Best Grants for International Development

Asheville Merchants Fund

The Asheville Merchants Fund (AMF) seeks to improve the quality of life in Buncombe County by supporting innovative projects that strengthen the community through economic efforts in one or more of its Funding Priorities.

The Fund provides grants of up to $50,000 over two years. Approximately five to eight grants are awarded during each two-year funding cycle. Grants are paid in two installments, with the second year of funding contingent upon reasonable progress toward expected results.  

Projects must target economic benefit for Buncombe County residents. Priority will be given to projects comprehensively addressing one or more of the following Funding Priorities: 

Innovative Economic Approaches 

• Community asset development: investing in emerging local economies, especially those related to home-grown businesses 
• Entrepreneurship: resources for entrepreneurs, including access to training, service providers and capital to accelerate business success 

Quality Jobs & Workforce

• Living wage work: recruitment, retention and expansion of businesses providing high-quality, well-paying jobs 
• Appropriate skills: training for jobs that are in demand and critical to community viability 
• Non-traditional training and employment services: flexible schedules, short-term certificate programs and community-based (versus academic institutional) settings 

Social Infrastructure 

• Programs contributing to family economic success, including financial education and asset development
• Affordable housing: developing effective strategies and supporting implementation
• Services that increase employees’ ability to participate fully in the workforce, including health and wellness or dependent care 

Youth Success in School 

• Middle and high school students: targeted academic (particularly in math, science and technology) and non-academic activities related to job skill development 
• Family support: improving the home environment for learning

AMF supports organizations that have the capacity and vision to develop multi-faceted programs to help Buncombe County and its citizens thrive in the emerging economic environment. Factors considered in evaluating applications include: 

• Focus on a critical need
• Defined, measurable results that can be achieved within the grant period and make a long-term difference in the beneficiaries' lives
• Skilled leadership with the potential to carry out innovative, integrated efforts effectively in one or more of the focus areas

The Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants, provided by Metro, support diverse community projects aimed at enhancing local parks, restoring streams, and promoting nature education. These grants prioritize projects led by community organizations and local governments, focusing on publicly owned capital projects that advance racial equality and climate resilience. With funding available for land acquisition and urban transformations, the program seeks to engage communities and foster connections with nature throughout the greater Portland area.

The Moniker Foundation's Southwest Region Grant offers $10,000 grants and $1,000 participation grants to eligible organizations in a competitive process. Applicants must operate within designated counties and be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity. The program emphasizes early childhood education, youth programming, food security, and environmental initiatives, with an in-person Pitch Day required for selected applicants. Organizations are encouraged to focus on critical operating activities during the application process.

The Bailey Research Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to conduct research in the renowned Rocky Mountain National Park. Funded by the Leslie Fidel Bailey Charitable Trust, this fellowship encourages the exploration of diverse topics, including ecology, geology, and wildlife management. Selected fellows will collaborate with park staff for three to four months, receiving housing and a stipend of $12,000, plus potential additional funds for research-related expenses.

The Ohio AmeriCorps Formula Grants, administered by ServeOhio, engage over 80,000 Americans annually in meaningful service across various sectors. These grants support local nonprofits and community organizations in addressing critical needs in education, health, and the environment. By participating in AmeriCorps, members gain valuable skills and experience while earning educational scholarships, fostering stronger communities through civic engagement and volunteerism.

The Women Helping Women Fund Tri-Cities Grants support initiatives that empower women and children in the Tri-Cities area. Grants, ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, prioritize programs that demonstrate cost-effectiveness, community collaboration, and measurable impact. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the fund's mission to create healthy families and vibrant communities. Focus areas include childcare, mental health, and self-sufficiency, with applications accepted annually.

The Looking Out Foundation Grant supports social justice and humanitarian initiatives, having donated nearly $6 million to various causes globally. With an average donation of $25 per campaign, it aids organizations focused on disaster relief, racial justice, and support for marginalized communities. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3). The foundation prioritizes diverse funding sources and encourages organizations to adapt to changing needs, with grant allocations ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation offers Community Grants in North Texas, focusing on enhancing financial independence for seniors, supporting arts and culture, aiding youth transitioning from foster care, and addressing economic disparities. Grants range from $15,000 to $75,000, averaging $30,000. Eligible counties include Collin, Dallas, Denton, Rockwall, and Tarrant. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that empower economically disadvantaged communities while ensuring that funds are not directed to individual support or non-tax-exempt organizations.

The Kosciuszko Foundation offers Tuition Scholarships for American students of Polish descent pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. Scholarships can provide up to $12,000 for full-time studies, including master's and Ph.D. programs. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents with Polish heritage and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This program aims to foster educational exchanges and cultural understanding between the U.S. and Poland, supporting various fields of study.

The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Grant Programme, established in 1972, focuses on enhancing lives through arts, medical welfare, and environmental initiatives. Priorities include promoting access to the arts for marginalized groups, supporting music and art therapy, and engaging youth in conservation efforts. Charities applying must be UK registered and demonstrate alignment with the Trust's mission. The Trust remains committed to making impactful donations that significantly benefit communities and individuals in need.

Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis is a charitable women's giving circle focused on awarding impactful grants to nonprofits in various sectors such as arts, education, environment, family, and health. The initiative aims to foster community engagement by funding innovative solutions to social challenges. This organization values integrity, collaboration, and inclusivity, ensuring all community members have access to essential services. By supporting diverse projects, Impact 100 strengthens the fabric of the Indianapolis community and enhances the quality of life for its residents.

The United Way of Greater St. Louis Targeted Funding aims to provide flexible, one-year grants to nonprofits addressing urgent community needs through emergency, emergent, or innovative approaches. Funding will focus on basic needs, health and wellness, crisis response, and more across 16 counties. Priority will be given to areas identified as having the greatest needs based on recent assessments, ensuring that support is directed where it is most needed.

The Community Foundation of Fort Dodge and United Way offer Special Project Grants aimed at enhancing community life through charitable projects. Focused on economic growth, education, and well-being, these grants support 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to public service. Priority areas include youth development, health, and community betterment. By investing in local nonprofits, the foundation aims to uplift the Fort Dodge area, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable community for all residents.

Ecolab Foundation

Ecolab Foundation is a philanthropic arm of Ecolab dedicated to advancing community well-being through programs that promote education, environmental stewardship, and public health. Its mission is to create positive social impact by supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and foster sustainable development.

The foundation’s primary areas of engagement include educational programs that enhance learning and workforce readiness, environmental projects that encourage conservation and sustainability, and health-related initiatives that improve hygiene and safety. It focuses on partnerships that deliver measurable benefits and long-term impact.

Ecolab Foundation operates primarily within the United States while also supporting global initiatives aligned with its corporate responsibility goals. Its geographic scope reflects a commitment to addressing local community needs and contributing to broader sustainability efforts.

The foundation collaborates with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community-based groups. It prioritizes partnerships that demonstrate strong governance, clear objectives, and alignment with its mission of education, health, and environmental responsibility.

Ecolab Match Program

Ecolab established the Volunteer and Community Relations programs to encourage and reward Ecolab employee and alumni involvement in the communities where people live and work. There are three programs including the Board Leadership Volunteer Grant.

Board Leadership Volunteer Grant

Ecolab will donate up to $500 USD annually to a qualifying 501(c)3 organization (some restrictions apply) for which an eligible person serves on the Board of Directors. 

Focus Areas of Giving

• Youth and Education: programs that promote youth development, particularly for programs that ensure all students are successful
• Civic & Community Development: affordable housing, work readiness, crisis assistance and hunger relief
• Environment & Conservation: hands-on environmental learning programs, environment and conservation organizations
• Arts & Culture: arts education for children and youth as well as support for museums and the performing arts

The Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation focuses on funding established nonprofit organizations in the Pikes Peak Region, primarily supporting youth organizations, animal welfare, arts, health services, community building, education, and environmental initiatives. Grants typically prioritize capacity building and operational support. First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation beforehand, as the foundation emphasizes a history of funding relationships. Specific exclusions include individuals and organizations lacking 501(c)(3) status.

The Think Big for Kids grant, offered by the Youthbridge Community Foundation, aims to fund innovative proposals that address significant challenges faced by children and youth in the Saint Louis metropolitan area. By supporting bold and transformative ideas, it seeks to make a measurable impact on issues such as childhood hunger, mental health, and homelessness. This competitive grant, which is open to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, encourages applicants to leverage community insights for effective solutions.

The Ecolab St. Paul, MN Area NPO Grant Program supports 501(c)(3) organizations that focus on youth development, community and civic engagement, environmental conservation, and arts education. Grants are available to current grantees in the St. Paul area, with applications opening on September 8, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance health, sustainability, and operational efficiency in local communities, aligning with Ecolab's mission of protecting people and the planet.

Mission

The Biodiversity Fund supports efforts to maintain and strengthen biodiversity in the Duluth-Superior region through preservation and restoration of habitat, help for particular species and ecosystems, planning for changing conditions, research and education. The purpose is to consider now the value to future generations of the species and ecosystem diversity that will remain when/if human population stabilizes.

Biodiversity Fund

The Biodiversity Fund supports projects that preserve and restore habitats, assist vulnerable species and ecosystems, plan for environmental change, and promote research and education in the Duluth-Superior region.

The fund aims to protect the region's biodiversity through conservation, preservation, and restoration of natural resources for the benefit of future generations.

Biodiversity Fund- Large & Multi-Year Grants

The Fund may also support larger initiatives of up to $50,000 per year for up to three years, for projects that require sustained investment to achieve meaningful, long-term impact. ‍

Multi-year requests should demonstrate:

• A clear long-term vision with defined milestones that allow progress to be assessed prior to subsequent years of funding each year
• How the work will scale, adapt, or deepen impact over time
• Strong partnerships, stewardship plans, or systems-level outcomes
• A plan for sustainability beyond the grant period

What We Mean by Biodiversity

‍Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems and the complex relationships that sustain them. Biodiversity underpins ecosystem stability, climate resilience, and human well-being by providing essential services such as clean air and water, natural food systems, nature-derived medicines, and climate adaptation and regulation.

This grant recognizes that healthy natural ecosystems and sustainable native plant and animal communities are deeply interconnected — environmental degradation often exacerbates social inequities and instability of communities of habitats and ecosystems. Community-led solutions strengthen ecological outcomes.

Biodiversity Fund Priorities

Funded projects should demonstrate strength in several of the following areas. Not every project must address all principles, but competitive proposals will show clear alignment across multiple dimensions.

• Upstream & Preventative Focus
  • Projects address root causes rather than symptoms.
  • Prioritize prevention, restoration, and long-term solutions
  • Reduce risk and vulnerability for people, species, and ecosystems
  • Anticipate environmental and social change rather than reacting after harm occurs
• Collaboration & Community Voice
  • Projects are grounded in authentic partnership.
  • Build cross-sector collaboration (e.g., nonprofits, Tribal Nations, schools, governments, researchers, community groups)
  • Center the expertise and leadership of people with lived experience, including Indigenous knowledge and local ecological expertise
  • Share power in design, decision-making, and implementation
• Equity-Centered Impact
  • Projects advance equity for both people and place.
  • Prioritize historically marginalized communities and/or vulnerable species and ecosystems
  • Focus resources, decision-making power, or stewardship closer to impacted communities
  • Recognize how environmental harm and social inequity intersect
• Systems, Policy & Practice Change
  • Projects have transferability and relevance beyond a single site or program.
  • Improve institutional practices, policies, land-use decisions, or resource flows
  • Strengthen community-level systems related to housing, food security, climate adaptation, education, or conservation
  • Demonstrate potential for replication, scaling, or broader adoption
• Sustainability & Capacity Building
  • Projects plan for impact that lasts beyond the grant period.
  • Strengthen organizational, community, or ecosystem capacity
  • Build skills, infrastructure, stewardship, or long-term management plans
  • Promote ongoing care, monitoring, or adaptive management of natural systems
• Evidence of Change & Learning
  • Projects contribute to shared learning and understanding.
  • Use data, research, community knowledge, or storytelling to demonstrate impact
  • Measure ecological, social, or systems-level outcomes
  • Share lessons learned to inform future equity-, resilience-, and biodiversity-focused work

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) by the Ohio Department of Transportation funds projects enhancing non-motorized travel, historic preservation, and environmental efforts. It supports local governments in implementing initiatives that improve accessibility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Eligible projects include shared paths, bike lanes, and upgrades for ADA compliance. The program prioritizes connections to activity centers, ensuring public accessibility and engagement in transportation planning.

The Community Foundation Grants - Emanuel A. and Romilda P. Richard Fund supports projects that enhance the quality of life in Burke County, especially in Valdese, North Carolina. This grant is part of the Annual Community Foundation Grant Cycle and is available to tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations. The Community Foundation of Burke County utilizes an online grant management system for applications and follow-ups.

The Career and Technical Education Secondary Supplemental Enhancement Grant, established under Perkins V, aims to enhance the academic and vocational skills of secondary students in CTE programs. With funding ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, it supports initiatives that foster partnerships among educational institutions and industry, ensuring students gain the skills needed for high-demand careers. This grant promotes innovative educational practices and increases opportunities for underrepresented populations, contributing to workforce development and economic competitiveness.

Highmark Corporate Giving is dedicated to enhancing community health and economic resilience across its service areas. With a focus on equitable access to healthcare and support for local organizations, Highmark aims to reduce health disparities and promote well-being. Their initiatives, such as the Bright Blue Futures program, provide funding to impactful community projects, supporting a diverse range of organizations that align with their mission of fostering healthier, more vibrant communities.

The IWF General Operating Grant, offered by the Incarnate Word Foundation Missouri, supports organizations committed to community empowerment through equity and compassion. Grants typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 and can be utilized for general operating support rather than specific projects. Eligible applicants should demonstrate a strong mission commitment, maintain community partnerships, and possess valid 501(c)(3) status, among other criteria. This grant seeks to foster innovative solutions for systemic social issues.

The HealthConnect Innovation Grants, provided by the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, aim to address social determinants of health and create opportunities for vulnerable children and youth in central Iowa. By targeting disparities in health outcomes influenced by economic and environmental factors, these grants support initiatives that foster community well-being. Eligible organizations include nonprofit entities exempt from federal tax. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly, encouraging innovative solutions to improve health equity.

The Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation supports charitable organizations focused on basic provisions for underserved populations, humane care of animals, health care services, public media, and environmental initiatives. The foundation prioritizes organizations in Boothbay Harbor, Southport, and Brunswick, and encourages requests for general operating support, program support, and capital projects, while maintaining a focus on the impact of their services.

The Beaches Community Fund Grant supports nonprofit organizations serving the Beaches communities from Mayport to Guana. Priority is given to initiatives addressing basic needs, educational support for K-12 students, early learning opportunities for low-income families, and transportation needs for residents. This grant aims to uplift the community by targeting essential services and enhancing the quality of life for those in need.

The Henry County Community Foundation offers the Choose Henry Fund-Community Grants to support local non-profit organizations in various categories such as health, education, and civic affairs. Eligible organizations must have attended a workshop and comply with specific grant policies. This funding opportunity aims to enhance community services and programs, promoting overall well-being in Henry County. Organizations are encouraged to apply once every 12 months unless permitted for urgent needs.