Best Public Policy Grants in Pennsylvania

Public policy and research-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Pennsylvania can seek funding for pollinator health, ecologically responsible agriculture, and related advocacy and education projects. With a mission to promote pollinator health, One Hive Foundation provides up to US $75,000 for initiatives linking science, public policy, and community engagement across the U.S. and Canada.

Scherman Foundation provides Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups working on public policy and democracy with US $40,000 - US $200,000 for BIPOC-led civic and political power-building. Eligible efforts include voting rights, integrated voter engagement, statewide civic infrastructure, rural and small-town organizing, and arts and culture strategies that advance racial and ethnic justice.

Eligible Pennsylvania nonprofit creative organizations with annual revenue between $100,000 and $2,000,000 can seek support for programs advancing asset and workforce development, community development, visibility, or policy in the creative sector. Grants from Pennsylvania Council on the Arts may benefit groups whose public policy work promotes opportunities for creative industries statewide.

Public charities and government units in Pennsylvania can seek funding for education, STEM, and environmental stewardship projects that strengthen local communities. Vulcan Materials Company Foundation supports K–12 and higher education initiatives, environmental programs, and efforts involving employee volunteerism in areas where the company operates, which may include public policy components around environmental or education issues.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities serving adults with workforce or small business programs in Pennsylvania can apply for Truist Foundation support; awards are more than US $15,000. Funding backs career pathways to economic mobility and strengthens racially and ethnically diverse and women-owned small businesses, which may include public policy work around employment and entrepreneurship systems.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Human Trafficking funding opportunity aims to support comprehensive research and evaluation projects. It focuses on preventing human trafficking, assessing the impact of federal policies, and enhancing services for victims. This initiative, led by the National Institute of Justice in partnership with the Office for Victims of Crime, seeks to generate insights that can inform better responses to human trafficking in the U.S.

The Robert C. Seamans, Jr. Fellowship in Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School supports students excelling in research and management at the intersection of technology and public policy. This fellowship fosters future leadership in these critical areas, ensuring a commitment to addressing pressing public challenges. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged, as the program is designed to promote inclusivity and recognizes the importance of varied perspectives in policy-making.

The Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Scholarship at Harvard Kennedy School is designed for alumni of the PPIA Junior Summer Institute. This scholarship aims to support both U.S. and international students by considering merit and financial need. Harvard Kennedy School is committed to fostering leadership and public policy expertise, making a significant impact on global societal issues. Recipients must have participated in the PPIA program to be eligible for this limited funding.

The Margaret Traub and Phyllis Dicker LGBT+ Graduate Fellowship, offered by the Harvard Kennedy School, supports students committed to issues affecting the LGBT+ community. This fellowship emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in public policy and leadership, aligning with Harvard's mission to foster a just and prosperous society. It is accessible to both U.S. and international students, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and merit-based funding.

The Kennedy Fellowships and Presidential Scholarships at Harvard Kennedy School provide opportunities for both U.S. and international students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and professional distinction. These scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need, ensuring support for diverse applicants. The school is committed to improving public policy and leadership, making a significant impact on societal challenges. Apply for these prestigious awards after completing your admission application.

Harvard Kennedy School provides Pennsylvania public policy students with fellowship support for Master in Public Policy study, combining merit and financial need. The John Berger Fellowship is for Harvard College graduates entering the MPP who plan careers in U.S. or international institutions focused on international affairs, which may appeal to policy-focused emerging leaders.

Graduate students focused on public policy, science, and technology in Pennsylvania can access funding through the Charles Edison Fund Fellowship, supporting study in Harvard Kennedy School’s Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program. Grants from Harvard Kennedy School help future policymakers deepen expertise that can benefit public policy work in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Nonprofits and educational institutions in Pennsylvania working on food system public policy, farmed animal protection, or food justice can apply for Stray Dog Institute’s grants, typically US $2,500 - US $10,000, for project or general operating support. Eligible 501(c)(3)s or fiscally sponsored groups focused on systemic food systems transformation may benefit.

Muslim undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students in film, television, acting, or theater at accredited U.S. universities, including those from Pennsylvania, can apply for the Islamic Scholarship Fund’s film scholarships, awarding US $3,000 - US $5,000 for their studies. Eligible applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients.

Law students in Pennsylvania focused on public interest and public policy can receive funding for unpaid judicial internships through the Islamic Scholarship Fund. This U.S.-wide program offers a US $3,000 stipend to American Muslim 1L or 2L students interning at least eight weeks with state or federal judges, including those serving Pennsylvania courts.

Undergraduate seniors and law students focused on public policy or law in Pennsylvania can receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 scholarships to advance access to justice for Muslims in America. With a mission to increase American Muslim representation, Islamic Scholarship Fund supports full-time U.S.-based students or professionals studying in its supported fields.

Pre-graduate individuals pursuing careers in community economic development and public policy can access fellowship support through the Nowak Fellowship, including opportunities in Pennsylvania. Grants from Reinvestment Fund help fellows explore work in economic development, financial literacy, and policy-related fields, which may benefit organizations and communities in Philadelphia County and beyond.

Pennsylvania public policy and international affairs nonprofits can access funding through the Japan-United States Friendship Commission for U.S.-Japan research, education, exchanges, and public affairs projects. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must focus on arts and culture, exchanges and scholarship, education and public affairs, or global challenges that strengthen U.S.-Japan people-to-people ties.

Pennsylvania public policy and early childhood nonprofits can access funding through Ohio Children’s Foundation to support innovative programs for at-risk children ages 0–5. Grants up to US $20,000 back early learning, literacy, and advocacy initiatives that promote school readiness, healthy development, and expanded access to high-quality early childhood education.

Public policy professionals in Pennsylvania with PhDs in agronomy, crop, soil, or related sciences can access this year-long Congressional Science Fellowship to work in a U.S. legislative office. Grants from Crop Science Society of America help fellows apply scientific expertise to national policy while receiving a stipend, relocation support, and specialized policy orientations.

Researchers evaluating social programs and policies with quasi-experimental designs can apply for funding to study higher education, workforce training, infrastructure, reproductive health, public finance, and related areas. Grants from Arnold Ventures help Pennsylvania public policy and research organizations conduct rigorous causal studies that inform evidence-based policy solutions across the U.S.

Sophomore and junior undergraduates in Pennsylvania studying environmental issues, Tribal public policy, or Native health care can receive up to US $7,500 for academic expenses through the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship. With a mission to support future leaders, the Udall Foundation provides U.S. students with funding plus orientation and access to an active alumni network.

The SMART FY26 Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program aims to enhance sex offender registration and notification practices across jurisdictions in the U.S. By supporting the implementation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), this grant facilitates the establishment of comprehensive sex offender registries, ensuring that states, territories, and federally recognized tribes comply with federal standards. This initiative also promotes interjurisdictional information exchange and helps maintain public safety.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Justice System Responses to Illegal Immigration invites proposals for impactful research on the adult criminal justice system's response to illegal immigration. This initiative aims to explore innovative solutions and evaluate their effectiveness across various jurisdictions, focusing on challenges like location, apprehension, and crime prevention. By fostering collaboration among federal, state, local, and tribal entities, the program seeks to enhance strategies that address illegal immigration effectively.

Request for Proposals: Launchpad Funds

Background

Coefficient Giving is increasing its giving, primarily to prepare for the billions of dollars in new philanthropic capital that may become available in the coming years. Our increased giving in global health and wellbeing is a temporary surge, with two objectives: to smooth funding and pull forward initiatives we expect to be cost-effective, and to help create an ecosystem of regrantors and implementers with the capacity to allocate this new money as cost-effectively as possible. Additional context on our scaling is provided in this blog post. 

With new potential capital on the way, we want to increase the supply of actionable and fundable plans to address some of the world’s hardest problems. We’re looking for specific, credible strategies to convert funding into measurable progress. Our ideal funds are:

However, we are also open to funds that are thematic and don’t have a quantified goal — for example, a fund organized around a promising type of intervention. Such funds still need to be led by a single, identifiable person who is accountable for the fund’s direction.

Through this request for EOIs, we aim to seed or scale Launchpad Funds that can grow to $100m+ over the next few years. We don’t seek scale for its own sake; it is a proxy for the ambition of the fund, and a signal that the problem is large and tractable enough to justify deploying significantly more capital over time.

What we will fund

• We expect to support established ideas that have either not yet secured anchor support or could significantly scale beyond their existing level of funding.
• This funding can cover operating expenses, but we expect most of it to be used for activities that make progress on the fund’s goals — whether through regranting or direct implementation.
• For exceptional proposals, we may consider funding levels beyond $50m. We anticipate higher funding levels will involve more thought partnership from our team.
• While we don’t expect to make grants longer than 36 months, funded proposals may later be considered for additional funding beyond the initial period.

The BJA FY 2026 Capital Case Litigation Initiative aims to enhance legal representation in state capital cases. By providing essential funding, this initiative supports both prosecutors and defense attorneys to ensure equitable legal processes for indigent defendants. The U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. Applications are due by November 5, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, marking a critical opportunity for improvement in capital case litigation.

Better Food Policy Fund 

Since its inception, the Better Food Policy Fund has set its strategic direction in a participatory fashion. We are intentionally building capacity for engagement to ensure the Fund aligns with the needs of food policy council stakeholders.   

Thus far, the Fund has engaged 300+ food policy council stakeholders to help co-develop the Fund. We are immensely grateful for the individuals who helped shape the initial direction of this fund. We view this growing stakeholder audience as the people to whom the Fund’s governing body, the Independent Advisory Committee, is ultimately accountable.

Grantmaking

The Better Food Policy Fund invests in US-based food policy councils, empowering community and government collaboration for progressive food policy. We utilize participatory processes to enhance equity and redistribute power in the funding landscape. We seek to celebrate and uplift the work of food policy councils, and believe every food policy council is worthy of financial support.

We define “food policy councils” as councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, or regional level.  

We support actions aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for policy change, such as: 

• increasing levels of inclusive and equitable stakeholder engagement in public processes
• engaging systems thinking when tackling complex food system challenges
• facilitating collaboration with and across local government agencies and departments 
• developing or revising local policies and plans  

We define “better food policy” as practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems.

We define “civic collaboration” as people joining together at the intersection of community and government to address public issues.