Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Grant supports U.S. public charities dedicated to advancing aviation science and technology through research and development of improved aircraft. Established in 1984 by Emil Buehler, a visionary in aeronautical science, the trust perpetuates his passion for flight. Proposals should align with the foundation's mission to enhance the aviation field. Deadlines for submissions are June 1 for September meetings and December 1 for April meetings.

The DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) supports U.S. citizens and permanent residents pursuing Ph.D. degrees in high-performance computing fields. Established in 1991, this fellowship offers financial aid, professional development, and practical research experiences. It aims to cultivate a diverse community of scientists who contribute to national workforce needs and encourages students to engage in impactful research at DOE laboratories and institutions. Eligible candidates can focus on computational sciences, applied mathematics, and related disciplines.

The Central Energy Trust offers event funding to support major activities in the Manawatu/Tararua region. Grants are available for projects that are energy-related and benefit the community or promote economic development. The Trust aims to ensure that any profits from these events support charitable organizations, thereby enhancing community welfare and promoting energy conservation. This initiative reflects the Trust's commitment to fostering sustainable energy practices and community engagement.

The VOICES of Philanthropy Grant Program, established in 1998 by the Community Foundation of DeKalb County, empowers youth from local high schools to engage in philanthropy. By fostering leadership skills and community awareness, the program supports charitable initiatives in DeKalb County, Indiana. It encourages student-led organizations to apply for grants that address diverse community needs, while excluding funding for individual projects or religious purposes.

The Allied Arts & Humanities Fund Grant – Operating Support aims to enhance cultural organizations in the Bartlesville area by providing funding for arts and humanities programming. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits can apply for support to develop new initiatives or continue existing programs that reach underserved audiences. The grant committee prioritizes innovative projects, ensuring that only one grant request is awarded per applicant to maximize impact.

The Owen-Carr Townships Community Fund Grants aim to enhance the communities of Owen and Carr Townships and Medora, Indiana. Administered by the Community Foundation of Jackson County, this fund accepts various forms of donations to support local projects. Community members have established a permanent endowment to secure funding for future initiatives. The grant proposals are reviewed quarterly, fostering a collaborative effort to improve local infrastructure and support community-driven projects.

The Ecumenical Education Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Grundy County, provides financial support to churches and Christian-based nonprofits in Grundy County. This fund aims to foster educational initiatives, evangelical outreach, energy efficiency projects, and emergency aid. Applications are accepted year-round, with specific deadlines for larger grants. This funding opportunity is designed to empower community-driven efforts that enrich the lives of local residents.

The Stateline Community Foundation offers Community Impact Grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life in the Stateline Area. Organizations eligible for funding must utilize the grants for programs and services that directly benefit the community. Letters of Inquiry are required five business days before the application deadline of December 15th. This initiative supports charitable efforts and fosters community development.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Grants, offered by the Kentucky Academy of Science, support undergraduate students at Kentucky colleges and universities in their faculty-supervised research during the summer. These grants cover essential budget items such as supplies, travel, and stipends, fostering scientific discovery and understanding in Kentucky. Eligible students must work under a faculty member who is a Kentucky Academy of Science member, ensuring a collaborative and enriching research experience.

The Elizabeth City Foundation has been supporting the local community for over fifty years by providing grants for various civic projects. Their mission focuses on improving the lives of residents in Elizabeth City and surrounding areas. Grants may support initiatives such as care for the sick, enhancing living conditions, and addressing educational needs. The foundation encourages acts of kindness in return for support, fostering a cycle of compassion within the community.

The Village of Anna Endowment Fund aims to enhance the quality of life for residents through education and charity. Established for public charitable purposes, the fund supports unique community projects and established organizations, responding to diverse local needs. Grants are awarded based on available funds, allowing for innovative initiatives that benefit citizens and promote community engagement.

The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship supports exceptional scientists, writers, and artists, offering a unique interdisciplinary community at Harvard University. With 50 fellowships awarded annually, it seeks diversity in applicants, emphasizing innovative projects in science, engineering, and mathematics. Ideal candidates have significant scholarly achievements and can collaborate across disciplines, addressing pressing issues like climate change and social justice. This fellowship fosters creativity and independent research, making it an ideal opportunity for transformative work in various fields.

The Willson Center Research Seminar Program at the University of Georgia provides $2,000 for faculty-led interdisciplinary discussion groups on specific research topics. This grant is aimed at tenured or tenure-track faculty and is intended to facilitate the visit of external scholars to the campus. Applications are open for the upcoming academic year, focusing on fostering collaborative research initiatives among faculty.

The Myrtle And William Hess Charitable Trust Grant provides funding to Catholic charitable organizations focused on education and scientific initiatives in Oakland County, MI, with a specific preference for those in Waterford and White Lake Townships. This grant is exclusively available to nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code. Individuals are not eligible to apply for this grant.

The ASNT Foundation offers the Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship, a $3,000 cash award aimed at encouraging undergraduate students in U.S. universities to specialize in nondestructive testing (NDT/NDE). This initiative supports students committed to advancing their education in engineering programs and demonstrates a strong interest in the NDT field. The foundation aims to enhance workforce development through scholarships and educational grants, thereby fostering a skilled workforce in nondestructive testing.

The Basil L. King Scholarship Foundation offers four-year scholarships to St. Lucie County residents pursuing careers in Health Sciences. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.00 or higher, although those with a GPA of 2.5 may be considered under special circumstances. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years with continued eligibility. Preference is given to students who intend to return to the Treasure Coast after graduation, ensuring support for local talent.

The Virginia Academy of Science offers Small Project Research Grants aimed at supporting initiatives that enhance understanding of natural systems in Virginia and human impacts on them. Eligible applicants include members of the Academy, with a focus on projects that provide seed funding for scientific investigations. Past projects have successfully updated significant research on local ecosystems, fostering a collaborative approach to scientific inquiry and community engagement in Virginia's environmental issues.

The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships provide recent humanities PhDs with the opportunity to work with nonprofit organizations focused on social justice. Over 24 months, fellows receive a stipend of $70,000 in the first year and $72,000 in the second, along with relocation funds and health insurance. The program emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all eligible scholars to enhance their professional skills in meaningful roles.

The South Wayne Community Fund, established in 1998, enables residents of South Wayne to contribute enduring charitable gifts to their community. Annually, the advisory board awards grants to non-profit organizations, the local school district, and government agencies that implement charitable programs benefiting the South Wayne area. As a component fund of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, it supports local initiatives and fosters community engagement.

The New Jersey Cultural Trust offers Institutional and Financial Stabilization Grants for History and Humanities Organizations to strengthen the financial and operational capabilities of qualified organizations. This program aims to address challenges that threaten stability while enhancing capacity to fulfill missions. The grants support essential projects and are available to organizations designated as qualified by the Cultural Trust. Applications are reviewed following a Declaration of Intent to Apply by the specified deadlines.

Enhance Hamilton County Foundation

The mission of the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the quality of life for citizens in Hamilton County. To these ends, the Foundation will promote endowment collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of the designated area.

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Greater Des Moines Foundation. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that our communities’ charitable programs were supported now and in the future.

EHCF Annual Grant Program - Other

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation will provide grants to improve the quality of life throughout Hamilton County, Iowa. We want to help develop all our communities into places where people want to live, as well as, to benefit rural areas of the county.

The Foundation supports the spirit of giving throughout Hamilton County by providing outstanding support and services to our donors, volunteers, other charitable-focused agencies, grant seekers, and the community. We achieve this by:

• Helping people realize their dreams of making a difference and finding the best vehicle to achieve that, by designing and implementing their charitable giving plans.
• Facilitating and supporting the works of charitable-focused organizations in Hamilton County through strategic grant making.
• Acting as stewards for the community by managing donor funds.
• Bringing diverse groups together for the common good.

Competitive grants are made available yearly from unrestricted funds, one of which is: 

Other – Use this category only if the grant cannot be categorized as Arts/Culture/Humanities, Education, Environment/Animal, Health, Human Services and Public/Society Benefit.

The Willson Center Public Impact Grant, offered by the University of Georgia, supports faculty-led initiatives that organize conferences, exhibitions, and performances showcasing humanities and arts research. With a funding limit of $7,500, this grant encourages collaboration between faculty and graduate students, facilitating interdisciplinary projects. Award recipients must communicate program details to the Willson Center and provide proper credit in all related publicity. Applications are open for the upcoming academic year, with a focus on impactful engagements.

About the Awards

The Benton Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Achievement Awards brings together nonprofit leaders, business leaders, and community members to recognize outstanding achievements in philanthropy in Benton County.

The event showcases the hard work of our talented, generous community, and celebrates the people and organizations that volunteer, donate, and inspire others to create a bright future for families and children.

Outstanding Rising Changemaker Award

The Benton Community Foundation Philanthropic Achievement Awards celebrate the power of generosity, honoring visionary leaders in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Rising Change Maker Award recognizes an individual or group under the age of 30 that has improved the community through dedicated action and exhibit extensive commitment to the missions they care about. This award is open to nominees who have contributed energy, expertise, or funds to projects throughout Benton County and surrounding areas.

About the Awards

The Benton Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Achievement Awards brings together nonprofit leaders, business leaders, and community members to recognize outstanding achievements in philanthropy in Benton County.

The event showcases the hard work of our talented, generous community, and celebrates the people and organizations that volunteer, donate, and inspire others to create a bright future for families and children.

Outstanding Project or Program Award

The Benton Community Foundation Philanthropic Achievement Awards celebrate the power of generosity, honoring visionary leaders in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Outstanding Project or Program Award recognizes a dynamic, innovative, or unique project or program working to serve our region. This award is open to nominees who conduct programming throughout Benton County and surrounding areas.

The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin's Community Impact Fund provides grants up to $10,000 for impactful projects in nine counties. Focused on sustainability, it supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies in enhancing community services, expanding programs, and addressing systemic challenges. The fund aims to create lasting change by funding projects that exceed local resource capacities and encourage collaboration among communities.

The Crossroads Fund's Community Resilience Fund aims to support grassroots organizations in Chicago as they navigate urgent challenges and advocate for justice. Evolving from the Critical Response Fund, it focuses on equipping communities with resources to respond to public policy shifts, host trainings, and strengthen security. Priority is given to organizations demonstrating a commitment to social justice and community leadership, ensuring a swift, strategic response to pressing needs in a tumultuous socio-political landscape.

The Northern Lowcountry Grants, specifically the Dorchester County Fund, is managed by the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Established in 2010, this fund aims to improve the quality of life for residents of Dorchester County by providing grants to various organizations. Eligible applicants include nonprofits dedicated to serving this community, and applications for general operational support are welcomed. The foundation is committed to fostering vibrant communities through strategic funding.