Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in New Jersey

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 Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Veterinary Studies, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for students pursuing veterinary studies at accredited U.S. colleges. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This opportunity supports diverse applicants and emphasizes community service, reflecting UNICO's commitment to Italian American heritage and educational advancement.

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.

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. 

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 NJCCR Fellowship Training Program provides vital support to Qualifying Research Institutions, enabling them to offer structured training for first and second-year medical students. This program aims to spark interest in oncology, enhance foundational knowledge, and provide exposure to various career pathways within cancer research. By fostering early engagement, the initiative seeks to cultivate a skilled workforce dedicated to advancing cancer research and addressing health disparities in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Cultural Trust's Capital Historic Preservation Grant Program supports eligible organizations in preserving historic resources listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. Organizations must be designated as "qualified" to apply for funding, which does not require a match. This program aims to foster financial stability and capacity for nonprofit cultural organizations by funding important capital projects that enhance cultural heritage in New Jersey.

The Childhood Lead Program, initiated by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to reduce childhood lead exposure through nurse case management and environmental investigations. This initiative targets children with elevated blood lead levels and emphasizes public outreach to educate families and professionals on lead screening and prevention strategies. By promoting healthy housing practices and awareness, the program seeks to improve long-term health outcomes for affected children 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 CFNJ: Sheila Williamson Memorial Health Grant supports grassroots initiatives aimed at promoting health equity in underserved communities. It empowers small organizations that demonstrate innovative ideas and a commitment to tackling health disparities, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare. With funding ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, the grant seeks to effect lasting change and foster community-driven solutions addressing social and economic inequities in New Jersey.

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. 

The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant supports K-12 public schools facing budget cuts that threaten their music and arts programs. Eligible applicants, who must be active employees of public K-12 schools and members of specified educator associations, can request grants of $250 for music or arts needs. This initiative aims to enhance creative education across the states, excluding AK, HI, MA, MI, NY, and WI. Applications received by July 15 will be notified by November 30.

New Jersey Learning Acceleration Program: High Impact Tutoring Grant-Cohort 3

Purpose: 

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) continues to support local education agencies’ (LEAs) efforts as they respond to student's increased academic needs and the necessity to accelerate learning through the continuation of a state-supported tutoring initiative. This has become a priority strategy, as high-impact tutoring is an effective, research-based method LEAs can use to optimize learning acceleration. In late 2023 and early 2024, $52 million was disbursed across almost 300 grantees supporting the first two rounds of a statewide tutoring initiative.

The FY26 Appropriations Act includes $7.5 million for the Department to continue to support LEAs high-impact tutoring programs through a third competitive grant opportunity. The goal of this grant opportunity is to accelerate students’ learning in math and/or ELA through the effective intervention model of high-impact tutoring. A total of $7.5 million is anticipated to be dispersed to approximately 100 LEAs through awards ranging from $20,000 to $400,000 based on LEA enrollment and student performance (see Appendix B). Eligibility is limited to LEAs whose average student proficiency on the 2024-2025 New Jersey Student Learning Assessments in grades 3-8 was less than 50% in ELA and/or mathematics.

Grant Type:

• Limited Competitive

Number of Award(s) Anticipated:

• 150

Total Amount Available:

• $7,500,000

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.

The Dogs for Joy Grant, funded by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, supports the integration of trained facility dogs in pediatric hospitals. These dogs provide emotional support, help children cope with medical procedures, and enhance overall well-being. The program aims to increase the presence of in-residence dogs, as research highlights their positive impact on reducing anxiety and improving patient outcomes. Grants typically cover multi-year funding, promoting innovative animal-assisted therapy approaches in healthcare settings.

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey (JWF-NJ) is committed to empowering women and girls through strategic grant-making and advocacy. With a focus on projects that significantly impact this demographic, JWF-NJ provides grants up to $5,000 for initiatives that support women and girls in New Jersey. Eligible organizations must demonstrate the potential for substantial impact and ensure that funds are used exclusively for women, girls, or women with children. Proposals are accepted from 501(c)(3) organizations.

Elevating High-Quality Work-Based Learning Grant Program

Purpose: 

The Elevating High-Quality Work-Based Learning grant supports the planning, implementation, and expansion of innovative work-based learning (WBL) practices designed to increase student engagement in high-demand career pathways. Eligible Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must propose creative strategies to expand access to high-quality WBL opportunities, whether focused on career preparation or career training.

Career preparation experiences involve sustained, interactive engagement with professionals from business and industry to deepen students’ understanding and build essential skills aligned with their chosen career pathway. Examples include internships and cooperative education.

Career training experiences represent the highest level of WBL. These are paid opportunities that provide targeted instruction and hands-on learning to develop the specific skills, knowledge, and competencies required for a particular job or occupation. Examples include pre-apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and clinical experiences.

Through this competitive grant, LEAs dedicated to establishing and strengthening WBL programs and partnerships rooted in meaningful stakeholder collaboration, will develop sustainable pathways that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career opportunities.

This NGO is open to LEAs with grades 9-12 currently eligible to receive Perkins funding. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program(s) of study referenced in the grant application must be currently approved and are actively serving students.

Eligible applicants may apply for awards up to $15,000, $30,000, or $50,000 based on the LEA’s combined total percentage of student participation in both career preparation and training WBL experiences as indicated in the 2024 NJSMART CTE Data submission.  Twelve (12) awards are expected to be made.

This is a single fifteen (15) month grant program.

Based on the availability of FY26 State Career Readiness and Technical Education Aid appropriations, this single project period grant program will begin April 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2027.

The JWF-NJ’s Spring Cycle - Large Grants offers funding up to $25,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations supporting projects that empower women and girls in New Jersey. This initiative focuses on projects that specifically benefit women and their children, as applications from organizations promoting a majority of women will not be considered. Grants are awarded on a yearly basis, with reapplications permitted but not guaranteed. The foundation prioritizes areas within New Jersey, including counties like Essex and Morris.

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.

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.

Gilead North America Grants support community-informed programs that enhance healthcare for vulnerable populations. Grants are available for innovative projects addressing HIV, liver diseases, oncology, and inflammatory diseases. Applications are invited from tax-exempt nonprofits based in the U.S. who focus on health equity and community engagement. Gilead prioritizes funding for projects that demonstrate a strong capability to deliver impactful outcomes, helping to eliminate barriers to healthcare and improve access to essential services.

The CFNJ: Rose Anthony Howard and Elizabeth V. Brinley Next Generation Grant focuses on empowering small to midsize nonprofits in New Jersey that provide essential services to children. It aims to uplift underserved youth through educational programs, mentorship, and recreational opportunities. The grant supports initiatives that promote equity and community-driven solutions, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for impactful projects that address the needs of historically underserved communities.

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 Wawa Foundation offers in-kind support to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within its six-state area, focusing on health, hunger, and everyday heroes. Organizations can request product donations, such as Wawa brand beverages, or gift baskets for fundraising events. Requests must be made at least four weeks in advance, and support is subject to availability. This initiative aims to strengthen community ties and enhance local philanthropy through meaningful contributions.

The Jay L. Smith Family Foundation provides grants to tax-exempt non-profit organizations in the United States, primarily focusing on healthcare, family values, and supporting the disadvantaged. With a strong commitment to Alzheimer's research, the foundation has funded various initiatives including elderly care, domestic violence prevention, and cancer research. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities through meaningful contributions, aiming to address critical social issues and promote well-being.

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 CFNJ: Church in Radburn Christian Values Grant aims to support organizations that reflect Christian values through impactful community engagement. This grant prioritizes initiatives in Bergen and Passaic Counties that enhance spiritual growth and advocate for social justice, particularly for marginalized populations. By fostering compassion, service, and love, the grant seeks to empower diverse organizations to address community needs and promote equity, with funding ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 for selected projects.