Best Grants for BIPOC

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), provides crucial housing funding to non-profit organizations assisting individuals and families affected by AIDS/HIV. Available in 77 counties across Indiana, it prioritizes agencies dedicated to supporting these vulnerable populations, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and support to thrive in their communities.

The Coastal Fund (CF) Grant provides vital funding to support projects that preserve and enhance coastal ecosystems at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Aimed at fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship, the grant encourages proposals that align with the Coastal Fund's mission. Eligible applicants include UCSB-affiliated departments and registered nonprofits, with funding typically around $200,000 allocated quarterly. This initiative is essential for advancing ecological research and restoration efforts in the Santa Barbara region.

The Community Clean Air Grant Program, initiated by the City of Boston's Air Pollution Control Commission, seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations for projects that reduce urban air pollution. This initiative aims to enhance public health and tackle climate change impacts, particularly in marginalized communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. Eligible projects include efforts to mitigate pollution sources, improve community monitoring capabilities, and achieve measurable air quality improvements. The program emphasizes support for vulnerable populations facing health risks from environmental pollutants.

The Student & Resident Research Award, part of the Choose Rheumatology campaign, recognizes outstanding students and residents for significant contributions in rheumatology. Eligible applicants must be authors of abstracts submitted to ACR Convergence 2025 and can receive up to $2,000 in funding for travel and registration. This award promotes engagement in rheumatology through innovative learning experiences at ACR Convergence, enhancing the understanding and care for patients with rheumatic diseases.

The Rheumatology Scholarship – Workforce Expansion aims to recruit future rheumatology professionals by supporting students and residents from underserved areas to attend ACR Convergence 2025. Awardees receive $2,000 for travel, registration, and a one-year ACR/ARP Membership. This initiative fosters networking opportunities and educational experiences crucial for enhancing patient care in rheumatology. It is part of a broader campaign to address the growing shortage of rheumatologists and improve patient access to care.

The Rheumatology Scholarship supports undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students in attending ACR Convergence 2025, a premier event for rheumatology. Awardees gain exposure to innovative research and networking opportunities, enhancing their understanding of rheumatic diseases. The scholarship includes $2,000 for travel expenses and complimentary registration, encouraging future professionals to explore careers in this essential field. This initiative aims to strengthen the rheumatology workforce, ensuring better care for patients with musculoskeletal diseases.

The OEPA Scrap Tire Grant Program provides funding to Ohio businesses and local governments for projects that enhance scrap tire processing and product manufacturing. Eligible applicants can receive up to $300,000 for projects utilizing ground tire rubber in construction and civil engineering. This initiative aims to improve environmental sustainability while requiring a 100% match from grantees. Grants are reimbursed post-completion, ensuring effective project execution within a 24-month timeframe.

The Medical and Graduate Student Preceptorship provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in rheumatology through either clinical or research experiences lasting 4 to 8 weeks. Participants will observe practices in a shadowing role, gaining invaluable insights without direct patient management. The program supports students with financial awards of $2,000 or $4,000, depending on the duration of their preceptorship, and includes additional funds for travel expenses to attend professional conferences.

The OEPA Recycling and Litter Prevention Grants offer financial support to local governments and non-profits in Ohio for projects aimed at enhancing recycling efforts and reducing litter. Eligible initiatives include purchasing recycling equipment, organizing litter clean-up events, and educational outreach. Grants range from $25,000 to $200,000, depending on the project type, and are intended to foster community engagement and sustainable waste management practices. Applications must be submitted within a specified timeframe.

The Robert and Virginia Stanton Endowment Grant, established in 1994, prioritizes funding for 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations serving Monterey County. This grant emphasizes one-time special or capital projects that enhance community benefit, particularly in arts, education, and public infrastructure. Notable priorities include support for the restoration of buildings designed by Robert Stanton and various cultural institutions. In 2025, only invited agencies will be considered, ensuring focused contributions to impactful community initiatives.

The Redemption Innovation Grant Program, managed by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, aims to support innovative recycling initiatives by funding start-up costs for various recycling projects. Eligible applicants include certified recycling centers and new businesses looking to establish themselves in California. Projects must address unserved zones and comply with existing regulations, contributing to California's commitment to a circular economy by increasing recycling rates and reducing waste.

The Local Government Waste Tire Amnesty Grant Program, administered by CalRecycle, offers $1,500,000 in funding for fiscal year 2025-26 to support local governments in conducting free tire recycling events. These events are designed to help the public and businesses dispose of waste tires conveniently. Up to $40,000 is available for individual applicants, while regional applicants can receive up to $90,000. The program aims to promote responsible waste management and reduce illegal tire dumping.

The Local Enforcement Agency Grant Program, administered by CalRecycle, provides critical funding for Local Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to enhance solid waste facilities permit and inspection programs. With $1,500,000 available for FY 2025–26, including $96,000 dedicated to LEA training and outreach, this initiative aims to bolster existing budgets and ensure effective waste management. Projects funded will directly contribute to the sustainability and compliance of solid waste operations in California.

The CCCF's Common Ground Program offers Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Planning & Education Grants aimed at enhancing community wildfire resilience and forest health. Eligible applicants include federal and state agencies, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations. Grants range from $5,001 to $100,000 per year, with a focus on collaborative efforts that strengthen landscapes, conserve agricultural lands, and manage outdoor recreation impacts. The program encourages measurable outcomes and partnerships with organizations like the Colorado State Forest Service.

The CCCF Common Ground Program offers Forest Health and Fire Resilience Project Grants aimed at enhancing forest health and community fire resilience. Eligible projects must demonstrate a collaborative approach and provide community value, such as fuel breaks across public and private lands. Funding ranges from $5,001 to $500,000 per year, with a focus on leveraging resources to maximize impact. This initiative supports various organizations in achieving sustainable land management and protecting vital ecosystems.

Minnesota's Coastal Program Grants offer funding for projects aimed at enhancing the management of Lake Superior's coastal areas. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, these small grants (up to $10,000) support short-term initiatives that promote planning, outreach, technology advancement, and youth education. Eligible projects include developing plans, hosting conferences, and creating educational resources for youth. The program prioritizes sustainability and community engagement in coastal management efforts.

The Jane Deming Fund Grant, managed by the Orange County Community Foundation, focuses on supporting musical activities and education for under-served youth in Orange County. The grant is dedicated to projects that involve stringed instruments, provide tuition for music camps, purchase instruments for promising students, and produce performances that reach new audiences. This fund reflects Jane Deming's commitment to enhancing community engagement through music.

The Jeanette Zaichkin NRP Nursing Grant for Excellence and Innovation in NRP Education supports nurses dedicated to enhancing neonatal resuscitation training. This grant, offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides up to $10,000 for innovative projects addressing key gaps in transitional physiology and evidence-based practices. Eligible applicants must be current NRP Instructors and work in neonatal care settings. The initiative aims to empower nurses in teaching essential skills for successful newborn resuscitation.

Who We Are

For Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, health care is deeply personal. It's also inherently local — like us.

Our Local Focus

We’ve been serving the people of Montana for 85 years, and we’re committed to expanding access to quality, affordable health care to people in all phases of life. We offer health plan options for individuals and families, group customers and Medicare, and we deliver differentiated value to the people we serve through our focus on access, affordability, outcomes and innovation.

Community Giving

Each year, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana supports communities throughout our state with grants and sponsorships with the overarching goal of improving access to and affordability of health care. We are proud of these community investments and value the very important work that organizations are doing to keep Montanans healthy.

Community giving is divided into three areas: grants, sponsorships and Blue Impact℠ major grants. Areas of focus and exclusions for all funding requests, and specific requirements for each type of funding are detailed below, along with links to apply.

Areas of Focus

All community giving at BCBSMT is designed to build healthier communities as part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and partner with nonprofit organizations to reach Montanans in these focus areas:

• Economic opportunity and stability: Addressing issues such as poverty, removing barriers to employment, providing good jobs and upskilling;
• Nutrition: Supporting efforts to decrease hunger and increase access to nutritional food;
• Neighborhood and local assets: Focusing on affordable healthy housing, access to transportation and to physical activity;
• Locally defined health solutions: Addressing hyperlocal health and human service needs; and 
• Optimal health

BCBSMT Grants

A charitable grant supports either program-focused initiatives or general operating support. Grants provide support to programs and organizations that align with our mission to promote health, wellness and human services in the communities we serve.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Recycling Program was established through the Arizona Solid Waste Recycling Act of 1990 (A.R.S. §49-831 et seq.). The Recycling Program is responsible for providing public education to encourage participation in recycling and source reduction, and for providing the public with information about proper solid waste disposal. Waste Reduction Assistance (WRA) grants

The objective of the WRA program is to provide recycling opportunities to all Arizonans, and to provide funding assistance to projects that divert significant amounts of materials from the solid waste stream or are a component of a comprehensive program designed to achieve high diversion levels. WRA projects may include a small public awareness component, but must have a component that diverts material from the waste stream. Funds initiatives like curbside recycling and household hazardous waste collections to majorly curb the solid waste stream.

The Louisiana Forest Productivity Program offers financial assistance to landowners in Louisiana to establish and enhance timber crops. By supporting forestry practices, this program aims to improve productivity and offset costs associated with tree planting and management. Eligible participants must own at least 10 contiguous acres of suitable land and commit to maintaining the forestry usage for ten years. This initiative plays a vital role in promoting sustainable forestry and enhancing the state's agricultural landscape.

The Perpetual Benevolent Fund Grants provide crucial financial assistance to residents of Newton, Waltham, and Watertown facing hardships. Established in 1932, the fund supports public charities dedicated to alleviating the financial strain on local families in crisis. However, it does not accept applications for general operating support or capital projects, ensuring a focused approach to immediate community needs.

The Manning Family Foundation offers rolling grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Charlottesville, Virginia, focusing on health, education, and financial literacy. Established in 2003, the foundation emphasizes support for at-risk youth and disadvantaged communities. Their local giving initiative aims to foster a thriving community where culture flourishes and families prosper, while also providing essential free physical and mental health services to those in need.

The FL Nonpoint Source Management Grant offers funding to local governments and nonstate entities in Florida for projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source nutrient pollution in impaired waterbodies. This includes stormwater treatment initiatives and public education programs. Funded through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, the program's goal is to mitigate pollution from land use activities, with approximately $8 million available annually for eligible projects.

The Butler Foundation Charity Grant aims to alleviate poverty in Northern Kentucky by funding programs that emphasize individual dignity, employment, self-sufficiency, and education. With over $1.9 million invested in 2024 alone, the Foundation seeks to create long-term, positive outcomes through catalytic and impactful grants. Priorities include support for local charities addressing basic needs such as shelter, food, and education. The Foundation encourages collaborative efforts and challenge grants to maximize community resources.

The US Dept. of Health & Human Services, through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, is set to announce a funding opportunity focused on HIV research for pediatric and maternal populations. This initiative aims to foster innovative clinical trials addressing critical research areas in HIV, inviting collaborations from experts in various fields. Applications are not currently solicited, but potential applicants are encouraged to prepare for this opportunity.

The FY2026 Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) seeks to address the rapid spread of these invasive species in the Western United States. This funding opportunity aims to support proposals that align with the priorities established in QZAP 2.0, focusing on critical areas for prevention and control. Applications will only be accepted through grantsolutions.gov, and the initiative is limited to U.S. states within the Western Regional Panel.