Best Grants for Minorities in Louisiana

Costco Foundation provides Louisiana nonprofits focused on children, education, and health and human services with monetary support for community programs. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving minority communities may be considered if they demonstrate clear community need, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and a broad base of financial support. Applications are reviewed within 4–6 weeks.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with innovative human and social services programs, including those serving minority communities in Louisiana, can seek support for new approaches to social problems. Creag Foundation considers invited proposals from smaller or evolving organizations that creatively address societal issues across areas like health, community development, literacy, and public safety.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

Early-stage nonprofit and impact-first for-profit organizations serving underserved or minority communities in Louisiana and globally can seek up to US $300,000 from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation for scalable social and environmental solutions. Focused on systems-changing, data-driven models, this three-year support combines unrestricted capital with intensive capacity-building and a peer community.

Nonprofits and NGOs using technology to deliver crisis response, education, or economic empowerment programs for underserved communities in Louisiana can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation help organizations serving majority economically disadvantaged or minority populations expand innovative, tech-enabled services and solutions worldwide, including in Louisiana.

Educational institutions, government programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and 501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies in Louisiana can seek funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives. Grants from State Farm Companies Foundation help organizations address auto and home safety, disaster preparedness and recovery, affordable housing, job training, financial literacy, and K–12 and higher education, which may benefit minority communities.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

Nonprofit and equivalent charitable organizations working on health, education, or community programs in Louisiana can seek funding to expand services and support underserved residents. Focused on community health and welfare, the Labcorp Charitable Foundation invites applicants that provide food assistance, healthcare access, STEM education, or preventive health services, including programs serving minority communities.

Nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, and public entities serving urban low-income children and youth can seek project or scale-up funding over US $50,000 in Louisiana and other U.S. locations. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation supports education, children’s health, and family economic stability initiatives, and programs focused on minority communities may be eligible if they meet these priorities.

Nonprofit charities running humanitarian, educational, environmental, or arts programs can seek philanthropic support that may benefit minority-serving initiatives in Louisiana and worldwide. Grants from La Roche help accredited charities deliver sustainable development projects, youth science and education programs, disaster response, and contemporary arts and culture, especially where Roche affiliates and employees can be actively involved locally.

Louisiana minority-serving organizations focused on health, education, or humanitarian services can access funding through Semnani Family Foundation to support marginalized and vulnerable communities. This global funder backs projects that promote healthcare access, disaster relief, child and women’s health, literacy, and social services, and groups working with minority populations may be competitive applicants.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana seeking support for charitable, scientific, medical, or educational programs that serve minority communities may be eligible for this funding, which must be used in the U.S. Grants from Sidney Stern Memorial Trust help well-managed groups expand services with broad impact and advance general welfare without discrimination.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting economic mobility, basic needs, workforce development, or community development in low- and moderate-income communities, including Louisiana, can seek sponsorship support; awards fund programmatic and community initiatives. Bank of America Charitable Foundation also considers projects in arts and culture, the environment, and diversity and inclusion that may benefit minority communities.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding can apply for support through the Dudley T Dougherty Foundation. The foundation provides flexible funding to charitable groups whose programs respect people, the environment, and all forms of life, which may include initiatives serving minority communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and local government entities near Georgia-Pacific manufacturing communities can seek funding for education, entrepreneurship, environmental, and community enrichment projects in Louisiana. Focused on strengthening GP communities, the Georgia-Pacific Foundation invites programs that enhance long-term well-being, including initiatives serving minority residents within eligible Louisiana parishes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana that are within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office can seek funding for basic needs, at-risk youth enrichment, workforce readiness, and domestic violence safety programs. The TJX Foundation supports community initiatives that help vulnerable families and children, and minority-serving organizations may be eligible.

Nonprofit organizations in Louisiana and across the U.S. seeking support for community programs, education, arts, health, or environmental initiatives can apply for funding from the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, with awards of US $1,000 - US $20,000. Grants may benefit groups serving minority communities through museums, schools, clinics, and other local programs.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Louisiana nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status working in education, social services, health care, civic or cultural programs, or environmental initiatives can access funding through Dr Scholl Foundation. Grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000 are awarded annually, primarily to U.S. applicants, for one year of project-focused support that may benefit minority communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana focused on preservation, education, or wellness can receive storytelling support to showcase their community impact. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation funds projects that highlight work in areas like wildlife conservation, historic preservation, early childhood education, mental health, and wellness, with awards of more than US $50,000 for compelling narratives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving quality of life for underserved people in Louisiana can seek funding for programs in economic stability, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief. O'Reilly Automotive Foundation supports project, general operating, and capital needs for community-focused groups in areas where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a business presence.

Louisiana nonprofits and public-facing institutions running humanities programs in Louisiana can access funding through Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities for public humanities initiatives involving community audiences and scholars, with awards from US $1,000 - US $5,000. Organizations serving minority, rural, or underserved communities may be especially encouraged to apply for projects like festivals, exhibitions, digital humanities, speaker series, and educational initiatives.

Louisiana minority-serving 501(c)(3) public charities can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation for local programs in safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. Eligible projects must primarily benefit communities on Union Pacific’s service map and demonstrate clear need, strong organizational capacity, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for underrepresented populations.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

Tides Foundation

Tides is a partner for justice in the social sector, working closely with doers and donors to build the power of historically excluded groups who face systemic barriers. We provide fiscal sponsorship, donor advised funds, impact investing, and a variety of grantmaking solutions to advance social justice and equity. 

Through Tides Foundation, we partner with individuals and families, foundations, corporations, and social change leaders to design and deliver social impact initiatives that shift decision-making power back to the communities we serve. Our mission is our North Star — and a beacon for those who share our commitment to social justice. Together, we work to shift resources and power to communities historically denied both, so they can create a just and equitable future.

Neighborhood Power Grant 

The VYV Neighborhood Power grant entails a swift and concentrated allocation of resources to a designated geographic area to attain immediate, quantifiable outcomes within that specific area before or immediately following a pivotal date.  

The grant is designed to be a short cycle, rapid response investments in esteemed neighborhood-based organizations and leaders who mobilize civic participation within a defined local footprint. These grants support small teams collaborating closely with the community to enhance turnout and engagement around pivotal civic events.  

The tiered structure ensures a “right need, right time” approach by matching funding to an organization’s specific capacity and geographic footprint. 

Tier 1: Surgical Focus

• The Target: Small, grassroots organizations or neighborhood civic associations. 
• The Logic: This is laser-focused on SPLC-priority precincts. These are majority-minority areas where voters of color have lower-than-average turnout and face structural barriers. 
• The Footprint: Designed for a highly localized reach of approximately 2,000 to 5,000 voters.