Best Grants for BIPOC

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation supports Virginia-based nonprofits focusing on capital projects across various sectors, including arts, education, and conservation. Founded in 1988, it has awarded approximately $73 million to enhance community life and foster civic engagement. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and not have received funding in the past five years. Applications are accepted online with specific deadlines for the Spring and Fall cycles.

The United Way of Greater Waterbury provides funding through its Community Needs Fund to address the pressing needs of local communities. Their initiatives focus on education, financial stability, and basic needs, aiming to enhance learning opportunities for youth, connect individuals with economic resources, and ensure access to essential services like healthcare and food. This funding is available to 501c3 organizations serving the ten towns in the Greater Waterbury area, enhancing community resilience and support.

The Education Foundation for Cle Elum-Roslyn Grant supports innovative educational programs that enhance K-12 student learning in the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District. This non-profit organization focuses on STEM education, classroom technology, fine arts, and vocational initiatives. By bridging funding gaps, the foundation aims to provide students with the resources needed to excel academically and fosters out-of-the-box learning experiences that leave a lasting impact.

The Crime Victim Services — VAWA (S.T.O.P.) program, managed by the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, aims to enhance the response to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. This initiative supports diverse projects that strengthen victim services and ensures access to justice. It mandates a 25% non-federal match for project budgets, while allowing exemptions for tribes and certain nonprofits. The program prioritizes effective collaboration and public policy advocacy to uphold victims' rights and safety.

About BHOF

For 40 years, the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) has been committed to preventing osteoporosis and promoting awareness about bone health. Learn more about our organization.

Awards

Robert F. Gagel, M.D. Community Leadership Award

The Robert F. Gagel, M.D. Community Leadership Award recognizes a healthcare professional who has made outstanding contributions to improving osteoporosis care and increasing community awareness about bone health. This award will be presented annually to a healthcare professional residing and working in the United States or its territories.

The Executive Committee of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation’s (BHOF’s) Board of Trustees will review nominations and select the recipient.

The award winner will be notified and announced in May, in recognition of Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. The recipient will receive a plaque and a financial award (currently $1,000) to support community service efforts initiatives related to osteoporosis and bone health.

The Indian Health Grant Program aims to provide essential clinical health services, including preventive, medical, dental, and mental health care, to American Indian individuals residing off reservations. Funded by the Minnesota Department of Health, up to $174,000 is available annually through a competitive process for a two-year project period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, with no match requirement necessary.

The Booth Ferris Foundation, established in 1957, offers grants through its Strengthening NYC Grant Program. This initiative aims to support organizations that promote equity and build vibrant communities in New York City. Eligible entities must demonstrate a strong track record and focus on capacity building to address systemic inequities. The Foundation provides funding for projects that enhance nonprofit infrastructure and sustainability, helping organizations achieve long-term impact in their communities.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development 

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) helps Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities.

Collaboration is central to carrying out this mission and we work with other state Agencies as well as businesses of all sizes, communities, educators, non-profits, students, recreational venues and many others. We at ACCD “set the table” for opportunity. So whether you are a business owner seeking to relocate here, a developer interested in building a new project, an individual hoping to restore an historic gem or a community hoping to increase the livability of your town, you have come to the right place.

Vermont Community Development Program

The Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) administers U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Vermont’s CDBG funding assists communities on a competitive basis by providing financial and technical assistance to identify and address local needs in areas of:

• housing
• economic development
• public facilities
• public services
• handicapped accessibility modifications

70% of CDBG funds must primarily benefit persons of low and moderate income. Assistance can also be provided as “Slums and Blight” or “Urgent Need” to communities that VCDP determines meet federal qualifications. 

Community Development Block Grants

The federal government created the Community Development Block grant program in 1974. 

Grant Types

The VCDP provides federal CDBG funding for eligible activities through the following application types: Implementation Grant (IG); Scattered Site Grants (SS); Planning Grant (PG); and Accessibility Modification Grants (AM)

CDBG Implementation Grant (IG)

Provides funding for economic development, housing, public facilities, and public services, in support of economic development or housing that will result in direct benefit to persons of low- and moderate-income, will eliminate slums or blight, or will address a community’s urgent need. A 10% match of cash or cash-in-kind goods or services is required for all grants. 

About

The Jacobs Family moved to Wellington in 1972, when strawberry fields were still common and very few of Wellington’s roads were paved. In the intervening four decades, multiple generations of our family have been proud to call Wellington home.

The foundation was formed in 2015 to facilitate our family’s philanthropic efforts, and to support medium- to long-term programs for education, athletics, at-risk youth, and preservation in and around Wellington.

Office for Victims Programs (OVP)

Vision

Be a trusted resource for crime victims/survivors, service providers, and agencies, and a catalyst for improving the delivery of and access to services for victims/survivors in Colorado.

Mission

To support victims/survivors, communities, service providers, and agencies using our diverse expertise and backgrounds by:

• Serving as good stewards in the dissemination of public funds;
• Bridging the gap between victims/survivors and the criminal justice system, helping them navigate its complexities while promoting fairness and justice;
• Training across multiple sectors to strengthen the capabilities of agencies;
• Collaborating with communities, policy makers, and stakeholders to enhance the response to victims/survivors of crime;
• Influencing public policy that prioritizes victims’ rights, safety, and healing.

Crime Victim Services — SASP (Sexual Assault Services Program)

Dedicated to the provision of direct intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault.

Victimizations Served

• Sexual assault

Match Requirements

• No match requirement

The Rosamond Thaxter Foundation Grant supports charitable organizations in Kittery, Maine, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and the Isles of Shoals. The Foundation prioritizes local non-profits focusing on history, healthcare, land conservation, education, museums and libraries, and the arts. Eligibility requires tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), while private foundations are ineligible. Through its grants, the Foundation aims to enhance community well-being and support diverse initiatives.

About Oklahoma CareerTech

For more than 100 years, Oklahoma’s system of career and technology education has focused on improving Oklahoma’s economy by offering individuals the training and skills necessary to be successful in the workplace and providing companies with the workforce necessary to compete globally.

Oklahoma CareerTech is often used as a model for programs across the United States and around the world. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 62 campuses, 394 PK-12 school districts, 20 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 49 Adult Education and Family Literacy service providers.

Perkins Innovative Grants

Things to know:

• All grants will be on a two-year award cycle (except CTE New Program Grant) to match the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment timeline. To be eligible for awards, recipients will be required to complete and submit their Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment.

• Grant recipients will have to show progress towards goal completion by the end of the first year of funding to receive 2nd year funding. These Benchmarks will be developed in collaboration with the Program area innovative grant leads and the recipients.

• Districts can apply for multiple grants. 

There are 8 Innovative Grants that all eligible recipients can apply for: 1) Career Development and Programs of Study; 2) Career Pathways, Workforce, and Industry Partnerships; 3) Supporting CTE Special Populations; 4) High Growth and Emerging Technologies; 5) Innovation in Career Exploration; 6) Innovative Strategies to Recruit and Retain - High Schools/Tech Centers That Work & Other; 7) CTE New Program; 8) Improving Academic Proficiency

Innovative Strategies to Recruit and Retain CTE Instructors - High Schools/Tech Centers That Work & Other

In an ongoing effort to support the recruitment and retention of CTE teachers, the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education supports the development of new innovative strategies and the enhancement of existing strategies to recruit and retain Oklahoma’s CTE instructors. The strategies developed with these funds should support a culture of continuous improvement that engages the whole school community in continuously using data to identify problems and develop plans to solve them. A tool like strong school culture is important to the recruitment and retention of CTE instructors in areas that meet local and state workforce needs while embracing innovative methods to support CTE instructors through rigorous professional development, continuing education, among other strategies. HSTW & TCTW grants must utilize 51% of funds on SREB resources or services.

Summary

Through this Request for Proposals (“RFP”), the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (“MassCEC”) is offering Students and Young Adults Equity Workforce Career Awareness and Training Grants. The Grants help provide direct funding and technical assistance support to organizations interested in career awareness and training programming focused on supporting students1 and young adults who are part of one or more of the following populations:

• Individuals from Environmental Justice (“EJ”) Neighborhoods or low-income communities;
• Members of federally recognized or state-acknowledged tribes;
• Members of underrepresented communities in the clean energy workforce; and
• Current or former workers from the fossil fuel industry (“Fossil Fuel Workers”).

Strand A: Clean Energy Career Awareness, Career Exploration, Career Navigation, and Preparedness

Strand B: Career Pathway Training with Work-based or Learning-based Opportunities

Strand C: Planning and Capacity Grants for Career Awareness or Career Pathways Training 

Indiana Department of Health

The Indiana State Department of Health became the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) in July 2021 after the Governor signed legislation updating the agency's statute. That same year the Department was also awarded accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board, joining the ranks of 36 other states and territories.

Mission: To promote, protect, and improve the health and safety of all Hoosiers.

Tactical Urbanism Demonstration Projects Supporting Active Transportation

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is providing funding for Indiana communities to assist in the design and implementation of low-cost pop-up, tactical urbanism demonstration projects that support active living in Indiana. This funding will assist grantees in the planning, preparation, and implementation of one or more tactical urbanism demonstration projects in their communities. Eligible applicants include cities, towns, counties, regional planning agencies (such as MPOs), school corporations, and not-for-profit groups. This grant is managed by the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity.

The Hyde and Watson Foundation, established in 1983, provides capital grants for projects in New York City and certain New Jersey counties. Funding supports construction, renovations, and equipment purchases for nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status. Eligible fields include human services, education, health, arts, and the environment. Grants exclude operating support, individual funding, and recurring fees, with a limit of one grant per organization per year. Applications are due by February 1 or August 1.

The Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, addresses abandoned mine lands in Appalachia. This initiative provides crucial funding for reclamation efforts that promote both environmental restoration and local economic development. Since 2017, Ohio has received over $100 million to revitalize communities affected by mining. The program targets areas with significant unfunded AML issues, fostering sustainable growth and enhancing community well-being.

Overview

We believe that Central New York has the human and social capital to build a vibrant community. Generational poverty and social inequality present a significant hindrance to realizing our full potential. We know from extensive research that there are strategies and investments that can make a difference. That’s why we have a local, place based approach to addressing systemic and structural inequity. We are authentic, strategic and collaborative, and we are embracing a future of prosperity and equity in our community.

In general, the Allyn Family Foundation is open to requests that:

• Support healthy development for children and families
• Build family economic stability and self-sufficiency
• Support places and spaces that bring people together with intention
• Build neighborhoods of choice
• Amplify community voice and power-building

The Canadian Farm to School Grant, supported by Farm to Cafeteria Canada and the Whole Kids Foundation, provides funding up to $10,000 for schools across Canada to enhance local food initiatives. Schools from kindergarten to grade 12 are encouraged to engage students and communities in growing, cooking, and serving healthy local foods. This initiative promotes food literacy and sustainable practices, aiming to increase student access to nutritious meals while fostering community connections.

The Embraer Foundation's (e)NVEST Community Grant program supports local initiatives addressing critical community needs in areas such as education, housing, food insecurity, and workforce development. With grants of up to $25,000 available, the program aims to create a positive impact in communities surrounding Embraer's facilities. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) public charities that have been active for over a year, focusing on sustainable development goals aligned with the United Nations.

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

The Division of Governance Interventions supports TEA’s mission and vision by providing exceptional leadership, guidance, and support to school system leadership teams and governing boards. The division collaborates with external field support agents appointed by the TEA Commissioner of Education to build sustainable systems aligned to core TEA initiatives, so that the school system thrives after the release of agency intervention. 

Unified Champion Schools Grant

Program Description

The Unified Champion Schools grant provides funding to support statewide Unified Sports, comprehensive early child development to adult transition programs with data-based health, social, leadership, transition, and athletic programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

The intent of the grant program is to expand the reach of the Special Olympics Unified Champions project. This project uses sports as a catalyst for social inclusion that extends beyond the playing field and into classrooms and communities to promote long-term success of students with intellectual disabilities.

The Texas Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program emphasizes three core components: Inclusive Youth Leadership, Unified Sports & Activities, and Whole School Engagement. Authentic social inclusion is the overall project goal. With awarded funds, the grantee will expand the number of campuses that are able to participate in the program.

GardenScape Professional Association/Ted Burnett Memorial Scholarship

To award scholarships to residents of the Genesee-Finger Lakes region who are students of horticulture/landscaping.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $1,000; paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

The AMA Foundation Section Involvement Grant Program supports local campus section leaders at medical schools in enhancing student recruitment and engagement. Grants can provide up to $1,500 per year, with specific allocations for recruitment and community service activities. Examples of supported activities include organization fairs, public health lectures, and community workshops. This initiative aims to foster student involvement and empower local AMA sections to address important health topics within their communities.

The Thriving Communities Grants program by The New York Community Trust focuses on community development initiatives. It supports non-profits that enhance affordable housing, promote job creation, and strengthen civic engagement in low-income neighborhoods. With ongoing proposals accepted, this grant aims to empower organizations dedicated to building equitable communities through innovative strategies and effective practices that foster economic opportunities and protect the environment.

About the Foundation

The MxCC Foundation Supports CT State Middlesex and Meriden Campuses

The purpose of the Middlesex Community College Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in Connecticut, is twofold:

• To support the college and its students by receiving, managing, and distributing funds for scholarships and other educational purposes, and
• To generate and strengthen communication and collaboration between the college and the Foundation and business, industry, professional, civic, and educational leaders in the communities served by the college—all of Middlesex County, Meriden and Wallingford in New Haven County, and Rocky Hill in Hartford County.

Removing financial obstacles that bar or inhibit student access to education is the Foundation’s driving force. Scholarships address not only the growing need for financial assistance, but also our perennial wish to celebrate student achievement.

The MxCC Foundation’s charge is to develop external resources that contribute support to student and academic programs, as well as efforts that foster student success.

Eriksen Family Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2021 by the Eriksen Family. It is awarded to a full- or part-time, continuing or graduating student who wishes to pursue a bachelor’s degree. This award is intended to provide an ongoing opportunity for the student to continue their education.

Dallas Community Foundation

It all started with an idea – a charitable fund that would benefit the present and future needs of the Dallas community. In 1995, that idea was transformed into reality with the establishment of the Dallas Community Foundation. The Foundation helps people put their charitable dollars into their own community, giving a hand up to those in need. With over $2 million in assets under management, the Foundation gives back to the Dallas community through an annual grant and scholarship distribution.

Grants

Through its annual grant distribution, the Dallas Community Foundation gives back, investing in solutions to address local needs. The Foundation funds a wide variety of programs and projects, reflecting the diverse needs and opportunities in the Dallas community, benefiting residents of all ages. Preference is given to proposals that serve urgent needs and/or have a broad and meaningful impact on the community. The Foundation grant funds are intended to assist those in need and improve quality of life to make Dallas a better, more vibrant place, in every corner of the community.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation will prioritize funding requests for the following project types and funding categories:

• Project types: new or existing projects/programs, equipment purchases, general operations. The Foundation may consider, but does not encourage, applications for capital projects or capacity building.
• Funding categories: educational, charitable, civic, recreational, cultural, youth, seniors, health and safety, general welfare.

For the 2026 grant distribution, the Foundation will focus particularly on the following funding priorities:

• Health and Wellbeing of Vulnerable Populations
• Opportunities for Youth and Seniors
• Community Livability

The Stoughton Area Community Foundation Grants support local organizations and individuals, enhancing community life through charitable funding. Grants range from $300 to $5,000 and focus on areas such as arts, education, health, and community development. Established in 1998, the foundation aims to connect donors with causes that matter, fostering collaboration and volunteerism to address local needs. Applications are reviewed annually, with deadlines set for September 15th.

The Community Connections Grant, formerly known as the Community Action Project Grant, provides funding of up to $4,000 for grassroots initiatives aimed at enhancing neighborhood quality of life in Hampton. This program encourages collaboration among local organizations to foster community engagement, safety, and cultural development. Eligible projects may include public safety education, organizational development, and recreational or cultural events, making it a vital resource for community-driven improvements.