Best Sustainability Grants in Ohio

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public entities in Ohio can seek funding for environmental conservation, STEM education, and basic human needs projects that advance equity and social justice. American Electric Power Foundation supports programs within its service territory or with broader regional or national reach that benefit the public and AEP customers.

State and local agencies, tribal governments, higher education institutions, and nonprofits in eligible Appalachian Ohio counties can seek funding for critical infrastructure and business and workforce development projects. The Appalachian Regional Commission’s Area Development Program supports water and wastewater systems, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, worker training, and related initiatives that strengthen long-term regional sustainability.

Focused on sustainability and community well-being, the Lubrizol Foundation invites Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits near Lubrizol facilities to apply for US $5,000 - US $40,000 to support education, hunger relief, health, and environmental initiatives. Priority goes to organizations in greater Cleveland that advance UN-aligned goals for sustainable, healthy communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting environmental, civic, cultural, educational, or social service projects in Ohio can apply for funding that benefits Cincinnati residents. Louise Taft Semple Foundation primarily backs arts and arts education, with remaining funds for civic and community projects and environmental initiatives, including project, program, and some capital improvement proposals.

Nonprofit organizations working on education policy and economic mobility in Ohio can access funding through The Joyce Foundation to support research, policy development, advocacy, and implementation. Grants focus on K–12 and post-secondary systems, emphasizing teacher quality, college and career readiness, and post-secondary success for historically underserved young people in the Great Lakes region.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools running environmental programs in Ohio can apply for American Honda Motor funding; awards range from US $25,000 - US $100,000. Grants support sustainability initiatives focused on decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient use of natural resources in communities where Honda associates live and work.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on environmental conservation and sustainability projects can access funding through EQT Foundation, with typical awards around Approximately US $15,000. Grants support environmental stewardship, education, green space preservation, and related community initiatives, primarily in Belmont County and other areas within EQT’s operational footprint.

Nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions in Ohio can seek funding for oral health access, advocacy, education, and workforce development projects, especially those advancing equity for people with disabilities. Delta Dental Foundation supports programs that improve oral health equity through access to care, workforce development, education, and advocacy in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children’s health, education, cultural, and social welfare needs in Ohio’s Greater Cincinnati counties can apply for project-focused support from the Andrew Jergens Foundation via Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Programs benefiting children, especially ages 0–6 but up through high school, in Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties may be eligible.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Ohio and the broader Appalachian Basin can apply for CNX Foundation’s grants to address food security, children’s health, technology access, workforce readiness, and clean water. Programs with measurable, local impact and sustainability benefits may be eligible if they operate within CNX’s Ohio footprint and neighboring states.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Northeast Ohio working on sustainability, education, eldercare, community services, healthcare, or social services can seek multi-year support, with awards ranging from US $5,000 - US $15,000. With a mission to enrich quality of life, The Andrews Foundation provides operating and program grants across eligible counties in the region.

Nonprofits, public charities, schools, and community organizations in Ohio can seek funding for innovative projects addressing children’s mental health and food insecurity. Focused on sustainable, high-impact solutions, the Joe Burrow Foundation offers up to US $10,000 for new programs serving underprivileged and underserved communities in Greater Cincinnati and Athens.

Animal welfare and rescue 501(c)(3) organizations in Ohio can apply for Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust grants to enhance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. Funding supports projects like adoption and fostering, behavior and humane education, medical and wellness care, spay/neuter, equipment, and other innovative animal care initiatives.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing behavioral health, including mental health and substance use disorders, can seek funding to expand treatment, prevention, and anti-loneliness programs. Focused on behavioral health, Elevance Health Foundation invites U.S. organizations, with emphasis on states including Ohio, to propose scalable, measurable initiatives that support whole-person health and community resiliency.

Large and mid-sized arts and cultural organizations in Ohio can seek multi-year general operating support for ongoing arts programming, administration, marketing, education, and evaluation. Focused on sustaining arts providers, the Ohio Arts Council program serves nonprofits, government or social service agencies with arts programs, and educational institutions engaged in community arts.

501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups in Ohio advancing BIPOC-led democracy, civic engagement, and voting rights can apply for Scherman Foundation’s Democracy Program grants of US $40,000 - US $200,000. Funding supports state-level organizing, integrated voter engagement, and arts-based culture shift that build political power and civic infrastructure, which may benefit sustainability-focused advocacy work.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Cox’s Ohio service area offering youth STEAM education programs can apply for Cox Communications’ Cox Charities Community Grants, which provide US $5,000 - US $12,000 for projects with clear impact and metrics. Focused on STEAM and youth innovation, Cox Communications invites Ohio programs, including those with conservation and sustainability components, to seek support.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits with projects in education, environmental conservation, or healthy and vibrant communities can apply for Cleveland Cliffs Foundation grants. Programs must operate in communities where the company has facilities and may include land and water restoration, green space creation, STEM education, workforce readiness, or community health and revitalization initiatives.

Cyrus Eaton Foundation provides Ohio sustainability nonprofits with US $1,000 - US $15,000 to advance sustainable environments, social justice, cultural enrichment, and peaceful coexistence. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations in Northeast Ohio working on environmental conservation, climate resilience, housing, youth development, or related community programs; registered Canadian charities in Pugwash, Nova Scotia are also considered.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits running educational or youth programs for underprivileged children, adults, and families can seek support for scholarships, innovative education initiatives, and related services. Grants from the Harrison Family Foundation, via Greater Cincinnati Foundation, offer US $5,000 - US $15,000 for capital items or operating expenses, primarily in the Greater Cincinnati counties.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running food-as-medicine or nutrition programs can seek funding to improve clinical outcomes for people with diet-related conditions and increase access to nutritious foods, including in Ohio. Focused on food security and healthy eating, Elevance Health Foundation invites scalable, measurable initiatives, with priority for culturally relevant, whole-person health interventions.

Ohio environmental and sustainability-focused nonprofits and public entities can access funding for projects benefiting Delaware County residents, including basic needs, education, economic opportunity, and environmental initiatives. Delaware County Foundation offers US $2,500 - US $20,000 community grants, with preference for programs addressing recovery, housing, mental health, workforce development, and other quality-of-life improvements that may advance local sustainability goals.

Ohio nonprofits improving maternal and infant health can access funding through Elevance Health Foundation to run community-based programs that reduce disparities and remove barriers to care. Eligible projects include national or local initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in maternal/infant outcomes, which may support sustainability-focused organizations addressing health equity and social determinants of health.

Nonprofit organizations providing year-round wellness, middle school education electives, or visual arts programming in Ohio and other eligible states can apply for approximately US $8,300 from the Corinne R & Henry Bower Memorial; awards support established, direct-service programs. Invited applicants must show measurable impact, serve community needs, and often benefit underserved populations, which may include sustainability-related efforts.

The Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Charitable Fund Grant is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, established in 1992. It focuses on philanthropy, specifically supporting K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations. The foundation directs its grants primarily to regions preferred by donors, including several states in the Northeast and Midwest, aiming to improve educational opportunities and foster community development in underserved populations.