Best Grants for New Nonprofits in New Jersey

The Pop Culture Collaborative offers Major Grants to support initiatives that promote long-term narrative change and social justice through pop culture. Targeting U.S.-based nonprofits, for-profits, and individuals, these grants aim to engage mass audiences in transformative experiences. With a focus on communities often marginalized, the Collaborative's efforts are designed to foster a pluralistic society where everyone belongs. Grants range from $20,000 to $200,000, depending on project scope and duration, with applications reviewed biannually.

The Warren Alpert Foundation supports initiatives aimed at enhancing public health through grants exceeding $25,000 for medical research, education, and basic human services. Applications are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines preceding board meetings. The foundation's mission encompasses advancing medical treatments and cures through rigorous research and health education. This commitment empowers various projects that align with their vision of improving community health and fostering innovation in medical practices.

The Olney Medal, established in 1944 by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), honors exceptional achievements in textile chemistry and related fields. It recognizes significant contributions to the development of chemical processes and agents in textile manufacturing. Open to all AATCC members for nominations, the award emphasizes the importance of innovation and public recognition in advancing textile sciences, a legacy of its founder, Dr. Louis Atwell Olney.

The Safety, Security, and Privacy for Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE) program, launched by the National Science Foundation (NSF), addresses vulnerabilities in open-source products and their development infrastructure. It invites proposals to enhance safety, security, and privacy across various types of open-source ecosystems. The program aims to support initiatives that improve resilience against risks, attacks, and breaches, ensuring that OSEs can effectively manage current and future challenges.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund's Career Awards at the Scientific Interface provide $560,000 over five years to support early-career researchers transitioning from physical and computational sciences to biological sciences. Launched in 1999, these awards aim to enhance academic research careers for U.S. and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents, fostering a diverse and innovative scientific workforce essential for advancing human health.

The DEVCOM Analysis Center Broad Agency Announcement invites research proposals to support the U.S. Army's mission of informed modernization through data-driven analysis and technology development. Open until January 4, 2028, it seeks innovative whitepapers and proposals from various organizations to enhance Army capabilities and technologies. This initiative aims to foster significant advancements that align with national security needs and drive scientific exploration in applied research and advanced technology.

The Ken W. Davis Foundation Grant provides essential funding to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that align with the Foundation's mission of promoting basic human needs and education in line with Constitutional freedoms. With a minimum grant size of $2,500, the Foundation focuses on supporting human service organizations in Tarrant County, Texas, and the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, while also offering national support for grants related to Constitutional freedoms.

The CHEERS Open Period 2 initiative invites white papers from researchers in various technical fields, focusing on projects that align with the objectives of the Continuing Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS) MAA. This funding opportunity, backed by the US DOD's Air Force Materiel Command, is aimed at advancing national defense capabilities through innovative research and development in areas such as ordnance, telecommunications, and medical supplies.

The Ray Y Gildea Jr Award, provided by the Royal Geographical Society, offers grants of up to £1,000 to support innovative teaching methods in higher and secondary education. This endowed award aims to enhance geography education by funding projects that develop, research, or pilot new approaches, ultimately benefiting students directly. Eligible applicants must be actively teaching in the higher education or secondary school sectors in the UK or USA.

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Theresa Earenfight Scholarship

The purpose of the Theresa Earenfight Scholarship is to support undergrad or graduate students who are passionate about the intersection of social justice and animal welfare within a historical context. Applicants should be studying history, in particular how history intersects with animal activism, animal rights, animal liberation, and other related topics. Preference will be given to students with strong financial need, students of color and those from historically marginalized communities, and/or students who may face barriers to receiving other scholarships. This is a $10,000 annual scholarship renewable through the completion of the student’s degree, assuming the student continues to meet the eligibility criteria. The scholarship may be applied to tuition and fees, or other academic expenses payable to the college or university.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Beatrice Reynolds Memorial Scholarship

Established by the late Ira T. Reynolds in memory of his late wife to assist a Susquehanna Community School District graduate who will major in education or teacher training. Scholarship is provided in four equal installments as long as the recipient remains a student in good standing.

The AWG Mid-Career Excellence Award honors outstanding mid-career women scientists contributing significantly to geosciences. It recognizes achievements across academia, industry, and government, with nominees evaluated on their scientific impact and community service. This prestigious award encourages nominations from the AWG membership and the broader geoscience community, fostering recognition of women's vital contributions in the field. With a commitment to diversity, the award aims to inspire future generations of women in geoscience careers.

The Tommy Wilson Memorial Grant, established by Dr. George T. Wilson and his wife Irene, honors their son Tommy, who had cerebral palsy. This grant supports recreational programs for individuals with disabilities and aims to positively impact their lives. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with a successful history of programming for individuals with disabilities. The grant prioritizes programs serving economically disadvantaged individuals and may only fund applicants once every five years.

The NIA Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI) program aims to support early-career scientists transitioning to industry through the Entrepreneurial Small Business Transition Award. This initiative fosters entrepreneurial skills while enabling small business concerns to hire postdoctoral fellows and early-stage researchers, enhancing their research capabilities. Focused on mentoring and training, the program is designed to ensure that participants develop essential skills for successful careers in entrepreneurship and scientific development.

The Air Force Fiscal Year 2027 Young Investigator Program (YIP) is designed to support early career scientists and engineers who have recently obtained their Ph.D. This initiative aims to promote innovative basic research in science and engineering while enhancing the professional growth of promising investigators. Awards are available to U.S. institutions where the principal investigator is a full-time employee. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.

Our Mission

KidsGardening creates opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder.

We want every child to experience the unique transformation that occurs when they spend time caring for a garden, be it outside, in a classroom, or in a cup on the kitchen windowsill. Since 1982, KidsGardening has served as a premier support provider for youth garden programs nationwide.

We support educators and families with grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant

In celebration of Miracle-Gro’s 75th anniversary, Miracle-Gro and KidsGardening are partnering to fund 75 intergenerational youth garden grants in 2026.

Intergenerational gardens provide opportunities for older gardeners to pass along traditions, knowledge, and skills to the next generation or share the experience of developing skills if new to gardening. In turn, young people bring their curiosity, wonder, and contagious enthusiasm for learning and life, exciting everyone involved in the growing process.

The 2026 Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant is designed to support gardens that intentionally bring children and older adults together through shared gardening experiences.

Funding Priorities

The selection of winners is prioritized based on demonstrated need and program impact. KidsGardening considers a variety of factors when determining needs, including:

• Socioeconomic & Sociodemographic Factors: How does the program exist within or engage a community that has been systematically denied resources, whether physical assets and money or representative leadership and community services? Organizations affected by multiple socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors are given priority.

• Program Funding and Support: Does an organization have access to consistent, substantial monetary support or prior grant funding? Or are pre-existing resources (financial or otherwise) limited? Organizations experiencing the latter are given priority.

• Impact: Will grant funding dramatically expand learning opportunities for program participants? Does the intended impact reflect the needs of the community? Organizations working with more than 50 youth will be given priority.

Award Packages

Grantees will receive:

• A $500 cash award check
• A $250 coupon to purchase essential gardening supplies from ScottsMiracleGro.com

The NABG Scholarships support full-time undergraduate and graduate students in Geoscience programs at accredited institutions, with over $300,000 in funding raised through donations and events. Candidates must exhibit academic excellence, aiming to equip them for future careers in the geosciences. This initiative, backed by the National Association of Black Geoscientists, fosters diversity and prepares the next generation of professionals in the field.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is continuing support for the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT), which focuses on clinical trials and biomarker validation studies for neurological disorders. This initiative aims to foster innovation in neurotherapeutics by providing essential infrastructure and expertise. The program encourages the establishment of Clinical Coordinating Centers (CCC) and Data Coordinating Centers (DCC) to enhance collaborative efforts. Note that applications are not currently being solicited.

The Survivor Fellowship Program for Students, initiated by Everytown for Gun Safety in 2015, empowers individuals directly affected by gun violence. This year-long volunteer advocacy training helps survivors share their narratives, fostering awareness and mobilizing communities to combat gun violence. Participants must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in an educational institution, with a personal connection to gun violence, ensuring diverse experiences are represented in this impactful initiative.

The B. Charles Tiney Memorial ASCE Student Chapter Scholarship, established in 1980 by Mrs. Hazel M. Tiney, provides financial support to deserving undergraduate civil engineering students. This scholarship aims to assist with tuition expenses for those enrolled in ABET-accredited programs. Recipients are chosen based on their commitment to the civil engineering field and must be members in good standing of the American Society of Civil Engineers and their respective student chapters.

The Eugene C. Figg, Jr. Civil Engineering Scholarship, established by Figg Engineering Group in 2002, honors the legacy of Gene Figg, who was renowned for his artistic bridge designs. This scholarship aims to support undergraduate civil engineering students with a passion for bridge design and construction, facilitating their education in an ABET-accredited program. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens and Student Members of the American Society of Civil Engineers in good standing.

The Lawrence W. & Francis W. Cox Scholarship, established by Mrs. Wahneta T. Hinrichs in 2008, honors the legacy of her husband and father-in-law. This scholarship is awarded annually to one undergraduate civil engineering student enrolled in an ABET-accredited program. It aims to support students with tuition expenses, furthering their education in civil engineering disciplines, thus contributing to the profession's growth and sustainability.

The Robert B. B. and Josephine N. Moorman Scholarship, established in 2008 by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), provides financial support for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in civil engineering or related fields. This scholarship honors Robert B.B. Moorman, a dedicated civil engineering professor. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an ABET-accredited program and maintain good standing with ASCE. This award aims to alleviate tuition costs for deserving students committed to the civil engineering profession.

The Robert P. Wadell Transportation Engineering Scholarship, established in 2022 by Robert P. Wadell, P.E., MSCE, F.ASCE, supports undergraduate students in civil engineering with a focus on transportation. Funded through the ASCE Foundation, the scholarship aims to aid up to two deserving students annually with tuition and fees. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in an ABET-accredited program and members of the ASCE. Preference is given to those in their final two years of study.

The BRAIN Initiative aims to advance innovative neurotechnologies by funding early-stage clinical studies for devices that record or stimulate the human central nervous system. This initiative encourages collaborations between clinical researchers and device manufacturers to facilitate groundbreaking studies. By addressing the challenges of obtaining safety and utility data, this program supports both non-invasive and significant risk devices, providing essential insights into their functionality and design. Applications are currently not being solicited, allowing time for meaningful project development.

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) program, established by NIGMS, aims to enhance research funding efficiency by providing stable financial support to investigators. This allows for greater scientific flexibility and encourages innovative studies. MIRA is pivotal for distributing funding among promising researchers, fostering groundbreaking research. The program invites applications from eligible NIGMS-funded and NIH-defined New Investigators, as well as current MIRA grantees seeking renewal, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach to advancing science.

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation

Mission: In partnership with our community, we ignite positive change and create a legacy of impact.

Scholarships

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation annually awards more than $2 million in scholarships to students pursuing higher education, job training and certification. The Foundation hosts several different scholarship opportunities throughout the year. 

Space Camp Scholarship

Open to students (grades 4-12) or adults from Chautauqua County, NY or Warren County, PA to support the cost of attending U.S. Space Camp.