Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The FORUM Credit Union Foundation offers educator grants to enhance educational opportunities in Marion, Hamilton, Johnson, Boone, Hendricks, and Hancock counties. Each educator can receive up to $3,000 for classroom projects, supplies, and supplemental learning experiences, with a total of $30,000 allocated annually. Eligible applicants include K-12 teachers and administrators who are FORUM members in good standing. Preference is given to equitable distribution of grants across service areas.

Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center Inc.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center litigates, educates, advocates, and provides grants to nonprofits to eradicate social injustices. 

We pursue litigation through our own efforts as well as funding others in the following fifteen issue areas: Access to Benefits, Children’s Rights, Disability Rights, Discrimination, Domestic Violence, Due Process, Environmental Justice, Healthcare, Homelessness, Housing, Native American Rights, Prisoners’ Rights, Refugee and Immigration Rights, Voting Rights, and Veterans’ Rights.

Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center Grant

We make grants to organizations that undertake systemic social justice litigation across fifteen issue areas. The Center funds litigation matters that are consistent with our namesake Barbara McDowell’s past legal efforts and her beliefs regarding social justice.

Applications must be for a specific social justice legal case, including the filing of an appeal. Grant funds are to be used only for attorney time charges and litigation expenses related to the specific case for which an organization is applying to be funded. 

The Illinois Community College Board has initiated the Digital Instruction for Adult Education grant to enhance technology access and digital skills for adult learners. This initiative aims to support Title II Adult Education and IELCE programs in upgrading their technology infrastructure, ensuring effective integration of technology in classrooms, and improving distance learning options. By fostering innovation through AI and increasing access to educational resources, the grant will empower individuals with foundational skills to transition into postsecondary education and the workforce.

Appleton Education Foundation

The Appleton Education Foundation, a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, has been working since 1997 to develop a steady source of support for grants now, and for many future generations of Appleton children.

Mission: We raise and direct private funds to strengthen and enhance education in our community.

AEF Grants

AEF favors grant projects that:

• Demonstrate educational innovation
• Promote original, creative ideas
• Focus on content enrichment and skills development
• Are not supported through normal school budgets
• Have measurable indicators of success
• Address one or more academic standards set by AASD

General Guidelines & Restrictions

• AEF typically provides seed money for creative projects and should not be considered a resource for ongoing funding.
• Murals: AEF gives funding priority to Artists in Residence programs over standalone mural projects.
• AEF places low-priority on funding: computer software, classroom sets of books, furniture, and food.
• Any proposed software must go through AASD’s software approval process before the grant is submitted.
• Grantees should carefully track expenses and save receipts for use of grant funds. Any unused grant funding ($20 or more) should be returned to the AEF.
• Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report to help the AEF ensure effective grant making and data collection.
• Submitting a final report is necessary to remain eligible for future grants.

AEF – General Grant 

Description

• Proposals will be accepted for projects that creatively enhance the education and instruction of students in any academic discipline.
• Grant money may not be used for operating expenses, such as for payment of substitute teachers or travel.

Appleton Education Foundation

The Appleton Education Foundation, a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, has been working since 1997 to develop a steady source of support for grants now, and for many future generations of Appleton children.

Mission: We raise and direct private funds to strengthen and enhance education in our community.

AEF Grants

AEF favors grant projects that:

• Demonstrate educational innovation
• Promote original, creative ideas
• Focus on content enrichment and skills development
• Are not supported through normal school budgets
• Have measurable indicators of success
• Address one or more academic standards set by AASD

General Guidelines & Restrictions

• AEF typically provides seed money for creative projects and should not be considered a resource for ongoing funding.
• Murals: AEF gives funding priority to Artists in Residence programs over standalone mural projects.
• AEF places low-priority on funding: computer software, classroom sets of books, furniture, and food.
• Any proposed software must go through AASD’s software approval process before the grant is submitted.
• Grantees should carefully track expenses and save receipts for use of grant funds. Any unused grant funding ($20 or more) should be returned to the AEF.
• Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report to help the AEF ensure effective grant making and data collection.
• Submitting a final report is necessary to remain eligible for future grants.

AEF Mini Grant

Description

• Shorter version of traditional AEF grant application.
• Proposals will be accepted for projects that creatively enhance the education and instruction of students in any academic discipline.
• Grant money may not be used for operating expenses, such as for payment of substitute teachers or travel.

Appleton Education Foundation

The Appleton Education Foundation, a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, has been working since 1997 to develop a steady source of support for grants now, and for many future generations of Appleton children.

Mission: We raise and direct private funds to strengthen and enhance education in our community.

Big Idea Grants

Established in May 2020, the Appleton Education Foundation (AEF) welcomes opportunities to partner with the Appleton Area School District in support of initiatives that are:

• Transformational,
• Needle-moving,
• Beyond a single classroom,
• District-driven.

Ideas could also come from another community nonprofit organization when the district is a key collaborative partner.

Size & Scope of Big Idea Grants

• One- to three-year financial commitment.
• Grants may be up to $25,000/year, for up to three years.

If AEF makes a large multi-year commitment, it may not have the financial capacity to take on another Big Idea until that commitment is met. AASD is still encouraged to bring ideas forward for review and consideration.

Process

• AASD Leadership Team member initiates a conversation with AEF executive director
• Select inquiries will be invited to complete Big Idea grant application in AEF’s grant portal
• Applicant/team may be asked to present their idea to the AEF executive committee and/or board of directors.
• Projects will be vetted by AEF’s executive committee and approved by the AEF board of directors.

What We Fund

The Dunham Foundation is committed to providing positive, multi-generational support to all individuals and families in our service area.

We believe that this support lays the groundwork for successful generations to come and builds an infrastructure for a community where all can thrive. The Dunham Foundation invests in the following three areas:

• Education
• Economic Growth
• Community 

Dunham Foundation General Grants (Requests that exceed $50,000)

At the Dunham Foundation, we strive to honor John C. Dunham's vision for building a healthy, thriving community with our grantmaking.

Through these efforts, we support projects and programs in Education, Economic Growth, and Community that create measurable and lasting impact in the Dunham Foundation Service Area.

Organizations outside our service area are eligible if their programs directly impact residents within the Dunham Foundation Service Area.

Funded organizations are expected to submit a financial and program report at the conclusion of the grant. Reporting requirements will be outlined in the approval process and grant agreements. The reporting form will be available through the grant portal.

Cultural Producers Grants

The Cultural Producers Grants Program awards $50,000 in total funds for low-budget grassroots arts organizations and artist-run projects in Kansas City. Kansas City has long enjoyed a thriving and diverse ecology of small artist-run spaces, collectives, groups, and organizations, which have sometimes suffered from lack of support needed to establish sustainability. These new Cultural Producer Grants aim to both draw attention to these critical elements of our arts ecosystem as well as direct some much-needed support their way.

• $25,000 in total awards that is distributed in $5,000-$10,000 amounts
• Encourages a rich, flourishing, and diverse Ecosystem of Arts and Culture in Kansas City
• Contributes to the sustainability of low-budget artist-run organizations, collectives, groups, projects, and initiatives
• Provide support for building larger scale projects, despite smaller budgets and less access to capital

The Barbara Stone Foundation

Barbara Stone served as a champion for individuals with disabilities and the Foundation strives to continue her legacy. The Barbara Stone Foundation is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization based in Greenville County, South Carolina.

Our primary focus is to influence community systems policies and culture to result in equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We do this by identifying gaps in the system, investing in or creating our own innovative programs, leveraging partnerships in the community and through our signature initiative Greenville CAN. Greenville CAN is a multi-stakeholder collective impact coalition focused on creating systemic community change through specific community projects focused on people with disabilities. Through our multi-faceted approach we believe we can achieve our vision of a community where all people with disabilities flourish.

Barbara Stone Foundation: Community Innovations Grant

The Barbara Stone Foundation is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. One of the ways we do this is by investing in innovative programs and initiatives that address unmet needs and provide creative solutions for the disability community in the Upstate of South Carolina. Our Community Innovations Grant program prioritizes applications that propose groundbreaking approaches to bridging service gaps and fostering inclusion. Our hope is that creative individuals and organizations in our community’s amazing network of providers will develop new ways to ensure our community is place where individuals with disabilities flourish.

The National Home Library Foundation Grant supports nonprofits in distributing books and reading materials to libraries and community groups with limited resources. This initiative aims to promote literacy and combat illiteracy among all ages through various programs. Grants are available only to tax-exempt organizations that adhere to non-discrimination policies. Preference is given to requests from the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas, with applications considered on a rolling basis.

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems. TEA helps deliver education to more than 5 million students under the leadership of the commissioner of education. The TEA operational costs are supported by both state and federal funds.

The Texas Education Agency administers federal and state grant awards to its subgrantees to carry out a program. Such entities include primarily school systems (referred to as local educational agencies [LEAs] in statutes), including independent school districts and charter schools; education service centers (ESCs); and, to a lesser degree, institutions of higher education (IHEs), nonprofit organizations (NPOs), and other statutorily allowable organizations.

2026-2027 SSI Community Partnerships C4 TA Continuation

Program Description

The awarded Education Service Centers (ESCs) will provide coordinated technical assistance to bolster the school systems’ ability to continue educationally sound strategies tailored to the individual needs of each community yielding improved academic achievement of participating campuses and their students. The awarded ESCs will create and build upon existing resources, systems, and materials aligned with the Community Partnerships framework, ensuring the school systems’ successful implementation of the SSI/Community Partnerships grant. The ESC will continue project management practices that monitor the plan to ensure it is on track, and the targeted population of students is impacted.

The Raibrook Foundation, celebrating 25 years of service, supports local non-profits in Door County to enhance community life through projects in education, history, and recreation. Founded in 1990 by a local philanthropist, the Foundation aims to preserve the area's natural beauty and cultural heritage. It prioritizes projects that foster community impact and acts as a partner in development. Nonprofit organizations, particularly those serving Nasewaupee, Sevastopol, and Sturgeon Bay, are encouraged to apply for funding.

The DSF Charitable Foundation offers health grants to support projects in southwestern Pennsylvania. Grant requests are reviewed three times a year, with initial inquiries recommended to be sent via email by the organization's executive director. The Foundation does not fund individuals or endowments and requires proof of tax-exempt status. Organizations must provide detailed project descriptions along with financial information for consideration, ensuring clarity on the funding purpose.

Background

The Community Vision Fund (CVF) is an unrestricted fund within the Community Foundation with the ability to be agile due to its discretionary nature. ​​Granting through this fund remains committed to fulfilling community needs and advancing the well-being for all in Calumet, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, and the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago counties.

Community Vision Fund- Visionary Grants 

Focus:

Visionary grants support community-driven ideas that emerge from lived experience and grassroots leadership. They are designed to elevate voices with lived experience, encourage innovation and experimentation, and support early stage or non-traditional approaches. ​

​Grant Ranges:

• Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $10,000 for a one-year award​

​Grant Considerations:

In alignment with the namesake of this fund, visionary grants are focused on supporting:​

• Community-driven ideas shaped by lived experience​
• Efforts that test new approaches, pilot emerging ideas, or explore creative solutions​
• Initiatives that are just beginning or evolving but show promise for community benefit​
• Projects where there is potential for shared learning, community strengthening, or systems insights 

Santa Ynez Valley Foundation

Founded in 1991 by Stuart C. Gildred, Sr., the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation proudly supports programs and services that benefit the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos communities. Our mission focuses on grant-making and active collaboration with nonprofits, community leaders, and grassroots projects to strengthen the social fabric of the region.

More than $7.5 million in grants has been awarded to nearly 300 local organizations, and scholarships have been awarded to 578 students pursuing higher education. By partnering with donors, we continue to fund grants and scholarships that strengthen nonprofits, empower students, and enrich community life. Every gift creates opportunities, fosters connections, and helps build a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

Santa Ynez Valley Foundation: Youth & Education

The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation (SYVF) awards grants to organizations that are certified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and provide programs and services to people in the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos.

SYVF supports organizations that do not discriminate in their delivery of programs and services based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. SYVF will consider projects from faith-based organizations, provided the projects are secular in nature and open to individuals of all faiths and/or those with no religious affiliation.

The Teaching Artists Directory Grant by the Kentucky Arts Council aims to empower local artists by providing career opportunities and professional development in arts education. It supports artists of various disciplines, encouraging them to collaborate with educators and students in creative settings. This initiative fosters artistic engagement within Kentucky, ensuring a diverse and accessible arts community. By highlighting qualified teaching artists, the grant serves as a valuable resource for educators seeking to enrich their programs with high-quality artistic contributions.

The Nike Community Impact Fund in Portland Metro, Oregon, empowers local organizations to drive positive change through grants. This employee-led initiative focuses on inclusive, active communities, supporting youth to reach their potential. With a volunteer committee providing local insights, eligible organizations can apply for funding to enhance community engagement and make play accessible for all. By investing in grassroots efforts, Nike aims to create lasting impact in the neighborhoods where its employees live and work.

Nonprofit Animal Shelter Grants

Flexible funding for any nonprofit animal shelter serving Greater New Haven. 

The Community Foundation's animal shelter grants are made possible by The Lillian and Henry A. Konopacke Fund. The fund was created in 2013 by the bequest of New Haven native and North Haven resident Henry Konopacke, who worked as a machinist at the Winchester Repeating Arms Factory. Other funds contributing to Animal Shelter grants include the Baxter Fund, Judith Corchard Fund and Diva Fund. 

Purpose

The Fund’s intent is to assist nonprofit animal shelters in the Greater New Haven area in performing the services for which they have been established. 

Available Grant types

• New or existing projects
• Capacity building assistance to strengthen the infrastructure of an organization for long term success. Examples include board development, strategic planning, evaluation and capital expenditures in equipment, technology, building renovations or relocation.

Funding 

Grants are available in amounts up to $10,000. 

The Collins C. Diboll Private Foundation, established in 1984, focuses on charitable and educational initiatives for the New Orleans community. It provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 annually to 501(c)(3) organizations that address societal issues and promote arts, education, and health. While primarily supporting local organizations, it may consider applications from other areas. However, it does not fund scholarships, grants to individuals, or for-profit entities.

The Cheri Smith Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, provides financial support to Junior and Senior students at UWSP in the School of Business and Economics. With award amounts ranging from $500 to $40,000, this scholarship aims to assist students with a GPA of 3.0 or above and demonstrated financial need. Explore opportunities to apply or contribute to this impactful initiative.

Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation

Our mission is to empower our donors, affiliates and charitable partners through education, stewardship and regional collaboration, to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations.

Russell Schools Apple Seed Fund

The Russell Schools Apple Seed Fund was established to promote and enhance the education of public school students within the city of Russell (presently USD 407 schools).

Success Criteria

Successful applicants will meet or address one or more of the following items:

• Items and events which directly benefit the students of the Russell schools and which would not be considered a normal or necessary budget item for basic education.
• Educational trips or experiences, excluding a senior class trip.
• Programs of significant or cultural and/or educational value not otherwise available to students.
• Equipment and materials with significant cultural and/or educational value, otherwise not available to the students.

Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation

Our mission is to empower our donors, affiliates and charitable partners through education, stewardship and regional collaboration, to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations.

Russell County SPARC Grant

RCACF will consider applications for SPARC grants within Russell County. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt of the submitted application. Only organizations with a 501(c)(3) public charity status, schools / educational institutions, churches / religious organizations, or local government agencies (city/county) are eligible to apply. Upon approval of the request, funds will take 10-14 days for processing. 

The West Bancorporation Foundation Grant supports charitable programs in Central and Eastern Iowa and Minnesota, focusing on low- and moderate-income individuals. Eligible nonprofit organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) IRS Exemption Letter. The foundation prioritizes contributions to human services, education, and arts and culture, while excluding requests from certain organizations and activities, including endowments, fellowships, and political groups. This ensures targeted support to effective community initiatives.

The H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Grant focuses on funding innovative projects that enhance the quality of life, primarily in Arizona. With an emphasis on health, education, and welfare, the foundation aims to support not-for-profit organizations that address critical community needs. Grants are awarded to initiatives that demonstrate potential for lasting impact and community benefit, encouraging sustainable support beyond the foundation's involvement.

The Bee Vradenburg Foundation Grant supports equity and inclusion in the arts within the Pikes Peak region. It aims to advocate for the importance of arts education, support diverse artists and art forms, and foster resilience among local arts organizations. With a straightforward application process, the foundation encourages community engagement and partnerships, making it easier for applicants to contribute to the region's cultural landscape. Grants are reviewed quarterly, and applications are accepted year-round.

The Glens Falls Foundation Grant, established in 1939, aims to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Glens Falls area by funding non-profit organizations that meet community needs. Grants support capital projects, equipment, and special initiatives, with a focus on projects demonstrating viability, sustainability, and community impact. The Foundation prioritizes applicants with a clear financial need and encourages innovative projects while discouraging funding for general operating expenses.

The Polisseni Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in upstate New York by supporting organizations that address community needs in education, human services, and civic improvement. To apply, organizations must submit their IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter and ensure their applications are formatted correctly. All submissions must be made two weeks before the scheduled board meeting for consideration.