Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Michigan

The North Central Michigan CF: NCMCF Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Grants empower local youth from Crawford, Ogemaw, and Oscoda Counties to promote philanthropy by awarding grants to non-profit organizations benefiting individuals under 18. Prioritizing projects addressing pressing youth issues such as mental health, substance use, and bullying, the YAC fosters community improvement while enhancing members' understanding of grant-making. This initiative, supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, ensures impactful contributions to youth-centric programs.

The James Marston Fitch Mid-Career Fellowship offers research grants up to $15,000 for mid-career professionals in fields like historic preservation, architecture, and urban design. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to innovative research and a clear dissemination plan. The fellowship encourages impactful projects that contribute significantly to the field, ensuring that only qualified individuals can apply, as it does not fund organizational projects or dissertation research.

The TruStage Foundation focuses on fostering economic mobility through education and housing initiatives. By supporting K-12 literacy, mentoring, and affordable housing projects, the foundation aims to uplift marginalized communities. With a commitment to addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities, TruStage seeks to empower individuals and families to build a brighter future. Their funding is directed towards impactful programs that align with their mission, while avoiding causes that do not meet their criteria for economic mobility.

Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund Grants

Empowering People to Move, Live, Work, and Play

Bridgestone has awarded over $60 million to nonprofit organizations in the United States since 1951, and we are committed to continuing our legacy of giving back by supporting communities around the U.S.

Bridgestone works with grantseekers that offer solutions to keep society moving forward. Strong partners offer a human-centered approach to societal challenges in one or more of the following areas of focus: 

In addition to our three areas of focus, we will consider applications from organizations that have hosted volunteer or community engagement events with Bridgestone volunteers and organizations that have received funding in previous years. 

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

Marshall Community Foundation: Mini Grant

Funding Amount

• Up to $750

The Marshall Community Foundation reviews/awards grants quarterly and yearly based upon the size of the grant request. (Grant applications can be submitted at any time.) Grants are awarded to agencies across Calhoun County that benefit residents of the City of Marshall and surrounding townships. Grants are intended to be a flexible local funding opportunity that can respond to community needs.

Application priorities include, but are not limited to:

• Yields substantial community benefits for the resources invested
• Facilitates cooperation and enhances collaboration among organizations
• Avoids duplication of services
• Benefits the greatest number of people in the community and attracts volunteer resources
• Strengthens or improves the self-sufficiency and efficiency in areas such as, but not limited to:
  • Capacity Building
  • Workforce Development
• Represents innovative, start-up efforts
• Supports low income/underserved populations with:
  • Access to Resources
  • Poverty Intervention
  • Food Insecurity
• Promotes youth development in areas such as, but not limited to:
  • Student Performance
  • Teacher Training
  • Supplemental Programs
  • Youth Mental Health
• Examines and addresses underlying causes of local challenges
• Seeks challenge or matching financial resources

The Marshall Community Foundation will only consider granting to organizations who have submitted final reports for all previous grants. Final reports must be approved by the Board of Trustees. The approval process may take up to three months.

The Lawson Charitable Foundation offers Amplify Grants to support nonprofits in New England and beyond, focusing on large-scale initiatives and fundraising efforts. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, these funds are intended to inspire additional donations and enhance organizational capacity. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, aligning with the foundation's mission and demonstrating sustainability beyond the grant period. Priority is given to projects serving New England.

About The Lawson Charitable Foundation

The Lawson Charitable Foundation, created in 2021 by Cathy and Tom Lawson, helps those that are working hard to help themselves and others.

For Grant Seekers

The Lawson Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that drive meaningful change in our communities. While our primary geographic focus is New England, we welcome applications from organizations, doing extraordinary work beyond the region as well.

We are happy to offer two types of grants to support nonprofit organizations making a difference: Impact Grants and Amplify Grants.

Impact Grant

Impact Grants provide funding for programs and initiatives that closely align with our mission of helping those who are working hard to help themselves and others. These grants are designed to support opportunities that create positive change within our focus areas, ensuring resources are directed toward impactful and mission-driven efforts.

The Emerging Artist Grant, offered by the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, supports the next generation of carillonneurs by providing financial assistance for education and professional development. Eligible applicants can receive up to $750 or $2,000 depending on their qualifications, which may be used for tuition, travel, and equipment. This initiative aims to foster talent in the carillon community, ensuring a vibrant future for this unique musical art form.

The John C. Bock Foundation supports the preservation and enhancement of natural land areas, particularly those near Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. It aims to educate builders and developers on the importance of conserving mature woodlands and old-growth forests. The Foundation funds educational activities and research while supporting qualified conservation organizations committed to protecting these valuable landscapes. Its mission is centered on public education and the custodianship of natural resources.

The Consumers Energy Foundation Grant aims to assist Michigan communities by funding innovative projects that enhance people's lives, protect the environment, and promote economic prosperity. Eligible applicants must align their initiatives with the foundation's focus areas, which include reducing poverty, environmental preservation, and economic development. Notably, the foundation primarily supports tax-exempt organizations based in Michigan, while also considering projects that significantly benefit the state. Applicants are encouraged to review eligibility criteria and grant standards before applying.

The Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement is dedicated to enhancing the lives of elderly individuals through targeted support for non-profit organizations. Grants focus on critical areas such as dementia care, wellness programs, and community engagement initiatives. The foundation prioritizes projects that meet the unique needs of seniors, promoting health and active lifestyles. By funding specific projects rather than general support, the foundation aims to make a meaningful impact on the quality of life for senior citizens.

Singing for Change Grant Program

Singing for Change empowers people to become more self-sufficient.

Singing for Change supports nonprofit organizations that inspire, empower, and equip people to become more self-sufficient.

Our grantees encourage personal growth among people who are marginalized. They care about the community as a whole, as well as promote the belief that collectively, people can bring about positive change and sustainable self-sufficiency through connected, diverse communities.

Most likely to be considered are organizations that keep their overhead low and collaborate with other groups in their community to find innovative ways of solving a common problem.

Singing for Change (aka SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc.) was created by Jimmy Buffett in 1995, and receives one dollar from each ticket Jimmy sells at his shows. We envision a world where nonprofit organizations, large and small, provide compelling opportunities for individuals to discover their power to make a difference. The foundation promotes work on the forefront of social change - helping people and communities become smarter, safer, stronger, healthier, and whole. 

Singing for Change (SFC) partners with progressive, community-based organizations addressing the root causes of social or environmental problems. We recently narrowed our focus to projects designed to promote self-sufficiency. 

Specifically, we look for groups that are: 

• Working to engage individuals in their communities 
• Helping people realize their full potential
• Creating lasting change in the communities they serve

We will fund operating expenses for those organizations that we feel are accomplishing these goals.

Areas Of Interest:

Children and families: Grants are awarded to programs fostering self-sufficiency and stability. Individual therapy is not funded, nor are therapeutic or recreational camps or wish-fulfillment programs.

Disenfranchised groups: SFC defines these groups as people who have been marginalized in society because of their low levels of skill, education or income, people with disabilities, and people who are homeless. 

Grants range in size from $1,000.00 to $10,000.00.

The Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation, established in 2022, is dedicated to enhancing lives in rural Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado through grants exceeding $10,000. It supports nonprofits and government entities focused on food, shelter, healthcare, education, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes local initiatives that enrich communities and improve access to essential services, while maintaining a commitment to assisting veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities.

The NFWF's Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program aims to enhance community capacity for sustaining local natural resources through financial assistance for diverse partnerships. With approximately $2.5 million available, projects focus on improving water quality, restoring habitats, and engaging underserved communities. By promoting ecological improvements and community outreach, this program seeks to increase access to nature's benefits while addressing environmental hazards. A blend of urban and rural initiatives is expected for effective implementation.

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, offered by the USDA Forest Service, aims to support Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified non-profits in acquiring private forest lands to establish community forests. This competitive grant program focuses on protecting forestland from non-forest uses while enhancing public access and community benefits such as recreation and education. Applications are due by October 13, 2026, requiring coordination with State Foresters or Tribal officials.

The Cooperative Agreement to Support Activities Related to Analgesics, Anesthetics, and Addiction (U01) aims to enhance research in Anesthesia, Addiction Medicine, and Pain Medicine. It focuses on critical areas such as clinical trial endpoints for chronic pain, outcome measures in stimulant use disorders, and neurodevelopmental assessments in pediatric patients. The initiative encourages applicants to propose comprehensive, evidence-based plans to improve the prescribing of analgesic and anesthetic drug products, with multiple awards available.

The Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant, offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aims to enhance career pipelines in the water utilities sector. This funding opportunity supports institutions and organizations in expanding access to water utility jobs through apprenticeship, education, and training programs. By fostering collaborations and increasing public awareness, the initiative seeks to address the workforce needs of water systems, contributing to community health and environmental protection.

The Scaife Family Foundation Grant has been supporting vulnerable community members for nearly 40 years, providing over $180 million in donations to non-profits. The Foundation aims to match organizations with aligned goals, focusing on women and children, addiction prevention, and animal welfare. It offers grants for general operating and program support, prioritizing impactful programs that address societal issues. Notably, the Foundation considers proposals that foster healthy relationships and promote treatment for addiction, enhancing the welfare of both humans and animals.

The Frances M. Peacock Scholarship, established in 1994 by the Garden Club of America, supports college seniors and graduate students studying seasonal habitats for endangered native birds in the U.S. With an annual award of $4500, this scholarship aims to promote effective land-management practices. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. institution. Note that international applicants are not eligible for funding due to IRS restrictions.

The CAPTRUST National Partnership Grant aims to support local and national charities that serve children's needs. Each year, a Charity of Choice is selected, typically receiving a grant of over $100,000, while additional national grants are awarded to organizations aligned with the CCF mission. This initiative represents 40% of the CAPTRUST Community Foundation's annual giving budget, underscoring its commitment to impactful charitable partnerships.

The Central Montcalm Community Foundation offers various scholarships aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for local students. Scholarships like the Dr. Victor Beal Jr. Scholarship and the Ronald R. Burkholder Athletic and Educational Scholarship focus on academic achievement and community involvement. With funding sourced from endowed funds, these scholarships support students pursuing further education at colleges and universities, ensuring a lasting impact on the community's youth and fostering a culture of academic excellence and service.

The Edison Scholars Program, sponsored by Edison International, offers $12,500 annually to thirty high school seniors pursuing degrees in STEM fields at accredited U.S. colleges. This renewable scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need and reside in Southern California Edison’s service territory. Scholars also gain access to a paid summer internship after their first year. Eligible majors include engineering, mathematics, and computer sciences, fostering the next generation of innovators and leaders.

The Robert E & Evelyn McKee Foundation Grant focuses on charitable purposes, primarily supporting organizations that qualify under 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. It awards funds in various areas including civic, cultural, education, healthcare, and youth activities. Eligible recipients are local charities and certain selected colleges for scholarships. However, the foundation does not fund other foundations, organizations outside the U.S., or individual financial aid. Awards are guided by IRS minimum requirements.

The AHRQ Health Services Research Projects (R01) aims to fund innovative health services research that aligns with AHRQ's priorities, such as enhancing healthcare quality and safety. This initiative encourages applications from various healthcare settings including hospitals and home care, promoting collaboration among diverse stakeholders like patients and policymakers. By addressing key areas of healthcare delivery improvement, this funding opportunity seeks to foster advancements in patient care and overall health system performance.

The AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants (R18) aim to support innovative health services research that addresses priorities in quality, safety, and effective healthcare delivery. These grants encourage collaboration among various stakeholders, including patients and policymakers, to enhance healthcare practices across diverse settings. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. This initiative fosters improvements in healthcare outcomes and delivery systems.

The AHRQ Small Health Services Research Grant Program (R03) invites applications for health services research focused on enhancing healthcare quality and patient safety. This funding opportunity supports diverse research settings, including hospitals and home healthcare. Projects may involve collaboration with various stakeholders such as patients, clinicians, and policymakers. By addressing AHRQ research priorities, this initiative aims to improve healthcare delivery and practice while promoting effective partnerships across the healthcare spectrum.