Best Williams County Grants for Nonprofits in Ohio

The Bryan Area Foundation Grant Program supports tax-exempt organizations that enhance life in Williams County. Established in 1969, the Foundation has invested over $13.4 million in community projects and scholarships. Applicants must schedule a meeting with the Foundation's President/CEO 30 days prior to the grant deadline. The Foundation favors innovative proposals that address emerging needs and promote community involvement while avoiding funding for operating expenses and projects already in progress.

Hospitals, health centers, clinics, and regional or state-level health collaboratives in Williams County, Ohio can apply for up to US $200,000 to strengthen preventive and clinical care for chronic disease. The Ohio Department of Health and Human Services’ Rural Health Transformation Program supports improved blood glucose and hypertension outcomes across non-urban counties, including Williams County.

Accredited schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive up to US $1,000 to cover bus transportation for field trips to Toledo Mud Hens baseball or Toledo Walleye hockey games in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Focused on recreation and sports, Toledo Community Foundation invites Williams County, Ohio organizations demonstrating financial need to apply.

Nonprofit and charity organizations working on education, community services, or environmental projects in Williams County, Ohio can seek matching support that builds long-term community impact. Focused on creating persistent change, Makulinski Family Foundation considers a wide range of proposals and matches investments of time or money to amplify local and international efforts.

Great Lakes tribes or their designees can seek US $20,000 - US $100,000 to develop or implement aquatic invasive species management plans in and around the Great Lakes Basin, including Williams County, Ohio. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports prevention, early detection, rapid response, outreach, and enforcement activities that reduce interbasin transfer of harmful species.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Williams County, Ohio seeking support for capital projects may be eligible for more than US $20,000 to improve facilities or equipment. Toledo Community Foundation’s Andersons Fund Supporting Organization focuses on education, social services, health, neighborhood and urban affairs, natural resources, and the arts in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

Accredited schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Williams County, Ohio can get US $100 - US $1,000 to cover bus transportation for field trips to Toledo Mud Hens baseball or Toledo Walleye hockey games. Grants from Toledo Community Foundation help remove financial barriers so youth and participants can attend games in Toledo.

State agencies or their designees implementing approved Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans can apply for US $100,000 - US $600,000 to control aquatic invasive species in Great Lakes states, including Williams County, Ohio. Grants from US Department of the Interior: Fish and Wildlife Service help support fish conservation, wildlife health, and invasive species control under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving people with physical or developmental disabilities can seek project or capital support to enhance quality of life in Williams County, Ohio. With a mission to improve access and opportunities for the ability-challenged, Lott Conlon Foundation provides supplemental funding for program-specific initiatives and facility improvements in Northwest Ohio.

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations serving Williams County, Ohio residents can apply for Bryan Area Foundation’s Millcreek-West Unity Area Foundation Grant to support community-focused projects. Funding can help launch new programs, support special initiatives, or meet one-time or capital needs, especially for efforts enriching quality of life in West Unity and the surrounding county.

Nonprofit and public entities providing specialized transportation for seniors and people with disabilities in Williams County, Ohio can seek vehicle funding to enhance mobility in small urban and rural areas. Ohio Department of Transportation supports capital vehicle purchases under the Specialized Transportation Program (Section 5310), covering up to 80% of costs with a required 20% local match.

The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation is dedicated to fostering a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem and a vibrant Southeast Michigan community. Since its inception, it has invested over $180 million in environmental, cultural, and educational initiatives. As it transitions to spend down its assets by 2034, the Foundation aims to make bold, impactful investments that address urgent community needs and promote sustainable development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Williams County, Ohio that operate in communities where PNC has a significant presence can apply for PNC Foundation’s Foundation Grant to support early childhood education or community economic development programs. Eligible projects serve primarily low- to moderate-income children, families, or neighborhoods through education, affordable housing, small business support, arts, or revitalization efforts.

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

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

Preventive Maintenance (PM) Funding

The objective of the Section 5310 Capitalized Maintenance project is to provide financial support to subrecipients in the continued maintenance and functionality of their agency’s vehicle fleet. ODOT will reimburse 80% of the vehicle maintenance costs and the subrecipient is required to provide 20% local match Applicants eligible for 5310 capitalized maintenance funding are those agencies that have a vehicle fleet that is utilized to meet the transportation needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. Additionally, agencies may charge their 5310-vehicle fleet that has been approved through the disposition process, so long as those vehicles remain in service and the agency utilizes the vehicle(s) for 5310-related transportation.

Eligible costs include activities that preserve vehicle functionality—such as labor, parts, and supplies— and must not add to the permanent value or appreciably prolong the life of the vehicle.

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.

Mobility Management Funding

Mobility Management projects are considered capital projects meant to increase access to mobility for Ohioans by increasing understanding and awareness of transportation needs, promoting coordination of transportation options to meet those needs, and building sustainable and healthy communities by integrating transportation into planning programs. The OMM Program is an annual competitive grant program that can be utilized to fund OMM Projects.

Program Goals

The overall statewide goals of the OMM Program are as follows:

• To increase understanding and awareness of community transportation needs.
• To increase awareness of current community transportation options and programs.
• To ensure that transportation considerations are included in local and regional planning activities.
• To increase local capacity for transportation services.
• To assist individuals with accessing all community transportation options.

Greater Toledo Community Foundation

Greater Toledo Community Foundation transforms generosity into lasting impact. With over $510 million in assets across 1,000+ funds, we've granted more than $370 million to strengthen education, health, arts, and social services throughout our region.

We connect donors with causes they care about while bringing together leaders, organizations, and resources to tackle our community's biggest challenges. What began with Walter E. Terhune's vision in the 1920s continues today as we help individuals, families, and businesses create positive change that will benefit our region for generations.

Healthy Aging Fund

The Community Foundation is funding programs that help older adults (60+) stay healthy, connected and independent.

This initiative follows the Ohio Department of Aging's State Plan, shaped with input from the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio. Priorities of the plan include cognitive health, chronic disease reduction, mental health, social inclusion, and nutrition access, plus engagement opportunities, physical activity, and preventive screenings. The plan is built on research and input from content-area experts.

The Foundation’s Focus

The Healthy Aging Fund is seeking proposals aligned with the State Plan and the Community Foundation's place-based priorities: programs that promote physical and mental health, reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections for older adults.

The Community Foundation seeks to identify collaborative approaches that work well enough to scale. This is a chance for northwest Ohio providers to test new approaches and collaborations: the kind with real potential to increase impact for participants and move the needle on broader community goals.

Funding Priorities

• Multiple partners with complementary expertise, prioritizing diversity of resources across agencies
• Programs delivered through or including senior centers, community centers or long-term care facilities
• Diverse programming that reaches more participants
• Accommodations for specific needs — memory care, vision loss, etc.
• An educational component

The Community Foundation is seeking cross-agency partnerships that expand access to diverse programming and have real potential to scale. Available for projects up to two years. See more in the Grant Guidelines. 

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.

Williams County, Ohio environmental and conservation organizations can access funding through the Great Lakes Protection Fund for projects that deliver measurable, regionally significant improvements to the Great Lakes ecosystem. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, universities, government agencies, for-profit businesses, and individuals worldwide, as long as projects advance science-based, collaborative, action-oriented solutions benefiting the Great Lakes basin.

The Michigan Botanical Foundation Grant supports research and educational initiatives that enhance the understanding and preservation of Michigan's flora. Grants are available for projects involving rare species, environmental awareness, and educational programs. The foundation welcomes applications from individuals and organizations that align with its goals. Grant amounts typically range from $100 to $1,500, with preference given to projects based in Michigan or the Great Lakes region. Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

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

Computer Hardware and/or Software & Equipment Funding

What’s Eligible

Computer Hardware and/or software and equipment that supports facilities and equipment for Section 5310-funded vehicles. For example: computers and dispatch software to more effectively and provide transportation to the community.

Eligible Ohio townships in Williams County, Ohio can apply for Ohio Department of Transportation’s Township Safety Sign Grant Program; awards up to US $50,000 in signs, posts, and hardware to improve roadway safety. Townships that have never received this grant or were funded in 2019 or earlier may be invited, with priority based on crash history severity.

Nonprofit organizations providing high-quality early childhood education can apply for PNC Foundation’s Grow Up Great funding to improve school readiness for children from birth to age five. Grants from PNC Foundation help Williams County, Ohio 501(c)(3)s enhance vocabulary, social-emotional learning, math, science, and arts programming for young children in their communities.

The Great Lakes Foundation Grant supports projects aimed at preserving wilderness areas and promoting marine safety in the Great Lakes region. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the foundation has awarded over $318,212 since its inception in 1993. Grants have funded various initiatives, including breakwater construction and academic research, to enhance appreciation and safety of the marine environment for both members and the general public.

Public and nonprofit transportation providers in Williams County, Ohio can seek operating assistance to support day-to-day transit services for seniors and people with disabilities. Focused on specialized transportation, the Ohio Department of Transportation reimburses a portion of eligible operating costs for open-door, shared-ride services in small urban and rural areas.

The FirstEnergy Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations within FirstEnergy's service areas, aiming to enhance community quality of life, workforce development, and safety initiatives. Grants are directed towards local economic development and volunteer efforts aligned with corporate interests. However, the Foundation does not fund individuals, political activities, or certain organizations, ensuring support is focused on broad community benefits. Interested applicants should consult local FirstEnergy management before applying.

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.