Best Toledo Grants for Nonprofits in Ohio

The Speers Family Scholarship, established in 1995, aims to support graduates from Erie County, Ohio high schools pursuing higher education at select universities. This renewable scholarship is available for students majoring in fields like Medical Care, Public Administration, Education, and Engineering. Funded by the Erie County Community Foundation, it seeks to empower individuals to contribute positively to their communities, enhancing the quality of life in Erie County for years to come.

Nonprofit organizations in Toledo, Ohio working on human trafficking, immigrant and refugee support, social justice, or Laudato Si’ environmental initiatives can apply for Toledo Community Foundation’s Sylvania Franciscan Foundation Fund, with awards of US $5,000 - US $50,000. Funding supports survivor services, economic opportunity, education, health, ecological education, spirituality, and community engagement projects.

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), aims to enhance the quality, safety, and accessibility of community football fields. With grants up to $250,000, this initiative addresses the critical lack of safe recreation spaces in low-income neighborhoods, ensuring children and adults have access to well-maintained facilities for gathering and exercise, ultimately fostering community health and well-being.

Ohio Department of Transportation

With a mission to provide a transportation system that is safe, accessible, well maintained, and positioned for the future, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) supports the state highway system and promotes transportation initiatives statewide. As a more than $3 billion per year enterprise, ODOT invests the bulk of its resources in system preservation through maintenance, construction, and snow and ice operations.

ODOT's regional district offices and Central Office divisions work together to fulfill the department's mission of providing safe and easy movement of people and goods from place to place.

Specialized Transportation Program (5310)

Program Goal and Description

The Specialized Transportation Program, as authorized by the Federal Transit Administration, 49 USC Section 5310, is intended to enhance mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities by providing Federal Transit Administration funds for programs in small urbanized and rural areas that serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations beyond traditional public transportation services and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services. The program provides 80% of the cost of capital projects; the remaining 20% must be provided by local funding, which may be derived from other federal (non-U.S. DOT) transportation sources or the Federal Lands Highway Program.

Project Types: Vehicle Funding; Preventive Maintenance (PM) Funding; Mobility Management Funding; Computer Hardware and/or Software & Equipment Funding; Operating Assistance; Contracted Transportation Service Funding

Operating Assistance

The objective of the 5310 operating assistance project is to provide financial support to subrecipients in the day-to-day transportation operations for seniors and persons with disabilities. Operating assistance funding is explicitly intended to be spent on operations. ODOT will reimburse 50% of the operating cost and the subrecipient is required to provide the 50% local match. All of the local match must be provided from sources other than U.S. Department of Transportation funds. To be eligible for Section 5310 operating funds, an applicant must provide open-door services. FTA defines open door as regular, continuing shared ride surface transportation services that is open to the public or open to a segment of the public defined by age or disability.

The Specialized Transportation Program (5310) aims to enhance mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities through federally funded projects. This program supports various initiatives, including vehicle funding, preventive maintenance, and contracted transportation services. With an 80% federal cost coverage, local funding must cover the remaining 20%. The Ohio Department of Transportation oversees this program, ensuring accessible transportation options in urban and rural areas, thereby addressing the unique needs of transit-dependent populations.

Nonprofit research institutions and similar eligible organizations conducting fisheries or ichthyology research can seek up to US $1,300,000 to inform management and support ecosystem health in Toledo, Ohio and other Great Lakes counties. Great Lakes Fisheries Trust funds hypothesis-driven studies, tools, and capacity-building that advance sustainable fish populations and resilient fisheries, with RFPs released on a set cycle.

The Ferguson Cares Grant is an essential aspect of Ferguson's Sustainability strategy, focusing on social challenges and community wellbeing. This grant supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. dedicated to affordable housing, skilled trades workforce development, clean water access, and enhancing local economic quality of life. Ferguson aims to create lasting partnerships that drive positive impact within their operational regions, reflecting their commitment to social responsibility and community support.

The F26AS00083 Aquatic Invasive Species Grants are part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for Fiscal Year 2026. These grants, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aim to support state-level management plans to combat aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region. Eligible applicants include Great Lakes states and their designees, with funding awarded through a competitive selection process.

Nonprofit organizations and other teams working on Great Lakes ecosystem health in Toledo, Ohio can access funding through the Great Lakes Protection Fund. The Fund supports collaborative, science-based projects that deliver measurable, regionally significant improvements in freshwater conservation, pollution reduction, and water resource management across the Great Lakes basin.

Toledo-area accredited schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits needing help with transportation for student or youth field trips can receive US $100 - US $1,000 to attend Toledo Mud Hens baseball or Toledo Walleye hockey games. Lucas and Wood County organizations can access funding through Toledo Community Foundation to cover bus or charter transportation costs only.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations seeking capital project funding for facilities or equipment in Toledo, Ohio can apply for more than US $20,000 through the Andersons Fund Supporting Organization. With a mission to enrich regional quality of life, Toledo Community Foundation supports education, social services, health, neighborhood and urban affairs, natural resources, and arts initiatives in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

Nonprofit organizations running K–12 youth fitness and wellness programs during cold weather months in Toledo, Ohio and nearby counties can seek support for activities encouraging healthy lifestyles, exercise, sports, and physical fitness education. With a mission to enrich regional quality of life, Toledo Community Foundation awards competitive grants of US $1,500 - US $10,000.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Toledo, Ohio can apply for Toledo Community Foundation’s Helping Hens Fund; awards $1,500 to $10,000, with capital requests up to $30,000, for youth fitness and wellness programs and sports facilities. Eligible projects include warm-weather activities, league fees, equipment, and capital improvements to local sporting venues.

Nonprofit and community organizations serving youth under 18 in northwest Ohio can apply for more than US $3,000 to support programs and services. Toledo Community Foundation provides Toledo, Ohio youth services with funding for operational expenses of existing programs and costs to establish new initiatives, prioritizing youth in Lucas and Wood Counties, especially Waterville and the Anthony Wayne Local School District.

Nonprofit organizations serving youth under 21 with programs in northwest Ohio, including Toledo, can seek up to US $3,000 to enhance young people’s lives, especially those facing behavioral or juvenile justice challenges. Toledo Community Foundation gives preference to Wood County organizations and excludes governmental agencies from this fund.

About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has funded more than 23,900 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $12 billion.About Sustain Our Great Lakes Program

Sustain Our Great Lakes is a public–private partnership designed to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife and habitat in the basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. The program achieves this mission, in part, by awarding grants for on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement.Funding priorities for this program include:

• Habitat Restoration to Conserve Species and Improve Water Quality
• Expand and Maintain Nature-Based Solutions in Great Lakes Communities
• Invasive Species Control to Protect and Enhance Restored Habitat
• Activate Restored Habitats and Natural Areas

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

Nonprofit corporations, academic institutions, state agencies, and local governments in Toledo, Ohio can seek funding for coastal conservation, habitat restoration, planning, and public access projects. Grants from Ohio Department of Natural Resources help Toledo nonprofits working in Lucas and Wood Counties with Lake Erie water quality, waterfront redevelopment, and protection of historic and cultural coastal resources, with awards of US $50,000 - US $150,000.

Nonprofit organizations hosting fundraising events or needing general operating support in Toledo, Ohio (Lucas or Wood County) may be eligible for community sponsorships focused on education, workforce, and community development. With a mission to prepare individuals for thriving futures, KeyBank provides event-based or general support to nonprofits in areas where it operates.

Focused on financial literacy and housing, Union Home Foundation invites Toledo, Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for grants over US $1,000 supporting families’ economic self-sufficiency. Eligible organizations in Lucas and Wood counties working on financial education, equitable housing, or supportive housing and shelters can seek one-year project or program support through quarterly application cycles.

The Enbridge Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in North American communities through strategic donations and sponsorships. With funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, the grant supports organizations focused on safety, education, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous culture. Enbridge encourages early applications, with decisions typically made within eight weeks. The grant seeks to empower local initiatives that foster community strength, vibrancy, and sustainability.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Toledo, Ohio working on housing stability, hunger relief, workforce development, or STEM initiatives can apply for FirstEnergy Foundation grants up to Up to US $25,000. Eligible organizations must operate within FirstEnergy’s service area, including Lucas and Wood counties, and should contact the Community Involvement Department with grant inquiries.

The Share the Bounty Grant, offered by The Andersons Inc Charitable Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in communities through support for agriculture, social services, civic engagement, education, arts, and health initiatives. By investing in these key areas, The Andersons seeks to foster environments where individuals and families can thrive, ensuring a sustainable and vibrant future for all residents in the regions they serve.

The F26AS00084 Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes Tribes, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aim to support the development and implementation of Tribal Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans. Eligible Great Lakes tribes can apply for competitive grants to address invasive species issues within the Great Lakes Basin, including outreach and prevention efforts. This initiative focuses on early detection and control, significantly contributing to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Toledo-area fire departments, EMS, 9-1-1 centers, ambulance services, emergency management, and law enforcement organizations can access funding through Enbridge for safety equipment, professional training, or safety education programs. Eligible agencies within 10 miles of Enbridge operations, including parts of Lucas and Wood counties, may receive US $1,000 - US $10,000, with higher support possible for national organizations.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting early childhood education or community economic development may be eligible for funding in Toledo, Ohio. With a mission to strengthen and enrich communities, PNC Foundation provides grants for programs serving low- and moderate-income families, including early learning, workforce readiness, affordable housing, community services, and arts and cultural enrichment.