Best Hampden County Grants for Nonprofits in Massachusetts

The Housing for Everyone Grant Competition, part of the 2026 Initiative, aims to support eviction prevention in low-to moderate-income communities. This 20th annual initiative recognizes the destabilizing impact of eviction and displacement on families, which leads to job loss, school disruptions, and health issues. By funding innovative organizations, the competition seeks to provide stability for renters, enabling them to stay in their homes and communities.

Hampden County, Massachusetts nonprofits planning community-focused events can access funding through Liberty Bank Foundation for sponsorships supporting cultural, educational, health, human services, and community development activities. 501(c)(3) organizations hosting fundraisers, walks, concerts, tournaments, or similar events may receive more than US $1,000, with smaller branch sponsorships available for local youth and school events.

Public and charter schools in Hampden County, Massachusetts offering PLTW Launch can use this grant to expand STEM education, including adding modules, reaching more students, or training additional teachers. Project Lead The Way provides US $5,000 for allowable expenses such as PLTW participation fees, required devices, equipment, supplies, and core training costs.

The METCO Supplemental Special Education Grant aims to provide crucial support to districts serving Boston and Springfield students with significant special education needs. This competitive grant enhances educational access and fosters diversity by allowing these students to attend schools in participating communities. With approximately $325,375 available, the funding can cover costs like specialized transportation and one-on-one support as outlined in students' IEPs, ensuring equitable educational opportunities.

The Jean Griswold Foundation

The Jean Griswold Foundation (JGF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Caregivers through educational opportunities and scholarships. 

Our Mission

The mission of the Jean Griswold Foundation is to support Caregivers by providing educational scholarships* to enable them to further their training, enhance their careers, and better assist the clients they serve.

By offering educational scholarships*, our Foundation will not only make a positive impact on the Caregivers themselves, but also the clients they assist and the home healthcare agencies where they are employed, as well as help advance the overarching home-care industry.

Scholarships will be paid directly to the federally accredited educational institutions of the winning Scholars’ choosing.

Empowering Caregivers Through Education

The Jean Griswold Foundation Scholarship Program awards scholarships to deserving Caregivers who wish to further their education in a care-related field. Applicants do not have to be associated with Griswold in any way, and the funds will be paid directly to the institution where the caregiver will be receiving education.  

Our Winter 2026 Scholarship Application period is now open! Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm ET August 31, 2026. Join our email list to get the first notice of all Scholarship happenings.  

Where would we be without Caregivers? 

Their selflessness is astounding, yet they are often overlooked and underappreciated. 

The Jean Griswold Foundation is dedicated to supporting Caregivers, the backbone of the care industry. We provide educational scholarships so Care Professionals can further their training, enhance their skills, elevate their careers, and better assist the people they serve.

The Beveridge Family Foundation Grant supports initiatives in youth development, health, education, religion, art, and the environment, primarily in Hampden and Hampshire counties, Massachusetts. With two funding cycles each year, applications are due by February 1 and August 1. The Foundation prioritizes organizations that enhance the quality of life and promote self-sufficiency among underserved populations, although it avoids supporting certain areas such as international affairs and awards.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations advancing education and career pathways for historically underserved youth in Hampden County, Massachusetts can seek flexible operating or capacity-building support, including multi-year funding. The Ceres Foundation supports college access and success, career pathways, and family strengthening programs serving low-income youth, foster youth, homeless youth, young parents, first-generation students, and justice-involved individuals.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and qualified local governments serving low- to moderate-income and historically underserved communities can receive up to US $1,000 for job-related staff classes and courses. Grants from TD Charitable Foundation help Hampden County, Massachusetts organizations in TD Bank market areas strengthen employee skills while advancing missions like financial literacy, education, housing, and business development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on affordable housing, skilled trades, clean water, sanitation, or community revitalization can use this grant to strengthen local programs in Hampden County, Massachusetts. Grants from Ferguson help U.S.-based nonprofits within its geographic footprint build partnerships that improve economic wellbeing and quality of life in their communities.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is offering approximately $12 million in grants to enhance the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. EPA and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), this initiative seeks innovative proposals to support environmental restoration efforts, leveraging major funding from various agencies and foundations.

Flexible Funding provides unrestricted financial support to organizations, allowing them to focus on their mission. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts prioritizes smaller, community-rooted organizations, especially in Springfield and Franklin County. Grants up to $30,000 are available, with a total of $3.4 million planned for distribution. Eligible organizations must have IRS 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship and an operating budget under $10 million, ensuring support for those who truly benefit the local community.

Nonprofit organizations supporting military service members, veterans, and their families with mental, physical, or educational needs in Hampden County, Massachusetts can apply for ES Veterans Association grants. Focused on veterans services across New England, this fund supports programs that help veterans successfully live, work, and transition back to civilian life.

Community Event Sponsorships

Each year, we devote a small portion of our operating budget to support area nonprofit organizations’ events. We know these events are vital to your organization’s fiscal health, that they help you more deeply connect with community partners, and that they offer opportunities to celebrate and elevate your organization’s impact, milestones, and mission. Event sponsorships also offer our staff and volunteers the opportunity to engage and partner with your team, and to learn more about your organization.

How can my organization apply for an Event Sponsorship?

We review and decline / award sponsorship requests on a first come, first serve basis beginning each fiscal year start of April 1, so the earlier you apply, the better! Our easy-to-use form captures all of information needed for us to make a funding decision. Once a request has been submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and we will notify you of our funding decision within 5-7 business days after submission.

Strategic priority areas:

Diversity, equity, and inclusion—events that celebrate, uplift, or advance equitable opportunities and representation for all communities.

Post-secondary education and economic mobility—events that promote access to, success in, or awareness of higher education and training pathways.

A strong start for all children—events that support early childhood development, education, and the well-being of young children.

Arts and creativity—events that foster creativity, support artists, and contribute to a vibrant local arts culture.

How much money can my organization receive?

You can apply for any amount, but our awards are typically between $500 and $1,500.

How do you decide which requests to fund?

We strive to fund Community Event Sponsorships in a fair and equitable way. We carefully consider each request to ensure that we are funding a wide variety of events who represent some or all of the following criteria:

• Donor audiences
• A variety of nonprofit sectors
• Our broad geographic region
• Underserved / underrepresented groups and populations

Nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations in Hampden County, Massachusetts can seek capital funding to create or rehabilitate local football fields through the NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, administered by Local Initiatives Support. Focused on safe recreation spaces, this program offers up to US $250,000 plus technical assistance for field improvement projects in eligible communities and schools.

Nonprofit organizations in Hampden County, Massachusetts can seek support for programs in health, financial security, community services, education, and environmental resilience. With a mission to improve quality of life, TD Charitable Foundation provides regional grants of more than US $5,000, prioritizing inclusive initiatives serving diverse, historically underserved, and low-to-moderate income communities.

The Nellie Mae Event Sponsorship Fund supports one-time events that promote education justice and racial equity in New England. Organizations targeting local communities, with annual budgets under $2 million, can apply for funding for events scheduled in 2025 or early 2026. The foundation prioritizes public entities and 501(c)3 educational organizations, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities for all students. Note that operational costs and online fundraising are not eligible for funding.

Nonprofit organizations serving Hampden County, Massachusetts residents can seek funding for early education, literacy, youth development, health, arts, economic mobility, and community support initiatives. The Irene E and George A Davis Foundation offers general operating, capital, program, capacity-building, and emergency grants to strengthen local organizations, expand opportunities for low-income residents, and foster long-term, collaborative change.

ATI Physical Therapy is dedicated to enhancing community health and wellness through its sponsorship and donation initiatives. With a mission to exceed customer expectations, ATI actively engages in philanthropic efforts that improve lives and promote quality care beyond clinic walls. They encourage requests for support while emphasizing a review process that ensures timely responses. Partnering with local organizations, ATI aims to elevate awareness of health and wellness, impacting thousands of lives each year.

The Walter S. Barr Fellowship, provided by the Horace Smith Fund, aims to support Hampden County residents pursuing full-time graduate degrees. Eligible applicants must be graduates of local high schools and demonstrate financial need alongside academic merit. The fellowship offers renewal for extended study periods, ensuring continued support for students. With a legacy of over a century, the fund remains dedicated to empowering local students in their higher education journeys.

Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations providing sustainable community improvement in Hampden County, Massachusetts can apply for Eastman Foundation support. Funding focuses on economic success, social well-being, and environmental integrity. Community development, basic human needs, and revitalization programs in Eastman operating communities may be especially competitive.

The Walter S. Barr Scholarship, provided by the Horace Smith Fund, supports Hampden County residents pursuing higher education. This scholarship is available for college students with at least two years left in their undergraduate studies, who have graduated from eligible local schools. Awards are based on academic performance, examination scores, recommendations, and financial need, ensuring continued support for qualified students throughout their studies.

Grants from Society of Women Engineers help Hampden County, Massachusetts female high school seniors pursue engineering or computer science degrees. Eligible students must live within the SWE Hartford boundaries, enroll full-time in a baccalaureate engineering or computer science program for 2025–2026, and can receive a US $2,000 tuition scholarship.

The USTA Western Massachusetts Junior Learn-to-Play Tennis Education Scholarship offers financial assistance to juniors aged 8-18 who wish to learn tennis. With scholarships up to $250, the program aims to support young athletes in Western Massachusetts, ensuring they can access lessons and programs regardless of their financial situation. Applicants must work with approved providers and submit accountability forms to confirm their participation and commitment to the sport.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides leadership, oversight, funding, support, and accountability for the Commonwealth's approximately 400 school districts that educate close to 1 million public school children each year. We also oversees programs that serve 20,000 adult learners each year.

METCO Program

Purpose

The purpose of the state-funded Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) Program is to expand educational opportunities by fostering the opportunity for children from Boston and Springfield to attend public schools in neighboring communities for students to develop a deeper understanding of one another in an integrated public school setting. The METCO program provides students of participating school districts the opportunity to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse setting.

Priorities

The priorities of this fund source are to provide Boston and Springfield students further opportunities to achieve at high levels the learning standards of the state curriculum frameworks and enrich both the urban and suburban communities by providing opportunities and support for cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

Applicants for this grant opportunity should be deliberate and intentional in the use of grant funds to support the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) standards and priorities. Specifically, this program may include, but not be limited to, the following priorities:

• Academic & mental health supports for METCO students, including: 1) Regular day and after-school tutoring and mentoring programs. 2) Initiatives that bridge opportunity gaps between and within METCO program students and in-district resident students. 3) Other programs and services that support family engagement and community engagement events.

• Hiring needs and professional development for METCO community members (all school and district-based staff and students), designed to support racial integration efforts, including: 1) Professional development geared towards building a culturally and linguistically responsive school culture that contributes to increased cross-cultural and racial understanding. 2) Professional development for new and current METCO staff, and 3) Memberships to and participation in professional organizations focused on diversity and reducing racial imbalance within METCO school communities.

• Transportation

Fund Use

Grant funds must be aligned to the purpose of this grant (see "Purpose" section) and priorities (see "Priorities" section). Funds may be used for local district costs incurred as a result of the participation of Metropolitan Council for Educational OpportunityMETCO students, Metropolitan Council for Educational OpportunityMETCO transportation costs, and for supplemental services that will contribute in a measurable way to enhanced educational opportunities and academic achievement, as well as enrichment.

Funds can be used to supplement but not supplant the costs of district participation in Metropolitan Council for Educational OpportunityMETCO. All budgets must be reviewed and approved by the district Metropolitan Council for Educational OpportunityMETCO leader. 

Nonprofit organizations in Hampden County, Massachusetts seeking event-based or general operating support for education, workforce, and community development programs may be eligible for this community sponsorship. With a mission to prepare individuals for thriving futures, KeyBank provides support for fundraising events and other community-focused initiatives in areas where it operates.

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

The PLTW Gateway program, in collaboration with Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by expanding access to Project Lead The Way initiatives in eligible communities. By providing grants for program expansion, the initiative encourages schools to implement new PLTW units and train teachers, empowering students with essential skills for future careers. This partnership seeks to inspire a new generation of learners through hands-on, real-world challenges, thereby fostering greater participation in STEM fields across various regions.