Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The Mary J. Proctor Grant supports charitable organizations focused on children and youth in the Indianapolis area. Administered by JPMorgan, it funds nonprofit entities recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code. The program encourages initiatives in arts, education, community development, and social services, while individuals are not eligible to apply. This grant aims to enhance the well-being and opportunities for young people in the community.

Nebraska Medical Center supports non-profit organizations aiming to serve vulnerable populations and address major health issues like cancer, mental health, and prenatal care. They prioritize funding for initiatives aligned with community health improvement, specifically benefiting underserved groups. Eligible applicants must be IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations and submit proposals 60 days prior to events. However, they do not fund activities related to debt retirement, scholarships, or religious programming.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection offers grants to combat aquatic invasive species, which threaten local ecosystems and economies. Funded by the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers, and Ponds Preservation Account, eligible applicants include state agencies, municipalities, and non-profits. Projects can focus on restoration, research, and public education regarding invasive species management. This initiative promotes the protection of Connecticut's natural water resources and biodiversity, ensuring sustainable environmental practices.

The Samuel H. French and Katherine Weaver French Fund provides grants focused on the welfare and education of the elderly, sight-impaired, and young in the San Diego region. Established by a couple committed to community support, the fund prioritizes programs that directly benefit these populations. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and demonstrate project-specific requests rather than general operating support. The fund aims to enhance educational and health services, contributing to the well-being of vulnerable community members.

The Arts Projects – Organisations Grants program, funded by the Australia Council for the Arts, supports diverse activities that enhance the arts sector and engage communities. With grants ranging from $20,000 to $100,000, eligible organizations can propose various initiatives including professional development, creative collaborations, and community engagement projects. Applications are open to organizations that benefit practicing Australian artists and audiences, fostering artistic innovation and cultural exchange.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is a state agency whose goal is to protect the environment and public health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws. Those laws and related rules outline Ohio EPA's authority and what things we can consider when making decisions about regulated activities.

Ohio EPA was created on Oct. 23, 1972. It combined environmental programs that previously had been scattered throughout several state departments. 

Community and Litter Grants

Local governments and nonprofits can receive funding to purchase equipment for collecting and processing recyclables and construction and demolition debris. These organizations can also receive funding to implement litter collection events, outreach, and education. Tire amnesty programs, with a minimum $0.50/tire collection fee, are an eligible activity. Grantees have 24 months to complete their projects, but they may choose to close out the grant earlier than the specified deadlines with no penalty, provided it aligns with the grant timeline.

Combination Grant Requests

A single application may include a combination of grantrequests. For example, a litter collection event, drop-off containers, and outreach and education may be included in one application. Combination grant requests will be evaluated as a single application, not by the individual activities. A combination grant request is eligible if:

• the requested total amount equals $100,000 or less
• KAB certification and KAB renewal may not be requested together

The Opportunity on the Plains Grant, provided by the United Way of the Plains, is a competitive funding initiative aimed at supporting health and human service programs in areas such as health, education, financial stability, and basic needs. By aligning with the social determinants of a strong community, this grant seeks to address pressing local needs. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations operating within specific counties and adhere to non-discrimination policies.

Clean Energy Fund (CEF) Building Electrification Grant Program

Commerce is accepting applications for the Clean Energy Fund Building Electrification Grant Program. These grants are intended to be used by current program grantees to enhance their existing building electrification projects and pursue additional measures to increase energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Funding

Commerce will distribute the remaining $495,000 from the CEF5 Building Electrification Grant Program. There is no minimum request amount, and the maximum award is $495,000.

Community Investment Fund

Community Investment Funds (CIFs) have been established in communities near our operations in Colorado, New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. The CIFs engage community leaders in cultivating and assessing community projects that address identified community priorities (developed at Community Partnership Panels), and allow them to allocate Freeport-McMoRan Foundation funds to programs and projects that encourage a strong focus on local capacity-building, community development and sustainability.

Focus Areas

Education and Workforce Development:

The following are examples of the types of programs we seek in support of the Education & Workforce Development priority and goals.

• PK-12:
  • Professional development programs for teachers and/or school administrators
  • Student preparation, incentive or other programs that drive achievement /performance and matriculation (including early childhood)
  • Classroom equipment or supplies that are proven to drive achievement /performance and are tied to a program or training/professional development
  • Programs that remove barriers or address problems related to lack of performance
  • Programs that engage parents in supporting their student’s achievement in reading, math or the pursuit of graduation and/or enrollment in higher education
  • Research studies, surveys or other activities to identify gaps and needs
• Higher Education:
  • Student counseling or advising services that help students navigate the process of enrollment in a higher ed program
  • Programs that increase access / remove barriers to enrollment or the pursuit of higher ed
  • Teacher/school administrator or counselor training needed to fully understand the higher education landscape, what is available to students and how to access it
  • Student preparation, awareness, incentive or other campaigns or efforts that drive enrollment and attainment
  • Research studies, surveys or other activities to identify gaps and needs

Economic Opportunity:

The following are examples of the types of programs we seek in support of the Economic Opportunity priority and goals.

• Small Business Development:
  • Programs that provide training or skill-building to entrepreneurs on start-up or growth
  • Access to capital programs
  • Other support services that drive start-up, expansion or retention
  • Research studies, surveys or other activities to identify gaps and needs among small business owners
• Affordable Housing:
  • Loan funds or other resource programs that help families access housing options or make housing more affordable for them
  • Housing improvement programs that allow families to stay in safe, quality housing
  • Research studies, surveys or other activities to identify gaps, needs or viable models
• Other Economic Opportunity:
  • Programs that provide transportation to health, education, recreation or other critical activities
  • Programs that increase the availability of and access to quality healthcare facilities and services
  • Projects that create or improve parks or other recreational activities
  • Projects that improve or eliminate blight or beautify high traffic areas in the community
  • Restoration of lands for habitat or public use
  • Projects that improve river or waterway health
• Capacity and Leadership:

The following are examples of the types of programs we seek in support of the Resiliency, Capacity and Leadership priority and goals.

• Programs that provide leadership or other skills for staff, board, volunteers or other community constituents to improve organizational or community performance.
• Organizational self-assessment or diagnoses activities to determine gaps and needs.
• Efforts to develop leadership succession plans that protect and prolong organizational effectiveness.
• Planning initiatives to evaluate, identify and/or consider supports needed to weather future economic disruptions (commodities market or global economy downturns, health pandemics, technological disruptors to the future of jobs/economies, etc.)
• Programs, training or other efforts that aid organizations in understanding the broader social context of which they are part and how they can collectively mobilize to address community needs and create resiliency.
• The development of leadership networks as a tool for transformative social change and amplifying impact across social systems or issues.
• Projects to increase citizen engagement in solving or addressing community challenges or opportunities.

This philosophy includes securing and maintaining our social license to operate and delivering transformation through robust stakeholder engagement and consultation, social investment, and impact evaluation. 

The Fund for Change Grants support organizations advocating for social change, focusing on underserved communities. With an average grant size of $10,000-25,000, it funds initiatives in housing, behavioral health, criminal justice reform, and environmental justice. Eligible organizations can apply annually, but multi-year commitments are not available. The fund does not support capital campaigns, indirect costs, endowments, or individual scholarships, ensuring that funds are directed towards direct program expenses.

The John's Island Foundation (JIF) offers Core Grants annually to support capital needs of nonprofit agencies in Indian River County. Eligible agencies must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that demonstrate a commitment to serving individuals facing challenges related to food, shelter, health, and education. JIF focuses on tangible capital improvements, ensuring that funds are used to enhance community services. This initiative reflects JIF's dedication to fostering a sustainable impact for those in need within the local community.

The SCALE initiative aims to combat injury, violence, overdose, and suicide, the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among individuals aged 0-44. By enhancing implementation and outreach, this funding opportunity seeks to empower organizations to implement effective prevention strategies, especially in underserved communities, including tribal areas. The program encourages collaboration and continuous improvement to achieve sustainable reductions in these critical public health issues.

The Bargain Box of Hilton Head Grant, established in 1965, supports Beaufort County non-profits with cash grants derived from store sales. Operating as a 501(c)(3), it has contributed over $15.3 million to local charities, aiding in community activities related to education, health, and safety. Organizations must meet eligibility criteria, including having an active Board of Directors and a community focus. The grant fosters local engagement and supports a diverse array of charitable efforts.

The Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards, offered by March of Dimes, support emerging researchers in maternal and child health. With a $150,000 grant over two years, the program prioritizes projects addressing preterm birth and health equity. Eligible applicants must be within four to nine years of completing their clinical training or terminal degree, holding a tenure-track position. This initiative aims to foster impactful research that enhances clinical treatments for serious maternal and newborn health conditions.

About Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Who we are and our impact

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

HIV, AIDS, and prevention

Help with healthcare costs for HIV, AIDS, and prevention

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses.

About the disease

HIV, also known as human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a virus that attacks the immune system. When left untreated, it can develop into AIDS. HIV is a chronic disease that affects the immune system.

The Baiardi Family Foundation (BFF) awards grants primarily in Michigan, focusing on the Detroit Metropolitan Area and Emmet County. Their mission is to foster positive change through various giving categories, including healthcare, education, the arts, and environmental stewardship. They emphasize the importance of Catholic and Judeo-Christian values in their grant-making process. Note that they do not provide grants to individuals, and all requests are evaluated based on merit to align with their guiding principles.

Maryland Forestry Foundation

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a member of the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards. We act as the fiscal agent for several programs of the 24 local Forestry Boards and provide important tax deductibility for their donors.

From advocating for innovative legislation that impacts Forestry in Maryland to overseeing Maryland's largest private property tree-planting operation, we're committed to making a greener and healthier future. We also actively support Urban Forestry programs, nurture the next generation of environmental leaders with the largest college fellowships in Natural Resources in the mid-Atlantic, and serve as the fiduciary agent for programs like the Natural Resources Careers Camp for high school students and the Maryland Urban & Community Forest grant program.

MUCFC Grant Program

The Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Council (MUCFC) is a volunteer group of citizens, professionals and government officials united to protect and enhance Maryland's urban and community forested areas. Beyond their work to educate the public and to work with legislators on the issues affecting Urban Forestry in Maryland, the committee also administers a grant program that supports tree planting and tree care initiatives across the state and they manage the Maryland PLANT (People Loving and Nurturing Trees) award program.

The primary goal of the MUCFC Grant Program is to enhance Maryland's urban forest by providing funding for community tree planting and educational projects. The projects funded are carried out on public lands within parks, metropolitan areas, cities, or towns and may be undertaken by schools, service organizations, homeowner organizations or other volunteer-based groups. The maximum grant per project is $1,000.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is seeking proposals to establish maternal wraparound programs for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders (SUD) at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Idaho. The purpose of this funding announcement is to expand access to substance use disorder and/or co-occurring mental health services for pregnant and parenting women by strengthening community-based care delivery within FQHC settings. 

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

Just as importantly, the DNR carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs. The DNR also encourages the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources among Iowans through outreach and education. Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP)

Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) is a State of Iowa program that invests in, as its name implies, the enhancement and protection of the state's natural and cultural resources. Iowa has a diverse array of natural and cultural resources, and REAP is likewise diverse and far reaching.

REAP provides money for projects, primarily through grant programs.

REAP Grants: County Conservation

This money is available to counties, only if they are dedicating at least 22¢ per $1,000 of the assessed value of taxable property in the county for county conservation purposes, through competitive grants. This money is available to counties for land easements or acquisition, capital improvements, stabilization and protection of resources, and environmental education, etc. The DNR administers the county conservation grant program.

Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

Introduction

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (P.L. 85-578) created a matching grant program to stimulate, encourage, and assist states with the acquisition, development, and expansion of quality outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program (LWCF) is a reimbursement grant program funded by revenues generated from outer continental shelf oil and gas drilling. New Mexico is eligible to receive funding allocations from the United States Department of the Interior (DOI) whenever Congress appropriates LWCF funds for this purpose. The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), State Parks Division (Division) serves as the agency responsible for the LWCF and the Division is assigned administrative responsibility. The DOI manages the LWCF program through the National Park Service (NPS).

In 2024, New Mexico was allocated approximately $3.51 million by the NPS for local assistance grants to support outdoor recreation and education, education, resource protection, and wetland acquisition across the state.

The Giving Tree – Early Literacy Grants, offered by the Arkansas Community Foundation, aim to enhance early literacy among children. These grants support initiatives that engage parents, improve school readiness, bolster classroom instruction, and address attendance issues. They are designed for 501c3 nonprofits, schools, and government entities. By focusing on various aspects of early education, these grants seek to ensure that every child in Arkansas has the resources and support necessary to thrive academically.

GO Virginia Program Overview

GO Virginia is a collaborative economic development initiative, that provides project-based incentives to encourage collaboration between private industry, higher education and local government in each region to produce results that will grow and diversify the regional economies and ultimately the commonwealth.

To achieve the program goals, the GO Virginia State Board has created nine regional councils. These councils are responsible for developing regional Growth and Diversification Plans and implementing those plans through the submission of project applications. Applications approved at the regional level are advanced to the GO Virginia State Board for funding.

The GO Virginia State Board has identified four primary investment strategies to achieve the program goals. The four priority investment strategies are:

• Workforce Development – building talent pipelines aligned with business needs that increases the pool of qualified workers
• Site Development and Infrastructure - preparing a regional portfolio of business-ready sites that attract private investment
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Startup Ecosystem) - creating a resource-rich environment for scalable start-ups and early-stage companies 
• Cluster Scale-Up -  helping existing regional industries grow and compete at a larger scale

All successful projects should align with at least one of these strategies and demonstrate a clear connection to a region’s Growth & Diversification Plan. See the GO Virginia Program Manual for details.

• GO Virginia is not an economic development incentive program. Individual private businesses may not receive funding, nor can any project provide exclusive benefits to a single private business.

• GO Virginia funds must support new and expanded efforts — not ongoing operations. Funding cannot be used to continue, sustain, or supplement the operating costs of existing programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value and represent new activity that advances GO Virginia’s mission. Proposals must fill a documented gap, scale a proven model, or introduce a new approach that supports regional priorities.

Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) Competitive Grants

Competitive Grants are designed for projects that involve two or more GO Virginia regions (multi-regional) or go beyond what a single region’s annual allocation can support. They give regions the ability to collaborate or pursue initiatives that deliver substantial economic impact. To qualify, a project must present an extraordinary economic opportunity—one that is transformative in scale.

Competitive Grants allow regions to scale their ideas, tackle challenges that cross boundaries, and pursue transformative projects leverage regional strengths aiming to expand opportunities that benefit multiple localities and industries.

Application Types

Competitive Grants can support planning or implementation projects. The type of application depends on whether your project is multi-regional or single region. Competitive Grants include: Multi-Regional Planning Grants; Multi-Region Implementation Grants; and Single Region Implementation Grants.

Single Region Implementation Grants

Single-Region Implementation Grants are available for extraordinary opportunities within one region that cannot be fully supported by that region’s annual allocation. These projects are intended to address unique, high-impact needs where the scale of investment exceeds local resources but still delivers outcomes consistent with the goals of GO Virginia.

The expectation is that single-region projects will demonstrate the same level of rigor as multiregional efforts—clear economic impact, measurable outcomes, and long-term sustainability—while making the case for why Competitive Grant support is essential. In some cases, the request may use a mix of per-capita funds and Competitive Grant funds; in other cases, it may rely entirely on Competitive Grant funds.

GO Virginia Program Overview

GO Virginia is a collaborative economic development initiative, that provides project-based incentives to encourage collaboration between private industry, higher education and local government in each region to produce results that will grow and diversify the regional economies and ultimately the commonwealth.

To achieve the program goals, the GO Virginia State Board has created nine regional councils. These councils are responsible for developing regional Growth and Diversification Plans and implementing those plans through the submission of project applications. Applications approved at the regional level are advanced to the GO Virginia State Board for funding.

The GO Virginia State Board has identified four primary investment strategies to achieve the program goals. The four priority investment strategies are:

• Workforce Development – building talent pipelines aligned with business needs that increases the pool of qualified workers
• Site Development and Infrastructure - preparing a regional portfolio of business-ready sites that attract private investment
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Startup Ecosystem) - creating a resource-rich environment for scalable start-ups and early-stage companies 
• Cluster Scale-Up -  helping existing regional industries grow and compete at a larger scale

All successful projects should align with at least one of these strategies and demonstrate a clear connection to a region’s Growth & Diversification Plan. See the GO Virginia Program Manual for details.

• GO Virginia is not an economic development incentive program. Individual private businesses may not receive funding, nor can any project provide exclusive benefits to a single private business.

• GO Virginia funds must support new and expanded efforts — not ongoing operations. Funding cannot be used to continue, sustain, or supplement the operating costs of existing programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value and represent new activity that advances GO Virginia’s mission. Proposals must fill a documented gap, scale a proven model, or introduce a new approach that supports regional priorities.

Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) Competitive Grants

Competitive Grants are designed for projects that involve two or more GO Virginia regions (multi-regional) or go beyond what a single region’s annual allocation can support. They give regions the ability to collaborate or pursue initiatives that deliver substantial economic impact. To qualify, a project must present an extraordinary economic opportunity—one that is transformative in scale.

Competitive Grants allow regions to scale their ideas, tackle challenges that cross boundaries, and pursue transformative projects leverage regional strengths aiming to expand opportunities that benefit multiple localities and industries.

Application Types

Competitive Grants can support planning or implementation projects. The type of application depends on whether your project is multi-regional or single region. Competitive Grants include: Multi-Regional Planning Grants; Multi-Region Implementation Grants; and Single Region Implementation Grants.

Multi-Region Implementation Grants

Multi-Region Implementation Grants are designed to turn collaborative plans into action. The goal is to deliver projects that create broad economic impact, strengthening targeted industry sectors, growing higher-paying jobs, and expanding opportunities across all participating regions. Because these projects represent a significant investment, applicants must demonstrate strong regional collaboration, clear economic outcomes, and a plan for sustaining results beyond the grant period.

Successful projects should create benefits that are shared across all participating localities, not concentrated in just one community. In other words, the project’s impact—such as new jobs, business growth, or expanded industry capacity—should be visible in each region that is part of the application.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service

About Us

The Maryland Forest Service restores, manages, and protects Maryland’s trees, forests, and forested ecosystems to sustain our natural resources and connect people to the land.

MUCFC Grant Program

Community Tree Planting and Education Grant Program

The Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Council (MUCFC) provides funding to support community-based tree planting and forestry education projects that strengthen Maryland’s urban forests. Grants are open to organizations statewide for work on public lands that improves the urban tree canopy, engages citizens, and promotes long-term environmental stewardship.

The WACF Community Fund Grants support eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Walker County, offering opportunities through Spring and Fall cycles or year-round requests under $5,000. The Walker Area Community Foundation focuses on community needs, funding innovative projects that foster economic growth, lifelong learning, health, and leadership development. With a commitment to collaboration, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for residents and encourage impactful community engagement.

Grantmaking

Funding Rooted in Relationships

Our grantmaking supports the work that helps people, families, and neighborhoods build healthy, equitable communities, across generations. It is strategic, relationship-centered, grounded in trust, and shaped by ongoing learning with our community partners.

We focus on work that addresses root causes, strengthens community-led solutions, and builds long-term capacity in Kalamazoo County.

Strategic Pillars

Our strategic pillars are based on what we’ve learned from community, nonprofit and elected leaders. We all share the vision for a Kalamazoo County that includes:

The CA ACEP - Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) program, managed by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, is designed to protect the agricultural viability of eligible lands. This initiative helps landowners, including tribes and local governments, by limiting non-agricultural uses through conservation easements. ALE enhances public benefits such as environmental quality and wildlife habitat while ensuring the long-term stewardship of agricultural lands, vital for maintaining the nation's food supply.