Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

Connecticut 501(c)(3) and similar nonprofits working in education, human services, conservation, health, or cultural programs can apply for McGraw Foundation support for general operations, specific projects, or occasional capital needs. Although grants generally prioritize the greater Chicago area, organizations in the U.S., including Connecticut, may be eligible for awards of US $2,000 - US $10,000.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits and eligible municipalities can seek funding for education, housing, basic human services, and community impact programs, including arts, environment, and animal welfare. Focused on community well-being, Northwest Community Bank Foundation offers program, capacity-building, and capital grants up to US $25,000 for organizations serving Northwest Community Bank communities.

Graduate students conducting drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health research can receive US $3,000 to advance projects with timely, actionable outcomes for the water industry. Focused on water-related environmental research, American Water Works Association invites students nationwide, including those connected to Connecticut institutions or communities, to apply for the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions working on environmental conservation and stewardship in Connecticut’s Long Island Sound watershed can apply for the Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund, awarding US $15,000 - US $200,000 for projects. The New York Community Trust and partners back efforts that restore habitats, improve water quality, and advance sustainability, resilience, and equity.

With a mission to support environmental sustainability, nonprofits and schools in Connecticut can seek programmatic funding for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient use of natural resources. American Honda Motor provides US $25,000 - US $100,000 for programs that benefit communities where Honda associates live and work, including eligible areas of Connecticut.

Connecticut agricultural producers and land stewards seeking to enhance conservation on working lands can receive technical and financial assistance to improve soil, water, air, and wildlife habitat. Focused on environmental stewardship, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service of Connecticut offers five-year Conservation Stewardship Program contracts that reward existing practices and fund additional conservation activities on eligible private and Tribal lands.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental agencies serving Branford can seek funding for programs that improve local quality of life across basic needs, health, education, arts, environment, youth, and civic engagement. Focused on community well-being, Branford Community Foundation invites Connecticut nonprofits to propose high-impact projects addressing documented needs in the Branford community.

Nonprofit charitable organizations in Connecticut working on community development, education, workforce preparation, or financial literacy can apply for KeyBank Foundation’s grants, with awards of US $10,000 - US $25,000. Grants from KeyBank Foundation help strengthen affordable housing, small business growth, academic success, and job readiness in eligible communities across its service states.

Nonprofit organizations hosting single events or event series that benefit Branford, Connecticut can seek sponsorship funding for qualifying activities. Branford Community Foundation supports community-focused events in Connecticut by partnering with GSB to provide sponsorships that offer meaningful local impact, positive visibility, and opportunities to reach targeted audiences and build relationships.

Nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and families in Connecticut can seek funding for humanitarian aid, homelessness, education, health care, and disaster relief projects. The Father's Table Foundation provides up to US $750,000 for programs that build self-sufficiency, including employment assistance, microfinance, food security, anti-trafficking, and child welfare initiatives, with occasional support for urgent, immediate needs.

Agricultural producers, forest landowners, Tribes, and water management entities in Connecticut can receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on working lands. Grants from USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service of Connecticut help improve water and air quality, soil health, wildlife habitat, and resilience to drought and extreme weather, benefiting eligible nonprofit and landowning entities.

Nonprofit organizations and municipal entities in Connecticut working on health disparities, environmental justice, housing, food access, or preventative healthcare can seek US $5,000 - US $15,000 for programs, advocacy, and systems change. Connecticut Community Foundation supports efforts such as chronic disease prevention, behavioral health and substance use interventions, housing advocacy, and environmental cleanup projects.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits running education, environment, community vitality, or basic human needs programs can seek project support through the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, with typical awards of US $1,000 - US $15,000. With a mission to strengthen communities, Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation provides funding for specific programs and projects in areas where it serves.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in Connecticut conducting biomedical and health-related research can receive up to US $375,000 to support small-scale projects and expand student research opportunities. The National Institutes of Health funds institutions that award baccalaureate science degrees and have historically received limited NIH support, strengthening their research environment and training capacity.

Early-career clinical and public health researchers at low- or middle-income country academic or research institutions conducting human health studies can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, with approximately US $140,000 in support. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Connecticut-based nonprofits partnering with LMIC investigators advance global health research and training over three to five years.

Grants support 501(c)(3) public charities in Connecticut with general operating or program funding for arts, education, environmental ingenuity, medical research, and veterans initiatives. Grants from Cornelia T. Bailey Charitable Trust help nonprofits serving local residents, especially projects in visual and performing arts, water quality, high-mortality disease research, and services for wounded and returning veterans.

Early-career health researchers in low- or middle-income countries with junior faculty posts can apply for the NIH Fogarty Emerging Global Leader Award, offering approximately US $140,000 for mentored research career development. Connecticut-based nonprofits hosting or partnering with eligible LMIC investigators on health-related projects may benefit from this multi-year support opportunity.

Focused on education and youth-oriented programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Connecticut can seek funding for scholarships, tutoring, literacy, journalism, arts education, youth initiatives, and community projects. The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust offers US $5,000 - US $20,000, with a preference for new or enhanced programs and short-term, one-time support.

Qualified undergraduate and graduate students at accredited Connecticut colleges and universities can receive US $1,500 to support research in wetland or aquatic ecology, invasive species, river systems, geomorphology, limnology, watershed studies, or wetland law and policy. Grants from Connecticut Association of Wetland Scientists may benefit projects connected to nonprofit-led environmental initiatives in Connecticut.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in education, environment, health, arts, or community improvement can apply for Ensign-Bickford Industries’ Ensign-Bickford Foundation Grant, with awards up to US $5,000 for specific programs. Organizations near company operations, including Hartford County, may be especially competitive, and employee volunteer involvement or board service can strengthen requests.

Biogen Corporate Sponsorships provide funding to support congresses, events, and initiatives in exchange for tangible benefits such as marketing opportunities and recognition. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and requests must be submitted 50 days in advance. Biogen considers various disease areas for sponsorship, including Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Approval depends on funding availability, alignment with interests, and event details, ensuring transparency for all potential sponsors.

The Clif Family Foundation Open Call invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants supporting general operating costs or specific projects. With a focus on regenerative farming, food worker health, climate justice, and food access, the foundation aims to empower grassroots initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications reviewed twice a year. Deadlines are March 1 and August 1, and announcements occur about four months post-deadline.

The William P. Wharton Trust Grant supports projects that align with the vision of its patron, focusing on tangible outcomes. It prioritizes land conservation efforts that protect natural resources over recreational use. The Trust aims to leverage funds for impactful environmental initiatives and encourages collaboration among organizations. Eligible applicants include public charities and governmental units, while grants are limited to direct project costs. Notably, the Trust avoids funding for overhead, construction, and educational programs for youth below college level.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is offering approximately $12 million in grants to enhance the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. EPA and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), this initiative seeks innovative proposals to support environmental restoration efforts, leveraging major funding from various agencies and foundations.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund

The NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund supports the launch or expansion of clinical programs and new service areas that increase access to care for underserved patients. This funding is designed to help NAFC members introduce new services or grow existing programs that address unmet community health needs and improve access to comprehensive, patient-centered care.

The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, provides financial support to students pursuing careers in natural resources. Applicants must reside in specific Illinois counties and plan to enroll in a full-time program related to fields such as ecology, hydrology, and conservation. Academic performance is a key consideration in the selection process. For more details, contact the Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District.

The OECD Conference Sponsorship aims to enhance scientific knowledge and provide essential information to influence policy decisions on sustainable resource use in food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It supports international events that showcase innovative research and developments, inviting applications from scientists in these fields. The event sponsorship encourages collaboration among policymakers, industry, and academia, ensuring that research insights are effectively communicated and utilized in decision-making processes.