Private Science and Technology Grants

The Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) offers Technical Assistance Grants designed to bolster the internal operations and overall effectiveness of nonprofit organizations situated in Lowndes, Macon, and/or Montgomery counties, Alabama. These grants align with the foundation's mission to support and strengthen the community by investing in the capacity of its nonprofit sector. By providing essential operational support, CACF aims to foster more robust and impactful organizations that can better serve their constituents and address critical community needs. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are nonprofit organizations operating within the specified Alabama counties that are seeking to enhance their foundational infrastructure and strategic capabilities. The impact goals are centered on improving organizational efficiency, strengthening governance, and ultimately leading to more effective program delivery and sustainable community impact. The grant directly addresses these goals by offering funding for key areas of organizational development. The program prioritizes several critical areas for organizational improvement. Funding is available for strategic planning, which helps organizations define their long-term vision and roadmap for success. It also supports organizational and board infrastructure development, ensuring strong governance and operational frameworks. Furthermore, the grants focus on fund development and marketing/public relations, enabling nonprofits to secure necessary resources and effectively communicate their mission and impact to a wider audience. The maximum award for a single grant application is $3,000, with the overall grant size ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. The expected outcomes of these grants include more strategically aligned organizations, improved operational efficiency, enhanced fundraising capabilities, and increased public awareness and support for the beneficiary nonprofits. Measurable results could include the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, the establishment of a more effective board, an increase in secured funding, or an expanded reach through improved marketing efforts. While the grant duration is not explicitly mentioned, the focus is on providing targeted support for specific capacity-building initiatives. CACF's strategic priorities and theory of change appear to be rooted in the belief that by strengthening the organizational health of nonprofits, they can amplify their collective impact on the community. By investing in technical assistance, the foundation enables these organizations to move beyond immediate programmatic needs and build long-term sustainability and resilience. This approach ensures that funding translates into enduring improvements in how nonprofits operate and serve their communities, fostering a more vibrant and effective social sector in Central Alabama.

The DC Bar Foundation's 2025 Access to Justice (ATJ) Grants Program is designed to fund civil legal services for low-income residents and those in underserved areas of the District of Columbia. This program aligns directly with the Foundation's mission to increase access to justice, specifically by providing free civil legal services. The grant targets nonprofit legal service providers within the District of Columbia, focusing on specific categories: underserved areas, housing-related matters, and supporting a shared legal services interpreter bank. The overall goal is to address the most pressing civil legal needs of vulnerable District residents, ensuring they receive necessary legal assistance that they might otherwise be unable to access. The primary beneficiaries of the ATJ Grants Program are District residents with low income, as defined by HUD income limits, and those considered "underserved." Underserved individuals include those who lack adequate and affordable access to legal services due to factors like neighborhood, geographic area, language, culture, ethnicity, religion, or life situation. The program also specifically considers special populations such as individuals in correctional facilities, those experiencing or fleeing violence, and unhoused individuals. The impact goal is to expand the number of DC residents receiving legal assistance, enhance the accessibility of these services, and prevent duplication of services across the District. The Foundation prioritizes proposals that address underserved areas, housing-related issues, or support a shared legal services interpreter bank. Furthermore, priority is given to projects that are likely to expand the number of residents receiving legal aid, avoid service duplication, increase accessibility, and expand pro bono participation by recruiting, training, and supervising law firm attorneys. The Foundation also seeks proposals that strategically leverage DCBF resources to expand efforts by other service providers or provide services that might not be supported by other funding sources, and those that test innovative approaches to achieve these priorities. Expected outcomes and measurable results for funded projects include significant amounts of legal services delivered, measured by volume and type of services, the number of DC residents assisted, and the number of cases accepted. Projects are expected to increase access to services in underserved areas, as measured by the percentage of proposed legal services provided in areas with high concentrations of low-income or underserved residents. High goals for outreach and training are also expected, measured by the number of efforts, individuals reached, and materials distributed. Finally, projects should demonstrate increased engagement of pro bono attorneys and law firms, measured by recruitment, training, and growth in participation. Organizations applying for funding must have systems in place for quality, efficiency, and effectiveness, including self-assessment methods, and demonstrate a strong capacity for delivering the proposed services with a high likelihood of sustainability beyond the grant period.

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) is offering the Women’s Education Coalition Grant Program, designed to support women in pursuing educational and employment goals. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to foster increased financial independence and career advancement within the community. By providing renewable grant assistance, KZCF aims to break down financial barriers that often hinder women from accessing further education or professional development, thereby promoting economic mobility and overall community well-being. The Women's Education Coalition is a collaborative effort involving Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; the YWCA of Kalamazoo; and the former Kalamazoo Network, highlighting a collective commitment to empowering women through education. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are women residing in Kalamazoo, Barry, Calhoun, Allegan, St. Joseph, or Van Buren County who have experienced a significant break in their education or are seeking additional education to improve their career and pay opportunities. The primary impact goal is to enhance the financial independence of these women and facilitate their career progression. The grant can be utilized for various educational pathways, including professional development, trade, technology, vocational or certificate programs, as well as associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree programs, accommodating both part-time and full-time students. The program prioritizes underemployed working mothers and those enrolling or already enrolled in not-for-profit educational institutions. This focus underscores KZCF's strategic emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations and promoting access to education within the non-profit sector, which often serves a broader community benefit. Applicants are required to demonstrate how post-high school education will contribute to their goals of increased financial independence, ensuring that the grant's impact is directly linked to tangible personal and economic improvements. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the financial independence and career opportunities for grant recipients. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the program's design suggests that success would be evaluated by the number of women who successfully complete their chosen educational programs, secure better employment, or achieve higher income levels as a direct result of the grant. The foundation's theory of change appears to center on the belief that targeted financial assistance for education directly leads to improved economic stability and empowerment for individuals, which in turn contributes to a more vibrant and equitable community.

The 2024 Austin Film Society (AFS) Grant for Feature Films is now accepting applications, offering financial support to film and video artists in Texas. This grant program aligns with AFS's mission to foster diverse and underrepresented voices in independent film, supporting artists whose work demonstrates promise, skill, and creativity. AFS is particularly committed to providing support to women filmmakers and those who identify with communities of color, aiming to strengthen the artist community within Texas and ensure its continued vibrancy. The grants range from $10,000 to $100,000, with specific awards like the AFS Grant for Features in Production offering up to $15,000 cash, and the AFS Grant for Features in Development providing a one-time, unrestricted $10,000 grant. The grant targets documentary and narrative film projects that are 40 minutes or longer and are in development, pre-production, production, or post-production stages. Target beneficiaries include emerging and established filmmakers residing in Texas, with a special focus on the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the North Texas Pioneer Film Award. This award, totaling $30,000 in cash grants (ranging from $5,000 to $15,000), specifically aims to fund emerging filmmakers with first or second feature films and those from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in independent film. The impact goal is to support the creation of compelling cinematic works and cultivate a robust independent film landscape in Texas. Key priorities for the AFS Grant include supporting filmmakers with a current Texas residency who are directors or co-directors of their projects. The program explicitly excludes full-time students outside of Texas, previous Texas residents, out-of-state directors on Texas-based films, and AFS staff or board members. Eligible projects must be single, stand-alone works in various film and video genres, excluding industrial/promotional pieces, music videos, "works-for-hire," and television or web series. For development support, filmmakers must have an established body of work, demonstrated by at least one completed feature-length film, several short films, or a background in television writing and directing, and must provide at least two samples of previous work. Expected outcomes include the advancement of feature-length film projects in Texas, an increase in the number of films produced by diverse and underrepresented voices, and the sustained growth of the state's artist community. While specific measurable results like the number of completed films or festival selections are not explicitly detailed in this description, the grant structure implies that the successful completion and progression of projects through various production stages are key indicators of success. The unrestricted nature of the development grant for career artists suggests a trust in their ability to use funds effectively to advance their projects, with proposals outlining how the $10,000 will aid progress. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to build a robust pipeline for independent film production in Texas and to champion diversity within the film industry. Their theory of change appears to be that by providing direct financial support and in-kind resources to Texas-based filmmakers, especially those from underrepresented groups, they can stimulate creative output, foster talent, and ultimately contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive cinematic landscape. The emphasis on specific grants for development and production, as well as awards for regional filmmakers, demonstrates a multi-faceted approach to achieving these strategic objectives.

This program provides funding and support to U.S.-based nonprofits that help aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds gain access to resources and opportunities in the technology and startup sectors.

Grant Opportunity: U.S. & Chinese Foreign Policy and Relations Research Grants Funder: The Charles Koch Foundation Award Details: Funding levels are commensurate with the requirements of the research and the potential for the research to advance an understanding of critical issues. Accepted proposals may also receive support to disseminate the research findings. Eligibility: Organizations of all types across the USA, including nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, and small businesses. Other Relevant Information: - Proposals should focus on analyzing China's future prospects, examining challenges in leveraging economic clout in foreign policy, exploring avenues for productive engagement with China, studying potential causes of conflict in East Asia and strategies for mitigation, evaluating different U.S. military postures in East Asia, assessing the balance of power between China and other countries in Asia, considering implications of emergent technologies for U.S. security interests in East Asia, studying power transition literature, exploring behavior of East Asian states towards balancing or bandwagoning with China, examining issues related to U.S.-China trade and foreign direct investment, and evaluating the real threat posed by China compared to claimed threats. - Application requirements include a two-to-five page abstract, a CV or résumé, and a brief itemized budget. - Proposals will be accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis. - The Charles Koch Foundation aims to remove barriers that prevent people from reaching their potential by supporting research and innovations in postsecondary education. For more information and to apply for this grant opportunity, visit https://charleskochfoundation.tfaforms.net/344037?tfa_13=tfa_1475

The Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation is offering community grants to qualified charitable organizations serving tribal members in Swain, Jackson, Cherokee, Graham, and Haywood counties of North Carolina. These grants are designed to address a broad range of local needs, including human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The foundation's mission, though not explicitly stated as a separate entity from the grant program, aligns with fostering community well-being and supporting essential services within the tribal member communities it serves. The grantmaking strategy focuses on empowering local organizations to deliver impactful programs that directly benefit the identified counties. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are tribal members residing in the specified counties. The overarching impact goal is to meet local needs across a variety of sectors, thereby improving the quality of life and strengthening the communities served. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not detailed, the broad range of purposes suggests a desire for tangible improvements in areas such as access to education, enhanced health outcomes, youth engagement, and cultural enrichment. The funding information, which indicates grants typically range from $500 to $1,000, implies that these grants are intended to support smaller-scale, community-led initiatives that can have a direct and immediate impact. The program prioritizes organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities, those with a fiscal agent who is a 501(c)(3) public charity, local governments (including public schools), and fire and rescue departments. Religious entities may also apply for funding, but only for social outreach and charitable service programs that benefit the community at large, not for general operating support. This focus ensures that the grants are directed towards organizations with a proven commitment to public service and community benefit, while also establishing clear boundaries for religious organizations to maintain a charitable rather than proselytizing focus. A key strategic priority for the foundation is to ensure that funding directly benefits the communities within its affiliate network. Organizations serving multiple counties within the network are even encouraged to submit separate applications for each affiliate, underscoring a commitment to localized impact. Furthermore, a crucial element of the foundation's theory of change is the requirement that organizations offer programs and services without discrimination based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief. This commitment to inclusivity and equitable access ensures that the grant funds serve all eligible tribal members, fostering a more just and supportive community environment.

The Seeds of Sustainability Grant Program, offered by the Western New York Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofit organizations working within the food system. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to improve organizational capacity and drive transformative work. Through this initiative, the foundation seeks to empower nonprofits to achieve their objectives and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system in the region. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are small to mid-size nonprofit organizations with budgets between $100,000 and $6,000,000, operating within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York. The program's impact goals center on enhancing the operational effectiveness and sustainable growth of these organizations. It seeks to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to amplify their impact on local and regional food systems. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include supporting strategic leadership development, fostering collaboration among community stakeholders, strengthening communication efforts to raise awareness and attract resources, expanding resources to stabilize financials, promoting programming excellence, and enhancing overall operational effectiveness. These focuses are designed to address the multifaceted needs of nonprofits and build a robust foundation for long-term success. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved board and staff leadership, stronger community engagement and expanded services through collaborative efforts, increased awareness and resource attraction due to enhanced communications, greater financial stability and long-term sustainability, more effective program delivery and evaluation, and improved day-to-day operational productivity in areas such as administration, grant management, finance, human resources, technology, and facility management. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are evident in its commitment to capacity building, believing that by strengthening the internal capabilities of nonprofits, they can more effectively drive transformative change in the food system. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, demonstrate a commitment to transformative change in the food system, and have three years of 990 filings. The program's detailed approach, from leadership support to operational enhancements, reflects the Western New York Foundation's comprehensive strategy for fostering sustainable growth and impactful work within the vital food sector of the region.

This grant provides funding for early-career researchers to explore the economic impacts of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, supporting innovative studies on prevention, treatment, and care for affected individuals.

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) is launching its fifth Women’s Economic Mobility Hub (WEM Hub) cohort, a program specifically designed to support Black women-owned businesses. This initiative aligns directly with the WFA's mission to advance economic mobility for women, particularly focusing on a demographic that often faces significant barriers to business growth. By providing a comprehensive suite of resources, the WEM Hub seeks to address systemic inequities and foster sustainable economic empowerment. The primary target beneficiaries of the WEM Hub program are existing businesses that are at least 75% owned and operated by one or more Black women who are U.S. citizens. These businesses must be physically located and operating for over one year within Arkansas, and be in good standing with the Arkansas Secretary of State and current on all taxes. The program specifically excludes not-for-profit entities, focusing instead on for-profit corporations, partnerships, LLPs, LLCs, or sole proprietorships. The core impact goal is to scale these Black women-owned businesses through robust support and unrestricted grant funding. The WEM Hub program prioritizes technical assistance, offering a six-month intensive program that combines online training and in-person meetings. Key areas of focus include expert advice on accounting, financial management, business development, and legal services. Participants also receive ongoing mentorship, engage in peer-to-peer learning sessions, and gain training in communications, public relations, marketing, and leadership skill development. A significant component is the opportunity to establish relationships with participating financial institutions, which is crucial for long-term growth and stability. Expected outcomes include enhanced business acumen, improved financial literacy, and stronger market presence for participating businesses. The program aims for measurable results through the provision of $5,000 in unrestricted grant funds to each business, directly contributing to their scaling efforts. The WFA's strategic priority is to create a tangible pathway for Black women entrepreneurs to not only survive but thrive, thereby reducing economic disparities and contributing to the overall economic health of Arkansas. The underlying theory of change is that by equipping Black women business owners with tailored support, financial resources, and networking opportunities, their businesses will experience accelerated growth, leading to increased economic mobility and wealth creation for the entrepreneurs and their communities.

This funding opportunity supports local artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties to create new public art projects that engage and involve their communities.

Community Engagement Planning Grants in Massachusetts aim to provide support to community-based organizations, municipalities, and other entities to facilitate meaningful community input in the development and deployment of solar energy projects owned by electric and gas distribution companies. The program goals include enabling informed community engagement, providing flexible funding for stakeholder meetings and public participation incentives, building capacity for future collaboration in clean energy projects, creating a framework for robust future community engagement, and facilitating discussions with diverse stakeholders.

This funding opportunity provides up to $2,000 to nonprofit organizations in Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake counties in North Carolina to address unexpected crises that disrupt their ability to deliver essential services.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in western North Carolina to enhance youth mental health and resilience through collaborative, youth-led initiatives, particularly in areas affected by economic distress and natural disasters.

The Berkeley FILM Foundation (BFF) has launched its inaugural short fiction film grant program, designed to support narrative short film projects through pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution stages. This initiative aligns directly with BFF's mission to foster creative, thoughtful, and innovative storytelling, particularly films with strong themes of social or environmental justice. The foundation aims to empower filmmakers who can use the medium to address critical societal issues, thereby contributing to a more just and aware community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are individual filmmakers—specifically directors, co-directors, producers, or co-producers—who are at least 18 years of age and reside or work in specific Bay Area cities: Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Oakland, or Alameda. Organizations are not eligible to apply. The impact goals are to support the creation of high-quality short fiction films that embody the organization's commitment to social justice and inspire other funding bodies to support creative projects. The program prioritizes short, fiction films (40 minutes or less) that demonstrate originality, imagination, and technical skill. A significant focus is placed on narratives that explore social or environmental justice themes, reflecting the foundation's strategic priority to leverage film as a tool for advocacy and community engagement. The grants are divided into two tiers: General Grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, and the prestigious Saul Zaentz Awards, offering two separate $25,000 grants for films that most powerfully embody the foundation's mission. Expected outcomes include the successful completion and distribution of impactful narrative short films that raise awareness and stimulate dialogue around social and environmental issues. Measurable results will be determined by the number of films funded, their artistic merit, their alignment with social justice themes, and their potential to inspire further funding and public engagement. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in filmmakers who produce compelling, socially conscious narratives, they can contribute to cultural enrichment and foster positive societal change.

The Rise Challenge is an innovation contest designed to address the systemic challenges faced by entrepreneurs of color in establishing and expanding their businesses. This program directly aligns with Prosperity Now's mission to foster economic access and opportunities, particularly for communities that are disproportionately impacted by economic disparities. The contest serves as a mechanism to generate innovative ideas and solutions that can bridge the capital gap and other barriers that hinder the growth of businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color. The primary target beneficiaries of the Rise Challenge are entrepreneurs of color, who frequently encounter significant hurdles in securing capital and accessing vital economic opportunities. The program aims to alleviate these challenges by fostering an environment where new solutions can emerge, ultimately leading to greater market competitiveness and wealth accumulation for these entrepreneurs. The broader impact goal is to create more equitable economic conditions within underserved markets by strengthening the ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs of color. A key priority of the Rise Challenge is to support the development of non-profit loan funds, especially those facilitated by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). These institutions play a crucial role in providing much-needed capital to economically underserved markets, where traditional financial avenues may be limited. The contest focuses on identifying and rewarding innovative approaches that enhance the effectiveness and reach of such financial mechanisms, thereby empowering entrepreneurs who have historically faced capital constraints. The expected outcomes of the Rise Challenge include the identification and implementation of innovative solutions that address economic access and opportunity disparities. Measurable results will include the recognition and funding of promising initiatives, with three prize tiers: $75,000 for the First Place Team, $50,000 for the Second Place Team, and $25,000 for the Third Place Team. These awards are intended to catalyze the development and scaling of solutions that can drive real change in the economic landscape for entrepreneurs of color, aligning with Prosperity Now's strategic priorities to promote inclusive economic growth and wealth building.

This funding opportunity supports conservation and research projects focused on key species that significantly impact ecosystems, culture, or economy in the U.S., particularly those led by local communities and incorporating Indigenous knowledge.

This grant provides financial and in-kind support to non-profit organizations in the Greater Toronto Area that run afterschool programs for teens, enabling them to create a technology-focused learning center that fosters creativity and skill development.

Grant Opportunity: Health Care Research Grants Funder: The Charles Koch Foundation Award Details: The Charles Koch Foundation is inviting scholars, researchers, and subject matter experts to submit grant proposals for research, case studies, or comparative analysis on barriers to better health care and how to address them. The foundation is particularly interested in topics such as innovative payment systems, the role of markets in health care delivery and payment systems, public policy affecting health care demand and financing, impediments to disruptive provider models and technologies, and historical analysis of the U.S. health care system. Funding levels will be determined based on the research requirements and potential impact. Eligibility: Organizations of all types across the USA are eligible to apply for these grants. This includes nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, small businesses, and other organizations interested in conducting research related to improving health care. Other Relevant Information: Applicants are required to submit a one-to-two-page abstract of their project along with a CV or résumé and a brief itemized budget. Final projects should be original and meet high standards in their field. Accepted proposals may also receive support for disseminating research findings. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. For more information about this grant opportunity and to apply, please visit the Charles Koch Foundation's website at https://charleskochfoundation.tfaforms.net/344037?tfa_13=tfa_1473

This grant provides funding to local governments and non-profit organizations for projects that improve the environment, culture, or community along the Lower Delaware River corridor.