Best Grants for Nonprofits Serving Disabled in New Jersey

New Jersey nonprofits serving people with disabilities and related needs can access funding through Dermody Properties Foundation for programs in arts, education, family support, and social services. 501(c)(3) organizations located within 30 miles of a Dermody project may receive US $500 - US $3,000 to support children, adults, and families with disabilities and other vulnerabilities.

Nonprofit and public agencies providing disability care and services in New Jersey can receive funding to support Special Child Health Services case management units. The State of New Jersey Department of Health backs programs that ensure children and youth with special health care needs have access to care coordination, a medical home, and parent support statewide.

Nonprofit organizations serving people with disabilities in New Jersey can seek project-specific funding for education, health, housing, and community programs through The Summit Foundation. With a mission to strengthen community wellbeing, The Summit Foundation provides tax-exempt organizations in the Summit area with competitive grants supporting children and adults with disabilities and related services.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children and teens with physical, mental, educational, adaptive, or legal needs may be eligible for this funding, as well as individual children and families. The Dombal-Vogel Foundation supports programs that assist, counsel, educate, and comfort at-risk youth, including those with disabilities and related developmental or health challenges.

Children’s 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing medical, therapeutic, or other services to children with disabilities in New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic region can seek program support through Dover Grants. Grants from Speedway Children's Charities help organizations addressing critical, medical, and educational needs, with priority for homeless, foster, orphaned children and victims of sex trafficking.

Nonprofit organizations providing disability services and related advocacy in New Jersey can seek funding for research, education, or direct service projects that support systematically disadvantaged people. Focused on disability rights, access to legal and STEM education, and disability services, the James B. Boskey Memorial Foundation offers up to US $50,000 for one-year, charitable initiatives; co-funding is possible.

Nonprofit and community-based providers delivering early intervention services for developmentally delayed or disabled children in New Jersey can apply for the New Jersey Early Intervention System, which offers up to US $37,479,130 to support a statewide service network. Administered by the State of New Jersey Department of Health, this funding can strengthen disability care and early childhood development programs for children birth to age three and their families.

New Jersey academic institutions, research organizations, and qualified public or private agencies conducting brain injury research can receive up to US $6,000,000 in New Jersey. The State of New Jersey Department of Health’s NJ Commission on Brain Injury Research Pilot Project Research Grant supports projects advancing treatments and interventions that benefit people with brain injuries and related disabilities.

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is a State agency created to provide administrative guidance, financial support and technical assistance to local governments, community development organizations, businesses and individuals to improve the quality of life in New Jersey.

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, historic preservation, disaster recovery and mitigation, and information privacy.

Athletics for Persons with Disabilities Grant

Purpose of Grant

The purpose of this grant program is to provide funds to statewide, nonprofit athletic organizations serving athletes with disabilities to provide sports training and athletic competition.

Applicants must be able to provide athletic competition and sports training, throughout the state for athletes with disabilities. Applicants must be knowledgeable about and demonstrate the ability to work with athletes with disabilities. 

Researchers and research institutions conducting brain injury and disability-focused studies in New Jersey can seek funding to advance interventions and potential cures for traumatic brain injury. The State of New Jersey Department of Health’s NJ Commission on Brain Injury Research Fellowship Research Grant offers up to US $6,000,000 to support projects improving outcomes for people with brain injuries.

New Jersey nonprofits and schools serving people with disabilities can access funding for mobility-related programs, including therapeutic or adaptive services, comprehensive care, and assistive technology. Through the Mobility Pillar Award, Honda USA Foundation offers US $25,000 - US $100,000 for programmatic support benefiting communities in states where Honda has major operations, including New Jersey.

Nonprofit 501(c) or 170(c) organizations focused on disability services and related community programs in New Jersey can receive matching gift funding to boost recent retiree donations. Regions Bank provides up to US $1,000 per year per eligible retiree for organizations within its footprint, including those serving individuals with disabilities, veterans, housing, education, and financial wellness.

Nonprofit 501(c) or 170(c) organizations serving individuals with disabilities in New Jersey can apply for matching gifts that double donations made by eligible Regions employees. Funded organizations must fall within Regions’ priorities, including support for individuals with disabilities, veterans, education, financial wellness, arts and culture, and community and economic development, within the Regions Bank footprint.

Community rehabilitation providers in New Jersey serving people with disabilities and focused on employment and workforce readiness can apply for approximately US $260,005 to expand competitive integrated employment services. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development funds Phase II projects that refine and scale outcome-driven models improving career pathways, credentials, retention, wages, and long-term employment stability.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving people with disabilities, children, or healthcare needs can access funding through West Pharmaceutical Services to support community programs. Organizations focused on disability care, children with disabilities, hospital or healthcare services, or STEM education in communities where West employees live and work may be eligible for grants or sponsorships.

New Jersey nonprofits that support education, mentoring, or employment for people with disabilities can access funding through Johnson Scholarship Foundation. Grants support scholarships and transition-to-work programs for students with disabilities and learning differences in the U.S. and Canada. Organizations should be prepared to leverage grants with matching funds and cannot use them for individuals or capital projects.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in New Jersey serving children and adults who are physically, mentally, or economically disadvantaged can receive US $1,000 - US $15,000 for innovative, problem-solving programs and projects. Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation provides New Jersey disability care and services organizations with one-year grants that exclude operating budgets, capital campaigns, and environmental or cultural projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting people with disabilities in New Jersey can apply for grants of US $500 - US $10,000 to fund research and support services, with priority for mobility-related disabilities. Grants from Numotion Foundation help disability care and services programs, including those serving children with disabilities, across the U.S.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.

U.S. charitable organizations serving children and young adults with disabilities or serious health and mental health challenges can apply for program, housing, education, or research support that shows immediate impact. With a mission to enhance quality of life, the Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation provides funding that may benefit New Jersey nonprofits focused on disability care and services.

The NExT AI Hubs initiative by the NICHD aims to explore innovative applications of AI technologies in enhancing developmental outcomes for children at risk of learning disabilities. This program will focus on high-risk research topics, fostering advancements in understanding how AI can support learning in reading, writing, and mathematics. The initiative is backed by various public health laws, ensuring a comprehensive approach to child health and education.

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) National Grant funds innovative projects that empower youth with disabilities, enhancing their leadership and employment skills. Grants typically range from $10K to $100K per year for one to two years. MEAF seeks proposals that break down employment barriers, support U.S. youth with disabilities, and promote inclusive practices. Projects should demonstrate a plan for national dissemination and measurable outcomes, particularly benefiting young veterans transitioning to civilian life.

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.

Microsoft Disability Scholarship

This scholarship supports high school seniors living with a disability defined by WHO (World Health Organization — an impairment in a person’s body structure or function, or mental functioning (visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, speech, or other disability). Eligible applicants must plan to study Engineering, Computer Sciences, Computer Information Systems, Law, Business (including Paralegal, Pre-Law, Finance, Business Administration, or Marketing) at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school. This scholarship is a $5,000 award with up to eight (8) scholarships granted.

The CAPTRUST National Partnership Grant aims to support local and national charities that serve children's needs. Each year, a Charity of Choice is selected, typically receiving a grant of over $100,000, while additional national grants are awarded to organizations aligned with the CCF mission. This initiative represents 40% of the CAPTRUST Community Foundation's annual giving budget, underscoring its commitment to impactful charitable partnerships.

The Von Voigtlander Family Foundation Grant, though currently closed, aims to support 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, primarily in Michigan. The foundation emphasizes animal welfare, parks preservation, veteran support, and youth empowerment. Their mission is to enhance lives through community-focused initiatives that foster resilience, education, and well-being. They prioritize charities that promote responsible pet ownership, outdoor recreation, and provide resources for veterans and youth, ensuring a positive impact across multiple sectors.

The NAILBA Charitable Foundation Grant aims to support small, well-managed U.S. charities that assist those in need, particularly children. Grants are available to organizations with backing from a NAILBA member and that meet specific criteria, such as nonsectarian operation and appropriate fiscal accountability. Since its inception in 2002, the foundation has invested in community transformation by funding initiatives that directly engage in beneficial services, thereby enhancing the welfare of underprivileged groups.