outcomes.

All in Play: Empowering Inclusive Sports in K-12 Schools

Through the development of inclusive athletic programs in K–12 schools, this initiative empowers students with developmental disabilities—including those with severe disabilities—to actively participate in school sports by building the capacity of educators, coaches, and peers.

The project emphasizes a train-the-trainer model, equipping school staff and university partners with strategies to support students across the full spectrum of abilities. Special attention will be given to approaches that enable inclusion for students with significant support needs, ensuring that training covers adaptive techniques, individualized planning, and peer engagement strategies.