Best Physics Grants in Utah

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government equivalents in Utah can seek approximately US $75,000 to support programs or operations in areas like youth development, K–12 education reform, early childhood education, disabilities, addiction, aging, and homelessness. Grants from Daniels Fund help Utah organizations running impactful community programs that fit these funding areas and demonstrate strong, measurable results.

Early-stage social impact organizations in Utah tackling major social or environmental challenges can access funding and support through Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, with awards up to US $300,000. Grants from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation help scalable, impact-first ventures grow their solutions for underserved communities, including work in areas like education, health, environment, and economic mobility.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Nonprofit organizations providing health, education, or humanitarian services in Utah and worldwide can seek support for programs serving marginalized and vulnerable communities. Semnani Family Foundation provides global nonprofits with funding for healthcare access, disaster relief, child welfare, women and girls’ services, and related human and social services, which may benefit Utah-based initiatives with these priorities.

With a mission to support charitable, scientific, medical, and educational work, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust provides Utah physics and other 501(c)(3) organizations with funding for U.S.-based programs. Eligible nonprofits must be tax-exempt under federal law, with projects that demonstrate strong management and broad impact on the communities they serve.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

Nonprofit organizations in Utah seeking support for community, educational, cultural, health, or environmental programs can apply for grants of US $1,000 - US $20,000. The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation funds museums, schools, hospitals, youth and senior services, disability programs, workforce training, and other community-based initiatives that can benefit from relatively small awards.

Utah colleges and universities interested in campus greening and beautification can access funding and national recognition through the Tree Campus Higher Education program. Utah physics departments housed at eligible institutions may benefit by integrating tree-related service-learning, campus tree care plans, and Arbor Day observances that meet the program’s five required standards.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

Utah climate and atmospheric science researchers with recent PhDs can access funding for postdoctoral work through the University of Utah’s Wilkes Center Postdoctoral Program. This two-year fellowship awards more than US $64,000 annually for cutting-edge climate science and policy research, which may appeal to physics-focused scholars working on climate-related phenomena in Utah.

Nonprofit organizations and public agencies preserving traditional cultures and historic sites in Utah can apply for $2,500 - $10,000 to support planning and urgent intervention projects. With a mission to advance historic preservation, National Trust for Historic Preservation provides catalytic funding for archaeology, cultural landscape protection, legal assistance, and community education efforts, requiring a one-to-one match.

Native American and Alaska Native individual artists, culture bearers, and cultural practitioners in Utah can receive $2,500 in unrestricted support for creative practice and well-being. Creative West’s Native Arts and Heritage Fund backs work in any cultural form and includes a three-month virtual cohort for connection, reflection, and shared learning.

Elementary schools in Utah focused on arts education can receive US $3,000 to host professional teaching artists during the school day. Salt Lake City Arts Council provides Utah schools with funding for in-class artist residencies of at least six weeks within the Salt Lake City School District. Physics-focused classrooms incorporating arts integration may be eligible.

Nonprofit or community programs serving older adult kinship and grand-family caregivers can seek funding to strengthen social connections and behavioral health in Utah and the broader Northwest. With a mission to advance whole person health, Cambia Health Foundation provides up to US $50,000 for initiatives that reduce isolation, improve mental health, and support aging in place.

Early-career biomedical researchers at nominated U.S. institutions can receive US $75,000 - US $300,000 to support independent, human health–related research. Grants from Pew Charitable Trusts help Utah physics and related science faculty whose work is grounded in biomedical principles pursue creative basic, translational, or applied projects with flexible funding for personnel, equipment, supplies, and travel.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

LIFT 5.1 Scalable Telehealth ProjectsThe LIFT Initiative aims to develop, support, enhance, and improve sustainable physical and behavioral healthcare access and outcomes in Utah's rural communities through scalable, data-informed telehealth strategies, reinforced by training and technical assistance. Projects funded through this RFA must contribute to a robust rural telehealth system consistent with the Utah RHTP Plan.This RFA invites eligible rural providers and partners to apply for funding to implement telehealth and digital care projects that advance the LIFT Initiative outcomes, including, but not limited to:

• Expanded telehealth access and utilization
• Increased telehealth-enabled sites
• Increased availability of telehealth‐enabled specialties
• Reduced travel time and wait times for rural patients

This RFA is only for telehealth projects.

SHIFT 3.2: Rural Health Provider NetworksThis opportunity supports the establishment and/or expansion of integrated rural health provider networks, including but not limited to: rural health clinics, pediatric trauma, or maternal health networks. Awardees will develop a comprehensive resource directory of physical and behavioral healthcare services across rural Utah to detail the capacity, access, and availability of local services to efficiently support both patients and providers. These networks will pool resources, expand local services, reduce duplication of efforts, and lower administrative costs across rural Utah.

With a mission to strengthen library services, Utah State Library Division provides Utah libraries with LSTA competitive grants of US $5,000 - US $30,000 to improve capacity, access, and learning. Public and other eligible libraries may fund projects in areas like technology infrastructure, information access, lifelong learning, human services, employment support, and civic engagement.

Utah 501(c)(3) organizations and government units can seek up to US $2,000,000 for arts, education, health, conservation, and community programs that benefit Utah residents. George S Eccles And Delores Dore Eccles Foundation prioritizes high-impact, Utah-focused projects with strong management, measurable outcomes, and broad financial support, which may include physics-related initiatives within these areas.

Utah schools, tribes, municipalities, and nonprofits can seek $500 - $15,000 to build permanent outdoor learning spaces that support youth science and physics education. Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation’s Youth Engagement Grants fund infrastructure like outdoor classrooms and amphitheaters for outdoor-focused learning tied to the Every Kid Outdoors Adventure Challenge.

Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation

Recognizing the growing importance of outdoor recreation to Utah’s economy and quality of life, the Utah State Legislature established the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation in 2022. As part of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the division unites the nation’s first Office of Outdoor Recreation with key state programs, including Utah’s Boating Program, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program, and outdoor recreation grants and planning. We also work collaboratively with DNR's Division of Law Enforcement Rangers.

Dedicated to fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for all Utahns, the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation focuses on four key areas: expanding recreational access, promoting safety and education, ensuring responsible stewardship and sustainable visitation, and driving economic growth through outdoor recreation.

Youth Engagement Grants

The Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education (UCORE), UCORE Educator, and Nature-Based Learning Infrastructure Grants provide outdoor recreation and learning experiences to youth in Utah. This funding aims to teach youth the physical skills that can make outdoor recreation part of a healthy and active lifestyle. 

UCORE Educator 

Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education Grant – For Educators

The UCORE Educator Grant was created to provide a more equitable opportunity for educators to apply. With teachers up against time restraints, funding shortages and limited resources, the UCORE Educator Grant is a streamlined application. The application, although streamlined, does provide educators plenty of opportunity to share the details of their programming, how they plan to work with school administrators, track student participation and progress, while demonstrating competency in program development.  

Applicants must hold a current educator license or certification.

Age Range of Youth Served: 6-18 yo

Schools, cities, counties, tribes, and nonprofits in Utah can apply for Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation’s Youth Engagement Grants, with awards up to US $15,000 for outdoor recreation and education programming. Funding supports nature discovery, outdoor adventures, trail activities, water and winter sports, and other skill-building experiences for youth ages 6–18 that progress into natural settings.

Utah 501(c)(3) nonprofits doing community development work such as small business development, affordable housing, reentry support, or financial capability can seek $2,500 - $5,000 through the 25 Squared Grant Initiative. With a mission to advance local impact, the Community Foundation of Utah partners with Square Financial Services to support eligible organizations statewide, including those with physics-related community programs.