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Best Diversity Grants for Nonprofits

Explore diversity grants supporting equity, inclusion, BIPOC-led organizations, and DEI initiatives for nonprofits.

493

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$25.8M

Total funding

$10K

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493 grants
$25.8M total
$10K median

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Assistance to Music Teachers

Presser Foundation
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Presser Foundation

Passionate about music, Theodore Presser wanted to give back to it. When he died in 1925, he had been widowed twice without any children. The bulk of his fortune was left to The Presser Foundation, which was formally established 14 years after his death. From 1995 to June 2021, The Presser Foundation gave more than $80 million to music organizations, undergraduate and graduate music students, and retired music teachers.

Originally, the Foundation sought to promote the causes of musical education and musical philanthropy by providing scholarships for promising students, supporting the construction of buildings for music organizations, and directing aid to retired music teachers. Over time, the Foundation has evolved to support a broad array of music genres, expand its grantmaking areas, convene its nonprofit partners at special events, and collaborate with fellow funders, while continuing to follow the original intent and wishes of Theodore Presser.

Assistance to Music Teachers

Theodore Presser, mindful of his own early struggles in the profession, was committed to the support of music teachers. He also felt a sense of gratitude for the thousands of teachers who were the primary customers of his music publication business. In 1906, he established the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers in Philadelphia. When it was no longer practical to maintain an independent facility, the Foundation created the Assistance to Music Teachers Committee to carry on its basic mission of financial support for retired teachers with financial need.

Typically, the Foundation provides modest financial assistance and/or help with the cost of medical insurance. Awards are made to individuals living in the United States whose primary occupation was as a teacher of music. To be considered for Assistance, applicants must be nominated by a music institution for consideration. 

Music Music Education Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Kapoor Foundation Grants

Kapoor Foundation Inc.
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Grant Guidelines

To advance its mission to build a responsible and equitable technology ecosystem, the Kapor Foundation makes strategic grants across three focus areas: (1) Computing Education, (2) Innovation, and (3) Governance.

Within each focus area, we fund research on critical topics at the intersection of racial equity and tech, capacity-building that strengthens coalitions and movement-building infrastructure, and policy advocacy that drives systemic change.

Funding Priorities

We fund organizations and initiatives aligned with our core focus areas:

Given advances in Al, a new vision of education is urgently needed — one that ensures students are equipped with the technical skills to build emerging technologies and the critical skills to navigate their socio-technical implications. We fund computing education initiatives across K-12, postsecondary, and alternative pathways that expand computing participation at scale, shift policy to ensure equitable access, and expand the pipeline of educators prepared to teach computing.

2. 

Al is being designed, developed, and deployed rapidly, yet the communities most affected by its impacts are largely excluded from its creation and subsequent economic benefits. We support organizations and individuals that build responsible Al technologies, leverage technology to close gaps in access and opportunity, and invest in initiatives and coalitions that advance responsible Al in the entrepreneurship and venture capital ecosystems.

3.

As Al adoption accelerates, bolder approaches to regulation are necessary to protect marginalized communities from technological harm, expand economic opportunity, and ensure the benefits of technology reach everyone. We support efforts that build awareness of key policy issues, develop policy agendas, and mobilize coalitions.

For 2026, our priority advocacy areas are: 1) computing education, 2) algorithmic bias, 3) Al safeguards for children, 4) data center development, and 5) surveillance and civil rights.

Public Policy Minority Services Civic Engagement & Education +5 more

Diversity Leadership Fellowship

American Psychiatric Association Foundation
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

American Psychiatric Association Foundation

There is no health without mental health. The APA Foundation is working in your community to provide the support and resources we all need to prioritize mental wellbeing where you live, learn, work, worship, and play.

Backed by the medical expertise of the APA and industry-leading strategic partners, we administer community-changing programs, public education campaigns, grants, and awards aimed at increasing mental health literacy, connecting individuals to needed care, and shifting attitudes toward mental health.

Our Mission is to promote the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. Our Vision is a mentally healthy nation for all – where we live, learn, work, worship, and play.

Diversity Leadership Fellowship

The Diversity Leadership Fellowship identifies and motivates minority psychiatry residents or those interested in minority and vulnerable populations to become well equipped to teach, administer, and provide culturally competent, evidence based mental health and substance abuse services to diverse minority groups and at-risk populations. These populations include—but are not limited to—American Indians/Native Alaskans, Asian Americans/Native Hawaiians/Native Pacific Islanders, Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, LGBTQ, and religious minorities. Program Benefits:

  • Sponsorship to attend a minimum of four APA meetings:
    • Two APA Annual Meetings
    • Two Fellowship Forums
  • Develop leadership skills in the field of psychiatry and advance understanding of the life experiences of racial ethnic minority communities
  • Gain an understanding of APA/APAF Governance through observation and service on an APA Council, Committee, or APAF initiative
  • Have the opportunity to sit on the APAF Board of Directors as a non-voting member (one Diversity Leadership fellow allowed)
  • Cultivate a professional network with psychiatrists interested in minority mental health and services through exclusive events and engagements with APA leaders. Establish relationships and peer-mentorship with a diverse group of resident fellows with similar career interests and goals
Medical Education & Professional Training Mental Health & Psychiatric Diseases Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

TCF Annual Grant

Tustin Community Foundation
Private
Orange County, California
Up to US $2,500

Tustin Community Foundation

The Tustin Community Foundation coordinates community resources to create positive change and support the area’s actual and most pressing needs.

Providing grants for local nonprofit organizations and schools is the primary way the Foundation makes an impact. Since 2008, 88 local nonprofit organizations, schools and community wide programs have received grants to help them deal with the ever-changing critical issues facing the community. The Foundation conducts annual Community Needs Assessments to direct grant funds where they are most needed and will make the largest impact.

TCF Annual Grant

Since 2008, the Tustin Community Foundation (TCF) has been dedicated to building philanthropic resources to support nonprofit organizations and schools in the Tustin area. Our grants address a wide range of community needs, including hunger, housing, youth activities, senior services, arts, cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and outreach to underserved and disadvantaged populations.

The funding for our annual grants is raised through individual donations and community fundraisers held throughout the year.

Fields of Interest

TCF grants focus on five primary areas:

  • Expanding Educational Opportunity
  • Athletics, Arts, and Cultural Resources
  • Outreach to the Underserved or Disadvantaged
  • Youth and Senior Activities
  • Health and Human Services
Senior Services Youth Services Community Culture & Heritage +6 more

NIF Social Justice Fellowships

New Israel Fund
Private
Israel, Palestine, State of
US $24,550

About NIF

Advancing Equality for All Israelis

The New Israel Fund (NIF) helps Israel live up to its founders’ vision of a society that ensures complete equality to all its inhabitants. Our aim is to advance liberal democracy, including freedom of speech and minority rights, and to fight the inequality, injustice and extremism that diminish Israel.

From Israel’s first rape crisis centers, to fighting discrimination, NIF-funded organizations have driven positive social change and furthered justice and equality. NIF has provided over $350 million to more than 950 organizations since our inception in 1979.

Social Justice Fellowships

The Leibel Fein and Nomi Fein, Rabbi Richard J. Israel, and Jay E. Orlin Social Justice Fellowships

The Social Justice Fellowship is a 10-month immersive experience in Israel/Palestine, where fellows work on cutting-edge social justice issues alongside veteran activists. Fellows spend four days per week working on the front lines of social change at a premiere Israeli social change organization. NIF staff facilitate monthly seminars featuring NIF partners and grantees which aim to educate fellows on the breadth and depth of social justice issues in the region–from occupation and illegal annexation to Mizrahi struggles, LGBTQ+ campaigns, and beyond. Fellows can expect to make real, valuable contributions at their work placements and develop marketable skills and knowledge while immersing themselves in communities of values-aligned Palestinians and Israelis building movements for justice and equality.

Upon acceptance to the program, fellows will identify the issue they would like to spend the year working on. The fellowship program coordinator in Israel will work with each fellow to find an appropriate placement.

Living expenses are covered by a $24,550 stipend.

The fellowship year runs from October 5, 2026 to July 29, 2027.

Social Justice / Human Rights Jewish Culture Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan’s Community Perspective Fund

Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan
Private
Orange County, New York, Rockland County, New York +1 more
US $1,000

About

What is the Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland?

The Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland is a tax exempt, non-profit, publicly supported, philanthropic institution with the long-term goal of building permanent, named funds for the broad based charitable benefit of the individuals and families in the region. Funds are established through contributions from individuals, families, businesses or 501(c)3 organizations, each one with its own specific purpose. The Foundation’s Board of Directors oversees these funds in perpetuity, to ensure that donor’s intentions are honored, now and forever.

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence in 2014. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations™ establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations. The rigorous accreditation process provides quality assurance to donors and to their legal and financial advisors.

Community Perspective Fund

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan’s Community Perspective Fund supports local nonprofit organizations working to advance equity, inclusion, and understanding across our region.

Priority will be given to organizations that have not received a grant from this fund in the past two years.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Carl D. Perkins Community and Technical Colleges Consolidated Grant: Perkins Nontraditional Grant

Texas Education Agency
State/Local Government
Texas
Unspecified amount

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

The Division of Governance Interventions supports TEA’s mission and vision by providing exceptional leadership, guidance, and support to school system leadership teams and governing boards. The division collaborates with external field support agents appointed by the TEA Commissioner of Education to build sustainable systems aligned to core TEA initiatives, so that the school system thrives after the release of agency intervention. 

Carl D. Perkins Community and Technical Colleges Consolidated Grant

Program Description

The purpose of this Act is to develop more fully the academic, technical, employability, and career and technical skills knowledge of secondary education students and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education (CTE) programs or other areas of study.

There are four parts: Perkins Formula Grant; Perkins Leadership Grant; Perkins Nontraditional Grant; and Perkins Administration Grant

Perkins Nontraditional Grant

Funding awarded through this grant must be used for services that prepare individuals for nontraditional fields. The grantee should provide CTE programs and instruction for students enrolled in CTE courses that are nontraditional for their gender. Effort is to be made to eliminate sex bias and stereotyping in curriculum, instruction, and services.

Education Vocational & Trade Education Academic Success & Enrichment +1 more

QBE Foundation Local Grant Program

Qbe Foundation Inc.
Corporate
United States
Up to US $30,000

QBE Foundation Inc.

The QBE Foundation’s focus is on creating strong, resilient and inclusive communities. We work in partnership with community organizations, working in climate resilience and inclusion – two areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact.

The QBE Foundation is one component that reflects our company’s focus, involvement, and investment in the neighborhoods where we do business, and where our employees live and work. The QBE Foundation also empowers our employees to volunteer with colleagues and community partners to make a difference for those in need. Employees can also coordinate fundraisers that are matched by the foundation.

QBE Foundation Local Grant Program

This program supports high-impact, community-based initiatives aligned to our focus on climate resilience and inclusion.

  • Climate Resilience:
    • Helping communities prepare for, adapt to, and recover from climate-related risks, including preparedness, financial resilience, and risk reduction solutions.
  • Inclusion:
    • Expanding access to opportunity for underserved communities through economic inclusion, workforce pathways, and removing systemic barriers.

Multiple grants of $30,000 will be awarded across our two focus areas.

Financial Literacy Economic Rights, Justice, & Mobility Climate Change Resilience & Equity +1 more

LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Social Science Research Council
Private
Countries
US $300,000

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.

Child Welfare Services Special Needs Education Diversity, Equity & Inclusion +3 more

CAFE Group 1954 Project Luminary Award

The CAFE Group
Association/Society
United States
US $1,000,000

The CAFE Group 

We resource leaders, invest in their genius, and bring people together to reimagine what philanthropy can do.

Founded by Liz and Don Thompson, The CAFE Group is a national nonprofit transforming how change is resourced. 

With a focus on education equity, social capital, and philanthropic transformation, we pair catalytic funding, community-rooted leadership development, and cross-sector collaboration to strengthen the people and institutions shaping a more just future. Everything we do is grounded in relationship, because we believe the way resources move matters just as much as where they land.

The 1954 Project Luminary Award

The 1954 Project Luminary Award celebrates transformational education nonprofit leaders dedicated to serving Black students and communities through powerful investments in their organizations' ability to create lasting change.

The Luminary Experience

Each Luminary organization gets more than funding. Through The 1954 Project, leaders gain a community, a platform, and space to grow with tailored support over the course of the three year journey.​

  • $1 Million, Unrestricted: Catalytic funding to expand what’s working.
  • Leadership Coaching + Capacity Support: Guidance from peers and experts who are committed to helping you build a lasting, impactful organization.
  • National Network: Luminaries join a powerful community of innovators, change-makers, and visionaries driving systemic progress to support students and communities across the U.S.

The 1954 Project’s Impact Areas

We focus on three interconnected areas critical to advancing equity:

  • Innovation in Teaching and Learning: Create education models that center Black students through culturally affirming approaches that challenge traditional structures and transform how learning happens, ultimately serving all students. 
  • Diversity in Education: Build pathways that increase and sustain Black educators and education leaders who transform where and how students learn.
  • Pathways to Economic Mobility: Build pathways to wealth, ownership, and economic power for Black students, families, and communities through innovative educational programming.

Our Selection Criteria

We seek out extraordinary applicants who embody our values and vision across three categories:

Leader: We look for leaders whose influence and vision contribute to the collective well-being and advancement of the Black community. These leaders:

  • Are Visionary: They demonstrate a strategic and pragmatic mindset, articulating a transformative vision for significant, positive change.
  • Show Demonstrated Commitment: They embody steadfast dedication to your cause, inspiring and influencing others, and galvanizing community involvement.
  • Are Adaptive: They assertively tackle challenges, turning setbacks into opportunities for innovation, while maintaining humility and thoughtfulness in problem-solving.

Organization: We look for organizations that drive significant change, anchored by a deep love for people and driven by the genius within communities of color. These organizations: 

  • Have a Defined Problem: They clearly identify the issue they are addressing and explain in detail how your organization tackles root causes. 
  • Take a Strategic Approach: They have clear, measurable, and achievable organizational goals with a well-defined strategy informed by thorough analysis. 
  • Show Demonstrated Impact: They have a tested model that has produced positive results, incorporating continuous learning and iteration. 
  • Have a Transformation Plan: They present a clear plan for using the $1M award to advance your organization's mission, vision, and long-term goals. 
  • Embrace Collaboration: They use collaborate to build partnerships based on trust, love, and common goals. 

Radical Imagination: We seek leaders who challenge and redesign societal norms to build a just and equitable future. They demonstrate:

  • Community-Rooted Leadership: They maintain and cultivate genuine community ties, integrating professional expertise and personal commitment to drive visionary, impactful strategies. 
  • Long-Term Commitment: They are in it for the long haul, committing to sustained impact across generations and prioritizing long-lasting solutions over short-term gains. 
  • Collectivism: They embody the philosophy of "I am because we are," actively engaging in collaborative networks and fostering community-reflective solutions. 
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Educational Access & Equity Black American Services +1 more

SJF Grant

Stryker Johnston Foundation
Private
Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Unspecified amount

Grantmaking

Funding Rooted in Relationships

Our grantmaking supports the work that helps people, families, and neighborhoods build healthy, equitable communities, across generations. It is strategic, relationship-centered, grounded in trust, and shaped by ongoing learning with our community partners.

We focus on work that addresses root causes, strengthens community-led solutions, and builds long-term capacity in Kalamazoo County.

Strategic Pillars

Our strategic pillars are based on what we’ve learned from community, nonprofit and elected leaders. We all share the vision for a Kalamazoo County that includes:

Education Health & Medicine Economic Services & Development +5 more

DDCF Grant

Daniels Democracy and Community Foundation (DDCF)
Association/Society
Monroe County, New York
US $1,000

Daniels Democracy and Community Foundation 

The Daniels Democracy and Community Foundation (DDCF) mission is to reward and promote individuals/organizations that go above and beyond their charge, with little recognition.

  • Our Vision:
    • Support grassroots community efforts that provide services to marginalized City of Rochester residents.
      • Our organization defines marginalized as the citizens that are affected by the triple malady
        • poverty
        • degradation 
        • ignorance due to inequality
    • Uplift the community by promoting organizations and people who are working on grassroots causes.
      • Identify established and emerging leadership to help unite the community and disrupt exclusive silos.

DDCF Grant

Every month, DDCF will award an individual/organization $1,000 to recognize their service to the Rochester Community.

Community Services Black American Services Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Chicken & Egg Award

Chicken & Egg Pictures Inc
Private
United States
Up to US $75,000

Chicken & Egg Pictures Inc

Chicken & Egg Films was founded in 2005 by documentary film industry veterans Julie Parker Benello, Wendy Ettinger, and Judith Helfand. As filmmakers, teachers, funders, and impact producers, they were inspired to utilize their collective expertise to uplift the power of fellow women storytellers. Chicken & Egg was thus created to help address financial and creative challenges uniquely faced by women in the field–a model that married funding with mentorship to create not just an organization, but a growing community. 

Chicken & Egg Films shapes a more equitable and just world with the catalytic power of documentary films by providing funding, mentorship and industry access to a global community of women and gender-expansive filmmakers. 

Chicken & Egg Award

The Chicken & Egg Award recognizes women and gender-expansive filmmakers at advanced stages in their careers who are poised to reach new heights in their creative and impact trajectories across the world.

Despite progress by talented women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers across the globe, there are often still numerous roadblocks that stand in the way of a true industry breakthrough. These barriers are often tied to gender, race, class, disability, and geography. Only a few women and gender-expansive nonfiction directors in the United States and abroad are able to work full time as independent storytellers, and few are folks of color, from working-class backgrounds, or from under-represented countries. 

There are, however, a growing number who are getting close. Each has made several films, and each is an influential leader for the issues they explore on screen. With this Award, Chicken & Egg Films is making a bold investment in these creatives and a statement about gender equity. A greater diversity of voices participating in storytelling drives change. We believe this effort is inextricably connected to elevating critical social justice, environmental, and human rights issues. 

The Chicken & Egg Award consists of a $75,000 USD cash award and a year-long mentorship program. Of the total, $50,000 is unrestricted, allowing filmmakers to decide how to use the funding to support their creative and business practices. The additional $25,000 is a grant for the project(s) the filmmaker will work on during their program year. Our in-depth mentorship program is focused on strengthening Awardees’ professional infrastructure, increasing their visibility, and fulfilling their personal and creative goals.

Film Tutoring & Mentoring Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

First Christian Heritage Fund

Community Foundation for Greater Rome
Private
Floyd County, Georgia
Up to US $5,000

Community Foundation for Greater Rome

The Community Foundation for Greater Rome connects generosity with impact, providing grants and funds that serve and uplift our community. We strive to educate, inspire, and create a better tomorrow, acting as a bridge between donors and meaningful projects. We offer a cost-effective, flexible way to support lasting change.

Founded in April 2015, the Community Foundation was born from a vision of local leaders who saw the need for a sustainable philanthropic resource. Today, we continue to build a stronger, healthier community—while inspiring the next generation of generous givers.

First Christian Heritage Fund

One grant up to $5,000 for work that enriches spiritual life, promotes diversity, or advances social justice

What We Are Looking For

The Foundation seeks to invest in work that addresses a meaningful community need and creates lasting benefit for individuals, families, or the broader community.

Competitive proposals will demonstrate measurable results and may also:

  • Prevent problems or reduce the need for crisis response
  • Strengthen collaboration among organizations or sectors
  • Promote long-term stability for participants
  • Build nonprofit capacity
  • Leverage additional funding or community resources
  • Provide a clear and compelling benefit to Rome and Floyd County
Religion & Spirituality Social Justice / Human Rights Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Confidence in Action: Self-Defense Training for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Grant

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
State/Local Government
Ohio
US $53,000

Notice of Funds Available (RFP): Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council

Confidence in Action: Self-Defense Training for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have competencies, capabilities, and personal goals that should be recognized, supported, and encouraged, and any assistance to such individuals should be provided in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of such

People with I/DD will have tools and skills needed to lead self-determined lives.

By 2032, increase tools and skills available to people with I/DD to lead self-determined lives.

This initiative empowers individuals with developmental disabilities by providing a customized self-defense program that prioritizes safety, independence, and self-confidence. By equipping participants with practical, real-world skills, the program not only reduces vulnerability but also enhances personal agency and resilience.

Through a focus on inclusion and empowerment, the initiative strengthens community connections, supports physical and emotional well-being, and offers families a greater sense of security. Ultimately, it aims to establish a scalable, statewide model that fosters long-term safety, personal development, and meaningful community integration for people with developmental disabilities.

Disability Care & Services Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities Life Skills Training & Rehabilitation +2 more

Solís Policy Institute State Fellowship

Womens Foundation Of California
Private
California
Unspecified amount

Solís Policy Institute State Fellowship

For over twenty years, The Dr. Beatriz María Solís Policy Institute (SPI) State has created feminist policy for the future of California. SPI State is a policy advocacy and leadership training fellowship for advocates and activists who work in non-profit or grassroots organizations. With nearly 60 laws passed, this fellowship is built for women and gender-expansive folks across California who know that change happens when we bring lived experience into legislative spaces. Join this new wave of policy leaders who are grounded in community, driven by justice, and take up space.  

Criteria

  • Depth of Issue Expertise
  • Collaborative Spirit
  • Commitment to Policy Advocacy Work
  • Organizational Support
  • Commitment to Building Organizational Capacity
  • Time Availability
  • Understanding of and interest in applying anti-racist, intersectional and transgender justice lenses to policy advocacy
Sexuality & LGBTQIA+ Rights Diversity, Equity & Inclusion LGBTQIA+ Services

Shapiro Family Foundation Capacity Building Grants

Shapiro Family Foundation
Association/Society
Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Up to US $20,000

Shapiro Family Foundation

Founded in 2025, the Shapiro Family Foundation is committed to fostering a more equitable and thriving community in New Orleans by addressing disparities in hunger relief and championing education access and equity. The foundation partners with local nonprofits with deep connection to the communities they serve to help expand their reach, strengthen their programs and ultimately create lasting positive change throughout New Orleans. 

Funding Priorities

  • Serve low-income or under-resourced populations.
  • Demonstrate cultural competence and community trust.
  • Have a track record of measurable outcomes.
  • Embrace collaboration and community-informed approaches.

Capacity Building Grants

Capacity Building Grants will be awarded for a 12-month funding period for up to $20,000 for organizational development, staff training, or infrastructure. 

Education Food Access & Hunger Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Shapiro Family Foundation Operating Support Grants

Shapiro Family Foundation
Association/Society
Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Up to US $10,000

Shapiro Family Foundation

Founded in 2025, the Shapiro Family Foundation is committed to fostering a more equitable and thriving community in New Orleans by addressing disparities in hunger relief and championing education access and equity. The foundation partners with local nonprofits with deep connection to the communities they serve to help expand their reach, strengthen their programs and ultimately create lasting positive change throughout New Orleans. 

Funding Priorities

  • Serve low-income or under-resourced populations.
  • Demonstrate cultural competence and community trust.
  • Have a track record of measurable outcomes.
  • Embrace collaboration and community-informed approaches.

Operating Support Grants

Operating Support Grants will be awarded for a 12-month funding period for up to $10,000 for general operations.

Education Food Access & Hunger Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Shapiro Family Foundation Seed Money Grants

Shapiro Family Foundation
Association/Society
Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Up to US $10,000

Shapiro Family Foundation

Founded in 2025, the Shapiro Family Foundation is committed to fostering a more equitable and thriving community in New Orleans by addressing disparities in hunger relief and championing education access and equity. The foundation partners with local nonprofits with deep connection to the communities they serve to help expand their reach, strengthen their programs and ultimately create lasting positive change throughout New Orleans. 

Funding Priorities

  • Serve low-income or under-resourced populations.
  • Demonstrate cultural competence and community trust.
  • Have a track record of measurable outcomes.
  • Embrace collaboration and community-informed approaches.

Seed Money Grants

Seed Money Grants will be awarded for a 12-month funding period for up to $10,000 for new or pilot programs. 

Education Food Access & Hunger Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Rooted + Relational Community Micro-Grant Program

Center for Puerto Rican Studies Library
Association/Society
American Samoa, Guam +4 more
Up to US $5,000

Rooted + Relational Community Micro-Grant Program

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) at Hunter College has announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Rooted + Relational Community Micro-Grant program. CENTRO will award up to 12 grants, each up to $5,000, to non-institutionally affiliated and non-academic community organizations, individuals, or projects for community-based programs. 

The 2026-2027 the Rooted + Relational theme is Black Cuerpas: Race, Body Politics & Culture. CENTRO seeks to fund projects that examine

  • How do race, gender, sexuality, and body politics shape the everyday lives and histories of Boricuas across the archipelago and diaspora? 
  • What happens when we center race and Blackness in a field of study that has too often championed color-blindness and the myth of racial democracy to avoid the hard questions about racism, anti-Blackness, complicity, and erasure?

During the 2026-2027 academic year, grantees will implement their funded projects within their chosen communities. They will also present their work at a CENTRO event, attend three virtual meetings, and have their work highlighted through CENTRO’s communications and media channels. We invite community organizers, artists, creatives, writers, agricultural workers, activists, and cultural workers who reside in Puerto Rico and/or the United States and its territories to apply. 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Community Culture & Heritage

Community Opportunity Fund: Belonging Grant Focus

Boreal Waters Community Foundation
Private
Aitkin County, Minnesota, Ashland County, Wisconsin +11 more
US $25,000 - US $50,000

Community Opportunity Fund

The Community Opportunity Fund is at the heart of our work at Boreal Waters Community Foundation. It’s how we connect generosity with possibility to support bold ideas, local leadership, and long-term solutions across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

Each year, this fund helps nonprofits tackle critical challenges, strengthen communities, and ensure that everyone in our region can thrive.

A Grant Program Rooted in Community and Collective Generosity

As our region’s permanent civic endowment, the Community Opportunity Fund helps nonprofits and community groups respond to challenges, create solutions, and build a better future. In 2023, we restructured the fund to offer larger, more flexible grants—supporting not just programs, but long-term vision and systems change.

We focus on these interconnected areas:

Community Opportunity Fund: Belonging Grant Focus

Creating spaces and opportunities where all people are valued, heard, and are able to thrive. Projects amplify voices, foster creative expression, and create a vibrant, inclusive culture.

Examples:  

  • Elevates diverse voices and perspectives, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.  
  • Embraces the common humanity of all individuals.
  • Implements practices that increase connection, respect, and safety.
  • Strengthens community bonds and promotes equity for all.

Community Opportunity Fund: Opportunity Grant Focus 

Community Opportunity Fund: Resilience Grant Focus 

What We Fund

We support a wide range of community-driven, equity-centered work. Funding can be used for:

  • Program or Project Support: To launch, expand, or sustain work in Opportunity, Resilience, or Belonging
  • General Operating Support: To build strength and stability
  • Capacity Building: To grow organizational effectiveness or leadership
  • Community-Led Solutions: Especially those involving lived experience and cross-sector collaboration
  • Systems Change and Upstream Impact: Projects that address root causes—not just symptoms
Humanities & Social Science Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Infrastructure Opportunities Grants

Inatai Foundation
Private
Washington
Unspecified amount

Inatai Foundation

Inatai Foundation is a 501(c)(4) serving and accountable to leaders and organizations with bold visions who are building power in racially diverse communities across Washington state. Our vision begins with them: their ideas, solutions, and dreams for transformational change.

As a foundation, we channel the funding, influence, and information we have to the leaders and organizations rooted in and led by the communities we answer to, so they have the resources, power, and opportunity they need to bring their visions to life.

Infrastructure Opportunities Grants

Infrastructure Opportunities grants provide support for specific power-building efforts that have been highlighted as essential by Washington nonprofits and community leaders.

The Infrastructure Opportunities Fund explores power-building efforts around specific issues that community leaders and community-based organizations have told us are integral to building community power and transforming systems and structures. They include:

  • 501(c)(4) Community Power-Building: If your organization has decided that you would like to form a 501(c)(4), this grant can help you with that next step. This opportunity is designed for organizations wanting to expand the tools necessary to get more involved in activities like endorsing political candidates, advocating for ballot measures, influencing policies, and lobbying legislators.
  • Civil Rights: Unjust and discriminatory policies, violence against marginalized groups, threats to our democracy, and other dangers to the well-being and safety of communities are civil rights violations. This grant is designed to support organizations with a clearly defined strategy and response to civil rights violations in your community.
  • Immigrant Justice: Regardless of immigration status, people deserve to be treated equally. Whether that’s through safe working conditions, fair wages, access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities, language access, and protections from cruel and unjust immigration and justice enforcement (ICE) activity, this grant ensures you have the support to safeguard immigrant communities from discrimination or harm.
  • Wealth & Asset Creation: A community’s well-being for generations to come often depends on the ability for organizations today to acquire assets like land and buildings and pay off capital debt. This grant supports those who are engaged in tipping power through asset development and projects that promote community ownership and visibility.
  • Voter & Civic Engagement: Civic engagement is critical for battles toward equity and racial justice. This grant ensures you have the support to engage your community in the democratic process, from voter registration drives, get-out-the-vote campaigns, election protection programs, and more.
  • Youth & Student Organizing: Youth organizing helps communities act on issues now while also preparing for the future. Whether you are advocating for youth priorities, bringing young people together, or offering youth leadership development opportunities, this grant supports your work to mobilize the next generation of leaders. Inatai defines youth as up to 30 years old.

Civil Rights Immigrant Services Immigration & Refugee Rights +6 more

Campaigns, Litigation, Issues & Policy (CLIP) Fund

Inatai Foundation
Private
Washington
Unspecified amount

Inatai Foundation

Inatai Foundation is a 501(c)(4) serving and accountable to leaders and organizations with bold visions who are building power in racially diverse communities across Washington state. Our vision begins with them: their ideas, solutions, and dreams for transformational change.

As a foundation, we channel the funding, influence, and information we have to the leaders and organizations rooted in and led by the communities we answer to, so they have the resources, power, and opportunity they need to bring their visions to life.

Campaigns, Litigation, Issues & Policy (CLIP) Fund

The Campaigns, Litigation, Issues & Policy (CLIP) Fund supports Washington organizations and coalitions engaging in community-led, issue-based campaigns—both active and forthcoming—that can shape policy for a more just and equitable future.

As a 501(c)(4) organization working to advance equity and racial justice across Washington, we know that this work is inherently political, and we know that there are diverse leaders working to shift the political landscape in every community.

That’s why CLIP funding offers flexible support and partnership that community-led campaigns need to build and exercise their political power. 

Campaigns We Fund

Below are examples of campaign activity that CLIP supports:

  • Ballot Measures and Initiaves: Campaigns in support of or opposition to state and local ballot measures and initiatives that impact communities’ power.
  • Litigation: Legal actions by local campaigns to protect and create rights and advance power-building efforts of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other communities of color.
  • Legislative Advocacy: Ensuring that communities’ expertise is factored into decision-making in Olympia on the policies and issues that matter most to them.
  • Grassroots Organizing Around a Campaign: Activating community support around elections, legislative activity, and other pivotal moments that inform and impact policy on specific issues.
  • Polling and Research: Advancing campaign strategy by better understanding the perspectives of the electorate and how to educate them about policy issues.

Racial / Ethnic Justice & Rights Voting & Elections Civic Engagement & Education +4 more

Community Shopping Days Grant

Community Food Co-op
Association/Society
Whatcom County, Washington
Unspecified amount
The Community Shopping Days Grant supports local nonprofits and organizations in Bellingham and Whatcom County by providing 2% of combined sales from Co-op locations on designated shopping days. Eligible groups focus on areas such as food sustainability, social justice, and community development. This initiative promotes equity and inclusion while fostering community engagement. Applications for the 2026 program are now being accepted, with priority given to organizations that have not received funding in the past two years.
Sustainability Agriculture Farms & Farming +4 more

Donations & Sponsorships Request

Community Food Co-op
Association/Society
Whatcom County, Washington
Unspecified amount
The Community Food Co-op invites applications for donations and sponsorships to support local initiatives in Whatcom County. Our mission is to foster cooperative ownership and promote community well-being through quality products and education. We prioritize funding requests that align with our strategic goals, ensuring that our contributions effectively enhance community engagement and sustainable practices.
Sustainability Food Access & Hunger Agriculture +4 more

Training Program in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

The Childrens Hospital Of Philadelphia
Private
Pennsylvania
Unspecified amount
The Training Program in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute offers advanced training for individuals pursuing careers in neuroscience and neurodevelopmental research. Established in 1998, it emphasizes the understanding of disabilities linked to chromosomal defects and trauma. Trainees engage in hands-on research, develop critical skills, and collaborate with esteemed scientists, aiming to become leaders in their field. The program actively encourages applications from underrepresented minority groups to foster diversity in scientific research.
Neuroscience Neurological Diseases & Disorders Learning Disabilities +3 more

Community Grants Program (CGP)

The Denver Foundation
Private
Adams County, Colorado, Arapahoe County, Colorado +5 more
US $20,000 - US $50,000
The Community Grants Program (CGP) by The Denver Foundation supports nonprofits in the Metro Denver area, focusing on economic opportunity, environment, housing, and youth well-being. This program aims to reduce disparities through community leadership and racial equity, assisting historically oppressed groups. Eligible organizations must align with the foundation's values, be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and address the outlined goals. The CGP prioritizes initiatives that foster community wealth and address urgent needs in low-income communities.
Economic Services & Development Equitable & Affordable Housing Racial / Ethnic Justice & Rights +10 more

Diversity Grants for Nonprofits Highlights

Diversity grants empower nonprofits to advance equity, inclusion, and representation. The following grants fund programs addressing social justice, workforce diversity, and underrepresented groups, driving systemic change and equitable opportunities.


Search Instrumentl's Diversity Grants Database


Find 138 diversity-focused grant opportunities with $18.6M in funding. Instrumentl supports nonprofits with tools for customized searches, deadline tracking, and funder insights to foster inclusion and equity across sectors.

Grant Insights : Diversity Grants for Nonprofits

Grant Availability

How common are grants in this category?

Common — grants in this category appear regularly across funding sources.

100+ Diversity grants for nonprofits grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

50 Diversity grants for nonprofits over $25K in average grant size

40 Diversity grants for nonprofits over $50K in average grant size

25 Diversity grants for nonprofits supporting general operating expenses

100+ Diversity grants for nonprofits supporting programs / projects

1,000+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Workforce Preparation & Job Readiness

600+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Food Access & Hunger

Grant Deadline Distribution

Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Diversity grants for Nonprofits?

Most grants are due in the second quarter.

Q1
27.7%
Q2
28.1%
Q3
18.5%
Q4
25.8%

Typical Funding Amounts

What's the typical grant amount funded for Diversity Grants for Nonprofits?

Grants are most commonly $18,750.

$750 $750 Min.
$18,750 $18.8 K Median
$197,794 $197.8 K Average
$3,000,000 $3 M Max.

Frequently asked questions

Diversity grants are available to nonprofits that focus on racial and social justice, gender equality, disability rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, economic empowerment for marginalized groups, and other diversity-related initiatives. Groups working to advance equity, inclusion, and representation are eligible. Some grants focus on specific populations, such as women-led nonprofits, minority-owned organizations, or initiatives serving low-income communities.

Grants in diversity typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q2, with 28.1% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q3.

Funders provide diversity grants to support programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, education, and society at large. These grants tackle long-standing inequalities and create opportunities for historically marginalized groups. Grants also aim to fund programs providing resources to marginalized communities, support initiatives fighting discrimination, and help organizations create more diverse and equitable workplaces, schools, and communities.

On average, grants in diversity provide funding between $750 and $3,000,000, with typical awards falling around $18,750 (median) and $197,794 (average). These insights can help nonprofits align their funding requests with what grantmakers typically offer in this space.

Diversity grants for nonprofits are typically funded by private companies (W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Ford Foundation), government agencies, and corporate diversity and inclusion programs (Apple, Nike). Corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives (Google Impact Challenge, Bank of America Charitable Foundation) offer grants as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.

To improve the chances of being awarded a diversity grant, nonprofits should:

  • Highlight commitment to DEI –Show how your work supports diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Demonstrate that diversity and inclusion are core values within your nonprofit, not just part of a single project.
  • Show their impact – Use data and real-world examples that demonstrate how your program benefits underrepresented communities.
  • Highlight community involvement – Funders often prioritize projects that actively engage and empower the communities they serve.
  • Build partnerships – Collaborate with other nonprofits, advocacy groups, and local leaders to strengthen your application and expand your impact.

Not sure how much to request in a grant application? Learn how to calculate the right amount with our grant request sizing guide.

Instrumentl simplifies the diversity grant application process by offering an intuitive platform that helps nonprofits discover relevant funding opportunities, track deadlines, and analyze funder-giving patterns. The platform's automated alerts ensure users never miss a deadline, while detailed funder insights help organizations tailor their applications to align with grantor priorities.

Learn how the Los Angeles LGBT Center cut down weekly admin time from 2-4 hours to less than 30 minutes.