Ohio Science and Technology Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

Leap Funding, provided by Main Street Ventures, offers equity-free funding ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to promising, revenue-generating businesses. The primary goal of this program is to help these businesses scale their community impact and enhance their long-term survival prospects. Main Street Ventures' mission, as evidenced by this grant, is to foster economic growth and community development by supporting local enterprises, particularly within the Greater Cincinnati region. This aligns with a strategic priority to strengthen local economies through direct investment in businesses that demonstrate strong potential and customer demand. The target beneficiaries of Leap Funding are established business entities, specifically C-Corps, S-Corps, or LLCs, that possess a Federal Tax ID (EIN). The program focuses on businesses within key industry areas, including retail storefronts (restaurants, coffee shops, retail shops), manufactured goods (consumer packaged goods, clothing, sporting goods), and technology companies (hardware, software). A critical geographical focus is the Greater Cincinnati region, encompassing specific counties in Ohio (Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, Warren), Kentucky (Boone, Campbell), and Indiana (Dearborn). Grant requests from outside this region are explicitly not considered. The program prioritizes funding for specific growth projects rather than general operating expenses. Main Street Ventures defines a growth project as a step that will accelerate business expansion. Suitable direct expenses include key equipment, packaging support, and technology product development. Conversely, general operating expenses such as existing payroll, rent, insurance, marketing, and legal fees are not eligible for grant funds. Businesses are also required to demonstrate customer demand and consistent progression since their founding, ensuring that the funding supports businesses with a proven track record and clear growth trajectory. Expected outcomes include accelerated business growth, increased community impact, and improved long-term survival rates for the funded enterprises. Measurable results would likely include job creation, increased revenue for the businesses, expansion into new markets, or enhanced product development. Special consideration is given to women and minority-owned businesses, as well as those that can secure matching funds from other sources, reflecting a strategic priority to promote diversity and leverage additional investment. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by providing targeted, equity-free capital for specific growth initiatives, they can empower local businesses to expand, thereby creating a ripple effect of economic benefit and community resilience within the Greater Cincinnati area.

This funding opportunity is designed for research partners in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest region to study and develop strategies for controlling the invasive Grass Carp population in Lake Erie and its tributaries.

This grant provides financial assistance for transportation to local baseball and hockey games for accredited schools and nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan that demonstrate a need.

The Visit BG Ohio 2025 Tourism Grant Program offers financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for projects, events, and activities that promote tourism, increase overnight stays, and provide economic benefits to the City of Bowling Green, with a focus on capital improvement, sports, conferences, festivals, large events, and arts and culture.

The Noble County Community Foundation, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, is offering grants to nonprofits, schools, and public organizations for projects and programs that benefit Noble County residents and communities. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to advance opportunities within the county by addressing key areas of need, known as the Pillars of Prosperity. The program seeks to empower local efforts and unleash the potential within Noble County. The grant program targets individuals of all ages within Noble County. The core impact goal is to create opportunities, meet pressing needs, and foster the potential of the community. The focus is on supporting a wide range of projects and programs that contribute to the overall well-being and development of the county's residents. Priorities for funding are centered around five critical areas: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. The foundation emphasizes supporting efforts that are spearheaded by local individuals and organizations. While funding requests typically range from $500 to $2,500, larger requests may be considered based on their potential for significant impact within these priority areas. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements and advancements across the Pillars of Prosperity. Measurable results will likely be tied to the specific goals of each funded project, demonstrating how they address community needs and create opportunities. The foundation's strategic priorities are deeply rooted in community development and empowerment, with a theory of change that posits by investing in these key areas, the overall quality of life and future prospects for Noble County residents will be significantly enhanced.

This grant provides financial support to artists in Franklin County, Ohio, for creating public exterior murals, requiring a secured location and partial funding from a commissioning organization.

The Highland County Community Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, is currently requesting grant applications to support projects and programs benefiting residents and communities within Highland County, Ohio. This grant program aligns with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's broader mission to advance opportunities and address pressing needs in the region. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in fostering progress across five key Pillars of Prosperity: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. This framework reflects a theory of change that by investing in these critical areas, the foundation aims to unleash the potential within Highland County and improve the overall well-being of its population. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include individuals of all ages within Highland County who are leading efforts that create opportunities, meet urgent needs, and activate community potential. The program specifically welcomes applications from nonprofits (including 501(c) organizations), schools, and public organizations such as public school districts, higher education institutions, and government subdivisions. Additionally, groups without direct nonprofit or public status are eligible if they are working under the fiscal sponsorship of an eligible nonprofit or public entity, ensuring a broad reach for impactful initiatives. The primary focus of these grants is on supporting initiatives that contribute to the five Pillars of Prosperity. This includes projects that enhance cultural vibrancy, stimulate local economic growth, improve educational access and quality, promote sustainable environmental practices, and strengthen health and human services. Emphasis is placed on projects that demonstrate a clear potential to create meaningful opportunities and address identified needs within Highland County, aligning with the foundation's overarching goals for regional development and community empowerment. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantifiable targets, the expected outcomes are centered around advancing opportunities, meeting pressing needs, and unleashing potential across the five pillar areas. Successful projects are anticipated to contribute to a stronger, more vibrant Highland County by fostering innovation, supporting community-led solutions, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The funding information indicates that requests should generally be between $500 and $5,000, with larger requests considered based on their potential for significant impact, suggesting that projects with demonstrable potential for broad positive change will be prioritized.

The Sisters of St. Francis (Sylvania) Foundation Grant Program, in partnership with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, is offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations in selected counties of Ohio and Michigan, to support programs that combat human trafficking, assist immigrants and refugees, advance social justice and equal opportunity, and promote environmental preservation and sustainability.

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.

The Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support grant program, offered by the California Arts Council, provides direct funding to arts and cultural organizations for their ongoing operations. This grant is designed to support the overall well-being of California's cultural vitality by sustaining a robust and diverse arts workforce and infrastructure. The funding is intended to support the applicant organization in carrying out its mission, rather than a specific project, aligning with a strategic priority to foster a stable and thriving arts ecosystem across the state. The target beneficiaries are arts and cultural organizations within California, specifically those with total revenue between $250,000 and $1.5 million. This focus aims to support a crucial segment of the cultural sector, enabling them to continue their work. The impact goals include enhancing the sustainability and resilience of these organizations, ensuring they can contribute to California's cultural landscape. The program prioritizes eligible expenses associated with general operations, such as rent, utilities, and staff salaries. This focus on operational support allows organizations to maintain their core functions, which is critical for long-term stability. The expected outcomes include the sustained operation of arts and cultural organizations, the retention of a diverse arts workforce, and the continued delivery of cultural services to communities throughout California. Measurable results for this one-year funding cycle could include the number of organizations sustained, the range of eligible expenses covered, and the continued employment of arts professionals. The grant activity period is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. This grant indirectly supports the California Arts Council's broader theory of change, which posits that investing in the operational capacity of arts organizations leads to a more vibrant, accessible, and equitable cultural environment for all Californians.

Research grants support studies that address critical gaps in our understanding of natural history and contribute to the conservation and enhancement of aquatic ecosystems and healthy habitats. FAO seeks to fund projects that advance scientific knowledge and practical solutions for environmental challenges in the region, particularly those impacting aquatic biodiversity, water quality, and healthy habitats. Eligible projects include aquatic biodiversity assessments, water quality monitoring and analysis, development and application of innovative technologies and methodologies, collaborative research partnerships across disciplines and sectors, and habitat restoration and conservation efforts. FAO prioritizes projects that can result in scalable change and impact multiple counties. The maximum funding request per project is $25,000, with a total of at least $75,000 available to award. Eligible applicants include public and nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and groups operating under fiscal sponsorship within the Muskingum Watershed and Appalachian Ohio regions. Applications must be submitted online, and supporting documents emailed to FAO by August 2, 2024. Grant decisions will be announced by September 30, 2024.

This grant provides up to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations for innovative projects that address critical community needs in areas such as culture, education, environment, family, and health & wellness within the Tri-State region.

This funding provides up to $2,000 for specific projects that benefit women, children, and families in Licking County, focusing on tangible outcomes rather than broader programs.

The Granville Community Foundation in Ohio is offering grants to non-profit organizations and public agencies for projects that enrich the lives of Granville residents, with a focus on arts, culture, education, and social services, and prioritizes initiatives that enhance quality of life, cultural opportunities, historical preservation, social support, public spaces, and youth experiences.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, public service agencies, and government entities for projects that promote affordable housing, economic development, and neighborhood improvement in Lima, Ohio.

This grant provides funding for local organizations in Pickaway County to develop or improve parks and trails, supporting community outdoor space enhancements.

This funding opportunity provides $30 million to support Ohio-based non-profits, universities, and tech schools in developing innovative personal protective equipment and technology to enhance workplace safety.

This funding opportunity supports artists and arts organizations in Akron, Detroit, and Miami-Dade County to enhance their digital practices and community engagement through technology.