Human and Social Service Grants
Grants for human and social services including youth, minority, and family programs.
Looking for grants for child and family programs or social and minority services? The Instrumentl team has compiled a few sample grants to get you headed in the right direction.
Read more about each grant below or start a 14-day free trial to see all of the grants recommended for your specific programs.
Change Happens Foundation Grant
Change Happens Foundation
Our Mission
To act as a meaningful catalyst for progressive and secular social change.
Our Approach
With a dynamic approach to philanthropy, our family-based organization develops partnerships with best-in-class charity leaders who are passionately committed to improving the human experience through programs that are impactful, efficient and innovative.
Who We Support
The philanthropic goal of the Change Happens Foundation funding initiative is to assist innovative charities with a high-level of impact and a strong history of making good change happen. The top three areas of focus for the Change Happens Foundation grantmaking are science, the environment, and education.
Science
Research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics
Environment
Programs focused on conservation, climate change, and sustainable energy.
Education
Ideas and practices to educate and prepare students for bright and rewarding futures.
Creag Foundation Grant
Creag Foundation
Note: Applications to the Creag Foundation are by invitation only. If you believe that your organization fits our funding criteria, you are welcome to submit a letter of inquiry.
What We Do
The Creag Foundation is a private grant making foundation established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington.
We provide grants to 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations with innovative approaches to addressing current social problems.
Who We Are
The founders of the Creag Foundation believe that meaningful change can only be achieved through hard work, creativity and passion. They also understand the practical mechanisms that allow charitable organizations to succeed and grow. As a group, Creag Foundation principals are dedicated to helping today’s most innovative programs improve the human condition in a wide variety of ways.
Our Focus
The broad purpose of the Foundation is to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations who are innovators in the field of human services. Our particular focus is on smaller organizations that are just starting out or established organizations that are looking for funding to take their organization in a new direction.
Global Impact Cash Grants
Cisco Foundation
Global Impact Cash Grants
Cisco welcomes applications for Global Impact Cash Grants from community partners around the world who share our vision and offer an innovative approach to a critical social challenge.
We identify, incubate, and develop innovative solutions with the most impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We’re looking for programs that fit within our investment areas, serve the underserved, and leverage technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services. We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. An initial information form is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application.
Investment Areas
Cisco seeks to identify, incubate, and develop innovative solutions that solve challenging socioeconomic conditions where we can have the most impact:
- critical human needs,
- access to education, and
- economic empowerment.
Education Investments
Cisco supports the creation and deployment of technology-based solutions and education delivery models that improve student performance and engagement. We support K-8 programs that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies, and secondary and higher education programs related to technology, engineering, and math. What we look for:
- Innovative solutions to increase the capacity of grantees to deliver, administer, and track education development more effectively and efficiently.
- Tools which increase the availability of, or improve access to, products or services for curriculum development, student-centricity, teacher development, and parental participation.
- Programs for underserved populations and students at greatest risk of dropping out.
Note: Cisco does not provide direct funding to schools.
Economic Empowerment
Cisco's strategy is to encourage employment success, entrepreneurship, and long-term self-sufficiency by providing access to skills, knowledge, and financial products and services via technology-based solutions. What we look for:
- Programs for underserved populations transitioning from education to workforce or re-entry to workforce.
- Solutions that facilitate widespread and equitable access to resources needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency and participate in local socio-economic development.
- Tools which increase the reach, efficiency, sustainability, transparency and social impact of microfinance institutions to provide more access to financial products and services.
- Initiatives that support knowledge access and technical and leadership skills development to equip people for the workforce and to make informed decisions for their families.
Critical Human Needs
Cisco seeks to help overcome the cycle of poverty and dependence through strategic investments in organizations that successfully address basic needs of underserved communities. We believe that children who have good health and a place to call home are better equipped to learn. What we look for:
- Innovative solutions to increase the capacity of grantees to deliver their products and services more effectively and efficiently.
- Design and implementation of web-based tools which increase the availability of, or improve access to, products and services that are necessary for people to survive and thrive.
- Programs that provide clean water, food, shelter, disaster response and other essential prerequisites to self-sufficiency.
Note: By policy, relief campaigns respond to significant natural disaster and humanitarian crises as opposed to those caused by human conflict.
Semnani Family Foundation Grants
Semnani Family Foundation
Mission
The mission of the Semnani Family Foundation is to find creative and effective ways of serving the needs of marginal and vulnerable communities around the world, particularly those whose survival and security is at grave risk or immediate danger due to forces and factors beyond their control. Whether it is helping communities recover from disease, famine, earthquake or war, or promoting research, educational and civic initiatives, we focus our giving where we can make the most difference.
About
The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting the health, education and disaster relief for marginal communities in the United States and around the world.
The philosophy of the Foundation is guided by a desire to empower the most vulnerable members of society, where ever they may be. The Semnani Family Foundation seeks to leverage its resources in a cost effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit to help the most marginal of communities—those who would otherwise be left out, forgotten or neglected, or those who would risk serious and irreversible damage and injury from exposure to natural or man-made disasters such as famine, floods, earthquakes and war.
The Semnani Family Foundation partners closely with organizations and individuals with a demonstrated record of delivering significant, sustainable and lasting change in the field. Over the years, the Foundation has worked with the major international and national as well as local charities to advance its mission. The Foundation’s partners over the past twenty years have included the American Red Cross, UNICEF, LDS Humanitarian, Globus Relief, Global Health Alliance, Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Habitat for Humanity, High Road for Human Rights, Faith Voices for the Common Ground, the League of Women’s Voters and others.
Program Areas
Social Issues
The Semnani Family Foundation gives grants for projects that address social issues such as homelessness, literacy, hunger, violence and rape. Over the past twenty years, we have supported Oxfam America, Wasatch Homeless Healthcare, the Road Home, Planned Parenthood, Rape Recovery Center, Prevent Child Abuse, and Gun Violence Prevention Center.
Health
Health is the one of the core mission areas of the Semnani Family Foundation. We have supported a broad range of health initiatives from funding research to providing care, from helping institutions build their capacity to train and teach students, pharmacists and nurses to joining partnerships for vaccination campaigns designed to eradicate measles and other crippling diseases. Since 1993, the Foundation has collaborated on a broad range of health issues ranging from AIDS, Alzheimers, Arthritis, Cancer, Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis, Epilepsy, Leprosy, Multiple Sclerosis, Cystic Fibrosis as well as Mental Health.
Since inception, our partners have included the National Kidney Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, American Leprosy Association, American Diabetes Association, Epilepsy Foundation, Utah AIDS Foundation, Utah Valley Mental Health, the University of Utah, Utah Rural Association of Nurses and others. We have teamed with the Moran Eye Center, Surgical Eye Expedition and others to extend the gift of sight to marginal communities. We have also partnered with Special Olympics, Kostopolous Dream Foundation, Wheelchair Foundation and a number of other organizations to provide assistance for people with disabilities.
Children
Children’s health and welfare is of vital importance to the Semnani Family Foundation. Whether they suffer from disease, hunger, abuse or poverty, the Semnani Family Foundation has made the health and education of vulnerable children a priority. Over the last twenty years, we have partnered with groups such as Primary Children’s Medical Foundation, Save the Children Foundation, Orphan Kids Inc, Odyssey House, National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, Make a Wish Foundation, Simon Says Foundation, Shriners Hospital for Children, Pediatrics Radiology, Voices for Utah Children and Utah Boys Ranch.
Women
The empowerment of women, particularly in developing countries is one of the Foundation’s leading priorities. Since 1993, we have worked with Mothers without Borders, Women for Women International, Worldwide Organization for Women, Salt Lake League of Women’s Voters and other organizations dedicated to improving the life of women.
Disaster Relief
The Semnani Foundation has partnered with the American Red Cross, LDS Humanitarian Services, Globus Relief, World Food Program, Islamic Relief, Oxfam America and others over the past twenty years, providing disaster relief to victims of earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, famine and other natural disasters. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has supported disaster relief efforts in Iran and Haiti following earthquakes, in Indonesia after the tsunami, in Pakistan after the floods, in Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen and Eritrea following famines, and in the Sudan and Syria following civil wars. We have also supported the New York Firemen 911 Relief Fund.
Iranian American Issues
The Semnani Family Foundation has played an active part in promoting Iranian culture in the United States. The Foundation has supported the Encylopedia Iranica Foundation, Parsa Community Foundation, Persian Heritage Foundation, Hafez Foundation for Literature, Roodaki Foundation, the Iranian-American Society and countless other educational and cultural initiatives. Due to sanctions, the Foundation is unable to support philanthropic projects in Iran at this time.
Religious Tolerance and Interfaith dialogue
Given the importance of religion to the life of many immigrant communities and refugees, the Foundation has worked closely with religious communities and leaders to promote interfaith dialogue, understanding and integration. We have helped immigrant and refugee communities build houses of worship, extend and expand social services, and fight prejudice. The Foundation has worked closely with LDS Humanitarian, Holy Cross Ministries, Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Faith Voices for the Common Good and others to promote religious tolerance and bridge cultural divides.
Utah
View the grant page for the Utah priority area here.
Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation Grant
Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation
The Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation is a family foundation based on the philanthropic principals and traditions that began with William Snee and his wife Katherine Reinhardt-Snee several decades ago.
Their contributions supported the continued development of humanitarian programs, food and clothing for disaster relief, growth of the fine arts, advancement in medical research and innovation in educational programming. Even though the Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation encompasses many broad areas of concern, or categories, there is no one area deemed more important than the next. Nevertheless, the Foundation has found it beneficial underwriting grants that are tangible in nature or serve a higher number of individuals within the community and surrounding areas. The Foundation continually aids organizations that are endlessly striving to serve the community in various ways such as improving social conditions, expanding education, and working to better the environment.
Category Definitions
The Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation’s Board of Directors has designated several areas of concern comprised of specific intentions.
- Arts/Culture: Performing arts, humanities, media and communications, multipurpose museums, public broadcasting, and historical preservations.
- Education: Promotional programs for elementary, secondary and vocational systems, colleges/universities, graduate programs, adult and multipurpose libraries.
- Environmental: Support of natural resources, beautification programs, pollution control, environmental education, and horticultural/botanical programs.
- Health/Medical: Rural health care, crisis intervention, special programs in health centers, and prevention/treatment of specific diseases.
- Human Services: Youth development and recreation, disaster relief, employment training/ placement, multipurpose agencies, and abuse prevention.
- Religion: The theological education and ecumenical programs as well as the mission of many churches, synagogues, and religious charities.
- Miscellaneous: Because every grant cannot be included into a category, the Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation permits grants for animal welfare, community development, sports, camps, fire and police departments and economic development as miscellaneous grants.
FAWCO Foundation: Development Grants
FAWCO Foundation
The FAWCO Foundation Development Grant
The FAWCO Foundation Development Grants financially assist projects which are passionately supported by FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA. The purpose of the program is to fund projects that can make an immediate impact and lead to success for the people they support. The assistance offered should be direct, with a goal of sustainability.
Through The Foundation, FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA have been aiding worthy and reputable charitable projects around the globe for over 45 years. Some clubs are working “hands-on” with their projects while others make financial contributions or donations of goods. FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA are passionate about supporting projects that improve the human condition throughout the world. The DGs provide the financial assistance that can help the recipients achieve their goals.
The Development Grant categories are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights.
The Foundation encourages FAWCO clubs to nominate grassroots organizations that receive little or no great sponsorship or support. Each FAWCO club may nominate two different projects each year.
Grant Categories
The grant categories are aligned with the UN Millennium Goals.
The FAWCO Foundation 2020 Development Grants will be offered in these categories:
Education
For projects promoting literacy, supporting academic studies, building or providing classrooms, libraries or general learning facilities for disadvantaged children or providing training designed to lead to economic and other types of empowerment for women and girls.
Due to the generosity in sponsorship, there are three awards available which will be given to the three projects receiving the most votes.
- AW Surrey Hope Through Education $5,000
- Educating Women & Girls Worldwide, sponsored in part by Renuka Matthews $5,000
- For programs specifically aimed at women and/or girls.
- Pam Dahlgren Educating Africa’s Children $5,000
- For programs specifically in the geographical area of Africa and will be awarded to the Africa-focused nominated project which receives the most votes.
Human Rights
For projects in a FAWCO Member Club’s host country or the world:
- providing vocational training, teaching practical skills, promoting social entrepreneurial initiatives for at-risk/marginalized population groups,
- or addressing the critical problems of violence, food and shelter, healthcare, education, poverty, advocacy, human trafficking, prostitution, refugees, including all those impacted by economic, political or other forced migration,
- or promoting cultural understanding.
Due to the generosity in sponsorship, there are three awards available which will be given to the three projects receiving the most votes.
- Breaking the Cycle, sponsored in part by AW Eastern Province $5,000
- FAUSA Effecting Change for Women and Children at Risk $5,000
- Safe Haven, sponsored in part by the family and friends of Louise Greeley-Copley $5,000
- For programs specifically supporting the Human Right to Safety and Shelter including:
- Refugee Programs
- Protection for Women and Children Fleeing Violence
- Victims of Human Trafficking
- Shelters for Natural or Man-made Disasters
Environment
For projects promoting the responsible use of the environment to provide for the basic needs of a family or a community.
- Nurturing Our Planet - $5000
Global Issues - NEW for 2020!
Close To Home $5,000
This Grant can be placed within any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to which we align our Development Grants in the areas of Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights. In order to recognize FAWCO club’s local charities that are often overlooked on the world’s stage, the TFF is offering this Development Grant that is available for projects that take place in the nominating Club’s home country.
Health
For projects providing medical treatment, diagnostic services, preventive care or medical counseling. This can include, but is not limited to, cancer, HIV/AIDS, communicable, non-communicable and environmental diseases, substance abuse, life-improving surgeries, mental issues, the critically ill, the disabled, the aged, medical transport, special needs and maternal health for mothers and children.
Critical Health Concerns - $5000