Best Queens County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

The Healthy Lives: Biomedical Research Grant Program, funded by The New York Community Trust, aims to enhance health services for New Yorkers, focusing on equitable care for vulnerable populations. It supports early to mid-career researchers working on critical health issues like cancer and heart disease. The program seeks to empower nonprofits and academic institutions in metropolitan New York to innovate and develop their research initiatives, ensuring impactful community health improvements.

Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects grant supports small ensembles and presenters in New York City with budgets under $250,000. Funding ranges from $7,500 to $20,000, covering 100% of eligible expenses for projects like commissions, performances, recordings, and residencies. Each project must engage the community and enhance access to chamber music between January 1 and December 31, 2025. This initiative promotes appreciation and respect for chamber music across diverse audiences.

The New York State Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program aims to enhance K-12 meal preparation by utilizing fresh local farm products. With a total funding of $50 million over five years, the program will award $5 million to each of the ten regions, encouraging projects that alleviate food insecurity and bolster market opportunities for local producers. This initiative seeks to strengthen the state's food system resiliency while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Nonprofits and grassroots volunteer groups in Queens County, New York can receive up to US $5,000 for resident-led projects that improve neighborhood quality of life and build community engagement. Grants from Citizens Committee for New York City support small-budget, community-oriented efforts such as greening, public space improvements, civic engagement, and local leadership development across New York City’s five boroughs.

The Oak Foundation's Housing and Homelessness Grant Program aims to reduce homelessness and improve housing conditions by supporting organizations that empower renters and advocate for equitable housing. The program focuses on enhancing renter rights, increasing the availability of affordable homes, and preventing homelessness through community-driven strategies. By addressing structural issues such as poverty and discrimination, the foundation seeks to create lasting change in housing accessibility for marginalized populations in both the US and UK.

The David and Minnie Berk Foundation, established in 1961, provides grants to charitable organizations in the arts, education, and social services, focusing on youth, the elderly, and the needy. With a maximum grant of $10,000, they support innovative ideas and pilot programs. Eligible recipients must be 501(c)(3) organizations located in the greater New York metropolitan area, while ineligible organizations include those with budgets exceeding $3,000,000 and individual projects.

The Healthy Lives Grant Program by The New York Community Trust aims to enhance health services for older adults and individuals with disabilities in New York City. It focuses on creating an equitable healthcare system by supporting projects that improve access to care, reduce health disparities, and empower individuals through skill development. The program prioritizes innovative solutions that foster independence and community engagement, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive comprehensive support tailored to their needs.

The CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI) provides New York City choreographers and dance companies with essential resources like rehearsal time and performance space across 14 CUNY campuses. This residency program aims to support local artists, enrich the cultural life of college students, and create new dance audiences. Eligible applicants include independent choreographers and professional companies with at least three years of professional experience. The initiative fosters collaboration between the city's vibrant dance community and educational institutions.

The Emergency Mental Health Micro Grants, offered by the Indie Theater Fund NYC, provide $500 to NYC-based indie theater artists for mental health expenses such as therapy and medication. This initiative aims to reduce barriers to care, ensuring that artists receive the necessary support for their mental well-being. Priority is given to BIPOC, Trans/Non-Binary, disabled, and immigrant artists, fostering inclusivity within the arts community.

The Asian Women Giving Circle Grants support projects led by Asian American women and gender-expansive individuals using arts and culture for social change. Established in 2005, this initiative has awarded over $1 million to promote grassroots philanthropy, highlight community stories, and engage local resources. This grant cycle anticipates awarding 6-8 project grants to foster progressive transformation and raise awareness of critical issues affecting Asian American communities.

The Keith Haring Foundation offers grants primarily to support non-profit organizations that provide educational opportunities for underprivileged youth and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Established by the artist Keith Haring in 1989, the foundation focuses on initiatives that foster self-sufficiency among vulnerable populations in New York City and the Southeastern US. It invites applications from organizations dedicated to promoting Haring's legacy through arts and culture, ensuring impactful, evidence-based programming.

The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Grants focus on HIV/AIDS research funding, supporting scientific studies aimed at treatment and cure, as well as HIV prevention and care programs. Established by Robert Mapplethorpe, the foundation prioritizes proposals from U.S. organizations, especially those in the New York area, that lack support from larger funding sources. The foundation seeks to protect Mapplethorpe's legacy while advancing critical research in the HIV/AIDS field.

The Franklin Furnace Fund Grants support early career artists in producing significant performance art works in New York City. Established in 1985 with backing from the Jerome Foundation, these grants, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, are awarded through a peer panel review process, promoting diverse artistic expressions. Artists globally are encouraged to apply, with an emphasis on presenting their work in NYC. The program has fostered the careers of numerous notable artists, showcasing its commitment to the arts.

The Jacki Apple Award in Performance and Artist Projects, presented by Franklin Furnace, honors the legacy of Jacki Apple in the New York art scene. This annual award, distributed over ten years, supports a mid or late-career artist based in New York City, with a focus on performance art. Each year, $10,000 will be awarded to fund projects in performance, media, exhibition, or publication, fostering creativity and innovation in the arts.

The William Talbott Hillman Foundation Grant supports innovative arts programming in Pittsburgh and NYC, focusing on young people and BIPOC communities. With a year-round application process, the Foundation prioritizes photography as a fine arts medium and civic engagement initiatives aimed at preventing gun violence. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt to apply. The Foundation also emphasizes safety nets for artists and art education in under-resourced communities.

The Lilah Hilliard Fisher Foundation Grant offers year-round funding for initiatives focused on regenerative agriculture and nutrition education, particularly in New York City and Litchfield County, Connecticut. Emphasizing support for human trafficking survivors, youth development, and social justice, the Foundation seeks projects that align with these priorities. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities, with some multi-year grants available. Notably, proposals outside the specified areas are by invitation only.

The Tiger Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in New York City, focusing on Education, Family Support, and Youth Workforce Justice. With no deadlines for Letters of Inquiry, the foundation seeks organizations with measurable outcomes, skilled leadership, and community engagement. Their Seed and Expansion Fund supports innovative early-stage organizations aiming to address unmet needs, ensuring effective services are accessible to low-income families and individuals across the city.

The Valentine Perry Snyder Fund Grant supports organizations in New York City focused on youth, human services, job training, and public affairs. Established in 1942, it honors the legacy of Mrs. Sheba Torbert Snyder and her husband. Eligible organizations must be public charities with annual budgets under $1 million and have a minimum of three years between grant applications. The fund provides general operating and capacity-building support, excluding grants for individuals or research.

Eligible artists must identify as being of transgender experience and Black, Indigenous, and/or a person of color, and we strongly encourage artists who also identify as disabled, LGBTQ+, and/or undocumented to apply. Projects should be in the development stage and can be fiction or nonfiction, including features or shorts. The applicant should be the main writer and/or director on the project and should identify as “emerging,” which Sundance Institute defines as yet to complete a long-form or major work in the specific discipline in question. 

Two artists will be selected from Minnesota or New York City.

The PositiveNRG Grant Program, led by NRG Energy, focuses on investing in communities through choice and education, community engagement, resilience, sustainability, and well-being. The program is open to non-profit organizations and governmental entities that can demonstrate a meaningful impact. Preference is given to initiatives that foster community involvement and inclusiveness. However, sponsorships for religious or political activities are generally not supported. This program aims to empower communities through innovative energy solutions.

The Affinity Legacy Community Grant Program aims to enhance health and well-being in underserved communities through funding for organizations focused on mental health, food insecurity, re-entry for formerly incarcerated individuals, and consumer health education. Eligible groups must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities operating within Affinity's 10-county service area. This initiative reflects a commitment to collaboration and compassion, ensuring vital support for those in need.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities offering environmental education in Queens County, New York can seek US $20,000 - US $100,000 to develop Hudson River Estuary-focused facilities, programs, curricula, and youth research experiences. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program supports projects within the estuary watershed that expand access to river education, especially for underrepresented communities.

TF Cornerstone's Building Together Grants support vibrant communities through annual funding of up to $10,000 for organizations in key impact areas: education, public realm enhancement, and neighborhood non-profits. By fostering strong partnerships, these grants aim to sustain the cultural, social, and civic fabric of New York City, empowering youth and promoting urban sustainability. This initiative reflects TF Cornerstone's commitment to community engagement and collaborative development.

Queens County, New York property owners planning green infrastructure can access funding through the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to retrofit roofs with qualifying green roofs. Grants reimburse more than US $50,000 for projects meeting minimum size and soil depth requirements, with design review at multiple stages before reimbursement.

The Brown Rudnick Community Grants program aims to support front-line educational workers in underserved communities across cities like Boston and New York. With grants up to $2,000, it addresses immediate educational needs that traditional funding overlooks. This initiative encourages collaboration with educators to enhance learning environments and foster positive change, ensuring that impactful projects receive the necessary support to thrive within a year of funding.

Queens County, New York 501(c)(3) public charities providing poverty-alleviation, housing, job training, education, or hunger services can access funding through Kim Family Foundation’s Kayasa Foundation Grant. Support focuses on helping under-resourced people become self-reliant in the greater New York City area; note that unsolicited applications are not currently accepted, but mission-aligned organizations may reach out.

The Lily Auchincloss Foundation, established in 1997, aims to enhance the quality of life in New York City through grants focused on human services, arts, and environmental initiatives. The foundation supports small to mid-sized organizations across the five boroughs, providing both general operating and program-specific funding. Its Human Services cycle prioritizes organizations dedicated to social change and education, ensuring a positive impact on all residents' lives.