Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in New York

Invest in Others

The Invest in Others 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation amplifies, celebrates, and inspires the charitable work of the financial services community.

We provide a platform for financial professionals to make an impact on the causes they care about, channeling the philanthropy and volunteerism of the finance industry to make a difference where it’s needed most. We provide critical grant funding for nonprofits nationwide, helping fill gaps left by shrinking budgets and growing need.

Invest in Others Awards

About the Awards

The Invest in Others Awards recognize the charitable work of financial advisors and honors recipients at an annual awards gala in Boston.

Nominations are evaluated based on an advisor’s leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. Three finalists will be selected in each of the five categories with one recipient being chosen for each award.

Award finalists and recipients will receive grants from Invest in Others for their designated charities:

• Honorable mentions will receive $2,000
• Finalists in all five categories will receive $25,000
• Recipients in the Catalyst, Community Service, Emerging Impact, and Volunteer of the Year categories will receive $60,000
• The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will receive $100,000

Emerging Impact Award

Presented to an advisor 45 years of age or younger who is making a mark in their community through their outstanding commitment of time, talent, and resources to a nonprofit over a period of at least 3 years, demonstrating exceptional promise in what they have already contributed and paving the way for the future.

This funding opportunity aims to bolster the cancer surveillance workforce through educational initiatives. By enhancing collaborations with cancer partners and developing tools for improved data quality, this program will expand the capacity of registrars. Efforts will focus on recruitment and retention, ultimately ensuring compliance with Public Law 102-515. Strengthening the cancer registrar workforce will lead to timely and accurate cancer data submission, supporting public health objectives.

Invest in Others

The Invest in Others 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation amplifies, celebrates, and inspires the charitable work of the financial services community.

We provide a platform for financial professionals to make an impact on the causes they care about, channeling the philanthropy and volunteerism of the finance industry to make a difference where it’s needed most. We provide critical grant funding for nonprofits nationwide, helping fill gaps left by shrinking budgets and growing need.

Invest in Others Awards

About the Awards

The Invest in Others Awards recognize the charitable work of financial advisors and honors recipients at an annual awards gala in Boston.

Nominations are evaluated based on an advisor’s leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. Three finalists will be selected in each of the five categories with one recipient being chosen for each award.

Award finalists and recipients will receive grants from Invest in Others for their designated charities:

• Honorable mentions will receive $2,000
• Finalists in all five categories will receive $25,000
• Recipients in the Catalyst, Community Service, Emerging Impact, and Volunteer of the Year categories will receive $60,000
• The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will receive $100,000

Volunteer of the Year Award

Presented to an advisor who has made a significant impact on a nonprofit as a volunteer of at least 3 years by working hands-on and giving of their time, talent, and energy to make a lasting impact on the organization, those it serves, and the community at large.

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Grants & Fellowships

Catalyst Grant

Early-stage funding for bold ideas that deserve a chance to move forward. Open to anyone, from any background, with an idea worth exploring.

Details

Giving Ideas a First Chance

$10,000 in annual funding helps promising ideas take their next step.

The Catalyst Grant supports early-stage ideas that demonstrate originality and the potential for meaningful impact.

Funding may support one project or be shared among several, depending on the applications received and where funding can make the greatest difference.

Ideas can come from any discipline or background. They may grow from lived experience, independent inquiry, academic research, creative work, or connections between fields.

Funded projects should broadly align with the Mensa Foundation’s mission to unleash intelligence for the benefit of humanity.

Invest in Others

The Invest in Others 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation amplifies, celebrates, and inspires the charitable work of the financial services community.

We provide a platform for financial professionals to make an impact on the causes they care about, channeling the philanthropy and volunteerism of the finance industry to make a difference where it’s needed most. We provide critical grant funding for nonprofits nationwide, helping fill gaps left by shrinking budgets and growing need.

Invest in Others Awards

About the Awards

The Invest in Others Awards recognize the charitable work of financial advisors and honors recipients at an annual awards gala in Boston.

Nominations are evaluated based on an advisor’s leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. Three finalists will be selected in each of the five categories with one recipient being chosen for each award.

Award finalists and recipients will receive grants from Invest in Others for their designated charities:

• Honorable mentions will receive $2,000
• Finalists in all five categories will receive $25,000
• Recipients in the Catalyst, Community Service, Emerging Impact, and Volunteer of the Year categories will receive $60,000
• The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will receive $100,000

Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented to an advisor who has made a profound contribution to a non-profit organization through an established history of distinguished service, where he or she exhibited leadership, provided inspiration, and gained recognition and respect from peers and the community over a period of at least 20 years, helping the organization evolve and creating a lasting impact on the future of the organization.

About Us

We are one of more than 750 similar tax-exempt public charities throughout the United States that work to make their community a better place to live. We are a local organization staffed by residents of the community and led by a board of trustees who have an in-depth knowledge of the issues that shape our County.

This Community Foundation was created by and for the people of Washington County MD, and exists to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

About Our Scholarships

Our scholarships exist thanks to local families, friends, and organizations who have partnered with the Community Foundation to memorialize or honor someone, celebrate their alma mater, or promote a chosen career field. The creation of a scholarship fund can affect the donor as much as the recipient. 

The Community Foundation of Washington County, MD offers more than 100 scholarships for graduating high school students and non-traditional students in continuing education. 

The Thomas J. Bowers Aviation Scholarship Fund

A scholarship fund created in honor of Thomas J. Bowers to provide scholarships to deserving Washington County students who are active members of the Civil Air Patrol and express a desire to pursue a degree in an aviation-related field.

The Museums for America (MFA) program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), supports museums across the nation in enhancing their educational programs, community partnerships, and collection stewardship. This initiative aims to serve diverse audiences through experiential learning, address community needs, and ensure the proper management of collections. By investing in museums of all sizes, the MFA program plays a vital role in preserving America's cultural heritage for future generations.

Waneta Drake Miller Edmison Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduating seniors of accredited high schools in the Sioux Falls area. Plans to attend an accredited college, university, community college or technical school.

Multiple scholarships are awarded.

The National Leadership Grants for Museums, offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, support innovative projects addressing critical needs in the museum sector. These grants aim to enhance museum services for the public by fostering the development and replication of effective practices, tools, and collaborations, particularly leveraging new technologies. Eligible projects can significantly advance the professional field, ensuring museums remain vital community resources.

The Trent R. Dames & William W. Moore Fellowship, established by Dames and Moore in 1990, supports graduate studies for practicing engineers or earth scientists who are ASCE members. This fellowship aims to advance engineering science and enhance societal welfare through innovative applications in geotechnical engineering and earth sciences, addressing social, economic, environmental, and political issues. Annually, two recipients are selected to further their academic pursuits in these critical fields.

The Veneklasen Research Foundation Grant supports scientific research in acoustics and related fields, promoting high standards of research. Eligible applicants include public charities and individuals with a demonstrated interest in acoustics. The Foundation emphasizes careful stewardship of resources and maintains relationships within the private foundation community to enhance collaboration. Proposals are reviewed through a letter of inquiry and full proposals are by invitation only, ensuring alignment with the Foundation's mission and objectives.

Local Data for Equitable Communities CFP

This call for proposals (CFP) invites eligible nonprofit organizations in the U.S. to apply for a grant to collect, analyze, and use data to address inequities in the physical, economic, and social conditions of a place. Improving these conditions is key to achieving health equity where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. Structural racism is one of the leading barriers that results in inequities in conditions within and across communities. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) expects to award up to 30 grants of $50,000 each, with a period of performance of nine months. The Urban Institute, as the national coordinating center for this program, is collaborating with RWJF on program design, grantee support, and communications.

Local data can be valuable tools to make progress on building places that offer everyone the chance to be as healthy as possible. Community organizations and residents can use data to understand challenges, set priorities, advocate for what is important to them, and hold others accountable for promised changes.

The goals of the Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program are to:

• Inform public policy and improve the physical, social, and economic conditions of places
• Build local capacity to use data for action
• Strengthen the use of equitable data practices
• Document successful practices for more communities to learn from and adapt

Funding

• Type of Award: Awards funded under this opportunity will be structured as grants.
• Number of Awards: Up to 30 awards will be funded.
• Amount of Award: Each award will be up to and including $50,000.
• Award Duration: Awards will be nine months.

About Legacy Foundation

Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We connect people, knowledge, and funding to build an equitable, accessible, and inclusive Lake County, now and for generations to come.

Legacy Foundation is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, and businesses connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. With a growing portfolio of over 300 funds and approximately $80 million in assets, Legacy Foundation is a trusted source for philanthropic giving in the region.

For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and impactful philanthropic support to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Mission Statement

Transforming Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve.

Vision Statement

Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Milton and Ruby McClendon Scholarship

Use the chart below to see which scholarships are the best fit for you! You must complete the Legacy Universal Application to apply.

Scholarship eligibility requires students to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year public or private institution of higher learning. All scholarships are for full-time students, unless otherwise noted. Renewable awards are for 4 years of undergraduate study and cannot be used for post graduate coursework; all awards are paid directly to the school or may be used for book reimbursement.

The John Lewis NIMHD Research Endowment Program aims to enhance research infrastructure and training at higher education institutions to address health disparities. Key objectives include improving physical infrastructure, acquiring research equipment, developing technical expertise, expanding academic science programs, and recruiting accomplished researchers. This limited competition invites applications from eligible organizations, with a rigorous peer-review process to ensure only high-quality proposals receive funding.

The Air Dominance Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) invites proposals for research aimed at enhancing national security through scientific study and experimentation. Managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, this unrestricted acquisition encourages small businesses to participate. Proposals must demonstrate substantive research results and comply with federal regulations, ensuring a competitive selection process. The BAA supports exploratory and advanced development programs, with a focus on practical applications and potential experimental testing.

The Agnes and Margaret Macmillan Scholarship, established by the Saint Andrew's Society in New York, offers five annual scholarships worth $45,000 each. Aimed at fostering academic exchange, it supports US students studying in Scotland and Scottish students in the US. Candidates must demonstrate Scottish descent and reside in specific Northeastern states. This scholarship honors the legacy of Margaret 'Peggy' Macmillan, who significantly contributed to the fund in memory of her sister Agnes.

The NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) supports early-stage postdoctoral researchers transitioning to independent faculty positions. This funding opportunity encourages talented individuals with clinical or research doctoral degrees to lead independent clinical trials. Applicants should aim to foster research careers in cancer control, prevention, and data sciences. This initiative provides essential support during the transition from mentored positions to independent research roles, enhancing the pool of independent investigators in cancer research.

The NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) supports early-stage postdoctoral researchers aiming to transition to independent faculty positions. It encourages candidates with doctoral degrees in research or clinical fields to apply, particularly those in cancer control and prevention. This funding opportunity facilitates a quick shift from mentored research to independent careers, providing essential support for awardees to establish competitive research programs without leading their own clinical trials.

The ACLS Digital Justice Development Grants, funded by The Mellon Foundation, aim to enhance justice and equity in digital scholarly practice. These grants support projects that engage with historically marginalized communities, including people of color and those with disabilities. By providing resources and coaching for sustainable project development, the program promotes inclusion in the digital humanities, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to shaping digital knowledge and cultural heritage.

The BC Ricci Institute–Harvard-Yenching Institute Joint Visiting Researcher Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for full-time faculty from Asia-based institutions to conduct research at two prestigious institutes in Boston during the 2026-2027 academic year. This six-month fellowship emphasizes the study of East Asian culture and provides access to extensive library resources. Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree and focus on interdisciplinary approaches within the humanities and social sciences.

Stephen J. Roy Memorial Scholarship

The Stephen J. Roy Memorial Scholarship is available to high school seniors who reside in Larimer County and are interested in law, government, debate, or similar law-related educational activities.

Scholarship amount:

• $3,000

Number of awards:

• 1

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.

The ACLS Digital Justice Seed Grants support projects that enhance equity and justice in digital scholarship, particularly focusing on marginalized communities. Funded by The Mellon Foundation, these grants foster innovative methodologies and resource sharing across disciplines. By promoting inclusivity in digital humanities, the program empowers scholars to engage with under-studied materials and develop sustainable practices, ensuring broader access to digital tools and expertise for impactful research initiatives.

The AccessLex Bar Success Research Grant Program aims to fund innovative and rigorous studies focused on the bar examination, including predictors of performance and effective preparation methodologies. By encouraging collaborations among educational institutions and stakeholders, the program seeks to enhance bar passage rates for at-risk students. Grants ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 are available for projects lasting 12 to 24 months, promoting well-designed research that addresses critical issues in legal education.

The Immune Drivers of Autoimmune Disease (IDAD) network, supported by NIAID, aims to uncover early triggers and mechanisms of autoimmunity to prevent disease. Key initiatives include developing predictive tools and biomarkers, fostering preclinical cohorts, and utilizing AI and big data. The network will leverage shared infrastructure for collaborative research, managed by the IDAD Network Coordinating Center, which ensures coordination and resource sharing among awardees. This initiative is crucial for advancing understanding and prevention of autoimmune diseases.

The John W. Purvis Memorial Scholarship supports students pursuing Aeronautical Engineering or related fields, honoring the legacy of John Purvis, former CEO at Edge Autonomy. Offered by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, this scholarship aims to empower high school seniors, undergraduates, and returning students in achieving their educational aspirations. With a commitment to inclusivity and community development, this scholarship helps foster a brighter future for ambitious students in San Luis Obispo County.

The Inja & Kwang Choi, MD Family Scholarship, awarded by the Erie Community Foundation, supports deserving seniors from local high schools who aspire to pursue careers in medicine or engineering. With over $800,000 in scholarships distributed in 2023, this initiative helps students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher achieve their educational goals, fostering the next generation of professionals in critical fields.

John J. Murphy Family Scholarship

Named in honor of John J. "Jack" Murphy, Olean native and former CEO and Chairman of Dresser Industries, this scholarship was established initially through a grant from the Communities Foundation of Texas and is continued with donations from generous donors. Selection criteria includes scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need.