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Best Grants for 501(c)(3)

Explore grants specifically for 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting diverse missions in education, health, environment, and social justice.

32,000+

Available grants

$8.25B

Total funding

$6K

Median grant

32,000+ grants
$8.25B total
$6K median

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32,483 Results based on applied filters

New Jersey Emergency Medical Shock Trauma Air Rescue JEMSTAR

State of New Jersey Department of Health
State/Local Government
New Jersey
Approximately US $6,000,000
The New Jersey Emergency Medical Shock Trauma Air Rescue (JEMSTAR) program, overseen by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to enhance public health response through a dedicated helicopter service. This initiative serves both residents and visitors, ensuring timely medical assistance across the state. To qualify for funding, applicants must be established helicopter or communication centers in good financial standing. This program addresses critical healthcare needs and reinforces New Jersey's emergency medical services framework.
Emergency Medical Care & Services

Paradise for Good Grant

Community Foundation of the Florida Keys
Private
Florida
US $1,000 - US $20,000
The Paradise for Good Grant, offered by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, provides financial support ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 for initiatives that enhance the lives of local residents. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and faith-based organizations serving the Florida Keys. The foundation seeks projects aligned with its strategic vision, addressing community needs with measurable outcomes, and demonstrating sustainability beyond the grant period.
Nonprofit Growth & Development Economic Services & Development Community Development & Revitalization +1 more

National Theatre Company Grants

American Theatre Wing Inc
Private
New York County, New York
Up to US $100,000
The National Theatre Company Grants, provided by the American Theatre Wing, aim to enhance regional theatre's role within the American theatre landscape. This initiative will award five grants of $100,000 each year to support innovative projects focused on presenting work by living playwrights. The program encourages diverse approaches to audience engagement and aims to uplift under-represented voices in theatre, fostering a vibrant, inclusive community that champions new artistic works.
Theater

Mississippi Car Tag Stipend Program

Mississippi Nurses Foundation
Association/Society
Mississippi
Up to US $5,000

About Mississippi Nurses Foundation

The Mississippi Nurses Foundation provides scholarships, stipends, and grants to nursing students and registered nurses throughout the state of Mississippi who are pursuing degrees in nursing.

Mississippi Car Tag Stipend Program

Stipends are made available to nursing students and nurses pursuing a degree in nursing in the state of Mississippi through the Nurses Car Tag Program. 

  • There are two Car Tag stipend programs available: 
    • Stipend for AB-DS Students
    • Stipend for Masters Doctoral
Nursing

Ryan Lesher Student Athlete Memorial Scholarship (NCF)

Bucks County Foundation
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Ryan Lesher Student Athlete Memorial Scholarship (NCF)

Provides scholarships to Council Rock South and North High Schools for students who participated in multiple sports and maintained a GPA over 3.0.

Education - Higher Education Sports & Athletics

Jodie Lewinsohn Career Achievement Award

Lois Roth Foundation
Association/Society
United States
Unspecified amount

Lois Roth Foundation

The Lois Roth Foundation honors the life and work of Lois Wersba Roth. Since 1987, it has sought to promote and encourage dialogue across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries, with an emphasis on the humanities, arts and social sciences. Foundation programs are conducted in collaboration with a range of partners and focused on three domains: Fulbright & Academic Collaborations, Cultural Diplomacy, and Literature & Translation.

Cultural Diplomacy

In recollection of Lois Roth’s efforts to promote cross‐cultural understanding and cooperation as a US Foreign Service Officer, the Roth Foundation partners with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) (US State Department), to provide the department’s four awards honoring excellence in the field of cultural and educational diplomacy.

The types of qualities displayed by recipients of Roth Foundation cultural diplomacy awards include:

  • Cross‐cultural sensitivity and understanding for all—regardless of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin or disability—and the courage and intellectual integrity to bring alternate facts and opinions into open conversation
  • Ingenuity and imagination in creating projects, programs and products to deepen the contact between foreign intellectuals, artists and professionals and their US counterparts
  • Familiarity with global affairs and foreign languages, to deepen substantive discussion between US and foreign intellectuals, scholars and professionals
  • Patience, wisdom and generosity in helping new colleagues, both international and US, develop their careers
  • Special skill in promoting collaborations between US and foreign institutions and high‐quality exchange opportunities with the civil sector.

Jodie Lewinsohn Career Achievement Award

The Jodie Lewinsohn Career Achievement Award honors the most accomplished and longest-serving Locally Employed Staff members, particularly those who are nearing retirement. It is named for a distinguished U.S. Information Agency Foreign Service Officer who was a close friend and mentor to Lois Roth and who also served as the head of the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, when Gill Jacot-Guillarmod was working there. In 2022, Jodie left a legacy in her will to endow this award in perpetuity. This award recognizes those who are nearing the end of their careers for long-standing dedication to their work and their success in what Gill described as “helping the United States while helping your own country.” 

Nomination Process

Every spring, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will internally circulate details regarding nominations for the four Lois Roth Foundation Awards. State Department supervisors are invited to submit nominations in all four categories.

International / Foreign Affairs Cross-Cultural Understanding & Exchanges

ARVO Foundation Collaborative Research Fellowship

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Private
Afghanistan, Albania +135 more
Up to US $10,000
The ARVO Foundation Collaborative Research Fellowship, established by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, aims to enhance ophthalmic research through international collaborations. This fellowship supports partnerships between researchers from developing countries and established scientists, fostering innovative research projects. Up to three fellowships of $10,000 each will be awarded annually for one-year projects, promoting scientific training and resource sharing. Eligible applicants include those who have completed their terminal degrees within the last ten years.
Eye Diseases & Disorders

Nita M. Lowey 2025 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Competition: Re-Applicants

Kansas State Department of Education
State/Local Government
Kansas
Unspecified amount
The Nita M. Lowey 2025 Grant Competition is designed for re-applicants seeking funding to provide expanded learning opportunities for children outside regular school hours. Administered by the Kansas State Department of Education, this grant focuses on collaborative projects between school districts and community organizations, targeting schools with a 40% or higher free/reduced lunch population. Eligible applicants must have received 21st CCLC funds in the past five years, fostering educational equity and student achievement.
After School / Summer Educational Programs

Annette M. Brown Scholarship Fund

Maine Community Foundation
Private
Maine
Unspecified amount
The Annette M. Brown Scholarship Fund, established by the Maine Community Foundation, offers financial support to Androscoggin County residents pursuing post-secondary education. Founded in 1983, it honors Annette M. Brown, a teacher who bequeathed $16,000 for needy students in her will. Preference is given to first-generation college applicants and those attending accredited colleges in Androscoggin County. Each year, the fund helps numerous students achieve their educational goals.
Education - Higher Education Academic Scholarship Programs

Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grants

Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC)
State/Local Government
Pennsylvania
US $5,000 - US $25,000
The Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grants provide funding for nonprofit organizations and local governments in Pennsylvania to support projects aimed at preserving and promoting historic resources. This program focuses on planning and development for publicly accessible sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, encouraging applicants to engage in cultural resource surveys, national register nominations, and community planning. It aims to enhance public access to historic sites while revitalizing local communities.
Historic Preservation Archaeology

Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists

Spector Family Foundation
Private
United States
US $10,000

CultureSource

CultureSource is a member association for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Southeast Michigan serving Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe and St. Clair counties. As a regional service organization, we do this work through hosting professional development workshops that grow creative and leadership capacities, presenting programs that provide space for exchanging ideas about arts and culture, and leading initiatives that bring together stakeholders interested in the public accessing creative expression.

Our MISSION is to advance and cultivate creative and cultural expression in Southeast Michigan.

The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists

The Spector Craft Prize (the “Prize”) is an annual initiative launched in 2025 to champion excellence in American craft. Founded by Abigail Klem Spector and Warren Spector through the Spector Family Foundation, the program supports craft artists at pivotal moments in their careers through awards, mentorship, and community-building.

In an era dominated by rapid technological advancement, the Spector Craft Prize stands as a vital counterbalance by preserving material connections in an increasingly virtual world, supporting creative expression amid declining public funding for arts education, and reconnecting makers and the public to our shared heritage of craft. By championing craft artists at pivotal moments in their careers, the Spector Family Foundation aims to strengthen the role of craft in contemporary American culture.

Aim of the Prize

The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists seeks to identify and support exceptional emerging craft artists whose work demonstrates technical mastery, innovative vision, and deep engagement with American culture. The Prize aims to recognize artists who show significant potential for contributing to the field and who would benefit from the comprehensive support provided by the program.

Selected artists represent the future of American craft and demonstrate a commitment to strengthening craft's role in contemporary American culture through their practice, community engagement, and artistic vision. 

American Art

Ignite Fund

Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
Private
Cook County, Illinois, DuPage County, Illinois +4 more
US $10,000
The Ignite Fund offers ten $6,000 grants for innovative visual arts projects by Chicago-area artists or collectives. It seeks community-focused, collaborative work that prioritizes accessibility and public engagement. Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong artistic vision, effective collaboration, and a clear understanding of their target audience. Projects should be completed within a year and must engage local communities. This initiative is designed to enhance the cultural landscape by supporting experimental and unconventional artistic practices.
Visual Arts Public / Community Art

CSA Midwest Region: Beth Dunlap Award

Costume Society of America
Association/Society
Canada, Illinois +10 more
Unspecified amount

CSA Midwest Region: Beth Dunlap Award

 The Midwestern Region presents The Beth Dunlap Award at the Regional Symposium. The award will be offered to a person who has made contributions worthy of the highest commendation and the achievements will have continued importance. Beth Dunlap was one of the founding members of the Midwestern Region. A fashion illustrator and artist, she passed away in 2009.

Design

Preventive Health Services Grant Program

State of New Jersey Department of Health
State/Local Government
New Jersey
Unspecified amount
The Preventive Health Services Grant Program, offered by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to implement evidence-based strategies to combat chronic diseases in vulnerable communities. This initiative seeks to enhance health outcomes by promoting education and awareness of chronic disease prevention. Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge in this area and provide necessary compliance documents. The overarching goal is to improve the quality of life and foster healthier living for New Jersey residents.
Chronic Illnesses

Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation: Supporting Transitioning Foster Youth

Hawai'i Community Foundation
Private
Hawaii
US $10,000 - US $75,000
The Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation provides grants to support transitioning foster youth in Hawaii. This initiative, aligned with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, aims to enhance youth outcomes in areas such as education, employment, and housing. Grant proposals should focus on engaging youth and fostering supportive relationships. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations serving current or former foster youth aged 14-24. The foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate measurable impact on youth development.
Child Foster Care & Adoption Services

Rural Grants

Daniel Foundation of Alabama
Corporate
Barbour County, Alabama, Bibb County, Alabama +47 more
Unspecified amount
The Rural Grants program by the Daniel Foundation of Alabama aims to enhance community well-being by supporting organizations in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties. Eligible projects must focus on improving quality of life for residents in areas with populations under 50,000 and higher poverty rates. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that foster education and community collaboration, ensuring that funds are dedicated to impactful, localized efforts for sustainable development.
Rural Development

Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233 Scholarship Endowment Fund

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
Private
United States
US $1,000

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233 Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233 scholarship is available to two students annually who is an Active Duty, Active Reserve, or Veteran U.S. Marine, Navy Corpsman/Chaplain (attached to an FMF unit), or the spouse, child, or grandchild of the previously listed sponsors. Students must provide a legible copy of the DD Form 214 for proof of service.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

Education - Higher Education Military & Veterans Services

CUNY Dance Initiative Residencies

Howard Gilman Foundation Inc
Private
Bronx County, New York, Kings County, New York +3 more
More than US $1,000
The CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI) provides New York City choreographers and dance companies with essential resources like rehearsal time and performance space across 14 CUNY campuses. This residency program aims to support local artists, enrich the cultural life of college students, and create new dance audiences. Eligible applicants include independent choreographers and professional companies with at least three years of professional experience. The initiative fosters collaboration between the city's vibrant dance community and educational institutions.
Dance

Brightwork Grants: Studio Project Grant

North Carolina Arts Council
State/Local Government
North Carolina
US $3,000
The Brightwork Grants: Special Project Grant, offered by the North Carolina Arts Council, aims to support visual artists in 2026. One artist will receive funding for studio-based projects, which may cover equipment purchases, exhibition-related expenses, and project-specific research costs. Eligible applicants must reside in designated North Carolina counties and be at least 21 years old. This initiative fosters artistic innovation and community enrichment by empowering local talent through targeted financial support.
Visual Arts Artist Training & Development

Cooke Foundation: Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Private
United States
Unspecified amount
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship to outstanding community college students with financial need, providing up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to cover educational expenses. This selective scholarship supports students in completing their bachelor's degrees at accredited institutions. Recipients benefit from personalized advising and a robust network of Cooke Scholars. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate unmet financial need, ensuring accessibility to higher education.
Education - Higher Education Academic Scholarship Programs

Norbert H. and Joan LaSee Scholarship

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Inc.
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Geographical Area

The official geographic service area of Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc., beginning to our west and traveling clockwise, includes the following communities in addition to Marshfield (It also includes towns and rural areas between these communities.): Chili, Granton, Neillsville, Loyal, Greenwood, Withee, Owen, Spencer, Unity, Colby, Curtiss, Pittsville, Abbotsford, Dorchester, Stetsonville, Medford, Stratford, Rozellville, Hewitt, Auburndale, Blenker, Milladore, Sherry, Arpin.

Norbert H. and Joan LaSee Scholarship

This scholarship is for graduating seniors at Marshfield, Columbus, Spencer, or Stratford High School attending an accredited college, university, or tech school intending to study a career in the trades. Student financial need must be considered. Renewable for 2 additional years.

Education - Higher Education Vocational & Trade Education

Tourism Development Financing Program (TDFP)

Virginia Tourism Corporation
State/Local Government
Virginia
Unspecified amount
The Tourism Development Financing Program (TDFP), offered by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, provides essential gap financing for new tourism product development. Economic Development Organizations must identify local tourism product deficiencies based on research. Once a developer demonstrates their project addresses this gap through market studies, they can secure state contributions from quarterly sales and use tax from the project. This initiative aims to enhance Virginia's travel industry and attract more visitors.
Tourism

Creative Opportunity Fund

Alliance Of Resident Theatres New York Inc
Private
New York
US $2,000 - US $5,000
The Creative Opportunity Fund, managed by A.R.T./New York, offers general operating support grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for small professional theatres in New York State with budgets under $500,000. This initiative aims to promote capacity building and stabilization by providing flexible funding to theatres that face barriers to mainstream funding due to racial, economic, disability, and geographic factors. The fund is a regrant from the New York State Council on the Arts, ensuring broad access to necessary resources.
Theater

Community Benefit Initiative Reinvestment (CBIR) Grant - Continuing Current Projects Application

Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization
Corporate
Baker County, Oregon, Gilliam County, Oregon +10 more
Up to US $20,000
The Community Benefit Initiative Reinvestment (CBIR) Grant supports one-year projects aimed at enhancing healthcare access in Eastern Oregon. Eligible applicants include healthcare providers and community organizations focused on non-insured services. Technical assistance is mandatory for all applicants. Projects addressing county-specific incentive measures are prioritized. This grant offers a critical opportunity for 2025 CBIR-funded projects to extend their impact and improve healthcare outcomes in the region.
Community Health Education Health Care Access & Delivery

Great Performance Fund for Theater Grant

Madison Community Foundation
Private
Dane County, Wisconsin
Unspecified amount
The Great Performance Fund for Theater Grant, managed by Madison Community Foundation, supports professional theater at the Overture Center for the Arts. With an annual distribution of approximately $80,000, it aims to assist theater companies with production costs. Eligibility requires companies to meet specific criteria, including having an equity contract and a history of self-produced productions. This fund plays a vital role in fostering artistic innovation and cultural enrichment in the Madison community.
Theater

NJCCR: Pilot Program Research Grant

State of New Jersey Department of Health
State/Local Government
New Jersey
Up to US $3,000,000
The NJCCR: Pilot Program Research Grant, offered by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to tackle priority areas related to the causes of cancer. This two-year grant focuses on research into genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors, as well as behavioral and socioeconomic aspects. It encourages innovative approaches to pain management and cancer health disparities, fostering collaboration among stakeholders to improve outcomes for high-burden communities in New Jersey.
Cancer / Oncology

LFW: Accelerator Grants

The Legal Foundation of Washington
Private
Washington
US $20,000 - US $100,000
The Legal Foundation of Washington offers Accelerator Grants to support innovative civil justice initiatives. These one-time grants aim to address urgent needs and promote systemic change for historically excluded communities in Washington State. Eligible projects may include legal advocacy for healthcare access for undocumented residents or technology solutions for clearing Legal Financial Obligations. Grants range from $20,000 to $100,000 and are intended for organizations committed to anti-racist work and equitable justice.
Legal Services Civil Rights

Grants for 501(c)(3) Highlights

Grants for 501(c)(3) organizations provide essential funding to support nonprofit missions across various sectors. These grants empower tax-exempt entities to deliver impactful programs, grow operations, and address community needs.


Search Instrumentl's 501(c)(3) Grants Database


Discover 8,000+ active grants for 501(c)(3) organizations, with $3.43B available. Instrumentl streamlines the grant search process for nonprofits, offering tools for deadline tracking, customized searches, and access to funder insights.

Last updated: October 5, 2026. Next update: November 1, 2026.

Grant Insights : Grants for 501(c)(3)

Grant Availability

How common are grants in this category?

Quite common — grants in this category are more prevalent than in others.

8,000+ Grants for 501(c)(3) grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

3,000+ Grants for 501(c)(3) over $25K in average grant size

3,000+ Grants for 501(c)(3) over $50K in average grant size

1,000+ Grants for 501(c)(3) supporting general operating expenses

7,000+ Grants for 501(c)(3) supporting programs / projects

1,000+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Environment

600+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Food Access & Hunger

Grant Deadline Distribution

Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for grants for 501(c)(3)?

Most grants are due in the first quarter.

Q1
29.8%
Q2
23.8%
Q3
23.9%
Q4
22.6%

Typical Funding Amounts

What's the typical grant amount funded for Grants for 501(c)(3)?

Grants are most commonly $34,887.

$0 $0 Min.
$34,887 $34.9 K Median
$655,609 $655.6 K Average
$188,250,000 $188.3 M Max.

Frequently asked questions

In general, any organization that has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status will qualify for these grants.

Grants for 501(c)(3) organizations play a vital role in supporting nonprofit missions across diverse sectors. By providing essential funding, these grants enable tax-exempt organizations to implement meaningful programs, expand their operations, and effectively address pressing community needs.

In general, grants for 501(c)(3) organizations have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q1, with 29.8% 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 Q4.

These grants are designed to help tax-exempt nonprofit organizations positively impact their communities. The funding can cover things like ongoing operations costs, program development needs, and capacity-building efforts.

Funding for all 501(c)(3) charitable organizations varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $0 to a maximum of $188,250,000. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $34,887, while the average grant awarded is $655,609. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.

501(c)(3) grants are awarded by all types of funders, including private foundations, corporations, government agencies, and donor-advised funds. The Ford Foundation and the Gates Foundation are two examples.

Federal, state, and local governments offer grants to support nonprofit operations and specific projects. Other private foundations like the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the Walmart Foundation, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and numerous others provide a wide range of funding opportunities tailored to different charitable causes and sectors.

To increase their chances of securing grants, nonprofits should consider the following strategies:

  • Match Funder Goals – Ensure their proposals align with the funder's mission and priorities.
  • Show Measurable Results – Use data to demonstrate past achievements and future potential.
  • Form Key Partnerships – Collaborate with relevant organizations, such as healthcare providers and community groups, to enhance credibility.
  • Tell a Compelling Story – Use real-life examples and case studies to illustrate the impact of your program.

Learn more about how to conduct effective grant research.

Instrumentl helps nonprofits apply for 501(c)(3) grants more easily. It matches them with the right funding opportunities, analyzes what funders are looking for, and keeps track of deadlines in one place.

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