Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development offers grants ranging from $35,000 to $100,000 aimed at enhancing community safety through lighting, camera surveillance, and related services. These grants are intended for tax-exempt nonprofits or local governments in good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. By investing in these safety measures, the program seeks to address illegal activities and improve the livability of communities across Maryland.

AAYHF's Harvest Scholars Scholarship Program Fund

Attending four-year university or two-year college.

Amount

• (2) $1,500.00

Registered Apprenticeship Incentive

The Registered Apprenticeship Incentive is designed to offset the extraordinary costs of utilizing a Registered Apprenticeship training program.

A maximum of $1,000 per apprentice, per year for the duration of the apprenticeship, is available to offset the extraordinary costs of utilizing a registered apprenticeship training program.

An employer may not be allocated more than $10,000 per year under this program.

The Lake Champlain Basin Program offers Educator Mini-grants to support educators in acquiring materials for teaching about Lake Champlain Watershed issues. These grants enhance classroom learning and are available to educators within the Basin who have met specific eligibility criteria. Funds can be used for educational resources that last beyond one academic year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged to secure funding.

Aimee Melissa Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund

Graduating senior from a high school within Travis, Williamson or Hays counties.

Awards

• (1) $5,000.0

Gabilan Hope Scholarship

School District (SUHSD). This program was established in 2015 by a grant from a private donor in San Francisco. His intention was to provide exceptional migrant students from often hard-pressed backgrounds with the opportunity to complete their undergraduate education by reducing the financial burdens they may face.

Addition to Gabilan Hope Scholarship (GABI) CFFMC online application for 2022:

NOTICE TO STUDENTS WISHING TO ATTEND HARTNELL COLLEGE

The overall goal of the Gabilan Hope Scholarship is to support qualified students to complete their undergraduate degrees at the university level. However, due to the significant barriers caused by the COVID pandemic, a number of Gabilan Hope Scholarship (GHS) applicants are choosing to attend Hartnell College, our region’s well-respected community college.

Students attending Hartnell may qualify for $500 annual GHS renewal scholarships if, in addition to meeting the minimum requirements, they join academic cohort programs designed to support their transition to four-year schools, or accelerate their advancement to graduation.

These academic lockstep student support programs at Hartnell include

• TRiO,
• CSin3 for computer science majors,
• TAG (talented and gifted) programs,
• Similar programs offered for special interests such as medicine and psychology, as appropriate for each GHS recipient’s particular academic focus.

Award

• 4 awards of $1,500

The Slingshot Development Fund Grant aims to enhance the living conditions of individuals from Burma in the Tennaserim Region. This initiative prioritizes community-based organizations and emergency relief projects, particularly for those affected by the Yadana gas pipeline. Additionally, it supports humanitarian efforts for those displaced across the Thai border. The grant excludes political parties, governments, and assistance to individuals, focusing solely on community-driven initiatives.

The Historic Cemetery Preservation Capital Grant Program, initiated by the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation in Washington State, aims to protect and maintain historic cemeteries. This program, established in 2016, provides funding for projects that enhance the preservation of these cultural resources, ensuring they continue to serve their communities and honor the veterans interred within. Collaborating with various partners, the program promotes the significance of historical heritage in the state.

Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation

The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is Washington State's primary agency with knowledge and expertise in historic preservation. We advocate for the preservation of Washington's irreplaceable historic and cultural resources - significant buildings, structures, sites, objects and districts - as assets for the future. 

Courthouse Preservation Grant Program

In spring of 2005, the Washington State Legislature established the Historic County Courthouse Rehabilitation Grant program. Based on findings from a statewide survey undertaken in 2003, 33 of the state’s 39 counties were found to possess courthouses of historic and architectural merit. (With the passage of time, additional courthouses have become historic, increasing the total number of eligible courthouses to 35) Additionally, the study estimated over $90 million in needed capital improvements to these structures. To address this need, the Washington State Legislature has allocated nearly $31.4 million from the state capital budget since the 2005-07 biennium. Through thirteen funding rounds since the program’s establishment, eighty-eight (88) grants have been awarded to twenty-nine counties statewide. Grant funds have worked to leverage local funding resulting in nearly $75 million in total rehabilitation work to selected courthouses.

Grant funding assists county governments in rehabilitating their historic county courthouses. Together with matching funds raised locally, this money will foster economic development in numerous communities while working to preserve public buildings vital to the architectural and cultural heritage of Washington.

To receive funding, all rehabilitation work must meet historic preservation standards known as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. For more information about these preservation standards, visit the following website.

The T. W. M. Cameron Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis Award, established by the Canadian Society of Zoologists, recognizes exceptional Ph.D. theses in Zoology from Canadian universities. This award not only honors scholarly excellence but also promotes diversity and inclusion within the field. Recipients receive a commemorative scroll and are invited to present their work at the annual conference, with travel and accommodation expenses covered up to $1,500.

The Small Grants program, administered by the Community Foundation of Howard County, offers funding for one-time opportunities and short-term crises. Grants up to $5,000 are available on a rolling basis, emphasizing emergency requests. Organizations may receive only one grant per year, ensuring that funds support projects with high community visibility and responsible financial management. This initiative aims to address immediate needs while promoting sustainability in local nonprofits.

The Dog Field Trips/Short-Term Fostering Grant from the Petfinder Foundation aims to support organizations in purchasing essential supplies for short-term foster and dog field-trip programs. Grants ranging from $500 to $1000 are awarded monthly until funds are depleted. Eligible organizations must be Petfinder members in good standing, provide contact information, and submit a grant report post-funding. This initiative helps ensure that adoptable pets do not face euthanasia due to a lack of resources.

The Survey and Planning Grants program, managed by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, offers funding ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for various historic preservation projects. Eligible activities include historic designation reports, municipal preservation planning, and pre-development studies. Applications can be submitted anytime, and grants are awarded during monthly meetings of the Historic Preservation Council. It is essential to contact the funder to discuss project eligibility and funding availability before applying.

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is offering up to $2 million in grants to support adoption at shelters and rescues during the 2026 “The Rescue Effect”, a nationwide campaign that highlights the positive chain of events that occurs when people adopt, foster, volunteer, advocate and donate.

The Rescue Effect will run through the months of August, September, and October 2026, during which grantees must offer a minimum of two (2) fee-waived adoption days/events each month. 

Restrictions and Parameters

Grant funds may be used for any of the following:

• make-ready costs for cats/dogs available for adoption during the Campaign months covered by the grant term (e.g., s/n surgery, microchips, vaccinations, testing, dewormer, flea-tick treatment, heartworm preventative, bloodwork)
• marketing/advertising costs (e.g., adoption promotions, volunteer/foster recruitment)
• waived adoption fees for adoptions occurring during the Campaign months covered by the grant term
• foster program expansion/ramp up
• operating costs related to supporting participation in The Rescue Effect campaign

The Margery Boyce Bursary aims to support post-baccalaureate students dedicated to serving seniors in their communities. Candidates must demonstrate significant volunteer contributions and be enrolled in a program focused on aging. Preference is given to those returning to university after a break from studies. Eligible applicants are required to be CAG members and full-time students at a recognized Canadian university, with proof of registration for the upcoming academic year.

Perkins Grant

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) became effective on July 1, 2019. This Act reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV). Perkins V is largely based on the structure and content of Perkins IV and remains the most important piece of legislation affecting career and technical education (CTE) in Illinois. The purpose of the law is to develop more fully the academic knowledge and technical and employability skills of secondary and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in CTE programs and programs of study. Perkins V facilitates this by placing a greater emphasis on the following areas:

• Local flexibility
• Comprehensive stakeholder engagement and collaborative planning
• Innovation
• Accountability
• Alignment with other education and workforce programs

Bill Boehlke Scholarship

Bill Boehlke worked for both the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle SuperSonics as a creative member of their digital communications departments. His imagination, humor and positive personality were appreciated by everyone he worked with. In memory of Bill, his family established this scholarship fund in 2020. The fund will provide scholarships to high school seniors in the state of Washington who are pursuing a career in digital communications, including social media video production. Scholarships will help cover qualified expenses including tuition, books and other expenses necessary for their classes. Scholarships are not renewable. Special consideration will be given to students based on financial needs and the applicant’s history of good character and community service.

Amount:

$1,000 - $5,000

The 2025-2026 Kickstart Kids Grant Program, provided by the Texas Education Agency, aims to support martial arts initiatives that foster character and life skills in middle and high school students. This program includes specific guidelines for funding, such as limiting direct administrative costs to 15% of the award and requiring detailed expenditure reporting. Eligible applicants are encouraged to adhere to the guidelines to ensure effective use of funds.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Ted Vanden Bosch Scholarship for the Children of Police Officers, Firefighters, and Rescue Personnel

• Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation or in Fennville, Hamilton, or Saugatuck
• Enrolling at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Child of a firefighter, police officer, or rescue personnel
• Special consideration given to candidates interested in pursuing a degree in the sciences

The Morgan Hill Community Foundation is providing grants to support local non-profit organizations and public schools within the Morgan Hill Unified School District. A total of $32,000 will be distributed for projects that enhance educational initiatives for students from K-12. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations or schools and focus on broad initiatives that promote lifelong learning and community engagement, avoiding funding for individual classes or basic operational costs.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

University of Michigan Club of Holland Scholarship

• Graduating senior or graduating early college student from one of the following high schools: Black River, Calvary Schools of Holland, Fennville, Hamilton, Holland Christian, Holland High School, Saugatuck, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West
• Enrolling at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• 1,700-character or less response to this prompt: Please explain why the University of Michigan is your first choice and discuss your educational goals and intended major

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is offering grants to support organizations in combating hate crimes. Local governments partnering with eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for funding. This initiative aims to reduce bias-motivated incidents and enhance community safety for those targeted based on race, religion, gender, or other identities. Applications are accepted for a grant period of January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, with a focus on collaborative efforts to address hate crimes.

The Bullying Prevention Funding initiative from the State of Nevada Department of Education aims to create safe and respectful learning environments in schools. This funding supports school districts in complying with legislative mandates to train staff and students in bullying prevention. It fosters collaborative partnerships between local education agencies and the state, ensuring all students and staff can thrive in bully-free schools.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Van’t Hof Scholarship

• Graduating senior from one of the following high schools: Black River, Holland Christian, Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West
• Enrolling at Hope College or Calvin University
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• Potentially renewable for three additional years

The Wagner Catholic Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, supports graduating seniors from local Catholic parishes who are pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and faith commitment through a personal essay. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, with a decreasing award amount after the first year. This initiative aims to empower students to further their education while fostering community values.

The Dental Safety Net Grant, funded by the Minnesota Department of Health, aims to support dental providers serving uninsured patients under 21. Annually, up to $113,000 is allocated based on the number of uninsured patients treated. Each provider can receive between 2% and 30% of the total funding. Grants will be distributed over a three-year period, ensuring that financial assistance reaches those most in need.

The Literacy Opportunity Fund, supported by the Nora Roberts Foundation and administered by ProLiteracy, provides grants ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that directly serve students with literacy programs. This initiative aims to enhance the operational capabilities of diverse literacy organizations, allowing them to effectively meet student needs. Applications are reviewed quarterly, ensuring timely support for eligible organizations that have not received funding within the calendar year.