Best Grants for 501(c)(3)

The Harvard-Yenching Library Travel Grant supports scholars outside Boston in utilizing its extensive collections for research. This program prioritizes non-tenured faculty, dissertation-writing Ph.D. candidates, and independent scholars, especially those from institutions lacking East Asian language resources. Grants are awarded based on merit and must be used by August 31, 2026, to encourage diverse academic engagement and exploration.

The TCA Texas Arts Create 1 Grant, offered by the Texas Commission on the Arts, supports established arts organizations and college arts institutions with budgets between $50,000 and $1 million. This multi-year grant aims to enhance the creative economy of Texas by providing operational support up to 25% of the last completed year's cash operating budget. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including nonprofit status and compliance with federal regulations.

The Land & Building Acquisition Program, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers $550,000 to enhance the quality of life for Illinois residents. This initiative supports land acquisition, infrastructure improvements, and site renovations within the 103rd House District. Grantees must provide detailed project narratives and report on fund expenditures to ensure accountability and alignment with the program's goals, thereby fostering community development and economic growth.

The Community Seed Donations program by Seed Savers Exchange provides seeds to schools, community gardens, and nonprofits, ensuring that these resources are freely available to those in need. In addition, they offer disaster relief seed donations for organizations affected by recent natural disasters. To qualify, applicants must be nonprofits with U.S. shipping addresses. This initiative not only supports community growth but also promotes sustainability and resilience in the face of challenges.

About the New York State Education Department

The New York State Education Department is part of the University of the State of New York (USNY), one of the most complete, interconnected systems of educational services in the United States.

Our mission is to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York. Our vision is to provide leadership for a system that yields the best educated people in the world.

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Competitive Grant Program

Purpose of Grant

To improve public libraries’ and library systems’ capacity to offer services and information resources in their communities in the areas of outreach and community engagement; best practices in literacy; and social wellbeing and improving the lives of New Yorkers. 

Project components may include outreach, programming, consultations from outside experts, and the purchase of supplies and technology which support a larger library initiative. 

All projects are encouraged to include an outreach or partnership component.

The Hope Goddard Iselin Fellowship in Public Horticulture, established in 2013 by the Hope Goddard Iselin Foundation, honors the legacy of its namesake, a pioneer in enhancing urban landscapes. This fellowship supports graduate students engaged in practical research and training at recognized public gardens or similar institutions across the U.S., providing annual funding of $5000. It aims to foster experiential learning and promote the study of public horticulture, thus connecting people with nature.

The Garden Club of America offers the Scholarship in Garden History and Design to promote the study of garden history and design. This scholarship supports students pursuing internships at the Archives of American Gardens or similar institutions. Each year, the scholarship funds students with a maximum of $6,000 for a ten-week internship. Eligible candidates include U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in relevant graduate programs, with previous experience in photographic or visual materials preferred.

The JMAC Access Grant Program, supported by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and Barr Foundation, offers vital resources to artists and organizations for showcasing their projects at the Jean McDonough Arts Center. This initiative aims to empower BIPOC and underserved artists in Worcester by funding project development and implementation costs. Through a structured application process, selected participants can secure financial assistance to present their work, ensuring a vibrant cultural landscape in Central Massachusetts.

The Apostle Islands Area Human Rights Fund, managed by Boreal Waters Community Foundation, supports initiatives promoting tolerance and understanding while combating discrimination. Applications are welcomed for projects in education, mediation, and celebrations that address human rights issues in the Bayfield-Madeline Island-Red Cliff region. The fund prioritizes proposals demonstrating clear objectives, effective organizational capacity, and realistic budgets. Grants are available year-round for community interventions or emergency responses to specific incidents.

The Cooperative Education Fund, managed by the Cooperative Development Foundation, offers grants, scholarships, and sponsorships to support cooperative education initiatives. Annually, it allocates between $100,000 and $140,000, providing 10-15 grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Eligible applicants include cooperatives and related organizations within the U.S. The Fund prioritizes research, educational material development, and sponsorship for educational events, ensuring resources remain accessible and non-proprietary.

The Mission Main Street Grant Program, established by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, aims to revitalize Erie County's main streets by supporting small businesses and enhancing community development. With funding opportunities for planning and implementation, the program encourages local governments and nonprofits to improve streetscapes, promote tourism, and foster economic growth. Grants of up to $200,000 are available, emphasizing community engagement and adherence to historic preservation principles.

The Texas Arts Create 3 Grant, offered by the Texas Commission on the Arts, aims to bolster Texas's creative economy by supporting established arts organizations with budgets between $1 million and $5 million. This program provides multi-year operational support, allowing organizations to request funding of up to 25% of their last completed year's cash operating budget. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofits or government entities incorporated in Texas.

The Bowman-Shannon Cultural Arts Fund, managed by the Shenandoah Community Foundation, aims to promote cultural arts in Shenandoah County, Virginia. This fund supports various artistic expressions, including visual arts, music, dance, and writing, encouraging participation from all nonprofit organizations, not just those focused on arts. It empowers individuals and groups to explore their creativity through diverse mediums, enriching the community's cultural landscape.

The TCA Texas Arts Create 4 Grant aims to strengthen Texas' creative economy by providing multi-year operational support to established arts organizations with budgets exceeding $5 million. Organizations can request up to 25% of their last completed year's cash operating budget. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofits or government entities, incorporated in Texas, and must have confirmed eligibility status with the TCA. The grant promotes sustainability and diversity within Texas' arts community.

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) offers the TCA Texas Arts Creates 5 Grant to advance Texas's creative economy. This grant supports Government Local Arts Agencies and Local Arts Agencies with operational funding up to 25% of the previous year's cash operating budget. New organizations can apply only in odd-numbered years. The grant aims to foster a vibrant arts community in Texas, contributing to economic development and cultural tourism.

The Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists honor exceptional faculty-rank scientists and engineers in the U.S. Recognizing achievements in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Chemical Sciences, each Laureate receives $250,000 in unrestricted funds. Nominations come from a select group of institutions and previous Laureates, emphasizing innovation and impact. The awards celebrate the future potential of young researchers, fostering diversity in STEM fields. The ceremony takes place annually in New York City.

The Civic Engagement Mini-Grants program, funded by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, supports initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive civic participation. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and governmental agencies serving 42 communities in Eastern Connecticut. This initiative emphasizes the importance of an informed and engaged citizenry, particularly from communities of color and youth, to strengthen democratic values and community well-being.

Program background

MassCEC seeks qualified vendors to provide technical services under the Green School Works Technical Assistance program for eligible public K-12 schools and districts looking to begin or supplement their decarbonization planning.

These services will reduce the cost of technical assistance for eligible, low-income public K-12 schools and districts with the goal of making decarbonization planning more accessible. Available Mass Save Scopes

• Comprehensive Building Assessment
• Portfolio Decarbonization Roadmap
• Focused Study

Available Green School Works Scopes

• Renewables (Solar plus storage and MA Class I REC Analysis)
• New! - Ground Source Heat Pump Feasibility

The FedEx Arts Program, administered by ArtsMemphis, provides funding to enhance the Memphis community through the arts. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $30,000, focusing on organizations with a three-year history in quality arts projects. Funding criteria prioritize community engagement, financial stability, and alignment with FedEx's charitable goals, while capital campaigns are not supported. This program is aimed at fostering sustainable partnerships and youth development through creative opportunities.

The Lilla Jewel Awards support Oregon-based artists of marginalized genders, promoting social change through their work. Established in 1997, the awards offer $10,000 to selected artists, emphasizing those engaged in social justice movements. Eligible applicants must be Oregon residents, at least 18 years old, and of marginalized gender identities. The awards aim to amplify diverse voices historically overlooked in traditional art institutions, fostering a more inclusive artistic landscape.

The Cora Du Bois Fellowship, offered by the Cora Du Bois Charitable Trust and Harvard University's Tozzer Library, supports advanced Ph.D. students who have completed all requirements except their dissertation. This fellowship enhances research through access to the Tozzer Library's resources. It is open to both Harvard and non-Harvard students in Anthropology or related fields, providing funding for two, six, or twelve months, with the expectation that fellows will complete their dissertation by the end of the funding period.

About the State Library

Mission: The State Library of Iowa strengthens Iowa library services and information access for Iowans. We provide support and resources to Iowa libraries and information services to the public.

About Enrich Iowa

The State Library annually administers funding appropriated by the Iowa Legislature to libraries in Iowa. Enrich Iowa consists of three programs to aid libraries in offering improved service to Iowans: Open Access; Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement; and Direct State Aid.

To participate in any of the Enrich Iowa programs, eligible libraries must complete and submit a Letter of Agreement in the spring for the following fiscal year. Learn how to participate in Enrich Iowa programs.

Open Access

Open Access enables Iowans to check out physical materials at participating libraries, providing them with direct access to more materials and information resources.

Open Access provides Iowans with direct access to more library materials and information resources than their home library can provide. It enables eligible patrons to go to any of the nearly 500 participating public and academic libraries and directly check out physical materials.

As a result, Iowans have greater access to more library resources, more choices in library service, and the convenience of using a library where they work, shop or visit. The state reimburses the loaning library a small amount for each item checked out to offset expenses.

How Do I Participate in Enrich Iowa Programs?

For the Open Access Program:

• Sign Enrich Iowa Letter of Agreement (Reference the FY27 Terms of Agreement for the Enrich Iowa Open Access Program)
• Administer Enrich Iowa Programs: Participating libraries administer Enrich Iowa programs as agreed throughout the fiscal year of July 1 - June 30. Each (Enrich Iowa) program has different requirements for record keeping to aid in later reporting. For the Open Access program: Utilize the Open Access Worksheet & Instructions to track and determine eligible patrons; keep receipts for postage on returned items.
• Receive Funding for Participating in Enrich Iowa Programs: Funding is distributed in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Libraries are encouraged to receive funding via direct deposit, but paper checks can also be mailed.
• Submit Enrich Iowa Reports: In order to receive funding, libraries are required to submit a report on the Enrich Iowa programs they participated in once the fiscal year ends. The reports are due each year on July 31.

The ACS Chemistry Festival Grant supports community engagement events held outside the United States and Puerto Rico, emphasizing the importance of chemistry in everyday life. These events, often aligned with National Chemistry Week and Chemists Celebrate Earth Week, facilitate interactive activities for the public, especially children. Organizers from any nation are encouraged to collaborate, and ACS membership is not a requirement. Previous awardees must submit a final report to apply for additional funding.

The St. Francis Fund Grant Program

The St. Francis Fund Grant Program seeks to provide funding for programs that support animal welfare in Springfield and Greene County, MO. 

This fund will grant up to $3,400 in the summer of 2026.

In awarding grants, the CFO will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Grantees must not, in the use of CFO grant funds, discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status either in its employment practices or in its policies and procedures concerning access to services.

The Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund Grant supports nonprofit arts organizations in Connecticut by providing unrestricted funding to enhance their operations. Organizations eligible for funding must demonstrate significant donor contributions and maintain compliance with state regulations. The grant incentivizes fundraising efforts by matching contributions based on a formula, ensuring that arts initiatives receive the necessary financial backing to thrive. This program aims to cultivate long-term sustainability within Connecticut's arts sector.

Who we are

As a division of the Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, the mission of the Wyoming State Library is to promote statewide library development, foster library cooperation, and provide reliable information to our customers.

McMurry Library Endowment Grant

The Carol McMurry Library Endowment was established in 2000 within the Wyoming Community Foundation to provide support to Wyoming library staff and volunteers and to publicly accessible Wyoming libraries in three areas:

• Education & Training (Library & Individual)
• Library Resources
• Library Foundation Development

Types of Library Grants Projects

• Education & Training: These can be used for in-service workshops or multi-library continuing education events. The application can include financial support to pay for substitute staff to keep a library open while staff attends the event or training.
• Resource: Resource grants can be used to purchase library books, audio-visual materials, informational software and hardware, and databases. Applications can be submitted for children, youth or adult resources, both physical and electronic. The library is expected to provide a collection analysis to support its justification for a grant and information on the population to be served by the project.
• Foundation: Foundation grants can be used to retain outside technical assistance for foundation boards and library staff in their planning of an endowment or for a publication about the endowment. Grants for consulting in the area of bylaws, foundation roles and responsibilities, relationship to the library board can be made. Grants for fundraising support and for the local library endowment itself will not be awarded. Capital construction, furnishings, carpeting, and building repairs have a very low consideration due to the amount of funds available in the Endowment for library grants.

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research's Visiting Scholar Awards aim to enhance capacity building in underdeveloped Antarctic research programs. Open to scientists and academics with over five years post-PhD experience, the awards support short-term visits (1-4 weeks) to SCAR member countries for training and mentoring. Awards cover international flights and living expenses, promoting long-term research partnerships while considering virtual applications amidst unforeseen circumstances.