Best Grants for Immigration Nonprofits in Virgin Islands

The Residential Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children program, funded by the US Department of Health & Human Services, aims to provide safe and child-centered care for unaccompanied minors. This initiative supports organizations that can offer 24/7 services and are licensed to provide necessary care, including group homes and transitional foster care, particularly in areas near the U.S. southern border, ensuring the well-being of vulnerable children.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions researching U.S.-focused social science topics can receive up to US $15,000 for data collection, analysis, and writing through Russell Sage Foundation’s dissertation research grants. Grants from Russell Sage Foundation help scholars, including those studying immigration and immigrant integration in places like the Virgin Islands, advance work on inequality, work, race, and related issues.

Virgin Islands immigrant services and cultural nonprofits can access funding through the Vilcek Foundation to support innovative projects highlighting immigrant contributions in the arts, sciences, culture, and society. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, including those in territories, may apply year-round for US $5,000 - US $20,000 to advance creative, mission-driven programs.

Virgin Islands Catholic dioceses and parishes offering immigrant and social outreach ministries can access funding through Catholic Extension to establish, expand, or enhance pastoral and social programs. Eligible Extension Dioceses may seek support for immigrant services, homelessness outreach, family ministries, prison ministry, catechetical resources, and restoring parish life after disasters.

North Korean-born individuals and immediate family members with lawful U.S. status pursuing education in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the U.S. can apply for the Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship, awarding up to US $10,000 for accredited degree programs. Administered by Communities Foundation of Texas, it may be renewed annually with a new application.

Immigration-focused nonprofits and community-serving congregations in the Virgin Islands undertaking major capital projects at historic houses of worship can seek US $50,000 - US $500,000 for preservation, repairs, and accessibility improvements. Grants from Partners for Sacred Places help eligible congregations that cannot fully fund needed work alone and are ready to leverage matching support.

Grassroots, trans-led groups with budgets under $250,000 working for trans justice and immigrant or refugee communities in the Virgin Islands may be eligible for flexible project or operating support. Focused on intersex and transgender rights, Trans Justice Funding Project invites U.S. and territory-based groups run by and for trans people, especially BIPOC-led efforts, to apply.

Researchers with doctorates studying immigration and immigrant integration can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants supporting social science projects, including work on immigrant services and immigration and refugee rights in the U.S. Awards up to US $200,000 fund well-developed, peer-reviewed-quality studies; Virgin Islands-focused scholars may be eligible if their projects fit these priorities.

The B.W. Bastian Foundation Grant supports organizations committed to equality for all Americans, including the LGBTQ+ community. Grants typically range from $100 to $15,000, and applicants must have 501(C)3 tax status. Funding is primarily for projects in the Intermountain West and may include general operating support or specific programs. Organizations should first inquire before applying, especially if requesting more than previous grants. The foundation does not fund individuals or lobbying efforts.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. immigration, immigrant integration, or related inequalities can receive US $35,000 - US $50,000 for one-year projects from the Russell Sage Foundation. This national program supports innovative studies on economic mobility, access to opportunity, and systemic barriers, and may benefit Virgin Islands scholars and institutions working with immigrant communities.

Researchers with doctorates conducting social science studies on race, ethnicity, and immigration can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants, with awards up to US $200,000. Projects based in the U.S., including the Virgin Islands, may explore immigrant experiences, legal status, and related social, economic, or political outcomes relevant to immigration-focused organizations.

Immigration and refugee rights researchers in Virgin Islands can access funding for social science studies on behavioral science and decision making in context. Russell Sage Foundation provides U.S.-based scholars with up to US $200,000 for rigorous, well-developed projects examining decision-making in areas such as immigration, criminal justice, employment, housing, politics, and racial or ethnic relations.

Nonprofit organizations, religious groups, and public schools in the Virgin Islands that provide food or support to immigrants, refugees, and other people in need can receive regular donations of unsold baked goods. Focused on hunger relief, Panera Bread Foundation invites eligible groups to pick up and distribute bread, bagels, and pastries through ongoing community programs.

New immigrants pursuing higher education at Berkshire Community College who have lived in the U.S. for five years or less can receive tuition support through the New World Fund Scholarship. While not specific to the Virgin Islands, immigrant-serving organizations there may guide eligible students with similar profiles toward comparable scholarship opportunities from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation or other funders.

Individuals who are current or former clients of USCRI Albany pursuing higher education or technical/trade certificates in the Greater Capital Region may be eligible for the Amalia Scholarship Fund. Grants from The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region help support immigrant and refugee students; immigration-focused nonprofits in Virgin Islands may share this opportunity with qualifying clients.

Immigrant and refugee high school seniors seeking higher education can receive scholarships to support college costs, including students from the Virgin Islands. Virgin Islands immigration-focused nonprofits may share The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region’s William and Susanna Botts Scholarship for Immigrants with eligible youth; awards are US $1,000 and renewable with reapplication.

Students who are first-generation immigrants or children of first-generation immigrants in Torrington can receive $750 toward accredited college or university costs through the Patrick Dillon Scholarship. Grants from Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation may benefit immigrant-focused nonprofits in Virgin Islands that help eligible students and families learn about and access this opportunity.

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.

Proteus Fund

Proteus Fund partners with foundations, individual donors, activists, and other allies to work strategically towards racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and an inclusive, fully-representative democracy. We curate an ecosystem of mutually reinforcing, aligned donor collaboratives and fiscally sponsored projects that deploy a creative array of strategies and tactics to further this vision.

RISE Together Fund: Small Grants

Call For Application

RISE Together Fund (RTF), an initiative of Proteus Fund, is announcing an open call for inquiries for our 2026 Small Grants Fund for U.S. public charity organizations or fiscally sponsored projects of such organizations, that support Black, African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (BAMEMSA) communities.

As part of RTF’s commitment to prioritizing the needs and sustainability of the fields we collectively support, RTF will provide organizations with general operating grants to allow for organizational flexibility when possible. 

About RTF's Small Grants Fund

BAMEMSA movements have a strong history of organizing and collaboration, and are well poised with the knowledge, learning and experience to build an inclusive, multiracial democratic future and respond to the current unconstitutional threats facing the country. Through this fund, RTF aims to resource community power building organizations that use a multiplicity of approaches to create change rooted in the strength and leadership of BAMEMSA movements.

RTF supports groups that build community power, strengthen movement bases, defend civil and human rights including freedom of protest, speech, religion, and association, end the criminalization and surveillance of our communities, and respond to the rise in xenophobia, Islamophobia, and hate. RTF values groups that are intersectional in their approach and have or are developing sustainable long-term strategies to support BAMEMSA communities and movements.

Priority Issue Areas

• Protecting and advancing the rights of immigrant and refugee BAMEMSA communities by responding to harmful policies and practices, and strengthening community-led advocacy at the local, state, or federal level.

• Mobilizing BAMEMSA communities for nonpartisan civic engagement and election protection by increasing nonpartisan voter participation, combating voter suppression, and building sustained civic infrastructure ahead of, during, and between elections.

• Advocating for U.S. policy changes that end violence in Gaza and the West Bank by elevating Palestinian voices, influencing public discourse, and engaging in advocacy that shifts U.S. political, diplomatic, or funding decisions.

• Challenging harmful national security frameworks and their impacts on BAMEMSA communities by documenting, exposing, and organizing against surveillance, Islamophobia, and policies rooted in the War on Terror, particularly in the context of 9/11’s 25-year legacy.

• Responding to emerging opportunities and threats affecting BAMESMA communities such as influencing policy developments, addressing civic issues in the U.S., or developing narratives to change public discourse. This includes work addressing weaponizing issues around bodily autonomy and LGBTQ+ identity to fracture movements and communities.

Priority Strategies

RTF values organizations that take an intersectional approach and are intentionally building long-term community power. We prioritize support for groups that strengthen movement ecosystems, deepen their base, and defend the rights of BAMEMSA communities through the following strategies:

• Convening, Collaboration, and Movement Coordination: Bringing together organizations, leaders, and coalitions to align shared goals, coordinate strategies to advance shared visions, and reduce fragmentation across the field. This includes facilitating strategic convenings, developing platforms for collaboration, building cross-issue or cross-regional partnerships, developing shared agendas or issue campaigns, and strengthening trust and alignment among movement actors.
• Community Power-Building, Base Building, Civic Engagement, and Organizing: Expanding and activating a grassroots base within BAMEMSA communities to drive collective action and policy change. This includes community leadership development, public education campaigns, community organizing, nonpartisan voter engagement and election protection, and ongoing nonpartisan civic participation efforts that build sustained community power.
• Legal and Policy Advocacy Infrastructure: Advancing legal strategies and policy advocacy that expand and protect the rights of BAMEMSA communities. This includes impact litigation, legal advocacy, know-your-rights efforts, policy development, and advocacy at a local, state, or federal level.
• Communications and Narrative Strategy: Shaping public discourse and advancing narratives that reflect the experiences, dignity, and demands of BAMEMSA communities. This includes developing messaging strategies, producing and amplifying media, countering harmful or divisive narratives (including those targeting immigrants, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and reproductive rights), and increasing the voice share of BAMEMSA community members.
• Bolstering Movement Infrastructure: Strengthening the internal capacity and long-term sustainability of organizations and the broader movement ecosystem. This includes organizations supporting leadership development and pipelines, data and technology infrastructure, security and safety, and other core functions that enable groups to operate effectively and respond to evolving challenges.

Limited funding may be available for requests above $25,000.

Mission & Vision

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission:

We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Our Vision:

We envision a Greater Rochester region transformed by enduring philanthropy, where every person, neighborhood, and future generation can thrive.

Sidney and Carol Aroesty Family Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to East High School graduating seniors planning to pursue a degree in any science discipline at a two- or four-year college, university, or technical school.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $12,000; divided into equal annual installments paid over four consecutive years of undergraduate study. Award is paid in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Patrick Caroselli Scholarship

To provide financial assistance for college to high school seniors in Monroe County whose parents immigrated to the United States and attained citizenship.

Number and Size of Awards

Number of recipients and award amounts vary; award amount may be split between two or more recipients. Award paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters. Average award $5,000; not to exceed the cost of tuition.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards must be used for costs related to enrollment in a higher education program, prioritizing tuition fees.

Bold Foundation

Our Mission: Fighting Student Debt

The average student today will graduate more than $30,000 in debt and is far less likely to start small businesses, seek the highest impact careers, buy homes, or start families. At Bold.org®, we believe that’s a problem worth solving.

New Beginnings Immigrant Scholarship

Immigrating to a new home takes resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to achieving one’s aspirations.

Many immigrants have overcome extraordinary challenges and obstacles to continue their academic journeys and pursue their dreams. As a result of these hurdles, many students from immigrant backgrounds have limited financial resources which can make higher education inaccessible.

This scholarship seeks to support immigrant students so they can continue working toward their educational goals.

To apply, tell us about your experience as an immigrant and your career aspirations.

The William T. Grant Scholars Program provides crucial support for early-career researchers aiming to expand their expertise through innovative research and mentoring. This five-year program focuses on reducing inequality and improving the use of research evidence to benefit young people in the U.S. By emphasizing the development of new disciplines and methods, the program encourages applicants to take bold risks in their research trajectories, ultimately fostering a supportive academic community.

The Institutional Challenge Grant aims to foster collaborative research by requiring institutions to adapt their policies and enhance capacities for meaningful partnerships. It encourages applications from diverse leadership teams in youth-serving areas, focusing on addressing inequalities in youth outcomes. The grant outlines four key goals: strengthening partnerships, pursuing a joint research agenda, facilitating institutional change, and enhancing collaborative capacities for producing actionable research evidence.

The H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation, established in 1956, focuses on peace, justice, and racial harmony. With a mission to support ecumenical efforts, the foundation has expanded its assets significantly since the passing of H. Robert Gemmer in 1992. The foundation prioritizes funding initiatives that promote peace education, human rights, and social justice, while providing grants to organizations that demonstrate financial stability and effective community impact.

The PCC Rapid Response Grants provide support for cultural initiatives that aim to shape narratives during critical cultural moments. These grants prioritize projects that engage communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized groups, focusing on intersectionality, gender justice, and social equity. Eligible projects include pop culture campaigns, research, and public spectacles that respond to urgent political and cultural events, aiming to reach mass audiences and disrupt harmful narratives.

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize, awarded by The J.M. Kaplan Fund, supports early-stage social innovators tackling critical issues in environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. With up to $175,000 in funding and tailored support over three years, it empowers organizations to pilot transformative solutions. The Prize fosters collaboration among awardees, providing resources and mentorship to enhance their impact. Open to both non-profit and mission-driven for-profit entities, it addresses the funding gap for innovative, high-potential projects.