Private Diversity Equity and Inclusion Grants

This grant provides funding for innovative projects that promote inclusiveness and remove barriers to social and economic participation across the USA.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit initiatives in Central Virginia that empower women through mentorship and community engagement, providing grants of up to $4,000 for impactful, time-limited projects.

This funding opportunity provides up to $75,000 for researchers facing unique challenges in studying race, ethnicity, and immigration, enabling them to conduct specialized projects that require additional resources.

This funding opportunity supports charitable organizations and government entities in Huntington County to address local needs through community collaboration, educational initiatives, and cultural development.

The Ohio Valley Jaycees Charitable Fund Grant is managed by the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) with the goal of providing support to qualified nonprofits and students within the Upper Ohio Valley region. This grant program is a direct extension of the CFOV's core mission, which is to operate as a tax-exempt, publicly supported organization dedicated to managing charitable funds, providing grants, and awarding scholarships. By offering financial assistance to community-serving organizations, the grant actively works to foster local development and address crucial needs within the Ohio Valley, aligning its activities precisely with the foundation's established charitable mandate. The grant program is specifically designed to target legally established non-profit entities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, public charities classified under Code Section 509(a), or organizations that secure a partnership with a non-profit fiscal agent. Qualified charities encompass a range of organizations, such as charitable, religious, and educational groups, as well as public institutions like school districts, public libraries, and government-affiliated organizations. Excluded from funding are individuals and any for-profit endeavors, ensuring that all resources are channeled strictly toward community-focused initiatives. The program's primary beneficiaries are the residents of Ohio and Marshall Counties in West Virginia, and Belmont County in Ohio, who receive services from the awarded organizations. Consequently, the grant prioritizes organizations that operate within this specific geographic area. While the document does not detail specific strategic thematic focuses beyond serving these regions, the emphasis on supporting charitable, religious, and educational groups inherently suggests a focus on enhancing overall community well-being, education, and social services. The foundation's strategic approach, or theory of change, is based on empowering established and legitimate non-profit entities. By directing resources to these qualified organizations, the CFOV assumes they can most effectively and efficiently distribute funds to areas of greatest need, thereby creating a meaningful and positive ripple effect across the community. The grant size for 2024, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, reflects a commitment to providing substantial support capable of funding impactful projects. The expected outcome of the Ohio Valley Jaycees Charitable Fund Grant is the successful implementation of the projects and services undertaken by the award recipients. The ultimate impact goal is to improve the conditions and opportunities available to the residents of the Upper Ohio Valley. Though specific measurable results or performance metrics are not explicitly outlined, the underlying assumption is that by funding strong nonprofits, the grant will foster measurable charitable, religious, and educational growth within the community.

This grant provides $2,000 mini-grants to grassroots organizations and local leaders working to improve bicycling safety, accessibility, and inclusivity in their communities.

This grant provides funding for individuals, nonprofits, and community organizations to create events and initiatives that celebrate Juneteenth and promote Galveston as a cultural and historical tourism destination.

The Dallas Foundation’s Summer Grant Cycle is a funding initiative designed to disburse funds from its Community Impact Fund and various Field of Interest Funds. The Community Impact Fund strategically aligns with the foundation's core priorities: "Strong & Healthy Start" and "Community & Economic Resilience." Field of Interest Funds are tailored to donor-specific causes, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to both broad community needs and individualized philanthropic interests. This approach reflects the foundation's mission to support a diverse range of impactful projects within Dallas County. The grant cycle targets nonprofit organizations operating in Dallas County, focusing on specific beneficiaries and impact goals. Key areas of support include initiatives that build a strong and healthy start for children, with a particular emphasis on prenatal to three care, family homelessness, and child and youth mental health. This focus aims to address foundational well-being and development during critical early life stages. Additionally, the cycle addresses critical needs by providing essential resources such as food, clothing, emergency shelter, and healthcare to low-income, indigent, homeless, or ill children and families, directly impacting their immediate survival and stability. A significant priority is Community & Economic Resilience, which encompasses education and workforce development, including Pre-K12, out-of-school time programs, and post-secondary access. This also extends to economic empowerment through entrepreneurship and employment initiatives, and housing and neighborhood infrastructure, covering affordable housing, property support, transportation, utility access, and access to parks and recreation. The foundation also prioritizes support for children with intellectual and physical disabilities, including disabled, blind, and deaf children, as well as educational programs for intellectually and developmentally disabled children to foster productive lives. Furthermore, older adults, particularly low-income older adults, are a target beneficiary, ensuring support for this vulnerable demographic. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the focus areas inherently suggest desired outcomes. For "Strong & Healthy Start," expected outcomes include improved health and developmental indicators for young children and reduced family homelessness. For "Critical Needs," the expected outcomes involve increased access to basic necessities and improved well-being for vulnerable populations. In "Community & Economic Resilience," anticipated results include enhanced educational attainment, increased employment and entrepreneurial success, and improved access to affordable housing and essential infrastructure. For children with disabilities and older adults, the goal is improved quality of life, greater independence, and enhanced support services. The foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in a belief that investing in these key areas will lead to a more resilient, healthier, and equitable Dallas County.

The AARP Vermont Winter Placemaking Grant Program, open to eligible local organizations and communities, offers financial support ranging from $1000 to $10,000 for projects aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and appeal of spaces for older adults, with a focus on enhancing community design and livability during the winter months.

This fellowship provides funding and support for U.S. journalists to report on effective solutions for youth mental health issues, fostering community engagement and promoting equity in their storytelling.

This grant provides financial support for projects and events that boost community development, tourism, and economic growth in McKinney, Texas.

The U.S. Leadership Accelerator (USLA), a program by Global Health Corps (GHC), is a 9-month leadership development initiative aimed at empowering emerging public health leaders to advance health equity in the United States. This tuition-free program integrates in-person and virtual learning experiences designed to enhance leadership skills, build networks, and foster systems-level change. The program runs from September to May and includes monthly virtual workshops, small group learning, asynchronous learning tasks, one-on-one executive coaching, and 360° assessments. Fellows also attend two in-person retreats with covered travel, lodging, and meals. They gain access to additional resources, mentorship, and integration into GHC’s global network of over 1,300 alumni spanning 40+ countries. Topics covered include systems leadership, wellness, relationship building, and mobilizing collective action. Eligibility is open to early-career professionals aged 21–30 working full-time in U.S.-focused public health roles in non-clinical capacities. Candidates must live in and be authorized to work in the U.S. and have at least six months of experience in their current role. Public health leaders across sectors, particularly those from historically marginalized groups and critical areas like environmental health, behavioral health, and health IT, are encouraged to apply. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority consideration given to those submitted by March 31, 2025, and a final deadline of April 14, 2025. Applicants need to submit a résumé, references, a supervisor’s letter of recommendation, and responses to prompts assessing leadership fit. Notification of acceptance will occur by May 30, 2025. Upon completing the program, fellows transition into GHC’s lifelong alumni network, continuing to engage in leadership development and health equity advocacy. Prospective applicants can contact the USLA team for support and further details.

This program provides financial assistance to breast cancer patients in Yolo County, California, to help cover essential needs during their treatment journey.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in developing workforce programs that engage diverse groups in STEM fields to promote careers in clean energy and facilitate the transition to a sustainable energy economy.

The Community Foundation of Grand Forks' Women’s Fund Grant Program aligns directly with the foundation's mission to empower girls and women by providing ideas, energy, and resources to achieve economic, social, and political equity. This grant program is designed to support initiatives that address the challenges and concerns facing girls and women today, while also fostering their leadership skills and confidence. The foundation strategically uses this program to encourage philanthropy among women, reinforcing a cycle of support within the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are girls and women within Grand Forks, Walsh, and Polk Counties. The program's impact goals are centered on creating opportunities that build leadership skills and confidence, raising awareness of critical issues, and promoting gender equity. By supporting a diverse range of projects, the Women's Fund aims to generate tangible improvements in the lives of girls and women, contributing to a more equitable society. The program prioritizes initiatives that build leadership skills and confidence among girls and women, support opportunities, and encourage women to become philanthropists. While not explicitly detailed, the foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by investing in these key areas, they can create a ripple effect that leads to broader societal change and improved outcomes for women. Grants are typically awarded in the $5,000 range, indicating a focus on impactful, yet often localized, projects. Expected outcomes include increased awareness of issues facing girls and women, enhanced leadership capabilities, and greater participation in philanthropic activities. While specific measurable results are not explicitly stated, the program implicitly aims for improvements in economic, social, and political equity for its target demographic. The grant duration of one year, with a grant period of October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025, suggests a focus on projects with clear, achievable objectives within a defined timeframe. The foundation's strategic priorities for this fund include supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored nonprofits, public entities like libraries or schools, or units of government with principal operations in the specified counties. They also emphasize fiscal responsibility and timely reporting from previous grant recipients. This ensures that funds are directed to well-managed organizations capable of effectively implementing programs that align with the Women's Fund's vision.

This initiative supports U.S.-based startups with innovative solutions in Earth Observation for supply chains and Off-World Production, providing mentorship and resources to help them scale their space-based technologies.

The program will fund work that increases the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofits through: Strategic planning initiatives to clarify mission, goals, and performance measures; Financial sustainability planning, including diversification of revenue streams, resulting in embedded fundraising/development skills, plans or techniques; Merger planning and implementation; and Diversity, equity and inclusion policy development and implementation. To do great work, nonprofits and municipalities need strong leaders, clear plans, efficient systems, and a robust, diversified revenue stream. This takes investment in staff and time to explore and plan—something for which many nonprofits on limited or restricted budgets have few resources to spare. In response to this gap in the resources needed to strengthen organizations, the Vermont Community Foundation has created a small fund to help. The application is designed to be easy to complete and notification is within 6-8 weeks. We welcome applications to support your organization’s planning needs around achieving your mission, through strategic planning, merger conversations, or similar efforts. Grants will be no more than $5,000 each and will support the cost of consultants for the activities below. These grants are meant to supplement other funding, as we understand that this amount is typically not enough to cover the full cost of providing these services. In the project budget, please show the additional revenue sources to be used for this work, both pending and secured. We welcome the use of these funds as challenge grants to secure the additional funds. The program will prioritize applicants with operating budgets of $500,000 or less.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to tribal entities and organizations in Montana for projects that enhance community forests, promote climate resilience, and improve environmental quality.

The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) “Difference Maker” grant round aims to support community initiatives within Douglas County, Minnesota, by fostering positive change. This grant aligns with the AACF's mission to provide leadership and financial support, building partnerships that extend beyond the grant itself to advance projects and initiatives. Eligible organizations include 501(c)3 nonprofits, schools, and government entities, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to broad community engagement. The grant targets residents within Douglas County, with a particular focus on addressing basic needs, supporting and strengthening families, children, and youth, and promoting diverse cultures. The AACF seeks to fund programs and projects that will bring about positive change in the Alexandria area community, ultimately aiming for a sustainable positive impact. They specifically look for initiatives that build social capital across generations and cultures, and support diversity, equity, and inclusion. The AACF's strategic priorities are evident in its focus areas, which include Education (especially K-12 and after-school programs), Social Services, Health (education, physical and mental health, abuse/violence reduction), Arts and Culture, and Civic activities that build, promote, and preserve communities. The foundation’s theory of change appears to be centered on fostering innovative solutions, encouraging collaborative efforts with various community partners, and supporting projects that create highly impactful and visible outcomes, inspiring further community investments. Expected outcomes include creating innovative solutions to community challenges, capitalizing on emerging opportunities, and building or supporting collaborative efforts among community partners. The grant also emphasizes making a sustainable positive impact, building social capital, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Projects are expected to have a lasting impact, whether through capital projects, new or expanded programs, or other strategic investments. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $30,000, and the grant encourages initiatives that can demonstrate measurable results in these focus areas.