Best Grants for BIPOC

About Madison Community FoundationSince 1942, Madison Community Foundation (MCF) has been building a stronger, more generous community and helping people like you make a lasting impact through charitable giving. Mission : MCF will engage Greater Madison in philanthropy to advance a more vibrant and equitable community.About Portage Area Community Fund (PACF) GrantPACF is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the greater Portage area for present and future generations.Key interest areas include:

• Civic and cultural enrichment,
• Natural and historic preservation,
• Parks and recreation,
• Community development,
• Youth and educational resources, and
• The needs of the community in the Portage area.

StopWaste

StopWaste is a public agency serving the 1.7 million diverse residents of Alameda County. Formed in 1976, we work on behalf of 17 member agencies—the County, 14 cities, and 2 sanitary districts—committed to advancing environmental sustainability and building healthy, equitable, climate resilient communities in Alameda County.

Our Current Goals

StopWaste's work is guided by three long-term goals: building a healthy local food system that eliminates waste, advancing a thriving circular economy, and accelerating innovation in the built environment. We prevent wasted food, recover surplus food to nourish communities, and keep materials in circulation through reuse, repair, recycling, and composting—while helping communities across Alameda County cut pollution, save money, and meet California’s climate and waste goals.

Reusable Foodware Mini-Grants

Up to $500 for Alameda County restaurants, cafes, and retail food businesses to purchase reusable foodware for dine-in service.

What You Get

• Up to $500 in reusable foodware (plates, cups, utensils, etc.)
• Free hands-on support during your transition
• No complicated paperwork required.

What's Covered

Reusable items for dine-in service, including:

• Plates and bowls
• Cups and mugs
• Utensils (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks)
• Serving trays and baskets

New Hanover County offers financial assistance through its Non-County Agency Funding program to support nonprofit organizations that align with its strategic objectives outlined in the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. This annual funding, with a maximum allotment of $50,000, focuses on key areas such as economic development, community safety, and environmental stewardship. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status and governmental entities, fostering transparency and accountability in the funding process.

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund's Grow Grant supports community-based initiatives in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT. This grant is designed for groups with local grassroots projects, prioritizing those with diverse voices and limited access to other funding sources. Eligible groups may not need formal tax status, but must maintain a checking account. This funding aims to enhance community engagement and empower local decision-making.

The Boo Grigsby Foundation, established in 2007, supports 501(c)(3) organizations in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana, focusing on education, health services, arts, human services, community initiatives, and conservation. With over $2,500,000 donated, the foundation aims to enhance community welfare through diverse programs and initiatives, ensuring all residents have access to vital resources and opportunities for growth.

Borsheims

Few other stores have a history like Borsheims. From our humble beginnings in Omaha, Nebraska to becoming a Berkshire Hathaway company with worldwide clientele, our past helps propel us into the future. For more than 150 years, we've been honored to help our customers celebrate their special moments, and we look forward to celebrating many more.

Borsheims Gives

As an Omaha institution for more than 155 years, Borsheims is proud to give back to the community that has given us so much. Corporate citizenship and social responsibility are values that are intrinsic to our business. Borsheims is honored to support local non-profits every year with our Big Impact Grant donations, team member volunteerism, social responsibility, and through our Borsheims Gives program.

Borsheims Gives Big Impact Grant Program

Our Big Impact Grant program allows us to create new partnerships and expand our community giving to benefit a multitude of organizations across the Omaha area. Our focus areas for giving:

• Women's Initiatives
  • As a female-led company, Borsheims is committed to empowering women and creating opportunities for them to thrive. Through partnerships with non-profit organizations that support safety, education, career development, and personal growth, we champion programs and initiatives that help strengthen and uplift women to build brighter futures for themselves and for our community.
• Children's Support
  • Supporting children has long been at the heart of Borsheims’ philanthropic efforts. By providing essential resources and mentorship to local organizations dedicated to children’s well-being, we are committed to helping young people reach their full potential. By investing in the next generation, we help create stronger communities for years to come.
• Community Interests
  • We support the organizations, initiatives, and community leaders who help make our city vibrant, welcoming, and strong. Whether partnering with long-standing institutions or emerging non-profits, we are dedicated to investing in the people and causes that shape Omaha’s future.

The Alice E. and Joseph C. Blewett Foundation Grant supports charitable organizations, primarily in Dallas, Texas, focusing on education, arts, health, and human services. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt to qualify. The foundation places a strong emphasis on local community engagement, aiming to enhance educational and cultural opportunities for youth. While there are no strict geographic limitations, preference is given to initiatives that align with the Blewetts' legacy of civic involvement and support for community welfare.

Education Forward Arizona, in partnership with Freeport-McMoRan, is launching a scholarship program aimed at providing education and training in critical technical fields. The initiative targets recent high school graduates and adult learners, starting recruitment for Fall 2025. Participants will gain skills for rewarding careers in mining, essential for the energy transition. Eligible candidates should be 18 or older, willing to enroll in community college programs, and participate in internships, ensuring a pathway to employment with Freeport-McMoRan.

The Professional Formation of Engineers: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) program aims to foster research in the Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) while expanding the community of researchers in this field. It targets early-career Principal Investigators (PIs) with limited experience in social science or education research, enabling them to develop expertise in engineering education research and address critical challenges in engineering formation.

The AmeriCorps Mississippi - FY2025 Formula AmeriCorps Grants provide funding opportunities aimed at various entities including educational institutions, local governments, and non-profit organizations. These grants enable applicants to engage AmeriCorps members to enhance community service efforts. New applicants who do not currently manage AmeriCorps State & National Funding may qualify for a Planning Grant, with exceptions requiring a formal request. This initiative supports community strengthening through dedicated service.

The Carbon Removal Innovation Support Program (GFO-22-901) aims to fund innovative projects that utilize advanced technologies for the direct capture of atmospheric carbon. This initiative, created under Assembly Bill 209, offers cost-sharing for eligible applicants including those receiving federal awards or follow-on funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The program prioritizes technology research, development, and demonstration projects that do not benefit fossil fuel production.

Competitive AmeriCorps Grants

Summary Statement

This is a funding opportunity for Institutions of higher education; local governments, school districts; nonprofit organizations; State Service Commissions; States and US Territories; Indian Tribes; and public health departments to apply for AmeriCorps members to strengthen communities through service.

Purpose of AmeriCorps State and National Funding

AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving.

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is a person who does community service through AmeriCorps.

Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits. After successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

The Opportunity Endowment Fund, managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofit organizations across a 25-county service area. Grants of up to $25,000 support collaborative projects focused on improving operational systems, fostering partnerships, and addressing community needs. Projects that demonstrate collective impact and leverage matching funds are prioritized, particularly those that tackle adverse childhood experiences and enhance early childhood education.

The Richard Hayes "Career Technical Education" Grant, offered by the Gilroy Foundation, supports transformative educational initiatives in technology, design, and vocational training. With over 40 years of impactful grantmaking, the foundation allocates 5% of year-end balances to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. This grant specifically aims to enhance skills in technical drawing, graphic technology, engineering studies, and film production, thereby empowering the community through education.

The El Paso Community Foundation Grant supports innovative philanthropic projects in the El Paso region, including far west Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico. Established in 1977, the foundation has awarded over $167 million in grants to address community needs. Key focus areas include arts, education, health, and economic development. Priorities include collaboration and impactful projects, while avoiding grants for individuals, capital campaigns, or religious purposes.

About Us

The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) is the leading professional membership organization for ob-gyns. ACOG champions ob-gyns in providing equitable, evidence-based care for patients today and into the future.

ACOG comprises more than 62,000 members across 12 Districts, representing regions in the United States, Canada, and Central and South America. These members maintain the highest professional standards and are united in their delivery of exceptional, respectful, science-backed care for patients. ACOG members include medical students, residents, practicing and retired physicians, and health professionals in related fields.

For nearly 75 years, ACOG has strengthened members with comprehensive, expert-reviewed practice guidelines; management tools; career development resources; and lifelong learning opportunities.

Pete and Weesie Hollis Community Service Award

The Pete and Weesie Hollis Community Service Award (formerly the President’s Community Service Award) was established by then President Richard “Pete” Hollis. The award was an outgrowth of Dr. Hollis’ presidential theme of caring for patients. Dr. Hollis felt strongly that many of the Fellows of ACOG gave hours of care and support within their community to underserved or poorly served patient populations, often with little or no remuneration or recognition.

The award is not to be given as a recognition of activities related to service to ACOG or activities that are based on support of the specialty in legislative or regulatory decisions. Recipients of the award will receive a $1,000 honorarium plus complimentary registration to the Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting where the award is presented.

About

The McLean Foundation is led by the passion and commitment of its volunteer directors, officers and a small staff team.

The McLean Foundation supports charitable organizations in Canada that help make life more fulfilling, communities more vibrant and our environment more durable.

Impact Areas

People: enhancing social and economic wellbeing

Places: building vibrant and creative local communites

Planet: contributing to more durable and resilient environments

We are committed to supporting work that is not as easily funded by others, but that can make a positive difference. We look for projects that show promise of increasing the wellbeing of people, communities, and our environment but may initially lack broad public appeal.

What We Fund

How We Work

We look for projects and partners who understand challenges and opportunities facing their communities, sectors and/or fields and are known for promising approaches to making life more fulfilling, communities more vibrant and/or our environment more durable. We are flexible and responsive to our partners' priorities, and we defer to each organization to share where funding can make the biggest difference in their work.  

We look for charitable organizations that address needs and gaps in the communities they work in, demonstrate strong community buy-in, and centre the experiences and priorities of communities most impacted by injustice in their work. These are generally smaller, local organizations. 

Funding Streams

Partnership Grants support organizations with a strong track record of taking risks, meeting needs and implementing promising approaches in their communities, fields and/or sectors through multi-year operating grants. These grants provide core funding to an organization so they can be adaptable and stable as they continue to innovate and do critical work in their communities.  

We anticipate making 6-8 Partnership Grants a year.

This is a two-step process, starting with an Expression of Interest(EOI).  

Organizations that submit an EOI before March 30th, 2026, may be invited to submit full proposals for consideration at the Foundation’s spring board meeting.  

EOIs received between April- July 31st, 2026 may be invited to submit full proposals for consideration at the Foundation’s fall board meeting.  

The Partnership Grant Stream will close for 2026 on July 31st.

The Western Balkans Program, supported by The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, aims to advance democracy and peace in a region undergoing transformation. With a focus on Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the program encourages transparency in governance and sustainable development. Despite challenges from historical conflicts, the Fund promotes inclusive societies and civil engagement to foster reconciliation and support a European future. Organizations seeking grants must be tax-exempt and focused on educational or charitable initiatives.

The West Central Initiative Grant supports sustainability, equity, and civic engagement projects in a resilient region. Grants range from $3,000 to $25,000, with most awards between $3,000 and $10,000. The funding prioritizes community-led initiatives focusing on sustainable development, support for historically marginalized populations, and nonpartisan civic engagement efforts. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and units of government serving West Central Initiative's nine-county geography.

Chelsea Groton Foundation, Inc. was established in 1998 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization. Initially endowed with a $2 million dollar donation from Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation has awarded over $8.1 million in grants to non-profit organizations in the Bank’s Connecticut and Rhode Island market areas.The Foundation’s mission is to support the ongoing commitment in partnership to the long-term growth of our community. Along with Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation is committed to belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring an ongoing sense of belonging for all, today and in the future.

The Marion Maccarrell Scott Scholarship, established by Gertrude F. Straub in memory of her father, supports students from Hawai'i public high schools planning to attend college on the mainland. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, possess good character, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8. This scholarship encourages studies in fields related to history, government, and international relations, promoting an understanding of world cooperation and peace.

The Allegheny County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program supports vital community development projects aimed at benefiting low- to moderate-income individuals. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the program encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including housing development, infrastructure improvements, and workforce development. Eligible applicants include local governments, authorities, and both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. All projects must align with HUD’s objectives and contribute to community revitalization efforts.

The Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation offers annual Health and Wellness grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations primarily serving Imperial County. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life through health and wellness, community engagement, and nonprofit capacity building. Focus areas include food security, mental health, and community voice empowerment. The foundation prioritizes vulnerable populations to ensure their needs are addressed, fostering a better living environment for all residents.

About Us

Who We Are

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

What We Do

Through our network of blind members, we coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.

What We Believe

We are the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power to transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people—from our democratically elected leaders to our diverse nationwide membership.

Scholarship Program

Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty $10,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. 

Handid Braille Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an individual studying social science, international relations, or governmental affairs. Handid’s mission is to provide Braille and other forms of accessible media to organizations and individuals. The nonprofit specializes in Braille production in languages other than English, especially languages that do not use the Latin alphabet, and wishes to support a student with unique perspectives.

The Mathew A. and Mildred Hunter Charitable Trust Grant, established in 1997, aims to support religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes. Priority is given to organizations assisting abused children and the mentally handicapped, as well as educational institutions providing scholarships. The average grant size ranges from $2,500 to $20,000. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under specific IRS codes and operate primarily in Lake County, Florida.

The Goodyear Community Support Grant aims to empower nonprofit organizations that align with Goodyear's community engagement focus areas. With a strong commitment to safe, smart, and sustainable initiatives, Goodyear supports programs fostering safe mobility, inspiring students through education, and addressing environmental and societal needs. This grant serves as a catalyst for positive change, helping communities thrive by focusing on volunteerism and impactful partnerships.

The John H. and Wilhelmina D. Harland Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on supporting effective organizations that enhance opportunities for low-income youth, particularly in Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia. The foundation prioritizes programs in arts education, community services, and child development. Grants are available to public charities with a minimum two-year operational history. Applications are accepted annually, and only by invitation for arts education programs, ensuring a concentrated impact on community needs.