Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in New Jersey

The Achelis and Bodman Foundation, established in 2015, focuses on grantmaking in New York City and northern New Jersey, addressing critical issues in six program areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Employment, Health, Public Policy, and Youth and Families. Emphasizing support for nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), the Foundation aims to improve local communities through impactful grants while prioritizing accountability and excellence in various sectors.

New Jersey nonprofits providing human services, education, arts access, or related community programs in Camden can access funding through Connelly Foundation for program costs, general operations, direct services, and capital projects. Eligible organizations should demonstrate strong leadership, a solid track record, and alignment with the foundation’s focus on serving people in the Philadelphia–Camden region.

Pincus Family Foundation

PFF is driven by the values that our founders David and Gerry Pincus lived by: “to get involved, not just think about your own life, you are supposed to do things for other people.” Today, the second and third generation of Pincus Family members have added their ethos, while keeping the founders’ legacy alive.

Pincus Family Foundation Grant

Mission Alignment: We support our non-profit partners to develop and enhance programs that improve the lives of children, their families, and their communities.

PFF Funds Projects, Programs, & General Operating Support in Four Priority Areas

Creative & Performing Arts

The Pincus Family Foundation’s Creative and Performing Arts portfolio supports programs where young people use art as a tool to address the structural inequities they face. Five strategic priorities:

• Arts for Social Change Focus – Integrating artistic practice with community organizing, policy advocacy, and/or systemic change efforts
• Hyperlocal Community Integration – Deep community embedment with extensive local partnerships
• Teaching Artist Investment – Commitment to the professional development and well-being of teaching artists
• Cultural Responsiveness – Programming that incorporates community cultural wealth with community input
• Environmental Justice Integration – Authentic integration of environmental themes from community-identified priorities

Target Constituency: Organizations serving preK-12 youth from marginalized communities with arts for social change programming that connects them to the power of art to question and transform systems.

Education

High school readiness for many low-income students, largely is a result of poor preparation in middle school. PFF is funding programs/projects that support middle school engagement and focus on achievement filling a funding gap. 

Target Constituency: We support non-profit organizations serving middle school students who face gaps in comprehensive high school readiness. These organizations implement innovative programming that creates challenging yet nurturing environments—preparing students for achievement while inspiring them to become engaged, confident citizens ready to contribute to their communities.

Health & Wellness

Goal: Advance children’s health and well-being by supporting nonprofits that strengthen social conditions, empower youth, and build healthier environments in marginalized communities.

Target Constituency: Nonprofits whose work strengthens social determinants of health for children in marginalized communities.

Play & Recreation

Goal: Advance children’s social-emotional development and physical well-being by supporting nonprofits that create inclusive play-based programming, competitive sports opportunities, and outdoor recreational experiences in under-resourced communities.

Target Constituency: Non-profits whose work promotes access to quality recreational programming for children ages 6-18 in under-resourced communities.

For all grants, the organization’s mission and scope must align with the Foundation’s mission. For the latter, these grants can be either unrestricted or restricted to a particular program or project. The type of grant and what it is used for will dictate the goals and objectives to be met.

New Jersey health and human service nonprofits and eligible public entities supporting cancer and cardiovascular disease education, awareness, or access to care can access funding through Bayer Fund. Eligible 501(c)(3)s or government units must be experienced, financially sound, and located within about 55 miles of an eligible Bayer community in northern New Jersey.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for community-benefit programs in areas like education, hunger relief, health, environment, or public safety can apply for the Perdue Foundation’s corporate giving program, with awards up to US $1,000. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and include a Perdue associate endorsement with their request.

Nonprofit organizations serving economically disadvantaged youth and families with health, education, counseling, childcare, or related services in New Jersey’s Mercer and Monmouth counties can apply; awards range from US $10,000 - US $15,000. Grants from Mary Owen Borden Memorial Fund may also support affordable housing, conservation, environmental, and arts programs benefiting these communities.

Nonprofit organizations providing K–12 education for Native American children living on reservations can seek program funding that supports year-round, direct-service educational work. The Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund provides New Jersey and regional nonprofits with approximately US $77,000 total annually, prioritizing established programs with measurable outcomes, strong financial accountability, and collaborative, community-responsive approaches.

Nonprofit or fiscally sponsored media projects using storytelling, journalism, or digital media for social justice movement-building in the Philadelphia region may be eligible for US $10,000 - US $30,000 project grants. Focused on community-centered media, People’s Media Fund invites organizations in nearby New Jersey counties, including Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester, to propose narrative-shifting work.

New Jersey nonprofit organizations with operating budgets between $250,000 and $5 million that are building AI readiness and organizational capacity can seek funding to strengthen their community impact. Grants from Citizens Charitable Foundation help nonprofits expand digital competencies, improve program delivery, and explore responsible AI applications while also engaging Citizens colleagues in volunteer projects. Awards are US $50,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New Jersey counties where Penn National Gaming operates can seek funding for community development, education, human services, cultural affairs and diversity, health, and veteran and military support programs. Grants from Penn National Gaming help New Jersey nonprofits cover local program needs, which may include some operating or service-delivery costs tied to these focus areas.

With a mission to address social and economic inequities, Stone Foundation of New Jersey provides New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored community groups with flexible general operating or project grants ranging from US $5,000 - US $25,000. Funding primarily supports organizations headquartered and operating in Monmouth County across justice, basic needs, health, education, environment, economy, and arts access.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits hosting community events, dinners, or sponsorships focused on safety, preparedness, or sustainable neighborhoods can access funding through the PSEG Foundation, with awards up to US $10,000. Eligible programs must benefit communities where PSEG operates, including select counties in New Jersey, and align with environmental stewardship or public safety priorities.

The Wawa Foundation offers financial grants exceeding $2,500 to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in its six-state market, focusing on health, hunger, and supporting everyday heroes. Applications are accepted in January, April, July, and October, with grant requests reviewed prior to the next submission window. Eligible organizations include those working to improve lives through health initiatives, hunger relief efforts, and support for community heroes. For more details, visit the Wawa Foundation's official site.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools running high-impact community programs in New Jersey and other Honda U.S. operating states can apply for American Honda Foundation and Honda corporate programmatic support. Funding supports ongoing program costs rather than individuals, with an online application window opening each fall and decisions announced the following spring.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools running manufacturing-focused workforce education programs in New Jersey can apply for American Honda Motor funding; awards US $25,000 - US $100,000 for hands-on training and skills development. Programs must strengthen the manufacturing workforce pipeline in Honda communities, emphasizing design, data analytics, automation, and AI-related skills.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools in New Jersey can apply for American Honda Motor’s Environment Pillar Award, offering US $25,000 - US $100,000 for environmental programs. Grants from American Honda Motor help organizations advance decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient use of natural resources in communities where Honda associates live and work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools in New Jersey serving people with disabilities can apply for Honda USA Foundation’s Mobility Pillar Award, with grants of US $25,000 - US $100,000 for programmatic support. Grants from Honda USA Foundation help fund therapeutic or adaptive programs, comprehensive care, and mobility modifications, accommodations, and assistive technology.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits with over three years of history can access funding through Nissan Foundation for programs that explore and celebrate cultural diversity and heritage. Organizations serving communities in eligible New Jersey counties and demonstrating strong engagement with their populations may be competitive for these community culture and inclusion grants.

With a mission to build career pathways and strengthen small businesses, Truist Foundation provides New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits with US $10,000 - US $250,000 for workforce development and career navigation programs. Eligible organizations must be U.S.-headquartered within the Truist footprint and support adult workers with upskilling, AI literacy, and related wraparound services.

Grants from Community Foundation of New Jersey help New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits strengthen core mission work through capacity building, program development, service expansion, or capital improvements. Eligible organizations serve Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, or Gloucester counties, have audited financials, budgets between $300,000 and $5,000,000, and focus on women, children and families, education, or community health and wellbeing.

Nonprofit conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in New Jersey and other Appalachian states can apply for The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grants; awards up to US $100,000 for fee or easement land acquisition. Funding can cover project capital, development, stewardship, legal defense, and community engagement costs.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits with operating budgets between $50,000 and $15 million can seek two years of flexible funding for education, human services, or workforce development programs. Focused on community empowerment, Provident Bank Foundation supports overhead, program costs, equipment, and new initiatives in communities served by its New Jersey branch network; awards US $5,000 - US $25,000.

Arts and cultural 501(c)(3) nonprofits in New Jersey’s Burlington or Camden counties seeking unrestricted operating support for community-based work with BIPOC and underserved communities can apply for grants of US $75,000 - US $150,000. Grants from Philadelphia Foundation also include professional development, consulting, and opportunities to host Drexel University co-op students.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania working on workforce and economic development can apply for Greenspring Advisors’ Greenspring Grant Program, awarding US $5,000 - US $20,000 for general operations or specific programs. Funding may support job training, job creation, entrepreneurship, internships, career pathways, or financial literacy initiatives.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering program-based work in environmental sustainability, social justice, or economic empowerment can access funding through the PSEG Foundation’s Neighborhood Partners Program; awards range from US $500 - US $15,000. Eligible programs must operate within PSEG’s listed New Jersey service counties and focus on initiatives like clean energy, food security, workforce development, or neighborhood revitalization.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on community development in low- and moderate-income areas can access operating and program funding via Goldman Sachs Bank USA, with awards from US $20,000 - US $1,000,000. Support may cover affordable housing, essential community services, small business growth, and neighborhood revitalization in Hudson or Essex counties.