Private Science and Technology Grants

The Racial Equity Research Grants program supports education research projects that will contribute to understanding and ameliorating racial inequality in education. We are interested in funding studies that aim to understand and disrupt the reproduction and deepening of inequality in education, and which seek to (re)imagine and make new forms of equitable education. Thus, we are interested in research projects that seek to envision educational opportunities in a multiplicity of education systems, levels, settings, and developmental ranges and that reach beyond documenting conditions and paradigms that contribute to persistent racial inequalities. Our goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in relation to racial equity in education. In this cycle of funding, we will continue to fund scholarship focused on a range of communities and issues with respect to equity. We encourage proposals from across the methodological spectrum, including qualitative methods, mixed-methods, and quantitative methods. We want to especially encourage Racial Equity proposals that focus on the following areas: (1) innovative forms of measurement and assessment, (2) artificial intelligence (AI), and (3) current political challenges in k-12 and higher education around diversity, equity, and inclusion. As with other Spencer grant programs, this program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not required to be developed around a particular research topic, discipline, design, method, or geographic location. We will be accepting applications for projects ranging from one to five years with budgets up to $75,000. The Racial Equity Research Grants program supports education research projects that will contribute to understanding and disrupting racial inequality in education and work to reimagine generative possibilities to advance educational equity, with budgets up to $75,000 for projects ranging from one to five years. While the field of education has long focused on issues of rising inequality across the globe, we now find ourselves in a time of increased urgency given the current intersections of the COVID19 public health crisis, rapid shifts in educational systems, economic challenges, and growing civil resistance to systemic racism, Indigenous erasure, and anti-Blackness. There is perhaps no issue of greater importance right now than racial inequality across all systems and structures. We believe that educational research can play an important role in developing new forms of education that are humane, equitable, and just. As such, there is a pressing need for robust approaches to scholarship that can contribute consequentially to achieving equity in education. We encourage a wide range of methodological approaches to creatively and ambitiously engage in advancing racial equity. This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not required to focus on a particular research topic, discipline, design, or method. We hope that scholars will identify the most compelling and needed areas of research. For instance, scholars might focus on: instructional challenges and innovations; racial and geographic disparities and promising directions for engaging and supporting children, families, and communities; informal learning environments and informal educators; assessment challenges and opportunities; climate change and equity, social-emotional learning and well-being; educator and leader development; digital learning environments; systems change and policy making; and intersections between housing, health, and education. We are interested in proposals at all levels and in all settings of learning, including early childhood, higher education, and in schools, families, and communities across the world. We are also interested in studies that seek to understand the situated experiences of minoritized groups, including but not limited to, Black, Latine/x, AAPI, and Indigenous communities. In addition, we are interested in studies that focus on those learners who are multiply marginalized, including intersections with English language learners, immigrants, students with disabilities, highly mobile and institutionalized youth (e.g., foster youth or those in youth prisons), LGTBQIA+ youth, and those in rural communities. Finally, we encourage proposals that are reflective of other international, national, and local contexts. We recognize that the experiences of inequality, as well as the histories and structures producing it, will vary. Thus, we expect to fund proposals that explore meanings and possibilities of equity, as well as explanations of inequality, in a variety of ways. For example, engaging and understanding issues of coloniality may be central to scholarship focused on and with Indigenous communities. We see wrestling with these complexities as necessary to cultivating educational equity. Finally, we especially welcome proposals that advance strength-based perspectives and push beyond solely documenting current paradigms. Our goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in relation to racial equity in education. We seek to support scholarship that develops new foundational knowledge that may have a significant impact on practice and policy. We value work that fosters creative and open-minded scholarship, engages in deep inquiry, and examines robust questions related to education and inequality. We also value work that is engaging emerging possibilities. We invite proposals that aim to grow the current scope of research on racial equity, develop new knowledge through interdisciplinary scholarly engagement, and include collaboration in the service of increasing the impact of educational research. To this end, this program supports proposals from multiple disciplinary and methodological perspectives, both domestically and internationally, and from scholars at various stages in their careers. We anticipate that proposals will span a wide range of topics and disciplines. We expect and welcome methodological diversity in answering pressing questions; thus, we are open to projects that utilize a wide array of research methods including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographies, design-based research, participatory methods, and historical research, to name a few. We are also interested in methodological research that can enable and support research on and with racialized communities that build capacity for equitable educational systems. This could include exploration of methods appropriate in small samples and populations, the development of new measures and indices, and studies regarding the impact of methods and algorithms on reducing or promoting inequality. We are open to projects that might incorporate data from multiple and varied sources or work closely with practitioners or community members over the life of the project. We expect that projects will interrogate the systems and structures that are associated with racial inequities. We seek proposals that focus on a strengths-based, rather than a deficit oriented, approach. A strengths-based perspective affirms and extends the knowledge, resources, goals, capacities, and interests of individuals, families, and communities, and identifies and builds upon existing assets and resources. LOI: May 29th 2024

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center seeks qualified consultants or professionals with experience in clean transportation, municipal procurement, on-street electric vehicle charging, and utility coordination to serve as a technical consultant and project manager under MassCEC’s On-Street Charging Program. Donor Name: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In January 2024, the Healey-Driscoll administration provided American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to MassCEC to develop a program that will improve access to affordable EV infrastructure for residents in multi-unit dwellings. The Program aims to increase the supply of overnight curbside parking with an emphasis on positive impacts for Low Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC). In addition to increasing charging station access, MassCEC, in close collaboration with the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER), plans to pilot innovative On-Street Charging technologies, models, and ownership structures. Through this program, MassCEC intends to demonstrate successful deployments of innovative On-Street Charging options in order to promote wide-scale adoption across the Commonwealth. Through this Program MassCEC aims to:  Increase access to On-Street Charging options and reduce barriers to EV adoption for LIDACs in MA;  Pilot innovative On-Street Charging models that can be replicated and scaled across the Commonwealth;  Develop resources for municipalities in MA to implement On-Street Charging solutions independently; and  Ensure that small and diverse MA-based businesses are included in the Program and meaningfully compensated to foster MA workforce development. Funding Information Total Funding Available: $11,250,000. Eligibility Criteria Eligible Applicants include sole proprietors, professional consultants, nonprofits, institutions or companies with multiple employees. MassCEC encourages Applicants to form a team with sub-vendors (“Applicant Team”) to provide all the requisite experience required for the Scope of Work, including subvendors responsible for procurement, installation, and maintenance of On-Street Charging stations. Proposals must be submitted by a single lead Applicant and must clearly identify relevant Applicant Team sub-vendor(s) with whom to jointly respond to this RFP and their respective roles and experience. MassCEC strongly encourages Applicant Teams to include and meaningfully compensate MA-based vendors and small businesses, as well as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Minority, Women, Veteran, LGBTQ, Portuguese, and/or Disability-Owned Business Enterprises) (“Diverse Suppliers”). For more information, visit MassCEC.

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation Grants is currently accepting applications for its 2024 CommunityWorks Grant Program. This program is designed to provide a coordinated, systems-based approach toward achieving community aspirations. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by this program, is to foster community development and address critical needs within its service area. The CommunityWorks Grant Program specifically targets organizations operating in Macon, Piatt, or Moultrie counties in Illinois, or Paris, IL. Eligible applicants include those with 501(c)(3) status or qualified charitable or government organizations. The program's impact goals are to support initiatives that contribute to workforce development, education, and environmental sustainability, ultimately improving the quality of life and opportunities within these communities. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined: workforce development, education, and environmental sustainability. Proposals are invited in these three key areas, indicating the foundation's strategic commitment to these pillars of community well-being. This focused approach suggests a theory of change where investment in these sectors leads to a stronger, more resilient community. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the program aims for the achievement of "community aspirations" through a "coordinated, systems-based approach." The funding range of $10,000 to $100,000 per grant, with a total of $400,000 available, suggests a significant investment intended to yield tangible improvements in the targeted areas. Successful outcomes would likely include enhanced employment opportunities, improved educational attainment, and demonstrable progress in environmental conservation within the supported regions.

The Beacon House Request for Proposals outlines approach and rationale to providing community based funding support to expand substance use disorder services in Monterey County. Donor Name: Gateway Foundation State: California County: Monterey County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The sole purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from nonprofit organizations to provide substance use disorder services in the Monterey Peninsula. This funding will infuse financial resources for the operating, supporting and/or renovation of SUD services in Monterey County, directly addressing the need to improve access to treatment and recovery supports. This vital re-investment into the Monterey County community will provide flexible grant funds to help and support local organizations.  They seek to provide multiple grants to local, established substance use service providers. The flexible funds should be utilized to expand access to substance use disorder services and/or recovery support in Monterey County. Specifically, the dollars are for one-time costs that support improving access or capacity to provide services. Funding Information Up to $200,000. Up to  10, not to exceed $200,000. Project Period September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025. Funds can be used for  Staff development  Training  Equipment  Repairs & maintenance  Expansion of services/access  Start-up operational costs may be allowed, provided they are reasonable and justified, and not to exceed 50% of total funding request.   Eligibility Criteria 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Licensed by the state of california to provide services (when applicable). Currently providing behavioral health services in monterey county. Organization can provide audited financials and income/expense budgets for last two fiscal years. Programs utilize evidence-based services. At least 50% of clients from last two fiscal years are residents of monterey county. Organization has been providing behavioral health services. For more information, visit Gateway Foundation.

The GRC Bush Prize: Native Nations is an annual grant program designed to celebrate Native-led organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This initiative seeks to recognize and support organizations with a proven track record of successfully addressing community challenges. The Giving Relatives Collaborative (GRC) aligns its mission with fostering innovation and community-powered solutions, providing flexible, general operating funds to support the ongoing work of these highly-valued Native-led entities. The target beneficiaries are Native-led organizations based in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or one of the 23 Native Nations within that geography. To be eligible, organizations must be legally incorporated with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status, or have a fiscal sponsor. A key criterion is that at least 60% of board members and senior leadership/ED must identify as Native. The program aims to empower these organizations to continue their vital work in Native communities. The program prioritizes organizations that support a culture of innovation and have a history of building creative, community-powered solutions. The grant provides flexible, general operating funds, allowing recipients to use the money in the way that best suits their needs, thereby directly supporting their ongoing good work. This approach reflects a strategic priority of providing adaptable resources that enable organizations to achieve their specific goals. Expected outcomes include strengthening Native-led organizations and enhancing their capacity to address community problems. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the grant amount (up to 25% of the organization’s last fiscal year expenses, with a maximum of $500,000), the overall impact goal is to foster sustained community problem-solving and innovation within Native communities. The GRC's theory of change appears to center on providing substantial, unrestricted funding to established Native-led organizations, trusting them to effectively utilize these resources to achieve positive and lasting change.

This program provides financial support to women entrepreneurs who own small food and beverage businesses in the U.S., helping them address their funding needs and participate in a virtual business development program.

This grant provides funding for teachers in Maryland to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects that integrate the arts with core academic subjects in schools.

This program provides funding to public entities in Pennsylvania for the development and improvement of public fishing and boating access facilities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Gilroy that are dedicated to improving the community through various initiatives in sectors such as arts, education, health, and environment.

Amway offers grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Kent County, Michigan, focusing on health, wellness, and empowerment programs, particularly those that increase access to healthy foods, support mental wellbeing, provide life skills education, and promote youth leadership, primarily serving children, families, and traditionally underserved populations.

The Young Futures' Under Pressure Funding Challenge is a $1 million grant opportunity for early-stage, U.S.-based non-profit organizations that aim to alleviate the pressures teens face in a tech-driven world, with successful applicants joining the Young Futures Academy and using the funds to scale their solutions.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, to create innovative public humanities projects, such as festivals, exhibitions, and performances, that engage and educate the community.

The West End Home Foundation's grant program is designed to enhance the quality of life for older adults in Middle Tennessee by supporting and sustaining a comprehensive system of care. The Foundation's mission is directly aligned with this goal, focusing on various key impact areas to ensure older adults receive the necessary support. These areas include advocacy, enrichment and socialization, food and nutrition, healthcare, housing, transportation, wellness and supportive care, and special projects that complement the Foundation's mission. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are older adults, specifically those aged 60 and older in the Middle Tennessee counties of Cheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson. The impact goals are to provide meaningful social interaction, lifelong learning opportunities, nutritional support, comprehensive healthcare, safe and affordable housing, accessible transportation, and services that promote healthy aging. The Foundation aims to address the unique needs of this demographic through a broad spectrum of programs. The Foundation prioritizes projects specifically designed to meet the unique needs of adults age 60 and older. It focuses on programs within its identified key impact areas and evaluates requests based on community needs, available resources, impact on the target population, agency capacity, and success in delivering high-quality services with demonstrated outcomes. The types of grants awarded include Program funding for specific projects (new or ongoing) and Capital funding for infrastructure investments such as equipment, technology, and facility maintenance or expansion. Expected outcomes include improved quality of life for older adults, enhanced access to essential services, increased social engagement, better health outcomes, and greater housing security. The Foundation seeks measurable outcomes, requiring applicants to demonstrate their capacity to deliver services that achieve these meaningful results. All grants are awarded for a period of one year, indicating a focus on annual impact and evaluation. The West End Home Foundation's strategic priority is to administer a competitive grants process that ensures funding is directed to organizations capable of delivering the highest quality of service with demonstrated outcomes. Their theory of change is rooted in the belief that by supporting a comprehensive system of care across various critical areas, they can significantly improve the well-being and independence of older adults in Middle Tennessee, fostering healthy aging and community engagement.

The Placer County Air Pollution Control District's Clean Air Grant (CAG) Program is designed to provide monetary grants to private companies and public agencies. The core mission of this program aligns with the broader goal of improving air quality by incentivizing actions that reduce emissions from heavy-duty engines. This goes beyond existing legal or regulatory requirements, encouraging a proactive approach to environmental stewardship. The program's strategic priority is to accelerate California's transition towards zero and near-zero emission technologies, addressing both local air quality and broader climate change concerns. The target beneficiaries of the CAG Program are diverse and include private companies, public agencies, and specific segments within these, such as small fleets for off-road funding, and entities operating school buses. A significant portion of the funds is reserved for projects located within or directly benefitting low-income communities, indicating a strong focus on environmental justice and equitable distribution of environmental benefits. The impact goals are centered on achieving surplus emission reductions, particularly from heavy-duty on-road and off-road equipment, and supporting infrastructure for cleaner technologies. The program prioritizes several key areas. These include agricultural portable and stationary engine repower and infrastructure, alternative fuel infrastructure (such as battery charging, natural gas, and hydrogen fueling stations), heavy-duty on- and off-road equipment replacement, repower, and retrofit, and school bus replacement. There is a clear emphasis on zero-emission technology and infrastructure, which is a guiding principle for the program. The District also considers special projects for sensitive receptors, further demonstrating a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from air pollution. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in air toxics, criteria air pollutants, and greenhouse gas emissions. The program aims to achieve these reductions through investments that directly benefit impacted communities. While specific measurable results are not detailed in terms of quantifiable targets (e.g., "reduce NOx by X tons"), the guiding principles suggest a commitment to considering cost-effectiveness and exposure reduction in funding decisions, implying a data-driven approach to evaluating impact. Transparency in project selections and reporting is also a stated guiding principle, which will contribute to the accountability and effectiveness of the program.

The City of San Diego's Economic Development Department is offering a grant of $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations that can assist small businesses in under-resourced communities, with funds to be used for capacity building expenses such as technical assistance, website creation, and event programming, with priority given to organizations with modest budgets and proposals aligning with the Economic Development Strategy.

This initiative provides financial support and mentorship to minority-owned small businesses in specific West Side neighborhoods of Chicago, helping them grow and contribute to their communities.

This fellowship provides funding for graduate students in hydrology and related fields to conduct interdisciplinary research and comparative studies by traveling to additional field sites or collaborating with other research groups.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for projects that voluntarily conserve, restore, and improve habitat in the Intermountain West. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Idaho, Utah County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | In-Kind Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The objective of the Rocky Mountain Rangelands Program (RMR) is to work in focal landscapes in the region to restore and conserve wildlife species associated with sagebrush, irrigated meadows and aquatic systems while conserving the phenomenon of large mammal migration. Competitive proposals submitted under this RFP will support voluntary strategic projects that accelerate and implement conservation practices as identified in the Rocky Mountain Rangelands Business Plan. The following practices will be given priority consideration during this funding cycle: Projects that promote innovations in grazing management that result in sustainable livestock production, enhanced wildlife habitat and improved ecosystem services including increasing carbon sequestration Innovative and strategic management of annual invasive grasses Habitat enhancement through mesic area/wet meadow, sagebrush restoration and strategic conifer removal on Bureau of Land Management lands that may also include cross jurisdictional ownership Promote the removal or modification of fence or other anthropogenic obstructions to increase landscape permeability for wildlife Provide ranchers and community-led organizations with technical assistance to accelerate on-the-ground delivery and implementation of conservation and improved grassland management practices Building capacity through boots-on-the-ground positions which provide technical assistance to landowners that aligns with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) priorities and increase landowner enrollment in Farm Bill programs Idaho Focus: There is dedicated funding available to support two positions in Idaho to work with NRCS staff and partners engaged in the Big Game Migration Initiative to develop an approach where existing Farm Bill programs could be strategically implemented in a way that maximizes benefits to both migrating animals and the working lands that support them. Utah Focus: There is dedicated funding available in Utah to facilitate implementation of conservation practices on working lands that will benefit wildlife and habitat by restoring, enhancing and/or managing rangeland habitats. Funding is available to support positions which will increase the pace and scale of voluntary perpetual conservation easements through Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) delivery and support technical assistance pertaining to Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) delivery on existing RCPPs in Utah. Preference will be given to projects that accelerate adoption of the most cost effective and sustainable approaches that exhibit a high likelihood of success. Projects with clear and direct benefits to sagebrush sparrow, sage thrasher, mule deer, pronghorn, Greater and/or Gunnison sage-grouse will be prioritized.  The Rocky Mountain Rangelands Program will award approximately $5 million. Major private funding provided by Cargill, Taco Bell, Nestlé, Capri Holding Ltd., with federal funding from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Funding Information The Rocky Mountain Rangelands Program has approximately $5 million available in funding for the 2024 RFP. NFWF anticipates awarding between 10-20 grants with a suggested minimum requested amount of $100,000. Project duration may extend one to three years. For this cycle 1:1 non-federal match is encouraged as in-kind or cash contributions Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, U.S. Federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments, educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include for-profit entities and unincorporated individuals. For more information, visit NFWF.

This program provides matching grants to local businesses in Libertyville to support growth and sustainability through various improvements, excluding general operational costs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maui County that are working to improve access to healthy food for families affected by food insecurity.