Best Queens County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

The Neighborhood Business Grant, offered by CitizensNYC, provides microgrants up to $5,000 to small business owners in New York City. This initiative supports businesses that enhance community life, especially in low-income areas. Eligible applicants must operate for at least two years, have 10 or fewer employees, and demonstrate profitability. By fostering local commerce, this grant encourages businesses to contribute positively to their neighborhoods, strengthening community ties and creating goodwill.

The Marion E. Kenworthy-Sarah H. Swift Foundation, established in 1962, focuses on enhancing the mental and emotional health of youth up to age 26 through grants for innovative programs in social work and psychiatry. They prioritize funding clinical mental health services within New York City's five boroughs, emphasizing operational support with a minimum grant of $25,000. The foundation values collaborative efforts between professions to improve mental health understanding and services for young people.

The Urban Affairs Grants program by the Charles H. Revson Foundation aims to enhance New York City's livability through innovative projects. Collaborating with civic and cultural institutions, it addresses diverse community needs, focusing on public libraries, affordable housing, and local journalism. The foundation supports registered nonprofits in the U.S. and seeks proposals that foster engaged urban citizenship. For further details, please refer to the FAQs for grant seekers on their website.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

The PLTW Launch program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance student engagement in STEM education within eligible communities. This initiative will provide grants to schools that implement at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2025-2026 academic year, followed by another module in subsequent years. The program is designed to empower students with hands-on learning experiences that connect real-world challenges to essential skills, fostering a stronger future in STEM fields.

The Ira W. DeCamp Foundation Grant, established in 1970, supports health, social services, and education projects primarily in the New York metropolitan area. The foundation prioritizes community-based health care, foster care initiatives, and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities, while ineligible recipients include individuals and private foundations. The foundation emphasizes capacity-building, project funding, and capital enhancements to strengthen community resources and support innovative programming for vulnerable populations.

The Lily Auchincloss Foundation's Fall Cycle Arts Grants aim to enhance the quality of life in New York City by supporting small to mid-size organizations that provide free or low-cost access to arts experiences and professional support for artists. With a focus on inclusivity, the foundation prioritizes organizations that have a proven track record of welcoming diverse audiences and fostering artistic talent. This initiative reflects a commitment to making the arts accessible and enriching for all New Yorkers.

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.

The City Gardens Club of New York offers annual grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for projects that promote environmental beauty and education in New York City's five boroughs. Since 1981, these grants have helped schools engage students in hands-on horticulture, fostering a love for gardening and farming among diverse communities. The program highlights the importance of nature in education, benefiting both children and adults while adhering to the club's mission of public benefit through education.

KKR Event Sponsorships supports collaborations and programs that address current needs while fostering future growth. The Corporate Citizenship program emphasizes philanthropy, employee engagement, and sustainable community initiatives. Through KKR Cares, employees contribute their skills and time to benefit communities globally. The program focuses on economic opportunity and security, aiding small businesses, social enterprises, and underserved communities through grants, ultimately driving positive outcomes and resilience.

The Enbridge Safe Community First Responder Program is designed to support emergency response organizations across Canada and the U.S. by providing grants for safety equipment, training, and educational programs. Launched in 2002, it has invested over $22 million in enhancing community safety. Eligible organizations include fire departments and medical services located near Enbridge operations. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, helping improve the capabilities of first responders in rural and underserved areas.

The Charles Hayden Foundation Grant supports institutions serving youth and young adults in Boston and metropolitan New York, prioritizing high school to post-secondary success. It emphasizes programs that demonstrate significant impact and measurable progress toward defined goals. The Foundation seeks to ensure that young people gain quality education and career opportunities, and it provides funding for initiatives that foster confidence, informed decision-making, and academic achievement among youth.

The Thriving Communities Grants support arts and culture projects that promote diversity, enhance public engagement, and foster historic preservation in New York City. Targeting underrepresented artists and smaller-budget organizations, these grants aim to build capacity and improve access to arts education. Eligible projects include collaborations that integrate arts into public schools and initiatives that strengthen advocacy for the arts. The program prioritizes funding for projects in non-Manhattan areas and communities of color.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and MWBE community-based organizations implementing community-driven civic engagement and equity projects in Queens County, New York can apply to manage winning participatory budgeting projects. NYC Civic Engagement Commission supports initiatives in TRIE neighborhoods that strengthen civic participation and serve youth, older adults, public housing residents, justice-impacted individuals, and other historically underserved groups.

The Open Competitive Grants Program by The New York Community Trust aims to enhance civic engagement in New York City. It supports initiatives that promote voting, accountability in government, and civic literacy, particularly among children and immigrants. Eligible applicants include public charities that drive policy change and improve community services. The program explicitly excludes individual grants and funding for general operational costs or religious purposes. This initiative is essential for fostering an informed and participatory citizenry.

The Emily Davie and Joseph S. Kornfeld Foundation Grant supports innovative organizations focused on civic engagement and arts education. With over 40 years of commitment, the foundation provides flexible funding to empower marginalized communities. Their trust-based grantmaking emphasizes simplicity in application processes, allowing nonprofits to concentrate on their missions. The foundation actively seeks to foster collaboration through high-impact partnerships, aiming for transformational change in creating a more equitable society.

The Thriving Communities Grants program by The New York Community Trust focuses on community development initiatives. It supports non-profits that enhance affordable housing, promote job creation, and strengthen civic engagement in low-income neighborhoods. With ongoing proposals accepted, this grant aims to empower organizations dedicated to building equitable communities through innovative strategies and effective practices that foster economic opportunities and protect the environment.

The Delta Project Learning Garden Grant Program, supported by the Captain Planet Foundation, enhances STEAM education through outdoor learning experiences in school gardens. It offers resources such as raised garden beds, a mobile cooking cart, and online lessons to foster student engagement with nature and healthy eating. This initiative not only enriches the educational landscape but also promotes community involvement, as Delta employees volunteer for garden installation and maintenance, ensuring a sustainable and impactful learning environment.

Nonprofit organizations running year-round, sports-based youth development programs in Queens County, New York that integrate athletics, academics, and youth activities can seek support for their work. The New York Community Trust’s Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund offers US $20,000 - US $40,000 for programs building young people’s social, emotional, ethical, cognitive, and physical skills through sports.

The Aaron & Rachel Meyer Memorial Foundation, established in 1964, aims to enhance the quality of life for people and animals in New Jersey and New York through charitable support. Focused on healthcare, education, research, and animal welfare, the foundation has funded diverse projects, from medical equipment to community services. By fostering relationships with local organizations, they address the pressing challenges faced by nonprofits in the tri-state area, ensuring a significant impact on the community.

Queens County, New York small-budget 501(c)(3) nonprofits and unincorporated artist collectives can receive US $2,500 - US $5,000 for community arts projects with a public component. With a mission to support arts and culture, New York Foundation for the Arts funds exhibitions, performances, festivals, workshops, and other accessible cultural events serving Queens residents, including in-person or virtual programming.

Individual emerging artists and unincorporated artist collectives creating new, never-before-presented work in Queens County, New York can receive US $3,000 in project-based support for public arts events. New York Foundation for the Arts funds exhibitions, performances, festivals, screenings, readings, workshops, and related expenses that offer accessible cultural experiences for Queens community members.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Queens County, New York working on affordable housing, skilled trades, clean water, sanitation, or community revitalization can apply for Ferguson’s Ferguson Cares Grant. Eligible organizations must be within Ferguson’s geographic footprint and based in the U.S., with projects that align with these focus areas.

The New York Community Trust offers Technical Assistance Grants aimed at enhancing the management capacity of nonprofits in New York City. This program supports public charities and organizations with a focus on skill development and technical assistance. Eligible applicants include nonprofits that promote policy change and build organizational capacity. Grants are typically awarded for one year, with an emphasis on fostering collaboration and service improvements within the nonprofit sector.

The Double-R Foundation Grants provide essential support to volunteer-based organizations in New York City, enhancing community services and promoting artistic endeavors. Focused on enriching lives, the foundation backs a variety of projects, including arts, job training, legal aid, and health services. Eligible applicants are authorized 501(c)(3) organizations committed to serving local residents. By prioritizing long-term stability and innovative community solutions, the foundation aims to foster a harmonious urban environment.

The Promising Futures Grants focus on enhancing job training and placement for young people in New York City. By building partnerships among nonprofits, businesses, and educational institutions, the program aims to create a robust workforce development system. It encourages innovative training solutions for those facing employment barriers, while also advocating for better jobs and fair wages. This initiative ultimately seeks to empower job seekers and improve overall economic opportunities in the community.

The Promising Futures Grants focus on advancing human justice by empowering young people through job training and educational support. The initiative aims to create a fairer civil and criminal justice system by enhancing advocacy, legal representation, and service delivery for underserved populations in New York. By funding innovative approaches and collaborative efforts, these grants seek to address critical issues such as homelessness and legal access, ensuring vulnerable communities receive the assistance they need to thrive.