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Explore private grants for nonprofits funding programs in education, health, community development, and the arts.
32,000+
Available grants
$8.25B
Total funding
$6K
Median grant
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About Us
Our Mission
To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.
Our Promise
To help you help others through the most effective philanthropy possible.
Paul J. Falco Scholarship
The Paul J. Falco Scholarship provides a scholarship opportunity to high school level students from the Village of Marble Cliff who demonstrate outstanding scholastic and leadership qualities. The late Paul J. Falco, who served as Mayor of the Village for 36 years, was an ardent supporter of the Village, its residents, and the pursuit of life-long learning. The generosity of this endowment by Mayor Falco and his wife Bobbie Hall Falco provides the opportunity to recognize the talented youth of the Village of Marble Cliff. In its 20 years of existence the Paul J. Falco Scholarship Committee has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to residents of the Village of Marble Cliff.
About MN AWWA
The Minnesota Section American Water Works Association (MN AWWA) is a Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the world's largest association of water professionals.
MN AWWA is a nonprofit scientific and educational association public health, safety, and welfare through research and dissemination of information and by supporting educational development of its members.
One AWWA Operator Scholarship
AWWA’s The Water Equation Campaign and the Minnesota Section of AWWA awards the One AWWA Operator Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for water operator training and education. Up to two (2) scholarships will be awarded each calendar year.
Disbursement of the funds will be made directly by the Section to the financial office of recipient’s college, university, or technical school. Items related to books, manuals, conferences, professional development courses, and other eligible expenses will be reimbursed to recipient upon presentation of eligible receipts. Acceptance of scholarship constitutes permission to use recipient’s name and scholarship story for purpose of promotion.
LeRoy T. Walker
LeRoy T. Walker (June 14, 1918 – April 23, 2012) was an icon. A noted author, professor, coach, and administrator in the disciplines of physical education and athletics, he was a barrier-breaking and remarkable human being who was dedicated to promoting and uplifting young people.
Walker was Chancellor Emeritus of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, NC. He was elected President of the Athletics Congress (now USA Track & Field), the national governing body of USA Track & Field. Walker was elected President Emeritus of the United States' Olympic Committee (the first and only American to hold this position) and was a former president of AAHPERD (from 1977-1978, also the first African American to be elected to this position). Walker was inducted as a member into 17 Halls of Fame, awarded 16 Honorary Doctorates from a variety of institutions, and received numerous awards, including the Luther H. Gulick Award (1982), SHAPE America's highest honor.
The LeRoy T. Walker Young Professional Award
The LeRoy T. Walker Young Professional Award is given to a minority member of SHAPE America who is 36 years old or younger who has demonstrated superior promise in the areas of service, teaching, scholarship and commitment to the goals of SHAPE America focusing specifically on under-represented and/or underserved populations and promotion of diversity and inclusiveness. Not more than one LeRoy Walker Young Professional award shall be given annually.
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Stanley Ciejek, Sr. Scholarship Fund
Supporting residents of Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Ruth L. Brocklebank Memorial Scholarship Fund
Supporting African American graduates of Springfield high schools.
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Ronald A. Copes Scholarship Fund
Supporting graduating high school seniors from Springfield, MA or Hartford, CT who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and who indicate participation in extracurricular activities.
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Raymond E. Carr Scholarship Fund
Supporting students attending American International College, Elms College, Springfield College, Western New England University or Westfield State University
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Permelia A. Butterfield Scholarship Fund
Supporting students, under 21 years of age, with one or both parents deceased, all Christian religious sects and denominations and who are residents of Franklin County; preference for the Town of Orange.
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Luther A. and Evelyn L. Belden Memorial Scholarship Fund
Supporting graduating high school seniors who are residents of Hatfield, MA, or graduating seniors of Smith Academy. If no qualified applicants meet these criteria, then any qualified applicant who is a graduating senior and a resident of Hampshire County shall be considered.
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
John DiNapoli Memorial Scholarship Fund
Supporting Hampden County high school seniors; preference for residents of Holyoke.
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
James W. Colgan Loan, Bank of America, Trustee
$3K Maximum awarded. Supporting current Massachusetts residents who have resided in-state for a minimum of five years
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
George and Theresa Crete Scholarship Fund
Supporting residents of western Massachusetts
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Florence Blish Scholarship Fund
Supporting residents of Agawam to attend college
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
First National Bank Amherst Centennial Education Scholarship Fund
Support graduating seniors from Amherst College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, entering a graduate school
Support graduating seniors of Amherst Regional High School, Hopkins Academy, Northampton High School
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Eric Clayton Hockey Memorial Scholarship Fund
Supporting graduating high school seniors from Easthampton, Holyoke, Southampton and Westhampton; preference for those with ice hockey involvement
In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.
In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.
Weissbuch Family Scholarship
Have resided in San Diego County for at least four years and have a demonstrated financial need.
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Edward P. Boland Scholarship Fund
Edward P. Boland served as the representative to the United States Congress for 36 years. His public service spanned 54 years of dedication to the people of western Massachusetts. He was the first chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a longtime member of the Appropriations Committee overseeing departments such as HUD, NASA, Veterans, NSA and many other federal departments. Education was his top priority and upon retirement this scholarship fund was created to assist the students of western Massachusetts
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Donald A. and Dorothy F. Axtell Grant Scholarship Fund
Supporting Protestant students from Hampshire County
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Dinn Brothers Student Athlete Award Fund
Supporting one male and one female scholar athlete from western Massachusetts
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:
The Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.
Arrighi Memorial Scholarship Fund
Supporting residents of Greenfield.
Private grants for nonprofits provide funding from foundations, corporations, and individual donors to support programs and operations. The following grants empower organizations to achieve their missions, scale their impact, and address critical community needs effectively.
Discover 8,000+ funding opportunities for nonprofits, with $3.43B available. Instrumentl connects nonprofits to tailored grants from private funders, offering tools for tracking deadlines, customized searches, and insights to maximize impact.
How common are grants in this category?
Quite common — grants in this category are more prevalent than in others.
Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Private grants for Nonprofits?
Most grants are due in the first quarter.
What's the typical grant amount funded for Private Grants for Nonprofits?
Grants are most commonly $34,887.
Nonprofits working in education, healthcare, arts, social services, and the environment may be eligible for private grants. To be considered, organizations need to align with the mission and values of the donor or foundation offering the grant. Funders look for nonprofits that have strong evidence of making a positive impact on their communities and match their values.
Based on Instrumentl’s live grant database for private grants, grant deadlines are most common in Q1, accounting for 29.8% of all submission dates. The slowest period for new grant opportunities in this category falls in Q4, making it a less competitive time for preparation and strategic planning.
The goal of private grants is for individual donors and foundations to support nonprofits who align with their goals. Some grants support specific projects, while others provide general operating funds to help organizations maintain stability and grow. Funders want to back creative projects with positive impact, ensuring their long-term success.
Funding for private grants varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $0 to a maximum of $188,250,000. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $34,887, while the average grant awarded is $655,609. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.
Private grants usually come from independent foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations, and individual donors. Well-known funders include the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Walton Family Foundation, which support a wide range of causes. Some private grants come from smaller, locally focused foundations. Individual donors, including wealthy philanthropists, also fund private grants to causes they are passionate about.
To improve the chances of being awarded private grants, nonprofits should:
Want to improve your private grant prospecting strategy? Master the process with our guide to private grant research.
Instrumentl simplifies the process of applying for private grants by offering an intuitive platform that helps nonprofits discover relevant funding opportunities, track deadlines, and analyze funder-giving patterns. The platform's automated alerts ensure users never miss a deadline, while detailed funder insights help organizations tailor their applications to align with grantor priorities.
Streamline your grant management process with our workflow automation tools.