Best Grants for Museums in Ohio

Notice of Funds Available (RFP): Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council

12EC06QU26: Executive Committee Discretionary Fund

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council wishes to support one-time initiatives, not otherwise included in the state plan. These grants are intended to address the needs of people with intellectual or other developmental disabilities and their families – specifically those traditionally un/underserved and are limited to $5000 dollars or less.

Activities must include programming targeting at least one DD Council State Plan goal. These goals are:

• People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are provided services and supports by direct support professionals that are knowledgeable, trained and supported.
• All children, youth, and students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, aged birth to 21 years, will receive individualized, evidence-based supports and services in inclusive settings that will help them attain their maximum potential, including extra-curricular activities.
• Provide a broad range of leadership development opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, their family members and allies. Offer a variety of opportunities to develop the skills needed to become leaders in the disability movement.
• People with disabilities and their families will have increased access to services that promote leadership, accessibility, safety, independence, outreach, equality, inclusion, health, work opportunities, and community.

*Un/Underserved means people with developmental disabilities from:

• Racial and ethnic minority backgrounds
• Disadvantaged people (those living in poverty)
• People who use English as a second language
• Individuals in underserved geographic areas (rural areas and urban areas)
• Other groups within the population of people with DD
• People who required technology to participate in and contribute to community life

The Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform Grant by The Joyce Foundation aims to create safer communities in the Great Lakes region. It focuses on reducing gun violence, addressing racial disparities in the justice system, and promoting violence intervention strategies. The foundation invites innovative proposals that support these goals, emphasizing research, policy advocacy, and community engagement to effectively address the challenges of gun violence and promote racial equity.

Stark Community FoundationStark 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. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.The YWCA of Massillon Scholarship FundThe YWCA of Massillon Scholarship Fund assists female residents of western Stark County enrolled at an Ohio college or trade school. Applicant must have achieved a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need.Renewable Scholarship: Yes 

The Joyce Foundation's Democracy Grants aim to enhance participation and representation in the electoral process across the Great Lakes region. With a focus on combating voter suppression, gerrymandering, and disinformation, the Foundation supports policy changes that protect voting rights and ensure fair representation. Through public engagement and litigation, it seeks to empower communities of color and young voters, fostering a more equitable democracy for all residents.

The Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, addresses abandoned mine lands in Appalachia. This initiative provides crucial funding for reclamation efforts that promote both environmental restoration and local economic development. Since 2017, Ohio has received over $100 million to revitalize communities affected by mining. The program targets areas with significant unfunded AML issues, fostering sustainable growth and enhancing community well-being.

The Natural Areas Research Grant - Allison Cusick and Daniel Rice Research Grant Program, managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, aims to support research that enhances understanding and conservation of Ohio’s biological resources, including plants, animals, and fungi. Named after key contributors to Ohio's ecological knowledge, this program funds projects that align with its mission to preserve natural heritage. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible individuals and organizations.

The Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions is committed to supporting financial literacy for children, young adults, and adults within Ohio through the Financial Literacy Grant Program.  The fund will award grants to programs focused on providing the knowledge and skills needed to develop and integrate personal financial literacy whether virtually and/or in-person. 

The Ohio History Fund offers competitive matching grants for history-related projects, supporting nonprofit organizations and local government entities in Ohio. With a focus on organizational development, grants range from $1,000 to $4,000 and require a 60/40 match. Since 2013, the fund has awarded over $1 million to enhance community history initiatives, demonstrating a significant demand for support in preserving Ohio's rich heritage.

The Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarships, offered by the Pacific Dental Services Foundation, provide financial aid of up to $5,000 for eligible dental assistant students. Applicants must be over 18, U.S. citizens or legal residents, and enrolled in a qualifying program. The scholarship emphasizes mentorship and training, supporting the next generation of dental assistants. Awards are based on financial need and application quality, with multiple cycles each year to support aspiring professionals.

The Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Bryan A. Champion, a dedicated nurseryman and leader in the landscape industry. Established by his peers, this scholarship aims to support deserving horticultural students who demonstrate a passion for the field. Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited program, maintain good academic standing, and have a minimum GPA. Preference is given to those intending to work in the green industry after graduation.

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 Margaret S. Gilbert Scholarship Fund

The Margaret S. Gilbert Scholarship Fund was established to assist Stark County public high school female graduates, who attend or will attend, Oberlin College and major in one of the sciences, mathematics or history.

This scholarship is renewable.

The Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant supports entry-level athletics administrative positions for one academic year, promoting diversity in NCAA Division II. It provides $30,000 for intern salaries and $3,000 for professional development, benefiting six schools annually from a total budget of $180,000. Eligible applicants must be active NCAA members, with a focus on enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in athletics administration. This initiative encourages professional growth and compliance in diverse environments.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Area Auxiliary Scholarship

The eldest of the scholarship funds at Marion Community Foundation, the Marion Area Auxiliary Scholarship was created in 2000 to support careers in medicine, in keeping with the earliest goals of the Foundation.

Marion Community Foundation was created in 1998 from the Mary Elizabeth Smith Foundation and sale of the assets of the former MedCenter Hospital. Supporting health care access and services and careers in medicine are long-standing goals of the Foundation.

This scholarship makes awards to Marion County students who score in the upper 50 percent of the ACT or SAT and are pursuing an education in health care or medical sciences.

The Ohio History Fund Grants: Bricks & Mortar Grant supports history-related projects through competitive matching funds. Eligible applicants include Ohio-based nonprofits and government entities, aiming to preserve historical properties and sites. Grants range from $2,000 to $20,000 with a 60/40 match requirement. Since 2013, over $1 million has been awarded across the state, highlighting significant community interest and need for historical preservation funding.

The Ohio History Fund Grants support history-related projects through a competitive matching grant program. Non-profit organizations and local government entities in Ohio can apply for funding ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. Eligible projects include public programs, exhibits, and conservation efforts. The grant covers 60% of total costs, with a 2-year project length. This initiative aims to enhance community engagement and preserve Ohio's rich history, showcasing the importance of local heritage.

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) provides a structured archery curriculum for students in Ohio, fostering skills in archery while promoting self-esteem and discipline. The program, backed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, offers grants up to $2,500 to certified schools, ensuring access to necessary training and equipment. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, NASP engages students across various backgrounds, enhancing their physical education experience and encouraging lifelong participation in archery.

The American Honda Foundation provides programmatic support to nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S., empowering impactful initiatives aligned with community needs. Funding opportunities are available through Honda corporate and Honda USA Foundation, focusing on projects that enhance education and community welfare. Eligible organizations must have nonprofit status or be recognized educational institutions. The application process opens each fall, with funding decisions announced the following spring, ensuring alignment with Honda's commitment to social responsibility.

The AdvoCare Foundation, established in 1993, aims to promote health and wellness for children through its grant program. Focused on year-round initiatives, the foundation supports local communities where AdvoCare distributors operate. Grants typically last one year with an average funding of $25,000, although multi-year support may be available. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster positive health changes and encourages collaborative efforts with previous grantees.

All in Play: Empowering Inclusive Sports in K-12 Schools

Through the development of inclusive athletic programs in K–12 schools, this initiative empowers students with developmental disabilities—including those with severe disabilities—to actively participate in school sports by building the capacity of educators, coaches, and peers.

The project emphasizes a train-the-trainer model, equipping school staff and university partners with strategies to support students across the full spectrum of abilities. Special attention will be given to approaches that enable inclusion for students with significant support needs, ensuring that training covers adaptive techniques, individualized planning, and peer engagement strategies. 

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 Ohio Geology Student Research Grant Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, offers a $2,500 grant for the 2025–2026 academic year. This grant supports geology departments at Ohio colleges and universities, facilitating research in areas of geological interest across the state. Eligible candidates include both graduate and undergraduate students enrolled full-time. This program aims to enhance the understanding and management of Ohio's rich geological resources.

Homeless Crisis Response Program

The goal of the HCRP is to prevent individuals and families from experiencing homelessness and, when homelessness does occur, to provide for emergency shelter operations and to rapidly move persons from emergency shelter into permanent housing.

The HCRP is divided into two components: 1) emergency shelter operations; and 2) homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing activities. Funding is a formula-based model that promotes service coverage throughout the state.

Homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing activities are limited to households below 30% area median income (AMI). Both components are awarded on an allocation basis, assuming grantees meet performance standards.

Grant funds are awarded on a regional basis, requiring collaboration of all providers within the region to develop a single shelter diversion strategy, moving individual programs toward systems-level coordination. Funds are distributed by an allocation to ensure at least minimal access to assistance statewide.

Reducing Problem Gambling Harm on College Campuses RFA

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) releases this Request for Applications (RFA) for the purpose of soliciting applications to identify and support Ohio institutions of higher education (IHE) and coordinate with a non-profit organization and/or coalition to serve as a statewide partner in advancing collegiate gambling harm prevention and early intervention efforts across Ohio. Through this RFA, DBH seeks to expand the availability of evidence-informed prevention programming, strengthen campus capacity to recognize and respond to gambling related concerns, develop a coordinated network of IHEs committed to reducing gambling harm among students.

For the purpose of this RFA, the term “applicant” is defined as a state institution of higher education as defined by 3345.011 of the Ohio Revised Code or a nonprofit institution holding a certificate of authorization pursuant to Chapter 1713 of the Ohio Revised Code. The terms “application” and “response” may be used interchangeably to indicate materials submitted to DBH by an applicant in order to be considered for award of a grant for services described in this RFA. The terms “grantee” and “selected applicant” may be used interchangeably in reference to an organization selected by DBH through this RFA for award. DBH will award funding to only one applicant.

The DBH has released this RFA with the intent of awarding up to $500,000 in FY27 one eligible institution , which will in turn support this project.

The RTP Storybook Trail Grant, offered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, promotes outdoor exploration through children's literature. This federally funded reimbursement grant program provides up to 80% of project costs, with a total of $50,000 available specifically for Storybook Trails. Eligible projects include new trail construction, maintenance, and educational programs. Each applicant can request between $5,000 and $10,000, encouraging communities to create engaging reading experiences in natural settings.

The Expand Energy STEM Education Fund, managed by the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, supports K-12 STEM education in Belmont, Guernsey, and Monroe counties. This fund, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities, invites public school districts and educators to apply for grants of up to $1,000 for innovative STEM projects. Priority is given to local organizations, but those outside the region serving these counties can also apply. The initiative fosters a collaborative environment for improving educational outcomes in Appalachian 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 Lt. Colonel Robert G. Moreland Vocational/Technical Fund

The Lt. Col. Robert G. Moreland Vocational/Technical Fund assists students pursuing vocational or technical education or training in a school or college within the State of Ohio with training or education which will lead to an associate degree, certificate or diploma but not to a baccalaureate degree. 

This scholarship is renewable.