Best Grants for Native Americans in Arizona

Action Plan to End Veteran Homelessness

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) provides critical, statewide coordination and technical assistance to services and organizations serving Veterans. This includes activities such as the Arizona Veteran StandDown Alliance, and outreach events that support homeless and at-risk military Veterans in Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham/Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai, and Yuma Counties.

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

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 Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

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.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

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.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

VDF

What is the Arizona Veterans' Donation Fund?

The Arizona Veterans' Donation Fund (VDF), established in 1999 by the Arizona legislature (A.R.S. § 41-608), funds programs that benefit Veterans and their families throughout Arizona. Arizona State law specifies that tax-deductible donations to, and monies held in, this account can never revert to the State General Fund.

The VDF consists of monies, gifts and contributions donated to the department and donations made through the purchase of Veteran, Women Veteran, and Freedom Special License Plates. The assets held in the account can only be used to benefit Veterans in the State of Arizona through small grants and large grants, each with their own documented application process.

Small Grant

• Grants of $4,999.99 or less 

The Thiru Family Trust Momentum Maker Grant aims to foster innovative solutions for maternal mental health in Arizona, addressing significant health disparities. With a focus on the alarming statistic that 70 mothers die within a year of pregnancy, predominantly among Hispanic, Black, and Native American communities, this grant seeks to reduce preventable deaths linked to mental health conditions. Funding will support initiatives aimed at improving mental well-being and ensuring safer pregnancies.

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.

The Biophilia Foundation

Our Mission & Approach

The Biophilia Foundation is dedicated to advancing biodiversity conservation on private lands by fostering systemic change through people, their communities, and direct action. We approach our mission by offering grants to nonprofit organizations, administering in-house programs, and serving as a strategic partner and fiscal sponsor for organizations with which we collaborate.

Riverscape Restoration in the Western United States and Northern Mexico

The Biophilia Foundation is seeking proposals for projects to improve the resilience of watersheds in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Two types of grants are available:

• Grants of $50,000 to $100,000 are available for projects that implement low-tech, process-based, and/or beaver-based restoration of upland streams and rivers.
• Grants up to $25,000 are available for:
  • Capacity building:
    • Assistance with the development of watershed plans, place-based networks, or preparation of proposals for federal or state grants.
  • Engagement:
    • Outreach to landowners and land managers to improve the availability of information and make implementation achievable.

The Biophilia Foundation also welcomes enquiries regarding capacity building for riverscape restoration, research (primarily carbon sequestration, climate change adaptation, and other riparian ecosystem services), innovative finance, and improving the availability of information available to landowners and land managers.

Funding Categories

Grants provided through this initiative will include the categories described below. Eligible entities can apply for funding from one or more categories.

• Implementation Grants
  • Implementation grants of $50,000 to $100,000 are available for riparian restoration projects using low-tech, process-based restoration (LTPBR) techniques, such as RDS, BDA, PALS, grass plugs, etc., and supporting practices, such as tree planting and exclosures.
  • Implementation grants can also support restoration for the purpose of beaver translocation or beaver recolonization.
    • Grants for this purpose may include practices for nonlethal management of beaver conflicts (e.g., pond levelers).
  • Where financially beneficial, the Biophilia Foundation supports integration of carbon finance and/or other payments for ecosystem services into restoration projects.
  • Implementation grants will be evaluated based on ecological and social criteria, including appropriateness of LTPBR to the context, biodiversity and ecological value, project scale, partnerships, and financial viability.
  • Only projects in the target geography will be considered for implementation grants.
  • In general, funded projects may apply for funding for one or two years, depending on scale and scope.
• Capacity-Building and Engagement
  • Grants of up to $25,000 are available to assist with capacity-building and engagement.
  • Capacity-building includes the development of watershed plans, creation of place based networks, or preparation of proposals for federal or state grants.
    • Funds may also be used for projects to increase the capacity of the system, such as addressing training and workforce development.
  • Engagement grants fund efforts to reduce barriers to LTPBR implementation by landowners and land managers.
    • Examples include videos, websites, hosted workshops, or targeted outreach marketing to candidate landowners.
    • Topics could include guidance on practices, permitting, financing, benefits, and risk mitigation.
• Research and Finance
  • In addition to the grants currently available, the Biophilia Foundation welcomes enquiries regarding:
    • Research to address data gaps on the benefits and risks of riparian restoration.
    • Our primary interest areas are carbon sequestration, climate change adaptation, and other ecosystem services.
    • Innovative finance for riparian restoration, including carbon credits and other payments for ecosystem services.

The Hellene Henrikson Fund of the Lutheran Church of the Foothills offers grants of up to $15,000 for nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of Native American communities in Southern Arizona. This fund, established through a generous donation, aims to support programs that help navigate cultural and societal challenges. With a total of $60,000 available to fund up to four applications, this initiative reflects a commitment to continuing Hellene Henrikson's legacy of philanthropy in the Tucson area.

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 TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

The Veterans Donation Fund Large Grant A.R.S. 41-608 supports programs benefiting Arizona's veterans and their families. Established by the Arizona legislature in 1999, the fund is sustained by tax-deductible donations and aims to engage the community in informing veterans about their benefits. Eligible applicants include local governments, non-profits, and academic institutions, focusing on issues like employment, health, and homelessness. This initiative is crucial for enhancing support services for over 600,000 veterans in Arizona.

The Healthy Forest Initiative Grant, funded by the State of Arizona and USDA Forest Service, aims to enhance fire prevention, protect critical infrastructure, and restore forests and watersheds. With approximately $1.5 million available, grants up to $500,000 will support projects on various lands. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Priority will be given to projects aligned with community wildfire protection plans and those that have not received prior treatments.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Arizona Child Abuse Prevention License Plate Donation Grant, issued by Governor Katie Hobbs’ Office of Youth, Faith and Family, aims to fund local and statewide programs that effectively promote trauma-informed primary prevention to combat child abuse and neglect. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, non-profits, and schools located in Arizona. This grant supports vital advocacy efforts while fostering community collaboration to strengthen families and protect children across the state.

The Invasive Plant Grant (IPG) Program aims to combat invasive plant species threatening Arizona's forests and grasslands. With $970,000 available, grants range from $50,000 to $200,000 for projects focusing on prevention, control, and eradication. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and academic institutions. Projects must provide at least 10% matching funds. Preference is given to initiatives in diverse grassland areas and those offering higher match contributions. This program supports critical ecological restoration efforts.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

The Title II Formula Grant (AZ) supports initiatives under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act by funding programs that address challenges faced by youth within the juvenile justice system. Administered by the Arizona Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family, the grant allows eligible Arizona entities, including local governments and non-profits, to apply for funding up to $100,000. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with core juvenile justice requirements while enhancing community support for at-risk youth.

The Arizona SFY25 AmeriCorps State Formula Grant, managed by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family, offers between $100,000 and $500,000 to support programs engaging AmeriCorps members in impactful community services. Eligible applicants include local governments, non-profits, and educational institutions. This program addresses critical needs in areas such as disaster services and education, with approximately $4 million available in total funding. Note that the next grant request is expected in Winter 2027.