Best Grants for Museums in Ohio

T7 Social Impact GrantsThe T.D. Jakes Foundation (TDJF), in partnership with Wells Fargo, is proud to launch the Social Impact Grant Challenge, a transformative funding opportunity designed to identify, support, and amplify nonprofit organizations creating meaningful change in communities across the United States.

Designed around the T.D. Jakes Foundation's pillars of service (Educational Access & Workforce Readiness, financial inclusion, and community transformation and well-being), the Challenge seeks innovative nonprofit organizations that are addressing critical social issues through impactful, scalable, and sustainable solutions.

Finalists selected through this process will have the opportunity to showcase their organization through a live presentation at the inaugural Thriving Seven (T7) Summit, taking place November 12 –14 in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to competing for grant funding, finalists will gain national visibility for their work and connect with nonprofit leaders, funders, and changemakers from across the country.Grant Funding: A total of $1,500,000 in grant funding is anticipated to be awarded: 

• One (1) - $500,000 grant
• One (1) - $250,000 grant
• Two (2) - $100,000 grant
• Eleven (11) - $50,000 grant

About Panorama GlobalPanorama Global is a social impact nonprofit that empowers changemakers through radical collaboration. We help our partners navigate the winding path from vision to impact. 

What We Do

• Collaboratives - Hosting and supporting collaborative efforts to achieve common goals.
• Fiscal Sponsorship - Financial and administrative support providing lean operating models to jumpstart projects.
• Funds - Philanthropic vehicles to manage and distribute funds that fuel global initiatives.

About  Innovative Postsecondary Models Fund

The Innovative Postsecondary Models (IPM) Fund supports innovative postsecondary education models that are rethinking how education is designed, delivered, financed, and assessed for learners in the United States.

The Fund is interested in innovations that benefit all learners, but especially learners whom the data show encounter the greatest obstacles to opportunity. The goal of this Fund is not only to provide funding to innovative models, but also to learn from selected grantees on how to reduce barriers to postsecondary access and increase student success outcomes to help inform the role philanthropy can play in supporting higher education innovation.

What We're Funding

We are seeking innovative postsecondary education models that demonstrate, or have the potential to demonstrate, meaningful improvements in how learners access, experience, and benefit from postsecondary education. We seek approaches with the potential to scale, influence the field, and inform how postsecondary education evolves nationally.

To help illustrate the types of innovations we hope to support, we have organized this opportunity around four broad themes. These themes reflect key dimensions of postsecondary innovation that have the potential to improve learner outcomes and inform broader systems change.

All four themes are grounded in a shared principle: student-centeredness. Truly innovative postsecondary models must be designed around learner needs, especially the needs of learners whom the data show face the greatest barriers to access and success in traditional postsecondary education.

Applicants are not expected to address all four themes, but should demonstrate strong alignment with at least one of the following:

Reimagining Instructional Design, Delivery, Assessment, and Student Support

• What success might look like:
  • Innovative instructional models improve student persistence, completion, and post-completion success, particularly for historically underserved learners, while maintaining or reducing costs.
  • Learners benefit from personalized, adaptive instruction and competency-based assessments that enable them to demonstrate and document skills in ways that are recognized by employers and other educational institutions.

Advancing Affordability and Financial Sustainability

• What success might look like:
  • Learners spend less overall, face reduced financial risk, and access high-quality education pathways that lead to credentials supporting economic mobility.
  • Successful models demonstrate affordability not only through reducing costs for learners, but also by maintaining or reducing the cost of delivering high-quality education through sustainable, efficient approaches.

Career and Workforce Alignment

• What success might look like:
  • Work and learning are more demonstrably connected and flexible, with evidence that skills are more directly tied to credentials and real career opportunities.

Removing Barriers for Underserved Learners

• What success might look like:
  • More learners from backgrounds and communities who the data show have faced the greatest barriers to accessing postsecondary education are able to access, complete, and benefit from high-quality credentials.

About  USA Track & Field Foundation IncThe USA Track & Field Foundation was established in 2002. Our Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs, with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth and elite athletes.Mission: To support the development of emerging elite athletes, while fostering integration within the broader track & field community. To facilitate the physical, educational, social and character development of youth track & field athletes and to help prepare them to mature and succeed in adult life.About Youth Club GrantThe USATF Foundation considers providing opportunities for youth athletes to compete in track & field a top priority. We encourage youth track clubs and programs from all areas of the United States to apply for financial assistance.Examples of allowable expenses are as follows: equipment, uniforms, meet fees, travel, facility rental, staff and volunteer training and outreach.  

The USA Track & Field Foundation was established in 2002. Our Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs, with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth and elite athletes.

Mission: 

To support the development of emerging elite athletes, while fostering integration within the broader track & field community. To facilitate the physical, educational, social and character development of youth track & field athletes and to help prepare them to mature and succeed in adult life.About USATF Maternity GrantTo be considered for a USATF Foundation Maternity Grant, please begin by filling out the Elite Grant Application. Our Maternity Grant Committee will utilize the application information to consider your grant request. In addition to the Elite Grant Application please send along a formal letter for the committee to review. USATF Foundation is accepting formal letters of request for funding throughout the year. The Maternity Grant committee will consider and award grants on a quarterly basis dependent on available funding.

Please include in your letter:

• A detailed description of your current situation (expecting or recovering from childbirth)
• Timeline including estimated due date and estimated time frame when your training became affected by pregnancy
• Include your intentions and plans for after child birth
• List your most recent competition date where you were in peak form and the time / mark of the performance
• Were you ever ranked in the top 20 in the US or top 50 in the world within the 2 years before you became pregnant? If yes, please list the ranking, month/year and by what source.
• How Foundation funding would benefit you personally and in your track & field/running career.

The Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) program by the NSF aims to support transformative research in wave-based computing, fostering significant advancements in foundational engineering knowledge. With funding opportunities including EAGER awards and four-year grants up to $2 million, EFRI-WBC encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches to address strategic technology priorities. Proposals should articulate their potential long-term impacts on national science and technology missions, promoting a new era in computing methodologies.

The NSF MPS Chemistry Research Programs support groundbreaking research in chemical sciences, encompassing areas such as chemical catalysis, measurement, imaging, and theory. This initiative encourages innovative proposals that can lead to transformative advancements, without the necessity of immediate commercial applications. Researchers interested in exploring foundational concepts that could shape the future of chemistry are invited to submit their ideas for funding.

The National Science Foundation's Engineering Directorate (NSF ENG) promotes groundbreaking research in chemical, bioengineering, energy, and transport systems. Key programs include Chemical Process Systems, Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems, Energy, Water, and Resource Engineering, and Transport Phenomena. NSF ENG seeks innovative, transformative proposals that push the boundaries of foundational research, regardless of immediate commercial applications, and emphasizes diverse funding opportunities based on availability.

The MPS Materials Research Programs, funded by the National Science Foundation, aim to enhance the understanding of materials and their diverse applications. These programs cover areas such as biomaterials, ceramics, condensed matter physics, and electronic materials. With an emphasis on transformative research, NSF MPS encourages proposals that are innovative and foundational, without the necessity for immediate commercial outcomes, fostering long-term advancements in materials science.

The BJA FY 2026 Kevin and Avonte Program aims to reduce the injuries and fatalities of individuals with dementia and developmental disabilities who wander from safe environments. This funding opportunity supports law enforcement and public safety agencies in implementing locative technologies to track missing individuals and develop programs that enhance safety and facilitate rescues, ultimately ensuring the well-being of vulnerable populations.

The Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance, funded by the Agricultural Marketing Service, aim to support eligible organizations in enhancing cold storage capabilities within the food supply chain. This initiative focuses on providing essential nutrition assistance to low-income individuals through subawards to food banks and nonprofit organizations. By investing in cold storage equipment, the program seeks to improve the management and distribution of food resources, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive adequate support.

The BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act aims to enhance education and employment opportunities for adults and youth transitioning from incarceration. By funding state, local, and tribal governments, as well as community organizations, this initiative seeks to improve academic and vocational training in prisons. The program focuses on developing marketable skills, leveraging technology, and aligning with local job markets to foster job readiness, improve employment outcomes, and reduce recidivism.

The BJA FY 2026 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Site-Based Program aims to combat the rising crisis of substance use and overdose deaths. This funding opportunity supports state, local, territorial, and tribal governments in implementing comprehensive responses, including law enforcement initiatives, prevention programs, and recovery services. Applications are due by October 1, 2026, providing a crucial chance to enhance community safety and health through targeted interventions.

The BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Family-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program aims to provide essential treatment and recovery support services for parents with substance use disorders (SUD) who have minor children or are pregnant. Eligible applicants include state, local, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations, which can apply for funding to implement family-based programs in various settings. This initiative seeks to reduce recidivism and enhance reentry outcomes for both parents and their children.

The ONR FY27 Young Investigator Program invites cutting-edge research proposals in priority areas that align with the interests of ONR Program Officers. This federal funding opportunity aims to support innovative projects led by early-career researchers, fostering advancements in science and technology relevant to the Navy. Interested applicants can find detailed eligibility criteria and contact information on the ONR website, encouraging collaboration and engagement in impactful research.

The BJA FY 2026 Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative aims to support law enforcement agencies in establishing and expanding Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs). This initiative encourages interagency collaboration for the effective management and analysis of crime gun evidence, enhancing the ability to swiftly identify crime guns and their sources. In partnership with the ATF, this program seeks to reduce firearm-related crime and improve prosecution outcomes.

The Surveillance and Case Control Study of Stillbirth and Birth Defects (SUCCSSBD) aims to enhance the quality of birth defects and stillbirth surveillance in the U.S. By modernizing data collection through electronic case reporting, the initiative seeks to improve data quality and timeliness. The study will focus on identifying risk factors for birth defects and stillbirths, addressing a significant public health issue that affects thousands of pregnancies annually. CDC funding will support three key components in this effort.

The Preventing Violence Affecting Young Lives (PREVAYL 2.0) initiative aims to provide multiyear funding for state and local health departments to implement violence prevention strategies for adolescents and young adults. Key focuses include enhancing data-driven decision-making, building capacity for evidence-based strategies, integrating youth mental health support, fostering multisector collaborations, and prioritizing the prevention of various forms of violence, ensuring comprehensive support for youth development.

Greater Toledo Community Foundation

Greater Toledo Community Foundation transforms generosity into lasting impact. With over $510 million in assets across 1,000+ funds, we've granted more than $370 million to strengthen education, health, arts, and social services throughout our region.

We connect donors with causes they care about while bringing together leaders, organizations, and resources to tackle our community's biggest challenges. What began with Walter E. Terhune's vision in the 1920s continues today as we help individuals, families, and businesses create positive change that will benefit our region for generations.

Healthy Aging Fund

The Community Foundation is funding programs that help older adults (60+) stay healthy, connected and independent.

This initiative follows the Ohio Department of Aging's State Plan, shaped with input from the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio. Priorities of the plan include cognitive health, chronic disease reduction, mental health, social inclusion, and nutrition access, plus engagement opportunities, physical activity, and preventive screenings. The plan is built on research and input from content-area experts.

The Foundation’s Focus

The Healthy Aging Fund is seeking proposals aligned with the State Plan and the Community Foundation's place-based priorities: programs that promote physical and mental health, reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections for older adults.

The Community Foundation seeks to identify collaborative approaches that work well enough to scale. This is a chance for northwest Ohio providers to test new approaches and collaborations: the kind with real potential to increase impact for participants and move the needle on broader community goals.

Funding Priorities

• Multiple partners with complementary expertise, prioritizing diversity of resources across agencies
• Programs delivered through or including senior centers, community centers or long-term care facilities
• Diverse programming that reaches more participants
• Accommodations for specific needs — memory care, vision loss, etc.
• An educational component

The Community Foundation is seeking cross-agency partnerships that expand access to diverse programming and have real potential to scale. Available for projects up to two years. See more in the Grant Guidelines. 

PetSmart Charities

We’re proud to celebrate over 30 years of being the leading funder of animal welfare in communities across North America. Since 1994, we’ve granted over $600 million to change-making organizations that help transform the lives of pets and those who love them.

Our Mission: We make the world a better place for pets by investing in community partners that advocate and care for the well-being of pets and all who love them.

Adoption Growth Grants 

Purpose

Adoption Growth grants drive lifesaving outcomes by supporting successful, sustainable in-store adoption programs, events, and results in partnership with PetSmart stores.

Funding Support

Funding may be used for costs associated with building or enhancing your organization’s adoption program in partnership with PetSmart stores, including:

• Staff positions supporting in-store adoption programs and events.
• Marketing and advertising for in-store adoption programs.
• Volunteer or foster support, incentives, and recruitment related to in-store adoption events.
• Event supplies, including containment and enrichment materials.
• Shelter software and technology needs.
• Vehicle repairs or transportation to adoption events.
• Innovative in-store adoption ideas and pilot programs.
• Other costs directly associated with facilitating PetSmart adoptions and in-store events.

There are two Cohorts under this funding: Cohort 1-  Accelerating in-store adoptions; and Cohort 2: Capacity Building.

Cohort 1- Accelerating in-store Adoptions

Applicants must have completed 500 or more adoptions in a PetSmart store in the U.S. within the last 12 months.

Preference will be given to organizations that demonstrate a clear plan to expand an existing in-store adoption program or introduce new in-store adoption models that will increase adoptions.

Four Required Steps

Applicants must complete all four required steps below before submitting a grant application:

• Step 1 - Watch the kick-off video and complete the Adoption Accessibility Questionnaire
• Step 2 - Confirm eligibility and connect with your Adoptions Grant Manager: After completing the questionnaire, you will receive an email confirming your eligibility. Eligible partners will be invited to a call with their Adoptions Grant Manager to discuss the grant opportunity, expectations, and potential fit.
• Step 3 - Engage your PetSmart store partners: Discuss your intent to apply, align on goals, and gain their commitment to support the success of your in-store adoption program.
• Step 4-  Submit your application.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA: Capital Improvement Grants

Any request to support a project that seeks to improve a facility is considered a capital improvement. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Range improvements
• Berm improvements
• Clubhouse/Classroom facility improvements
• Shelter structures/covered firing lines/pavilions
• Road improvements
• Commercial-grade trap machines (see section regarding trap machines, below)
• Any other permanent improvement to an organization’s property or facility

The Grant Program considers requests for certain trap machines to be a capital improvement to the facility. Specifically, requests for commercial grade trap machines that have a capacity of 300 clays and up.

PetSmart Charities

We’re proud to celebrate over 30 years of being the leading funder of animal welfare in communities across North America. Since 1994, we’ve granted over $600 million to change-making organizations that help transform the lives of pets and those who love them.

Our Mission: We make the world a better place for pets by investing in community partners that advocate and care for the well-being of pets and all who love them.

Adoption Growth Grants 

Purpose

Adoption Growth grants drive lifesaving outcomes by supporting successful, sustainable in-store adoption programs, events, and results in partnership with PetSmart stores.

Funding Support

Funding may be used for costs associated with building or enhancing your organization’s adoption program in partnership with PetSmart stores, including:

• Staff positions supporting in-store adoption programs and events.
• Marketing and advertising for in-store adoption programs.
• Volunteer or foster support, incentives, and recruitment related to in-store adoption events.
• Event supplies, including containment and enrichment materials.
• Shelter software and technology needs.
• Vehicle repairs or transportation to adoption events.
• Innovative in-store adoption ideas and pilot programs.
• Other costs directly associated with facilitating PetSmart adoptions and in-store events.

There are two Cohorts under this funding: Cohort 1-  Accelerating in-store adoptions; and Cohort 2: Capacity Building.

Cohort 2: Capacity Building

Applicants must have completed at least one adoption in a PetSmart store within the last 12 months.

Preference will be given to organizations seeking to build a consistent, sustainable in-store adoption program. Applications should include a clear plan, with examples, for sustaining the program over time.

Four Required Steps

Applicants must complete all four required steps below before submitting a grant application:

• Step 1 - Watch the kick-off video and complete the Adoption Accessibility Questionnaire
• Step 2 - Confirm eligibility and connect with your Adoptions Grant Manager: After completing the questionnaire, you will receive an email confirming your eligibility. Eligible partners will be invited to a call with their Adoptions Grant Manager to discuss the grant opportunity, expectations, and potential fit.
• Step 3 - Engage your PetSmart store partners: Discuss your intent to apply, align on goals, and gain their commitment to support the success of your in-store adoption program.
• Step 4-  Submit your application.

Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, N.A

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact.

The Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, N.A. is committed to supporting programs and initiatives that create strong, vibrant communities and provide pathways to opportunity. The Foundation Office administers Private Family Foundations that leave a lasting legacy. We review grant requests for private family foundations for which Fifth Third Bank serves as trustee or agent. Grants for programming in education, the arts, community development, and health and human services are considered, in addition to the specific funding interests originally identified by each of the individual donors. Our goal is to make the grant-making process as smooth and easy as possible.

Jacob G. Schmidlapp Fund

Jacob Schmidlapp founded one of Fifth Third’s most important origin banks, the Union Savings Bank and Trust Co., in 1890 and served as its president until 1907. Regarded by many as one of the greatest philanthropists in Cincinnati’s history, he committed himself to improving the lives of others.

In the last 40 years alone, the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts and the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund have benefited our region through more than $120 million dollars in giving. The Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts have funded countless programs and organizations aligned with improving and promoting education, caring for children and those in need, and improving health and living conditions. Among those organizations is Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

The Jacob G. Schmidlapp Fund supports charitable or educational purposes; for relief in sickness, suffering and distress; for the care of young children, the aged or the helpless or afflicted; for the promotion of education and to improve living conditions. 

About Us

For over three decades, the Hamilton Education Foundation (HEF) has been sparking innovation and expanding horizons within our classrooms. Since 1991, this community-powered non-profit has channeled more than $2.5 million from passionate individuals, local businesses, and forward-thinking organizations directly into the hands of Hamilton’s students and teachers. 

By funding transformative workshops, creative projects, and classroom grants, HEF doesn't just support education—it inspires students to dream bigger, rewards academic excellence, and builds a stronger, more vibrant community.

Our Vision

The vision of the Hamilton Education Foundation is to assist in achieving creative and academic excellence for the 21st Century through funding activities and projects for students and educators in the Hamilton School District.

Our Mission

Our mission, in partnership with the community, is to fund, Enhanced, Extended, and Enriched learning opportunities for students and educators in the Hamilton School District.

Teacher Grants

Educator Enrichment Grant

The Educator Enrichment Grant funds teacher participation in off-campus professional development, including seminars, workshops, conferences, and externships. 

Union County Foundation

For more than three decades, the Union County Foundation has been dedicated to serving the Union County, Ohio community as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to assist individuals and organizations with the accumulation, investment, and distribution of charitable dollars. We believe in enhancing the quality of life for all the citizens of Union County by promoting and facilitating charitable giving. Together, we can create a positive and lasting impact that will benefit our community for generations to come. Join us in our mission and be a part of something truly meaningful.

John & Kandy Taylor College Expenses Grant

This program was established in 2019, to honor the memory of John and Kandy  Taylor. They were both strong supporters of helping the Union County community and higher education.

This grant awards one student recipient per academic school year (Autumn through Summer semester). The recipient would be reimbursed for school-related purchases (i.e. textbooks, classroom materials, supplies) each semester, for a combined total of up to $200.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association

The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association provides the best way for practitioners to give back to the Federal legal community. Chartered by Congress in 1954, the Foundation serves people in communities across the United States through its generous grants, scholarships, and programming.

Our Mission: The Foundation’s mission is to:

• Promote and support legal research and education;
• Advance the science of jurisprudence;
• Facilitate the administration of justice;
• Foster improvements in the practice of Federal law

Foundation Grants

Foundation grants support community service projects and civics programs which comply with the Foundation’s mission to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law.

Pathways to the Profession Grant

The Pathways to the Profession Grant Program is designed to support educational, community service, or outreach projects and initiatives that support pathway programs and events that encourage high school, college and law school students, and newer lawyers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue and succeed in a legal career through educational, networking, mentorship programs and other opportunities. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity) and other organizations to develop and support projects that make a lasting impact on their communities.

Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.

About

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Rett Syndrome (RS) Fund

Help with healthcare costs for Rett syndrome.

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses. Check your eligibility with our quick and easy tools below. If this fund is open, apply today for an instant approval decision and use your grant funding right away

About the disease

Rett syndrome (RS or RTT) is a rare, genetic neurological disorder that causes a loss of motor and spoken language skills, as well as other physical and neurologic impairments early in life.

Diagnosis codes

F84.2

The Pulmonary Hypertension Fund, supported by the Patient Advocate Foundation, offers financial assistance for patients dealing with pulmonary hypertension. This fund covers essential healthcare costs, including medication copays and health insurance premiums. Patients must meet specific eligibility criteria, such as having a confirmed diagnosis and appropriate health insurance. Since 1996, the foundation has empowered millions to navigate healthcare challenges, ensuring they receive the care they need without financial burden.