Best Financial Assistance Grants in New York

Tara Lynn Clossman Memorial Fund

Established by the Clossman family and many others in memory of Tara Clossman, who passed away suddenly in 2016 at the age of 25, to provide postsecondary scholarships to Akron City School District high school seniors pursuing a career in dance or education.

Amount:

• Varies ($1,000 minimum)

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

The Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages aims to foster viable communities by providing funding for decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals. Notably, the program also includes Imminent Threat Grants to address urgent public health or safety issues. These competitive grants are essential for enhancing community welfare and addressing immediate challenges faced by tribal residents.

The David C. J. Peters Scholarship, established by Southland Industries in honor of ASHRAE member David Peters, offers a one-year scholarship to qualified undergraduate students in mechanical or architectural engineering. Candidates must be enrolled full-time in a bachelor's program at designated institutions and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or be in the top 30% of their class. This initiative supports the mission of ASHRAE to promote sustainable practices in engineering.

About Us

Our Mission

The Marfan Foundation drives research, education and support – and builds community – to improve outcomes, save lives and empower all people to thrive who are living with Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, and related genetic aortic and vascular conditions.

Our Vision

Quality of life, longevity, and cures for all people with genetic aortic and vascular conditions.

Innovators Award

This is for faculty investigators for $100,000 over 2 years ($50,000 per year), to explore an innovative concept in “translational” science that has applicability to improving human health. Examples could include fundamental research, diagnostic tests, biomarkers, biomedical engineering advances, and imaging advances. Collection of data for improved evidence-based medical guidance are of great interest.

The National Institute of Social Sciences invites nominations for its Dissertation Grants Program aimed at supporting exceptional Ph.D. students in social sciences. Grants up to $5,000 will help cover dissertation-related expenses, promoting innovative research in fields like Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Eligible U.S. universities may nominate up to two candidates, encouraging diverse interdisciplinary projects. This initiative seeks to empower future scholars in their academic endeavors.

Emeril's Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen Grants support K-8 schools in enhancing culinary and gardening education. Schools must be 501c3 nonprofits with established programs, demonstrating the ability to impact students positively. The initiative focuses on fostering appreciation for food sources, developing life skills, and promoting healthy eating. Schools are encouraged to mentor others and must provide dedicated gardening and culinary instruction to all students. This program aims to empower children with essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

RoseLoe-Dix Endowed Scholarship Fund

Attending four-year university, two-year college or trade school in the upcoming semester, majoring in Business, Sciences, Computers, Christian Religion, Literature, Pre-med, Medical Field, or Engineering.

Awards

• (2) $12,000.00

Armstrong County Community Foundation (The Community Foundation Serving the Heart of Western Pennsylvania)

In 1997 Merchants National Bank, an Armstrong County community bank, marked its 100th anniversary. The centennial celebration included a unique expression of gratitude to the community in the form of $100,000 to be used as a seed fund to initiate a community foundation for Armstrong County. The bank challenged the community to keep the principal balance of the endowed funds intact and spend only a portion of the interest earnings to ensure a lasting legacy.

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Richard G. Snyder Family Scholarship

The Richard G. Snyder Family Scholarship for the Fields of Agriculture and the Fields of the Earth and Mineral Sciences was established to provide funds for scholarships for students majoring in the fields of agriculture or the fields of the earth and mineral sciences. 

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) offers State and Community Grants to enhance dementia-capable home and community-based service systems. Option A targets state agencies to develop sustainable HCBS systems, while Option B focuses on community-based organizations to fill service gaps for individuals with dementia. Both options aim to provide quality support for those living with dementia and their caregivers, fostering independence and safety in their communities.

Charles J. and Burton S. August Foundation

Mission

The Charles J. and Burton S. August Foundation is a private charitable foundation dedicated to advancing the health and welfare of residents in the Greater Rochester, New York area. The Foundation supports nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that demonstrate through programs and projects measurable impact on the well-being of those served.

Grant

What We Fund

To be considered for funding, organizations must identify a project, capital improvement, or one-time identifiable need which:

• Makes a positive long-term impact on neighborhoods and communities served.
• Benefits the lives of people served.
• Improves the physical space for safety, education and well-being.
• Outlines a planned approach with clear timelines and outcomes.

Organizations who have received funding must submit a report within 12 months of grant award. Organizations who do not submit a report will not be considered for future funding.

Grant recipients must wait a minimum of three (3) years before submitting a new request.

The Ida B. Wells Graduate Student Fellowship, offered by the Coordinating Council for Women in History, provides a $1000 award to graduate students working on dissertations that explore themes of race and gender. This fellowship supports crucial stages of research or writing for students across various disciplines, not limited to history departments. It aims to foster inclusive scholarship and advance the representation of women in historical studies, encouraging emerging scholars to engage with these vital topics.

Monarch Watch offers a Free Milkweeds Grant for habitat restoration projects aimed at supporting the monarch butterfly population. The program provides free milkweed plugs to schools and educational non-profits that demonstrate clear educational goals, long-term maintenance plans, and adequate space for the plants. With over 730,000 milkweeds distributed since 2015, this initiative plays a vital role in restoring habitats along key migration routes in the eastern and western U.S.

The SHAPE America: Joy of Effort Award recognizes dedicated individuals who exemplify the spirit of commitment and passion in health and physical education. Awardees are current SHAPE America members with at least three years of membership, demonstrating excellence in teaching, coaching, or leadership. This prestigious award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the field, inspiring others to lead healthy, active lives through their efforts in education and advocacy.

The Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (2027) program aims to strengthen American Latino history and culture museums by enhancing their capacity to serve communities. It supports initiatives that foster professional development within these cultural institutions, ensuring they can effectively promote and preserve Latino heritage. This grant, offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is crucial for advancing the growth of a dedicated workforce in the American Latino cultural sector.

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) aims to enhance support for unpaid family caregivers by expanding access to high-quality, dementia-specific respite services. This initiative, funded by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, focuses on reducing caregiver burden and delaying institutionalization for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. By partnering with aging service providers, the program ensures caregivers receive necessary training and support, fostering a sustainable and responsive respite care system.

The Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2027) aim to enhance library services for Native Hawaiian communities. Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this program empowers organizations to adapt to evolving information needs, promoting wellness and knowledge sharing. By supporting unique priorities across various islands, it fosters stronger community resource centers that serve the cultural and informational needs of Native Hawaiian users effectively.

The Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) Program aims to support federally recognized AI/AN Tribes and organizations in developing a workforce of researchers focused on AI/AN health disparities. This initiative, funded by the NIH, provides phased support for training and mentoring activities that equip individuals with the necessary skills to conduct culturally responsible biomedical research, ultimately guiding them towards successful careers in the biomedical research field.

The Hagerstown Garden Club Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, supports Washington County residents pursuing education in horticulture. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors and current college students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This scholarship honors the legacy of the Hagerstown Garden Club and is part of a broader initiative to enhance community life through educational opportunities, fostering both personal and professional growth in the horticultural field.

About Dia

Mission

Dia Art Foundation is committed to advancing, realizing, and preserving the vision of artists. Dia fulfills its mission by commissioning single artist projects, organizing exhibitions, realizing site-specific installations, and collecting in-depth the work of a focused group of artists of the 1960s and 1970s.

Learning and Engagement Fellowships

Learning and Engagement fellowships at Dia offer emerging artists, educators, and cultural producers exposure to and practice in being both the author and protagonist of their own creative, intellectual, and professional trajectories. Based in Beacon and Chelsea and engaging Dia’s sites across New York, fellowships explore the potential for meaningful learning experiences at the intersection of contemporary art, experimental pedagogy, and community engagement.

Fellowships include mentorship from Dia artists, educators, and staff; a co-created, peer-learning community with monthly, in-person meetings; access to artists, materials, and community spaces; and direct engagement with Dia’s learning and public programs.

Fellowships are offered annually, and participants receive a stipend of $3,000.

Spiritual Pedagogies Fellowship, Dia Beacon and Dia Chelsea, 2026–27

The 2026–27 Spiritual Pedagogies Fellowship draws on the sustained inquiry of artists in Dia’s collection and exhibition history to question the evolving relationship between artistic practice, pedagogy, and spirituality. What does it mean for artists to act as conduits, channel inspiration, and create artworks that invite contemplation, revelation, or transcendence? How have spiritual traditions and spaces shaped the ways that people gather, learn, and make meaning? With a broad understanding of spirituality that encompasses theological, mystical, ritualistic, and embodied practices, fellows will examine how spirituality is entwined with creative and pedagogical pursuits and explore what a rigorous engagement with spirituality might open in our understanding of contemporary art, learning, and culture.

The Cohen-Tucker Dissertation Fellowship Program, established by ASEEES in 2015, supports doctoral students conducting research in Russian/Soviet historical studies. With a stipend of up to $28,000, it is open to students from all disciplines. A special focus is given to Women's and Gender Studies. Applicants must be doctoral students at US universities, proficient in relevant languages, and able to defend their dissertations during the fellowship tenure. Preference may be given to research on the Soviet era.

The Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity Grant Program, managed by the Northern New York Community Foundation, offers grants up to $2,500 to support nonprofit programs enhancing community life in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Focused on bullying prevention and character education, the fund also promotes professional development for educators and staff in local school districts, ensuring a positive impact on the region's youth.

The Resorts World Gives - New York City, Catskills & Hudson Valley Grant supports registered non-profit organizations aiming for economic and social progress in their communities. With funding up to $50,000 annually, applicants must demonstrate how funds will be used and align with key pillars such as community development and health. Applications are accepted year-round, but must be submitted 3-6 months before the event. For thorough evaluation, applications exceeding $10,000 may require additional review.

About Father John Foundation GrantIn 1997 Monsignor John P. Hourihan established this perpetual charitable foundation for the purpose of funding care for the homeless and people with disabilities, especially the deaf and hard of hearing. The purpose of the Foundation is to financially assist churches and other non-profit organizations, that do not take more than insubstantial government funding, in administering their programs. Our giving focus is broad and considers programs that are: religious, educational, rehabilitational, social, and/or vocational. A priority is given to the deaf and homeless. All funding is given regardless of nationality, race or religion. The Foundation will continue its dedication to raising and distributing grants to be used by charities devoted to providing care and services to the homeless and disabled.

The Louise Wachter Wickham Scholarship, established in 1997 by Donna Wickham Furth, supports high school seniors pursuing a degree in elementary education. This scholarship is awarded based on financial need and academic performance. Recipients must demonstrate commitment to education and may need to submit additional documents such as transcripts and recommendation letters. The fund honors Louise Wachter Wickham, a dedicated teacher who believed in the transformative power of education.

The Guido's Fresh Marketplace Scholarship Fund, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, honors the legacy of Guido Masiero, a dedicated educator and entrepreneur. This scholarship aims to support graduating high school students from public schools in Pittsfield, Lenox, or Great Barrington, Massachusetts, who are pursuing higher education in physical education, health, wellness, or business studies. The fund reflects the foundation's mission to enhance community opportunities and economic mobility.

CTSGC Faculty-Student Research Grant

To encourage undergraduate student engagement in the research process, NASA CTSGC has created a Student-Faculty Research Grant. This grant will enable undergraduate students to gain meaningful research experience in NASA CTSGC Affiliate research laboratories in areas consistent with the mission of NASA as exemplified by its Mission Directorates. They are Aeronautics Research, Human Exploration and Operations, Science, and Space Technology.

The award will support two undergraduate students (one from a 4-year institution and the other from a community college) with a stipend and provide a small stipend for the faculty advisor. If the research is happening over the summer, the project should span a minimum of 8-weeks in length, where students work full-time on the project. If the project is to be completed during the academic year, students and PI must present a plan to obtain approximately 320 hours of commitment to the project.

Award Information 

Refer to the NASA CTSGC website for the amount and number of awards available each program year. Since this is an institutional award, a subcontract for each lead institution will be executed.

Fund Distribution 

Awarded funds will be made available upon completion and execution of a subaward agreement between the awardee's institution and the University of Hartford. Award funds will be distributed to the recipient institution, which shall administer the award in accordance with its internal policies governing grants and sponsored programs.

The Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) offers health grants aimed at improving healthcare access and equity for underserved communities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Grants support initiatives addressing health disparities, providing coordinated care for the uninsured, and promoting maternal and child health. Eligible applicants include hospitals and nonprofits aligned with LICF's goals. Notably, the foundation does not fund camps, general operating support, or religious activities. The upcoming funding cycle has an August deadline.