Best Nassau County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

Public and charter schools in Nassau County, New York serving at least 40% free or reduced-price lunch students can apply for Project Lead The Way’s US $40,000 PLTW Engineering New Program grant to launch and grow PLTW Engineering courses. Funding covers participation fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and PLTW Core Training costs over two years.

Public and charter middle schools expanding PLTW Gateway engineering and STEM programs in Nassau County, New York can use this grant for participation fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and PLTW Core Training travel costs. Project Lead The Way and Burns & McDonnell support schools serving at least 40% free/reduced-price lunch students with awards of US $10,000.

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.

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 Affinity Legacy Community Grant Program aims to enhance health and well-being in underserved communities through funding for organizations focused on mental health, food insecurity, re-entry for formerly incarcerated individuals, and consumer health education. Eligible groups must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities operating within Affinity's 10-county service area. This initiative reflects a commitment to collaboration and compassion, ensuring vital support for those in need.

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.

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.

Nonprofit and community organizations near Enbridge operations in Nassau County, New York can seek US $1,000 - US $10,000 for projects that enhance safe, vibrant, and sustainable communities. Enbridge supports efforts in community safety, youth development, social services, environmental education and conservation, and Indigenous culture through donations, sponsorships, and in-kind support.

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.

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.

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.

About The New York Community Trust:

As New York's largest community foundation, The New York Community Trust (The Trust) fosters and engages in enduring and innovative philanthropy, making grants that bring together the local knowledge and expertise of its team, nonprofits, and partners to help donors fulfill their vision for the causes they love. From education and the arts to health care and the environment, The Trust seeks to improve every aspect of the cultural and civic life of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.

The Trust is a regional philanthropic leader. In addition to a distinguished competitive grantmaking program, The Trust hosts donor-advised funds that make grants throughout the United States as well as funder collaboratives that work on the leading edge of philanthropy to improve the lives of New Yorkers. In 2025, it made close to 11,000 grants totaling nearly $230 million.

Having celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2024, The Trust has catalyzed innovations in philanthropy ranging from establishing the first donor-advised fund in the 1930s to making landmark grants, including some of the first to fight AIDS, build the High Line, support immigrant communities in the region, and respond quickly in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four broad priorities of this grantmaking program are to:

• Mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing legacy carbon from the atmosphere and oceans;
• Adapt and become more resilient to the consequences of a warming world;
• Protect public health from toxic chemicals and other environmental hazards; and
• Preserve and create ecological connectivity by supporting terrestrial and marine conservation corridors. 

Grants made pursuant to this request for proposals will be for national projects, i.e., projects working in the United States (including its territories). Grants will not exceed $150,000 per year for up to two years.

Emergency response organizations in Nassau County, New York can seek US $1,000 - US $10,000 for safety equipment, professional training, or safety education programs. With a mission to strengthen community safety, Enbridge provides support to fire departments, EMS and rescue services, emergency management organizations, 9-1-1 centers, ambulance services, and law enforcement near its operations.

The Emerging Leaders Program by NYFA offers a year-long professional development opportunity for manager-level arts administrators in NYC. This program enhances leadership skills through workshops, peer-learning pods, and intensive retreats. Participants will engage in strategic career planning and receive support from experienced alumni. The program aims to empower arts leaders and is supported by The Willem de Kooning Foundation. It's open to those committed to their professional growth within the arts community.

The Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation Grant aims to enhance educational experiences for Nassau BOCES students by funding innovative projects that extend beyond standard operating budgets. Educators are encouraged to submit creative proposals that align with best practices in teaching and learning. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that can positively impact a broad student base, fostering a culture of excellence and lifelong learning within the community.

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.

The New York State Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program aims to enhance K-12 meal preparation by utilizing fresh local farm products. With a total funding of $50 million over five years, the program will award $5 million to each of the ten regions, encouraging projects that alleviate food insecurity and bolster market opportunities for local producers. This initiative seeks to strengthen the state's food system resiliency while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

The MRT Health Homes Supportive Housing Program, funded by the New York State Department of Health, allocates $86,876,000 over five years to support permanent rental subsidies and housing services for vulnerable homeless Medicaid members. This initiative aims to improve access to health services and stable housing through various permissible uses of funds, including rental subsidies, housing navigation services, and support for life skills development.

The Kayasa Foundation Grant aims to uplift individuals from poverty and foster self-reliance. It supports 501(c)(3) organizations operating in the NYC area that provide tools and resources for housing and employment. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000 annually for up to three years. Applicants must use the NY/NJ Common Application Form and submit proposals via email by the specified deadline. This initiative is designed to empower the most needy through targeted support.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing basic needs, income creation, or community development in Nassau County, New York can seek local funding to support low- and moderate-income residents. Grants from Bank of America Charitable Foundation help with food, shelter, health, jobs, small business resiliency, and broader economic mobility for vulnerable populations.

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.

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.

The Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grants aim to enhance aquaculture operations by providing funding for equipment and infrastructure projects. Administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the program offers two funding rounds: Round 1 for equipment on a rolling basis and Round 2 for infrastructure through a single proposal process. This initiative supports the long-term viability of the marine economy and encourages growth in New York's aquaculture sector.

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.

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.