Grants for County governments - Private

The Blaine County Community Foundation Fund, established at the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) by Warren Ross in 1997, is offering grants to benefit communities and residents of Blaine County. The grant cycle runs from August 15 to November 15. The grants range in size from $500 to $2,000 and must be used for projects benefiting communities or residents in Blaine County. Eligible applicants must be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or an exempt governmental unit. The grantee organization does not need to be based in Blaine County. Only one application is allowed per organization. Eligible projects must provide a direct benefit to local residents, be sustainable, and address important, unmet needs. Ineligible projects include conferences, workshops, planning, research, untested projects, and partisan or sectarian activities. The grant requests are reviewed by the Blaine County Community Grantmaking Committee, and incomplete applications will not be considered. For additional help or inquiries, contact Taylor Crowl, Program Officer, Local Community Foundations, at 406-603-4913 or [email protected]. The application can be accessed at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=mtcommunity.

This grant provides financial support and resources to women entrepreneurs in Hawaii, particularly those from Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Asian backgrounds, to help grow their early-stage businesses.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects in the Intermountain West that focus on restoring wildlife habitats and improving land management practices, particularly for sagebrush ecosystems and large mammal migration corridors.

The Project Grants initiative, offered by Working Assumptions, is a new program designed to support artists, writers, educators, social workers, therapists, and creatives in exploring the relationship between photography and family in expansive and inventive ways. Working Assumptions believes that photography can illuminate the complexities of family life and foster compassion, aligning with their mission to support projects that spur reflection and dialogue around family, care systems, and kinship. This program directly reflects the foundation's strategic priority to use photography as a medium for social commentary and understanding, operating under the theory of change that creative projects can significantly influence public perception and dialogue on critical societal structures like family. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individual artists, collaborations, researchers, academics, journalists, educators, therapists, social workers, and creatives across disciplines who focus on photography and family. Applicants must have a prior track record of exploring family themes, be U.S. citizens or residents with a U.S. tax ID and bank account, and be at least 18 years old. The impact goals are to inspire audiences and participants to view family in new, meaningful ways through photography, fostering greater understanding and compassion for diverse family experiences. The program prioritizes projects that address underrepresented family arrangements, care work, memory, identity formation, and other related topics. While the grant offers unrestricted funding for creative freedom, it expects projects to be intended for public consumption, ranging from photography series and book projects to public art, mental health programs, long-form journalism, curriculum, performances, and digital or scholarly projects. This broad scope allows for diverse approaches to the central theme, ensuring a wide array of perspectives are brought to light. Expected outcomes include the creation and public dissemination of innovative photographic and interdisciplinary projects that provoke thought and dialogue. Measurable results will include the completion of 6 projects annually, each receiving $10,000 in funding over an 8-month grant period (September 15 to May 15). While the funding is unrestricted, the emphasis on public consumption implies that the success of these grants will also be measured by their reach and the degree to which they engage and inspire audiences to reflect on family dynamics and kinship.

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by Otto Bremer, it is committed to supporting a better quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since its founding, OBT has invested nearly $1 billion and provides ~$105 million annually to nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Applications are due on a rolling basis on these dates: February 4, 2024; April 4, 2024; June 6, 2024; August 1, 2024. - General Operations Application: General operations grants provide unrestricted funding that enables an organization to carry out its mission. Typical uses could include support for an organization’s administrative and infrastructure costs, maintaining core programs and/or staffing. This application is for organizations seeking $75,000 or more in general operations support. - General Operations Short Application: This application is for organizations seeking general operations support of less than $75,000. - Restricted Application: Restricted grants provide funding for a specific program or project. These funds may not be used for other purposes, although a portion may be utilized for overhead or indirect costs of administering the program or project. - Capital Application: Capital grants support constructing, repairing, renovating, or rehabilitating an organization’s physical space. Capital grants can also support the purchase of equipment necessary for an organization to carry out its work.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Northeast Georgia that work to prevent childhood trauma and promote resilience among young people from birth to age 26.

The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation offers grant opportunities for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governmental bodies within Douglas County, Oregon. Focusing on Basic Needs, Abuse Prevention and Intervention, Education, Health and Wellness, and Community Support, the Foundation aims to fund projects that have a significant impact within the communities of Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane Counties. With a maximum grant amount of $15,000. The Foundation emphasizes support for small grants that contribute meaningfully to the project or program, limiting organizations to one proposal per year unless specified otherwise. A final report is required from all grantees before reapplying. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall opening/closing deadlines: March 2nd to September 1st

This grant provides funding to cities, counties, and public utility districts in Washington to improve water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure for affordable housing projects that include at least 25% affordable units.

This grant provides funding to charitable organizations, schools, and government units in Muscatine and Louisa Counties to promote racial justice, equity, and inclusion for marginalized communities.

This program provides financial support to social entrepreneurs using innovative mobile technology to address societal challenges, particularly for underserved communities.

The Ben and Jerry’s Foundation invites applications for its Equity and Justice Grant to support Vermont based, Vermont focused nonprofit organizations addressing racial, economic, social, and environmental disparities and injustice. The foundation seeks innovative programs that pursue fundamental change through a social justice and equity lens. Grants are up to 15,000 dollars, with an average award of about 10,000 dollars. Funding preference is given to efforts such as equity in education and early childcare, access to safe and affordable housing, criminal justice reform, workers’ rights, and equitable access to healthy and affordable food. Eligible applicants are Vermont based 501(c)(3) organizations or projects represented by a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent with total annual operating budgets under 350,000 dollars. The program does not fund requests that solely provide direct services, discretionary or emergency requests, schools, colleges or universities, individuals or scholarships, research or legal expenses, capital or endowment campaigns, government programs, businesses or associations, religious activities, one time events, other foundations or regranting organizations, or work outside Vermont. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the foundation’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Official information is available from the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation.

Humanities Texas awards grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental entities for public programs grounded in the humanities. These programs aim to engage the general public, including adults and young people outside of traditional educational settings, as well as specific groups like K-12 teachers and ethnic communities. The foundation's mission is to support and promote the humanities by funding initiatives that foster open and informed inquiry and make humanities scholarship accessible to a broad audience. This aligns with a strategic priority to enrich public life through the humanities and ensure their relevance to diverse communities. The grant program targets a wide range of beneficiaries, from the general public participating in lectures, discussions, and exhibits, to K-12 teachers and community groups who benefit from specialized workshops and programs. The impact goals include increasing public engagement with humanities topics, fostering critical thinking, and promoting a deeper understanding of cultural and historical contexts. Through these programs, Humanities Texas seeks to strengthen communities by providing opportunities for shared intellectual and cultural experiences. Humanities Texas offers various grant types with specific focuses. Mini-grants fund up to $2,000 for smaller public humanities programs, such as speakers or traveling exhibitions, and are particularly accessible due to their rolling application basis. Major grants for community projects, up to $20,000, support comprehensive public programs like seminars, conferences, and interpretive exhibitions, emphasizing substantial participation from both humanities scholars and target audiences. Additionally, major grants for media projects, also up to $20,000, fund the development and production of humanities-related film, radio, television, or interactive programming, ensuring scholars play a key role in content. The expected outcomes of these grants include the successful execution of public humanities programs that are firmly grounded in the humanities and actively involve humanities scholars in their design and delivery. Measurable results could include attendance figures for events, participant feedback, the reach of media projects, and the development of new educational resources. The foundation's theory of change posits that by funding these diverse and accessible programs, it can cultivate a more informed and engaged citizenry, strengthening the role of the humanities in public discourse and community life across Texas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local government units in McLean County, Illinois, to enhance health and well-being initiatives that address health equity and social determinants of health for underserved populations.

The Catholic Foundation of Michigan's grant program is designed to inspire charitable giving and support Catholic parishes, schools, and nonprofit organizations. The Foundation's core mission is to assist donors in investing in the future of these entities by providing grants that align with Catholic teachings and serve communities primarily in Michigan. The program seeks to empower organizations whose values and behaviors are consistent with Catholic principles, ensuring that funded projects contribute to the broader goals of the Catholic faith community. The grant program targets a wide range of beneficiaries within the Catholic sphere, including Archdiocesan, religious, or parish-sponsored nonprofit organizations, local nonprofit organizations adhering to Catholic Social Teaching, and various Catholic educational and formation initiatives. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the Catholic community in Michigan by addressing vital social service needs, fostering vibrant parish life, and enhancing Catholic education and spiritual development across all ages. The program aims to create a strong, welcoming, and supportive environment for individuals to encounter Christ and grow in their faith. The Foundation focuses its grants on three major areas: Empowering Social Outreach, Building Vibrant Parish Life, and Fostering Catholic Education and Formation. In social outreach, the priority is to respond to essential social service needs such as food, shelter, and medicine, leveraging both internal and external organizations aligned with Catholic Social Teaching. For vibrant parish life, the focus is on creating welcoming Catholic parishes, supporting resource development for community outreach, and encouraging training and new staff positions. In Catholic education and formation, priorities include supporting innovative faith formation, fostering high-quality ministries for various age groups, improving access to parochial schools, and promoting leadership development. The expected outcomes of the grant program are multifaceted, aiming for tangible improvements in the communities served. Measurable results could include increased access to social services for vulnerable populations, enhanced participation and engagement in parish activities, and improved quality and accessibility of Catholic educational and spiritual development programs. The Foundation's strategic priorities are rooted in the Gospel call to serve others, the importance of the parish as a faith community's home, and the value of lifelong Catholic education and formation. This theory of change suggests that by investing in these key areas, the Foundation can contribute to a more robust, compassionate, and spiritually enriched Catholic presence throughout Michigan.

The Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Fund aims to promote equity for Native American, Latino, African, Arab, and Asian communities in Maine through leadership investment, policy change, and alleviating race-based disparities. The fund focuses on organizations with BIPOC leadership and involvement, prioritizing racial equity, health, leadership development, and economic opportunities. It offers two-year general support grants of up to $10,000 per year, with the first grants awarded in 2024. Organizations must be based in Maine and meet specific community service criteria to qualify. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: November 15th to February 15th

Firelight Media's Documentary Lab is an 18-month fellowship program designed to provide comprehensive support for emerging filmmakers from racially and ethnically underrepresented communities in the United States. This program aligns with Firelight Media's mission to support artful and innovative documentary films that take risks and offer new narratives on pressing contemporary issues. The fellowship includes professional development retreats, customized mentorship from prominent documentary leaders, networking opportunities, and a $25,000 project grant, aiming to foster both project development and career growth. The primary target beneficiaries are filmmakers in the United States and U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Samoa, Guam/Northern Mariana Islands) who identify with racially and ethnically underrepresented communities. Specifically, the program is for those directing their first or second feature-length documentary film. The impact goals are to empower these filmmakers to create compelling and diverse stories, enrich the documentary landscape with fresh perspectives, and establish sustainable careers within the industry. The program prioritizes long-form/feature-length documentaries that are currently in early production, production, or post-production stages. Firelight Media is open to various documentary types, including historical, investigative, personal, vérité, and experimental, emphasizing projects that are innovative and challenge conventional narratives. Key focuses include supporting films that address significant societal issues and promoting artistic risk-taking, ensuring the production of impactful and thought-provoking content. Expected outcomes include the successful completion and distribution of feature-length documentaries from diverse voices, leading to increased representation and visibility for underrepresented filmmakers. Measurable results could include the number of films completed, festival selections, distribution deals, and the career advancement of fellows. By investing in these filmmakers and their projects, Firelight Media's strategic priority is to cultivate a more inclusive and dynamic documentary film ecosystem, contributing to a broader understanding of critical social issues through the power of storytelling.

The BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program, presented in collaboration with Deloitte, aims to support the advancement of women-owned businesses. This program is an extension of BMO's long-standing commitment to recognizing the achievements and contributions of women, a tradition that has celebrated over 240 women since 2012 through the BMO Celebrating Women Program. The grant initiative was specifically created in 2020 to continue supporting women during the pandemic when in-person celebrations were canceled, demonstrating BMO's dedication to providing financial aid and fostering growth for women entrepreneurs, aligning with its purpose to "Boldly Grow the Good in Business and in Life." The primary target beneficiaries are women-owned businesses operating in the U.S. that meet specific eligibility criteria. These businesses must be at least 51% owned or controlled by women, currently active and operating legally, and have a physical location in one of the selected states. They must also be for-profit with annual revenues of $5 million USD or less and have been in operation selling a product or service for at least two years as of April 1, 2024. The program's impact goal is to provide an additional source of financial aid to these businesses, thereby promoting their growth and resilience. The program prioritizes supporting business growth, welcoming applications that detail high-level plans for new products/services or expansion into new markets. BMO is offering fifteen $10,000 grants, aiming to directly inject capital into these businesses to fuel their development. This focus on financial support underscores the program's theory of change, which posits that direct funding can empower women-owned businesses to achieve their growth objectives, contribute to economic development, and overcome financial challenges, especially those exacerbated by events like the pandemic. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of business growth plans by the grant recipients, leading to sustained or increased operational capacity and market presence. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the utilization of the $10,000 grants for specific growth initiatives. While the grant duration is not explicitly mentioned, the immediate financial aid is designed to produce tangible improvements in the short to medium term. The program reflects BMO's strategic priority of fostering diversity and inclusion within the business landscape by actively investing in women entrepreneurs.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in Volusia and Flagler Counties to enhance programs focused on education, financial stability, and health for community improvement.

The National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program is investing $50 million in the Gulf Futures Challenge to fund projects addressing critical challenges in the Gulf region. The Challenge aims to discover and promote innovative and transformative solutions by leveraging the talent and knowledge of the Gulf's people. The competition focuses on three main areas: energy transition, environmental change along the coast, and healthy and resilient communities. Up to ten finalists will receive up to $1 million in project development support, with two finalists awarded $20 million each to implement their solutions. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, state, local, and tribal governments, and academic institutions from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas, with projects located within 100 miles of the Gulf coastline. The registration deadline is August 20, 2024, and the application deadline is September 20, 2024.