Best Grants for 501(c)(3) in Mississippi

The Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research Program, celebrating 100 years of supporting research, offers financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students. Members can receive grants ranging from $500 to $5,000, while non-members can apply for up to $1,000. Additionally, there are specific funds available for astronomy and vision-related research. This program fosters collaboration between students and mentors, promoting scientific excellence through hands-on experience.

The GM Corporate Giving Grants support U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on STEM education and transportation initiatives. Applications are accepted from January to September, with a requirement to submit requests at least three months before the program’s start date. GM emphasizes charitable contributions in the communities where it operates, ensuring that organizations align with its values. The grant amount is not limited and is assessed based on the proposed program's merit and needs.

The Diminished Tree Species Grant Program focuses on restoring native tree species crucial for biodiversity and forest health. By funding scientific research, seed orchard development, and land preservation, the program aims to combat climate change through effective tree restoration projects. The Oak Hill Fund, a private entity, encourages project-specific applications, prioritizing organizations that meet eligibility criteria under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS. This initiative is vital for sustaining healthy ecosystems and mitigating environmental impacts.

To promote its mission of protecting Mississippi’s environment, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) offers assistance grants for projects involving certain solid waste management and recycling activities and provides other assistance for abatement of certain solid waste problems. The Solid Waste Policy, Planning, & Grants Branch administers several solid waste assistance programs that provide grant funding to support a variety of solid waste management activities. These programs include the following:

• The local governments solid waste assistance grants program
• The local governments waste tire collection and clean up grants program
• The waste tire incentive recycling and research grants program
• The solid waste planning grants program

Each county in Mississippi may apply for a solid waste assistance grant amount allocated by Stateaid Road Mileage formula.

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation Grant aims to improve lives through support for education, health care, community development, and innovation. Established by James and Beverley Sorenson, the foundation focuses on enhancing art education, medical technologies, and community assistance in Utah. It prioritizes projects that foster artistic growth, promote innovative solutions, and address health care challenges while aiding vulnerable populations. The foundation's commitment to enriching lives reflects a deep-rooted belief in the power of education and community engagement.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Bureau of Behavioral Health FY27 Notice of Funding Opportunities

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is now accepting applications for a series of competitive grants made available through funding appropriated to the agency.

Notice of Funding Opportunity FY 2027

The Department of Mental Health/Bureau of Community Services is now accepting funding applications for state fiscal year 2027.

Please note that all grants are contingent on funding by the Mississippi State Legislature and/or the Federal Government. The submission of this application to the Department of Mental Health is not a guarantee of funding. Currently, only Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. We anticipate multiple grant awards. The funding associated with the grant opportunity is meant to defray a proportion of operational costs for the service.

For the required 10% set aside of the Community Mental Health Services block grant, DMH selected the NIMH recommended Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) model for First Episode Psychosis (FEP). CSC Teams are trained using the NAVIGATE program that was created under the RAISE initiative. NAVIGATE for First Episode Psychosis is listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. The Coordinated Specialty Care team includes the following: Team Leader, Prescriber, Individual Resiliency Trainer, Family Education Clinician, Supported Employment and Education Specialist and Case Manager. A three-day intensive training course focuses on the roles of these individual members. In addition, team members participate in bi-monthly and/or monthly telephone calls with national NAVIGATE consultants who review roles, manuals, discuss youth and young adults referred, and provide input and guidance on further program development.

The target population is youth/young adults aged 15-40 years of age who have experienced a first episode of psychosis inclusive of diagnosis in the schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.

The Doyle Undergraduate Fellowship, offered by New Hampshire Sea Grant, provides a unique opportunity for undergraduates to engage in marine resource projects while receiving mentorship and training. This paid fellowship supports students interested in marine-related research and education, with potential earnings of up to $5,000 over a 10-week summer period. By participating, fellows gain valuable insights into coastal and marine management, enhancing their skills and expanding their professional networks.

The Therapeutic Giving initiative by Johnson & Johnson focuses on funding programs in neuroscience aimed at enhancing patient access to treatments and promoting health equity. Nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) can apply for support from March 1 to May 31. The initiative emphasizes innovative, measurable programs in areas like Alzheimer’s disease and mental health, prioritizing those that address healthcare disparities and improve quality of life for affected individuals.

The Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant, in collaboration with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, invites applications from eligible nonprofits starting October 7, 2025. This grant aims to enhance capacity building and sustainability for organizations focused on food insecurity, workforce development, and youth programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations serving low to moderate-income communities within Hancock Whitney's service areas, fostering impactful changes with AmeriCorps support.

The Therapeutic Giving: Oncology program by Johnson & Johnson focuses on funding initiatives that enhance patient access to treatments and services, promote health equity, and strengthen healthcare workforces. It supports programs that raise disease awareness, empower patients, and improve health systems with measurable outcomes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, emphasizing innovative programs addressing healthcare disparities and unmet needs.

The Therapeutic Giving program from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine aims to support local and regional organizations focused on improving patient access to treatment and advancing health equity. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, with funding preferences for programs that address significant healthcare disparities, mental health initiatives, and innovative solutions with measurable outcomes. The application period for local organizations runs from March 1 to May 31, while national organizations can apply in September.

The U.S. Healthcare Donations program by Amgen aims to support not-for-profit organizations in the healthcare sector. As a leading biotechnology company, Amgen provides funding for initiatives that improve science, technology, education, and public awareness on medical conditions. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt entities, focusing on genuine philanthropic efforts that align with Amgen's mission to enhance health outcomes and reduce the burden of diseases.

The Entergy Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on supporting initiatives that foster thriving communities through education, poverty solutions, and environmental programs. The foundation prioritizes funding for 501(c)(3) organizations and similar entities. Key areas include education development, innovative poverty solutions, and environmental restoration efforts, such as coastal wetland preservation. Organizations are encouraged to apply at least three months before funding is needed, ensuring timely support for impactful community projects.

Bureau of Behavioral Health FY27 Notice of Funding Opportunities

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is now accepting applications for a series of competitive grants made available through funding appropriated to the agency.

Family (Parent/Caregiver) Peer Support Development and Program Maintenance Notice of Funding Opportunity FY 2027: Request for Proposals

The Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Program will need to be developed and maintained by the selected agency in alignment with national best practices and standards and approved by the MS Department of Mental Health.

(Certified) Peer Support Specialist Professional- Parent/Caregiver is a biological parent, adoptive parent, or relative caregiver with permanent legal custody who is raising or has raised a child with an emotional, social, behavioral, and /or substance use disability. The Specialist Professional provides support and guidance to parents/caregivers in navigating the child serving systems and advocating with them to help their child/youth.

Bureau of Behavioral Health FY27 Notice of Funding Opportunities

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is now accepting applications for a series of competitive grants made available through funding appropriated to the agency.

Consumer Education Program

This funding is to provide state-wide evidence-based support and educational programs free of charge to those living with mental illness, their caregivers, and their family members.

Educational programs are to include but are not limited to:

The Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-class course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. The course is taught by trained family members and provides current information on major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and others; information about medications; strategies for handling crises and relapse; and most of all, how to cope successfully with a major challenge in your life, which will in turn allow you to best support your mentally ill loved one to work toward recovery.

In Our Own Voice (IOOV) unmasks mental illness using speaker stories to illustrate the individual realities of living with mental illness. Participants gain a better understanding of what it is like to live with mental illness and stay in recovery. In Our Own Voice can change attitudes, preconceived notions and stereotypes regarding mental illness.

Peer-to-Peer is a recovery-focused educational program for adults who wish to establish and maintain wellness in response to mental health challenges. The course provides critical information and strategies related to living with mental illness.

The Provider Education program helps people who work with individuals living with mental illness understand the experience of mental illness from individual and family perspectives. Through exposure to personal stories, participants may gain tools that increase their empathy and professional skills thereby improving patient care.

The Ron Goellner Conservation Fund Award, administered by the Cryptobranchid Interest Group, offers grants up to $2,000 for projects focused on the conservation of giant salamanders. This initiative supports innovative research, field conservation, and educational initiatives that aim to protect these species and their habitats. Open to all applicants, the fund prioritizes projects that demonstrate broad conservation impact and partnerships. Applications are automatically considered for two separate grants of up to $1,000 each.

TC Energy’s Build Strong program supports vital organizations in communities near its operations. By providing grants, scholarships, and in-kind support, the program aims to enhance safety, education, environmental protection, and community well-being. Eligible applicants include non-profits and community groups addressing local needs. Ineligible activities include operational expenses and for-profit endeavors. The program prioritizes projects demonstrating measurable community impact, fostering a collaborative relationship between TC Energy and local stakeholders.

The Arts in Rural Places Grant, offered by South Arts, aims to enhance access to the arts in rural and isolated communities across nine southern states. Grants of up to $3,000 support public activities featuring Southern artists, requiring a dollar-for-dollar cash match. Eligible organizations must host at least two public events and engage a professional artist, promoting cultural engagement and artistic expression within these communities.

The Thornton S. Glide, Jr. and Katrina D. Glide Foundation provides grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in California that focus on animal protection, land conservancy, agriculture, and civic endeavors. Established in 1995, the foundation prioritizes grants for specific capital acquisitions and does not support operational costs or direct aid to individuals. Emphasizing local impact, California-based organizations are favored over out-of-state counterparts.

The AdvoCare Foundation, established in 1993, aims to promote health and wellness for children through its grant program. Focused on year-round initiatives, the foundation supports local communities where AdvoCare distributors operate. Grants typically last one year with an average funding of $25,000, although multi-year support may be available. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster positive health changes and encourages collaborative efforts with previous grantees.

The Maine Cancer Foundation is seeking proposals for cancer screening initiatives aimed at early detection and prevention. This RFP focuses on screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, prostate, and skin cancers. Proposals should align with evidence-based practices endorsed by the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult with MCF prior to submission to discuss project concepts and receive feedback on draft applications.

The Mapp Family Foundation Grant aims to support 501(c)3 organizations in Central & South Mississippi and Coastal Alabama. With a focus on aiding vulnerable people and animals, the foundation encourages applications for grants up to $5,000. The foundation prioritizes compassionate care, striving to enhance the quality of life for those in need. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt entities or governmental agencies, while individuals are ineligible for funding.

The WKKF Grant, offered by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, is dedicated to fostering a future where every child and family thrives. With a focus on nurturing early education, accessible healthcare, and equitable food systems, this grant supports initiatives that empower communities across the U.S. and parts of Mexico and Haiti. Organizations meeting IRS regulations and being legal entities, particularly 501(c)(3) nonprofits, are encouraged to apply for funding to create lasting impacts in their communities.

The NACD Technical Assistance Grants program, in partnership with NRCS, has been enhancing conservation district support since 2018. By funding staff hires, it aims to improve service for agricultural producers and address conservation workload challenges. The initiative focuses on outreach, education, and civic engagement to empower local communities, promote sustainability, and support historically underserved producers in implementing conservation practices, thereby fostering both individual and community resilience.

Ecolab Foundation

Ecolab Foundation is a philanthropic arm of Ecolab dedicated to advancing community well-being through programs that promote education, environmental stewardship, and public health. Its mission is to create positive social impact by supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and foster sustainable development.

The foundation’s primary areas of engagement include educational programs that enhance learning and workforce readiness, environmental projects that encourage conservation and sustainability, and health-related initiatives that improve hygiene and safety. It focuses on partnerships that deliver measurable benefits and long-term impact.

Ecolab Foundation operates primarily within the United States while also supporting global initiatives aligned with its corporate responsibility goals. Its geographic scope reflects a commitment to addressing local community needs and contributing to broader sustainability efforts.

The foundation collaborates with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community-based groups. It prioritizes partnerships that demonstrate strong governance, clear objectives, and alignment with its mission of education, health, and environmental responsibility.

Ecolab Match Program

Ecolab established the Volunteer and Community Relations programs to encourage and reward Ecolab employee and alumni involvement in the communities where people live and work. There are three programs including the Board Leadership Volunteer Grant.

Board Leadership Volunteer Grant

Ecolab will donate up to $500 USD annually to a qualifying 501(c)3 organization (some restrictions apply) for which an eligible person serves on the Board of Directors. 

Focus Areas of Giving

• Youth and Education: programs that promote youth development, particularly for programs that ensure all students are successful
• Civic & Community Development: affordable housing, work readiness, crisis assistance and hunger relief
• Environment & Conservation: hands-on environmental learning programs, environment and conservation organizations
• Arts & Culture: arts education for children and youth as well as support for museums and the performing arts

Bureau of Behavioral Health FY27 Notice of Funding Opportunities

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is now accepting applications for a series of competitive grants made available through funding appropriated to the agency.

Behavioral Health FY27 - Level 3 Low Intensity Residential Services Program (PPWMDC)

Residential Services is the highest community-based level of care for the treatment of substance use/addictive disorders. These levels of care provide a safe and stable group living environment where the individual can develop, practice, and demonstrate necessary recovery skills.

Collectively, all level 3 (3.1, 3.3, 3.5, and 3.7) program services provide residential care and comprehensive treatment services for adults and adolescents whose problems are so severe or are such that they cannot be cared for at home or in foster care and need the exclusive services provided by specialized facilities. Comprehensive services and activities may include diagnosis and psychological evaluation; alcohol and drug withdrawal management (detoxification) services; individual, family, and group therapy/ counseling; remedial education and GED preparation, vocational or pre-vocational training; training in activities of daily living; supervised recreational and social activities; case management; transportation; and referral to utilization of other services. 

Level 3.3 Clinically Managed Population-Specific High-Intensity Residential Services offers 24-hour support setting to meet the needs of people with cognitive difficulties, who need specialized individualized treatment services (who need a slower pace and could not otherwise make use of the more intensive Level 3.5 milieu). This level of care is not a step-down residential level. It is qualitatively different from other residential levels of care. The cognitive impairments manifested in individuals most appropriately treated in Level 3.3 services can be due to aging, traumatic brain injury, acute but lasting injury, or due to illness.

Level 3.5 (Adult) Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Services is designed to serve individuals who, because of specific functional limitations, need safe and stable living environments in order to develop and/or demonstrate sufficient recovery skills so they do not immediately relapse or continue to use in an imminently dangerous manner upon transfer to a less intensive level of care. This level of care offers organized treatment services that feature a planned and structured regimen of care in a 24-hour residential setting. Additionally, this level of care is based on the patient’s severity of illness, level of function, and progress in treatment.