Best Health Disparities Grants

Nonprofit organizations supporting women’s health, economic opportunity, or entrepreneurship, including efforts addressing health disparities and social determinants of health in the U.S., may be eligible for this funding. With a mission to empower women globally, Qurate Retail Group provides support for programs advancing women’s well-being, leadership, and small business success; individuals and schools are not eligible.

Nonprofit Rotary districts and clubs planning large international humanitarian projects, scholarships, or vocational training in health, education, or community development can seek US $30,000 - US $400,000 through global grants. The Rotary Foundation supports initiatives worldwide that fight disease, improve health care access, and may benefit organizations addressing health disparities and social determinants of health in the U.S.

Nonprofit organizations improving food access or STEM education for underserved communities in the U.S. may be eligible for this corporate giving opportunity supporting health and social equity. Grants from Takeda help health disparities and social determinants of health programs, with priority for groups near Greater Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Brooklyn Park, MN.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. serving predominantly youth of color can apply for the Finish Line Youth Foundation’s Louder Than Words grants, with awards up to US $10,000 for health and wellness, workforce development, or safe communities programming. Projects addressing health disparities and social determinants of health for diverse communities may be especially competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving cardiovascular and metabolic patient care can seek support for programs that expand treatment access, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline health workforces in the U.S. With a mission to address complex diseases, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine prioritizes initiatives tackling stroke prevention, thromboembolic disease, vascular protection, and health disparities affecting marginalized or at-risk groups.

The Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation offers Sustainable Communities Grants aimed at fostering social equity and environmental sustainability. Since its inception in 2019, the foundation supports nonprofits globally to address climate change, health disparities, and community transformation. With a trust-based approach, grants are unrestricted, enabling organizations to allocate funds according to their unique needs. The foundation values initiatives that promote social justice, economic empowerment, and environmental justice, particularly those benefiting historically marginalized communities.

The James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation offers Large Grants for requests exceeding $10,000. Focused on fostering positive change, the foundation supports initiatives in Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement, Education, Health, and Human Services. Eligibility includes 501(c)(3) organizations, while restrictions apply to consecutive grant cycles and non-qualifying purposes such as endowments and fundraising events. Organizations are encouraged to apply for various projects to enhance community well-being.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on health disparities, human services, education, arts and culture, or civic initiatives across the U.S. can request up to US $10,000 for programs, projects, capital needs, or general operations. Focused on community well-being, James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation prioritizes at least one-third of its giving for work serving West Texas.

Nonprofit two- and four-year colleges, university systems, and eligible higher education partners in the U.S. can apply for Alfred P. Sloan Foundation implementation grants, awarding up to US $500,000 for 2–3 years to scale proven STEM pathway partnerships. Programs serving high Pell-eligible undergraduates and addressing systemic barriers for underrepresented students may be especially relevant to health disparity efforts.

Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations in the U.S. and its territories can seek funding to advance oral health equity, policy, and systems change for marginalized communities. Focused on dismantling health disparities, CareQuest Institute supports advocacy, community engagement, innovative care models, and community-based research that improve dental coverage, access, and outcomes for underserved populations.

Quest Diagnostics Foundation

Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Quest Diagnostics Foundation is committed to addressing the systemic root causes of health disparities. By combining corporate resources with trusted community leadership, we fund and scale evidence-based initiatives that promote wellness, prevent chronic disease, and empower individuals.

We focus our resources on three critical, interconnected clinical and social interventions to build sustainable health improvement:

• Strengthening the community health workforce
• Addressing social drivers of health (SDoH)
• Promoting the prevention, early detection, monitoring, and treatment of disease through diagnostic testing

About Quest for Healthy Communities Champions

The Quest for Healthy Communities Champion award was created to honor, uplift, and support outstanding organizations across the United States that are actively living our core purpose:

Working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time.

Whether you are expanding access to life-saving screenings, supporting maternal and family wellness, or addressing critical social drivers of health, your dedication is moving us closer to an equitable healthcare future. We want to recognize and celebrate your impact.

What we celebrate: Our core impact pillars

The Champions we look to honor are community-first organizations and coalitions tackling critical disparities head-on. We are especially excited to spotlight work that advances health, addresses social drivers of health, fosters community-clinical linkages and develops the community workforce. Examples of this work could include: 

• Programs actively dismantling clinical barriers to ensure every individual—regardless of zip code, background, or income—has access to high-quality care
• Innovators providing creative solutions for food security, transportation, health education, and maternal-child support networks
• Organizations bringing critical care directly to those in need through mobile clinics, community health workers, and localized diagnostic screenings
• Organizations finding creative ways to engage the communities they serve directly into the solutions they are delivering

The award: Selected organization champions will receive a $10,000 grant.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) institutions conducting Japan–U.S. collaborative, policy-oriented projects on global or societal issues can apply for the Japan Foundation’s prepaid grants. Funding supports joint research, dialogue, and exchanges on themes like public health, climate resilience, social disparities, and technology, which may benefit organizations addressing health disparities and social determinants of health.

U.S. nonprofit professional development providers serving early childhood educators can seek up to US $500,000 over three years to scale or innovate workforce models that improve outcomes for low-income children. Health disparities and social determinants of health organizations working on early learning access may be eligible for Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing mental health and substance use disorders in the U.S. can seek funding for treatment, prevention, and early-intervention programs. Elevance Health Foundation supports initiatives that expand access to MH/SUD services, reduce loneliness and social isolation, and offer culturally relevant, scalable solutions with measurable outcomes, including national and targeted state-level projects.

Healthcare professionals, researchers, and multidisciplinary teams at U.S. health systems, academic medical centers, FQHCs, and other kidney care organizations can seek funding to advance kidney health equity and reduce disparities. With a mission to revolutionize kidney care, National Kidney Foundation provides US $75,000 for one-year community-level projects improving access, education, screening, and outcomes.

Focused on health disparities and social determinants of health, this accelerator invites U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities rethinking the delivery, space, and place of care to apply. Eligible nonprofits receive mentorship, networking, and up to US $60,000 in combined stipends and an unrestricted grant to scale community-led health equity solutions.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running neuroscience-related mental health programs can apply for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Therapeutic Giving: Neuroscience funding to improve access to care and patient support. Grants prioritize initiatives addressing Alzheimer’s, depression, schizophrenia, health disparities, stigma, crisis intervention, and justice-involved populations, especially recovery-focused, early intervention, and continuity-of-care programs with measurable outcomes.

Nonprofit organizations in the U.S. supporting youth and family well-being through social, emotional, physical, or mental health programs can access funding through Imagine Learning Foundation, with awards of US $25,000 - US $100,000. Projects that extend social-emotional learning into homes and communities, address basic needs, homelessness, or related health disparities may be competitive.

Nonprofit schools, parks departments, youth organizations, and amateur leagues in the U.S. serving predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Native American girls ages 11–18 can receive funding to expand structured sports programs. Grants from Women’s Sports Foundation help address health disparities and social determinants of health by supporting coaching, equipment, transportation, facilities, and team-building activities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. working on immunology-related patient programs can access funding through Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine to improve access to treatment, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline health workforces. Eligible projects may address diseases like Crohn’s, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriasis through education, caregiver support, outreach, and efforts reducing health disparities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running neuroscience and mental health programs in the U.S. can seek funding for initiatives improving access to care, advancing health equity, and strengthening frontline workforces. With a mission to address complex diseases, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine supports efforts in Alzheimer’s, depression, schizophrenia, crisis intervention, stigma reduction, and health disparities, favoring measurable, system-improvement projects.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving oncology care access, health equity, and support services can apply for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Therapeutic Giving: Oncology funding. Grants back programs in cancer education, caregiver support, outreach to marginalized groups, and direct patient services, especially those addressing health disparities and social determinants of health with measurable outcomes.

Nonprofit two- and four-year colleges, university systems, and eligible higher education partners in the U.S. can seek seed funding to pilot collaborative efforts that reduce systemic barriers to STEM master’s and doctoral degrees. Alfred P Sloan Foundation supports multi-institution partnerships that expand access for low-income, first-generation, and other underrepresented students, which may benefit programs addressing health disparities in STEM fields.

Nonprofit two- and four-year higher education institutions planning partnerships to improve STEM pathways for undergraduates can seek up to US $75,000 for one-year planning projects in the U.S. With a mission to strengthen STEM education, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation supports collaborative efforts to identify systemic barriers and design strategies that better serve underrepresented and marginalized students, including those facing health-related inequities.

Nonprofit organizations improving maternal and infant health outcomes can apply for Elevance Health Foundation’s Maternal and Child Health Grant, supporting programs across the U.S. Focused on maternal/infant health and health disparities, this funding prioritizes scalable national efforts and local initiatives in select states that reduce preterm birth, severe maternal morbidity, and barriers to care.

Nonprofit organizations in the U.S. partnering with a board-certified pathologist can receive up to US $20,000 to run See, Test & Treat cancer screening and health education programs for medically underserved communities. College of American Pathologists Foundation supports cervical and breast cancer screening, women’s health, and reducing health disparities through community-based events.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. can seek funding for cardiovascular and metabolic programs that improve patient access, advance health equity, and support frontline health workers. Focused on cardiovascular disease and thrombosis, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine invites initiatives addressing health disparities, caregiver support, education, and advocacy for marginalized or at-risk groups.