Best Grants for Education Nonprofits in Ohio

The Drexel Fund Founders Program is a one-year paid fellowship that helps outstanding leaders already on the path to launching a school continue to plan and open an innovative and effective private school in one of The Drexel Fund’s target states: Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The tenth cohort of the Founders Program is designed for entrepreneurs who will begin the fellowship in Summer 2027 and be ready to launch a new private school in Fall 2028.Through the fellowship, school founders will develop their school’s education model and finalize the nuts and bolts of their school launch, including board and budget development, market analysis, facility location, student recruitment and staff hiring. Founders will create a plan that will make it possible for their school to achieve top-tier results for children while maintaining a sustainable financial model.

Ohio high school seniors who participated in athletics and plan to major in education or school counseling can receive scholarship support for college in Ohio. The Muskingum County Community Foundation’s Ruth & Ralph Sharrer Scholarship assists students with at least a 3.0 GPA who intend to work in schools, which may interest education-focused organizations supporting local youth.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities in Ohio within Aqua or Peoples service areas can apply for Essential Foundation grants to support environmental initiatives, education, human services, emergency services, and community economic growth. Funding may benefit education-focused nonprofits addressing quality of life, food insecurity, or other essential community needs in these utility-served regions.

Education and community-focused nonprofits in Ohio can seek support for programs serving children, the elderly, the arts, nature, and underprivileged populations. With a mission to compassionately assist the underprivileged and elderly and promote community service and education, Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial Found provides flexible funding that may benefit education-focused organizations.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Ohio can seek funding for programs that build skills, including STEM, prepare a ready workforce, and expand employment opportunities. Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation also back initiatives that improve the environment and foster healthy, vibrant communities in areas where the company operates, including Ohio.

Ohio education and youth-focused 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(19) nonprofits can seek project support for programs such as education, youth services, and family and community welfare. Republic Bank Foundation also considers civic, healthcare, recreation, and cultural initiatives that benefit people within its Ohio service area, plus occasional in-kind equipment donations.

Ohio 501(c)(3) education nonprofits and public agencies with budgets under $10 million can seek more than US $20,000 to run programs serving communities within 60 miles of downtown Cincinnati. The Elsa Heisel Sule Charitable Trust favors program and project support, including embedded operating costs, across education and related community-focused areas.

Ohio 501(c)(3) organizations with educational, charitable, scientific, literary, religious, or civic projects can seek more than US $1,000 for one-year initiatives serving Ohio residents, preferably Erie County. Ohio education nonprofits can access funding via the Mylander Foundation, which considers community impact, ability to move a project toward completion, and other available funding sources.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Ohio can apply for Peoples Bank Foundation grants to support programs serving low- to moderate-income individuals and families. Funding may also benefit organizations working in youth services, human and social services, economic development, arts and culture, and environmental initiatives within the bank’s multistate service footprint.

Ohio education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing education, hunger, or community servants can access funding through Casey's General Stores if they operate in a Casey’s community. Support is available for programs meeting these focus areas, with priority for organizations not yet funded in the current giving year and rolling review of requests.

Nonprofit organizations in Ohio seeking support for education and related community programs may be eligible for grants from the W. & H. Bender Memorial Fund. Grants from W. & H. Bender Memorial Fund help Ohio education and human services organizations, especially in Youngstown and Columbus, alongside work in arts, health, environment, animal welfare, religion, and civic affairs.

Ohio education nonprofits can access funding through the William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust to support educational opportunities for deserving and needy students. Eligible 501(c)(3) public charities in Ohio and other select U.S. locations may also propose projects in environmental protection, medical research and care, and assistance for underprivileged and vulnerable populations.

Education and community nonprofits and schools in Ohio working on mobility, education, environment, or traffic safety programs for marginalized communities near Honda locations can seek funding for mobility-related initiatives. Grants from Honda USA Foundation help eligible U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations and school districts with therapeutic or adaptive programs, comprehensive care, and mobility modifications, awarding US $25,000 - US $100,000.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental entities can seek funding for education, youth, arts, environment, healthcare, housing, and human services projects that benefit Akron and Summit County residents. The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation prioritizes locally based organizations and local chapters of national charities serving these communities.

Melton Foundation

The Melton Foundation is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in the USA, and a leading proponent of Global Citizenship education and practice worldwide. Established nearly thirty years ago with the credence that collaborations across boundaries can forge sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, today, our programs reach millions of young leaders, having crystallized into a network of over 750 life-long Melton Fellows spread across 40+ countries. Our primary operations are in Chile, China, Germany, Ghana, India, and the United States of America, with legal subsidiaries in Bangalore, India; Jena, Germany; Temuco, Chile; and Accra, Ghana. 

Through our fellowship and collaborative programs we promote and enable global citizenship as a way for individuals and organizations to work together across boundaries of place and identity to solve challenges in an interconnected world.

Melton Foundation Action Grants

The Melton Foundation offers grants year-round to support Melton Fellows in developing skills, perspective and wider networks to further their capacity as global citizens and contribute towards building an equitable, sustainable, and peaceful world.

In almost 10 years of granting, more than 100 Fellows’ initiatives have been awarded with a Melton Foundation grant to

• Build awareness and/or further awareness raising around global issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
• Develop individual and collective responsibility for sustained, collaborative action,
• Grow capacity to collaboratively drive and sustain social impact at the local and/or global level,
• Further the design, implementation and evaluation of collaborative actions that embody the spirit of global citizenship practice and further social impact, or
• Support coordinated social-impact efforts in a particular or across (emerging) Melton Foundation Hub regions to promote global citizenship practice (s) and the organization’s mission.

The Ed & Mildred Schroeder Scholarship, offered by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in the Coastal Bend through educational support. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors or current college students pursuing a degree in education, demonstrating financial need, and enrolled in at least 12 credit hours. By providing effective grants and scholarships, the foundation fosters community philanthropy and addresses local educational needs.

The Wan Chen and Ming Li Scholarship for International Study at WMU's College of Education and Human Development supports undergraduate and graduate students in non-English based study abroad programs. Applicants must be U.S. residents, enrolled in CEHD, and submit proof of acceptance into an international program along with a proposal outlining the experience's benefits for their academic and career goals. This scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities and make studying abroad more accessible.

The L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation Grant supports organizations that enhance the lives of residents in the Tri-State Area through cultural arts, education, environment, or health initiatives. Established in 1981, the foundation is committed to continuing the philanthropic legacy of Louis and Louise Nippert. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities and demonstrate a clear benefit to the community. This grant aims to foster opportunities that align with the foundation's mission.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials.

IBMA  Foundation Project Grants

The IBMA Foundation awards project grants each year, usually in amounts between $1,000 and $2,500. The deadline to apply is December 2, 2024. Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission in one of the following areas

• Arts & culture
• Education
• Literary or academic programs
• History preservation

The Zyne Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance and support Catholic faith-based organizations and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits dedicated to education, medical research, and family values. The foundation's mission focuses on making a direct impact on individuals' daily lives, ensuring that these initiatives can thrive both now and in the future, promoting community well-being and development.

The James Madison Graduate Fellowship supports U.S. citizens pursuing master's degrees focused on the Constitution, enhancing their constitutional knowledge for teaching. Fellows are required to teach American history, government, or civics at the secondary level for one year per funding year. Financially, the fellowship awards up to $24,000, covering tuition and fees, and must be repaid if fellowship conditions are unmet. This program ensures future educators embody constitutional principles in their teaching.

The Edward and Wanda Jordan Family Foundation Grant aims to support education, scientific research, and spiritual ministries through voluntary grants. Focused on enhancing the welfare and quality of life for children and youth, this foundation perpetuates the charitable intentions of the Jordan family. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that align with these values and objectives, ensuring impactful contributions to the community.

The Crawford Taylor Foundation focuses on enhancing programs that create lasting legacies in St. Louis. With priorities in community development, women's health, animal welfare, and environmental preservation, the foundation seeks to support 501(c)(3) organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. They avoid funding multi-year grants or for-profit initiatives, emphasizing support for local causes and relief efforts deemed important by the Taylor family.

The Joan M. Wismer Foundation, established in 2001, honors the legacy of Joan Marilynn Wismer, who was dedicated to charitable work and community service. The foundation focuses on improving lives through education, youth development, safety, humanitarian services, and medical research. It primarily supports IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and churches, while emphasizing the importance of sustainable funding and effective financial management in its grant-making process.

The Ardelle and Theresa Glaze Foundation Grants support nonprofits that align with five key focus areas: The Arts, Community Empowerment, Conservation, Education, and Urban Design. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations that improve education, strengthen communities, promote the arts, and advocate for environmental stewardship. Grants are available exclusively to 501(c)(3) organizations, and unsolicited proposals are not accepted. The foundation emphasizes measurable outcomes and strong leadership in the nonprofits it supports.

The Howe Foundation, established by Thomas E. Howe in Clark County, Nevada, supports U.S. charitable organizations focused on education, medical advancements, and game hunters associations. Grants are administered by Wells Fargo Bank, with applications reviewed annually in September. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt under the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring support for meaningful community initiatives.