Grants for Nonprofits - Local

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District is offering a grant of $100,000 to $500,000 for public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land for the creation or expansion of parks, wildlife corridors, trails, and access facilities, with a focus on high-need, rural, and regional areas.

The Sheboygan County Planning & Conservation Department is currently accepting applications for the Sheboygan County Stewardship Fund Grant. This grant aims to foster recreational opportunities and conserve valuable natural resources within Sheboygan County. Applicants can submit projects under three main categories: project development, land acquisition, or discretionary, all subject to case-by-case review. Projects may include land and easement acquisition, development or restoration of parks and trails, protection of water resources, and habitat restoration, among others. Funds awarded by the Stewardship Grant cannot exceed 50% of the total cost of the project or acquisition. The deadline for application submission is May 3, 2024. A matching requirement of 1:1 is necessary for grant consideration.

This mini-grant program provides funding to Boston residents and nonprofits for neighborhood block parties during the Halloween and fall season, promoting safe and festive community celebrations.

The Henry County Community Foundation is offering the Harold E. and Imogene L. Caine Memorial Fund Grants to non-profit organizations in Henry County, Indiana, that provide holiday assistance to children aged 5 and under, with applications due by October 11, 2024.

This grant provides financial support for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Hennepin County, Minnesota, to improve their recycling and organics recycling efforts by acquiring containers and compostable bags.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that promote environmental conservation, such as improving soil health and water quality, particularly benefiting low-income communities and people of color in East Multnomah County.

The Harry and Lois McCullough Fund, administered by the Richland County Foundation, supports educational programming that advances writing, literature appreciation, music, and Ohio history. Requests may originate from K 12 classrooms or organizations providing aligned programming. Projects should be creative, innovative, and effective, with measurable goals and clear educational value. The annual grant budget generally ranges from 250 to 1,500 dollars. Applicants must identify the appropriate approver for the request and ensure the proposal aligns with mission areas and student learning outcomes. Eligible applicants include K 12 educators and organizations offering programming consistent with the funds focus areas. The fund does not support storage containers and rugs, substitute teacher costs, seating and furniture, or physical technology items such as cameras or tablets. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Additional information is available from the Richland County Foundation.

This funding opportunity supports youth-led projects in Fairfax County aimed at reducing mental health stigma and promoting suicide prevention among peers.

This grant provides over $125,000 in funding to support 30 Black artists in the Philadelphia area who create projects celebrating the city's rich Black music heritage through storytelling and creative expression.

The City of Flint has launched a new Youth Climate Action Fund, a microgrant program designed to empower youth-led climate initiatives. This program aims to support projects that advance critical community goals related to climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The fund's mission aligns with the broader objective of fostering a more sustainable and resilient Flint by investing in its younger generation as agents of change. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth aged 15-24 residing in Flint, who will collaborate with local groups, organizations, nonprofits, and schools to implement their projects. The impact goals are far-reaching, intending to cultivate youth leadership, increase community participation in climate action, and produce tangible environmental improvements within the city. This approach recognizes that youth are not only vulnerable to climate change impacts but also possess unique perspectives and innovative solutions. The fund prioritizes a diverse range of youth-led projects, including awareness, education, research, and development initiatives such as climate education programs, hackathons, surveys, and public art campaigns. It also supports youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects like community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, urban farming, recycling, waste reduction, and disaster preparedness programs. Additionally, the fund encourages co-governed youth climate action plans, fostering partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy and the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards. Expected outcomes include a more informed and engaged youth population, a reduction in environmental waste and an increase in green spaces, improved community resilience to climate-related challenges, and the development of new climate-related policies influenced by youth perspectives. Measurable results will likely involve the number of youth engaged, the types and scale of projects implemented, the amount of waste diverted, the number of trees planted, and the development of new community programs or policies. The City of Flint's strategic priority through this fund is to build a foundation for long-term climate action by investing directly in its youth, thereby creating a sustainable future rooted in community-led solutions and a strong theory of change that empowers the next generation to tackle pressing environmental issues.

This program provides financial support to festivals, events, and organizations that attract out-of-town visitors to Vicksburg, boosting local tourism and economic growth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that conserve and improve natural resources, targeting municipalities, nonprofits, schools, and private property owners in Hennepin County.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that assist small businesses, particularly those with five or fewer employees, focusing on underserved communities across Washington.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Turlock to support services that assist low- to moderate-income individuals, such as food assistance, homeless services, and youth programs.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities that enhance the welfare of residents in Fayette County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community development.

The Gaston Community Foundation's 2024 Harold T. Sumner Professional Education Grants program is a direct manifestation of its mission to improve the quality of life in Gaston County. This program honors Harold Townsend Sumner's conviction that independent charitable organizations, through collaborative efforts, are crucial for community betterment. By earmarking funds for the professional development of key staff members within these organizations, the Foundation ensures a lasting tribute to Mr. Sumner's vision and reinforces its own commitment to supporting the vital work of local non-profits. The initiative aligns seamlessly with the Foundation's broader strategic goal of fostering a vibrant and capable non-profit sector in the county. The grants specifically target independent charitable, cultural, or educational organizations within Gaston County. The primary beneficiaries are key professional staff members within these organizations who have at least one year of service, enabling them to pursue special professional training or educational opportunities. The overarching impact goal is to enhance the skills and capabilities of these individuals, which in turn strengthens the nominating organizations and ultimately improves the quality of life for residents of Gaston County. This program acts as a strategic investment in human capital within the non-profit sector, recognizing that skilled professionals are essential for effective community programs. A key priority for this grant program is training that is local or in-state, emphasizing a commitment to regional development and capacity building. The maximum amount awarded in this year will be $5,000, which the Foundation may distribute as one or more grants. Preference is given to training that directly benefits community programs. Importantly, governmental agencies, churches, and private schools are generally not eligible unless the individual applicant's duties are solely focused on community programs, rather than internal church or school activities. This reflects Mr. Sumner's belief in distinct funding sources for public charities versus other institutions. The expected outcomes of the Harold T. Sumner Professional Education Grants include a more highly trained and effective non-profit workforce in Gaston County, leading to enhanced services and programs offered by these organizations. Measurable results will be based on the non-profit staff member’s professional record and the potential for positive outcomes that directly benefit the nominating organization. The Foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in the professional growth of individuals within the non-profit sector, it can catalyze improved organizational performance and, consequently, a higher quality of life across the county. This program serves as a tangible mechanism for the Foundation to implement its strategic priorities and achieve its community impact objectives.

The Ellensburg Arts Commission (EAC) invites artists and organizations to submit funding requests for art projects FOR 2025 within the City of Ellensburg. This grant program, with funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, aligns with the EAC's mission to enhance projects that involve community members or organizations in the design, concept, or creation of artwork. The EAC's support aims to foster a vibrant arts community and provide public benefit through artistic endeavors, as grants are part of their annual budget and approved by the City Council. The primary target beneficiaries are individual artists, groups of artists, and arts organizations in the performing or visual arts fields, who are 18 years of age or older. The impact goals include supporting the development of new artwork, facilitating arts-related events, promoting the interpretation of existing artwork, and encouraging the presentation of new artworks or collections. Through these initiatives, the EAC seeks to enrich the cultural landscape of Ellensburg and make art accessible to its residents. The program prioritizes projects based on budget feasibility, the candidate's experience, artistic merit, and public benefit. Funds must be expended for a legitimate municipal purpose, demonstrating a tangible benefit to the community. This includes commissioning or purchasing artwork for public benefit or sponsoring public performances. The EAC places a high priority on programs that best reflect its mission and core values, and directly serve the residents of Ellensburg. Expected outcomes include an increase in community engagement with the arts, the creation of diverse new artworks, and the presentation of various arts-related events. Measurable results could involve the number of projects funded, the reach of public art initiatives, and the number of community members participating in or benefiting from these projects. The EAC also requires acknowledgement of their funding through the inclusion of their logo in publicity and event-related collateral for sponsored projects. The EAC's strategic priorities are rooted in supporting arts programs and projects that merit public funding, recognizing that these grants are supported by public tax dollars. Their theory of change is that by investing in local artists and arts organizations, they can stimulate cultural growth, provide educational opportunities, and enhance the overall quality of life for Ellensburg residents. Eligible expenses for individual artists are between $1,000 and $2,500 and for arts organizations, they are between $1,000 and $2,500. These expenses include professional development, rental/purchase of materials, and promotional/marketing materials. The program encourages annual applications and emphasizes transparency and accountability, with guidelines such as not considering incomplete forms and potentially requesting a project explanation at an Arts Commission meeting. This structured approach ensures that public funds are utilized effectively to foster artistic expression and community enrichment in Ellensburg.

The City of Arlington is offering grants to public and non-profit agencies for projects that foster economic development and tourism within the city. This grant program aims to enhance the local economy and promote Arlington as a desirable destination. The funding available for these grants is $175,000, and awards will be allocated proportionally based on application scores, with higher-scoring projects receiving a larger share of the total funding. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are public and non-profit agencies that can demonstrate projects promoting economic growth and tourism. The impact goals are centered around increasing tourism, supporting local events, and improving tourism-related facilities. This will ultimately benefit the City of Arlington by boosting its economy and improving the quality of life for its residents through enhanced amenities and attractions. The program prioritizes several key areas for funding. These include tourism marketing initiatives, the marketing and operations of special events and festivals, the operation of tourism-related facilities owned by non-profit organizations, and the operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned by municipalities. These focus areas are designed to directly contribute to the program's overarching goals of economic development and tourism promotion. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism activity, successful execution of special events and festivals, and the improved operation or development of tourism-related infrastructure. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the proportional funding allocation based on points, the requirement for a 25% project cost match indicates a commitment to projects with significant investment and potential for impact. Applicants are expected to provide details that will allow for the evaluation of the proposed project's benefits.

The City of Norfolk is launching a third round of its Notice of Funding Availability (NoFA) to support housing development and provide services to homeless and at-risk residents. This initiative is managed by the Norfolk Department of Housing and Community Development (NDHCD) and utilizes $4,517,686 in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funding. The core mission of this grant program aligns with addressing critical housing needs and supporting vulnerable populations within the city, reflecting a broader commitment to community welfare and stability. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are homeless and at-risk residents in Norfolk, as well as those in need of affordable rental housing. The impact goals are centered on increasing the availability of affordable housing options and enhancing supportive services for these populations. By doing so, the program aims to improve living conditions, reduce homelessness, and provide a pathway to stability for individuals and families facing housing insecurity. The program prioritizes the development of affordable rental housing and the provision of supportive services. These activities are outlined in Norfolk’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, which received approval from the US Housing and Urban Development in April 2023. Eligible applicants include local nonprofit organizations, quasi-governmental agencies, for-profit developers, and supportive service providers who demonstrate interest and capacity to administer activities to qualifying populations. The emphasis is on complete applications that adhere to NOFA directions. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of affordable rental units available and a broader reach of supportive services for the designated populations. While specific quantitative results are not detailed in the provided information, the allocation of over $4.5 million suggests a significant anticipated impact. The city's strategic priority, as evidenced by this third round of funding, is to continuously address housing challenges and support its most vulnerable residents, aligning with a theory of change that posits increased housing and services will directly lead to improved community well-being and reduced homelessness.

The Creative Learning Grant Program, sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), is designed to foster the growth and capacity of Manhattan-based teaching artists and small arts organizations. Its core mission aligns with promoting community-based arts education projects for youth, adults, and older adults. The program is funded through a combination of City funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund and State funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program, indicating a strategic partnership to broaden arts access. The primary beneficiaries are Manhattan's teaching artists and small arts organizations that are unable to directly apply for City and/or State arts funding. The program targets the development of sequential, skill-building arts study and participatory arts projects. The impact goals are to enrich communities through accessible arts education, delivered in local settings such as senior centers, recreation centers, public libraries, and community centers, thereby strengthening the cultural fabric of Manhattan. The program prioritizes organizations and individual artists with a core artistic mission or a history of arts programming, and those based in Manhattan with proof of nonprofit status (for organizations). A key focus is on supporting entities that do not directly apply to LMCC’s Creative Engagement program or for DCLA (GNYADF) or NYSCA (Statewide Community Regrants) funds in another county/borough for the same fiscal year. First-time applicants are required to attend an information session webinar to ensure understanding of the program's guidelines and expectations. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of high-quality, community-based arts education projects and an increase in the capacity of teaching artists and small arts organizations. Measurable results are demonstrated through the awarding of grants in amounts of $4,000 and $8,000, with projects taking place between January 1 and December 31, 2025. This structured approach ensures a clear project period and defined funding tiers for evaluation. LMCC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this program, revolve around fostering local arts initiatives and ensuring that arts funding reaches a diverse range of artists and organizations who might otherwise face barriers to direct funding. The theory of change suggests that by empowering these local artists and organizations through financial support and capacity building, there will be a direct positive impact on community engagement with the arts and the overall well-being of Manhattan residents of all ages.