Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations

The NCDDG program supports innovative research aiming to discover and develop new treatments for mental disorders, including substance use and alcohol use disorders. This initiative encourages collaborations between academic and industry partners to advance neurostimulation techniques and drug/device development. Applicants are invited to submit proposals that focus on specific projects utilizing the U01 mechanism, with a clear emphasis on rationally designed candidate agents and cutting-edge technologies. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days prior to the submission deadline.

The National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) program invites applications to foster innovative research in treating mental disorders and substance use issues. This initiative promotes collaboration between academia and industry, supporting diverse, multidisciplinary projects aimed at developing rational therapies and neurostimulation techniques. Applicants are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent 30 days before the proposal deadline to enhance project alignment with funding goals.

The Community Fund Grants by the Cambridge Community Foundation support nonprofit organizations addressing local challenges in Cambridge. With a focus on areas such as arts, education, and health, these grants empower entities to use funding for their operational needs. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and serve the Cambridge community. The grant process involves a review panel that assesses applications based on community needs and organizational impact, ensuring that funding aligns with the most pressing local issues.

The Anna W. & Alexander P. Thornton Charitable Trust Grant prioritizes support for charities in Tarrant County, Texas, focusing on children's and women's services. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, as recognized by the IRS. Direct applications from individuals are not permitted. This grant offers a valuable opportunity for local organizations to secure funding for impactful community initiatives, ensuring essential services are available to those in need.

The Lenny Zakim Fund Grant aims to empower grassroots organizations throughout eastern Massachusetts by providing unrestricted funding up to $20,000 to those with annual budgets under $350,000. The Fund prioritizes historically marginalized communities and supports initiatives focused on social, economic, and racial justice. With core values rooted in love, diversity, and grassroots leadership, the Fund seeks to foster relationships and create lasting change in the community. This commitment to equity and inclusion is essential for building a more just society.

The Lumpkin Family Foundation

The Lumpkin Family Foundation is a private, family foundation created in 1953 from the estate of Besse A. Lumpkin of Mattoon, Illinois.

We are a multi-generational organization whose programs reflect the collective aspirations of a diverse family living in communities across the country. We make grants and conduct programs that support people working together to build healthy, sustainable communities in East Central Illinois and beyond. After 70 years, members of the Lumpkin family continue to support the Foundation’s work, serving alongside members of the larger community on committees and the Board of Trustees.

Our Geographic Focus

Our grantmaking is deeply rooted in East Central Illinois, the original service area of Illinois Consolidated Telephone (ICTC), the company founded by the Lumpkin family in 1894. We also support organizations in Chicago and national organizations whose efforts align with our core focus on promoting health and wellness through sustainable food systems, mental health initiatives, and regenerative agriculture.

Land, Health, Community - Chicago Program

Grant Overview

The Land, Health, Community-Chicago (LHC-C) program has recently expanded its focus areas to reflect our commitment, as a Foundation, to supporting holistically healthy communities in the Chicagoland area. We believe that a community’s health is rooted in its ability to access and obtain life sustaining resources for all its residents without undue burden, systemic barriers, and inequitable opportunity. The Land, Health, Community-Chicago Program has one grant cycle in the fall.

Program Focus

We look to fund projects and organizations that support the following:

• Our communities are physically active, values healthy eating, and prioritizes overall wellbeing.
• All communities can thrive. Communities that have faced and continue to face inequitable and unjust policies, laws and practices will be equipped with the resources needed to realize their full potential.

Funding Priorities

• Opportunities for children in/out of school to engage physically with and to learn about the natural world, to eat well, and to care for the planet.
•  A community and/or multigenerational approach to addressing the mental health and wellness of youth.
• Efforts to increase access to healthy and sustainably produced food.
• Grassroots and community led initiatives centered on the pursuit of food justice.

The AAF Discretionary Grant, offered by the Amarillo Area Foundation, aims to enrich lives by supporting nonprofit organizations since 1957. Grants are awarded 3-4 times a year, focusing on strategic areas such as education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations serving the northernmost 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. The Foundation encourages potential applicants to consult with their Grants Program Officer before submitting proposals.

The Sales Tax Exclusion (STE) Program, managed by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), provides significant tax incentives for manufacturers in California who invest in equipment aimed at promoting alternative energy, advanced transportation, and recycling. This program not only supports the economy by creating high-paying jobs but also encourages sustainable practices in manufacturing. With a funding cap of $110 million annually, eligible applicants can receive up to $20 million for their projects.

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County (CFMC) empowers local initiatives through strategic grants aimed at fostering educational attainment, enhancing economic development, and promoting community trust. By supporting diverse projects, CFMC envisions a vibrant, inclusive future for Muskegon County, where every resident can thrive. The foundation prioritizes collaboration and opportunities for youth, ensuring that community voices are heard and valued, ultimately leading to a better quality of life for all.

The Ludcke Foundation

Guidelines

To identify and support charitable endeavors that provide needed resources and services to children and families, with an emphasis on emotional and physical health, education, and social development.

The Foundation devotes its grants to the fields of education, health, and human services. The trustees have a special interest in programs that focus across two or three of the foundation’s areas of interest and in partnering with other donors with similar objectives to enable more ambitious projects.

Current Grantmaking Preferences

Job training for systems involved young people, job training for adults facing significant barriers, and limited support for innovative approaches to helping children in underserved New England communities overcome significant and often overlapping barriers to educational success.

Access to health programs for all ages, and behavioral health services for children and teens in underserved communities or otherwise facing significant barriers.

Homelessness prevention, housing assistance, food security, legal assistance, holistic family support, support for young people at risk, and support for victims of domestic violence.

The BCCF Competitive Grants support programs and projects in the greater Battle Creek area with funding requests over $1,500. Focus areas include health, education, and community livability, encouraging proposals that enhance wellness, access to education, and community engagement. Eligible applicants are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or tax-exempt public entities. The grants aim to foster impactful community initiatives, reviewed by volunteer committees to ensure alignment with local needs.

The Mecosta County Community Foundation Grants support local organizations to enhance the community's quality of life. By awarding grants twice a year, they focus on vital areas such as arts, education, health, and social services. Their mission is to address community needs through permanent endowments, improving resources like playgrounds and food pantries. This collaborative effort fosters a thriving environment for residents of Mecosta County.

The Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle, by Southern Partners Fund, aims to empower rural communities in the Southeastern U.S. through grassroots leadership and organizing. The fund provides support to nonprofit organizations focused on social, economic, and environmental justice. Eligible applicants are community-based organizations with budgets under $350,000. The initiative honors Hubert E. Sapp's legacy, promoting equitable relationships that drive real transformation and community decision-making.

The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation Grant Making program provides funding between $2,000 and $25,000 to support initiatives that enhance community vitality in Northern New England. The foundation prioritizes projects that leverage additional resources, produce measurable results, and foster collaboration between public and private sectors. Quarterly and bi-annual reviews ensure timely consideration of applications. With a commitment to improving workforce and economic development, the foundation aims to make a meaningful impact in education, health, and civic services.

The Acadia Science Fellowship aims to protect Acadia's environmental and cultural heritage through innovative research and public engagement. This fellowship supports early-career scientists and encourages projects relevant to resource management and long-term stewardship of Acadia National Park. With funding of up to $30,000 for one to three years, the initiative seeks to strengthen public understanding of science's importance for parks and society, fostering curiosity and concern for national parks.

The HDR Foundation: Canada Grant Cycle offers support to qualified organizations in education, health, and environmental stewardship. Founded in 2012, this employee-driven foundation has contributed over $6 million to more than 250 organizations. Grants prioritize projects with direct community impact and employee involvement. Eligible applicants include registered charities and municipalities. However, funding is not available for individual scholarships or operational support. The establishment of the HDR Canada Fund in 2020 enhances philanthropic outreach across Canada.

The HDR Foundation Grant Cycle supports community organizations aligned with HDR's values, focusing on education, healthy communities, and environmental stewardship. This employee-funded initiative emphasizes the importance of employee engagement in grant proposals, requiring a clear scope of work and completion within a year. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and tribal governments, while grants are not provided for faith-based organizations or individual support.

Impact100 Philadelphia provides impactful grants aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia area. With a focus on addressing unmet needs, the program encourages applications from diverse organizations that demonstrate financial stability and community impact. Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities serving specific Pennsylvania counties, with at least three years of financial statements. The program prioritizes initiatives in arts, education, environment, family, and health sectors, enabling organizations to strengthen their core missions.

The Community Foundation of Greater Rochester offers general grants under $1000 to support nonprofit organizations in the Greater Rochester area. These grants aim to enhance quality of life by funding diverse projects in social services, education, health, arts, and more. The Foundation's 35 years of experience in philanthropy ensures a thorough assessment of community needs, allowing it to effectively link donors with impactful causes, ultimately fostering sustainable improvements in the community.

About Project Canopy

Project Canopy is Maine's urban and community forestry program. Our Mission: Create and maintain healthy urban and community forests for or economic, ecological, and quality of life benefits for Mainers.

Project Canopy works to keep Maine's communities green and liveable by working with municipalities and non-profits to help manage public tree resources. Through our grant program and technical assistance, we promote planting and maintaining of trees in Maine communities. Whether we support planting street trees downtown or a management plan development for town forests, Project Canopy works to help Maine communities stay leafy and green.

Grant Applications

Project Canopy encourages communities to develop project proposals that support sustainable community forestry management, increase awareness of the benefits of trees and forests, and increase the health and livability of communities through sound tree planting and maintenance. Project Canopy announces the availability of grants to local municipal units of government, educational institutions and non-profit organizations that support community efforts to develop and maintain long-term community forestry programs.

Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry

$200,000

Projects support range of activities including urban and community tree canopy establishment and protection, urban wood utilization, urban food forests, local capacity building through workforce development, climate resiliency through tree planting, community tree nursery establishment, and building understanding to care for and manage community trees.

ServeNebraska 

ServeNebraska is the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission. We coordinate community involvement by fellow Nebraskans to address the needs of our communities, and support community members in their volunteer efforts. ServeNebraska coordinates AmeriCorps programming, celebrates volunteer achievements through annual awards, and provides training and technical assistance for AmeriCorps programming.

Mission

Mobilizing Nebraskans to strengthen their communities through volunteering, collaboration, and national service programs.

Our Values

Underlying organizational values define the attitude of ServeNebraska in implementing its mission and serving our state.  Our core values in guiding us include:

• Communication - Build and maintain relationships.
• Integrity - Do the right thing, practice good stewardship and model and require compliance.
• Inclusion - Reach out, invite and collaborate across the state.
• Excellence - Embrace high standards, appropriate action and results.

AmeriCorps Competitive Grant

The AmeriCorps Notice of Funding seeks to award AmeriCorps grants to eligible community organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities (e.g., based on the proposed program’s performance and evaluation data or research demonstrating the effectiveness of similar intervention) to address state and local community problems.

The Community West Foundation provides essential grants to nonprofit organizations in Cleveland, Western Cuyahoga, and Lorain Counties. Their mission centers on advancing community health and well-being, supporting agencies that address homelessness, food insecurity, and health services. They encourage applications aligned with their quarterly focus areas, ensuring that funds enhance dignity and support for vulnerable populations. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities and demonstrate alignment with the foundation's values.

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation offers CRCF General Grants aimed at enhancing community welfare through flexible funding for emerging needs and one-time costs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations serving Southern Chautauqua County, with a focus on mission alignment and broad impact. This bi-monthly grant process facilitates support for program enhancements, capital improvements, and technology upgrades, ensuring that community needs are met effectively.

The Trull Foundation offers local sponsorship grants to organizations seeking funding for events under $1,500, prioritizing children in rural areas, those affected by substance abuse, and projects in the coastal Texas environment. Interested applicants should submit requests at least one month prior to their events. The foundation values cooperation with other organizations and may provide guidance on project assistance, ensuring resources are effectively utilized for community benefit.

The Community Foundation of Greater Rochester offers grants over $1000 to support nonprofit organizations in the Greater Rochester area. With over 35 years of experience, the Foundation funds various initiatives including social services, health, education, and the arts. It aims to connect donors with meaningful causes and enhance community quality of life. Grant applications are open to tax-exempt organizations, while political campaigns are excluded from funding consideration.

Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund 2026 RFA

About the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF)

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership among Restore America’s Estuaries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. The purpose of LISCIF is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. Technical assistance will be provided through LISCIF and is available to communities/organizations even if one does not submit a proposal for funding.  

This is the third round of LISCIF funding. Up to $1,200,000 in competitive funding will be awarded to support projects in New York and Connecticut. Project proposals must incorporate Actions of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).  

For LISCIF, the geographic region refers to the Long Island Sound watershed area within New York and Connecticut.

Funding Priorities

LISCIF’s funding priorities are aligned with the CCMP themes and Actions. For 2026, LISCIF’s main funding themes are:

• Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds  
• Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife  
• Sustainable and Resilient Communities   
• Informed and Engaged Public  

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund aims to build capacity for organizations located in communities affected by environmental and human health risks. The Fund seeks to provide technical assistance for communities and support proposals which ultimately improve access to the Long Island Sound, while reducing overall environmental health risks. Eligible projects and activities will be community-driven and address one of the funding priorities below:   

Funding is available for:   

• Projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention or reduction.   
• Restoring habitat within the Important Coastal Habitat Types targeted by LIS Partnership.  
• Projects that foster a diverse balance and abundant populations of fish, birds, and wildlife.    
• Public engagement, knowledge, and stewardship.  
• Projects that enhance community resilience and sustainability.   
• Planning and design that set-the-stage for implementation of water quality projects, eligible habitat restoration projects and resilience projects.   
• Community-based science projects.  
• Data management and integration projects.   
• Other similar activities that the applicant proposes, and EPA approves, that are consistent with Section 119 of the Clean Water Act.

The Pentair Foundation, a corporate philanthropy initiative, focuses on creating sustainable communities through water solutions and STEM education. With over $80 million in contributions since 1998, the foundation emphasizes ecological resilience, water quality improvement, and youth engagement in science and technology. They prioritize grantmaking in specific U.S. states and international regions, fostering vibrant communities and encouraging employee volunteerism. Initiatives are invitation-only, ensuring a targeted approach to impactful philanthropy.