Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in New York

The Levin Family Foundation Grant supports nonprofits focused on critical issues in Montgomery County, Ohio, such as the opiate epidemic, human trafficking, anti-bullying, and suicide prevention. Established in 1996, the foundation has invested over $12 million globally, emphasizing projects that align with its mission. Eligible organizations must be IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt. Priority is given to initiatives in the Greater Dayton Area, fostering positive community impact.

The Deb Duethorn Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of Deb Duethorn, a dedicated flight nurse and educator, by providing financial support for students pursuing careers in nursing, emergency medical services, law enforcement, or firefighting. Established after her passing in 1996, this scholarship aims to make education more accessible, reflecting the Central New York Community Foundation's commitment to equity and opportunity. Only one scholarship is awarded, making it a significant opportunity for eligible applicants.

Lilly Foundation

To extend Lilly’s charitable reach and impact, the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation) was established in 1968 and is supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company.

The Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation supporting programs that align with its philanthropic priorities.

Grantmaking Approach

The Lilly Foundation’s work is guided by a charitable vision of a world where every person has an opportunity to live their healthiest life. Through grantmaking focused on Lilly Foundation’s charitable vision, grants can serve as a catalyst for closing gaps and empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

All proposals should demonstrate clear alignment with at least one focus area and include charitable outcomes that are measurable and consistent with the Foundation’s long-term charitable goals.

Global Health, K-12 STEM Education and Economic Mobility Grant

Focus Areas

Global Health

Lilly Foundation, through its charitable grants, aims to support permissible charitable efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for resource-limited communities in low- and lower-middleincome countries (L/LMICs) and in the United States. Strengthening access to care is essential for enhancing community well-being and supporting economic stability in resource-limited settings.

The Global Health focus area aims to close gaps in quality healthcare by supporting charitable solutions that improve access, bring care closer to where people live, and address the high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-limited settings. To the extent permissible, the Foundation prioritizes charitable efforts related to cardiometabolic health in resource-limited settings.

K-12 STEM Education

The K-12 STEM Education focus area aims to close the gaps for students from low-income communities by supporting programs that foster new pathways and pipelines to STEM education through focused K-12 efforts, concentrating on the critical middle school years. The Foundation’s K-12 STEM Education grants are focused on initiatives that benefit Marion County, Indiana.

Economic Mobility

The Economic Mobility focus area supports charitable and educational programs that strengthen workforce readiness, postsecondary and skills-based educational pathways, and housing stability to promote long-term prosperity. This support is focused on Marion County, Indiana, with the goal of improving economic opportunity for low-income communities and advancing community well-being.

The Kosciuszko Foundation offers Tuition Scholarships for American students of Polish descent pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. Scholarships can provide up to $12,000 for full-time studies, including master's and Ph.D. programs. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents with Polish heritage and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This program aims to foster educational exchanges and cultural understanding between the U.S. and Poland, supporting various fields of study.

The Westchester Community Foundation Grant Program offers competitive grants to public charities and groups providing programs in Westchester County. The foundation prioritizes initiatives in human justice, human services, workforce development, youth development, arts, social justice, and technical assistance. This support aims to enhance the lives of residents through diverse projects that address civil rights, economic stability, youth empowerment, and cultural access. Funding fosters community engagement and innovative solutions to local challenges.

The Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program, funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, offers $500,000 to enhance food system resiliency through farmers' markets. This initiative supports projects that improve infrastructure, online capabilities, marketing, and delivery services for farmers' markets across the state. Larger entities are encouraged to provide sub-grants to local farmers' markets, ensuring a collaborative approach to economic development in their regions.

The Programmatic Support - Education Pillar Award by Honda aims to enhance workforce readiness in the manufacturing sector. It supports nonprofit organizations and schools focused on hands-on programs in design, software/data analytics, and AI/machine learning. Eligible applicants must be US-based and have 501(c)(3) status. The initiative prioritizes projects that train individuals for manufacturing roles, develop technical skills, and introduce automation to prepare for evolving industry demands, ultimately fostering economic prosperity in local communities.

The Affordable Solar and Storage Predevelopment and Technical Assistance program, offered by NYSERDA, aims to enhance solar access for low-to-moderate income households in New York. With grants totaling $3,600,000, it addresses barriers to solar installations in rental and multifamily housing. Projects can receive up to $200,000 to support predevelopment efforts, ensuring equitable solar development and meaningful benefits for underserved communities.

The Brownfield Cleanup Program in New York aims to facilitate the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites, thereby revitalizing economically distressed communities. By providing tax incentives and removing barriers, the program encourages private-sector investment in urban areas. Eligible properties are those with contaminants exceeding safety standards. However, sites classified as hazardous waste or under enforcement actions are ineligible. This initiative represents a significant step towards sustainable urban development.

The Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Grant Program, managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, offers funding to enhance community livability and sustainable development in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. With an anticipated budget of $1,050,000, the program supports projects that align with smart growth principles, fostering environmental protection, economic development, and community planning. Eligible initiatives include improving public spaces, enhancing transportation access, and promoting tourism while ensuring the preservation of natural resources.

The Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation supports charitable organizations focused on basic provisions for underserved populations, humane care of animals, health care services, public media, and environmental initiatives. The foundation prioritizes organizations in Boothbay Harbor, Southport, and Brunswick, and encourages requests for general operating support, program support, and capital projects, while maintaining a focus on the impact of their services.

The AMNH Collection Study Grants support pre-doctoral and early career postdoctoral researchers in studying scientific collections at the American Museum of Natural History. These grants provide partial funding for travel and subsistence during visits to the museum, encouraging projects of four days or longer. With limited housing at $100 per day, funds must be utilized between July 1 of the application year and June 30 of the following year for eligible investigators.

The Sachs Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals and families. The Foundation supports self-sustaining charitable organizations focusing on economic and educational opportunities, particularly in low-income communities in the U.S. and developing countries. Grants are available for various initiatives, including education, housing, and job training, with a keen interest in programs that demonstrate clear potential for sustainability.

The Japan – U.S. Global Partnership Grant Program aims to foster collaborative projects addressing global issues through partnerships between Japanese and American organizations. It focuses on policy-oriented research and dialogue among diverse professionals, including academia and grassroots practitioners. Key thematic areas include resilience, inclusivity, and advancements in science and technology. Projects outside these themes may also be eligible if aligned with grant goals, covering topics like climate change, public health, and digital transformation.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

New York Department of State

The New York Department of State’s core mission is to provide a better quality of life and expand opportunities for all New Yorkers by fostering community revitalization, catalyzing economic growth through business formation, protecting consumers, helping new Americans, supporting local governments, assisting individuals and families to achieve upward economic mobility, and ensuring safety and integrity through the regulation of licensed occupations and the development of building standards and codes.

Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grants

The NYS Department of State (Department or DOS), through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act), is soliciting applications from eligible applicants through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grants. These grants will enhance community resilience and reduce flood risk through the implementation of the following project types:

• Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience Projects
• Inland Flooding and Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Implementation Projects 

State assistance awarded and paid shall not exceed 90% of the total eligible project costs set forth in the application and as approved by the Department.

Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grant implementation projects may include completion of final design and construction, or construction-only for eligible projects. Projects should prioritize nature-based and natural solutions where feasible and provision of co-benefits. 

Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience Projects

Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience Projects align with the Coastal Zone Management Act of 19721; a federal law with the goal to guide development in a manner that preserves, protects, and where possible, restores or enhances the uses and resources of the nation’s coastal zone. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved New York State’s Coastal Management Program (NYS CMP)2 in 1982, which provides a framework for federal and State agency decision-making for actions that have a reasonably foreseeable effect on the State’s coastal uses and resources. The State’s coastal area includes but is not limited to waters and lands bordering the St. Lawrence, Niagara, and Lower Hudson Rivers, the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, and all tidal waters.3 DOS is the delegated state agency administrator of the NYS CMP, which implements the Coastal Zone Management Act on behalf of NOAA.

The Highlands Conservation Act Program, administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, supports land conservation projects in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Grants cover up to 50% of project costs for acquisitions from willing sellers. The program typically allocates funds in two categories: Base and Competitive. Eligible applicants can apply for Base Funding through this Notice of Funding Opportunity, while a separate notice will address Competitive Funds.

The Corporate Giving Program by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that enhance community welfare. Focus areas include agriculture, education, fighting hunger, and public safety. Eligible applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) status and a Taxpayer Identification number. Requests are prioritized for programs directly benefiting communities near Perdue facilities across various states. The foundation emphasizes responsible stewardship and community engagement in all funding decisions.

The External Collaborative Research (ECR) program by Boehringer Ingelheim invites academic and community scientists to propose collaborative studies aimed at protocol development and result publication. This program offers potential drug and financial support, excluding direct salary for the Principal Investigator. Budgets must represent fair market value and will be negotiated further. Research interests span therapeutic areas including Cardio-Renal-Metabolic, Mental Health, Dermatology, and Oncology, encouraging innovative solutions to unmet medical needs.

New York State Office of Mental Health

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) oversees a large multi-faceted mental health system serving nearly 800,000 individuals each year. This includes operating 23 psychiatric centers and overseeing the Nathan S. Kline Institute and New York Psychiatric Institute. OMH regulates and certifies more than 6,500 programs operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies.

Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative Round 10

New York leads the nation in affordable housing preservation and construction. The State Fiscal Year 2026-27 Enacted Budget continues to fund Governor Hochul’s comprehensive plan for housing that ensures New Yorkers have access to safe and secure housing. This funding is for the creation or preservation of affordable and supportive housing units.

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.

Ending Epidemics Education, Training and Technical Assistance Services

The intent of this Request for Applications is to support a comprehensive statewide training initiative to strengthen the capacity of local public health agencies, hospitals, community-based organizations, healthcare providers, peer workers, educators, and other partners to improve outcomes for the AIDS Institute’s strategic health priorities. The goal is to reduce health inequities by implementing training and education interventions, such as in-person or virtual trainings, conferences, seminars, digital learning tools, and capacity building initiatives that will prepare providers with the knowledge and skills to mount an effective response to the syndemics of HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and substance use disorders. Building upon a foundation of health equity, other priorities for training include the health concerns of the LGBTQAI+ population, the concerns of persons living with HIV across the lifespan (noting the diversity in needs depending on age-related concerns), as well as training around legal and policy initiatives for these syndemic health issues and populations at risk. 

Ending Epidemics in New York State

In June 2014, NYS announced a three-point plan to end the AIDS epidemic in NYS.12 This plan provided a roadmap to significantly reduce HIV infections to a historic low by the end of 2020, with the goal of achieving the first ever decrease in HIV prevalence. The plan also aimed to improve the  health of all HIV positive New Yorkers and was the first jurisdictional effort of its kind in the U.S.

The three points highlighted in the plan are:

• Identify persons with HIV who remain undiagnosed and get them linked to care;
• Link and retain persons diagnosed with HIV in health care to maximize viral suppression;
• Increase access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for persons who are HIV negative.

New York State has been laying groundwork for ending the AIDS epidemic since the disease emerged in the early 1980s. New York State’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic has involved the development of comprehensive service delivery systems that evolved over time in sync with the evolution of AIDS from a terminal illness to a manageable chronic disease. This strategy enabled the state to implement new technologies as they were introduced, including new treatments, new diagnostic tests and, more recently, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Due to the historic and robust State response over the last 36 years, New York State has bent the curve on the HIV epidemic, reversing the decades-long increase in the number of people in New York State that are diagnosed with HIV. 

Available Funding

Up to $3,094,000 annually in New York State and HRI funding is available to support programs funded through this RFA (total of $15,470,000 in New York State and HRI funding for five (5) years). 

The T. Rowe Price Foundation, established in 1981, primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Baltimore, Colorado Springs, San Francisco, and New York. While most grants are by invitation, unsolicited proposals are also considered. The foundation emphasizes community engagement, collaboration, and unrestricted funding to enhance the operational capacity of nonprofits, enabling them to address critical social issues effectively. With over $194 million in grants awarded, it focuses on fostering strong leaders and equitable solutions in the communities it serves.

The Lake Champlain Basin Program invites proposals for land acquisition or conservation easements in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin. The initiative aims to enhance water quality and ecosystems while prioritizing projects that protect native habitats and provide flood resiliency. Funding ranges from $100,000 to $4 million per project, supporting efforts that align with LCBP’s goals, including increasing public access to recreational areas as a secondary benefit.

The New York State HOME Program is administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s (HTFC) Office of Community Renewal (OCR) and funds a variety of activities to expand the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low and moderate-income families. 

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation's Access to Healthcare Grant Program aims to enhance equitable access to healthcare across New York State. By addressing barriers faced by underserved populations, the foundation supports initiatives that ensure all individuals receive necessary health services. Grants typically begin at $75,000, focusing on direct service programs that align with the Catholic Church's ethical principles. This funding is crucial for organizations dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes for disadvantaged communities.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is granting funding to enhance wildlife disease diagnostics at the National Wildlife Health Center. This initiative aims to strengthen parasitology services, which are crucial for monitoring and managing wildlife health. By improving early detection and surveillance of parasitic diseases, the project supports wildlife conservation, public safety, and ecological balance. This aligns with federal efforts to enhance resource stewardship and reduce regulatory burdens related to endangered species protections.