Best Grants for International Development in Connecticut

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations offering education, human services, conservation, health, or cultural programs, including those serving Connecticut, can seek support for general operations, projects, or occasional capital needs. McGraw Foundation typically awards US $2,000 - US $10,000, with occasional larger grants for especially promising, high-impact efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible municipalities in Connecticut can seek funding for community-focused programs, capacity building, and capital projects. Focus areas include education and workforce development, safe and affordable housing, basic human services, and community impact initiatives. Northwest Community Bank Foundation offers grants up to US $25,000, which may benefit international development-related efforts serving its listed communities.

Graduate students researching drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive funding to advance actionable solutions for current water industry challenges. Focused on water-related research, American Water Works Association invites Connecticut students and others in North America to apply for the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship, which provides US $3,000 for graduate-level research.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions working on environmental conservation and stewardship in the Long Island Sound watershed in Connecticut can apply for the Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund, with awards from US $15,000 - US $200,000. Administered by New York Community Trust, this program supports projects advancing clean water, resilient habitats, and sustainable, equitable communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools in Connecticut can seek $25,000 - $100,000 for environmental programs focused on decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient use of natural resources. With a mission to support sustainability, Honda Motor provides programmatic funding for projects like energy efficiency upgrades, solar or wind installations, recycling, composting, and related education and infrastructure efforts.

Connecticut agricultural producers and land stewards seeking to enhance on-farm conservation can receive technical and financial assistance to improve soil, water, air, and wildlife habitat. Focused on environmental stewardship, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service invites Connecticut working lands to enroll in five-year Conservation Stewardship Program contracts that reward existing practices and fund additional, tailored conservation activities.

Nonprofit organizations and government agencies serving Branford can seek funding for community programs across basic needs, health, education, arts, environment, youth, and civic engagement in Connecticut. Focused on strengthening local quality of life, Branford Community Foundation supports projects that address documented needs, build organizational capacity, and foster collaborative, high-impact services.

Nonprofit charitable organizations in Connecticut working on community development, education, workforce preparation, or financial literacy can apply for KeyBank Foundation grants of US $10,000 - US $25,000. Grants from KeyBank Foundation help strengthen affordable housing, small business growth, academic success, and job readiness, which may benefit international development-focused programs with related local initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations hosting single or series events that benefit the Branford community in Connecticut can seek sponsorship support for qualifying activities. Branford Community Foundation supports community-focused initiatives in Connecticut by sponsoring events that offer meaningful local impact, positive visibility aligned with its values, and opportunities to reach targeted audiences and build relationships.

Nonprofit organizations supporting women, children, and vulnerable families through international-style humanitarian aid, education, and self-sufficiency programs in Connecticut can access funding via The Father's Table Foundation. The foundation provides up to US $750,000 for projects such as food security, homelessness services, microfinance, health care, disaster relief, and related community development efforts that build long-term resilience.

Agricultural producers, forest landowners, Tribes, and water management entities in Connecticut can receive technical and financial assistance to implement conservation practices on working lands. Grants from USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service help improve water and air quality, conserve soil and water, enhance wildlife habitat, and build climate resilience, benefiting operations that may support international development goals.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and municipal entities in Connecticut can seek $5,000 - $15,000 to support health and environmental justice programs, systems change, and advocacy. Connecticut Community Foundation funds efforts in its 21-town region that address health disparities, housing, food access, behavioral health, and environmental justice, which may benefit organizations with international development-related programming rooted in local communities.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits running education, environmental, human services, or community development programs can seek project support through Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation grants, typically ranging from US $1,000 - US $15,000. With a mission to strengthen communities, Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation provides two annual online grant cycles for program-focused initiatives, which may include internationally oriented work based in Connecticut.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in Connecticut conducting biomedical research can receive NIH AREA support for small-scale projects and student research experiences. The US Dept. of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health provides up to US $375,000 to institutions that award baccalaureate science degrees and have limited prior NIH funding; international development programs with relevant health components may be eligible.

Early-career research scientists at low- or middle-income country academic or research institutions conducting clinical trials can receive approximately US $140,000 to develop independent global health research careers. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Connecticut-based international development organizations partnering with LMIC investigators support work in areas like cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health, and environmental health.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities can seek general operating or program support for work in environmental conservation, medical research, arts access, or veterans services. Grants from Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Tr help organizations serving Florida, New York, Connecticut, and DC, and may benefit nonprofits whose international development efforts intersect with these focus areas.

Early-career research scientists in low- or middle-income countries with junior faculty posts at LMIC institutions can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, offering approximately US $140,000 for mentored health research career development. Connecticut-based partners collaborating with eligible LMIC investigators on international development and health priorities may benefit from this NIH-supported opportunity.

Focused on education and related community programs, 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut and nationwide can seek US $5,000 - US $20,000 from the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust. Funding may support educational access, youth initiatives, arts education, literacy, community services, environmental education, or historic preservation projects that benefit disadvantaged or youth populations.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut can apply for Ensign-Bickford Industries’ Ensign-Bickford Foundation Grant, awarding up to US $5,000 for education, environmental, health, arts, and community improvement programs. Nonprofits working locally or on international development-related initiatives within these focus areas may be competitive, especially those engaging company employees as volunteers.

Undergraduate and graduate students at accredited Connecticut colleges and universities conducting wetland, aquatic, or watershed research can apply for the Micheal Lefor Grant, with awards of US $1,500 for research expenses. Grants from Connecticut Association of Wetland Scientists may benefit projects tied to international development themes in ecology, water resources, or environmental policy.

Biogen Corporate Sponsorships provide funding to support congresses, events, and initiatives in exchange for tangible benefits such as marketing opportunities and recognition. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and requests must be submitted 50 days in advance. Biogen considers various disease areas for sponsorship, including Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Approval depends on funding availability, alignment with interests, and event details, ensuring transparency for all potential sponsors.

The Clif Family Foundation Open Call invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants supporting general operating costs or specific projects. With a focus on regenerative farming, food worker health, climate justice, and food access, the foundation aims to empower grassroots initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications reviewed twice a year. Deadlines are March 1 and August 1, and announcements occur about four months post-deadline.

The William P. Wharton Trust Grant supports projects that align with the vision of its patron, focusing on tangible outcomes. It prioritizes land conservation efforts that protect natural resources over recreational use. The Trust aims to leverage funds for impactful environmental initiatives and encourages collaboration among organizations. Eligible applicants include public charities and governmental units, while grants are limited to direct project costs. Notably, the Trust avoids funding for overhead, construction, and educational programs for youth below college level.

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.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund

The NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund supports the launch or expansion of clinical programs and new service areas that increase access to care for underserved patients. This funding is designed to help NAFC members introduce new services or grow existing programs that address unmet community health needs and improve access to comprehensive, patient-centered care.

The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, provides financial support to students pursuing careers in natural resources. Applicants must reside in specific Illinois counties and plan to enroll in a full-time program related to fields such as ecology, hydrology, and conservation. Academic performance is a key consideration in the selection process. For more details, contact the Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District.

The OECD Conference Sponsorship aims to enhance scientific knowledge and provide essential information to influence policy decisions on sustainable resource use in food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It supports international events that showcase innovative research and developments, inviting applications from scientists in these fields. The event sponsorship encourages collaboration among policymakers, industry, and academia, ensuring that research insights are effectively communicated and utilized in decision-making processes.