Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The ASMS Postdoctoral Career Development Awards provide five $5,000 grants annually to support the professional growth of postdoctoral fellows in mass spectrometry. Eligible applicants must be ASMS members and postdoctoral fellows within three years of their Ph.D. These awards can cover costs for conferences, workshops, travel to labs, or purchasing essential professional items, fostering career advancement in this specialized field.

The North Georgia Community Foundation offers the NGCF Community Grant Program, which provides funding between $500 and $25,000 to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Georgia. Eligible organizations can apply for operational or programmatic grants, but must submit a detailed application and budget. Recipients of Community Grants can also apply for other NGCF funding in the same year. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life in the region through various community-focused projects.

Benjamin N Phillips Memorial Fund

The Benjamin N. Phillips Memorial Fund awards grants annually to a broad range of charitable organizations serving Clallam County. The fund is a legacy gift of Benjamin Phillips and was established following the death of Phillips’ second wife. 

The Grid Hardening for Small and Rural Communities Grant Program aims to enhance the resilience of rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities in Colorado by funding essential power grid improvements. With a total budget of $4,095,997 for 2024, the program prioritizes projects that address climate risks and social vulnerabilities. Eligible applicants must match one-third of the grant amount, and projects should be designed to serve communities with populations under 50,000. This initiative strengthens the electrical grid against wildfires and extreme weather.

Lake Shore Savings Community Reinvestment Grants aim to support local non-profit organizations by funding vital programs and services. With a commitment to 'Putting People First,' the bank prioritizes projects that benefit low to moderate-income populations and demonstrate significant community impact. Eligible organizations must hold 501(c)(3) status and directly serve Chautauqua and Erie Counties. The grant seeks to empower communities through innovative solutions, volunteer participation, and financial education.

The Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation's Herrnstein Family Fund Grant supports local 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that make a significant community impact. Established by community members in 1997, it funds projects that enhance quality of life in the region. The foundation prioritizes tangible requests directly benefiting clients. Ineligible proposals include those from religious organizations, discriminatory groups, and requests for administrative expenses or fundraising efforts. This grant exemplifies community-driven philanthropy aimed at fostering long-term positive change.

The Minton Family Community Fund Grant, established by the East Texas Communities Foundation, aims to support nonprofit organizations serving East Texans. This grant honors a family's legacy in Sabine County, ensuring the community thrives through various funding opportunities. With a commitment to addressing essential issues such as healthcare, housing, and environmental protection, this grant fosters collaboration among diverse organizations, enhancing the quality of life for residents. Apply now to make a difference in East Texas!

The Bicycle Hotel Casino offers sponsorship and donation opportunities to support various worthy causes through a structured Board Review Committee. To qualify, organizations must submit a formal request at least 60 days before their event. This includes a Donation Request Form and a letter detailing the organization's purpose and alignment with the casino’s mission. The casino prioritizes requests from registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, ensuring that each project aligns with their philanthropic goals.

Impact100 Westchester offers the Transformational Project Grant, aimed at funding impactful projects for nonprofit organizations serving the Westchester community. Organizations must be tax-exempt and operational for at least 36 months, with total revenue between $250,000 and $25 million. The grants range from $75,000 to $100,000, awarded based on a rigorous review process. Applicants are encouraged to attend an information session and must demonstrate their project's transformational potential and sustainability.

About the IP Law Foundation

For nearly two decades, the Foundation—originally established as the American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation—has championed expanded access and opportunity in the intellectual property (IP) law profession. In 2020, reflecting the growth and impact of its mission, the organization adopted a new name: the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law. This change accompanied an expansion of its long-standing programs to attract, support, and empower students committed to careers in IP law.

In 2025, to further clarify its mission and identity, the Foundation streamlined its name to what it is today: The IP Law Foundation.

Jan Jancin Award – AIPLA Past Presidents Award

The Jan Jancin Award is a merit-based award that honors Jan Jancin, who served with extraordinary distinction in numerous IP bar leadership roles throughout his career, including both as president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and as the chair of the Section on Intellectual Property Law of the American Bar Association. The Jan Jancin Award is made possible through the generosity of AIPLA and the ABA IPL Section. The AIPLA Past Presidents Award is a merit-based award that is made possible through the contributions to the Foundation each year by past presidents of the AIPLA.

Award

The winner of the Jan Jancin Award receives a $5,000 cash honorarium, as well as reasonable travel expenses to attend the presentation of the award in person, which is made each year during either the AIPLA Annual Meeting or a meeting of the ABA IPL Section. The winner of the AIPLA Past Presidents Award receives a cash honorarium of $2,500, and is invited to attend the presentation of the award in person at the AIPLA Annual Meeting.

Nomination Process

The dean (or another appropriate faculty member) of a law school has the opportunity to select and recommend a single 2L or 3L student as the law school’s nominee for both the Jan Jancin Award and the AIPLA Past Presidents Award. The recommending faculty member must provide a description, based on personal knowledge of the nominee, of the nominee’s relevant achievements, using criteria such as (1) best grades in IP courses overall, (2) outstanding achievement in specified IP courses, (3) best IP paper written by a student, (4) faculty consensus, and (5) leadership in student IP organizations.

The Shelburne Farms - Foundations in Education for Sustainability 2024 program offers a unique opportunity for educators to engage in a transformative experience focused on Education for Sustainability (EFS). Over five days, participants will collaborate with peers, develop personal projects, and learn from experts in the field. The program combines conference elements with hands-on workshops, fostering a rich environment for dialogue and reflection in a sustainable setting. Tuition and accommodation fees are covered by the CGC Scholarship.

Cornerstone Grants

Do you volunteer with a nonprofit organization? Would you like additional funding to start or enhance a service project? Organize your own service project!

We know that as an Elks scholar, you already uphold the cornerstones of the Foundation: knowledge, integrity, charity and community. Now, we want to help you do more! The ENF is offering fifteen $500 Cornerstone Grants to any Elks scholar interested in starting or expanding a community service project. We are also offering six $250 bonuses for projects done in collaboration with an Elks Lodge.

Looking for project ideas?

Consider a cause that you are passionate about and partner with an organization addressing that need.

Talk to your sponsoring lodge about what sort of service project they’d like to see at the Lodge. Ask them about charitable projects they are currently involved with, and see if there are any projects they’d like to see enhanced. You can find contact information for a Lodge near you here.

Funding

• The ENF is offering twenty $500 Cornerstone Grants to any Elks scholar interested in starting or expanding a community service project.
• We are also offering fifteen $250 bonuses for projects done in collaboration with an Elks Lodge.

The Grow Your Impact Grant, offered by the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, aims to enhance nonprofit effectiveness in Hall County. Grants of up to $10,000 support projects such as board training, staff education, strategic planning, and technology upgrades. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, with a focus on sustainability and broad community impact. The Foundation encourages collaboration and innovation, ensuring resources are directed towards underrepresented groups and essential services.

Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies

Established in 1948, the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) – a nonprofit, non-political, scholarly society – is the leading international organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, and Eastern Europe in regional and global contexts.  

ASEEES Next Generation Dissertation Research Fellowship Program

Established in 2025, the ASEEES Next Generation Dissertation Research Fellowship Program provides a maximum stipend of $28,000 for doctoral students at US universities, regardless of citizenship, to conduct dissertation research in Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies. The program is open to students in any discipline whose dissertation topics are within Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies.

Fellowship Project Scope

• The dissertation topic must be in Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies
• Most of the proposed research should be conducted in Eastern Europe and/or Eurasia but the fellowship can be used to conduct research for a briefer period in secondary site(s) such as the U.S.; in cases of equally qualified applications, some preference may be given to research entirely in the region

The stipend can be spent on expenses incurred while conducting research, including living expenses, research expenses, international airfare, visa expenses, and evacuation and health insurance.

The ASEEES Dissertation Research Grant, offered by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies, provides up to $6,000 for graduate students conducting dissertation research in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Open to all disciplines, applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program in the U.S., have ABD status, and be ASEEES members. Research in eligible countries is encouraged, with special considerations for the current geopolitical climate affecting Russia and Ukraine.

The Swain County Community Foundation's Unrestricted Endowment Fund aims to enhance community life in Swain County by providing annual grants to local nonprofits. With grant amounts ranging from $500 to $1,250, and a total grantmaking cap of $12,000, the fund addresses evolving community needs. Eligibility includes tax-exempt organizations and local government units, while ineligibility encompasses political lobbying and capital campaigns. This fund empowers diverse organizations to support various community initiatives.

The Paloheimo Foundation Fellowship offers a nine-month residency at the School for Advanced Research for scholars in the humanities and social sciences. This fellowship supports the preparation of manuscripts or dissertations, providing $35,000 in stipend, low-cost housing, and office space. Open to PhD candidates, the program emphasizes research that enriches the understanding of human culture and history. Applications are accepted from September to November, fostering a collaborative academic environment.

The Clinton Presidential Research Fellowship, offered by the Clinton Presidential Library and the Clinton Foundation, supports graduate students and early career academics in the humanities and social sciences. This fellowship enables research into President Clinton's administration and its legacy. Annual funding ranges from $1,250 to $5,000 USD, encouraging students and scholars to delve into American history and presidential legacies. Applications are invited from current graduate students or those who have earned a PhD within the last eight years.

The Nemaha County Development Foundation Fund, managed by the Nebraska Community Foundation, aims to foster community growth and well-being through charitable contributions. This fund focuses on supporting non-profit organizations that benefit the residents of Nemaha County, Nebraska. With values rooted in integrity, leadership, and stewardship, the fund encourages local grants that create a lasting impact and build a sustainable future for the community.

Virginia Humanities offers grants to support projects that delve into Virginia's rich history, culture, and communities. These grants aim to foster public engagement through initiatives like community discussions, history projects, and educational resources. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and recognized educational institutions. Preference is given to organizations within Virginia, although external applicants focusing on Virginia-related subjects are also welcome. The program emphasizes inclusivity and the importance of connecting with a broad audience.

The Wenner-Gren Fellowship, offered by the School for Advanced Research, supports scholars in anthropology and related fields, particularly those focusing on Black studies and under-represented perspectives. This nine-month residential fellowship provides a $50,000 stipend, low-cost housing, and office space, fostering a collaborative research environment. Open to PhD-holding anthropologists, the program encourages innovative proposals that contribute to the humanities and social sciences, enhancing the understanding of human culture and history.

The Madison County Community Foundation Grant Program, established in 1994, supports local nonprofit organizations through competitive grants ranging from $500 to $1,500, with a total grantmaking limit of $5,500. Organizations based in Madison County, including tax-exempt charities and local government units, are eligible to apply. This program enhances community life by addressing local needs and encourages philanthropic contributions to various causes within the county.

The AAAE Women in Aviation Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, provides seven awards of $5,000 each to support female students in aviation programs at accredited institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Eligibility requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and involvement in community activities. Recipients are selected based on gender, academic achievement, financial need, and a personal statement. Awards are non-renewable and subject to change.

The Portland Foundation Winter Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Jay County, Indiana, by supporting charitable organizations and community agencies. Established in 1951, the foundation focuses on funding start-up costs, one-time projects, and capital needs that directly address local charitable requirements. Eligible applicants include both new and existing organizations that can demonstrate a clear connection to Jay County's needs. The foundation does not support individual projects, political activities, or operating deficits.

The Trail Blazers Foundation Fund – LEARN Grant focuses on supporting youth from historically underserved communities in Oregon and southwest Washington. The grant offers up to $25,000 annually for organizations that help youth graduate high school and meet academic benchmarks. After the first year, selected organizations may receive an additional $25,000, totaling $50,000 over two years. This initiative aims to create positive impacts in the lives of young individuals where they live, learn, and play.

The Hebron Community Foundation Fund, supported by the Nebraska Community Foundation, is committed to enhancing the well-being of the Hebron community. This fund actively promotes charitable giving through a dedicated Advisory Committee, which awards grants to local organizations addressing pressing community needs and future opportunities. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the fund aims to ensure lasting positive impacts in the region.

The William Cash Grant, established by the Portsmouth Rotary Club in 2002, supports Rotarian-led community projects benefiting local non-profits. Funded by a substantial legacy from William M. Cash, this initiative promotes hands-on engagement among Rotarians, fostering fellowship and club vibrancy. Grants over $1,500 require detailed documentation and ongoing member involvement. By prioritizing specific project costs over operational expenses, the grant ensures impactful contributions to the Seacoast community.