Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The TCA Texas Arts Create 2 Grant, offered by the Texas Commission on the Arts, aims to support Established Minority Arts Organizations with budgets exceeding $50,000. This grant provides multi-year operational support, allowing organizations to apply for funding covering one year, with potential extension based on available funds. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt nonprofits and comply with various federal regulations. The program seeks to enhance the creative economy in Texas, fostering a diverse and innovative arts community.

The AIAR NEH Fellowship offers up to $70,000 in funding for U.S. scholars in Near Eastern studies to conduct research at the Albright Institute in Jerusalem. Fellowships last between 4 to 6 months and cover stipends for living expenses. The program seeks to engage diverse scholars, providing essential resources for projects that connect contemporary issues with the ancient past. Applications are open to post-doctoral and early career scholars, fostering a commitment to academic diversity and excellence.

The ROCORI Area Community Builder Grant, offered by CommunityGiving, aims to foster lasting, positive change in the ROCORI area. This grant supports various initiatives including education, social services, arts and culture, and civic engagement. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government entities. The grant encourages collaborative efforts to enhance community impact, ensuring a sustainable investment in the quality of life for residents. Organizations can apply for funding for new programs, capital projects, and other strategic investments.

Holman Enterprises Community Grants aim to support low-income communities by providing essential resources like food, housing, education, and healthcare. With financial aid of $10,000 for single-year support or $15,000 for multi-year commitments, these grants focus on organizations dedicated to enhancing opportunities for low-income individuals in the areas served. This initiative reflects Holman Enterprises Inc's commitment to community welfare and social responsibility.

The Carthage Community Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations and IRS-approved entities serving the Carthage area. This initiative aims to enhance community life through innovative projects in key areas such as health, education, arts, and nutrition. Applicants must provide a detailed budget and can only apply once for funding. Grants should be utilized within one year, ensuring impactful use of resources for community development.

About Us

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, we partner with people who want to improve their communities and make the world better. We work together to identify and respond to our region’s greatest opportunities, help those in need, and leave a lasting impact.

Scholarship

Each year, Innovia awards over $500,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $10,000.

Diversity in Advertising Scholarship

The scholarship is open to Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color of all ages in Innovia's 20 county service region. The scholarship is intended for students studying Marketing, Advertising or Design with a career focus of Digital Marketing, Advertising, Design and/or Computer Science at any accredited institution. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement.

Special consideration will be given to those active in school activities, community service, and work experience. Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply.

T7 Social Impact GrantsThe T.D. Jakes Foundation (TDJF), in partnership with Wells Fargo, is proud to launch the Social Impact Grant Challenge, a transformative funding opportunity designed to identify, support, and amplify nonprofit organizations creating meaningful change in communities across the United States.

Designed around the T.D. Jakes Foundation's pillars of service (Educational Access & Workforce Readiness, financial inclusion, and community transformation and well-being), the Challenge seeks innovative nonprofit organizations that are addressing critical social issues through impactful, scalable, and sustainable solutions.

Finalists selected through this process will have the opportunity to showcase their organization through a live presentation at the inaugural Thriving Seven (T7) Summit, taking place November 12 –14 in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to competing for grant funding, finalists will gain national visibility for their work and connect with nonprofit leaders, funders, and changemakers from across the country.Grant Funding: A total of $1,500,000 in grant funding is anticipated to be awarded: 

• One (1) - $500,000 grant
• One (1) - $250,000 grant
• Two (2) - $100,000 grant
• Eleven (11) - $50,000 grant

CDBG Public Services

Funding Opportunity Details

Approximately $1,210,432 in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are available to cities and counties through the state of Iowa’s Public Services Program. All incorporated cities and all counties in the State, except those designated as HUD entitlement areas, are eligible to apply for and receive funds under this program. The Applicant will establish a subrecipient agreement with the participating nonprofit entity (“Subrecipient Partner”) for implementation of the program. Additionally, all Applicants & Subrecipient Partners must work with a Grant Administrator that complies with IEDA’s Certified Grant Administrator Policy (typically council of government or IEDA-approved consultant) to submit the application and conduct grant administration / project delivery.

The purpose of the Public Service Program is to support essential service providers, Homelessness Service Providers and Food Pantries, that address the most urgent and persistent needs of low- and moderate-income households in Iowa. By focusing resources on these high impact service areas, the program aims to support local safety nets, access to nutritious food, and individuals and families experiencing housing instability to improve community resilience. These investments complement broader CDBG goals by ensuring vulnerable Iowans receive the immediate services necessary to achieve long-term housing, health, and economic stability. 

UWNSV Impact Grants

The Challenge

Nearly 4 in 10 households in the Northern Shenandoah Valley cannot afford the basics: housing, food, childcare, transportation, and healthcare.

And instability does not stop at one family’s doorstep. It ripples across classrooms, workplaces, clinics, and neighborhoods. We all feel the cost.

Impact-Driven Funding Opportunities. Hyper-Local Focus.

We live in the communities we serve, working alongside local leaders and residents. Together, we use local data and lived experience to design solutions tailor-made for the challenges right here in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

It is all rooted in United Way values and proven strategies, but never a one-size-fits-all approach. Every dollar you give stays local, drives measurable results, and fuels change where it matters most — in your own community.

Our Response: Building Stability

United Way NSV invests in more than quick fixes. We create long-term stability:

• $535,000 invested through Community Impact Grants, endowed funds, and supplemental awards, strengthening 50+ nonprofit partners across the region raised during the 2024-2025 campaign season. 
• Nearly 1,000 volunteers at 80+ sites during 2024’s Day of Caring, completing painting, repairs, garden builds, and cleanups. This saved agencies thousands of dollars and strengthened community infrastructure, with even greater impact expected in 2025.
• 211 and other community initiatives connecting families to critical resources before crisis becomes catastrophe.
• $50,000 transferred annually to nonprofit partners through designated funds received during workplace giving campaigns.

Impact: Together, these efforts reached 11,000+ households and 27,628 individuals — nearly one in ten people in our region.

Our Priorities: Impact for People

We fund programs and partnerships that create lasting change:

• Education → Children succeed in school and beyond.
• Financial stability → Families avoid eviction, debt, and crisis.
• Health access → Neighbors receive care regardless of income or ZIP code.
• Community resilience → Families gain stability through food, housing, and other basic needs support.
• Collaboration → Shared solutions emerge that no one sector could achieve alone.

To ensure fairness across communities, investments were distributed regionally:

• City of Winchester – Housing stability, food access, youth enrichment
• Frederick County – Housing, crisis response, and family support
• Clarke County – Food security and youth development
• Warren County – Health clinics, shelter, and family resilience
• Shenandoah County – Rural health, education, and crisis care
• Page County – Domestic violence prevention, housing, and community care

Efficiency Maine Trust 

The Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. Through its suite of nationally recognized programs, Efficiency Maine provides consumer information, marketing support, demonstration pilots, discounts, rebates, loans, and other initiatives to promote high-efficiency equipment and operations that help Maine’s homes, businesses, and institutions reduce their energy costs and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The result is job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy, and progress toward meeting the State’s climate change goals. Efficiency Maine is governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program

The C&I Custom Program incentivizes tailored energy efficiency and distributed generation projects that require site-specific engineering analyses and/or projects with energy conservation measures that are not otherwise covered by the C&I Prescriptive Program incentives.

Examples of customers who have participated in the C&I Custom Program include hospitals, manufacturers, universities, commercial bakeries, food processors, office complexes, and data centers.

The C&I Custom Program includes: 1) Custom Efficiency Projects; 2) Custom Distributed Generation Projects; 3) Energy Storage System Projects; 4) Compressed Air Leak Surveys; 5) Technical Assistance; 6) School Decarbonization Technical Assistance; 7) Scoping Audits 

Technical Assistance

Efficiency Maine’s Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Custom Program offers incentives for Technical Assistance Studies to those customers that have already identified a project but need engineering services before it can be implemented. Efficiency Maine may provide 50% of the cost of an approved Technical Assistance Study up to $25,000.

For a project to be eligible for Technical Assistance funding, Efficiency Maine must confirm that its implementation is likely to be eligible for a C&I Custom Program incentive award.

The Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation provides community grants aimed at supporting youth initiatives in the Town of Rockland. Established by diamond merchant Lazare Kaplan in 1965, the foundation focuses on educational scholarships and community programs. With an emphasis on aiding local organizations, it seeks to enhance after-school activities and recreational facilities. Grant amounts start at $250, and the foundation has positively impacted over 1,500 students through its funding efforts.

The WMU Department of History offers the History Undergraduate Fellows Emeriti Grant Program to support undergraduate history majors and minors in scholarly pursuits beyond the classroom. Grants ranging from $50 to $500 can be utilized for research, internships, volunteer work, or travel to conferences. Applicants must submit an application, resume, transcript, project description, budget, and faculty mentor support. Deadlines are November 15 for spring projects and March 15 for summer and fall projects.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist graduates of Conotton Valley or Carrollton High Schools planning to enroll, or currently enrolled, at an accredited college or university to pursue further education in the following fields: History, Writing (not limited to, English, Journalism, Language Arts, Communications and programs in Mass Media), Graphic Arts, Music (which shall include but not limited to, vocal music, instrumental music, music history, music education, and music performance) and any other program or field of study approved by the Selection Committee. 

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

The Manistee Community Foundation Grant Program aims to foster community growth and development in Manistee County. Established in 1987, the Foundation invites proposals that address local needs and inspire innovative solutions. By engaging donors and partners, the program seeks to create lasting impacts through strategic investments. Applicants are encouraged to submit a Grant Inquiry Form to determine eligibility for funding. The Foundation values community input and looks forward to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Efficiency Maine Trust 

The Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. Through its suite of nationally recognized programs, Efficiency Maine provides consumer information, marketing support, demonstration pilots, discounts, rebates, loans, and other initiatives to promote high-efficiency equipment and operations that help Maine’s homes, businesses, and institutions reduce their energy costs and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The result is job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy, and progress toward meeting the State’s climate change goals. Efficiency Maine is governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program

The C&I Custom Program incentivizes tailored energy efficiency and distributed generation projects that require site-specific engineering analyses and/or projects with energy conservation measures that are not otherwise covered by the C&I Prescriptive Program incentives.

Examples of customers who have participated in the C&I Custom Program include hospitals, manufacturers, universities, commercial bakeries, food processors, office complexes, and data centers.

The C&I Custom Program includes: 1) Custom Efficiency Projects; 2) Custom Distributed Generation Projects; 3) Energy Storage System Projects; 4) Compressed Air Leak Surveys; 5) Technical Assistance; 6) School Decarbonization Technical Assistance; 7) Scoping Audits 

Compressed Air Leak Surveys

Efficiency Maine’s Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program provides funding for compressed air leak surveys and leak repairs. The program is designed to reduce compressed air losses and support capital planning for larger compressed air investments through installation of permanent compressed air flow metering equipment.

Efficiency Maine also offers incentives for high efficiency air compressors and dryers.

The Denise Kaley Fund for Berkshire County Women with Cancer provides essential financial support for women battling cancer in Berkshire County. It assists with daily living expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and childcare, ensuring that women can focus on their healing journey. Established in memory of Denise Kaley, the fund collaborates with local social services to deliver timely aid. This enduring fund continues to grow, reflecting the community's commitment to helping those in need.

The Youth Philanthropy Board Grant in Kent County aims to support local residents by funding initiatives that enhance safety and protect the environment. In 2026, this grant will provide financial assistance to non-profits focused on Student Support Services, aid for People with Disabilities, Environmental Conservation, and Violence Prevention efforts. This initiative reflects a commitment to community welfare and sustainable practices, fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for all.

The Charles & Betty Degenstein Foundation, established in 1977, aims to enhance lives through grants supporting various sectors such as education, health care, and conservation. The Foundation focuses on projects that positively impact Snyder, Union, and Northumberland Counties, encouraging community support and collaboration. Grant applications are open to 501(c)(3) organizations, guided by a Trust Board, but typically do not cover all project costs, especially for operating budgets or political activities.

The Special Projects Grants, offered by the North Dakota Council on the Arts, open for applications on July 1, 2025. This reimbursement grant program supports art events across various disciplines, providing up to $1,500 for North Dakota groups and individual artists. Applications must be submitted six weeks prior to the activity's start date, with the latest project end date set for June 30, 2026. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance the local arts scene.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.

Flexible Technical Assistance (FlexTech) Program

Description

The Flexible Technical Assistance (FlexTech) Program supports New York State commercial, industrial, institutional, and multifamily customers who pay into the Systems Benefit Charge by providing a cost-share for credible, objective technical assistance services, such as energy audits, that help businesses make more informed energy decisions. A dedicated team of engineers, technology experts, and energy consultants work with customers to create a customized assessment that identifies clean energy investment opportunities for reducing energy consumption and costs.

Customers have the option of selecting a NYSERDA qualified FlexTech Consultant or working with a consultant of their choosing. The Consultant will identify, analyze, and prioritize energy efficiency or carbon reduction recommendations. The recommendations are tailored to the customer’s site and business needs. Implementation of these recommendations may lead to lower annual utility costs, reduced operation and maintenance costs, extended equipment life, and increased occupant comfort.

The FlexTech Program does not provide cost-share for the implementation of measures identified in a study.

The Investing in Our Future Grants by Erie Insurance aim to enhance educational outcomes in the Erie region by addressing poverty through quality education. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the program focuses on two key areas: aligning instructional programming with out-of-school activities and ensuring school readiness. By supporting local nonprofits, Erie Insurance seeks to foster measurable changes that benefit students and their families, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant and sustainable community.

About Us

Making a Difference, Together

The Community Foundation of Monroe County (CFMC) builds a thriving, inclusive community through the power of philanthropy. By connecting generous donors with local causes, we help ensure Monroe County remains a place where everyone can thrive. Since our founding, we’ve been a trusted steward of community resources, fostering impactful collaborations and sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, poverty, and community development.

Life Needs Support

Life Needs Support provides need-based financial assistance to students and young adults from the Greater Milan area who face barriers that may prevent them from completing a degree or skilled trades training program. 

Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We recognize that unexpected hardships can disrupt educational progress, including expenses related to books and supplies, medical care, transportation, childcare, trade tools.

Applications are evaluated two times each year for awarding in the six months after application and selection.

Efficiency Maine Trust 

The Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. Through its suite of nationally recognized programs, Efficiency Maine provides consumer information, marketing support, demonstration pilots, discounts, rebates, loans, and other initiatives to promote high-efficiency equipment and operations that help Maine’s homes, businesses, and institutions reduce their energy costs and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The result is job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy, and progress toward meeting the State’s climate change goals. Efficiency Maine is governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program

The C&I Custom Program incentivizes tailored energy efficiency and distributed generation projects that require site-specific engineering analyses and/or projects with energy conservation measures that are not otherwise covered by the C&I Prescriptive Program incentives.

Examples of customers who have participated in the C&I Custom Program include hospitals, manufacturers, universities, commercial bakeries, food processors, office complexes, and data centers.

The C&I Custom Program includes: 1) Custom Efficiency Projects; 2) Custom Distributed Generation Projects; 3) Energy Storage System Projects; 4) Compressed Air Leak Surveys; 5) Technical Assistance; 6) School Decarbonization Technical Assistance; 7) Scoping Audits 

Custom Efficiency Projects

Program Description

The Trust is seeking applications for energy efficiency projects with the principal goal of reducing energy use by Maine businesses and institutions through the installation of more efficient equipment. 

Maine businesses, nonprofits, institutions and governments are eligible for funding for electrical and thermal energy efficiency projects through Efficiency Maine’s Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program.

Eligible projects may include process improvements designed to improve efficiency, heat recovery and custom heat pump systems, HVAC equipment and controls, high efficiency compressed air systems, installation of VFDs on motors, chillers and pump upgrades.

The Safe Arborist Techniques Fund Grant Program, established by the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund and the International Society of Arboriculture, aims to enhance worker safety in arboriculture through research and development. Grants focus on biomechanics and tree failure mechanisms, supporting innovative practices that protect both workers and the community. Proposals are evaluated on their potential impact, scientific rigor, and the experience of the investigative team, ensuring they align with the mission of the TREE Fund.

The Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (IRINAH), led by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, focuses on enhancing health outcomes in Native populations. It supports research to identify causes of health issues, develop and test effective interventions, and implement strategies that promote sustainability. Emphasizing community strengths, the initiative aims to rigorously evaluate solutions to reduce health disparities, ensuring interventions can be adapted and shared across diverse communities.

The Promoting First Relationships-Agency Training Project aims to engage community-based agencies in training models that enhance parent-child relationships. Funded by the Seattle King County Department of Public Health, this initiative supports applications for varying amounts between $2,000 and $20,000. The project is part of the Best Starts for Kids initiative, which focuses on fostering healthy development for children and families in King County, ensuring they thrive in a supportive environment.

The Brownfield Cleanup Program in New York aims to facilitate the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites, thereby revitalizing economically distressed communities. By providing tax incentives and removing barriers, the program encourages private-sector investment in urban areas. Eligible properties are those with contaminants exceeding safety standards. However, sites classified as hazardous waste or under enforcement actions are ineligible. This initiative represents a significant step towards sustainable urban development.