Nonprofit grants are available from a variety of sources. Here’s a list of options.

Business grants are a great way to finance the growth of your nonprofit organization. Unlike small-business loans, these grants provide free access to capital that doesn’t need to be repaid.

However, finding and qualifying for a nonprofit grant can be difficult. You’ll likely face strong competition from other organizations and have to complete time-consuming applications. Nonprofits are often excluded from well-known business grant programs, such as the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest.

Nevertheless, the time and effort may be worth it if you can secure free funding for your nonprofit. Start your search with these options from federal and state governments, charitable foundations and private companies.

What are grants for nonprofits?

A nonprofit grant is a sum awarded to a nonprofit organization that doesn’t need to be repaid. Government agencies, corporations or foundations typically distribute grants to nonprofits.

Unlike standard small-business grants, nonprofit grants are often restricted. With a restricted grant, the awarding organization defines how it wants the money to be used to fund research or support a particular project.

Some organizations may also require that your nonprofit meet certain conditions (e.g., following specific reporting procedures) before you can gain access to your funds.

On the other hand, unlimited nonprofit grants allow you to use your grant money as you see fit. These grants offer ideal flexibility but can be more difficult to find.

Government grants for nonprofits

Nonprofits can receive grants from the government at the federal, state and local levels. Here are some options to consider.

Grants.gov

Grants.gov is a database of federally sponsored grants operated and maintained by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. You can use this database to browse grants issued by over 25 government agencies — and you can even filter specifically for nonprofit funding opportunities.

To get one of these nonprofit grants, you must create an account with Grants.gov and complete and submit an application. These federal grants tend to have unique qualification requirements, so you’ll want to read through all the information and confirm your eligibility before applying.

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent federal agency offering nonprofit arts grants. The organization funds nonprofit arts organizations nationwide, providing approximately 2,300 grants annually. 

There are various NEA grant options designed for small and larger organizations. The Challenge America grant, for example, supports small nonprofits in their efforts to bring arts programs to underserved communities. Grants are set at $10,000 and require a match of cash or contributions.

You can review details about these arts grants on the NEA website and apply on Grants.gov.

Economic Development Administration

The Economic Development Administration provides grant resources and houses the Economic Development Directory to help you search for funding opportunities in your state or city.

In New York, for example, you can browse available nonprofit and small-business grants through the Economic Development District website that services your location (e.g., central New York, Hudson Valley, Capital District).

Grant databases

You can also use grant databases, like GrantWatch and GrantFinder, to identify federal, state and local opportunities for your nonprofit organization. These databases allow you to search and apply for grants in one place. However, some options require a paid subscription to access everything its platform offers.

Foundation grants for nonprofits

Foundations are nonprofit organizations that provide funding to other nonprofits. These organizations can be established by corporations, individuals or families, like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Walmart Foundation

The Walmart Foundation provides nonprofit grants quarterly through local Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities. These grants range in amounts from $250 to $5,000 and are awarded to local nonprofit organizations to fund projects in their communities.

You can apply for a grant in eight funding areas: community and economic development, diversity and inclusion, education, and public safety. To get started, you’ll answer an eligibility questionnaire, and if you qualify, you’ll be directed to create an account on CyberGrants FrontDoor.

Once verified on the Cyber Grants platform, you can submit your grant application. The Walmart Foundation allows you to submit 25 applications during each yearly grant cycle. The current cycle window runs from March 1 – July 15, 2024.

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation provides grants to nonprofits focused on addressing issues related to economic mobility, such as workforce development, education and community development.

Every year, the foundation issues requests for specific grant proposals. In 2024, nonprofit organizations can submit proposals for “economic mobility focused on the needs of the community (including affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization and small-business resiliency).”

To apply, nonprofits must complete an eligibility quiz before receiving access to the online application portal. Applications open on May 27 and close on June 21, 2024.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation accepts and reviews grant applications on a rolling basis. Funding decisions will be made within 60 business days of receiving a formal application. The foundation focuses on three core areas: thriving children, working families and equitable communities. 

Carnegie Corporation

The Carnegie Corporation of New York offers nonprofit grants in four program areas: education, democracy, international peace and security, and higher education and research in Africa. The corporation does not typically provide general support or unrestricted nonprofit grants.

You must meet the eligibility criteria based on one of the four programs and use the money to fund a qualifying project.

To apply for one of these nonprofit grants, you’ll submit a letter of inquiry using the organization’s online portal. If your letter of inquiry is approved, you’ll be invited to submit a full proposal. The process usually takes four to six weeks.

Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation issues grants to nonprofit organizations focused on addressing inequality issues. These offerings are based on nine program areas:

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• • Creativity and free expression

• • National resources and climate change

• • Gender, racial and ethnic justice

You can find current projects accepting applications on the foundation’s website and apply based on the instructions for that specific grant.

Coca‑Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation offers community grants for nonprofits to support initiatives like clean water, economic empowerment, climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

You must first complete an eligibility quiz to access one of these funding opportunities. You can register for the foundation’s online application system if you’re eligible. Through this system, you can browse and apply for available grants.

Home Depot Foundation Veteran Housing Grants Program

The Home Depot Foundation administers a grant program specifically designed for nonprofits that work to create supportive housing for veterans. Eligible projects include new construction or rehabilitation of multifamily, permanent and supportive veteran housing facilities.

These veteran-focused grants are typically awarded from $100,000 to $500,000. Although the Home Depot Foundation grants nonprofits across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, it focuses on large cities (populations with over 300,000 people), including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Houston and Detroit.

Applications can be submitted online and are accepted year-round. Final determinations are made three times a year. In 2024, determinations will be made in April, August and December.

Her Village Grants

Awarded by the Boundless Futures Foundation, Her Village Grants are open to nonprofits that support female entrepreneurs—grant amounts range between $5,000 and $30,000. The next application cycle will run from July to September 2024.

Silicon Valley Community Foundation 

Founded in 2007, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation focuses on regional equity. The foundation offers Community Action Grants focusing on early childhood development, financial stability and housing, and special projects. Eligible nonprofits can apply for grants via an open proposal request (RFP). The next application window will be open from Aug. 1 – 30, 2024.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that work within the foundation’s funding priorities: fighting poverty, disease and inequity globally. Most grant proposals are made by invitation, but the foundation also occasionally publishes RFPs.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

If your nonprofit focuses on initiatives around achieving health equity, you may be eligible for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant. The foundation posts open calls for proposal submissions on its website. Some have specific deadlines, while others are accepted on a rolling basis.

Clif Family Foundation

The Clif Family Foundation, created by the founders of Clif Bar & Company, offers nonprofit grants to support small-to-midsize grassroots groups in local communities. The foundation’s grant opportunities focus on strengthening our food system, enhancing community health outcomes, and protecting the environment and natural resources.

Nonprofit organizations can apply for operational support grants, which fund daily costs and specific projects. Applications for these grants are accepted year-round but only reviewed twice yearly, after the March 1 and August 1 deadlines.

The Clif Family Foundation also offers nonprofit grants by invitation only. These grants provide free funding over multiple years to help organizations expand their geographic reach or enter new issue areas.

Corporate grants for nonprofits

Many corporations and large companies, like Google and Amazon, issue grants for nonprofits. These programs may offer general financial support, fund individual projects or provide free access to nonprofit tools and services.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Imagine Grant

Amazon offers three annual technology grants for nonprofits through its AWS Amazon Imagine Grant program.

The first grant — the Go Further, Faster Award — is given to innovative nonprofit projects that leverage the cloud. These projects will use advanced cloud services, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning or high-performance computing, to create scalable solutions for a specific industry or field.

Winners will receive an unrestricted grant of up to $150,000, up to $100,000 in AWS promotional credit, project implementation guidance from AWS technical specialists, and access to AWS training and support.

The second grant — the Momentum to Modernize Award — offers funding to help nonprofit organizations enhance their operations through technology. Eligible projects might include migrating servers to the cloud or modernizing new and existing applications.

Awardees will receive an unrestricted grant of up to $50,000, up to $20,000 in AWS promotional credit, project implementation guidance from AWS technical specialists, and access to AWS training and support.

The third grant — the Pathfinder – Generative AI Award — supports innovative projects that leverage generative AI. Eligible projects should have the potential to produce a scaled, repeatable solution that may impact an entire industry or field.

Winners will receive an unrestricted grant of up to $200,000, up to $100,000 in AWS promotional credit, project implementation support from the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center, and an opportunity for AWS marketing promotion.

It would help if you were a nonprofit organization with 501(c) status or equivalent to qualify. Round One applications will be accepted from May 3 to June 3, 2024.

This program is open to nonprofit organizations whose mission or project helps foster community, promote resilience in a crisis or create career pathways into technology. Current Zendesk customers are not eligible, and nonprofits must be able to show how the Zendesk software will support their external project goals.

Applications are being accepted until August 15, 2024.

State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants

State Farm offers three types of community nonprofit grants:

·Safety grants. Focus on home and auto safety and disaster preparedness.

·Community development grants. Support affordable and sustainable housing, job training, small-business development, and personal financial literacy, among other initiatives.

·Education grants. Funds awarded to programs in higher education, K-12 academic performance and financial literacy, and pathways for college and career success.

Currently, State Farm grant applications are invitation-only once per year. However, if your nonprofit has a qualifying project for one of these grants, you can submit a funding request through a form on the State Farm website. 

Google Ad Grants

Google Ad Grants provide eligible nonprofits with up to $10,000 per month in search ads shown on Google.com. These ads can support marketing efforts, attract donors and recruit volunteers.

Your nonprofit must be a registered charitable organization with a high-quality website to qualify. You can apply for one of these grants through Google for Nonprofits.

Google for Nonprofits offers access to Google products at no charge. Through this product, your organization can use Google Workspace for Nonprofits (which includes Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar and Google Meet), Google Ad Grants, YouTube Nonprofit Program and the Google Maps Platform.

You can contact Grants Expert today by calling at (855) 422-4559.