Best Grants for Charter Schools in New York

New York and northern New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits running K-12 education, charter school, or youth and family programs can seek funding for program operations or related initiatives. Grants from Achelis and Bodman Foundation help New York education organizations, especially in New York City, advance academic success, college preparation, and supportive services for disadvantaged students and families.

Schools and youth-serving nonprofits focused on youth development and K–12 education in New York City and Newark can apply for Charles Hayden Foundation support to strengthen high school through post-secondary success. Grants from Charles Hayden Foundation help charter, district, and qualifying independent or parochial schools deliver rigorous academics, youth development, and college and career readiness programming.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and pre-K–12 through higher education institutions in New York can apply for CSX Foundation’s in-kind donations program, which provides intermodal transportation services and donated railroad equipment and materials. Charter schools moving freight or needing rail-related items for community, military, or first responder support programs may benefit.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

New York K–12 education organizations and social enterprises serving urban low-income children may be eligible for project or scale-up funding of more than US $50,000 from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Programs must focus on education and operate in the U.S., aligning with the foundation’s mission and values and meeting its minimum request size.

New York accredited charities running K–12 education, youth, community, environmental, health, or arts programs can access funding through Roche for innovative, high-quality projects. Eligible initiatives should promote sustainable development, allow use of Roche expertise and logistics, engage employees, and fit within humanitarian, science and education, community and environment, or contemporary arts and culture priorities.

New York 501(c)(3) educational and charter school organizations can access funding through the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust for charitable, scientific, medical, and educational programs serving K–12 students. Eligible nonprofits must use awarded funds within the U.S. and be tax-exempt under federal law and, where applicable, California law.

New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits running community development, basic needs, workforce education, arts, or environmental programs can seek sponsorship support through Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The program backs initiatives that preserve neighborhoods, address hunger and shelter, promote diversity and inclusion, and strengthen local economic and cultural life; charter schools may be eligible if their projects align.

K–12 public charter and district schools, plus 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving New York City students and families, can apply for Tiger Foundation grants of US $50,000 - US $300,000 to deliver high-impact education and youth services. Grants from Tiger Foundation help New York education organizations strengthen academic outcomes, family support, and youth workforce and justice programs across the five boroughs.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

Charter schools and K–12 education nonprofits serving students in the Southern U.S. may be eligible for Robinson Foundation support for education, children and families, and poverty relief programs. Grants from Robinson Foundation help organizations with 501(c)(3) status and at least three years of activity that seek single-year, high-impact program funding.

New York K–12 schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits near Georgia-Pacific facilities can seek funding for education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, or environmental programs. Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports projects that align with its mission and improve the long-term well-being and sustainability of local communities where it operates, which may include charter school initiatives.

New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office can apply for TJX Foundation grants supporting basic needs, youth education, workforce readiness, and safety from domestic violence. Charter schools’ partner nonprofits providing K–12 enrichment or wraparound services for at-risk youth may be eligible after completing the required eligibility questionnaire and LOI process.

K–12 education nonprofits in New York seeking program or operating support can apply for grants from the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, with awards of US $1,000 - US $20,000. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) schools and educational organizations, including charter schools, may be funded for classroom programs, youth services, skills training, and related initiatives.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public agencies in New York working in education, outdoors, science, medicine, or family services can receive general operating or project support, plus occasional PRIs, from the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation. Charter schools may be eligible, particularly for facility needs and other work aligned with PCLB’s program goals.

Charter schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations in New York’s Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties can seek funding for programs and projects that enhance community quality of life. Focused on K–12 education and broader community needs, Northern New York Community Foundation offers up to US $25,000, including support that may benefit charter school initiatives.

New York 501(c)(3) organizations providing K–12 or other education, human services, or healthcare programs can seek program or operating support to address poverty and stabilize vulnerable families. With a mission to impact lives and create sustainable change, William G. McGowan Charitable Fund supports efforts such as charter and alternative schools, out-of-school programs, and scholarships in eligible New York counties.

Focused on basic needs and community vitality, Ameriprise Financial invites U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for support for hunger relief, housing stability, adult self-sufficiency, and community development programs. New York charter schools with eligible K–12 support services, such as food access, shelters, or financial literacy, may be competitive, especially where Ameriprise volunteers are engaged.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

Nonprofit organizations in New York with strong, replicable community partnerships can apply for Mutual of America Foundation’s national Community Partnership Award, which honors collaborations addressing significant social issues. Charter schools with K–12 education partnerships that measurably improve communities may be recognized through awards highlighting leadership, social impact, and multi-community reach across the U.S.

Charles Hayden Foundation

The Charles Hayden Foundation is committed to expanding opportunities for young people and helping them build the knowledge, skills, experiences, and relationships they need to thrive in school, work, and life.

We support youth-serving nonprofit organizations and public district, charter, Catholic, and independent schools, as well as organizations that strengthen the capacity of those serving young people. Our grantmaking spans academic success, social and emotional development, post-secondary pathways, and career-connected learning, with an emphasis on programs and organizations that create meaningful opportunities and demonstrate positive outcomes for young people.

The Foundation primarily supports young people from low-income communities in New York City and Boston, with some grantmaking in Newark, New Jersey.

Our Grantmaking

The Foundation focuses its grantmaking in the following areas:

• Academic Readiness: Programs and initiatives that strengthen young people’s academic skills and provide access to educational, enrichment, and other learning opportunities that prepare them for future educational and career pathways.
• Social, Emotional, and Practical Skills: Programs and services that help young people develop the social, emotional, and practical skills they need to thrive in school, work, and life.
• Post-Secondary Success: College access and persistence efforts that prepare young people to pursue post-secondary opportunities, matriculate, persist, and successfully graduate.
• Career-Connected Learning: Opportunities that enable young people to explore their interests, gain exposure to careers, build real-world skills and experiences, and pursue meaningful career pathways.
• Organizational Capacity Building: Support for organizations that strengthen youth-serving nonprofits and schools through technical assistance, training, and other capacity-building services. This may include support in areas such as program quality and improvement, leadership and staff development, organizational strategy, data and evaluation, infrastructure, and other areas that strengthen organizational effectiveness and improve outcomes for young people.

Multi-Year Grant Opportunity: Supporting Strategic Plan Implementation

The Charles Hayden Foundation is launching a Multi-Year Grant Opportunity to help strengthen organizations and improve outcomes for young people in New York City and Boston. Through this opportunity, the Foundation anticipates inviting up to 10 organizations to receive multi-year project grants over a two- to three-year period to support strategic initiatives identified as priorities in their current strategic plans.

Proposed initiatives may build upon or enhance an existing Charles Hayden Foundation-supported program, such as hiring additional program staff to expand or strengthen services, or focus on an organizational capacity-building effort, such as implementing a new data and evaluation system.

Organizations selected for a Multi-Year Grant will receive a two- to three-year award that will replace their annual Charles Hayden Foundation grant for the duration of the grant period. Current annual grant funding will continue as part of the multi-year award, along with additional funding awarded to support the proposed strategic initiative. Organizations that are not selected will remain eligible to apply through the Foundation’s annual grantmaking process.

Project Criteria

Proposed projects should represent strategic investments that strengthen an organization’s ability to serve young people over the long term. Examples of eligible projects include:

• Hiring key leadership or program staff
• Expanding or enhancing existing programs
• Strengthening organizational capacity
• Building evaluation, learning, or data systems
• Technology or infrastructure improvements
• Other strategic initiatives identified in the organization’s strategic plan

The Foundation anticipates providing partial support for proposed initiatives and generally will not fund the full cost of a project. Award amounts will be determined based on the scope of the proposed initiative and the resources required for successful implementation. Because these grants support strategic initiatives over a two-to-three-year period, the Foundation anticipates that most requests will exceed an organization’s current annual Charles Hayden Foundation grant.