Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in Ohio

Cincinnati Bar Foundation

At the Cincinnati Bar Foundation, we believe that our community works better when people understand the law and have equal access to justice. Every day, we empower non-profits to help our legally vulnerable citizens because our community is stronger when we have confidence in our legal system.

Established in 1961 to fund educational and charitable programs to serve the legal profession, the justice system, and the community, grants are made twice a year.

Led by a volunteer board, we also oversee specific funds, scholarships, events and name a recipient of the John L. Muething Lifetime Achievement in Law award each fall.

Mission: Promoting Justice & Changing Lives Through the Law

John L. Muething Lifetime Achievement in Law Award

The Cincinnati Bar Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the John L. Muething Lifetime Achievement in Law Award. This award will be presented at the Senior Counselors' Luncheon in the fall. The Lifetime Achievement in Law Award is presented for 50 years of exemplary service as a lawyer. Members 75 and older are also eligible. Through his or her distinguished career, the honoree reflects the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession. We encourage you to nominate a colleague who is deserving of this prestigious award.

The Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation, established in 1999, aims to support charitable organizations in the Grand Traverse region. It honors the philanthropic legacy of Art and Mary Schmuckal, who dedicated their lives to community service. The foundation is managed by a volunteer board consisting of family members and friends, ensuring a commitment to wise stewardship of its resources. It welcomes applications from 501(c)(3) organizations throughout the year, focusing on making a meaningful impact in the community.

The UEF Grant Program, offered by the United Engineering Foundation, supports innovative projects that enhance the engineering profession and public welfare. With an annual budget of nearly $800,000, the program awards 5 to 10 grants each year. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Preference is given to interdisciplinary proposals that engage the community and integrate various engineering fields, fostering collaboration and addressing important societal issues.

Law School Admission Council Inc (LSAC) is committed to promoting access in legal education and the legal profession. LSAC will consider grant proposals from institutions for projects focused on one or more of our strategic goals.LSAC Outreach GrantsLSAC's Board of Trustees has made available funds to support cooperative outreach and applicant-pool expansion events. These grants are designed to encourage law schools to work together to promote legal education. At least three LSAC-member schools must work together on each event. Examples of eligible events include law fairs, conferences, workshops, or other events that are a combination of these types.

The Law School Admission Council, Inc. (“LSAC”) is committed to promoting access in legal education and the legal profession. The LSAC Pathway Grant (the “Grant”) program makes awards to nonprofit institutions for programming focused on one or more of the following strategic goals:

• Goal 1: Early Access/Outreach - Introducing the law and careers in law to students, particularly students facing access and opportunity barriers to information and education, before high school graduation
• Goal 2: Supporting Admissions - Ensuring all applicants, including applicants facing access and opportunity barriers to information, education, and other supports/resources, have access, opportunity, and support in the law school admission process
• Goal 3: 1L Retention - Reducing attrition rates and increasing persistence for law students after the first year of law school, particularly students facing access and opportunity barriers to information, education, and other supports/resources

The Cecil L. Mauger Charitable Trust Grant, administered by the Licking County Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in Licking County, Ohio. This grant supports nonprofit organizations that launch innovative projects, empower underserved residents, and foster collaboration among local groups. Priority is given to unique initiatives that address community needs while complying with eligibility criteria, including IRS charitable status. This grant seeks to make a significant impact through effective, practical solutions.

The Royal B. Kinder Fund aims to enhance the quality of life in Wichita Falls by promoting charitable giving. Nonprofits in Archer County are eligible to apply for grants, which are awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations and other charitable projects. The fund encourages initiatives that benefit the community without discrimination. However, restrictions apply to fundraising, scholarships, and grants to individuals or political entities. Eligible organizations can apply annually to support various charitable purposes.

The Burkburnett Legacy Foundation aims to enhance philanthropy and provide charitable opportunities to support nonprofits in Burkburnett, TX. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities, with grants awarded for charitable purposes. The foundation promotes the well-being of all, irrespective of race or gender. However, certain ineligibilities apply, such as restrictions on grants to political candidates or individuals. Organizations can apply annually to benefit from this foundation's support.

The Community Foundation for Kettering provides essential grants to foster new projects aimed at enhancing the community's quality of life. With funding typically ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, these grants support initiatives that promote cultural, educational, and recreational activities. Organizations that qualify must be recognized as tax-exempt and benefit Kettering residents. The Foundation seeks innovative solutions and collaborations to tackle pressing community issues effectively.

CSX Charitable Investments offers Community Service Grants to organizations that significantly impact their communities. These grants aim to support entities with tax-exempt status, government agencies, or educational institutions. The application process is open year-round, with responses expected within 30–45 days. The foundation prioritizes projects that serve military families and first responders, reflecting CSX's commitment to community service and support for local needs.

Defiance Area Foundation

We are a community of donors committed to making Defiance County a great place to live and call home. We provide a vehicle to serve the philanthropic goals and heritage of the donors of Defiance County through community collaboration, impactful grant making, and financial stewardship.

Through the investment of individual funds made up of gifts, endowed funds, and bequests from individuals and corporations, interest income is distributed as grants. Through these grants to charitable organizations, we are often the first to address new and emerging needs that are most important to our area. By preserving and nurturing the growth of our assets, we strive to enhance and enrich the quality of life in the Defiance County community.

The Foundation is a publicly supported philanthropic institution, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with more than $19 million in charitable assets composed of over 170 funds.

Good Citizen Award

This prestigious award, endowed by the Laurie and Mike McCann Family began in 2015 and is presented annually to one of Defiance area’s outstanding citizens.

The West Unity Area Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for residents in West Unity and Williams County, Ohio, through community endowment and targeted grant-making. This foundation supports innovative projects, special purposes for established organizations, and matching fund initiatives. Eligible are 501(c)(3) organizations serving Williams County. However, grants for operational budgets, multi-year requests, or political purposes are typically not considered. Preference is given to start-up costs and one-time projects.

The Montpelier Area Foundation Grant Program aims to enhance the quality of life for residents in Montpelier and Williams County, Ohio, by supporting public charitable purposes. The foundation focuses on funding unique community projects, established organizations for specific initiatives, and matching funds. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that serve local needs. Grants are not provided for individual assistance, religious programs, or ongoing operating costs, ensuring resources are directed toward impactful community enhancements.

The Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship offers a $42,000 stipend plus $8,000 for project-related expenses to support early-stage doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences. This fellowship encourages innovative dissertation research and aims to diversify academic methodologies and perspectives. Applicants must be PhD students in relevant fields, with certain eligibility criteria, including not having advanced to candidacy before January 2025. The fellowship promotes inclusive excellence, contributing to a diverse academic community.

About the IP Law Foundation

For nearly two decades, the Foundation—originally established as the American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation—has championed expanded access and opportunity in the intellectual property (IP) law profession. In 2020, reflecting the growth and impact of its mission, the organization adopted a new name: the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law. This change accompanied an expansion of its long-standing programs to attract, support, and empower students committed to careers in IP law.

In 2025, to further clarify its mission and identity, the Foundation streamlined its name to what it is today: The IP Law Foundation.

Jan Jancin Award – AIPLA Past Presidents Award

The Jan Jancin Award is a merit-based award that honors Jan Jancin, who served with extraordinary distinction in numerous IP bar leadership roles throughout his career, including both as president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and as the chair of the Section on Intellectual Property Law of the American Bar Association. The Jan Jancin Award is made possible through the generosity of AIPLA and the ABA IPL Section. The AIPLA Past Presidents Award is a merit-based award that is made possible through the contributions to the Foundation each year by past presidents of the AIPLA.

Award

The winner of the Jan Jancin Award receives a $5,000 cash honorarium, as well as reasonable travel expenses to attend the presentation of the award in person, which is made each year during either the AIPLA Annual Meeting or a meeting of the ABA IPL Section. The winner of the AIPLA Past Presidents Award receives a cash honorarium of $2,500, and is invited to attend the presentation of the award in person at the AIPLA Annual Meeting.

Nomination Process

The dean (or another appropriate faculty member) of a law school has the opportunity to select and recommend a single 2L or 3L student as the law school’s nominee for both the Jan Jancin Award and the AIPLA Past Presidents Award. The recommending faculty member must provide a description, based on personal knowledge of the nominee, of the nominee’s relevant achievements, using criteria such as (1) best grades in IP courses overall, (2) outstanding achievement in specified IP courses, (3) best IP paper written by a student, (4) faculty consensus, and (5) leadership in student IP organizations.

The SBB Research Group Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations addressing unmet needs through sustainable strategies. Winners are selected monthly, receiving $5,000, while other finalists are awarded $1,000. The foundation collaborates with various partners and has a strong commitment to community service. Organizations are encouraged to apply early, as prior applicants can be reconsidered in subsequent months. This initiative aims to empower impactful initiatives across diverse sectors.

The Union County Foundation Grant Program supports non-profit organizations in Union County through quarterly grants. Applications are reviewed by the Distribution Committee, prioritizing projects that address community issues, enhance organizational efficiency, validate charitable impacts, foster collaboration, and boost the local economy. Eligible applicants include non-profit groups based in Union County, while grants typically exclude funding for buildings, unrestricted operating support, endowments, and individual benefits.

The Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award supports early-career faculty committed to building inclusive campus communities. Funded by the Mellon Foundation, it offers a $20,000 stipend to assist with summer research and academic year support. Eligible candidates are assistant professors in tenure-track positions who have passed their third-year review and are engaged in fostering diversity and inclusion in their academic fields. This fellowship not only aids their research but also emphasizes their role in mentoring underrepresented students.

The Massillon Community Charitable Fund Grant, established in 1982 by Stark Community Foundation, aims to enhance civic spirit and charitable giving in Western Stark County. It supports tax-exempt organizations and government entities with proposals that directly benefit local residents. The grant encourages innovative solutions to community challenges while fostering stewardship and collaboration among local agencies. This initiative ultimately seeks to improve the quality of life for all in the Massillon area, ensuring that charitable efforts align with community needs.

The Oris W. Dunham, Jr. and Sylvia M. Dunham Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, supports college students enrolled in aviation-related programs in the U.S. and Canada. Up to five non-renewable scholarships valued at $1,500 each will be awarded based on academic achievements, financial need, and community involvement. This initiative aims to foster future leaders in the aviation industry by providing financial assistance to deserving candidates.

The Mellon Mays Graduate Assistance Program (GAP) supports alumni of the Mellon Mays initiative in their journey to graduate school. By providing resources like structured gap year activities, media resources, and mentoring, the program aims to bridge the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies. It has successfully placed over 90 scholars in advanced programs, fostering diverse perspectives in academia. GAP addresses challenges faced during the gap year, ensuring participants remain engaged and prepared for their academic careers.

The Colcom Foundation Grant: National Giving (Carrying Capacity) aims to support projects that address the impacts of human population growth on the environment. The foundation prioritizes initiatives in family planning and sustainable immigration practices to stabilize and gradually decrease the US population by 2040. Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for these funds, which seek to foster a sustainable environment and ensure a quality life for all Americans.

Project G.I.F.T. (Grants Invested in the Future of Troy) offers funding up to $5,000 annually for programs that address community needs. Nonprofits and student organizations are eligible to apply for grants, with a maximum of $500 available per organization. The initiative is part of the Teen Leadership Troy program, encouraging teens to engage in the grant selection process and celebrate award recipients at a ceremony hosted by The Troy Foundation.

State Farm Companies Foundation offers marketing sponsorships to organizations that align with their mission of building safer, stronger communities. They are open to partnerships that enhance their marketing strategies on both local and national levels. Interested parties can expect a review of their proposals within 2-3 weeks. This initiative aims to foster collaboration with various brands and causes that resonate with State Farm's vision.

The Kermit T. & Ella M. Kuck Fund Grant, managed by the Community Foundation of Shelby County, supports organizations in New Knoxville and Sidney, Ohio. Eligible applicants include IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities and those applying through a fiscal agent. The fund encourages efficient use of community resources and coordination among organizations, while also welcoming small grant requests. Projects requiring multi-year funding are considered, emphasizing sustainability and collaboration within the community.

The Computational Mathematics program supports research that integrates computation with mathematical analysis, encouraging innovative algorithm development and application. Proposals may range from individual projects to interdisciplinary teams, focusing on new computational techniques to address significant application challenges. The program also emphasizes training for junior mathematicians through hands-on research. Conference proposals must adhere to strict submission timelines to ensure review and funding opportunities, fostering collaboration within the mathematical sciences.

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.