Best Nassau County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

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.

The Housing for Everyone Grant Competition, part of the 2026 Initiative, aims to support eviction prevention in low-to moderate-income communities. This 20th annual initiative recognizes the destabilizing impact of eviction and displacement on families, which leads to job loss, school disruptions, and health issues. By funding innovative organizations, the competition seeks to provide stability for renters, enabling them to stay in their homes and communities.

The Patrina Foundation Grant supports educational, cultural, and social service organizations, primarily in the New York Metropolitan area. The foundation focuses on enhancing the skills and leadership abilities of girls and women through general operating support, program support, and funding for pilot projects. Grants are available exclusively to tax-exempt organizations, and applicants may apply once a year, ensuring a dedicated approach to community improvement.

The Neighborhood Builders Program, supported by Bank of America, empowers 501(c)(3) nonprofits through a two-year leadership development initiative. Participants receive funding, training, and networking opportunities to enhance their impact in communities. Since its inception, the program has invested over $346 million, training more than 4,000 leaders. The initiative focuses on advancing social mobility and economic opportunities, ensuring affordable housing, and fostering resilient communities. This program is vital for nonprofits aiming to strengthen their leadership and community engagement.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - New York

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Youth-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Nassau County, New York can seek funding for programs, projects, or general operations in creative and performing arts, education, health and wellness, or play and recreation. Grants from Pincus Family Foundation help Nassau County, New York organizations serving marginalized preK–12 youth and under-resourced communities advance readiness, well-being, and equitable opportunities.

Huntington Arts Council Inc

The Huntington Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, promotes arts and culture generated by Long Island artists to our children and to the general population. We work to enrich the cultural, social and economic life of the community by nurturing the professional development of artists, and by providing timely news and events via Arts Cultural Magazine (reaching 20,000 per issue). Our Arts-in-Education program reaches 35,000 children annually through our partner school districts. We also offer artistic programs and services to our more than 100 cultural organization members who encompass the broad spectrum of arts disciplines.

Since it was founded in 1963, the Huntington Arts Council has inspired and aided the growth of hundreds of art organizations and individual artists now flourishing across Long Island. The Huntington Arts Council celebrates the diversity of Long Island’s cultural resources through sponsored activities, programs and publications that advocate cultural awareness and education. The Huntington Arts Council is the official arts coordinating agency of the Town of Huntington and serves as the primary regranting agency in Suffolk County for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

Community Arts Grant

Huntington Arts Council continues to be the official New York State regrant site for Nassau and Suffolk counties. The SCR grant program supports a vibrant range of professional, educational, and community-based arts and cultural projects. Funding is distributed through four key initiatives: the Community Arts Grant, Arts Education Grants, New Works Artist Grant and Bi-Monthly Community Micro Grant.

The Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) Community Arts Grant supports arts and cultural programming across all artistic disciplines, that strengthen community connections and celebrate local culture. All funded projects must be open to the public.

Individual artists, collectives, unincorporated groups, tribal organizations, and 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a current address in Nassau or Suffolk County are eligible to apply.

The M&T Charitable Foundation Grants provide essential support to a variety of organizations focused on enhancing community well-being. With a mission rooted in corporate responsibility, the foundation prioritizes partnerships with 501(c)(3) organizations in sectors such as arts, health, education, and human services. By investing in local initiatives, the foundation aims to create healthier communities and improve the quality of life for all stakeholders involved.

Nonprofit and public-sector conservation organizations in Nassau County, New York can seek funding to restore and protect Long Island Sound’s health and living resources. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund awards US $50,000 - US $2,000,000 for projects in habitat and ecosystem restoration, water resource management, fisheries, and broader environmental stewardship.

The Jean Griswold Foundation

The Jean Griswold Foundation (JGF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Caregivers through educational opportunities and scholarships. 

Our Mission

The mission of the Jean Griswold Foundation is to support Caregivers by providing educational scholarships* to enable them to further their training, enhance their careers, and better assist the clients they serve.

By offering educational scholarships*, our Foundation will not only make a positive impact on the Caregivers themselves, but also the clients they assist and the home healthcare agencies where they are employed, as well as help advance the overarching home-care industry.

Scholarships will be paid directly to the federally accredited educational institutions of the winning Scholars’ choosing.

Empowering Caregivers Through Education

The Jean Griswold Foundation Scholarship Program awards scholarships to deserving Caregivers who wish to further their education in a care-related field. Applicants do not have to be associated with Griswold in any way, and the funds will be paid directly to the institution where the caregiver will be receiving education.  

Our Winter 2026 Scholarship Application period is now open! Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm ET August 31, 2026. Join our email list to get the first notice of all Scholarship happenings.  

Where would we be without Caregivers? 

Their selflessness is astounding, yet they are often overlooked and underappreciated. 

The Jean Griswold Foundation is dedicated to supporting Caregivers, the backbone of the care industry. We provide educational scholarships so Care Professionals can further their training, enhance their skills, elevate their careers, and better assist the people they serve.

The JGS Fellowship for Photography offers a $7,000 cash grant to photography artists residing in New York State, excluding New York City. This competitive fellowship supports five artists engaged in traditional and experimental photography. Funded by The Joy of Giving Something, the fellowship aims to assist artists in creating new works and exhibitions. Eligible applicants must be at least 25 years old and have lived in a qualifying region of New York State for at least 12 months.

Nonprofits, municipalities, and community groups planning green infrastructure, community greening, or urban tree canopy projects in Nassau County, New York can seek funding to design or implement projects that reduce stormwater runoff and expand green space. Chesapeake Bay Trust’s G3 program offers up to US $175,000 across multiple project tracks, including planning, construction, and white papers.

Nassau County has launched the Septic Environmental Program to Improve Cleanliness (SEPTIC) Grant, aimed at replacing outdated septic systems with innovative nitrogen-reducing technologies. Grants of up to $20,000 are available for eligible homeowners and small businesses, addressing nitrogen pollution—an urgent concern for Long Island's water quality. This initiative supports public health and environmental sustainability, significantly reducing nitrogen discharge while ensuring effective wastewater treatment.

The Awesome Foundation offers Local Chapter Grants of $1000 to individuals and groups for innovative projects that enhance community engagement. Each chapter operates independently, focusing on unique interpretations of 'awesome' across various fields such as arts and technology. Grants are awarded monthly, emphasizing no-strings-attached support. This initiative encourages creativity and experimentation, aiming to inspire and delight communities worldwide. For more details, applicants can explore individual chapter preferences and restrictions through the foundation's website.

Nonprofit and community organizations restoring habitat and conserving land in Nassau County, New York can apply for Hudson River Foundation’s Advancing Habitat Restoration with Community RFP. Grants of US $50,000 - US $100,000 support one- to two-year projects that enhance wildlife habitat at Hudson-Raritan Estuary or similar community-supported restoration sites while benefiting local residents.

The Long Island Sound Study Research Grant Program, managed by Connecticut Sea Grant and New York Sea Grant, aims to fund research that supports effective management of Long Island Sound's resources. The program prioritizes actionable research addressing anthropogenic stressors while enhancing ecosystem health. A 50% non-federal match is required for funding, ensuring collaboration and sustainability. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with the themes outlined in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, facilitating informed decision-making for the region's environmental future.

The Citi Foundation's Global Innovation Challenge invites proposals from community organizations worldwide developing innovative employment solutions for low-income youth aged 15 to 24. This initiative aims to enhance youth employability, addressing global unemployment challenges faced by millions. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to support programs such as vocational training, entrepreneurship, and financial education to empower young people. The deadline for application registration is March 4, 2025, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time.

Our Work:

The Citi Foundation commits $20 million to help nonprofit housing developers overcome financial and operational barriers to building and preserving affordable housing in the U.S.

Apply for Funding

Citi Foundation primarily provides funding through open Requests for Proposals (RFP). This model enables us to engage and support a broad range of organizations across the globe to tackle some of the most pressing social issues of our time. Each RFP launched is accompanied by detailed information on goals, selection criteria and relevant application deadlines.

Housing Affordability

Citi's Blueprint for Housing Opportunity

Recognized as the number one affordable housing lender in the U.S. by Affordable Housing Finance magazine, Citi knows increasing supply is essential to addressing housing affordability — one of the defining economic challenges of our time. That’s why we are putting our capital, community impact and expertise toward helping more Americans access housing they can truly afford.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing healthcare, education, animal welfare, human services, or public safety programs in Nassau County, New York may be eligible for this support. Focused on improving quality of life, the Aaron and Rachel Meyer Memorial Foundation invites charities—especially in Northeast New Jersey and the broader tri-state area, including Nassau County—to request funding for local projects and operations.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on supporting organizations that empower communities through basic needs, income creation, and stable housing. By investing in health and job opportunities, they aim to enhance economic mobility for low- and moderate-income families. Their partnerships target vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to resources that foster community vitality and resilience. This initiative emphasizes the importance of stable housing as a foundation for personal and communal growth.

The Huntington Arts Council Bi-Monthly Community Impact Micro Grant supports arts-centered programs in Nassau and Suffolk counties, promoting community engagement and cultural enrichment. This grant offers streamlined funding opportunities for individual artists and non-profit organizations to enhance local cultural life. By facilitating artistic initiatives, the council nurtures talent and fosters collaboration, ultimately contributing to the vibrancy of the Long Island arts scene. Eligible applicants can benefit from simplified processes to receive financial support for impactful projects.

The Ed. Foundation

In 2001, community advocate Amy Bass assembled a group of volunteers to form an education foundation with the goal of making a difference in the experience of students in Port Washington. The following spring, the PWEF awarded its first grants, totaling $20,329, to fund 18 projects ranging from an oral history study at Schreiber to math literacy workshops at the elementary schools. Since then, hundreds of grants have been awarded in every school, at every grade level, in every subject area, totaling well over 2.5 million dollars. 

Our Mission: The Ed. Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)3 community-based organization. The purpose of the Foundation is to support initiatives that are beyond basic educational needs and to enhance and expand educational opportunities for all students in the Port Washington public school district. The Foundation actively seeks donations, grants and government funds in order to distribute funds to selected programs and resources.

The Ed. Foundation Grant

Our grants support innovative programs, classroom enhancements, and initiatives that enrich the educational experience for students across the district.

Our grant process is a full-year cycle. It begins in January with application distribution and culminates in October with the Grant Awards Ceremony. Prior to each grant season, The Ed. Foundation team meets with Interim Superintendent Dr. Chris Shields, school district administrators, and each building principal to develop grant focus areas such as technology, literacy, or science and math.

We attend staff meetings at all of the seven schools to explain the process and answer any questions that might arise. We receive applications from teachers, administrators, students, and other community members. The committee meets to evaluate the merits of each individual proposal.

The Committee reviews the requests using criteria such as number of students served, ties to curriculum, creativity of the project, budget and impact on the school, and students served. We also assess whether partial funding is an option, or whether support from other community organizations is a possibility.

The National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program, administered by Restore America’s Estuaries and supported by the EPA, funds competitive projects addressing critical threats to estuaries. Key priorities include habitat restoration, enhancing coastal resilience against extreme weather, managing nutrient impacts, and mitigating stormwater runoff. Established in 1987, the program aims to improve ecological integrity and water quality in 28 estuaries nationwide, providing essential funding and guidance to local initiatives.

The Kyle Palmieri Foundation Grant aims to support non-profit organizations dedicated to benefiting Long Island's military community, including veterans, active service members, and their families. Founded by NHL player Kyle Palmieri, this 501(c)(3) charity focuses on raising funds to express gratitude for the sacrifices made by these heroes. Eligible applicants must operate on Long Island and uphold non-discriminatory practices. The foundation awards grants annually to amplify its mission and support those who serve.

Community Finance Initiative 

Advancing the financial resilience of low-income households across the U.S.

This model enables us to engage and support a broad range of organizations across the globe to tackle some of the most pressing social issues of our time.

The Citi Foundation’s 2026 Community Finance Initiative commits $35 million to support programming that bolsters the financial stability, strength and safety of low-income households in the U.S.

Focus Areas

The Foundation seeks to support organizations advancing low-income household financial resilience in the United States across three focus areas:

Stabilize: Programs that help low-income households to build financial skills and confidence to manage daily finances and navigate financial stress.

• Financial coaching on budgeting, credit, debt reduction and savings strategies.
• Digital tools offering personalized financial guidance and product navigation.
• Assistance with public benefits and social safety net programs.

Strengthen: Programs that help low-income households build and repair credit, as well as short- and long-term financial assets.

• Financial products or services for credit building and credit repair.
• Initiatives to increase savings, including emergency funds.
• Support for homeownership, including readiness, preservation and long-term stability (e.g., first-time buyer assistance, preventing displacement and support systems for aging in place resources).

Safeguard: Programs that protect low-income household financial security by preventing and addressing financial losses.

• Education and support for the safe and confident use of digital financial tools.
• Fraud and scam awareness, prevention and recovery initiatives, including protection from identity theft.
• Interventions to help households recover from major financial shocks (e.g., healthcare costs, extended family care, job transitions or natural disasters).

Funding Opportunity

The Foundation plans to award 70 $500,000 (USD) grants (to be disbursed over two years) totaling $35 million to community organizations working in select communities where Citi has a presence.

The grants will be restricted and are anticipated to be disbursed in two annual payments in 2026 and 2027. Proposed projects should be for a term of 24 months, starting no sooner than August 1, 2026 and ending no later than December 31, 2028.

The David and Minnie Berk Foundation, established in 1961, provides grants to charitable organizations in the arts, education, and social services, focusing on youth, the elderly, and the needy. With a maximum grant of $10,000, they support innovative ideas and pilot programs. Eligible recipients must be 501(c)(3) organizations located in the greater New York metropolitan area, while ineligible organizations include those with budgets exceeding $3,000,000 and individual projects.