Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The City of Muskogee Foundation provides essential grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents through various initiatives in education, health, and economic development. Established in 2008, the foundation focuses on funding programs that drive community revitalization and support nonprofits. Key funding areas include economic development, education, health and wellness, and quality of life improvements. Grants are awarded based on measurable outcomes, ensuring a lasting impact on the community.

The Trio Foundation of St. Louis Grant aims to enhance community well-being and promote equity through its new funding framework. Established over two decades ago, the foundation focuses on empowering marginalized groups, particularly those facing discrimination based on race, gender, and socioeconomic status. The grant supports initiatives in women's economic empowerment, arts accessibility, and environmental justice, fostering authentic relationships with community partners to create lasting impact in the St. Louis region.

The Huntington Impact Investment Philanthropy Grant Program aims to strengthen communities by supporting nonprofit organizations that enhance self-sufficiency and social equality. With a focus on areas such as community revitalization, affordable housing, and economic development, the program prioritizes initiatives that serve low- and moderate-income individuals. Organizations with IRS tax-exempt status can apply for funding to address critical community needs, fostering a more equitable environment for all.

The Ashden International Award celebrates innovative climate solutions, supporting businesses and organizations that promote social justice and reduce emissions. This year, the awards focus on climate innovators enhancing job roles and skills for a low-carbon future. Winners receive grants, essential publicity, and connections with climate experts, fostering impactful change in the UK and low-income nations. Join Ashden in recognizing pioneers who are transforming the green job landscape and leading the way in climate action.

The NACD Technical Assistance Grants program, in partnership with NRCS, has been enhancing conservation district support since 2018. By funding staff hires, it aims to improve service for agricultural producers and address conservation workload challenges. The initiative focuses on outreach, education, and civic engagement to empower local communities, promote sustainability, and support historically underserved producers in implementing conservation practices, thereby fostering both individual and community resilience.

The Securian Foundation focuses on enhancing community well-being through financial stability, youth education, and vibrant communities. They aim to empower families by supporting initiatives that ensure equitable access to basic needs, promote financial literacy, and encourage community engagement in arts and culture. The foundation prioritizes funding for food security, housing, workforce development, educational programs, and civic opportunities, while maintaining a commitment to serving underrepresented populations.

About

Together we can strengthen our communities.

ServeWyoming is our State’s center for volunteerism and national service. We exist to help implement and coordinate the AmeriCorps programs, as well as build, maintain and mobilize the volunteer infrastructure we believe necessary to address the critical needs in our State. We also collaborate with other AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs such as AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps Seniors*RSVP and VGF*Service Learning.

Our Mission

ServeWyoming is our State’s commission on national and community service.

We exist to help implement and coordinate the AmeriCorps programs, as well as build, maintain and mobilize the volunteer infrastructure we believe necessary to address the critical needs in our State. We also collaborate with other AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs such as AmeriCorps*VISTA, AmeriCorps*VGF (Service Learning) and AmeriCorps Seniors*RSVP.

Notice of Funding Opportunity

If you are interested in applying to be a new program, please reach out to ServeWyoming staff at ACProgram@servewyoming.org before proceeding. ServeWyoming requires that new programs submit a Concept Paper. 

Concept Paper

The ServeWyoming AmeriCorps application process begins with the Concept Paper; to succinctly and precisely identify the proposed project, the needs it addresses, the activities members will be engaged in and the number of members requested. The Concept Paper process is designed as a “qualifying” round.

The New Mexico Clean and Beautiful Grant Program, administered by the New Mexico Tourism Department, aims to foster community beautification, reduce waste, and eliminate litter across the state. This initiative supports municipalities, counties, and Tribal Governments by providing financial assistance and technical guidance to promote litter control and enhance recycling efforts. The program empowers local organizations, aiming to create a cleaner and more beautiful environment for all New Mexicans.

The Community Foundation of Fort Dodge and United Way offer Special Project Grants aimed at enhancing community life through charitable projects. Focused on economic growth, education, and well-being, these grants support 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to public service. Priority areas include youth development, health, and community betterment. By investing in local nonprofits, the foundation aims to uplift the Fort Dodge area, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable community for all residents.

The Old National Bank Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations for community impact initiatives across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Focused on four key areas—Affordable Housing, Workforce Development, Economic Development, and Financial Empowerment—the foundation prioritizes programs that support underrepresented communities. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the foundation’s funding priorities to qualify for grants, which can be applied for every two years.

The Women Helping Women Fund Tri-Cities Grants support initiatives that empower women and children in the Tri-Cities area. Grants, ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, prioritize programs that demonstrate cost-effectiveness, community collaboration, and measurable impact. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the fund's mission to create healthy families and vibrant communities. Focus areas include childcare, mental health, and self-sufficiency, with applications accepted annually.

The Think Big for Kids grant, offered by the Youthbridge Community Foundation, aims to fund innovative proposals that address significant challenges faced by children and youth in the Saint Louis metropolitan area. By supporting bold and transformative ideas, it seeks to make a measurable impact on issues such as childhood hunger, mental health, and homelessness. This competitive grant, which is open to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, encourages applicants to leverage community insights for effective solutions.

The Najim Family Foundation Grant aims to support 501(c)(3) organizations serving children in the Greater San Antonio area. Grants focus on vital areas such as food, shelter, clothing, education, and mental health. First-time applicants must consult with the Grant Manager and meet specific eligibility criteria. The Foundation prioritizes organizations with a proven operational history of at least three years and restricts funding for various purposes, ensuring support is directed to the most pressing needs of children.

Mission

The Biodiversity Fund supports efforts to maintain and strengthen biodiversity in the Duluth-Superior region through preservation and restoration of habitat, help for particular species and ecosystems, planning for changing conditions, research and education. The purpose is to consider now the value to future generations of the species and ecosystem diversity that will remain when/if human population stabilizes.

Biodiversity Fund

The Biodiversity Fund supports projects that preserve and restore habitats, assist vulnerable species and ecosystems, plan for environmental change, and promote research and education in the Duluth-Superior region.

The fund aims to protect the region's biodiversity through conservation, preservation, and restoration of natural resources for the benefit of future generations.

Biodiversity Fund- Large & Multi-Year Grants

The Fund may also support larger initiatives of up to $50,000 per year for up to three years, for projects that require sustained investment to achieve meaningful, long-term impact. ‍

Multi-year requests should demonstrate:

• A clear long-term vision with defined milestones that allow progress to be assessed prior to subsequent years of funding each year
• How the work will scale, adapt, or deepen impact over time
• Strong partnerships, stewardship plans, or systems-level outcomes
• A plan for sustainability beyond the grant period

What We Mean by Biodiversity

‍Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems and the complex relationships that sustain them. Biodiversity underpins ecosystem stability, climate resilience, and human well-being by providing essential services such as clean air and water, natural food systems, nature-derived medicines, and climate adaptation and regulation.

This grant recognizes that healthy natural ecosystems and sustainable native plant and animal communities are deeply interconnected — environmental degradation often exacerbates social inequities and instability of communities of habitats and ecosystems. Community-led solutions strengthen ecological outcomes.

Biodiversity Fund Priorities

Funded projects should demonstrate strength in several of the following areas. Not every project must address all principles, but competitive proposals will show clear alignment across multiple dimensions.

• Upstream & Preventative Focus
  • Projects address root causes rather than symptoms.
  • Prioritize prevention, restoration, and long-term solutions
  • Reduce risk and vulnerability for people, species, and ecosystems
  • Anticipate environmental and social change rather than reacting after harm occurs
• Collaboration & Community Voice
  • Projects are grounded in authentic partnership.
  • Build cross-sector collaboration (e.g., nonprofits, Tribal Nations, schools, governments, researchers, community groups)
  • Center the expertise and leadership of people with lived experience, including Indigenous knowledge and local ecological expertise
  • Share power in design, decision-making, and implementation
• Equity-Centered Impact
  • Projects advance equity for both people and place.
  • Prioritize historically marginalized communities and/or vulnerable species and ecosystems
  • Focus resources, decision-making power, or stewardship closer to impacted communities
  • Recognize how environmental harm and social inequity intersect
• Systems, Policy & Practice Change
  • Projects have transferability and relevance beyond a single site or program.
  • Improve institutional practices, policies, land-use decisions, or resource flows
  • Strengthen community-level systems related to housing, food security, climate adaptation, education, or conservation
  • Demonstrate potential for replication, scaling, or broader adoption
• Sustainability & Capacity Building
  • Projects plan for impact that lasts beyond the grant period.
  • Strengthen organizational, community, or ecosystem capacity
  • Build skills, infrastructure, stewardship, or long-term management plans
  • Promote ongoing care, monitoring, or adaptive management of natural systems
• Evidence of Change & Learning
  • Projects contribute to shared learning and understanding.
  • Use data, research, community knowledge, or storytelling to demonstrate impact
  • Measure ecological, social, or systems-level outcomes
  • Share lessons learned to inform future equity-, resilience-, and biodiversity-focused work

The United Way of Greater St. Louis Targeted Funding aims to provide flexible, one-year grants to nonprofits addressing urgent community needs through emergency, emergent, or innovative approaches. Funding will focus on basic needs, health and wellness, crisis response, and more across 16 counties. Priority will be given to areas identified as having the greatest needs based on recent assessments, ensuring that support is directed where it is most needed.

Tempe Community Council 

Serving the community since 1972, Tempe Community Council (TCC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is committed to addressing immediate and long-term human service needs in Tempe. A nonpartisan organization, TCC serves as a means for individuals and organizations to work together to identify and plan for needed human service programs in our community. Our unique model of including residents to make decisions is an example of what makes Tempe a great city.

Mission Statement: TCC’s mission is to connect those in need with those who care. TCC does this by convening community, conducting research, determining priorities, implementing effective programs and exemplifying prudent stewardship of resources.

Annual Agency Review Human Services Funding

An annual funding process known as Agency Review provides an opportunity for nonprofit human services providers to apply for available human services funding from City of Tempe and Tempe Community Council. Learn more..

For over 40 years, Tempe Community Council (TCC) has expertly administered and managed the distribution of human services funds on behalf of the City of Tempe, along with community donations, through a process known as “Agency Review.”  

What makes this process unique – and truly a community effort – is TCC’s involvement of community members who live or work in Tempe. Their participation brings a personal, human touch to Agency Review, making it much more than just a grant process.

Funding Human Services for Tempe

For Fiscal Year 2026-27, Tempe’s City Council approved $1.136 million in funding to support agencies offering 35 different services and programs, addressing a wide range of needs Tempe residents may be facing. The primary funding source comes from City of Tempe tax dollars, specifically allocated to support human services. Additional funds come from Together Tempe donations, collected through City of Tempe utility bills and direct contributions to Tempe Community Council (TCC).

Each year, this funding process is administered by TCC. The selected programs and services help individuals and families move from crisis to stability, and in some cases, toward self-sufficiency. These services address critical areas of need, including aging, homelessness, poverty, disabilities, abuse, addiction, youth support, food security, isolation, mental health, and shelter.

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) by the Ohio Department of Transportation funds projects enhancing non-motorized travel, historic preservation, and environmental efforts. It supports local governments in implementing initiatives that improve accessibility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Eligible projects include shared paths, bike lanes, and upgrades for ADA compliance. The program prioritizes connections to activity centers, ensuring public accessibility and engagement in transportation planning.

The Kentucky Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Grant aims to support local school districts and community organizations in developing effective out-of-school programs to enhance student achievement and social development. With an award amount of $150,000, this grant focuses on providing academic, artistic, and cultural enrichment for students from high-poverty schools, ensuring they meet state academic standards through engaging and comprehensive programming.

The Bailey Research Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to conduct research in the renowned Rocky Mountain National Park. Funded by the Leslie Fidel Bailey Charitable Trust, this fellowship encourages the exploration of diverse topics, including ecology, geology, and wildlife management. Selected fellows will collaborate with park staff for three to four months, receiving housing and a stipend of $12,000, plus potential additional funds for research-related expenses.

The Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants, provided by Metro, support diverse community projects aimed at enhancing local parks, restoring streams, and promoting nature education. These grants prioritize projects led by community organizations and local governments, focusing on publicly owned capital projects that advance racial equality and climate resilience. With funding available for land acquisition and urban transformations, the program seeks to engage communities and foster connections with nature throughout the greater Portland area.

Greenville Women Giving (GWG) is a philanthropic organization in Greenville County, SC, focused on funding impactful community projects. Grants are awarded annually based on member voting and emphasize areas such as Arts, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services. Organizations must be tax-exempt and serve Greenville County. GWG prioritizes high-impact initiatives that foster collaboration and measurable outcomes, with a commitment to addressing community needs without discrimination. The application deadline is at the end of November each year.

The Sudbury Foundation's Youth Emotional Well-Being Grant Program aims to enhance emotional health supports for children and youth, particularly underserved populations. Nonprofits in the Sudbury area are invited to apply for funding to develop or expand programs addressing issues like stress, anxiety, and grief. The foundation prioritizes organizations with a strong youth development focus and encourages innovative programming that fosters long-term relationships between youth and caring adults. A virtual information session will be held on February 1, 2024.

The Biodiversity Fund Grant, offered by the Boreal Waters Community Foundation, aims to enhance biodiversity in the Duluth-Superior region. It supports projects focused on habitat restoration, species protection, and addressing climate change impacts. Eligible applicants include charitable organizations that serve specific counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota. This initiative seeks to promote ecological health and engage local communities in conservation efforts, ensuring the preservation of vital ecosystems for future generations.

The George Gund Foundation provides grants to support various program areas including climate and environmental justice, creative culture and arts, public education, thriving families and social justice, and vibrant neighborhoods and inclusive economy in Cleveland. The foundation prioritizes projects that advocate for underrepresented communities and work towards sustainability and equity. By fostering collaboration and policy change, it aims to enhance the quality of life for all residents while addressing systemic barriers to opportunity.

The Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation focuses on funding established nonprofit organizations in the Pikes Peak Region, primarily supporting youth organizations, animal welfare, arts, health services, community building, education, and environmental initiatives. Grants typically prioritize capacity building and operational support. First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation beforehand, as the foundation emphasizes a history of funding relationships. Specific exclusions include individuals and organizations lacking 501(c)(3) status.

The MainStreet Foundation Quarterly Grant, initiated by Androscoggin Bank, focuses on supporting at-risk youth in Maine by funding essential programs related to food, security, shelter, and education. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded quarterly to nonprofits that effectively address the needs of vulnerable children. By emphasizing community involvement and sustainable practices, the Foundation aims to create a supportive environment for youth development, ultimately enhancing their well-being and future prospects.

The NY Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides vital technical and financial assistance to farmers and landowners in New York. This program supports sustainable practices on working lands, including crops and livestock, promoting soil health, water conservation, and improved wildlife habitats. By integrating conservation into agricultural operations, EQIP helps mitigate environmental challenges while enhancing productivity. Eligible participants can access tailored conservation plans and potential financial aid to implement effective practices, fostering a more sustainable agricultural future.