Best Grants for 501(c)(3)

The Open Space - River Corridors Grant in Washington supports projects that restore river ecosystems, enhance public access, and raise awareness of river corridors. With funding up to $1 million, it encourages multi-benefit projects that combine recreation and habitat restoration within King County's river systems, including the Duwamish and Green Rivers. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and tribal organizations, fostering community engagement in environmental sustainability and conservation efforts.

The Chichester DuPont Foundation provides grants focused on environmental, educational, healthcare, and social service initiatives, emphasizing support for underprivileged children in Delaware. Organizations are encouraged to develop relationships with trustees to enhance funding success. Grants typically cover one year, with potential for multi-year funding in special interest areas. Nonprofit organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) are eligible, while individuals and for-profit entities are not. The foundation seeks innovative proposals and capital improvements to drive positive change.

The Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant, in collaboration with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, invites applications from eligible nonprofits starting October 7, 2025. This grant aims to enhance capacity building and sustainability for organizations focused on food insecurity, workforce development, and youth programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations serving low to moderate-income communities within Hancock Whitney's service areas, fostering impactful changes with AmeriCorps support.

The Cancer-Related Behavioral Health Fund, established by the HealthWell Foundation, provides financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with cancer for behavioral health treatments. This fund covers costs associated with prescription drugs, counseling services, and transportation. Aiming to alleviate financial burdens, it ensures that underinsured patients can access necessary care without delay. In 2024, the foundation awarded over $1.2 billion, emphasizing its commitment to improving health outcomes for cancer patients across the United States.

The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County Grant aims to enhance healthcare access for low-income residents through targeted programs for the uninsured and underinsured. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that improve program effectiveness, organizational sustainability, and collaboration among local healthcare providers. Grants typically range from $20,000 to $100,000, focusing on strategic areas such as clinical care, linkage to care, and systems capacity building, ultimately fostering better health outcomes in the community.

The Working Here Fund Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming, providing funding options tailored to rural community needs. With a focus on agricultural education, hunger relief, and disaster assistance, the program has awarded over $13.5 million since 2013. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000, with eligibility for organizations demonstrating alignment with FCSAmerica's mission. Priority is given to IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofits, fostering sustainable solutions for local challenges.

The Gamma Mu Foundation, established in 1988, aims to support the LGBT community in rural and underserved areas through various grants. Initially focused on HIV/AIDS projects, it now funds scholarships and services for diverse LGBT subpopulations. With over $2 million awarded, the Foundation prioritizes initiatives that enhance community support, public education, and health programs. It emphasizes projects that build organizational capacity and provide essential services where resources are limited, ensuring ongoing support for vital health and social services.

Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)

New York State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is a source of funding for capital projects that protect the environment and enhance communities. Capital projects are usually large projects that purchase land or construct facilities. Most projects that receive grants of EPF money combine it with other funding sources that require matching funds.

Some examples of projects using EPF money are:

• Purchasing land for the NYS Forest Preserve
• Restoring historic sites
• Conserving farmland
• Restoring habitat
• Controlling invasive species
• Upgrading municipal sewage treatment plants
• Cleaning up waterfront property and creating a public park
• Helping business develop ways to recycle material

The EPF also supports the stewardship of public lands, including state parks and millions of acres of public lands throughout the state. Through partnerships with volunteer organizations, state agencies use stewardship funding to manage trails and lands, protect natural resources, preserve wildlife habitats, make critical capital improvements at parks and campgrounds, educate students about conservation and provide access to persons with disabilities.

The Thalassemia Patient Incentive Award, sponsored by the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, aims to support thalassemia patients in pursuing their educational and career aspirations. Awards ranging from $250 to $2,000 will be granted to students at various academic levels, with applications due in March 2026. This initiative not only encourages academic growth but also fosters a positive outlook among patients living with thalassemia, underscoring the Foundation's commitment to improving their quality of life.

The AWWA Scholarship Program, specifically the Mueller HBCU Scholarship, supports undergraduate students from historically black colleges and universities pursuing careers in the water sector. Offered by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), this scholarship recognizes the vital role of future professionals in addressing water industry challenges. AWWA aims to invest in students who will contribute to sustainable water management and innovation within their communities.

The HDR One Water Institute Scholarship, offered by the American Water Works Association, provides $10,000 in funding to support graduate students pursuing degrees that will lead to careers as consultants in the water industry. This initiative highlights the importance of investing in future water professionals and fostering innovative research to address pressing water challenges.

The Song-Brown Certified Nurse Midwifery Grant Program, administered by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), aims to enhance the training of certified nurse midwives and licensed midwives. This grant prioritizes programs that successfully graduate individuals into underserved areas and support underrepresented groups in medicine. Funding opportunities include $13,000 per first-year student for existing slots and $75,000 for new expansion slots, promoting healthcare access in challenging communities.

The AWWA Hazen Scholarship supports graduate-level candidates dedicated to improving water quality and resources. Awarded by the American Water Works Association, this scholarship aims to empower future leaders in the water industry. Candidates must demonstrate commitment to addressing critical challenges in drinking water, water reuse, and sustainable practices. This initiative reflects AWWA's mission to invest in the next generation of water supply professionals, ensuring a sustainable future for water resources.

The Zurn Foundation Grant supports community well-being through financial contributions and volunteer efforts. With a focus on Basic Needs, Education, and Environment, the Foundation aims to enhance quality of life by providing essentials, promoting STEM education, and protecting natural resources. Organizations applying for this grant should align with these pillars to foster positive community impact. Applications must be submitted by May 1 for the July meeting or by November 1 for the January meeting.

GO Virginia Program Overview

GO Virginia is a collaborative economic development initiative, that provides project-based incentives to encourage collaboration between private industry, higher education and local government in each region to produce results that will grow and diversify the regional economies and ultimately the commonwealth.

To achieve the program goals, the GO Virginia State Board has created nine regional councils. These councils are responsible for developing regional Growth and Diversification Plans and implementing those plans through the submission of project applications. Applications approved at the regional level are advanced to the GO Virginia State Board for funding.

The GO Virginia State Board has identified four primary investment strategies to achieve the program goals. The four priority investment strategies are:

• Workforce Development – building talent pipelines aligned with business needs that increases the pool of qualified workers
• Site Development and Infrastructure - preparing a regional portfolio of business-ready sites that attract private investment
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Startup Ecosystem) - creating a resource-rich environment for scalable start-ups and early-stage companies 
• Cluster Scale-Up -  helping existing regional industries grow and compete at a larger scale

All successful projects should align with at least one of these strategies and demonstrate a clear connection to a region’s Growth & Diversification Plan. See the GO Virginia Program Manual for details.

• GO Virginia is not an economic development incentive program. Individual private businesses may not receive funding, nor can any project provide exclusive benefits to a single private business.

• GO Virginia funds must support new and expanded efforts — not ongoing operations. Funding cannot be used to continue, sustain, or supplement the operating costs of existing programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value and represent new activity that advances GO Virginia’s mission. Proposals must fill a documented gap, scale a proven model, or introduce a new approach that supports regional priorities.

Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) Planning, Feasibility, and Small-Scale Pilot Gran

GO Virginia Planning, Feasibility, and Small-Scale Pilot grants are intended to build regional capacity for impactful, saleable projects.

Planning Grants help regions explore and refine ideas that have the potential to drive economic growth. They provide an opportunity to test concepts, formalize strong partnerships, conduct indepth research or feasibility studies, and develop actionable strategies. These grants can also support small-scale pilot initiatives that, if successful, can be scaled up through a GO Virginia Implementation Grant or another measurable investment opportunity.

The primary intent of Planning Grants is to prepare projects for future GO Virginia Implementation funding. In some cases, planning work may also strengthen a project’s ability to compete for other funding sources or, occasionally, determine that an initiative should not move forward. While those opportunities are valuable, applicants should design proposals with a clear line of sight to GO Virginia Implementation as the expected pathway.

The AWWA Scholarship Program, specifically the Carollo Engineers Bryant L. Bench Scholarship, offers a $10,000 award to graduate students dedicated to advancing their careers in the water consulting engineering field. Established in honor of Bryant L. Bench, this scholarship aims to support future leaders who will enhance drinking water quality through innovative engineering solutions. The American Water Works Association emphasizes the importance of investing in students to secure the future of the water industry.

The Santa Fe Baby Fund Grant supports nonprofits in Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Santa Fe counties focused on infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. Priority is given to organizations enhancing access to quality childcare, supporting the early childhood workforce, and advocating for young parents and kin caregivers. Nonprofits led by marginalized communities are especially encouraged to apply, fostering inclusive growth and improved early childhood services in the region.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship advocates for Iowa’s farmers and protects consumers, animals, our food supply and our shared soil and water resources. Our programs strengthen rural communities, support a thriving agriculture economy, and build a stronger future for all Iowans. 

Urban Conservation Projects Request for Pre-Applications

IDALS is accepting pre-applications for projects that demonstrate strong ties to the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. These projects will focus on adoption and implementation of urban conservation practices that provide nutrient load reductions to water resources in combination with outreach and education components demonstrating how projects will work to support the nonpoint source action items outlined in Section 1 of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy can be viewed at http://www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to deliver stormwater management strategies and practices. Strong partnerships must be demonstrated with any stakeholders that will be contributing significant resources to the project.

These projects can range from site scale to watershed scale stormwater management practices (a single bioretention cell vs a stormwater wetland). Projects may utilize one or multiple stormwater management practices to manage the water quality improvement goals. The practices must treat for water quality volume, but they may comprehensively manage multiple storm events including the entire unified sizing criteria storms, when possible or practical. This approach can provide large scale water quality and quantity benefits to the applicant.

Priority will be given to applications that can demonstrate the ability to rapidly implement the project and practices funded under this RFPA.

The AWWA Abel Wolman Fellowship, established in 1984, supports highly qualified students conducting meaningful research in water supply through doctoral programs. Named after Dr. Abel Wolman, this prestigious award recognizes excellence and creativity in the water sector. The fellowship provides up to two years of financial support, with an initial award of $30,000 for the first year, aimed at fostering the next generation of water professionals in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

GO Virginia Program Overview

GO Virginia is a collaborative economic development initiative, that provides project-based incentives to encourage collaboration between private industry, higher education and local government in each region to produce results that will grow and diversify the regional economies and ultimately the commonwealth.

To achieve the program goals, the GO Virginia State Board has created nine regional councils. These councils are responsible for developing regional Growth and Diversification Plans and implementing those plans through the submission of project applications. Applications approved at the regional level are advanced to the GO Virginia State Board for funding.

The GO Virginia State Board has identified four primary investment strategies to achieve the program goals. The four priority investment strategies are:

• Workforce Development – building talent pipelines aligned with business needs that increases the pool of qualified workers
• Site Development and Infrastructure - preparing a regional portfolio of business-ready sites that attract private investment
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Startup Ecosystem) - creating a resource-rich environment for scalable start-ups and early-stage companies 
• Cluster Scale-Up -  helping existing regional industries grow and compete at a larger scale

All successful projects should align with at least one of these strategies and demonstrate a clear connection to a region’s Growth & Diversification Plan. See the GO Virginia Program Manual for details.

• GO Virginia is not an economic development incentive program. Individual private businesses may not receive funding, nor can any project provide exclusive benefits to a single private business.

• GO Virginia funds must support new and expanded efforts — not ongoing operations. Funding cannot be used to continue, sustain, or supplement the operating costs of existing programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value and represent new activity that advances GO Virginia’s mission. Proposals must fill a documented gap, scale a proven model, or introduce a new approach that supports regional priorities.

Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) Competitive Grants

Competitive Grants are designed for projects that involve two or more GO Virginia regions (multi-regional) or go beyond what a single region’s annual allocation can support. They give regions the ability to collaborate or pursue initiatives that deliver substantial economic impact. To qualify, a project must present an extraordinary economic opportunity—one that is transformative in scale.

Competitive Grants allow regions to scale their ideas, tackle challenges that cross boundaries, and pursue transformative projects leverage regional strengths aiming to expand opportunities that benefit multiple localities and industries.

Application Types

Competitive Grants can support planning or implementation projects. The type of application depends on whether your project is multi-regional or single region. Competitive Grants include: Multi-Regional Planning Grants; Multi-Region Implementation Grants and Single Region Implementation Grants.

Multi-Regional Planning Grants

Multi-Regional Planning Grants give regions the chance to work together on big ideas before moving into implementation. These grants support the research, coordination, and strategy development needed when challenges or opportunities cross regional boundaries.

The goal is to help regions align priorities, engage key industry partners, and produce a clear roadmap that positions them for a future implementation project. By investing in planning first, regions reduce risk, build stronger partnerships, and ensure that later projects are grounded in real data and regional consensus.

Only planning projects that demonstrate a clear path toward a future multi-region implementation project of extraordinary economic opportunity will be considered for funding. In addition to the attached PDF document, see also the Planning Grant Administrative Guidance.

The C.D. Besadny Conservation Grants support grassroots conservation and education projects in Wisconsin, with funding ranging from $500 to $5,000. The grants prioritize initiatives that engage marginalized communities, protect rare species, and enhance climate resiliency. Eligible applicants include public charities, governmental units, and accredited educational institutions. The total project budget cannot exceed $10,000, and matching contributions are encouraged. This funding opportunity aims to strengthen connections between people and Wisconsin's natural resources.

The Potter Charitable Trust Grant supports nonprofit organizations aiding the economically underprivileged in Kent County, Delaware. Established in 1843, this trust funds initiatives focusing on crisis assistance, homelessness, hunger, and health care. Grants are awarded to programs demonstrating a lasting positive impact. Agencies must serve the state without discrimination, while the trust does not support individuals, non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, or certain educational and fundraising activities. Applications are welcomed from dedicated organizations making a difference.

The WBAL Radio Kids Campaign is dedicated to enhancing the lives of economically disadvantaged youth in its listening area. This initiative funds essential services and resources such as meals, educational materials, and recreational activities to support children's development. By prioritizing direct benefits to children, the campaign aims to foster educational and social growth, ensuring equal opportunities for all, regardless of background. This commitment reflects the core values of community support and empowerment.

The Educational Incentive Award Application by the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation aims to support children of individuals with severe thalassemia in pursuing their educational and career aspirations. With a total funding of $10,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, awards range from $500 for two-year programs to $1,000 for higher degree studies. Eligible applicants must be diagnosed with specific thalassemia types and provide necessary documentation, including a 250-word essay detailing their educational goals.

The Oriental Trading Company Corporate Giving Program focuses on enhancing the lives of children through education, youth programming, healthcare, and human services. With a commitment to making the world a better place, they support organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or public educational institutions. Their initiatives aim to foster community partnerships and provide essential resources to youth in need, ensuring they have access to vital services and opportunities for growth.

The Song-Brown Licensed Midwifery Program in California aims to enhance healthcare access by funding accredited midwifery training programs. This initiative focuses on graduating midwives who will serve in medically underserved areas and prioritize diversity in enrollment. Grants of up to $500,000 are available to programs that meet specific criteria, including providing training in areas with high Medi-Cal recipient populations, thereby addressing healthcare disparities and fostering community health.

The Rockfall Foundation is accepting applications for its 2026 Annual Environmental Grants Program, aimed at non-profit organizations, municipalities, and schools. This program supports projects focused on environmental conservation, restoration, and education in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. Eligible expenses include materials, transportation, and program fees. Projects must demonstrate a clear benefit to the environment and align with the foundation's priorities, including environmental justice and youth engagement.