Best Grants for Immigration Nonprofits in Ohio

Nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community organizations in Ohio can receive AmeriCorps support to run intensive community service programs addressing education, economic opportunity, health, and environmental needs. ServeOhio administers these AmeriCorps grants, which may benefit immigrant service organizations seeking members to expand direct services, outreach, and community-building efforts.

Researchers with doctorates conducting social science studies on immigration and immigrant integration in the U.S. can apply for grants up to US $200,000. Grants from Russell Sage Foundation help Ohio immigration-focused scholars examine how race, citizenship, legal status, politics, and public policy shape outcomes for immigrants and native-born racial and ethnic groups.

Nonprofit organizations in Ohio serving immigrants, refugees, trafficking survivors, or advancing social and environmental justice can apply for Toledo Community Foundation’s Sylvania Franciscan Foundation Fund, with awards of US $5,000 - US $50,000 for program support. Projects may include legal aid, economic opportunity, health, education, civic engagement, or Laudato Si’–aligned environmental initiatives in eligible northwest Ohio and nearby Michigan counties.

The William T. Grant Scholars Program provides crucial support for early-career researchers aiming to expand their expertise through innovative research and mentoring. This five-year program focuses on reducing inequality and improving the use of research evidence to benefit young people in the U.S. By emphasizing the development of new disciplines and methods, the program encourages applicants to take bold risks in their research trajectories, ultimately fostering a supportive academic community.

Cultural festivals in Ohio that present arts and cultural heritage for immigrant, refugee, and New American communities can receive US $3,500 to support pre-existing events. Greater Columbus Arts Council funds Franklin County festivals led by and serving these communities, emphasizing traditional music, dance, food, crafts, and other authentic cultural expressions and ceremonies.

Ohio immigrant and refugee high school seniors seeking higher education support can access funding through the Community Foundation of Rappahannock River Region; awards US $1,000 for college scholarships. Applicants must be foreign-born, demonstrate financial need, and be graduating seniors, with the possibility of yearly renewal through reapplication.

Current or former USCRI Albany clients pursuing higher education or technical/trade credentials in the Greater Capital Region may be eligible for this scholarship. With a mission to empower generous people, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region provides support through its universal application, which may benefit Ohio immigration-focused nonprofits’ clients who meet these criteria.

The Craig Covey LGBT and Diversity Pride Fund Grant, established by Stark County activist Craig Covey, aims to support local nonprofits adopting non-discrimination policies. With a total funding of $5,000, it will provide ten mini-grants of $500 each to organizations that prioritize inclusivity for marginalized communities, including racial, cultural, and sexual minorities. This initiative reinforces Covey's lifelong commitment to advocacy and aims to foster a more engaged and inclusive community in Stark County.

New immigrants pursuing higher education at Berkshire Community College can receive tuition support through the New World Fund Scholarship in the U.S. With a mission to strengthen communities, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation provides scholarships for BCC students who have been in the country five years or less, demonstrate leadership, and have financial need; Ohio immigration nonprofits may share this opportunity with eligible clients.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations, and public schools that distribute food to people in need can receive donated bread and baked goods through the Day-End Dough-Nation program. Panera Bread Foundation partners with charities nationwide, including immigrant and refugee service organizations, shelters, and community meal programs that can commit to weekly, ongoing pickups.

Individuals born in North Korea, their immediate family members, and certain North Korean-born refugees pursuing education in the U.S., including Ohio, can receive scholarship support for accredited college or university programs. With a mission to support immigrant and refugee communities, Communities Foundation of Texas offers the Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship, providing up to US $10,000 and potential annual renewal.

The IAF Research Fellowship Program, administered by the Social Science Research Council, aims to support rigorous research on community-led development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The fellowship provides a $20,000 stipend for twelve months, fostering innovative solutions to pressing issues such as economic opportunity, migration, and social inclusion. Researchers are encouraged to explore how community-led models can create lasting impacts and respond to global trends, enhancing local resilience and development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Ohio working on social justice and immigration or refugee rights can seek funding for general operations, specific projects, advocacy, and capacity building. B.W. Bastian Foundation provides US $100 - US $15,000 and prioritizes groups that explicitly affirm equality for all Americans, including the gay and lesbian community.

Researchers with doctorates conducting social science studies on behavioral science and decision making, including immigration and immigrant integration, can apply for up to US $200,000 in the U.S., including Ohio. With a mission to advance rigorous social science, Russell Sage Foundation provides support for projects examining decisions in contexts like housing, employment, policing, and racial/ethnic relations.

Researchers with doctorates studying race, ethnicity, and immigration in the U.S. can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants, with awards up to US $200,000. Ohio-based scholars or those examining immigration and immigrant rights issues relevant to Ohio communities may be eligible for this competitive social science funding opportunity.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, inequality, or related social conditions can seek US $35,000 - US $50,000 project support from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on topics like immigration, labor markets, and access to opportunity, this one-year funding may benefit Ohio-based scholars studying immigrant communities and immigration policy impacts.

Ohio immigration-focused doctoral students conducting U.S.-based social science dissertation research on inequality, work, race, or immigration can access funding through the Russell Sage Foundation’s Dissertation Research Grants, awarding up to US $15,000. Grants support data collection, preparation, analysis, and writing, with priority for underrepresented scholars and projects on social, political, and economic inequality affecting immigrant communities.

With a mission to recognize immigrant contributions, Vilcek Foundation provides Ohio immigrant services and arts and culture nonprofits with US $5,000 - US $20,000 to support innovative projects and operations. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S. and territories that highlight immigrant impact in arts, sciences, culture, or society may apply year-round.

The Residential Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children program, funded by the US Department of Health & Human Services, aims to provide safe and child-centered care for unaccompanied minors. This initiative supports organizations that can offer 24/7 services and are licensed to provide necessary care, including group homes and transitional foster care, particularly in areas near the U.S. southern border, ensuring the well-being of vulnerable children.

The Caesars Foundation supports community-focused organizations through monetary and in-kind donations, prioritizing strategic areas like social equity, climate action, and mental health. Eligible applicants include IRS-recognized nonprofits and educational institutions operating within the U.S. Requests must align with these focus areas to enhance community impact. Organizations that discriminate or operate outside the U.S. are ineligible. By fostering collaboration, the foundation aims to uplift vulnerable populations and promote sustainable practices.

Bold Foundation

Our Mission: Fighting Student Debt

The average student today will graduate more than $30,000 in debt and is far less likely to start small businesses, seek the highest impact careers, buy homes, or start families. At Bold.org®, we believe that’s a problem worth solving.

New Beginnings Immigrant Scholarship

Immigrating to a new home takes resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to achieving one’s aspirations.

Many immigrants have overcome extraordinary challenges and obstacles to continue their academic journeys and pursue their dreams. As a result of these hurdles, many students from immigrant backgrounds have limited financial resources which can make higher education inaccessible.

This scholarship seeks to support immigrant students so they can continue working toward their educational goals.

To apply, tell us about your experience as an immigrant and your career aspirations.

Patrick Caroselli Scholarship

To provide financial assistance for college to high school seniors in Monroe County whose parents immigrated to the United States and attained citizenship.

Number and Size of Awards

Number of recipients and award amounts vary; award amount may be split between two or more recipients. Award paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters. Average award $5,000; not to exceed the cost of tuition.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards must be used for costs related to enrollment in a higher education program, prioritizing tuition fees.

Mission & Vision

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission:

We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Our Vision:

We envision a Greater Rochester region transformed by enduring philanthropy, where every person, neighborhood, and future generation can thrive.

Sidney and Carol Aroesty Family Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to East High School graduating seniors planning to pursue a degree in any science discipline at a two- or four-year college, university, or technical school.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $12,000; divided into equal annual installments paid over four consecutive years of undergraduate study. Award is paid in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

The Community West Foundation provides essential grants to nonprofit organizations in Cleveland, Western Cuyahoga, and Lorain Counties. Their mission centers on advancing community health and well-being, supporting agencies that address homelessness, food insecurity, and health services. They encourage applications aligned with their quarterly focus areas, ensuring that funds enhance dignity and support for vulnerable populations. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities and demonstrate alignment with the foundation's values.

About Us

Interact for Health works so that people in our region are healthy and thriving, regardless of who they are or where they live. We advance health justice by tackling the root causes of unfair systems, amplifying community power and partnering with trust.

Responsive Fund

The goal of the Responsive Fund RFP is to address immediate, emerging, or unanticipated needs within the community, recognizing that opportunities to build resilience require dedicated funding.

2) In-Kind Support for Sustainability Consultations and Capacity Building

Participants in this program will receive 1:1 consulting services tailored to an organization’s identified needs. Interact for Health will work with local consultants and community partners based on needs shared by grantee organizations.

Examples of needs include the following:

• Scenario planning  
• Legal support 
• Sustainability and development planning and implementation
• Diversified funding strategies and implementation
• Exploring collaboration, partnerships/alliances, shared services, and/or mergers
• Strategic planning and revisions 

Sustainability Consultations will include up to 30 hours of 1:1 support and will begin in late 2026. 

The Institutional Challenge Grant aims to foster collaborative research by requiring institutions to adapt their policies and enhance capacities for meaningful partnerships. It encourages applications from diverse leadership teams in youth-serving areas, focusing on addressing inequalities in youth outcomes. The grant outlines four key goals: strengthening partnerships, pursuing a joint research agenda, facilitating institutional change, and enhancing collaborative capacities for producing actionable research evidence.

About Us

Interact for Health works so that people in our region are healthy and thriving, regardless of who they are or where they live. We advance health justice by tackling the root causes of unfair systems, amplifying community power and partnering with trust.

Responsive Fund

The goal of the Responsive Fund RFP is to address immediate, emerging, or unanticipated needs within the community, recognizing that opportunities to build resilience require dedicated funding.

Grant Funding for Critical Services – Sustaining Civic Infrastructure: Total investment up to $1.5 million  

This funding supports the continuity of critical community infrastructure and services by addressing the time-sensitive operational and programmatic needs. Proposals for funding should focus on critical gaps or unmet needs with deep ties to community relationships. Organizations should demonstrate readiness to deploy resources quickly if funding is provided. This RFP will prioritize funding organizations essential to advancing health justice and youth well-being among our priority populations. Grants are available at three levels: $50,000, $75,000, or $100,000 for general operating or programmatic support.