Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in New Jersey

The NJ Commission on Brain Injury Research Fellowship Grant, administered by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to enhance research for interventions and cures related to traumatic brain injuries. This initiative focuses on improving the quality of life for affected individuals by addressing the leading causes of disabilities through community engagement and evidence-based strategies. The NJDOH's commitment to health promotion is essential in fostering healthier living across New Jersey.

New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH)

The New Jersey Department of Health leads the state’s response to public health challenges and works to improve health outcomes for all New Jersey residents. Through its three primary branches—Public Health Services, Health Systems, and Integrated Health—the Department collaborates across programs and partners to strengthen New Jersey’s health system. Guided by its mission to protect public health, promote healthy communities, and improve the quality of health care, the Department supports initiatives that advance prevention, system integration, and equitable access to health services statewide.

Early Intervention Services, Pediatric Tertiary Services Grant Program

The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) Division of Family Health Services (FHS), Special Child Health Services (SCHS) is presenting a Request for Applications (RFA) for the provision of Pediatric Tertiary & Craniofacial Services. FHS, within the DOH, encompasses a broad range of programs and services that focus on the health and well-being of families and communities in New Jersey. The mission of FHS is to protect and promote the health of mothers, children, and adolescents while reducing health disparities by ensuring access to quality comprehensive systems of care. This is accomplished primarily through the administration of funding for a wide variety of family-centered, culturally competent programs and community initiatives.

The Teacher Development Grant Program aims to recruit and support teacher candidates in high poverty school districts across New Jersey. This initiative focuses on enhancing the placement and financial support of minority teachers while providing effective strategies and resources for institutions of higher education to implement. The program is designed to promote inclusivity and sustainability in education by ensuring that teacher candidates gain practical experience in challenging environments, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of educational outcomes.

The NJ Commission on Brain Injury Research Pilot Project Research Grant aims to accelerate research for effective interventions addressing traumatic brain injury disabilities. The New Jersey Department of Health's Community Health and Wellness Unit focuses on preventing chronic disease-related disabilities and enhancing community health. This grant invites principal investigators from New Jersey academic and research institutions to apply, fostering collaboration to improve health outcomes for high-burden populations across the state.

Meland Foundation Nursing Scholarship

The Meland Foundation grants funding for scholarships to nurses in the NJ-NY-CT-PA area with BSN degrees wishing to pursue Nurse Practitioner, MSN, and DNP degrees with a pediatric specialty and who share the vision of the Foundation.

The Meland Foundation — founded by a beloved pediatrician who built a successful family medical practice in Northern New Jersey — provides and supports inspirational and informational programs to enhance the ability of families to care for loved ones and to provide hope to patients and their caregivers.

The amount of each nursing scholarship is between $2,000 and $5,000.

Scholarships are granted annually.

Department of Law & Public Safety

Under the direction of the Attorney General, the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Law & Public Safety are dedicated to making New Jersey safe for all its residents and visitors. Its diverse and complex responsibilities focus on protecting the lives and property of New Jersey citizens. In addition to providing statewide law enforcement and emergency response services, this Department and its approximately 7,700 employees are responsible for protecting citizens’ civil and consumer rights, promoting highway traffic safety, maintaining public confidence in the alcoholic beverage, gaming and racing industries and providing legal services and counsel to other state agencies.

New Jersey Law Enforcement Wellness and Resiliency Grant

The New Jersey Law Enforcement Wellness and Resiliency Grant Program (NJLEWRG) will provide funding to New Jersey law enforcement agencies to implement wellness and resiliency initiatives designed to support the physical, mental, emotional, and financial health of officers and employees. Programs will promote officer wellness and resiliency by providing funding for initiatives, including but not limited to counseling services, wellness training and programs, physical fitness enhancements, peer support, and the development of spaces or tools that improve officer health and well-being. 

The Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program offers financial assistance and career preparation for legally blind college students in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Through competitive scholarships, the program supports higher education at select institutions in the Tri-State area, fostering independence and professional development. Recipients are selected based on academic performance and essential skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for future careers. This initiative not only promotes educational opportunities but also enhances the quality of life for blind and visually impaired individuals.

The E.B. Henderson Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors minority members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy for ethnic minorities within health and physical education. Established in 1885, SHAPE America serves over 200,000 professionals, promoting high-quality education standards. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to increasing the participation of underserved populations in the field. Limited to two awards annually, it highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in health education.

Purpose and Overview

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Office of Tobacco Control and Prevention (OTCP), is soliciting applications through this Request for Applications (RFA) to implement the Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement Program. The purpose of this program is to support enforcement of New Jersey’s Tobacco Age of Sale law, which prohibits the sale of any tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21, through routine compliance inspections of Tobacco Retail Establishments (TREs). Eligible organizations will be responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising inspectors to conduct compliance inspections and monitor adherence to New Jersey’s tobacco control laws.

The Bernard and Carolyn Torraco Memorial Nursing Scholarships, funded by the UNICO Foundation, offer $2,500 scholarships to students pursuing accredited nursing programs in the United States. These scholarships support nursing students of all ethnicities who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens and enrolled in a campus-based program, with a focus on continuing their studies within the academic year 2025-2026.

Reproductive Health Security Grant Program (RHSGP)

The Reproductive Health Security Grant Program (RHSGP) provides funding to eligible reproductive health care facilities, licensed by the State of New Jersey and in good standing, that provide reproductive health care services and determined to be at a high risk of unlawful activity (acts of violence, property damage, vandalism, harassment, etc.) within the State of New Jersey. Reproductive health care services include all medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including, but not limited to, services involving pregnancy, contraception, or the termination of a pregnancy.

Project Funding

Eligible reproductive health care providers may request a maximum of $100,000.00. Investments may include any one or a combination of the following:

• Security guards
• Physical security equipment
• Training
• Emergency planning and/or cybersecurity
• Collectively not to exceed $100,000.00.

This is not a reimbursement grant. Funding will be advanced based upon proper submission of a purchase order and respective invoice. NJOHSP will ensure the expenditure is consistent with the approved application and forward the authorized amount to the subgrantee within 5 to 10 working days of receipt. Subgrantees will be required to submit a proof of payment document. 

New Jersey Department of Health

The scope of work for the public health system is ever-expanding, and the Department is on the frontlines in leading the response to public health challenges. The Department has three primary branches – Public Health Services, Health Systems, and Integrated Health. All work collaboratively toward improving health by strengthening New Jersey’s health system.

Our Mission: Protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.

New Jersey Department of Health - WIC Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Purpose for Which Grant Program Funds Shall be Used

To provide grant funds to the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Agencies to assist them to perform the function of the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. The funds will be useed to screen and approve the eligibility of low income senior citizens of New Jersey in order to provide SFMNP benefits.

School Lead Filters Grant

The program provides one-time reimbursement for the purchase and installation of point-of-use filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets in public school districts. It is intended to help districts address lead in drinking water at the point of use and expand access to safe drinking water for students and staff. Districts are encouraged to prioritize drinking water outlets with documented water quality concerns or elevated lead levels.

All New Jersey public school districts are eligible to participate. Each district is eligible to receive an allocation determined by the number of students reported for state aid purposes in grades preschool through twelve in the 2025-26 school year, adjusted for a minimum allocation of $1,000. 

New Jersey Department of Education

The New Jersey Department of Education mission supports schools, educators and districts to ensure all of New Jersey's 1.4 million students have equitable access to high quality education and achieve academic excellence. Our vision is to become a model organization that strengthens teaching, leading and learning in order to increase educational equity for all students.

The New Jersey Department of Education, Office of School Facilities, works to ensure that every child attends an educational facility that is safe, healthy, and educationally enhanced. The Office also supports the delivery of the thorough and efficient education to which all students are entitled under the New Jersey State Constitution and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Universal Pre-K (UPK) Facilities Grant

The Fiscal Year 2023 annual appropriations act includes a $120 million allocation of Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) dollars that were established pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) for the expansion of preschool facilities. Applications are now available in Electronic Web Enabled Grants (EWEG) System in the NJDOE Homeroom portal. 

Under the Preschool Facilities Expansion program, regular operating districts (ROD) are eligible to receive at a minimum 40 percent of approved eligible project costs. The funding percentage for a grant is based upon each district’s District Aid Percentage (DAP) multiplied by the eligible project costs established by New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). Districts must be able to demonstrate local matching funds for the balance of the project costs.

The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism (NJTT) is pleased to offer the Cooperative Marketing Grants, Destination Marketing Organization Grants, and the NJ Agri-Tourism Grant Program. Each grant program aligns with the Division’s goal of promoting and marketing New Jersey as a premier destination.

 Agri-Tourism Grant Program 

The Agri-Tourism Grant Program is a collaboration between the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture travel industry. As a result, the New Jersey Agritourism Grant Program was created to support New Jersey Agritourism businesses to promote the expansion, diversification, and sustainability of New Jersey’s Agritourism industry.

The Agri-Tourism grant is open to New Jersey organizations who can demonstrate a significant interest in supporting New Jersey’s Agri-Tourism businesses in their efforts to attract, entertain and educate visitors.

The SFS Fellows Grant, awarded by the Society for Freshwater Science, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to freshwater science research, policy, or management. Each year, up to four fellows are selected based on their sustained excellence and leadership within the field. This initiative also encourages diversity by promoting nominations from underrepresented groups and mid-career professionals. The grant fosters collaboration and participation in SFS activities, enhancing the impact of freshwater science.

The Scott Ralls Fund Grant, administered by the American Camping Association, NY and NJ, supports capital improvement projects for nonprofit accredited camps. Established in honor of Scott Ralls, a dedicated advocate for the camp industry, the fund has distributed over $372,000 to enhance the camp experience. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit accredited member camps, with a preference for projects that are standalone and can be completed within a year.

The Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP), administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides crucial funding to tribal governments and intertribal consortia for developing environmental protection programs. Since 1992, GAP has focused on remediation of pollutants and, more recently, supports climate adaptation initiatives. The program emphasizes tribal sovereignty while aiding in capacity building, policymaking, and establishing joint EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans to effectively address environmental challenges faced by tribal communities.

The Bonnie Cardone Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Women Divers Hall of Fame, awards $1,500 to a woman diver enrolled in a U.S. or Canada degree program in journalism, graphic arts, photography, or videography. This scholarship aims to support those committed to using their education to benefit the ocean environment and community, promoting greater awareness and conservation efforts. Eligible applicants must demonstrate their dedication to these fields and their potential impact on marine ecosystems.

New Jersey Department of Education

Mission: The New Jersey Department of Education supports schools, educators and districts to ensure all of New Jersey's 1.4 million students have equitable access to high quality education and achieve academic excellence.

Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant

The New Jersey Department of Education (“NJDOE”), in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”), is issuing these Final Guidelines to inform public school districts of a grant program addressing water infrastructure improvement, as authorized by the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act, P.L. 2018, c.119 (“Bond Act”) and implemented by regulations enacted in N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-1.1 et seq. (“Regulations”), the “Securing Our Children’s Future” grant program.

The Bond Act provides $100 million in grant funding for eligible work to remediate water contamination in school districts.

These water infrastructure grant programs are open to all New Jersey school districts that operate school buildings. The grant program does not include those entities that do not meet the definition of “school district” under the Bond Act, such as charter or renaissance schools.

Tobacco Special Population

To redeuce tobacco-related disparities in special populations, such as the Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ+) community. The purpose of the funding will be to reduce tobacco product use by raising awareness of statewide tobacco cessation sevices like the NJ Quitline and Quit Centers in an effort to increase utilization of these services by the LGBTQ+ community.

The Bayard Long Award supports students researching plant species in the Philadelphia area and surrounding regions. With a typical funding of $2000, it encourages studies that enhance understanding of local flora, including field and herbarium work. Eligible projects must include at least one native plant species, promoting both academic and practical botanical endeavors. This opportunity is available to all students enrolled in degree programs at any post-secondary institution, furthering educational and scientific exploration in botany.

About NJDOH

The scope of work for the public health system is ever-expanding, and the Department is on the frontlines in leading the response to public health challenges.

The Department has four primary branches – Care & Treatment Services, Health Systems, Population Health, and Public Health Services. All work collaboratively toward improving health by strengthening New Jersey’s health system.

Our Mission

Protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program CSFP

To safeguard the health of low-income seniors who are 60 years of age and older by providing USDA donated commodoties, nutrition education, and referrals to health care and social service agencies.

The Anchor QEA Scholarship supports graduate students pursuing degrees in engineering, environmental sciences, or related fields, with awards between $1,000 and $10,000. This program emphasizes helping those in financial need, particularly focusing on BIPOC students to address inequities in STEM. Eligible candidates must demonstrate a commitment to community service and possess an inclusive mindset. This initiative reflects Anchor QEA's dedication to fostering a diverse and equitable educational environment.

The Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund provides grants and loans to public and private entities for the assessment, investigation, and cleanup of hazardous substance discharges at brownfield sites. Established in 1993, it aims to support redevelopment efforts by covering 100% of assessment costs and up to 75% of remedial action costs. Funded by a portion of the New Jersey Corporate Business Tax, it fosters collaboration between the Department of Environmental Protection and the Economic Development Authority.

The Von Voigtlander Family Foundation Grant, though currently closed, aims to support 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, primarily in Michigan. The foundation emphasizes animal welfare, parks preservation, veteran support, and youth empowerment. Their mission is to enhance lives through community-focused initiatives that foster resilience, education, and well-being. They prioritize charities that promote responsible pet ownership, outdoor recreation, and provide resources for veterans and youth, ensuring a positive impact across multiple sectors.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Computer Science Studies, awarded by the UNICO Foundation, offers four scholarships of $1,000 each to full-time students pursuing a degree in Computer Science at accredited U.S. colleges. Eligible applicants must reside in specific states or have a UNICO sponsor, be U.S. citizens aged 18 or older, and continue their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year. Preference is given to those demonstrating financial need.