Best Grants for Capital Funding in Ohio

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding up to $25,000 for organizations focused on improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Established in 1943, the foundation prioritizes health equity through strategic partnerships aimed at reducing cancer burdens, preparing healthcare professionals, and enhancing crisis response efforts. Eligible applicants include national and local nonprofits targeting specific regions in the U.S. and Canada. The foundation emphasizes projects that align with its mission and demonstrate significant community impact.

The EDA Chicago FY 2016–FY 2019 Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program aims to enhance regional economic development through comprehensive planning and technical assistance. By supporting the development and implementation of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), EDA empowers designated organizations, including Indian Tribes, to create jobs and foster economic resilience in distressed areas. This initiative focuses on strategic investments to facilitate effective economic development practices, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity across regions.

The Ohio Environmental Education Fund Mini Grant, administered by the Ohio EPA, supports environmental education projects for students and the public. With approximately $700,000 available annually, funding priorities include promoting environmental careers, ecological restoration, air quality improvement, and addressing harmful chemicals. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, aiming to enhance awareness and understanding of critical environmental issues in Ohio.

The NatureWorks Grant provides up to 75% reimbursement for local government entities in Ohio to acquire, develop, and rehabilitate recreational areas. Funded by the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue since 1993, it has supported over 2300 public park projects across all 88 counties. Eligible applicants include townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, and conservancy districts, ensuring enhanced access to recreational spaces for communities throughout Ohio.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Multicultural Committee of the Stark County Board of MRDD Scholarship Fund

The Multicultural Committee of the Stark County Board of MRDD Scholarship Fund assists college juniors and seniors enrolled full-time at a four-year college or university in the area (including Stark, Tuscarawas, Summit, Wayne and Portage counties) who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must major in a special education or related field.

This scholarship is renewable.

The Midwest Culture Bearers Award honors and supports nine folk arts practitioners annually, providing each with a $5,000 unrestricted grant. This initiative aims to amplify the essential work of culture bearers across the Midwest, fostering opportunities for recognition and community connection. By prioritizing traditional practices and knowledge sharing, the award not only celebrates cultural heritage but also strengthens the creative roots of the region, ensuring vibrant artistic expression for future generations.

Coover/Rural Schools Partnership Rural Ready Grant Program

The Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Foundation, a partnership between Community Foundation of the Ozarks and The Commerce Trust Company is proud to offer the Rural Ready grant program. It is designed to give rural schools the flexibility to address the needs and opportunities that matter most in their communities. Rural Ready grants will support projects that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and relationships they need to thrive in our ever-changing world while strengthening the communities they call home. 

Funding

• Total amount to award is $185,000.00. 
• Applicants may apply for up to $7,000 in funding for this grant cycle.

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation offers the Superintendent Award to honor outstanding Ohio superintendents. Established in 1959, the award recognizes the commitment of educators and supports public school leadership in Ohio. With a $10,000 grant payable to the winner's district, the award aims to highlight the importance of effective educational leadership. Nominees must have a minimum of five years of experience as a superintendent and hold a Master’s Degree and state certification, ensuring a high standard of excellence.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The Hazardous Materials Training and Planning Grant, offered by the Ohio Public Utilities Commission, aims to enhance public safety by funding training for emergency services personnel on managing hazardous materials spills during transportation. Eligible applicants include educational institutions and local governments, with grants covering various training types. Activities must be completed by May 31, 2026, with reimbursement requests due by June 30, 2026. Joint applications for collaborative training programs are encouraged, promoting cost-effective training solutions.

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Teacher Awards recognize outstanding PK-12 teachers in Ohio, providing $7,500 awards to selected individuals nominated by their superintendents. Established in 1959, the foundation honors the legacy of Martha Holden Jennings by focusing on teachers and students often overlooked by philanthropic efforts. Winners are chosen by an educator committee and celebrated at an annual banquet, with additional nominees eligible for $1,000 Awards of Excellence.

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Inc supports independent medical education to enhance healthcare professional competence and improve patient health outcomes. Their mission is to be a global leader in innovative medical education, focusing on evidence-based activities that address critical gaps in knowledge. By fostering excellence in healthcare, they aim to ensure measurable improvements in performance and patient outcomes across various disease areas.

The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation, established in 1994, focuses on enhancing education, health, cultural experiences, and social welfare for youth with disabilities and economic challenges in the Greater Cincinnati area. It supports arts organizations and recreation initiatives, prioritizing programs that help young individuals realize their potential. Eligible applicants must be recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits and demonstrate benefits to specific counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The Foundation encourages collaboration with other donors for project funding.

The CHS Foundation supports initiatives that benefit the agriculture industry, focusing on 501c3 organizations within specific states. Their funding is aimed at empowering cooperative growth and sustainable practices. Local projects may also be eligible through the CHS Seeds for Stewardship program. However, funding is not available for individuals, sports teams, or religious groups, ensuring that the support remains directed towards community and cooperative development.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding above $25,000 to support health equity initiatives across North America. Founded in 1943, its mission focuses on removing barriers to quality healthcare for vulnerable communities. The foundation prioritizes projects that align with strategic pillars: reducing cancer burdens, preparing the healthcare workforce, and enhancing crisis response. Eligible organizations include national and local nonprofits. Funding is limited to specific regions and assessed based on demonstrated need and expected impact.

The State Library of Ohio Library Services and Technology Act Open Grants provide funding up to $4,999 for Ohio libraries to address community needs through innovative projects. Applications are accepted anytime, with evaluations occurring twice a year based on submission dates. The program encourages libraries to connect their projects to the State Library’s LSTA goals, fostering creativity and flexibility in project development without requiring local matching funds.

Benefitting people in the places making the AI future possible

The Future is for Everyone Fund

Meta is investing directly in education, community enhancement, workforce development and sustainability projects in locations where we have a data center in the United States.

The AI future we are building is for everyone. That starts with making sure everyone in the places that are home to a Meta data center feel the benefits in their communities. We want students to have bright futures, small businesses to flourish and communities to be prosperous.

Our commitment to the communities we call home.

The Future is for Everyone Fund supports investments and programs that address local community priorities in the United States, where we have a Meta data center:

We invest in the people and shared spaces that help a community thrive. That includes the parks, trails, and gathering places where neighbors come together, the technology and access that keep them connected, and first responders - like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics — who keep our communities safe.

We support the people and organizations that power local economies - helping workers gain the skills, certifications, and hands-on experience the modern economy rewards, and backing initiatives that create jobs and give a community its character.

We fund the programs, spaces, and tools that help learners of every age discover what they're capable of - from early literacy and the arts to hands-on science, technology, and problem-solving - and we equip the educators who make it happen with the resources to bring their most ambitious lessons to life.

We invest in the long-term health of the land, water, and wildlife that make our communities home - supporting things like habitat restoration and resource conservation that connects people to the natural world.

What is the Future is for Everyone Fund?

The Future is for Everyone Fund is Meta’s $1 billion commitment to invest directly in the U.S. communities that are home to a Meta data center. The Fund supports local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations and is organized into four focus areas that reflect local priorities: Community Enhancement, Economic Vitality, Education, and Sustainability. It builds on the over $70 million in grant funding we’ve provided to our data center communities since 2011.

The Wold Foundation Grant, established in 1985, aims to support charitable, scientific, literary, and educational projects primarily benefiting Wyoming citizens and youth. It prioritizes initiatives in education, human services, cultural activities, healthcare, and scientific endeavors that promote conservation and outdoor recreation. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) classified and operate in the U.S. The foundation does not fund individuals or projects that discriminate based on sex, age, or religion.

The Raftelis Leadership Scholarship, offered by the American Water Works Association, supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a consulting career in water utilities. With a value of $5,000, this scholarship aims to foster relationships with diverse, promising students who demonstrate leadership and strong academic performance. Applicants from various academic backgrounds, including business and finance, are encouraged to apply, emphasizing initiative and a desire to contribute positively to the community.

Ohio Department of Development

Empowering communities to succeed.

That’s the mission statement for the Ohio Department of Development, and it’s what we work toward every day.

Our work is aimed at helping Ohio businesses, communities, and individuals thrive. We know that Ohio is the best state to live, learn, work, innovate, and play, and we strive to improve on that every day. Our programs and employees can have an impact on the lives of many Ohioans, and we take that responsibility to heart.

State Energy Program

The Ohio Department of Development’s State Energy Program (SEP) helps businesses, manufacturers, nonmanufacturers, nonprofits, colleges/universities, local governments, and others implement energy efficiency improvements to lower energy use and costs.

Energy efficiency measures must reduce utility energy usage by at least 15 percent, as shown by an ASHRAE Level II energy audit.

The SEP consists of two programs: Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers and Nonmanufacturers (EEPM/NM) – Audit Support; and Ohio Energy Efficiency Program (OEEP) – Implementation funds for energy efficiency retrofits

Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers and Nonmanufacturers (EEPM/NM) – Audit Support

Eligible Applicants

Small businesses, small-to-medium-sized manufacturers, school districts, nonprofits, and local governments are eligible to apply for the program. Manufacturers applying for the program will participate in energy planning specifically for manufacturing. 

Please contact one of our approved energy auditors for additional information on the EEPM/NM audits. Our auditors walk applicants through the grant process and will provide full funding information based on audit requirements.  

The Ohio Arts Council's ArtsNEXT program offers competitive funding for innovative and experimental projects aimed at enhancing the arts in Ohio. With awards typically up to $25,000, this grant supports bold ideas that push artistic boundaries, improve accessibility, and encourage diversity in arts experiences. Projects may include collaborations, new programming strategies, or technology advancements that foster community engagement. Organizations must demonstrate a commitment to artistic evolution and meet specific eligibility criteria to apply.

The Drexel Fund Founders Program is a one-year paid fellowship that helps outstanding leaders already on the path to launching a school continue to plan and open an innovative and effective private school in one of The Drexel Fund’s target states: Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The tenth cohort of the Founders Program is designed for entrepreneurs who will begin the fellowship in Summer 2027 and be ready to launch a new private school in Fall 2028.Through the fellowship, school founders will develop their school’s education model and finalize the nuts and bolts of their school launch, including board and budget development, market analysis, facility location, student recruitment and staff hiring. Founders will create a plan that will make it possible for their school to achieve top-tier results for children while maintaining a sustainable financial model.

The Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation offers grants to support charitable, educational, and community-focused initiatives, primarily in Florida and Georgia. Eligible applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations. The foundation prioritizes projects that address children's welfare, education, multicultural understanding, substance abuse prevention, and homelessness. Grants typically do not exceed $15,000, and proposals must be endorsed by a Foundation Director. Interested parties should submit a Letter of Inquiry for consideration.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) offers grants for schools to implement the PLTW Computer Science program from 2025 to 2028. Schools must provide at least one PLTW course in the first year and two courses in the second year. The total grant is $14,000, covering participation fees and training costs. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the U.S., with special encouragement for those serving low-income or minority-majority populations.

The Dale Jr. Foundation, founded by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., has raised over $8 million since 2007 to support various charities focusing on youth and underprivileged communities. The foundation emphasizes empowerment, education, wellness, hunger relief, and hope, aiming to provide resources that enhance confidence and opportunities for children facing hardships. Through fundraising efforts and partnerships with organizations like Make-A-Wish, the foundation strives to positively impact lives and foster a sense of normalcy among children in need.

The HortScholar Program offers students in horticulture an immersive experience at Cultivate'25, connecting them with industry leaders and trends. Participants will gain hands-on experience, network, and explore job opportunities while receiving mentorship and an all-access pass to the event. With complimentary lodging and meals, this program is designed to advance careers in horticulture and expand horizons for future professionals.

The EGLS Howard Maxwell Award recognizes outstanding service to the Eastern Great Lakes Section of the American Physical Society (APS). Established in 1938, the section fosters collaboration among physicists and scientists from various fields through biannual symposia. Named after Howard Maxwell, this award honors dedicated contributions to the APS community, encouraging participation from students and educators in the greater Ohio region.