Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Indiana

The Community Foundation of Boone County offers a Programming Grant Opportunity to support local nonprofits in addressing community needs. Eligible organizations can submit one application per cycle and will have one year to utilize the grant funds. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life in Boone County by funding programs that tackle local challenges and their root causes.

The Women’s Circle of Friends Grants empower local women to contribute to community development in Henry County through pooled donations. By making a minimum contribution of $50, members can participate in the decision-making process at the Women’s Grantmaking Gala, where they collectively select a non-profit organization to receive the funds. This initiative aims to foster collaboration and maximize the impact of charitable giving.

The Community Foundation is honored to have a variety of scholarship funds established by individuals and groups of donors for the purpose of helping younger generations of Nantucketers further their education. Each fund is unique, and criteria and goals of the scholarship vary for each scholarship.

The Community Foundation for Nantucket awards more than $90,000 in scholarships each year. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000. The most common award is $2,000. While some awards may be higher than this amount, no award amount will be lower than $1000.

Ann and Michael Rosenblatt Women in Mathematics Scholarship Fund

Provide tuition assistance to female students who excel in mathematics.

The AAAE Women in Aviation Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, provides seven awards of $5,000 each to support female students in aviation programs at accredited institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Eligibility requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and involvement in community activities. Recipients are selected based on gender, academic achievement, financial need, and a personal statement. Awards are non-renewable and subject to change.

The Community Impact Grants Program, administered by the Union County Foundation, invites competitive grant applications four times a year. This program aims to address the evolving needs of the community by providing seed funding for innovative projects rather than ongoing operational support. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations that serve Union County residents. The program encourages collaboration with other funding sources to enhance community impact and maximize funding effectiveness.

The SBB Research Group Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations addressing unmet needs through sustainable strategies. Winners are selected monthly, receiving $5,000, while other finalists are awarded $1,000. The foundation collaborates with various partners and has a strong commitment to community service. Organizations are encouraged to apply early, as prior applicants can be reconsidered in subsequent months. This initiative aims to empower impactful initiatives across diverse sectors.

The Aviation Management Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, supports students enrolled in aviation programs at accredited colleges in the U.S. or Canada. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, financial need, and active community participation. Up to ten awards of $2,000 each will be given, with at least two designated for ethnic minority applicants. The scholarship aims to foster future leaders in the aviation industry.

The ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships provide financial support ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 for faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to advance their research projects. The fellowships encourage innovative research outcomes, including scholarly articles and community-engaged projects. Awardees also benefit from mentoring and networking opportunities, with additional funding for their institutions to support humanities programming. This initiative promotes diverse scholarship and collaboration across disciplines, enhancing the academic landscape for HBCU faculty.

The PLTW Engineering grant, supported by the Arconic Foundation, aims to enhance STEM education by funding the implementation of PLTW Engineering courses in schools. This initiative prepares students for future careers by igniting their passion for engineering. Grants will cover startup costs for new programs or expansions of existing ones. Eligible schools must offer PLTW's Advanced Manufacturing course for the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring access to essential resources and training for educators.

The Oris W. Dunham, Jr. and Sylvia M. Dunham Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, supports college students enrolled in aviation-related programs in the U.S. and Canada. Up to five non-renewable scholarships valued at $1,500 each will be awarded based on academic achievements, financial need, and community involvement. This initiative aims to foster future leaders in the aviation industry by providing financial assistance to deserving candidates.

The Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to bolster engineering research capacity by supporting new academic investigators. This initiative is designed for those who have not yet received significant federal funding and are affiliated with institutions below the 'very high research activity' level. By fostering innovation and mentorship, the program seeks to broaden participation in engineering research across the nation.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County offers small grants for nonprofits facing short-term crises or opportunities, available for specific one-time needs. Organizations can apply for a grant of $2,000 or less, but may only receive one grant per calendar year. Notably, those who received a grant in 2024 are ineligible for 2025. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, ensuring timely support for immediate community needs.

The AMS Young Scholars Grant Program, offered by the American Mathematical Society, provides grants of up to $15,000 to support summer mathematics programs for talented high school students. Designed to aid established programs, funding should be allocated equally between student scholarships and program expenses. Programs must exist for at least a year, involve a minimum of 20 students, and focus on problem solving or research in mathematics, fostering the next generation of mathematicians.

The UEF Grant Program, offered by the United Engineering Foundation, supports innovative projects that enhance the engineering profession and public welfare. With an annual budget of nearly $800,000, the program awards 5 to 10 grants each year. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Preference is given to interdisciplinary proposals that engage the community and integrate various engineering fields, fostering collaboration and addressing important societal issues.

The Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship offers a $42,000 stipend plus $8,000 for project-related expenses to support early-stage doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences. This fellowship encourages innovative dissertation research and aims to diversify academic methodologies and perspectives. Applicants must be PhD students in relevant fields, with certain eligibility criteria, including not having advanced to candidacy before January 2025. The fellowship promotes inclusive excellence, contributing to a diverse academic community.

The Human Networks and Data Science (HNDS) program, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), focuses on enhancing our understanding of human behavior through data and network science. It features two tracks: HNDS-I, aimed at developing data resources for social sciences, and HNDS-R, which leverages large datasets to advance theoretical frameworks in core social, behavioral, and economic disciplines. Proposals are encouraged to provide innovative insights that can lead to significant societal benefits.

L3Harris Technologies is partnering with PLTW to inspire PreK-12 students in STEM fields by funding grants for schools to start or expand PLTW Engineering programs. With a total award of $15,000 available for the 2025-2026 academic year, this initiative focuses on public and charter schools in specific counties, especially those with high-need student populations. The program also includes requirements for grant reporting and allowable expenses to ensure effective use of funds.

The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations that create positive change in communities. Focused on enhancing lives and providing opportunities for self-improvement, the foundation prioritizes requests from organizations in the Houston area and Texas. Eligible applicants may submit one request per year, ensuring a fair assessment process. Note that grants are not available to individuals, and lobbying efforts may adversely affect the consideration of applications.

The R3PEATS Multi-Team Triangulation initiative supports collaborative research teams to explore a central biomedical question using diverse methods and model systems. It emphasizes the importance of identifying biological variability and ensuring the robustness of findings through replication strategies. This program is part of the NIH Common Fund's Rigor, Replicability, & Reproducibility to Promote Excellence in Science, aiming to enhance the accuracy and translation of scientific discoveries.

L3Harris Technologies has partnered with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to inspire PreK-12 students in STEM fields. This initiative supports grants for schools starting or expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible public and charter schools in specified counties can apply for a total of $30,000, distributed over two years. The grant aims to enhance engineering education and promote innovative learning experiences for students.

The Portland Foundation Summer Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Jay County, Indiana, by providing support to charitable organizations and community agencies. Established in 1951, the foundation encourages proposals that address local charitable needs, particularly for start-up costs, one-time projects, and capital needs. Eligible applicants include new or existing organizations committed to making a positive impact in the community.

The Portland Foundation Winter Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Jay County, Indiana, by supporting charitable organizations and community agencies. Established in 1951, the foundation focuses on funding start-up costs, one-time projects, and capital needs that directly address local charitable requirements. Eligible applicants include both new and existing organizations that can demonstrate a clear connection to Jay County's needs. The foundation does not support individual projects, political activities, or operating deficits.

The Portland Foundation Women’s Giving Circle Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Jay County, Indiana, by empowering women philanthropists. Established in 1951, this initiative supports tax-exempt organizations to address community needs through grants. With a focus on collaboration and resource pooling, the Circle seeks to award a $5,000 grant to strengthen local nonprofit organizations and their programming, ensuring a lasting impact on the community.

The Regional Scholar Travel Grant, offered by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), provides up to $1,000 to support travel for faculty and independent scholars from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Applicants must present a paper at the ASEEES Annual Convention and meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency in eligible countries and ASEEES membership. This grant aims to promote scholarly exchange and foster participation among junior scholars and first-time presenters.

The Tides Stronger Together Fund, under the Tides Foundation, provides essential support grants to fiscally sponsored partners focused on historically underserved communities. By building organizational capacity and leadership, the fund empowers community changemakers to address inequities and enhance sustainability. With a pooled funding model, it directly responds to the needs of over 120 partners, ensuring resources are effectively allocated where they are most impactful, ultimately fostering long-term community resilience.

The Convention Opportunity Travel Grant, offered by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), supports non-student members with incomes under $40,000 to present their research at the ASEEES Annual Convention. Established in 1948, ASEEES prioritizes first-time presenters and junior scholars lacking institutional support. The grant encourages diverse scholarly contributions and is aimed at enhancing the visibility of underrepresented voices in the field of Slavic and East European studies.

CSX Charitable Investments offers Community Service Grants to organizations that significantly impact their communities. These grants aim to support entities with tax-exempt status, government agencies, or educational institutions. The application process is open year-round, with responses expected within 30–45 days. The foundation prioritizes projects that serve military families and first responders, reflecting CSX's commitment to community service and support for local needs.