Best Grants for Minorities in Ohio

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Ohio working on economic advancement, affordable housing, or community arts and culture may be eligible for minority-focused support. Focused on racial and economic equity, US Bancorp Foundation invites groups in designated U.S. Bank communities—especially those led by people of color—to seek collaborative, high-impact funding under its Community Possible Grant Program.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

Early-stage nonprofit and impact-first, mission-driven for-profit organizations tackling major social or environmental challenges and serving underserved communities in Ohio and beyond can apply for Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation support, with awards up to US $300,000. With a mission to back scalable, systems-focused solutions, the foundation provides capital, intensive capacity-building, and community over three years.

Nonprofits and NGOs using technology for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment programs can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants of up to US $100,000, including in Ohio. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation help organizations serving mostly economically underserved communities, and may benefit groups advancing opportunities for minority populations through jobs, skills, and digital inclusion.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, educational institutions, government entities, and volunteer fire companies in Ohio can seek funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives from State Farm Companies Foundation. Programs serving minority communities may be eligible for support in areas like disaster preparedness, affordable housing, financial literacy, food insecurity, job training, and K–12 or higher education.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

Ohio organizations serving minority children and youth in education, health, or family economic stability may be eligible for project or scaling support of more than US $50,000. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funds nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, governments, and other entities working with urban low-income communities in the U.S., India, and South Africa.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering early childhood education or community economic development programs in Ohio communities where PNC operates can seek funding for projects serving low- and moderate-income residents. With a mission to strengthen communities, PNC Foundation provides grants for education, affordable housing, small business support, arts, and essential human services that may benefit minority populations.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations, churches, and public entities serving Clark County, Ohio can seek funding for arts and culture, education, health, human services, environment, and civic affairs programs from Springfield Foundation. With a mission to strengthen community well-being, it supports projects that improve quality of life, which may include initiatives benefiting minority residents in Ohio.

Economic mission-based organizations in Butler and Warren Counties in Ohio can apply for Alloy Development Co’s Pat Landi Access Fund, with awards up to US $10,000 for small business and local economic development initiatives. Programs serving minority entrepreneurs through incubators, loan funds, workforce training, or entrepreneurial education may be especially well-positioned.

Organizations in Ohio serving people with intellectual or developmental disabilities can receive one-time support for initiatives that advance inclusion, leadership, access to services, or evidence-based supports. Focused on developmental disability priorities, Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council offers up to US $5,000, with priority for traditionally unserved or underserved groups, including racial and ethnic minorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities in the Southern U.S. can seek support for programs addressing hardship, including poverty relief, children and families, education, medical assistance, disaster relief, and veterans’ issues. Grants from Robinson Foundation help groups with at least three years of activity that provide tangible, meaningful impact, which may benefit minority-serving organizations in Ohio’s southern region.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding in Ohio and beyond can seek project support through the Dudley T Dougherty Foundation. With a mission to respect all life and the environment, Dudley T Dougherty Foundation provides flexible funding that may benefit programs serving minority communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations within 15 miles of a TJX location can apply for The TJX Foundation’s grants to support basic needs, youth education, workforce readiness, and safety from domestic violence. Ohio groups serving vulnerable and minority families and children may be eligible if they meet the mission, location, and nondiscrimination requirements.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Nonprofit organizations in Ohio and across the U.S. seeking support for community-based programs can apply for funding to benefit minority and underserved populations. Grants from Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation help museums, schools, hospitals, arts, environmental, youth, disability, and senior services with US $1,000 - US $20,000 for projects where modest awards make a big impact.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing basic needs, community vitality, or volunteer-driven causes can seek funding from Ameriprise Financial to support programs like hunger relief, shelter, adult self-sufficiency, and cultural enrichment. Ohio groups serving minority communities may be eligible if they operate in the U.S., align with these focus areas, and can demonstrate measurable outcomes and financial stability.

With a mission to support innovative arts projects, Ohio Arts Council provides Ohio arts and cultural nonprofits and other organizations with competitive project funding up to US $25,000. Eligible groups can propose bold, experimental work that expands accessibility, affordability, or diversity in arts experiences, which may benefit organizations serving minority communities across the state.

Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit and public organizations in Ohio’s Appalachian counties can receive US $500 - US $5,000 for projects in arts and culture, education, health, human services, community development, and environmental stewardship. With a mission to strengthen African American communities, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio supports efforts that address disparities and expand opportunities across 32 Appalachian Ohio counties.

Ohio organizations working to expand health information access for minority and other underrepresented communities can apply for the Health Information Outreach Award, which offers US $25,000 for outreach and education projects. Focused on health information and literacy, National Library of Medicine funding supports training, technology access, and programs using NLM and NNLM resources.

With a mission to support criminal justice services, Ohio Office of Criminal & Justice Services provides Ohio law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, crime labs, and allied professionals with reimbursement for sexual assault kit testing and related investigative expenses. Agencies serving minority survivors of sexual assault may benefit through coverage of lab costs, expert testimony, transportation, and training to build investigative capacity.

Nonprofit organizations in Ohio with strong, replicable community partnerships serving minority or other populations can apply for Mutual of America Foundation’s national Community Partnership Award. This U.S.-wide competition honors collaborations among public, private, and social sector partners that measurably improve communities and model innovative approaches to significant social issues.

Ohio community organizations providing minority health education and disease prevention activities can receive up to US $4,000 to support April Minority Health Month events. Ohio Commission on Minority Health funds programs that improve health knowledge, attitudes, or practices among economically disadvantaged African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and Native/Indigenous communities in Ohio.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.