Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The Large Collaborative Grant RFA, sponsored by the Executive Associate Dean for Research at Indiana University School of Medicine, aims to support large, interdisciplinary grants. Open to full-time faculty, it encourages collaboration and innovative research. Up to $75,000 is available per application, with a requirement for matching funds. This initiative seeks to enhance research capabilities and advance the goals of IUSM through collaborative efforts.

The Next Generation of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program Trial Innovation Network aims to tackle significant challenges in multi-center clinical trials. By enhancing trial efficiency and safety through innovative solutions, the initiative seeks to improve the design and execution of these studies. Key areas of focus include safety monitoring tools, trial leader mentorship, and advancements in digital health technologies. This program invites eligible organizations to apply for funding to promote groundbreaking clinical research.

The Shavlik Family Foundation Grant focuses on funding innovative technology projects that enhance the operational efficiency of nonprofits and Tribal governments in Minnesota. With a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, the foundation aims to support impactful projects that demonstrate measurable benefits. Eligible organizations must be recognized as 501(c)(3) public charities or Tribal governments, working to improve the lives and environment of Minnesota residents. The grant process encourages discussion of proposals with foundation staff.

The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme offers funding for early career researchers from the UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands to engage in research collaboration in Japan. This program supports scholars in their academic pursuits while fostering international research partnerships. Eligible candidates must have a doctorate and a research plan with a Japanese host. The fellowship includes financial support for travel and living expenses, enhancing the research experience for awardees.

The NCCF: Hagen Family Advised Fund Grant, established by the Rex Hagen Foundation in 1998, supports nonprofit organizations in Noble County. The Community Foundation of Noble County seeks innovative projects that enhance community life. Applications are due on March 2, July 2, and November 2, with awards announced 60 days later. Preference is given to proposals that address unmet needs and have sustainable support. This grant exemplifies a commitment to positive change in the community.

The G. Martin Kenney Memorial Fund, established in 1995, supports charitable organizations in Ligonier, emphasizing cooperation, volunteer involvement, and innovative solutions to community issues. The fund seeks projects that benefit a broad population, are replicable, and promote independence for underserved individuals. Proposals can address diverse community needs, encouraging cultural awareness and self-sufficiency. This fund represents a commitment to enhancing local community services and fostering collaborative efforts among organizations.

About Us

For more than 100 years, Duquesne Light Company has provided safe and reliable electric service to communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Today, our core values of safety, integrity, dependability, equity and community enable us to serve more than 600,000 customers in two counties, including the city of Pittsburgh. We are committed to safely powering our customers’ lives while playing a leading role in our region’s clean energy transition. Our vision is to create a larger-than-light, clean energy future for all by delivering exceptional results today and boldly harnessing opportunities for tomorrow. In doing so, we can ensure a cleaner, healthier and more equitable community for generations to come.

Charitable Giving at Duquesne Light

Our Charitable Giving Grants Program is designed to help communities most affected by the rising cost of living—especially those burdened by high energy expenses. By prioritizing funding for nonprofit organizations helping individuals and families meet their basic needs and access high quality workforce development opportunities, we aim to reduce financial strain and promote long-term economic stability for residents across our service area.

Sponsorships

Duquesne Light Company is proud to support local events that strengthen and uplift our community. To be considered for sponsorship, all requests must be submitted through our online form. Please allow 4–6 weeks for our team to review your submission. Because of this timeline, we’re typically unable to sponsor events occurring within 30 days of the request. For questions regarding sponsorships, please email sponsorships@duqlight.com.

The Kentucky Academy of Science offers the KAS Undergraduate Research Supply Grants to support undergraduate students in Kentucky conducting research under faculty supervision. These grants provide essential supplies and expendables that are not typically available from their institutions. This initiative aims to promote scientific discovery and understanding while empowering students to engage in meaningful research activities.

St. Charles Health System offers sponsorships to support charities that align with its mission of promoting community health and well-being. Proposals can be submitted year-round, with reviews occurring three times annually. Events must provide visibility for St. Charles and be vetted for inclusivity. Special consideration is given to health-related projects and those involving St. Charles caregivers. This initiative reflects a commitment to community engagement and enhancing the quality of life in Central Oregon.

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues…we’re simply better together. 

Madrid Community Endowment Fund

Mission of the Madrid Community Endowment Fund:

The Madrid Community Endowment Fund is a charitable foundation created by and for local citizens to improve the quality of life right here in our communities. We are here to help donors make a positive, local impact by offering a variety of giving tools to help people achieve their charitable giving goals and do good work in our community that lasts forever.

The Madrid Community Endowment Fund is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Madrid by investing in area nonprofits through our grant programs and by providing individuals, families and area businesses who love our community with a way to give back.

Madrid Community Endowment Fund Grants

Grants are available to 501(c)3 organizations and government entities serving the Madrid community. Grant selections are made in an effort to create a better quality of life for people in Madrid. The local governing committee reviews the applications from charitable organizations serving their community. 

The Civic and Community Organizations Funding program in Harrisonburg supports qualified non-profit organizations that provide essential services to residents. This initiative, governed by City Code Section 4-2-9, requires applicants to be 501(c)(3) organizations and to submit applications by January 30 each year. The program aims to enhance community welfare by granting financial contributions to organizations meeting specific eligibility criteria.

The Initiative Foundation's Emerging Needs Grants offer vital support to nonprofits in Central Minnesota facing unexpected challenges. These grants enable organizations to stabilize and adapt, ensuring they continue to meet pressing community needs. With a focus on immediate impact, the funding is available to 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in the region, allowing them to address service gaps and enhance their operations during crises.

About Us

The Indiana Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) has been at the forefront of translational research since 2008. From the lab bench to clinical trials and beyond, we help researchers move their scientific findings through the development pipeline.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to bring together Indiana’s brightest minds to solve the state’s most pressing health challenges. We envision Indiana as one of the nation’s healthiest states.

RFA- Research Project Development Teams: Project Refinement ( first external submissions)

Research Project Development Teams (PDTs) are groups of experienced senior faculty located on each of the Indiana CTSI campuses who will connect you with resources, collaboration opportunities, and small (typically up to $15,000) awards for preliminary or additional data. Each PDT is designed around a common research theme.

There are biostatisticians and regulatory experts on each team, and other experts are added, as needed, to the team to when your application is discussed. You will have access to the expertise and knowledge you need all in one place.

The PDT application process is contingent on the stage of the project. You have selected the application process for pilot funding from the PDTs for a first time external submission. If you are seeking pilot funding prior to an external resubmission please use Research Project Development Teams (PDTs): Project Revision

The Vision Grants by Illinois Humanities support nonprofit organizations in Illinois, focusing on planning, evaluation, and DEI initiatives. These grants aim to foster community engagement through workshops, research, and interactive programming. Organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less are prioritized, and funds can be used for training and collaboration efforts. The initiative emphasizes equitable growth and aims to strengthen organizations' capacities to serve diverse communities.

The Falls Church Community Services Fund Grant supports human service programs for the residents of Falls Church, Virginia. Administered by the Housing and Human Services unit, it offers competitive grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Oversight is provided by the Human Services Advisory Council, ensuring community needs are addressed effectively. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for local residents through various essential services.

The Ed & Joyce Creske Family Foundation Grants support charitable organizations in central Wisconsin, specifically Lincoln, Marathon, and Portage Counties. The foundation prioritizes causes that positively impact the Mosinee community. However, it does not fund annual campaigns, operating expenses, debt retirement, endowments, direct individual support, lobbying, or sectarian causes. This initiative reflects the Creske family's commitment to giving back to the community that has supported them throughout their lives.

The Elkin/Tri-County Grants, managed by the Winston-Salem Foundation, aim to enhance community investment, philanthropic services, and student aid in Forsyth County. The foundation prioritizes projects that foster an inclusive economy and equitable education. Nonprofits serving the Tri-Counties area can apply for funding, with an emphasis on collaborative initiatives. Grants support innovative ideas but typically do not cover ongoing expenses or capital campaigns. The initiative is dedicated to impactful, lasting contributions to the local community.

The Kansas Department of Commerce is committed to helping individuals, businesses and communities achieve prosperity in Kansas. One of the ways it accomplishes this mission is by providing financial assistance and partnership support to further identified goals. 

Kansas Main Street Program

Main Street is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy.

The program has a long history of success throughout the United States and in Kansas. What started as a small pilot program in the late 1970s has now grown to include nearly 2,000 communities in more than 40 states. Throughout the country, communities have utilized the Main Street Approach to rally residents around a focused plan of action that transforms their community and enhances their quality of life.

From 1985 to 2012, more than $600 million in redevelopment took place in participating Kansas communities. This included the opening or expansion of 3,800 small businesses, creating more than 8,600 new jobs. With the return of the state program in 2020, 25 previously participating communities and new programs will once again have the resources and tools they need to breathe new life into their communities and historic commercial districts.

Designated Communities

To become a Designated Kansas Main Street community, registrants must participate in a competitive, annual application process. This process includes attending our Application Workshop and attaining recommendation by the Review Team based on their evaluation of a community’s capacity to achieve success. The completed application must demonstrate:

• Public and private support for the program, as well as the capability of the applicant to successfully implement the local Main Street program.
• Financial capability to employ a paid professional director, fund a local Main Street Program, and support downtown-related projects.
• A cohesive and distinct variety of business activity conducted in a proposed Main Street Program area.
• An interest in, and commitment to, historic preservation, specifically in the designated downtown district.

Once selected, Designated Communities receive:

• Comprehensive technical assistance in all areas of the Main Street Approach designed to further economic development downtown.
• Training in strategic planning, program capacity building, and organizational management for the Main Street organization.
• Individualized training for Main Street managers, boards, and other Main Street participants.
• Attendance to statewide, Main Street-specific, quarterly trainings and professional development opportunities for participant communities.
• Access to design services on an as-needed basis to help downtown property owners undertake effective rehabilitation, restoration, adaptive re-use, and infill projects, as well as the reimagining of public spaces within the district.
• Access to state and national grant funds (when available).
• Membership to the Main Street America network.
• At least one paid registration to participate in the annual Main Street America national conference.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers the Statistical and Research Methodology in Education grant (84.305D) to enhance education research through improved statistical methods and tools. This program invites applications focused on Core Grants for developing new methodologies or Toolkits for compiling existing research into user-friendly resources. The initiative aims to ensure these products are rigorously tested and disseminated widely to support effective education research practices.

The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EIFF) offers Prescriptive Pathway Grants to non-residential facilities in Delaware to enhance energy efficiency. These grants cover up to 60% of project costs, with a maximum award of $250,000 per location annually. Eligible projects include upgrading lighting, HVAC systems, and appliances to energy-efficient models. Applicants must reserve funding before purchasing equipment, and a pre-approval process is recommended to ensure eligibility. This initiative supports diverse community sectors, including small and minority-owned businesses.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) supports state agencies in utilizing their longitudinal data systems to inform educational policies and program decisions. This grant aims to enhance access to high-quality education and improve academic performance among learners. By empowering local education agencies with data-driven insights, IES fosters evidence-based practices that can lead to significant advancements in educational outcomes. This initiative is essential for shaping effective education strategies across states.

About Us

What We Do

Every day, we connect people who want to make a difference with opportunities to strengthen our community. Through philanthropy, partnerships, and leadership, we help turn generosity into lasting impact across the Midlands and beyond.

Since 1984, Central Carolina Community Foundation has helped donors, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders work together to address today's challenges while building resources for tomorrow. We believe lasting change happens when people, ideas, and investments come together around a shared purpose.

Sumter Community Foundation

Grant Summary

Sumter Community Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations working to strengthen Sumter County. Guided by local leadership, grants invest in projects and programs that address community needs, expand opportunity and improve quality of life for residents.

The New York Public Library offers Short-Term Research Fellowships for scholars outside the New York metropolitan area, supporting research in the arts and humanities. These fellowships, providing stipends of $1,000 per week for two to four weeks, are designed for projects that benefit from access to special collections at the library's research centers. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or foreign nationals living outside the metro area.

The Just Tech Fellowship, supported by the Social Science Research Council, aims to empower diverse researchers and practitioners to address injustices arising from new technologies. With a two-year award of $100,000 annually, this fellowship fosters collaboration and community engagement, promoting equitable tech futures. It focuses on the intersection of technology and social justice, encouraging insights from historically marginalized groups to inform structural change and create a more just society.

The Indiana CTSI Core Facilities offer Pilot Funding for research projects that utilize advanced technologies and expertise. This funding program encourages proposals that showcase scientific merit and the potential for generating extramural funding or novel intellectual property. Successful projects are expected to lead to new grants or enhance existing ones, thereby contributing to the growth of research and innovation within partner institutions.

The Met's Interdisciplinary Fellowship promotes innovative research across various disciplines, inviting scholars from diverse backgrounds to engage with the Museum's extensive collections. This one-year program supports independent projects that transcend traditional boundaries, fostering collaboration among departments. Applicants must hold or pursue advanced degrees in arts, humanities, or social sciences, demonstrating excellence and project feasibility. With stipends of up to $57,000, the fellowship aims to enrich the scholarly community and explore connections between visual arts and other fields.