Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

AΩA is committed to preparing future leaders in medicine and health care. Leadership is about making a positive difference and can be developed through education, observation, experience, and by working with leader mentors. Service learning provides excellent opportunities for students to develop as servant leaders. Only one team from each school may be nominated.

The NSS International Exploration Grants support members of the National Speleological Society in their international cave exploration and survey projects. This program, established through generous contributions, emphasizes conservation and responsible exploration. Grant criteria include participant involvement, expedition complexity, and proposal quality. Eligible expenses cover group costs and equipment, while ineligible expenses involve personal gear and legal fees. The grants aim to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among cavers worldwide, ensuring sustainability in cave research.

The Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society Research Grant offers funding for research projects involving cacti and succulents, aligning with the organization's mission of education and knowledge dissemination. Grants support projects lasting up to one year, with the possibility of extensions. Budgets must detail all expenses, and co-funding is encouraged. This initiative aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of these unique plants within the Sonoran Desert ecosystem.

Bucks County Foundation

Since our founding in 1979, the staff at BCF have been working closely with donors, local leaders, and nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in Bucks County. Our work with local charitable organizations helps to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families across the county.

Scholarships

The Bucks County Foundation is proud to support students throughout Bucks County in their pursuit of higher education and attainment of academic, trade and life skills that translate into economic self-sufficiency. Through the generosity of donors in our region, we manage over 100 scholarship distributions for a wide variety of students with diverse educational journeys.

Steven Pannepacker Memorial Scholarship (NCF)

Provides scholarships to students at Council Rock North and South High Schools who excel in academic studies and participates in extracurricular activities and community service.

The Garden Club of America Fellowship in Tropical Botany aims to enhance the preservation of tropical forests by increasing the number of botanists with practical field experience. Established in 1983, the fellowship provides two grants of $5,500 annually for doctoral candidates pursuing research in tropical plant systematics and forest ecology. Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in U.S. institutions, who are expected to complete their Ph.D. in Botany within two years.

Bucks County Foundation

Since our founding in 1979, the staff at BCF have been working closely with donors, local leaders, and nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in Bucks County. Our work with local charitable organizations helps to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families across the county.

Scholarships

The Bucks County Foundation is proud to support students throughout Bucks County in their pursuit of higher education and attainment of academic, trade and life skills that translate into economic self-sufficiency. Through the generosity of donors in our region, we manage over 100 scholarship distributions for a wide variety of students with diverse educational journeys.

The David Perrine Memorial Scholarship

Provides scholarships to students graduating from Central Bucks School District. Eligibility is based on the criteria set forth by David’s family.

The Outcomes Innovative Pharmacy Grant Program supports innovative pharmacy initiatives in Iowa. It offers funding up to $10,000 for projects aiming to enhance pharmacy practices. Eligible applicants include Iowa licensed pharmacists and researchers who are active members of the Iowa Pharmacy Association. The program encourages collaboration and requires a presentation of the grant proposal along with final reports detailing project outcomes and fund distribution.

The BMS Small Grant supports activities that promote mycology, offering grants of up to £500 for research, education, and conservation efforts. Open to all members of the British Mycological Society, these grants encourage innovative contributions to the fungal sciences. Applications must be submitted at least three months before the planned activity, with specific eligibility criteria ensuring that all members can benefit from this financial support to advance their mycological endeavors.

The Silicon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1 project aims to advance the use of silicon carbide cladding for nuclear fuel rods. It focuses on the research, development, and fabrication of cladding specimens for reactors, with testing planned for both unirradiated and irradiated samples. The project is poised to provide critical performance data for future commercial lead test rods, enhancing safety and efficiency in light water reactors.

Bucks County Foundation

Since our founding in 1979, the staff at BCF have been working closely with donors, local leaders, and nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in Bucks County. Our work with local charitable organizations helps to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families across the county.

Scholarships

The Bucks County Foundation is proud to support students throughout Bucks County in their pursuit of higher education and attainment of academic, trade and life skills that translate into economic self-sufficiency. Through the generosity of donors in our region, we manage over 100 scholarship distributions for a wide variety of students with diverse educational journeys.

The Robert Winters and Sydney Waskey Memorial Scholarship

Provides scholarships to students who plan to major in education at Central Bucks High Schools and Council Rock.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Becca Bohannon Memorial Scholarship

The applicant must be a female graduating senior from Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Meade or Nelson County

Additional documentation requirements: An essay describing how service to others has been an important part of your growth and development.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Brianna Taylor Memorial Scholarship

The applicant must be a graduating senior from a high school in Hardin County.

Additional documentation requirements:

• A list of all athletic involvement
• A list of all extra-curricular activities
• Letter of recommendation from a coach, teacher, or sponsor

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) - Pennsylvania

This program provides funding for physical and cybersecurity enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high-risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program also seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader stated and local preparedness efforts,

Program Basics

• Federal program administered by PEMA
• Reimbursement based grant
• 36-month period of performance
• No cost-share requirement
• Maximum award request is $200,000 for both NSGP-UA and NSGP-S
•  Nonprofits with multiple sites (multiple locations/physical addresses) can apply for additional sites, per funding stream (NSGP-S and NSGP-UA). Each location MUST have an individual application and a unique risk assessment specific to the location. No combination of site locations can exceed $600,000 per funding stream.

What Can Funds Be Used For?

The grant program seeks to integrate preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.

This funding for eligible nonprofit organizations is generally limited to target hardening and physical security enhancements.

NSGP funds may be used for:

• Planning related to the protection of the facility and people within the facility.
• Equipment focused on target hardening and physical security enhancements.
• Training and Exercise for nonprofit security personnel to attend security-related training courses and programs or participate in security-related exercises.
• Contracted Security personnel are allowed under this program only as described in this NOFO. The recipient must be able to sustain this capability in future years without NSGP funding. NSGP funds may not be used to purchase equipment for contracted security.
• Construction and Renovation with pre-approval from DHS/FEMA.
• Management and Administration (M&A) for costs directly related to the administration of NSGP funds.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Brice Taylor Memorial Scholarship

The applicant must be a graduating senior from a high school in Hardin County.

Additional documentation requirements:

• A list of all athletic involvement
• A list of all extra-curricular activities
• Letter of recommendation from a coach, teacher, or sponsor

Art Omi: Artists—Charlotte Street Fellowship

Every year, Charlotte Street offers a Kansas City-based visual artist the opportunity to attend Art OMI’s residency program in Ghent, New York. Starting in 2026, all visual artists and culture bearers currently living in Kansas City are eligible to apply, as well as nominees from former Art Omi Residents. The application process is administered by Art OMI, and selections made by a panel of jurors that includes Charlotte Street staff. The selected artist receives a three week, fully-funded residency and a $500 stipend. Art Omi invites 30 artists from around the world, representing a wide diversity of artistic styles and practices, to gather in rural New York for four weeks each summer to experiment, collaborate and share ideas.

The Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program by Lilly Endowment supports K-12 educators in Indiana by providing grants up to $15,000 for renewal projects. These projects aim to restore educators' enthusiasm and stimulate creativity, enhancing student educational experiences. The program encourages meaningful exploration and reflection rather than typical vacations. Approximately 125 grants will be awarded in 2025, with a focus on activities that are intellectually enriching and personally renewing.

The BMS Seminar Grant, offered by the British Mycological Society, supports UK university seminars on fungal biology. Grants of up to £300 are available to facilitate mycology-themed talks, promoting research and education in this fascinating field. No BMS membership is required, and applications can be submitted anytime, provided they are received at least one month prior to the seminar date. This initiative aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of fungi.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Hardin County Bar Association Scholarship

The applicant must be a resident of Hardin County.

Additional documentation requirements

• An essay expressing how you are an example of a good citizen, how you exhibit a keen sense of justice and fair play in your attitude towards others, why the financial assistance is important to you and any interest you have in a legal career
• Letter of recommendation from guidance counselor or principal

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) seeks to enrich the culture and protect the rights of Ohioans by fostering activities that identify, preserve and provide access to the State’s documentary heritage. It accomplishes these goals by advocating for issues that enhance the collection, preservation and public use of historical records, encouraging organizations to seek funding for appropriate projects, and providing guidance to those organizations. To further its mission OHRAB has created a grant program to help Ohio historical records repositories obtain funds for smaller projects that may not qualify for funding under larger grant making agencies.

The Reisher Scholars Program, established by the Reisher family at The Denver Foundation in 2001, provides merit-and-need based scholarships for Colorado college students. Targeting rising sophomores and community college transfer students, the program awards between $6,000 and $22,000 annually to help students complete their undergraduate degrees. By focusing on academic potential and community involvement, the program aims to empower individuals who will contribute positively to society.

The John J. Snyder Fund for Historic Preservation supports the restoration and maintenance of historical structures in Lancaster and Cumberland counties. With grants ranging from $20,000 to $114,600, funding is available for essential repairs such as roof replacements and electrical system updates. This initiative aims to preserve local heritage for future generations. Eligible applicants include community benefit organizations with a current 501(c)(3) designation, ensuring that grants are directed towards impactful projects.

VOCA/SVAA Grants for Advocates

The Crime Victims Services section is responsible for the administration of the State Victims Assistance Act (SVAA) and the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant programs. The funds are provided to eligible crime victims assistance programs operating in public and non-profit agencies throughout the state of Ohio.

The State Victims Assistance Advisory Board and Ohio Attorney General staff make funding recommendations, which are submitted to the Attorney General for final consideration.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers the DGLF Summer Reading Grants, which support the development and expansion of summer reading programs aimed at Pre-K to 12th grade students, particularly new and below-grade-level readers, including those with learning disabilities. Eligible organizations, such as nonprofits, schools, and libraries within 15 miles of a Dollar General store, can apply for grants up to $3,000 to foster literacy and education initiatives.

The Harry Smith Vacation Studentships, offered by the Microbiology Society, provide funding for undergraduates to engage in microbiological research during the summer. Eligible applicants must be Full or Full Concessionary Members of the Society and have a PhD or senior research position. Each studentship includes a stipend of £331 per week for up to eight weeks, with additional funds available for research costs. This program enhances research experience for both students and supervisors.

The Youth Athletic Facilities Grants program, managed by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, supports the development and renovation of outdoor athletic facilities for youth. Eligible projects include ball fields, swimming pools, and skate parks, with a focus on serving communities of all ages. The program encourages innovative designs that enhance accessibility and promote diverse athletic activities. Grants are available for both small and large community projects, fostering inclusive recreational opportunities for young people.

The Youth Making Change Grants program, offered by The Fund for Santa Barbara, empowers youth aged 12-24 to lead projects that address social issues in Santa Barbara County. With a maximum request of $3,000, these grants support youth-led initiatives that promote social justice and community engagement. The program fosters leadership and philanthropy skills among teens while ensuring their voices are central to the projects. Since 2008, over $350,000 has been awarded to support impactful youth-led projects.

The Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley has been dedicated to empowering women and families since 1994, investing over $1.7 million in community programs. They focus on funding projects that enhance women's economic self-sufficiency and advocate for diversity and inclusivity. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities serving the designated counties. Notably, the foundation does not support individual grants or capital expenses, ensuring resources directly benefit women and girls in need.