Best Grants for Veteran Nonprofit Organizations in New York

Mother Cabrini Health Foundation provides New York 501(c)(3) health and human service nonprofits with grants of more than US $75,000 for direct-service programs benefiting vulnerable residents. Veteran-serving organizations, including those focused on healthcare access, mental health, housing, reentry, or basic needs, may be eligible if they primarily serve disadvantaged New Yorkers and meet the foundation’s Catholic ethical guidelines.

Veterans, military, and first responder–serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions in New York can apply for CSX Foundation’s Pride in Service grants, awarding US $2,500 - US $25,000 for programs. Funding supports safety, mental and emotional health, bridging community divides, workforce development, and financial assistance or food insecurity initiatives within CSX’s service network.

Veteran- and first responder–serving organizations in New York that provide wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery services can apply for support from the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Gridiron Veterans Scholarship. Funding helps cover mental health care, physical therapy, adaptive training, fitness, and holistic wellness programs that address physical, emotional, and transitional challenges for the military and veteran community.

Veteran-serving 501(c) or 170(c) nonprofits in New York and other Regions Bank footprint states can receive up to US $1,000 in matching funds for eligible monetary donations. Regions Bank’s Matching Gifts Program for recent retirees supports organizations focused on service members and veterans, along with related community, education, and financial wellness missions.

Veteran-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits in New York can seek general operating or program support for initiatives that fit the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation’s mission. Grants from Cornelia T. Bailey Charitable Tr help organizations provide therapeutic programming, respite locations, and service animals for wounded, recovering, and returning servicemembers and veterans.

Veteran-serving 501(c) or 170(c) nonprofits in New York can apply for Regions Bank’s employee Matching Gifts Program, which doubles eligible tax-deductible donations from full-time associates and recent retirees. Organizations must focus on priorities such as service members and veterans, economic and community development, education and workforce readiness, or financial wellness within the Regions footprint.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in New York serving veterans can access funding for assistance services and service dog programs through the Cornelia T Bailey Foundation’s Veterans Assistance & Service Dog Funding Program, with awards up to US $25,000. Grants may support healthcare, housing, mental health, employment support, and acquisition and training of service dogs, prioritizing veterans with disabilities or significant service-related challenges.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New York working in military and veterans services, community support, wildlife preservation, or service animals can apply for grants from the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation. The foundation funds groups originating in New York or Pennsylvania whose missions and activities primarily serve these states and align with its philanthropic priorities.

New York 501(c)(3) organizations supporting disabled veterans’ training, services, or related programs can seek funding to help them become productive workers and lead productive lives. Karpus Family Foundation also considers projects in education, domestic violence prevention, animal welfare, and other aligned purposes, with preference for groups in New York and select other regions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and educational institutions in New York serving military members, veterans, or community first responders can request in-kind support from CSX Foundation. Assistance includes intermodal transportation services and occasional donations of railroad equipment or materials across the CSX rail network, helping reduce transportation costs for eligible community programs.

The Justamere Foundation focuses on removing barriers to self-sufficiency by supporting innovative community programs. They prioritize four key areas: trade education, veterans resources, childhood literacy, and arts education. By providing grants and non-traditional scholarships, the foundation aims to empower individuals and create lasting change. Their mission is to connect underserved communities with essential resources, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Justamere Foundation

Our goal is to remove barriers that are keeping hard working people from being fully self-sufficient. We support programs that are addressing these obstacles, big and small, in a way that opens a path to self-reliance.

The Justamere Foundation is dedicated to working with our community partners to find innovative ways to help our neighbors through education, coaching, and connections.

Small solutions can result in enormous change. The Justamere Foundation’s mission is to find those needs and connect them to the right resources to make the biggest impact.

Areas of Need We Support

The Justamere Foundation’s mission is to find those areas that are underserved by traditional resources and see if we can make a bigger difference with direct involvement. Solutions might involve grants, non-traditional scholarships or simply making the right connection.

We focus on four main areas of need in our community:

• Trade Education: Individuals working towards obtaining a family-sustaining income encounter many small barriers that can impede their progress. We’ve partnered with local community colleges and organizations that work to eliminate the barriers.
• Veterans Resources: Veterans entering the civilian workforce can struggle to find the right fit. We’re working with organizations to support veterans with this process.
• Childhood Literacy: Reading is essential. Fostering a love of reading and learning opens so many doors as children grow up. We support organizations with programs that focus on education and literacy resources for children in underserved areas.
• Arts Education: Arts programs inspire and help children express themselves. We support summer and after-school programs in music, art, and theatre.

How do we support these areas?

• Non-Traditional Scholarships
• Grants that make a real impact

Non-Traditional Scholarships

There are many traditional Scholarship and Financial Aid resources for high school kids going on to college. This is great but it leaves a whole lot of people out of the solution. Kids who couldn’t go directly to college or didn’t finish highschool – Adults who are in a job that cannot effectively support their family and want to make a change – or anyone simply looking for a better life. The resources available to them are limited. We want to work with organizations that are addressing those challenges and see if there’s a connection to be made, an existing program to utilize or even a new program to be developed.

About Us

Leadership. Collaboration. Impact.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley helps philanthropists support the causes closest to their heart while connecting local residents to the resources they need for a better quality of life.

Our Mission

To serve as a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy, partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your Community, Your Support System

Our community members support hundreds of local students every year through various scholarships facilitated by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

Nonprofit organizations and public agencies in New York working on anti-poverty initiatives can access AmeriCorps VISTA national service resources through Volunteer Mississippi. With a mission to strengthen communities, Volunteer Mississippi provides support for projects in economic opportunity, healthy futures, education, and veteran and military families that emphasize community empowerment, sustainable solutions, and capacity building.

New York law enforcement officers, including military police and private security officers, can be nominated for recognition of exceptional service through this national award program. Eligible nominees must serve in a U.S. law enforcement or military police role, with actions occurring in the U.S.; nominations require endorsement from an NRA Life Member.

Students connected to Kiwanis or military programs pursuing higher education can apply for the Raymond Steve Tumlin Scholarship, awarding US $2,500 for college or military academy costs. New York veteran-serving nonprofits may share this opportunity with eligible youth and family members involved in Kiwanis or ROTC, especially those with Cobb or Marietta ties.

Veteran and military-affiliated students in Kane or Kendall County, Illinois, pursuing full-time post-secondary education can receive scholarship support, typically around US $1,000, through the Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233 Scholarship Endowment Fund. Grants from Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley may benefit those serving veterans and military families, though the program is not limited to New York.

The VFW Student Fellowship, hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Student Veterans of America, empowers student veterans to advocate for their community on Capitol Hill. Running from October 2025 to March 2026, this program offers selected fellows the chance to collaborate on policy priorities, attend leadership training, and participate in significant conferences, ensuring their voices are heard among 500 advocates at the VFW Washington Conference. Travel expenses are fully covered.

New York veteran-serving nonprofits supporting children of fallen service members may be able to help eligible students access the Pacific Northwest Gold Star Scholarship, which provides US $2,500 for higher education. Administered by Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, it supports Gold Star children connected to Clark, Cowlitz, or Skamania County, WA, with financial-need preference.

Early-career active-duty military orthopaedic trauma surgeons in New York and across the U.S. can access a traveling fellowship supporting advanced clinical training and mentorship at high-volume trauma centers. The Orthopaedic Trauma Association’s Teague-Gaudin OTA/SOMOS fellowship offers up to three one-week observerships to build trauma, leadership, and collaboration skills for qualified OTA members.

Wounded veterans in New York and nationwide facing service-connected infertility can apply for Bob Woodruff Foundation’s VIVA fertility grants to help pay for treatment at Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) clinics. Grants provide financial assistance and connections to resources for military and veteran families pursuing fertility care.

Qualified organizations able to manage and staff a physical therapy rehabilitation department in New York can apply for the New York State Department of Health’s Rehabilitation Management and Services for the New York State Veterans Home at Montrose contract. This opportunity funds management and therapy services for a 252-bed long-term care facility serving veterans and their dependents in Westchester County.

The ENF Community Investments Program offers Spotlight Grants to Lodges, empowering them to tackle pressing community issues such as family literacy, veteran homelessness, and hunger. Each Lodge can apply for a $2,000 grant without needing to meet the GER's per-member-giving goal. Funds can be used for one of the designated project plans or combined with the Beacon Grant, enabling flexible support for local initiatives.

The ENF Community Investments Program - Freedom Grants will award $1,000 grants to 1,000 Lodges for projects focused on veterans and active-duty military families in 2025-26. Eligible projects must address five key areas: employment, homelessness, current military members and their families, health, and educational support. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for service members and their families, ensuring that local needs are met through community-driven efforts.

The ENF Community Investments Program - Beacon Grants offers a unique opportunity for Elks Lodges to initiate and lead charitable projects in their local communities. This program encourages Lodges to develop sustainable initiatives, allowing them to address community needs effectively. By fostering collaboration and providing resources, the Beacon Grants enhance the quality of life for residents, including veterans and families. In 2025-26, all Lodges will have the chance to participate, promoting a culture of giving back.

Eligible U.S. military service members and veterans facing breast cancer treatment costs can receive up to US $1,000 for basic needs like transportation, childcare, housing, food, or medical expenses. National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Military Patient Relief Fund may benefit those connected with veteran-serving organizations in New York providing support to affected service members.

Veterans of the U.S. military pursuing post-secondary education can receive a one-time US $1,000 scholarship for tuition or other cost of attendance through the Guyon Scholarship for Veterans. Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region provides this support to veterans residing in specific Wisconsin counties, which may interest New York veteran-serving organizations assisting individual students.