Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

The Alcohol Research-Related Resource Award (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) aims to support investigator-initiated resources that enhance biomedical research on a national level. Through this non-hypothesis-driven grant, essential data, materials, and services will be provided to facilitate progress in the alcohol research community. The resources must be available to qualified investigators and should not replicate existing commercial offerings, ensuring high-quality and cost-efficient support for diverse research activities.

The Cynthia and Alan Baran Fine Arts and Music Scholarship Fund, established by passionate artists Cynthia and Alan Baran, aims to support young individuals pursuing their dreams in visual arts and music. This fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, offers scholarships to rising college students majoring in Fine Arts or Music, emphasizing the importance of creativity and academic achievement. With a commitment to fostering talent, this initiative empowers future generations to thrive in the arts.

The Grief Reach: Changemaker Supported Community Expansion Cycle offers up to $110,000 to enhance community programs for grieving children. Organizations are encouraged to innovate and expand their services to better meet community needs. The initiative, in partnership with the Judi’s House/JAG Institute, emphasizes training and resources for effective program evaluation over a three-year period, culminating in impactful community expansion projects.

The Sarah Ralston Foundation provides General Operating Support Grants to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable older adults in Philadelphia County. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $50,000 and is aimed at nonprofit organizations meeting specific eligibility criteria. The foundation emphasizes flexibility, allowing grantees to allocate resources effectively to fulfill their missions, while adhering to guiding principles that promote equity, diversity, and community engagement.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) will announce the Phased Large Awards for Comparative Effectiveness Research on December 2, 2025. This funding aims to support high-quality, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research projects. The initiative encourages applicants to engage with patients and stakeholders to address critical healthcare dilemmas and improve decision-making. Projects should compare established clinical alternatives with evidence of efficacy, targeting vital health issues across diverse populations.

The Agriculture Risk Management Education Partnerships Competitive Grants Program (ARME) aims to educate agricultural producers on various risk management activities, including crop insurance, debt reduction, and market assessment. Emphasizing farm viability, the program seeks to provide technical assistance and outreach to farmers and ranchers to improve their risk management strategies, as outlined in the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000. This initiative is funded by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

• Innovative: An approach that brings fresh thinking, tools, or models to homeownership in ways that challenge the status quo and demonstrate a disruptive, future-oriented vision with potential to inspire or shift broader field practice.
• Impactful: A solution with meaningful potential to expand homeownership through knowledge and action, featuring clear and measurable progress indicators that demonstrate capacity to shift trajectories for low- and moderate-income households.
• Bridge-Building: An initiative that effectively connects and unifies a wide range of stakeholders, fostering meaningful collaboration across sectors or perspectives. The strongest submissions will reflect strong community partnerships across the housing ecosystem.
• Durable: A sustainable pathway that addresses root causes of homeownership barriers rather than just symptoms, with compelling evidence of potential to elicit robust support from broad private, philanthropic, and public funding sources over time.

The Grief Reach grant program, supported by the New York Life Foundation and the National Alliance for Children's Grief, invites innovative community expansion proposals to better serve grieving children. Eligible organizations can apply for funding up to $160,000 to enhance their programs, focusing on unique community needs. By collaborating with the Judi's House/JAG Institute, participants will receive essential training and resources for impactful program evaluation, fostering a supportive environment for children and families facing grief.

The Implementing Zero Suicide in Health Systems program aims to enhance suicide prevention efforts for adults within health systems. Funded by the US HHS's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this initiative employs a comprehensive approach that incorporates all seven elements of the Zero Suicide framework: Lead, Train, Identify, Engage, Treat, Transition, and Improve. This program seeks to create safer health environments and reduce suicide rates effectively.

The Juliette P. Doster Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of Mrs. Doster, who dedicated forty years to improving healthcare in Calhoun County. This renewable scholarship supports students pursuing associate's or bachelor's degrees, as well as approved workforce training programs. Awarded yearly for up to four years, recipients must maintain academic standards. Funding varies based on the Community Foundation's annual income, and the award covers tuition, housing, supplies, and other educational expenses.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive academic advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s scholarship programs are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard and have financial need. Our scholarships provide financial assistance and academic support to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. In addition to the monetary award, students join a thriving network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars.

Young Scholars Program

The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.

Program Experience

Educational Advisers support Young Scholars to maximize high school experiences and to go on to thrive at the nation’s top-performing colleges. Our programming and support may include:

• Identifying an appropriately rigorous high school.
• Engaging in four-year planning and goal-setting.
• Funding for academic and extracurricular opportunities, such as music and art lessons, supplemental academic classes and technology.
• Annual summer programs, including two required Young Scholar programs.
• Year-round Young Scholars community programming.
• Networking opportunities with a high-achieving peer community.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is launching a funding opportunity for Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) as part of its effort to combat HIV/AIDS. This initiative aims to support innovative clinical trials and implementation research to improve prevention and treatment strategies. With a focus on both domestic and international research sites, CTUs will play a crucial role in addressing the HIV epidemic and enhancing participant recruitment and retention. This funding opportunity is authorized under the Public Health Service Act.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is launching a funding opportunity for up to four Clinical Trials Network Laboratory Centers (LCs). These LCs will support HIV prevention and treatment strategies by providing necessary laboratory infrastructure and technologies for clinical trials. They will ensure rigorous laboratory testing and oversight, enhance sample integrity, and utilize advanced data management systems to meet evolving demands in HIV research and testing.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is calling for applications for four Leadership and Operations Centers (LOCs) as part of its HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Network initiative. These LOCs will guide research on HIV therapeutics, prevention, and treatment strategies across diverse populations. The initiative aims to enhance evidence-based practices and improve health outcomes for individuals affected by HIV, ultimately contributing to the goal of ending the HIV epidemic.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a student who intends to pursue nursing or a related field of study at a college or university, and who demonstrates academic achievement, good citizenship, service to others, leadership, and financial need.

The Jane Bruckel Early Career Investigator Award in Axial Spondyloarthritis, offered by the Spondylitis Association of America, aims to support MDs and PhDs at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level in the US and Canada. This annual $30,000 research grant promotes innovative research in ankylosing spondylitis and enhances patient care by encouraging emerging researchers to contribute to this important field.

The National Trappers Foundation (NTF) offers grants to individuals and organizations for projects related to furbearers. Founded in 1988, NTF supports educational and conservation initiatives that promote the management and restoration of furbearers and natural resources. Grants are available for research, habitat development, and educational programs. Contributions to NTF are tax-deductible, reflecting its commitment to conservation and community engagement.

Request for Proposals

Community Care Corps encourages organizations across the country to apply for 18-month grants ($30,000–$200,000) to develop and scale innovative volunteer programs that provide nonmedical assistance to older adults, adults age 18 and older with disabilities and family caregivers.

Projects funded through this initiative will increase the number of community-based volunteer programs available to provide nonmedical assistance while decreasing the number of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers who need assistance in maintaining independence in the community but are unable to obtain help. In doing so, the initiative will strengthen community-based supports that help people maintain independence, reduce unmet needs, and improve overall well-being.

The Store-Based Giving Program by Ross Stores Foundation supports socioeconomically disadvantaged youth by providing gift cards for school or professional clothing. Organizations must be federal tax-exempt and serve at least 60% low-income youth. Eligible programs include academic achievement and life skills initiatives. Award amounts typically range from $300 to $500, depending on budget and mission alignment. Applications are not accepted from organizations that have received donations within the past 12 months.

Stanislaus Community Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals. We believe that by investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter future for Stanislaus. 

Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship Fund

Applicants must be students currently enrolled in a teaching credential program, current student teachers, current teacher interns, students enrolled in a speech therapy program, or students enrolled in a school psychology program. Colleges considered: CSU Stanislaus, U.C. Merced, U.O.P., UMass Global, Teachers College of San Joaquin, Sacramento State University and CSU East Bay.

Award Amount:

• $3,000

The Community Food Solutions Grant offered by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania aims to combat food insecurity by providing funding to grassroots organizations that understand the unique needs of their communities. With nearly a century of experience, United Way connects various sectors to enhance community support and engagement. This initiative not only aids in addressing immediate food access issues but also fosters collaboration among local organizations to create sustainable change.

The Project Cure CRC Early-Career Investigator Award, offered by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, seeks to attract innovative early-career faculty to colorectal cancer research. This award supports groundbreaking research aimed at enhancing our understanding and treatment of colorectal cancer. With no application deadlines, submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, allowing awardees to receive funding for their original preclinical, translational, or early clinical research projects, fostering the next generation of CRC research leaders.

The Colon Cancer Coalition offers the Get Your Rear in Gear Grants to support local programs aimed at improving colon cancer screening and awareness. Open year-round, applications are reviewed biannually in February and August. Grants fund initiatives that educate the public about colon cancer and alleviate the financial burden on patients. By applying, organizations commit to promoting local events that raise funds for these important community programs.

The FirstEnergy Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations within FirstEnergy's service areas, aiming to enhance community quality of life, workforce development, and safety initiatives. Grants are directed towards local economic development and volunteer efforts aligned with corporate interests. However, the Foundation does not fund individuals, political activities, or certain organizations, ensuring support is focused on broad community benefits. Interested applicants should consult local FirstEnergy management before applying.

This project aims to enhance health outcomes for women living with HIV in the South by integrating HIV care with comprehensive women's health services through coordinated Clinic and Community Collaboratives. By funding organizations to implement targeted strategies such as culturally responsive services and learning collaboratives, the initiative seeks to improve access to essential health services, increase the number of women initiating rapid ART, and foster sustainable healthcare models that address the unique needs of this population.

The Bob Zylstra STEM Scholarship, offered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supports undergraduate students who identify as female or as students of color from West Michigan. This scholarship aims to empower students pursuing STEM majors by removing barriers to education and fostering diversity in these fields. Each year, the foundation awards scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to help students achieve their academic and career aspirations.