Best Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits in Arizona

The USDA SBIR/STTR programs aim to enhance scientific excellence and technological innovation through federal funding, fostering a robust national economy. By supporting small businesses in addressing federal research needs, these programs encourage the commercialization of federally funded research. Specifically, the STTR program promotes partnerships between small businesses and research institutions, such as universities and federal laboratories, to advance cooperative research and development efforts.

The Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program by the USDA's Rural Utilities Service provides funding for essential technical assistance and training aimed at resolving water and waste management issues. This program supports applicants in preparing loan and grant applications, enhancing the operational efficiency of water systems, and ensuring compliance with best practices in facility management. However, grant funds cannot be used for duplicating existing services or for capital expenditures.

The Solid Waste Management Grant Program, administered by the USDA's Rural Utilities Service, invites applications for FY 2027 funding. This initiative aims to enhance solid waste management in rural communities through technical assistance and training. Eligible organizations can receive grants to develop sustainable waste management practices, addressing critical issues like water pollution and emerging contaminants, while promoting hazardous waste collection. This program supports operational improvements and capital financing applications to ensure long-term environmental health.

The HIV Prevention and Alcohol R61/R33 funding opportunity aims to advance innovative HIV prevention strategies through a phased research approach. The R61 phase focuses on developing and pilot testing interventions, addressing key implementation questions for diverse populations. Following successful milestones, the R33 phase expands testing of these interventions and explores their effectiveness and sustainability, particularly in relation to alcohol use and related health issues.

In collaboration with Cummins Inc., the American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from U.S. public libraries to participate in A Year of STEM, 12 months of curated STEM programming to foster curiosity and STEM-mindedness in early childhood learners across the country. 

Twenty-five libraries will be chosen to participate in A Year of STEM, receiving professional development to prepare them for the project, copies of a newly created A Year of STEM programming guide developed by librarian advisors, a $5,000 programming stipend, four STEM kits (to be delivered quarterly), and support from ALA’s Public Programs Office staff throughout the project implementation period.

LRPenn.com is home to the novels, plays, and screenplays of LR Penn. His books specializes in Thrillers, Dramatic Comedies, and Film Noir. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, grants may be available to nonprofit theater companies in the United States with 501(c)(3) status that are staging productions of plays written by LR Penn.  

The DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition aims to accelerate the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing capabilities essential for scientific research. This initiative invites proposals from domestic entities to create viable plans for the Quantum Genesis program, aligning with national scientific goals. The competition serves as a foundational effort to scale quantum technologies and enhance scientific workflows, fostering innovation and collaboration as the nation progresses into a new era of computational power.

The Technology Development Program by the US Department of Health & Human Services focuses on advancing technology research from proof-of-concept to prototype development. This initiative prioritizes innovation to enhance biomedical research, emphasizing technological improvements without the inclusion of biological hypothesis testing. Eligible projects should aim at significant technological advancements to maximize impact in the field.

The R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed funding opportunity invites innovative research to develop and enhance research models and biological materials vital for studying human health and diseases. It emphasizes the need for new approach methodologies (NAMs) to improve the identification of confounding factors in biomedical research. Projects should have broad applicability across multiple NIH Institutes, focusing on various body systems and disease categories, ensuring relevance to a wide range of health issues.

The FY2026/2027 Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program provides competitive grants to organizations capable of delivering technical assistance (TA) to communities served by HUD. With up to $86 million available, recipients are expected to develop educational tools, collaborate with HUD, and show a strong record of performance. This initiative aims to enhance community systems, support high-priority projects, and ensure effective training delivery, fostering impactful outcomes across the nation.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is launching a funding opportunity to establish a research network focused on rapid-acting psychotropic interventional drugs (RAPIDs), including ketamine and psilocybin. This initiative seeks to generate real-world evidence on the effectiveness and safety of these treatments for serious mental illnesses. By addressing critical questions around their implementation in clinical practice, the NIMH aims to facilitate the safe integration of RAPIDs into healthcare, ultimately improving mental health outcomes.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Recycling Program was established through the Arizona Solid Waste Recycling Act of 1990 (A.R.S. §49-831 et seq.). The Recycling Program is responsible for providing public education to encourage participation in recycling and source reduction, and for providing the public with information about proper solid waste disposal. Waste Reduction Assistance (WRA) grants

The objective of the WRA program is to provide recycling opportunities to all Arizonans, and to provide funding assistance to projects that divert significant amounts of materials from the solid waste stream or are a component of a comprehensive program designed to achieve high diversion levels. WRA projects may include a small public awareness component, but must have a component that diverts material from the waste stream. Funds initiatives like curbside recycling and household hazardous waste collections to majorly curb the solid waste stream.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Recycling Program was established through the Arizona Solid Waste Recycling Act of 1990 (A.R.S. §49-831 et seq.). The Recycling Program is responsible for providing public education to encourage participation in recycling and source reduction, and for providing the public with information about proper solid waste disposal. Waste Reduction Initiative Through Education (WRITE) grantsThe objective of the WRITE program is to provide all Arizonans with the information and education needed to increase awareness on how to properly reduce and dispose of solid waste, and to encourage participation in source reduction, reuse, and recycling opportunities. WRITE projects should communicate the importance of conserving natural resources and the benefits of reducing, reusing, recycling, buying recycled products, composting and/or properly disposing of solid waste.

The National Endowment for the Humanities invites K-12 teachers and higher education faculty to apply for the Landmarks of American History and Culture and Summer Institutes program. This initiative aims to enhance humanities education through professional development opportunities, fostering a deeper understanding of historical and cultural landmarks. Participants will engage in enriching experiences designed to improve teaching practices and student learning outcomes in the humanities.

AOT Cooperative Marketing Program

The AOT Cooperative Marketing Program is administered by the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) for the purpose of expanding travel and tourism related activities in communities throughout Arizona. It provides a means for eligible participants, (Destination marketing organizations (DMOs), Tribal entities, statewide tourism associations and regional tourism partnerships), to participate in tourism marketing opportunities. AOT works with Off Madison Avenue, our agency of record, to negotiate a variety of tourism marketing opportunities at reduced rates. Eligible participant buys are matched at fifty (50) percent (1:1) of the AOT negotiated rate.

KBF Ski Racing Safety

The KBF helps alpine ski clubs around the country purchase safety equipment like netting and padding, and also contributes to venue improvement initiatives. Funding requests are reviewed through an annual grant cycle with an application process. Over the past decade, the Kelly Brush Foundation has purchased thousands of rolls of b-netting, supported trail widening projects, and helped with the purchase of other safety equipment. 

KBF Ski Racing Safety Equipment Grants are all matching grants–meaning that any grant awarded by the Kelly Brush Foundation will need to be matched by the ski club. We expect that clubs will join us in making safety a priority by fundraising or finding room in their budget for safety.

The BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program aims to support community organizations and tribal governments in providing essential mentoring and transitional services for individuals returning from correctional facilities. This initiative targets those assessed as moderate to high risk for recidivism, addressing their needs both pre-and post-release. By fostering successful reintegration into society, the program contributes to public safety and reduces recidivism rates, aligning with the mission of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The BJA FY 2026 Capital Case Litigation Initiative aims to enhance legal representation in state capital cases. By providing essential funding, this initiative supports both prosecutors and defense attorneys to ensure equitable legal processes for indigent defendants. The U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. Applications are due by November 5, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, marking a critical opportunity for improvement in capital case litigation.

The BJA FY 2026 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program aims to enhance justice by strengthening the capacity of entities that review wrongful convictions. By supporting partnerships among criminal justice and victims' services, the program seeks to effectively manage post-conviction claims of innocence and prevent future errors. This initiative will help identify actual perpetrators and ensure justice for victims, contributing to public safety and the integrity of the legal system.

The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Formula Grants Program aims to support states and local governments in enhancing their DNA analysis capabilities. By providing funding for existing crime laboratories, this initiative seeks to increase the processing capacity for DNA samples, thereby reducing the backlog in forensic DNA analysis and ensuring timely entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

The BJA FY 2026 Adult Treatment Court Program aims to enhance Adult Treatment Court operations, focusing on preventing overdoses and reducing substance use among high-risk adults in the criminal justice system. The program integrates judicial supervision, substance use disorder treatment, and recovery support services to improve outcomes for participants. This funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice highlights the commitment to public safety and addressing critical issues like the opioid crisis.

The BJA FY 2026 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) aims to enhance the capacity of grantees through dedicated training. It addresses critical operational issues related to overdose responses, targeting illicit opioids and stimulants. The program underscores the U.S. Department of Justice's commitment to public safety, law enforcement support, and the fight against substance misuse. Applications are due by November 9, 2026.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Inc

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the only nonprofit charity organization dedicated to ending mesothelioma, and the suffering caused by this cancer, by:

• funding research to improve treatment options;
• providing treatment support and education for patients and their families;
• and advocating for federal funding of research.

The mission of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation spans across four distinct areas: through research, education, support, and advocacy the Foundation seeks to eradicate the vicious effects of mesothelioma. Led by the Board of Directors, our team works collaboratively to develop and administer our programs, and to fundraise to pay for those programs (the Foundation is funded by private individual and corporate contributions only — it does not receive any government funding).

Patient Travel Grant Program

A mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment often require the patient and their family to incur numerous expenses as part of their treatment. Travel to treatment, alone, can cause a significant financial burden on the patient, which might even cause the patient to not seek treatment away from home, even it’s their best option. To ensure that all patients have the ability to seek specialized help and treatments, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation administers its Travel Grant Program.

The Meso Foundation’s Patient Travel Grant Program, founded by Mary and Bob Cosentino, provides travel grants to patients and one caregiver traveling for an initial consult and/or for clinical trial treatments.

• The type of eligible travel must fall into at least one of these two categories:
  • One trip for one initial consultation with a mesothelioma specialist.
  • Multiple trips to participate in an interventional clinical trial (found on clinicaltrials.gov).

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Inc

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the only nonprofit charity organization dedicated to ending mesothelioma, and the suffering caused by this cancer, by:

• funding research to improve treatment options;
• providing treatment support and education for patients and their families;
• and advocating for federal funding of research.

The mission of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation spans across four distinct areas: through research, education, support, and advocacy the Foundation seeks to eradicate the vicious effects of mesothelioma. Led by the Board of Directors, our team works collaboratively to develop and administer our programs, and to fundraise to pay for those programs (the Foundation is funded by private individual and corporate contributions only — it does not receive any government funding).

Bret A. Rosenthal Patient Assistance Fund

Patients diagnosed with cancer at a younger age often face greater financial burdens. This is a time in a patient’s life when they are raising a family, starting a career, or have not accumulated savings. For patients 49 and under, the Foundation administers the Bret A. Rosenthal Patient Assistance Fund grant program. This program is made possible by the generosity of the Rosenthal family.

Utilizing the Full Power of Empire AI Request for Applications

The Simons Foundation (SF) intends to support cutting-edge mathematics and basic science research, drawing on the advanced computational power of the Empire AI.

Toward this goal, SF plans to initiate a new program to fund six to 12 proposals through a competitive open call to the Empire AI research community.

A successful proposal will outline an ambitious two-year research program in one of the following fields, or at their intersections: computational astrophysics and physics, computational biology, mathematics, neuroscience and computational physical chemistry. Each proposal will necessarily rely on the development and utilization of foundational machine learning models, aimed at solving problems of fundamental importance in the above-listed disciplines.

Computational biophysics, neuroscience, ecology and evolution, plant biology, optimal transport, multiscale physics, fluid dynamics and numerical general relativity are representative examples of fields that could use multinode clusters of GPUs of Empire AI, which is a requirement of the program. All submitted proposals should detail how their work will use multinode clusters of GPUs in Empire AI. Proposals focused on data curation and creation of datasets can be considered in exceptional cases, as long as the attained data will be used by the proposers for solving scientific problems as part of the same proposal.

The program’s total budget is expected to be $6 million USD over a two-year period.

Funding

Award Amount: There is no maximum budget total for an individual award. The total amount requested should reflect the proposed research. All award amounts are inclusive of indirect costs (see our grant policies). Please note that we anticipate funding six to 12 applications. The total program’s budget of $6 million USD over two years will be spread across all awards.

Award Duration: June 1, 2027, through May 31, 2029.

Number of Awards: We expect to select six to 12 applications for funding.

The Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program, initiated by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), aims to enhance rural electric systems through substantial funding of approximately $175 million. This initiative focuses on increasing emission-free nuclear power and improving transmission infrastructure efficiency, promoting long-term reliability and affordability. Eligible entities include electric cooperatives serving rural areas and their subsidiaries. The program aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, thus fostering a sustainable energy future.

The Drexel Fund Founders Program is a one-year paid fellowship that helps outstanding leaders already on the path to launching a school continue to plan and open an innovative and effective private school in one of The Drexel Fund’s target states: Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The tenth cohort of the Founders Program is designed for entrepreneurs who will begin the fellowship in Summer 2027 and be ready to launch a new private school in Fall 2028.Through the fellowship, school founders will develop their school’s education model and finalize the nuts and bolts of their school launch, including board and budget development, market analysis, facility location, student recruitment and staff hiring. Founders will create a plan that will make it possible for their school to achieve top-tier results for children while maintaining a sustainable financial model.