Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Ohio

TE Connectivity's Community Ambassador Program supports meaningful community impact by providing grants to registered nonprofits and educational institutions. This initiative evaluates proposals based on alignment with TE's values, community focus areas like education or health services, and opportunities for employee engagement. The program operates both in the US and internationally, with numerous ambassador locations, aiming to foster community development and engagement around the globe.

Our Mission

KidsGardening creates opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder.

We want every child to experience the unique transformation that occurs when they spend time caring for a garden, be it outside, in a classroom, or in a cup on the kitchen windowsill. Since 1982, KidsGardening has served as a premier support provider for youth garden programs nationwide.

We support educators and families with grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant

In celebration of Miracle-Gro’s 75th anniversary, Miracle-Gro and KidsGardening are partnering to fund 75 intergenerational youth garden grants in 2026.

Intergenerational gardens provide opportunities for older gardeners to pass along traditions, knowledge, and skills to the next generation or share the experience of developing skills if new to gardening. In turn, young people bring their curiosity, wonder, and contagious enthusiasm for learning and life, exciting everyone involved in the growing process.

The 2026 Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant is designed to support gardens that intentionally bring children and older adults together through shared gardening experiences.

Funding Priorities

The selection of winners is prioritized based on demonstrated need and program impact. KidsGardening considers a variety of factors when determining needs, including:

• Socioeconomic & Sociodemographic Factors: How does the program exist within or engage a community that has been systematically denied resources, whether physical assets and money or representative leadership and community services? Organizations affected by multiple socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors are given priority.

• Program Funding and Support: Does an organization have access to consistent, substantial monetary support or prior grant funding? Or are pre-existing resources (financial or otherwise) limited? Organizations experiencing the latter are given priority.

• Impact: Will grant funding dramatically expand learning opportunities for program participants? Does the intended impact reflect the needs of the community? Organizations working with more than 50 youth will be given priority.

Award Packages

Grantees will receive:

• A $500 cash award check
• A $250 coupon to purchase essential gardening supplies from ScottsMiracleGro.com

The Burton and Erma Lewis Structural Engineering Scholarship, established by the estate of Mr. Lewis in 2025, aims to support students pursuing degrees in structural engineering. Awarded annually, the scholarship is available to undergraduate students enrolled in ABET-accredited programs who demonstrate a commitment to the field. Recipients can use the funds for tuition and academic fees, facilitating their education and career development in civil engineering.

The ACI Foundation's Tribute to the Founders Fellowship supports graduate students in construction, design, education, or materials. Awardees receive a $10,000 educational stipend, recognition in Concrete International magazine, and travel expenses to two ACI conventions. This fellowship aims to foster the next generation of concrete industry leaders through education and mentorship, while also encouraging personal development and career readiness through a structured internship program.

The Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund Grant, administered by the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, provides essential funding for nonprofit and public organizations in Appalachian Ohio. With a focus on enhancing quality of life through education, community leadership, and basic needs fulfillment, this fund supports collaborative projects across 32 counties. Thanks to contributions like the $10,000 from Columbia Gas of Ohio, the fund aims to make a lasting impact in the region, fostering growth and development.

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Theresa Earenfight Scholarship

The purpose of the Theresa Earenfight Scholarship is to support undergrad or graduate students who are passionate about the intersection of social justice and animal welfare within a historical context. Applicants should be studying history, in particular how history intersects with animal activism, animal rights, animal liberation, and other related topics. Preference will be given to students with strong financial need, students of color and those from historically marginalized communities, and/or students who may face barriers to receiving other scholarships. This is a $10,000 annual scholarship renewable through the completion of the student’s degree, assuming the student continues to meet the eligibility criteria. The scholarship may be applied to tuition and fees, or other academic expenses payable to the college or university.

The AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science recognizes outstanding early-career scientists and engineers for their significant contributions to public engagement in science. Established in 2010, the award includes a $5,000 prize, a plaque, and recognition at the AAAS Annual Meeting. Eligible nominees must be actively conducting research in STEM fields and demonstrate engagement beyond their job responsibilities, with one awardee chosen annually.

The Robert B. B. and Josephine N. Moorman Scholarship, established in 2008 by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), provides financial support for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in civil engineering or related fields. This scholarship honors Robert B.B. Moorman, a dedicated civil engineering professor. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an ABET-accredited program and maintain good standing with ASCE. This award aims to alleviate tuition costs for deserving students committed to the civil engineering profession.

The ASTRO-AAPM Physics Resident/Post-Doctoral Fellow Seed Grant supports early-career scientists in radiation oncology physics research. Jointly funded by AAPM and ASTRO, this grant aims to foster innovation in the field, with up to two awards of $50,000 each available. Eligible applicants include medical physics residents and post-doctoral fellows who are active members of ASTRO and AAPM. This initiative strives to enhance the next generation of researchers, ensuring a commitment to advancing radiation oncology.

About Us

Established in 1918, The Youngstown Foundation is a place of connection, where generosity and community action meet to create powerful improvements on the quality of life. We connect inspired people to causes they care about most, make grants to strengthen effective nonprofits, and provide leadership on key community issues to make the city of Youngstown and its surrounding areas better places.

Our resources comprise endowment and donor advised funds contributed by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and a deep commitment to the Mahoning Valley. The Youngstown Foundation currently manages more than 80 individual funds and has assets of $130 million.

Grant Opportunities

What We Fund

The Youngstown Foundation’s grants reflect our desire to be innovative, inclusive and responsive to the needs of our local community. The foundation's Distribution Committee approves all grant awards.

All projects related to improving physical spaces must be located within Mahoning and/or Trumbull counties.

The Lawrence W. & Francis W. Cox Scholarship, established by Mrs. Wahneta T. Hinrichs in 2008, honors the legacy of her husband and father-in-law. This scholarship is awarded annually to one undergraduate civil engineering student enrolled in an ABET-accredited program. It aims to support students with tuition expenses, furthering their education in civil engineering disciplines, thus contributing to the profession's growth and sustainability.

The AOAP Swim Lesson Grant aims to enhance drowning prevention by providing financial support to aquatic facilities for swim lessons and life jackets. With a minimum allocation of $10,000 annually, the program seeks to offer at least 100 free lessons to low-income participants and distribute 500 life jackets each year. It encourages non-profit organizations to apply, ensuring a focus on education and safety in aquatic environments. This grant represents a significant step towards making swimming accessible and safe for all.

The Sharing Language Diversity Fellowship supports Ph.D. students engaged in Indigenous language documentation and data archiving. Funded by the Endangered Language Fund, it encourages sustainable public sharing of linguistic materials, aiming for equitable access to research. With grants up to $30,000, recipients must publicly archive documentation materials within three years, ensuring compliance with community wishes and best practices. This initiative fosters a culture of Open Access in linguistics, benefiting both scholars and Indigenous communities.

The Eugene C. Figg, Jr. Civil Engineering Scholarship, established by Figg Engineering Group in 2002, honors the legacy of Gene Figg, who was renowned for his artistic bridge designs. This scholarship aims to support undergraduate civil engineering students with a passion for bridge design and construction, facilitating their education in an ABET-accredited program. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens and Student Members of the American Society of Civil Engineers in good standing.

The Bee a Rae of Sunshine Foundation – MaKenzi Rae Cash Memorial Animal Compassion Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Carroll County, aims to support students dedicated to animal welfare. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors from Carroll County, Maryland, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 125 service hours. This scholarship reflects MaKenzi Rae Cash's love for animals and her commitment to kindness and anti-bullying advocacy.

About Us

Mission and Vision

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

Beck - O.J. Beck, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Purpose:

Established in memory of O.J. (Junior) Beck, Jr., a respected general contractor and builder in the Coastal Bend with a reputation for attention to his projects and friendly relations with owners. He served his community as a member, director, vice president and president of the South Texas Chapter of the Association of General Contractors, the Business Development Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Ada Wilson Hospital, United Way, YWCA and many other organizations. He came to an untimely death on April 15, 1982.

The B. Charles Tiney Memorial ASCE Student Chapter Scholarship, established in 1980 by Mrs. Hazel M. Tiney, provides financial support to deserving undergraduate civil engineering students. This scholarship aims to assist with tuition expenses for those enrolled in ABET-accredited programs. Recipients are chosen based on their commitment to the civil engineering field and must be members in good standing of the American Society of Civil Engineers and their respective student chapters.

The CFA Ministry Grants Initiative, part of the Kentucky Conference's mission, supports local churches in developing ministries focused on stewardship, technology, and leadership development. Eligible churches can apply for grants up to $500, with each church allowed to submit two applications annually. This initiative aims to foster generosity and enhance church leadership, providing essential resources to help congregations grow and effectively fulfill their mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our Club

Club 17 Description

The Rotary Club of Cincinnati is the preeminent professional service organization for men and women. Club 17’s service to others focuses on children with disabilities in the Tri-state area through its partnerships with Stepping Stones/Camp Allyn, the Roselawn Condon School and other outreach efforts. The Rotary Club of Cincinnati also supports the global effort to eradicate polio worldwide through Rotary International’s End Polio Now program. We are the 17th oldest Rotary Club worldwide (formed in 1910) and have over 300 members.

A second century of engaged leaders making an impact on our club, community, and the world.

Providing selfless service in the community and the world through involved and engaged members.

Grants

The Rotary Foundation of Cincinnati provides the funding and resources necessary to support the diverse humanitarian efforts of The Rotary Club of Cincinnati. Its primary goal is to support children, particularly those whose future development is impaired by physical, cultural, emotional, financial and social obstacles. To accomplish this goal, The Rotary Foundation of Cincinnati actively solicits and awards grants to non-profit organizations.

The Survivor Fellowship Program for Students, initiated by Everytown for Gun Safety in 2015, empowers individuals directly affected by gun violence. This year-long volunteer advocacy training helps survivors share their narratives, fostering awareness and mobilizing communities to combat gun violence. Participants must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in an educational institution, with a personal connection to gun violence, ensuring diverse experiences are represented in this impactful initiative.

The AOAP Life Jacket Grant supports aquatic facilities in drowning prevention by offering funds for swim lessons and life jackets. Administered by the Association of Aquatic Professionals, the program aims to provide at least 100 free lessons and distribute 500 life jackets annually. This initiative promotes safety education and awareness of life jacket usage, ensuring that underserved communities have access to vital water safety resources. Applications are open to AOAP members meeting eligibility criteria.

About GCAC

The Greater Columbus Arts Council supports artists and arts organizations through a spectrum of grant programs, workshops, networking events and services. GCAC also shares a host of resources such as calls for artists, job opportunities, nonprofit board openings and listings of spaces for rent. Subscribe to our newsletters to stay up-to-date on GCAC grant deadlines, workshops and events.

GCAC provides marketing services that support artists and organizations through the ColumbusMakesArt.com event calendar, Artist Directory, and Public Art Database. We also produce the annual Big Arts Night recognizing business and individual contributions to the community and the Columbus Arts Festival, the city’s welcome to summer event that takes place each June.

The Greater Columbus Film Commission (Film Columbus) is a division of GCAC that aims to grow the film industry in Columbus and central Ohio by creating jobs and providing significant economic impact for the area. Film Columbus strives to build Columbus as a top city for film education, exhibition, and production by supporting filmmakers and the film industry by offering a range of services—including the only local incentive in Ohio, grants, and resources—to encourage film and media projects in our city. For more information, visit filmcolumbus.com.

GCAC programming provides access to the arts for people of all cultural backgrounds, economic status, sexual orientation, age and physical ability and ensures broad public access to the arts. Supporting Columbus artists, and arts and culture organizations enhances the cultural image of the Greater Columbus area.

Cultural Festival Funding Awards

Purpose:

To provide funding for pre-existing cultural festivals that primarily reach or represent immigrant, refugee, and New American communities through presentation of the arts and cultural heritage traditions.

Description:

Cultural festivals with a primary focus on presenting the arts (including dance, fashion, film, literary, music, theater and visual arts) that present cultural heritage traditions and primarily reach immigrant, refugee, and new American audiences, may make an annual request for Cultural Festival Funding of $3,500 from GCAC. Applicants who would like to be considered for more than $3,500 should apply for Project Support, which follows a scored, competitive funding process. Applicants may receive EITHER Project Support OR Cultural Festival Funding; organizations cannot receive both awards in the same calendar year.

Festival programming may:

• Reflect customs and art forms that are passed down through generations.
• Include traditional music, dance, food and crafts.
• Honor symbolic and/or ritualistic ceremonies.
• Observe natural events with cultural significance.

The NASA ROSES 2025: A.18 Geosphere program provides funding for research on solid-Earth processes across various scales. It aims to enhance understanding of the Earth's structure and dynamics, particularly in the core, mantle, and lithosphere. Key areas of focus include Earth Surface Properties, Crustal Dynamics, and Earth Interior. This initiative supports advancements in managing natural resources, assessing geohazards, and exploring the forces driving plate tectonics, ultimately contributing to improved hazard forecasting and mitigation strategies.

NRA Range Grant Program

General Provisions

The following guidelines govern the award of all grants made under the auspices of the NRA Range Grant Program. Please read this entire document prior to completing a grant application. The NRA Range Grant Program was established in September 2000 by a resolution of the NRA Board of Directors. This resolution also dissolved a separate account established by the Board of Directors known as the Range Loan Fund. A portion of the endowment's earnings are used to award grants for purposes consistent with the endowment's objectives. The amount distributed annually is limited to the lesser of the endowment's prior year's net earnings or 5% of the endowment's fair value as of December 31 of the previous year. Range Grant funds are made available at the NRA's sole discretion to qualifying NRA-affiliated clubs and associations by approval of the Range Development Committee - a standing committee of the NRA Board of Directors.

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.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation: Union County Fund Hometown Community Garden & Greenspace Grants

Description

Residing in the Marysville community since 1868, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is deeply rooted in Union County. The corporate headquarters sits only a few miles from where the company was founded 150 years ago. Scotts Miracle-Gro has progressed from a small seed company to a leading lawn and garden care company, and it is proud to call Marysville its home.

To promote the development and maintenance of thriving community gardens and greenspaces in its hometown of Union County, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Fund offers an annual grant program to fund public greenscapes.

Applicants may request support for projects such as, but not limited to:

• Community gardens
• School gardens
• Athletic field refurbishments
• Beautification efforts
• Park restorations
• Therapeutic gardens
• Pollinator gardens
• Container gardens

Successful projects should involve neighborhood residents, demonstrate positive measurable outcomes, and meet stated objectives. Applicants will be notified by the end of December regarding the status of their application.

The AWG Mid-Career Excellence Award honors outstanding mid-career women scientists contributing significantly to geosciences. It recognizes achievements across academia, industry, and government, with nominees evaluated on their scientific impact and community service. This prestigious award encourages nominations from the AWG membership and the broader geoscience community, fostering recognition of women's vital contributions in the field. With a commitment to diversity, the award aims to inspire future generations of women in geoscience careers.

Ann Query Scholarship

Graduating senior who attends public, private, or home school and resides in the Zeeland Public School District area (student does not have to attend Zeeland Public Schools to be eligible)