Best Grants for Immigration Nonprofits in New York

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New York can seek funding for direct health and related services benefiting poor or underserved residents, including immigrants and other vulnerable groups. Mother Cabrini Health Foundation provides New York health-focused nonprofits with grants of more than US $75,000 for programs aligned with Catholic ethical principles and serving its eight priority populations.

Immigrant visual and multidisciplinary artists in New York seeking free professional development and mentoring can apply for New York Foundation for the Arts’ Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program. Grants from New York Foundation for the Arts help New York immigrant communities by offering 1-on-1 mentorship, networking, exhibition opportunities, and arts-in-education training to support emerging artistic careers.

New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups advancing immigrant, housing, and workers’ rights can seek support for grassroots organizing and advocacy that build BIPOC community power. Scherman Foundation provides funding for movement-building, policy reform, and narrative or culture shift work across New York City, Long Island, and selected statewide coalitions focused on racial and economic justice.

Nonprofit and community-based providers in New York developing ESOL mobile learning platforms for immigrants and other new Americans can apply for funding from the New York State Department of State’s Office for New Americans. Focus includes mobile ESOL lessons, on-demand coaching, outreach materials, and staff training to better serve limited English proficient residents.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Doctoral-level researchers studying race, ethnicity, and immigration in the U.S. can receive up to US $200,000 to support rigorous social science research, including data collection and analysis. Russell Sage Foundation provides New York immigration and immigrant-services scholars with funding for projects on immigrant integration, legal status, policy impacts, social movements, and related racial and ethnic justice issues.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on immigrant and refugee rights in New York can seek funding for immigrant-led organizing, advocacy, legal services, impact litigation, and holistic support networks. The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation primarily supports immigration, racial, and climate justice efforts, with a geographic focus that includes New York City boroughs.

State agencies, local governments, and tribal governments in New York can access funding through the Bureau of Justice Assistance to support immigration-related law enforcement and justice activities. Grants may cover locating and detaining criminal illegal aliens, prosecuting related crimes, supporting court operations, and enhancing participation in Homeland Security Task Force efforts and other DOJ violent crime initiatives.

Researchers with doctorates studying immigration, immigrant integration, or related race and citizenship issues can apply for Russell Sage Foundation grants supporting social science research in the U.S., including New York, with awards up to US $200,000. Grants from Russell Sage Foundation help immigration-focused scholars generate rigorous evidence that can inform policy and outcomes for immigrants and native-born communities.

Early-career social science faculty researching immigration, immigrant integration, or related inequalities in the U.S., including those based in New York, can seek US $35,000 - US $50,000 in research funding from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on economic mobility and systemic barriers, this one-year support prioritizes underrepresented scholars and projects using strong theory, data, and methods.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions conducting dissertation research on immigration, immigrant integration, race and ethnicity, or related social inequalities in the U.S. can access funding through the Russell Sage Foundation’s Dissertation Research Grants, with awards up to US $15,000. New York immigration-focused scholars may be especially interested in this support for data collection, analysis, and writing.

With a mission to recognize immigrant contributions, Vilcek Foundation provides New York immigration and immigrant-service nonprofits with US $5,000 - US $20,000 for innovative programs in the arts, sciences, culture, and society. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, including those in New York, can apply year-round if their work centers immigrants’ impact and creativity.

Researchers with doctorates studying race, ethnicity, and immigration in the U.S. can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants, with awards up to US $200,000. New York-based scholars or those examining immigration and immigrant rights issues relevant to New York communities may be especially interested in this social science research opportunity.

Researchers with doctorates studying behavioral science and decision-making processes can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants of up to US $200,000. With a mission to advance rigorous social science, the foundation supports U.S.-based work on immigration, racial and ethnic relations, criminal justice, housing, employment, and related policy contexts, which may include New York immigration-focused projects.

Individuals born in North Korea, their immediate family members, and certain North Korean–born refugees or citizens pursuing education in the U.S. can receive up to US $10,000 for accredited college or university programs. With a mission to support immigrant and refugee communities, Communities Foundation of Texas offers the Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship, which may be renewed annually.

Non-religious, inclusive charitable organizations sponsored by a church in the Episcopal Diocese of New York can receive funding for shelter, housing insecurity, and immigration services. Focused on immigrant and refugee support, Episcopal Charities invites programs in Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley that serve asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees with shelter and language skills.

BIPOC- and LGBTQ+-affirming 501(c)(3) nonprofits in New York and across the U.S. can receive US $100 - US $15,000 for general operating support, projects, advocacy, and capacity building that advance social justice and human rights. The B.W. Bastian Foundation particularly supports work in areas like immigration and refugee rights within its broader equality mission.

BIPOC-owned, BIPOC-led, or BIPOC-centering nonprofits and fiscally sponsored community groups in the Berkshire Taconic region, including Columbia and Northeast Dutchess Counties in New York, can apply for approximately US $10,000 to advance racial justice, immigrant services, and related equity work. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation also offers micro grants to individual cultural workers, leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs.

The IAF Research Fellowship Program, administered by the Social Science Research Council, aims to support rigorous research on community-led development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The fellowship provides a $20,000 stipend for twelve months, fostering innovative solutions to pressing issues such as economic opportunity, migration, and social inclusion. Researchers are encouraged to explore how community-led models can create lasting impacts and respond to global trends, enhancing local resilience and development.

New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations, and public schools providing food or services to immigrants, refugees, and other people in need can receive donated bread and baked goods through the Day-End Dough-Nation program. Panera Bread Foundation partners with agencies that commit to weekly pickups to support food pantries, shelters, youth programs, and similar services.

The New World Fund Scholarship, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, provides financial support to new immigrants pursuing degrees at Berkshire Community College. This scholarship honors Gerald Dickler, who overcame adversity to succeed as a New York City attorney. Eligible students must have been in the U.S. for five years or less, demonstrate leadership potential, and exhibit financial need. By fostering academic success and community involvement, this initiative aims to empower the next generation of leaders.

The Amalia Scholarship Fund for Higher Education, managed by The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, supports current or former clients of the US Committee on Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Albany. This scholarship enables students residing in the Greater Capital Region to pursue higher education, whether through a 2- or 4-year college, university, or a technical/trade school professional certificate program. Empowering individuals since 1968, the foundation promotes educational opportunities for deserving candidates.

DREAMing Out Loud is a tuition-free creative writing workshop series by PEN America for immigrant writers. It offers vital community support, empowering participants to craft original works while amplifying marginalized voices. With workshops led by established writers, participants receive stipends, access to publishing resources, and opportunities to perform their work. This initiative aims to counter anti-immigrant sentiment and ensure that diverse stories are included in the literary canon, fostering an inclusive artistic community.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The William and Susanna Botts Scholarship for Immigrants

The Botts family has been supportive of and advocates for the immigrant community for many years. Susanna taught English as a Second Language in Stafford County schools for eleven years until her retirement in 2010. Since that time, she has continued to work part-time with county ESL students; in addition, she has worked with immigrant families in their homes. Bill provided legal assistance to lawfully represent immigrants in civil matters for many of his 40 years as a legal aid attorney. In 2002, while Executive Director of Rappahannock Legal Services (now Legal Aid Works), he encouraged the Board of Directors to give up all federal funding for the legal aid program so that the organization could represent undocumented immigrants as well. Since 2016, he has served as a volunteer attorney for Baptist-based LUCHA Ministries Immigration Legal Services.

Bill and Susanna have also worked together through Catholic Charities to assist endangered children to come to the United States as refugees from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. They have worked through their church, Fredericksburg United Methodist, tutoring ESL students at Hugh Mercer Elementary School. All of their efforts have been informed and inspired by their experiences on over a dozen church mission trips to Central America and Mexico.

The Botts believe supporting the educational dreams of immigrant youth will serve not only the immigrant community, but also the community at large. The William and Susanna Botts Scholarship for Immigrants will award at least two annual scholarships of $1,000 to support high achieving and or/highly motivated immigrants or refugees in our community. 

Growing Justice Fund Program

The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a multi-donor pooled fund driven by the wisdom and experience of funders, farmers and other workers in the food value chain with shared values and vision.

Awards Nearly $5M to 38 Community-Led Initiatives Supporting Values-Based Good Food Purchasing.

While community-serving institutions–such as schools, hospitals, and senior centers–spend billions annually on food purchasing, the benefits of these contracts have been largely bypassed by small- and mid-size producers, especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant producers. 

For the 2025 grant cycle, the Growing Justice Fund awarded a mix of Planning Grants and Implementation Grants, with grant amounts ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. These investments support projects that strengthen engagement with community-serving anchor institutions—including schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities—that hold significant purchasing power and can drive meaningful economic and social benefits for historically marginalized communities.

Priority Areas

Infrastructure:

Building and strengthening systems that enable equitable food purchasing, including support for historically disadvantaged producers, food hubs, and institutional partnerships.

Policy and Organizing:

Supporting grassroots organizing, educational policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts that align institutional food purchasing practices with community-defined priorities.

Traditional Food Pathways:

Advancing food sovereignty within Tribal Nations by supporting traditional foodways, local food economies, and community-led approaches to Native food systems.

Through the generosity of fundholders and donors, NCCF has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to assist students in Northwest Connecticut with the cost of higher education.

NCCF awards more than $530,000 in scholarships a year. 

Patrick Dillon Scholarship

Academic Focus:

• Unspecified 

Award:

• $750

Established by the Dillon Family, this scholarship is awarded to a student whose primary residence is in Torrington, is either a first-generation immigrant to the United States or is the child of a first-generation immigrant, and who attends, or will attend, an accredited university or college. This scholarship is not financially need-based. (No FAFSA required)

The Home Study and Post-Release Services program, led by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, provides critical support for unaccompanied alien children in the U.S. It ensures safe placements with sponsors by conducting thorough home checks and offers ongoing assistance to help children adjust and thrive. This program is vital for the well-being of vulnerable youth navigating complex immigration processes, fostering healthy connections within the community and ensuring their safety during this transitional period.