Best Toledo Grants for Nonprofits in Ohio

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.

Toledo, Ohio environmental and boating organizations can access funding through the Great Lakes Foundation for projects that preserve wilderness cruising areas and promote safe, educational use of the Great Lakes. Eligible efforts include marine and freshwater conservation, recreational boating initiatives, safety education, research, and related charitable, educational, or scientific activities in Lucas and Wood counties.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and qualified local government entities supporting education, environment, entrepreneurship, or community enrichment may be eligible for funding that benefits Toledo, Ohio and other Georgia-Pacific communities. Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports projects near its manufacturing facilities that enhance long-term community well-being and sustainability.

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

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.

The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, provides a 50/50 cost-share opportunity aimed at enhancing rural fire departments. Eligible departments can secure funding for essential wildland fire equipment, personal protective gear, and communication devices. Grants are capped at $10,000, promoting community collaboration while ensuring departments meet specific eligibility requirements. This initiative supports the vital role of fire services in protecting Ohio's communities and natural resources.

The AIA Dayton Architectural Scholarship, administered by AIA Dayton, supports high school seniors and college students from the Dayton/Miami Valley region pursuing a degree in architecture at a NAAB-accredited institution. Eligible applicants must have graduated from a local high school or be college students attending an accredited architecture program in Ohio. This initiative aims to foster the next generation of architects by providing financial assistance to deserving students.

The Lake Erie Environmental Justice Grant, awarded by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, aims to support restoration projects in historically underserved communities within Ohio's Lake Erie watershed. Funded through the U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program, this initiative focuses on enhancing stormwater management, strengthening coastal resilience, and advancing environmental justice. With a significant grant of up to $750,000, OLEC collaborates with partners like Black Environmental Leaders and Rural Action to ensure equitable resource distribution and impactful outcomes.

The Small City Program in Ohio allocates federal funds to small cities with populations between 5,000 and 24,999, not included in Metropolitan Planning Organizations. With an annual budget of $10.5 million, this program supports road, safety, and signal projects. The funding covers up to 80% of eligible construction costs, and a scoring system prioritizes projects based on various factors, ensuring effective use of resources and improved transportation infrastructure for eligible communities.

Valorie Wolcott Mendelson Ohio School Psychologists Association Scholarship Fund

The Ohio School Psychologists Association established the scholarship to benefit graduates students who are in the second term of their first year at one of the eight Ohio Graduate Training Programs in School Psychology.

Award Amount:

• Two $4,000 Scholarships

The Kenneth R. and Rhonda Hill-Watt Scholarship, administered by the Erie County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Erie County, Ohio, attending BGSU Firelands. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Since 1995, the foundation has aimed to enhance the quality of life in the community by empowering individuals to make meaningful contributions. This scholarship represents a commitment to fostering educational opportunities and leadership within the region.

The Helen B. and Elam P. Sabroske Educational Fund, established in 1995, aims to enhance the quality of life in Erie County, Ohio, by providing scholarships to local high school graduates attending Bowling Green State University. This 501(c)(3) non-profit prioritizes financial need, academic excellence, and student leadership, allowing scholarships to be renewed for up to three additional years. The fund seeks to empower individuals to make lasting contributions to their communities.

BASF Corporation, a leading chemical company based in Florham Park, New Jersey, is committed to charitable giving that aligns with its corporate social responsibility goals. The focus areas include science education, environmental sustainability, and health and safety. Donations are only made to eligible non-profit organizations under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, ensuring that contributions support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in BASF communities and promote a sustainable future.

The Penn National Gaming Foundation Grants support various community initiatives across North America, emphasizing education, health services, and cultural affairs. Launched post-Hurricane Katrina, the foundation aids local nonprofits, enhancing community development, public safety, and veteran support. The grants cater to organizations that address the needs of children, senior citizens, and disadvantaged populations, ensuring a broad impact in areas where Penn National Gaming operates. This commitment reflects the foundation's dedication to uplifting communities and fostering resilience.

The TCF: First Solar Community Giving Fund focuses on civic engagement and environmental impact through grants that support green education, access to clean energy, and innovative technologies. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and those demonstrating charitable purposes. The fund prioritizes impactful community initiatives while excluding requests for sectarian activities, annual campaigns, or scholarships. This initiative aims to foster sustainable solutions and positively influence underserved areas.

The Township Safety Sign Grant Program, funded by ODOT, allocates $2 million annually to enhance safety signage on Ohio's township roads. For FY 2025, $845,040.42 has been designated for 38 projects across 30 counties, supporting local townships. Eligible townships may request up to $50,000 for signs, posts, and hardware, provided they meet specific criteria related to crash rates and prior funding. This initiative aims to improve road safety significantly.

DOH 59808- Rural Health Transformation Program- Healthier Ohio Initiatives - Preventing and Addressing Chronic Disease- Track One

Project Background:

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71403 of Public Law 119-21) and empowers state to strengthen rural communities by improving healthcare access, quality and outcomes by transforming the current system. Five key strategic goals of the program, as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) are:

• Make Rural America Healthy Again
• Sustainable access
• Workforce development
• Innovative Care
• Technology Innovation

Ohio’s plan aligns with federal priorities to improve the health of rural residents by building an innovative movement to bridge medicine and preventive behaviors into a holistic and collective impact approach to improve chronic disease outcomes. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is designed to strengthen preventive and clinical care for improved blood glucose and hypertension indicators across Ohio’s 73 non-urban counties (See Appendix B. Applicants could be but not limited to the following:

• State-level associations that support implementation in multiple clinics, health centers, and/or hospitals.
• Regional collaboratives or health system with multiple locations.
• Individual hospitals, health centers and clinics

Project Objective:

Based upon data analysis from Ohio’s State Health Assessment, including a supplemental deep dive into Appalachian health, 2025 Summary Assessment of Older Ohioans, the Ohio Chronic Disease Atlas 2025, and other publicly available data, Ohio seeks to reduce the prevalence and mortality rates associated with chronic disease. The collective aim of the strategies is:

to reduce hemoglobin A1C for patients diagnosed with prediabetes and diabetes by 10% and

to manage blood pressure at clinically appropriate levels for patients diagnosed with hypertension.

The POET Community Impact Grant is a one-time funding opportunity aimed at supporting local nonprofits, schools, churches, and environmentally focused groups. It encourages innovative projects that enhance community welfare, education, and sustainability efforts. Open to organizations and individuals near POET's facilities, this grant reflects POET's commitment to fostering positive change and community development through collaboration and creativity.

The Steel Dynamics Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community quality of life and local economies by supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Priorities include higher education, economic development, and human services, particularly in communities where Steel Dynamics operates. Grants are awarded based on community impact, employee involvement, and organizational integrity. Applicants must demonstrate a strong ethical track record and effective community engagement to qualify for funding opportunities.

The GM on Main Street Grant Program, led by Main Street America, focuses on enhancing the safety and vibrancy of downtowns through innovative road safety and traffic calming projects. Funded by General Motors, this program seeks transformative ideas that promote pedestrian safety and accessibility, making downtown areas more inviting for residents and visitors. Eligible applicants include non-profits and local governments in designated counties, with a strong emphasis on projects that are inclusive, feasible, and easily replicable.

The Michigan Sugar Company Employee Scholarship, established in 2014, supports employees and their families in pursuing further education. With a commitment to lifelong learning, this scholarship offers two $1,000 awards annually to children or grandchildren of Michigan Sugar Company employees. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be enrolled in a vocational program or an undergraduate degree. This initiative reinforces the company's dedication to educational advancement and community support.

The Bowling Green Community Foundation Grants aim to enhance the quality of life in the Bowling Green area by funding innovative programs that support health, education, safety, and the arts. Open to 501(c)(3) organizations in specific zip codes, the foundation encourages community involvement and partnership. Grants are awarded annually after thorough evaluation of proposals, ensuring that diverse initiatives receive support. Through this program, countless lives are positively impacted by the generosity of local donors.

Benefitting people in the places making the AI future possible

The Future is for Everyone Fund

Meta is investing directly in education, community enhancement, workforce development and sustainability projects in locations where we have a data center in the United States.

The AI future we are building is for everyone. That starts with making sure everyone in the places that are home to a Meta data center feel the benefits in their communities. We want students to have bright futures, small businesses to flourish and communities to be prosperous.

Our commitment to the communities we call home.

The Future is for Everyone Fund supports investments and programs that address local community priorities in the United States, where we have a Meta data center:

We invest in the people and shared spaces that help a community thrive. That includes the parks, trails, and gathering places where neighbors come together, the technology and access that keep them connected, and first responders - like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics — who keep our communities safe.

We support the people and organizations that power local economies - helping workers gain the skills, certifications, and hands-on experience the modern economy rewards, and backing initiatives that create jobs and give a community its character.

We fund the programs, spaces, and tools that help learners of every age discover what they're capable of - from early literacy and the arts to hands-on science, technology, and problem-solving - and we equip the educators who make it happen with the resources to bring their most ambitious lessons to life.

We invest in the long-term health of the land, water, and wildlife that make our communities home - supporting things like habitat restoration and resource conservation that connects people to the natural world.

What is the Future is for Everyone Fund?

The Future is for Everyone Fund is Meta’s $1 billion commitment to invest directly in the U.S. communities that are home to a Meta data center. The Fund supports local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations and is organized into four focus areas that reflect local priorities: Community Enhancement, Economic Vitality, Education, and Sustainability. It builds on the over $70 million in grant funding we’ve provided to our data center communities since 2011.

The Lake Erie Protection Fund Grant provides small grants up to $50,000 for projects aimed at preserving and restoring Lake Erie and its watersheds in Ohio. It emphasizes research and practical initiatives that improve environmental management and economic development. Funded through donations, this grant supports projects that may change annually in focus and funding amount, contributing to the health of Lake Erie.

The Greater Fostoria Community Foundation (GFCF) supports local charitable organizations by awarding grants from its endowment. Established in 1998, GFCF emphasizes community improvement through funding in areas such as education, health, and the arts. Grants are available twice a year to 501(c)(3) organizations, fostering innovative programs that meet emerging community needs. Over $3 million in grants have been distributed to enhance the quality of life in Fostoria and surrounding areas.

The Six Flags RAAM Scholarship is designed to support students enrolled in Bowling Green State University's Resort and Attraction Management Program who have recent work experience at Six Flags. Established by the Erie County Community Foundation, this scholarship prioritizes college juniors and seniors, considering financial need as a key factor. Scholarships may be renewed at the discretion of the Scholarship Advisory Committee, promoting lasting contributions to Erie County's quality of life.