Best Defiance County Grants for Nonprofits in Ohio

Nonprofits, schools, churches, and government agencies in Defiance County, Ohio can seek funding for projects in education, social services, health, community development, natural resources, and the arts. Defiance Area Foundation supports programs that address unmet basic needs, emphasize prevention, encourage community matching gifts, and typically provide up to US $25,000 per organization each fiscal year.

The GM Corporate Giving Grants support U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on STEM education and transportation initiatives. Applications are accepted from January to September, with a requirement to submit requests at least three months before the program’s start date. GM emphasizes charitable contributions in the communities where it operates, ensuring that organizations align with its values. The grant amount is not limited and is assessed based on the proposed program's merit and needs.

Nonprofits, universities, agencies, businesses, and individuals with projects improving Great Lakes water and ecosystems can access funding through Great Lakes Protection Fund; teams may be based anywhere but must benefit the basin, including Defiance County, Ohio. Funding supports collaborative, science-based, action-oriented initiatives that drive basin-wide change using markets, social norms, or policy shifts.

Research institutions and organizations conducting fisheries and ichthyology studies in Defiance County, Ohio can apply for Great Lakes Fisheries Trust funding, with awards up to US $1,300,000 for ecological and biological research to inform fishery management. Projects may include hypothesis-driven research, tools, resources, and capacity-building to support resilient, self-sustaining fish populations.

Nonprofit organizations and local government entities in eligible counties, including Defiance County, Ohio, can seek funding for physical road safety and traffic calming projects that improve downtown walkability and accessibility. Grants from National Main Street Center, made possible by General Motors, provide US $60,000 for construction, equipment, installation, design fees, and initial activation programming on Main Streets.

Healthcare providers and hospital or clinic systems serving rural Defiance County, Ohio can seek funding to strengthen preventive and clinical care for diabetes and hypertension. Focused on chronic disease and rural health care, the Ohio Department of Health and Human Services supports projects improving blood glucose and blood pressure outcomes across non-urban counties, including Defiance.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Defiance County, Ohio can apply for the FirstEnergy Foundation Grant, with awards up to US $25,000 for housing stability, hunger relief, workforce development, and STEM initiatives. Eligible organizations must operate within FirstEnergy’s service area and should contact the Community Involvement Department to discuss grant opportunities.

The Andersons Fund Supporting Organization aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, particularly in the greater Toledo area. It supports nonprofit organizations with grants for programs in education, social services, mental health, urban affairs, natural resources, and the arts. The Fund prioritizes capital projects and evaluates the financial stability and operational issues of requesting organizations.

The Mud Hens-Walleye Transportation Fund supports schools and nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan by providing transportation grants for attending Toledo Mud Hens baseball and Toledo Walleye hockey games. With awards up to $1,000, the fund aims to eliminate financial barriers for educational field trips to these events. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and adhere to specific guidelines regarding the use of funds for transportation services.

About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has funded more than 23,900 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $12 billion.About Sustain Our Great Lakes Program

Sustain Our Great Lakes is a public–private partnership designed to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife and habitat in the basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. The program achieves this mission, in part, by awarding grants for on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement.Funding priorities for this program include:

• Habitat Restoration to Conserve Species and Improve Water Quality
• Expand and Maintain Nature-Based Solutions in Great Lakes Communities
• Invasive Species Control to Protect and Enhance Restored Habitat
• Activate Restored Habitats and Natural Areas

Great Lakes tribes or their designees working on aquatic invasive species management in or near Defiance County, Ohio can apply for US $20,000 - US $100,000 to develop or implement Tribal Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports prevention, early detection, rapid response, outreach, and control efforts benefiting the Great Lakes Basin.

Nonprofit and public transportation providers offering open-door shared-ride services for seniors and people with disabilities in Defiance County, Ohio can seek operating support for day-to-day transit costs. With a mission to provide a safe, accessible system, Ohio Department of Transportation reimburses 50% of eligible operating expenses under the Section 5310 Specialized Transportation Program.

Defiance County, Ohio transportation providers serving seniors and people with disabilities can access funding for contracted transit services through the Ohio Department of Transportation. Section 5310 Contracted Transportation Service funds reimburse 80% of eligible capital costs, with a 20% local match, for open-door, shared-ride services in small urbanized and rural areas.

The KeyBank Foundation offers Community Sponsorships to support local organizations in their fundraising efforts. These sponsorships range from $500 to $5,000 and can fund events or provide general operating support. Applications are accepted from January to October, with a decision made within 90 days. Eligible nonprofits must serve areas where KeyBank operates and adhere to strict ineligibility criteria, including no support for individuals or organizations that discriminate based on various identities.

Defiance County, Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on higher education, STEM, business education, economic and community development, or human services can access funding through Steel Dynamics Foundation. Eligible organizations must serve communities where Steel Dynamics or its affiliates operate and demonstrate strong ethical practices and significant local impact.

Nonprofit and charity organizations in Defiance County, Ohio seeking support for education, community services, or environmental work may be eligible for funding that matches volunteer time or donations. Grants from Makulinski Family Foundation help local and international charities by offering flexible match ratios based on the affluence of beneficiaries, and all Rotary-associated proposals are welcomed.

Defiance County, Ohio nonprofits focused on marine safety, freshwater conservation, or recreational boating can access funding through Great Lakes Foundation for charitable, educational, or scientific projects. Eligible work includes safety education, publications, seminars, environmental research, and efforts to protect and preserve Great Lakes wilderness cruising areas and the broader marine environment.

Eligible small cities in Defiance County, Ohio with populations between 5,000 and 24,999 can apply for Ohio Department of Transportation’s Small City Program, offering up to US $2,000,000 for road, safety, and signal construction projects. Funding supports pavement rehabilitation, roundabouts, signals, roadway widening, and related eligible public infrastructure work on the Federal-aid system.

The Michigan Botanical Foundation Grant supports research and educational initiatives that enhance the understanding and preservation of Michigan's flora. Grants are available for projects involving rare species, environmental awareness, and educational programs. The foundation welcomes applications from individuals and organizations that align with its goals. Grant amounts typically range from $100 to $1,500, with preference given to projects based in Michigan or the Great Lakes region. Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering technology access and digital literacy programs in Defiance County, Ohio can apply for Spectrum Digital Education Grants from Charter Communications; awards range from US $2,500 - US $50,000. Funding supports existing programs serving families or seniors in low-income or multicultural communities and requires tracking participant impact and demographics.

Environmental and community organizations in Defiance County, Ohio working on Great Lakes ecosystem health can access funding through the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, with awards of more than US $10,000. Support may cover watershed and freshwater conservation, climate resilience, environmental justice, policy advocacy, and leadership development across the Great Lakes region.

State agencies or their designees implementing approved aquatic invasive species management plans in Great Lakes states can apply for US $100,000 - US $600,000 to support plan implementation, including work in Defiance County, Ohio. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds to competitively award these aquatic invasive species control grants.

Defiance Area Foundation

We are a community of donors committed to making Defiance County a great place to live and call home. We provide a vehicle to serve the philanthropic goals and heritage of the donors of Defiance County through community collaboration, impactful grant making, and financial stewardship.

Through the investment of individual funds made up of gifts, endowed funds, and bequests from individuals and corporations, interest income is distributed as grants. Through these grants to charitable organizations, we are often the first to address new and emerging needs that are most important to our area. By preserving and nurturing the growth of our assets, we strive to enhance and enrich the quality of life in the Defiance County community.

The Foundation is a publicly supported philanthropic institution, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with more than $19 million in charitable assets composed of over 170 funds.

Good Citizen Award

This prestigious award, endowed by the Laurie and Mike McCann Family began in 2015 and is presented annually to one of Defiance area’s outstanding citizens.

The Cletus Vetter Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of Cletus Vetter, a dedicated farmer and conservationist. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a resident of Defiance County pursuing education in conservation, natural resources, or agriculture. It aims to inspire the next generation to appreciate and engage in vital resource conservation efforts, ensuring that Cletus's passion for nurturing the land continues through future advocates of sustainability.

Greater Toledo Community Foundation

Greater Toledo Community Foundation transforms generosity into lasting impact. With over $510 million in assets across 1,000+ funds, we've granted more than $370 million to strengthen education, health, arts, and social services throughout our region.

We connect donors with causes they care about while bringing together leaders, organizations, and resources to tackle our community's biggest challenges. What began with Walter E. Terhune's vision in the 1920s continues today as we help individuals, families, and businesses create positive change that will benefit our region for generations.

Healthy Aging Fund

The Community Foundation is funding programs that help older adults (60+) stay healthy, connected and independent.

This initiative follows the Ohio Department of Aging's State Plan, shaped with input from the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio. Priorities of the plan include cognitive health, chronic disease reduction, mental health, social inclusion, and nutrition access, plus engagement opportunities, physical activity, and preventive screenings. The plan is built on research and input from content-area experts.

The Foundation’s Focus

The Healthy Aging Fund is seeking proposals aligned with the State Plan and the Community Foundation's place-based priorities: programs that promote physical and mental health, reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections for older adults.

The Community Foundation seeks to identify collaborative approaches that work well enough to scale. This is a chance for northwest Ohio providers to test new approaches and collaborations: the kind with real potential to increase impact for participants and move the needle on broader community goals.

Funding Priorities

• Multiple partners with complementary expertise, prioritizing diversity of resources across agencies
• Programs delivered through or including senior centers, community centers or long-term care facilities
• Diverse programming that reaches more participants
• Accommodations for specific needs — memory care, vision loss, etc.
• An educational component

The Community Foundation is seeking cross-agency partnerships that expand access to diverse programming and have real potential to scale. Available for projects up to two years. See more in the Grant Guidelines. 

APA Foundation

The mission of the APA Foundation is to advance the art and science of planning through philanthropic activities that provide access to educational opportunities, enrich the public dialogue about planning, and advance social equity in the profession and our communities.

APA Scholarships

The APA Foundation scholarships aim to make the planning profession more accessible to individuals with limited financial means and to attract the best, brightest, and most talented individuals to the field of planning.

These scholarships are intended for students who demonstrate academic merit, a commitment to the field of planning, and financial need. The expanded eligibility includes students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate planning‑related programs at accredited U.S. institutions, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to broadening access to the profession and strengthening its impact on communities nationwide.

APA Foundation Environmental Scholarship

This scholarship supports students pursuing planning degrees with a focus on environmental or conservation planning. It reflects a commitment to advancing wildlife and environmental conservation through the planning profession and to supporting future planners dedicated to protecting natural resources and sustainable environments. Awards are given to students currently enrolled in degree programs in planning.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. Scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000 for a single year.

Caesars Nevada Team Member Scholarship

This year, Caesars Entertainment is partnering with Phil and Jennifer Satre to match the scholarship funding.

Paid work, internships, and volunteerism will be a weighted selection tool used by the committee. This is a one-time award; awards may be single- or multi-year.