Best Grants for Children in New York

Youth- and family-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits in New York City and northern New Jersey can seek funding for programs supporting disadvantaged children, teens, and families. Grants from the Achelis and Bodman Foundation help New York organizations provide academic support, youth services, character-building activities, and prevention programs within its Youth and Families and related program areas.

New York 501(c)(3) public charities seeking program or operating support for youth arts, environmental, medical research, or veterans initiatives may be eligible; grants from Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation help organizations serving children and families. Funding supports projects in New York, Florida, Connecticut, and DC that align with the foundation’s mission in arts, education, nature, and science.

Focused on health and disability services, The New York Community Trust invites New York nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups to seek funding for systems-change, capacity building, and improved direct services for children and youth with disabilities and special needs. Projects in NYC’s five boroughs that advance equitable health, behavioral health, and independence for low‑income young people may be eligible.

With a mission to improve the lives of vulnerable children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities, McKeen Fund provides New York 501(c)(3) organizations with project-specific support. Youth and child-serving nonprofits, especially Roman Catholic organizations, may seek funding for medical, educational, or social service programs, capital projects, equipment, endowments, or enrichment services when outside funding is not available.

New York 501(c)(3) organizations integrating visual or performing arts into education can access funding through Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust’s P/Arts Program to enhance youth learning. Grants up to Up to US $25,000 support arts-based curricula, student engagement, educator development, and closing achievement gaps, benefiting children and families through stronger school-home connections.

Pincus Family Foundation

PFF is driven by the values that our founders David and Gerry Pincus lived by: “to get involved, not just think about your own life, you are supposed to do things for other people.” Today, the second and third generation of Pincus Family members have added their ethos, while keeping the founders’ legacy alive.

Pincus Family Foundation Grant

Mission Alignment: We support our non-profit partners to develop and enhance programs that improve the lives of children, their families, and their communities.

PFF Funds Projects, Programs, & General Operating Support in Four Priority Areas

Creative & Performing Arts

The Pincus Family Foundation’s Creative and Performing Arts portfolio supports programs where young people use art as a tool to address the structural inequities they face. Five strategic priorities:

• Arts for Social Change Focus – Integrating artistic practice with community organizing, policy advocacy, and/or systemic change efforts
• Hyperlocal Community Integration – Deep community embedment with extensive local partnerships
• Teaching Artist Investment – Commitment to the professional development and well-being of teaching artists
• Cultural Responsiveness – Programming that incorporates community cultural wealth with community input
• Environmental Justice Integration – Authentic integration of environmental themes from community-identified priorities

Target Constituency: Organizations serving preK-12 youth from marginalized communities with arts for social change programming that connects them to the power of art to question and transform systems.

Education

High school readiness for many low-income students, largely is a result of poor preparation in middle school. PFF is funding programs/projects that support middle school engagement and focus on achievement filling a funding gap. 

Target Constituency: We support non-profit organizations serving middle school students who face gaps in comprehensive high school readiness. These organizations implement innovative programming that creates challenging yet nurturing environments—preparing students for achievement while inspiring them to become engaged, confident citizens ready to contribute to their communities.

Health & Wellness

Goal: Advance children’s health and well-being by supporting nonprofits that strengthen social conditions, empower youth, and build healthier environments in marginalized communities.

Target Constituency: Nonprofits whose work strengthens social determinants of health for children in marginalized communities.

Play & Recreation

Goal: Advance children’s social-emotional development and physical well-being by supporting nonprofits that create inclusive play-based programming, competitive sports opportunities, and outdoor recreational experiences in under-resourced communities.

Target Constituency: Non-profits whose work promotes access to quality recreational programming for children ages 6-18 in under-resourced communities.

For all grants, the organization’s mission and scope must align with the Foundation’s mission. For the latter, these grants can be either unrestricted or restricted to a particular program or project. The type of grant and what it is used for will dictate the goals and objectives to be met.

New York 501(c)(3) organizations helping low-income children and families move out of poverty can seek funding for youth services, education, and family supports. The Robin Hood Foundation supports child and youth development, early childhood, school-age, and young adult programs in New York City; interested, mission-aligned groups submit an expression of interest rather than unsolicited proposals.

Nonprofit organizations serving children and youth in New York with early childhood education, youth violence prevention, arts education, or family support programs may be eligible for grants of US $10,000 - US $25,000. Grants from Sills Family Foundation also support families impacted by the criminal justice system, as well as refugees, migrants, and asylees.

The Tiger Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in New York City, focusing on Education, Family Support, and Youth Workforce Justice. With no deadlines for Letters of Inquiry, the foundation seeks organizations with measurable outcomes, skilled leadership, and community engagement. Their Seed and Expansion Fund supports innovative early-stage organizations aiming to address unmet needs, ensuring effective services are accessible to low-income families and individuals across the city.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation on economic, environmental, racial, or social justice can apply for recoverable grants of US $10,000 - US $50,000 to cover out-of-pocket litigation costs. The Impact Fund supports cases across the U.S., including New York, that benefit communities facing systemic oppression.

U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations running youth-focused education, science, or arts programs, including those serving children in New York, can apply for project support from the Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation. Funding supports initiatives that further Jewish ideals and improve quality of life, but not general operating expenses or individuals.

New York City and Northeastern New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits piloting or expanding youth-focused social welfare, education, or health programs can access funding through the Frances & Edwin Cummings Memorial. Grants support new program development, staffing, capacity building, and consulting, with priority for disadvantaged children and young people in the listed boroughs and counties.

Food insecurity impacts every town in America — rural, urban, and all the communities on every road in between. It affects all age groups — from children through seniors — including about one-third of college students. It happens for different reasons — a lost job, a natural disaster, a pandemic, and more.

Ann B. Zekauskas saw this food insecurity first-hand while volunteering in New York City soup kitchens, often on Thanksgiving. She knew that people go hungry every day — and that many food-insecure people are prone to obesity. Limited options often lead to food choices that are higher in calories, but lower in nutrition.

Whether it’s to aid a family that has fallen on hard times or to assist a community or a country during a crisis, we support food banks, neighborhood kitchens, and other hunger relief organizations to provide the next healthy meal to those in need.

The Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation is committed to supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that align with our mission and values. We welcome grant requests from nonprofit organizations seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities in the areas of nutritional education, food access, or the advancement of cuilnary arts careers. 

The Grief Reach grant program, supported by the New York Life Foundation and the National Alliance for Children's Grief, invites innovative community expansion proposals to better serve grieving children. Eligible organizations can apply for funding up to $160,000 to enhance their programs, focusing on unique community needs. By collaborating with the Judi's House/JAG Institute, participants will receive essential training and resources for impactful program evaluation, fostering a supportive environment for children and families facing grief.

New York youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek support for children’s and family programs that enrich youth development and leadership. Lithia Motors supports youth-focused initiatives through its Lithia 4Kids program in select New York counties, partnering with local organizations to strengthen communities where its dealerships operate.

Focused on education and youth-related programming, 501(c)(3) organizations in New York can seek funding for projects or general operating support that promote learning, social justice, health, or the arts. The Cowles Charitable Trust primarily supports Downstate New York and offers awards up to US $10,000, including for programs benefiting children and youth.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New York supporting children and youth through education, human services, or healthcare programs can seek program or operating support from the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. Eligible work includes out-of-school learning, housing stability, food security, and primary or mental healthcare for vulnerable families and young people.

Focused on basic needs and community vitality, Ameriprise Financial invites U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for grants supporting hunger relief, shelter and supportive housing, financial literacy, workforce readiness, and community development. New York youth-serving programs that fit these priorities and can engage Ameriprise volunteers may be especially competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Western New York serving children and women through mental health, physical wellness, or education programs can access funding through the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Grants up to US $50,000 support eligible projects in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

Nonprofit organizations providing youth and family services, housing, education, food security, or health programs in Bronx or Westchester Counties, New York can apply for community grants; awards are for one-year projects. Grants from MGM Resorts Foundation help New York children and families through regionally guided support in multiple human service focus areas.

Nonprofit organizations supporting children’s welfare, education, or related services in New York and across the U.S. can apply for the Slomo and Cindy Silvian Foundation’s invitation-only grants. Eligible groups working with youth submit a brief Preliminary Inquiry online; selected organizations may then be invited to apply, with special policies in place for returning grantees.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing education, healthcare, or housing services for children and youth in New York can apply for Raymond J and Mary C Reisert Foundation grants of US $500 - US $15,000. The foundation supports one-year projects, with possible multi-year funding, and prioritizes community-based programs in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island.

With a mission to improve health and well-being, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation provides New York 501(c)(3) public charities with funding over US $75,000 for direct-service health and related programs. Organizations serving vulnerable children, youth, and families in New York, including low-income, immigrant, and justice-involved populations, may be eligible if they align with Catholic ethical principles.

Disney Foundation

Disney Foundation Established in 1951 as a nonprofit corporation dedicated exclusively to the support of charitable and educational activities. Contributions to the Foundation come from The Walt Disney Company. In addition to the active support of numerous health, community, educational, and youth organizations in California, Florida, and New York, the Foundation from time to time sponsors its own activities, such as a College Scholarship Program for the children of Disney employees.

Disney Conservation Fund - Corridors and Pathways Grants

Disney Conservation is committed to saving wildlife and building a global community inspired to protect the magic of nature together. Since 1995, Disney Conservation has directed more than $141 million and the expertise of our dedicated teams to support organizations working with communities to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet.

We are pleased to offer a new opportunity for eligible organizations to apply for a two-year conservation grant to advance their community-based efforts to protect, connect, and/or restore wildlife corridors or migratory pathways across both terrestrial and/or aquatic habitats.

Corridors & Pathways Grant Categories

This year, grants will be considered in two categories: 1) Protection, Connection, and Restoration; 2) Innovation

Corridors and Pathways Grants: Protection, Connection, and Restoration

Focus: Protecting, connecting, and/or restoring wildlife corridors or migratory pathways. Air, land, and water/ocean-based corridors will be considered.

Use of funds should align with The Walt Disney Company global charitable giving guidelines here.

New York youth-serving nonprofits seeking in-kind support for children can receive donated toys for their programs. Organizations can join The Toy Foundation’s Toy Chest network and pick up toys quarterly from the closest partner facility. This program may benefit groups providing comfort, play, and enrichment opportunities for children in need.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing direct services to grieving children and youth, including those in New York, can apply for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief Grief Reach Cycle 2 capacity-building grants, awarding US $15,000 for one year. Funding supports organizational development, planning, or strategic relationships and collaborations to strengthen bereavement services.

Focused on youth and family services, arts, education, and environment, this grant invites New York 501(c)(3) organizations to seek project support. The Harry Sudakoff Foundation awards US $5,000 - US $40,000, with a preference for Sarasota County, Florida, so New York youth-serving programs may be eligible within its broader U.S. scope.