Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in New Jersey

Small 501(c)(3) and similar tax-exempt organizations working in education, human services, conservation, health, or cultural programs, including those in New Jersey, can apply for McGraw Foundation grants. The foundation provides US $2,000 - US $10,000 for general operating support, specific projects, and occasionally capital efforts, with some larger awards for unusually promising initiatives.

Graduate students conducting research in drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive $3,000 in scholarship support from the American Water Works Association. Focused on actionable outcomes for current water industry challenges, this award may benefit New Jersey students whose work ultimately supports small nonprofit or community water initiatives.

New Jersey agricultural and forest producers seeking support to enhance conservation on working lands can access funding through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. This program offers five-year contracts with annual payments to maintain and improve practices that address soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and other priority resource concerns, which may benefit small nonprofits that manage eligible lands.

With a mission to support environmental sustainability, Honda provides New Jersey nonprofits and schools with US $25,000 - US $100,000 for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient natural resource use projects. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and public or private schools serving Honda communities may benefit from this Environment Pillar Award programmatic funding.

Small 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups in New Jersey working on environmental and climate justice may be eligible for funding to support grassroots organizing, advocacy, and movement-building. The Scherman Foundation backs BIPOC-led efforts on climate resilience, equitable mass transit, green jobs, and related environmental justice priorities, with a primary focus on racial justice and community power.

Nonprofit organizations serving women and children with humanitarian, education, or self-sufficiency programs in New Jersey can access funding through The Father's Table Foundation, with awards up to US $750,000. Grants may support homelessness services, job readiness, child welfare, food security, microfinance, health care, disaster relief, and related community-strengthening initiatives worldwide, including U.S.-based projects.

New Jersey small nonprofits and eligible educational or religious organizations can seek monetary or in‑kind support for community programs, including education, workforce development, housing, food security, climate action, and mental health. Atlantic County organizations may access funding through The Caesars Foundation’s regional and property giving focused on strategic community impact areas in U.S. communities.

New Jersey small 501(c)(3), (4), (6), and (19) nonprofits with at least $250K in annual revenue can seek US $50,000 - US $400,000 for community sustainability projects such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. Grants from Green Mountain Energy help eligible U.S.-based nonprofits implement impactful environmental initiatives in select service-area ZIP codes.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in New Jersey conducting biomedical research can apply for NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards supporting small-scale research projects and student research experiences, with awards up to US $375,000. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ National Institutes of Health provides this funding to institutions with limited prior NIH support to strengthen their research environments.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on economic mobility, workforce readiness, or affordable housing can access funding through Bank Of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program. Eligible organizations in Bank of America’s designated New Jersey markets receive a two-year leadership development experience plus a capacity-building grant to advance income creation or stable housing initiatives.

New Jersey students pursuing conservation-related fields such as environmental science, forestry, soil science, or water resource management can access funding through the William T. Schauer Conservation Scholarship, awarding US $2,500 to one recipient. Offered by Freehold Soil Conservation District, this scholarship may benefit students connected to small nonprofits focused on natural resource stewardship.

Small New Jersey charities managing humanitarian, educational, environmental, or arts projects may be eligible for philanthropic support that promotes sustainable development and community benefit. La Roche prioritizes innovative, high-quality initiatives managed by accredited charities, with local affiliate offices funding organizations and programs based and operating in the same country as the affiliate.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in eligible low- or middle-income countries can apply for National Institutes of Health Emerging Global Leader Award funding to support mentored clinical research careers. Grants from NIH help New Jersey small nonprofits collaborating with LMIC investigators on cancer, cardiovascular, mental health, environmental health, genetics, and other biomedical research projects identify potential partners and programs.

Small 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on education, health, human services, environment, arts, or community development in Mercer County, New Jersey can compete for US $2,500 - US $10,000 awards. Focused on community impact, Altra Foundation invites organizations nominated by Altra Federal Credit Union members to apply through a multi-stage selection and community voting process.

Small nonprofits and community-based organizations in New Jersey and New York can receive US $2,000 - US $4,000 to host in-person community engagement sessions on estuary health and local environmental challenges. With a mission to support ecological conservation and water quality, Hudson River Foundation seeks partners to gather community input, especially in disadvantaged or overburdened waterfront communities.

Early-career health researchers at academic or research institutions in eligible low- or middle-income countries can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award from the National Institutes of Health, with support of approximately US $140,000 for mentored career development and research. New Jersey-based partners collaborating with LMIC investigators may benefit when supporting these projects.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Central New Jersey can apply for Astle-Alpaugh Family Foundation grants up to Up to US $12,000 to support education, arts, history, and community health and wellbeing programs. Funding may benefit small nonprofits working with vulnerable residents, including seniors, at-risk youth, and people facing illness, hunger, poverty, abuse, or addiction.

Focused on education and youth-focused programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits in New Jersey can seek funding for scholarships, tutoring, literacy, arts education, youth initiatives, and community services. The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust awards US $5,000 - US $20,000, with a preference for new or enhanced programs and short-term support to stabilize funding.

Small 501(c)(3) nonprofits in New Jersey focused on visual arts, animal welfare, or environmental initiatives can seek project or general operating support through the Joseph Robert Foundation, with awards up to US $10,000. Priority goes to organizations with budgets under $300,000, and funding can support programs, research, education, or community-based projects.

Health-focused organizations in New Jersey planning congresses, events, or similar initiatives can seek corporate sponsorships that provide Biogen Foundation with reasonable marketing or recognition benefits. Biogen considers a wide range of neurological and related disease areas, and reviews requests based on event details, alignment with its interests, funding availability, and the event’s geographic location.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Recent Retirees

Retirees of Regions and its affiliated companies are eligible for the Matching Gift Program for up to 5 years after retirement (the gift date must be within the first 5 years of retirement). Regions will match donations of $25 or more, up to a total of $1,000 per year per retiree.

The Regions Community Affairs team will contact the organization on your behalf to verify the gift and review eligibility.

The Summit Foundation Grant aims to support various community needs in the Summit area, focusing on education, health, arts, and assistance for individuals with disabilities. The foundation encourages local nonprofits to apply for competitive grants to fund specific programs and initiatives that enhance community welfare. Eligibility requires organizations to be tax-exempt and serve Summit area residents. However, the foundation does not fund general operating support or religious programs. The goal is to create a positive impact on local communities.

The Clif Family Foundation Open Call invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants supporting general operating costs or specific projects. With a focus on regenerative farming, food worker health, climate justice, and food access, the foundation aims to empower grassroots initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications reviewed twice a year. Deadlines are March 1 and August 1, and announcements occur about four months post-deadline.

The Provident Bank Foundation's Empowerment Grant focuses on uplifting marginalized communities by providing flexible funding for initiatives that promote economic self-sufficiency. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 over two years, the program supports organizations in education, human services, and workforce development. Eligible applicants must demonstrate meaningful community impact and align with the Foundation's funding priorities, which include promoting quality education, social safety nets, and career development opportunities.

The Columbia Bank Foundation Community Grant Program aims to support local communities by funding innovative programs that benefit low-and-moderate income individuals. Grants between $7,501 and $15,000 are available for community-based nonprofits, civic organizations, and charities. Key focus areas include economic development, financial literacy, health services, food security, environmental sustainability, and the arts. The foundation encourages applications from eligible organizations year-round, fostering impactful initiatives that uplift communities.

The MGM Resorts Foundation Community Grant Fund supports nonprofit agencies providing essential services in areas such as affordable housing, education, and health. Grants are awarded for a one-year period and focus on regions where MGM Resorts employees live and work. Eligible applicants must comply with diversity policies and serve individuals or families. The foundation does not fund governmental agencies or projects exclusively for medical research. This initiative aims to enhance community well-being through targeted support.