Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The Category 5 - Statewide Agriculture Education Organization Grant, administered by Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC), provides funding up to $2,000 for projects that enhance agricultural education for Pre K – 12th grade students. Eligible nonprofit organizations in Maine can apply for funds to support educational programs and materials that promote understanding of agriculture's role in society. Grants aim to impact over 77,000 students annually, fostering a deeper appreciation of local agricultural practices.

The John and Mary Alford Foundation Grant, established in 1996 by Ronald B. Alford and Barbara Alford Cantlin, aims to enhance the quality of life in Licking County through support for educational, social, religious, and cultural programs. The Licking County Foundation, a private charitable organization, manages this grant, ensuring it serves community needs while promoting philanthropic leadership. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) charities, with a focus on projects that have broad community impact.

The Community Partnership Grant, administered by the Sons of Norway Foundation, offers up to $5,000 for projects that promote and preserve Norwegian culture and heritage. Open to individuals and groups from Norway and the U.S., the grant encourages initiatives that reflect the foundation's core values such as lifelong learning and community generosity. Applications must be submitted online in English and should demonstrate a commitment to celebrating Norwegian cultural traditions.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Collier Scholarship

The Collier Scholarship Fund was established in 2016 by Dr. Wayne Collier to honor the memory of his parents, Herbert & Freida Collier. He is an optometrist and noted community philanthropist in Bucyrus, Ohio, having been named the community’s 2015 Citizen of the Year.

The Collier Scholarship supports promising students and graduates of high schools in Crawford County—Bucyrus, Wynford, Colonel Crawford, and Buckeye Central—where he now lives, as well as his alma mater, Bellevue Senior High in Bellevue, Ohio. Special consideration is given to applicants who participated in music programs in high school or college.

About Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our community meet its needs and challenges. The Foundation invests and administers these funds.

Marion Academy of Medicine Scholarship

The Marion Academy of Medicine Scholarship was created by physicians of the local medical community in 2008. While the Academy dissolved in 2014, it had existed for decades as an educational organization comprised of physicians in Marion County. Through this fund, its support of future medical students will continue in perpetuity.

Assets from this former organization were donated to create this scholarship at Marion Community Foundation and support the education of local students pursuing degrees and careers in osteopathic medicine. Recipients will be graduates of any high school in Marion County and maintain a college GPA of 3.0 or greater.

Kids’ Chance of Nevada

Kids’ Chance of Nevada, in collaboration with Kids’ Chance of America, was established for the purpose of creating, assisting, and supporting programs that provide educational opportunities and scholarships for the children of injured workers in Nevada who have been seriously injured or who have suffered from a fatality as a result of an on-the-job incident.

Kids' Chance of Nevada Scholarship

Kids’ Chance of Nevada scholarships are for children of workers who have been killed, seriously injured, or experienced a debilitating illness in a work-related incident. Scholarships are awarded once a year and students may apply every year for which they are eligible. Current annual scholarships are determined based on the student’s financial need.

Students between the ages of 16-25 whose parent’s on-the-job death or injury resulted in a substantial decline in family income are eligible to apply. The applicant must meet adequate academic standards set by the selection committee. Scholarships may be used to pay for technical school or undergraduate college tuition, books, housing, meals or transportation.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Clare Cooke Performing Arts Scholarship

Clare Cooke, the namesake of this fund, has worked as a performer, choreographer, and director for the Marion Palace Theatre since 1977, directing Christmas at the Palace and numerous community theater productions and junior musicals for many years, including The Wizard of Oz, The Will Rogers Follies, Annie, Oliver!, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, and Oklahoma!

The Clare Cooke Performing Arts Scholarship Fund, created in 2012 through gifts from nearly 100 friends and family members, recognizes her outstanding contributions to the performing arts community and quality of life in Marion.

The Cooke Fund awards scholarships to Marion County high school seniors and graduates pursuing an education in the performing arts. Recipients are high school seniors who rank in the top 50th percentile of their graduating class or graduates with a college GPA of at least 2.5.

The Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HIC) program, funded by the US HHS: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), aims to empower families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). By providing crucial information, education, and peer support, the program helps families navigate complex health systems to access necessary services, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of CYSHCN and their families.

The Davey O’Brien Foundation

Davey O’Brien’s longtime friend and business partner, Charles Ringler, believed that the accomplishments and commitment of one of Fort Worth’s finest sports heroes deserved to be honored and remembered. In November 1977, just before O’Brien passed away from cancer, Ringler and other members of The Fort Worth Club established the Davey O’Brien Foundation and the Davey O’Brien Memorial Trophy.

The purpose of the Davey O’Brien Foundation is to recognize outstanding student-athletes for their achievements both on and off the field through the Foundation’s various awards programs. Since 1977, the Foundation has given away more than $1.3 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.

Each year at it’s annual dinner, the Davey O’Brien Foundation honors and recognizes winners of the four awards it oversees: the National Quarterback Award, the Legends Award, the Charles Ringler Founders Award, and the High School Scholarship Award.

The Davey O’Brien Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in downtown Fort Worth.

Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Award

The Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship award is open to all high school seniors attending an accredited public or private high school in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise County. Each school may nominate only one student through a process determined by the school. 

Recipients are chosen on the basis of:

• Character
• Community Service
• Leadership
• Varsity Sport Participation

The Drinking Water Project Funding, offered by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, provides essential financial support for improving drinking water infrastructure. Grants and low-interest loans are available for projects included in the State Water Plan, with applications considered quarterly. This funding ensures compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, enabling communities to enhance their water quality and infrastructure, thereby safeguarding public health across South Dakota.

The FFY 2024 State & Local Cybersecurity Grant aims to aid local governments and federally recognized tribes in enhancing cybersecurity measures. By addressing risks to information systems and critical infrastructure, the program seeks to improve resilience and operational continuity. Funded through the IIJA, the grant focuses on governance, assessment, mitigation, and workforce development, ensuring that organizations are equipped to respond effectively to cybersecurity challenges and threats in their communities.

The Eviction Help Illinois Grants, provided by the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, offer crucial support to nonprofit organizations that deliver free legal assistance to individuals facing eviction. In light of the ongoing housing crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, these grants aim to enhance access to legal services and mediation, particularly in suburban Cook County and downstate regions. Eligible organizations must comply with specific legal and financial criteria, ensuring aid reaches those in need effectively.

The Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network Grant supports organizations that provide essential legal assistance to veterans, active military members, and their dependents. This funding, approximately $900,000 for FY24, enables services such as accessing benefits, obtaining discharge upgrades, and addressing urgent family law and housing issues. Eligible organizations must comply with the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act and demonstrate expertise in legal services for military personnel. This initiative aims to ensure equitable access to justice for low-income service members.

The Lightfoot Foundation offers educational grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in Idaho. These funds are allocated at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board and are intended for environmental and classroom education, as well as necessary repairs and supplies for school buildings. This initiative aims to enhance the learning environment, ensuring safety and accessibility for students in the state.

The Ventura County Credit Union Foundation seeks donations to support local non-profit organizations that provide trauma-informed services for victims of domestic violence in Ventura County. This initiative aims to enhance community well-being, focusing on the underserved and environmental preservation. Funds will specifically assist events and programs aligned with these priorities in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. All donation requests should be submitted with complete information to avoid delays.

The S.W.A.N. Society in Boston provides financial assistance through individual grants to senior, single women in need, helping them maintain independence and dignity. Founded in 1816, the Society also supports community organizations that assist women aged 65 and over. All agency grants must be earmarked for female clients, and their distribution is based on the Society's fiscal circumstances and careful review of agency needs. This non-profit organization is dedicated to empowering elderly women facing financial challenges.

Samerian Foundation

Founded in 2003, the Samerian Foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the vision of Cindy and Paul Skjodt, the founders. They seek to enhance the quality of life by providing funds through a grant making process for education, economic development, health, youth sports, community organizations meeting the needs of the underserved, and humanitarian projects.

Though the Samerian Foundation primarily serves Central Indiana, it has taken part in some international endeavors and have reached outside the state on special projects.

The Samerian Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of the Skjodt’s generosity. To date, they have granted 2,105 requests of nearly $93.4 million.

The Samerian Foundation is lovingly named after Cindy and Paul’s children, Samantha, Erik, and Ian, who serve on the board.

Paul Skjodt Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the Simon-Skjodt family to encourage students pursuing degrees with a focus on addiction treatment, science and research.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is offering a grant to support schools in conducting arts program reviews using the Arts & Cultural Vitality Index. This funding aims to enhance equity and access in arts education, ensuring high-quality, culturally responsive programs. Awards, totaling approximately $50,000, will vary based on student enrollment and proposal quality. Eligible schools can receive stipends for review team members and administrative costs, fostering a vibrant arts education landscape.

Samerian Foundation

Founded in 2003, the Samerian Foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the vision of Cindy and Paul Skjodt, the founders. They seek to enhance the quality of life by providing funds through a grant making process for education, economic development, health, youth sports, community organizations meeting the needs of the underserved, and humanitarian projects.

Though the Samerian Foundation primarily serves Central Indiana, it has taken part in some international endeavors and have reached outside the state on special projects.

The Samerian Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of the Skjodt’s generosity. To date, they have granted 2,105 requests of nearly $93.4 million.

The Samerian Foundation is lovingly named after Cindy and Paul’s children, Samantha, Erik, and Ian, who serve on the board.

Erik M. Skjodt Scholarship

This scholarship is for students who wish to pursue a degree in business at Indiana University. Applicants must be a current high school senior who will be attending the Kelley School of Business at any Indiana University campus. 

Mission

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio is committed to honoring God and our Baptist heritage by fostering and funding health initiatives in our community.

Grantmaking

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio provides grants to around 100 nonprofits each year, supporting a wide range of organizations, from community food pantries to churches and medical facilities. At BHFSA, we deeply value the opportunity to foster long-lasting relationships and grow our understanding of the challenges affecting the residents of our service area.

BHFSA Community Impact Grants

Small organizations do big things and are incredibly valuable in our community. Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio recognizes this and provides Community Impact Grants of up to $12,000 to support smaller initiatives and organizations that have a large impact on community health.

Specific Grant Requirements

• The organization must have had less than $250,000 in actual revenue during the most recently completed fiscal year (Churches are exempt from this requirement);
• The organization must have an annual operating budget of at least $15,000 (for the fiscal year that includes July 1, 2026);
• The application amount must not exceed 20 percent of the organization’s total actual revenue in the most recently completed fiscal year;
• The application amount must fall in the range of $3,000-$12,000; and
• Organizations that received a Community Impact Grant in the most recent grant year may apply, but preference will be given to organizations that have not recently received funding from the Foundation.

The VA250 Tourism Marketing Program, a collaboration between the VA250 Commission and Virginia Tourism Corporation, aims to promote events and signage related to America’s 250th commemoration. It encourages Virginia communities to prepare for statewide celebrations, driving tourism and supporting the VA250 mission. The program is expected to open for applications at least twice yearly from 2023 to 2025, with a 1:1 cash match requirement for eligible historic sites and museums.

Mission

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio is committed to honoring God and our Baptist heritage by fostering and funding health initiatives in our community.

Grantmaking

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio provides grants to around 100 nonprofits each year, supporting a wide range of organizations, from community food pantries to churches and medical facilities. At BHFSA, we deeply value the opportunity to foster long-lasting relationships and grow our understanding of the challenges affecting the residents of our service area.

Responsive Grants

Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio recognizes the many ways organizations are working to improve the quality of health in our community and understands such work must be supported financially to thrive. Responsive Grants provide funding of up to $300,000 for mid- to large-sized organizations.

Specific Grant Requirements

• The organization must have had at least $250,000 in actual revenue during the most recently completed fiscal year;
• The application amount must not exceed 25 percent of the organization’s total actual revenue in the most recently completed fiscal year;
• The application amount must fall in the range of $25,000-$300,000;
• The organization must not have received a Responsive Grant in the most recent grant year (Universities are exempt from this requirement);
• The organization must not have unspent grant funds from a previous Responsive Grant that supported a project; and
• The application must include projected quantifiable metrics that will be tracked during the grant period, which may include unduplicated number of individuals served, duplicated beneficial encounters, and expected outcomes (1 Overall Goal and 3 Objectives). This data contributes to the funding decision at the application stage, as well as the final report for grants that are awarded.

The ID Science Education Grant Program, administered by the Idaho State Department of Education, provides matching grants for K-12 STEM education initiatives. With an appropriation of $24,100 for FY2026, this program aims to support the establishment and maintenance of science education programs in Idaho. Eligible projects must demonstrate a commitment to enhancing STEM awareness among elementary and secondary students, requiring applicants to contribute at least half of the funding through financial or in-kind support.

The High Ability Program Grant, provided by the Indiana Department of Education, aims to enhance inclusive access to high ability services for Indiana students. This grant focuses on specific expenses that extend beyond general education, ensuring increased access to vital services. It promotes the retention of qualified educators, raises community awareness, and significantly impacts program success, thereby fostering an environment that nurtures high ability learners.

The Film Festival Support and Promotion Grant, provided by the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, offers financial assistance to over 40 film festivals annually in Colorado. This grant particularly supports emerging festivals in rural areas, aiming to enhance local economies by attracting visitors. Applicants must ensure their festivals are located in Colorado and submit the necessary interest form three months prior to the event. This initiative fosters community engagement and promotes the film industry.

The (VTC) Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program, initiated by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, aims to bolster small tourism-related businesses with targeted marketing efforts. This reimbursable grant program is designed to enhance existing marketing budgets and support shoulder season tourism in Virginia. Eligible applicants include small businesses and organizations that create robust marketing plans to drive tourism and stimulate local economies, particularly from September to May.

The Sioux Falls Area Retired Teachers Scholarship supports current college students pursuing degrees in education. Funded by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, this scholarship promotes educational growth and community involvement. Eligible applicants must be full-time students entering their third or fourth year at an accredited South Dakota college, maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and demonstrate commitment to the teaching profession. The scholarship is renewable for a fourth year if requirements are met and funds are available.