Private Science and Technology Grants

This funding opportunity supports Baltimore-based nonprofits in implementing community-driven programs that improve digital literacy and access to technology for vulnerable populations, including older adults and minorities.

The FY 2024 Multicultural Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is a grant initiative by the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA). This program seeks applications from qualified Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) serving the District of Columbia’s Latino Youth community. The core mission of this grant is to provide meaningful and structured summer experiences and career readiness opportunities for District of Columbia youth aged 14-24, aligning with MOLA’s commitment to empowering the Latino community through impactful programs. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are Latino youth residents in the District of Columbia, specifically those between the ages of 14 and 24. The impact goal is to foster career readiness and provide valuable summer experiences that contribute to their overall development and future success. The program aims to achieve significant, lasting change by engaging youth in activities that enhance their well-being and prepare them for future opportunities. The grant prioritizes six key areas: Downtown Comeback, Public Safety, Recreation & All Students on Pathways to Success, Workforce Development, Highlight East of the River, and More Democracy. These priorities reflect the broader strategic goals of the District of Columbia, focusing on urban revitalization, violence reduction, comprehensive youth development, economic empowerment, equitable investment in underserved communities, and civic engagement. Organizations applying for the grant must demonstrate how their proposed services align with at least one of these critical areas. Expected outcomes include increased participation of Latino youth in structured summer programs, enhanced career readiness skills, and improved engagement in community-based initiatives aligned with the funding priorities. The grant's duration is less than one year, with a project period from June 17, 2024, to August 23, 2024. Eligible organizations can receive up to $15,000, which is intended to facilitate the provision of direct services and programming within the District of Columbia. MOLA's theory of change is rooted in the belief that investing in youth, particularly through structured employment and development programs, leads to stronger individuals and more vibrant communities. To be eligible, CBOs must have a Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, be licensed in the District of Columbia, have their principal place of business in the District, and provide direct services to District residents. Additionally, applicants must be in good standing with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) and the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), and current grantees must be current on MOAA reporting obligations and reflect substantial progress towards their grant agreement goals. This rigorous eligibility ensures that funds are directed to reputable organizations capable of delivering impactful programs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in the Gulf States to develop training programs that prepare young individuals for careers in the evolving energy sector.

The DC Bar Foundation's General Support Grants Program offers private funding to legal services providers in the District of Columbia. This program is a cornerstone of the Foundation's mission to fund civil legal services, primarily for District residents with low incomes. Funding is sourced from individual, law firm, and corporate donations, alongside revenue generated by the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, which the DCBF administers. This ensures a consistent and dedicated stream of resources to support vital civil legal aid initiatives, directly aligning with the Foundation's commitment to access to justice. The target beneficiaries of this program are District residents with low incomes who require free civil legal services. The primary impact goal is to provide these essential services, addressing critical legal needs within this population. Strong applications will demonstrate an organization's ability to identify and respond to pressing civil legal needs, ensuring appropriate supervision, training, and development of staff, and utilizing stakeholder and client feedback for continuous improvement. Furthermore, applicants are expected to offer services that increase accessibility, such as self-help strategies, online legal information, and community legal education. The Foundation prioritizes applications that expand legal assistance for DC residents, avoid duplication of services, and enhance accessibility. Priority is also given to programs that expand pro bono participation by recruiting, training, and supervising law firm attorneys, and those that strategically leverage DCBF resources to support other service providers. Importantly, the Foundation seeks to fund services not supported by other funding sources and those that test innovative approaches to achieving these priorities, reflecting a forward-thinking and impactful strategy. Organizations applying for this private funding must demonstrate adequate capacity, as evidenced by experience in providing similar services and related current work. Sustainability is also a key factor, with the Foundation considering potential funding sources beyond DCBF and longer-term service delivery strategies. The expected outcomes include an expansion in the number of DC residents receiving legal assistance, improved accessibility to legal services, and the effective use of resources to address the most pressing civil legal needs of low-income residents, contributing to a more equitable justice system in the District of Columbia.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) is offering Climate-Critical Workforce Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure Grants (“Climate Training Grants”) to increase access to modern, relevant training equipment and infrastructure. These grants provide direct funding and technical assistance to organizations that can build and scale career pathways and upskilling programs. The core mission alignment is to help Massachusetts residents access and advance in climate-critical priority occupations, thereby addressing clean energy and climate tech employer needs and providing high-quality training and support opportunities across the Commonwealth. The target beneficiaries for these grants are Massachusetts residents who can benefit from career pathways and upskilling programs in climate-critical priority occupations. The impact goals are to fill workforce gaps in climate-critical sectors, expand recruitment pipelines, and create new or expand existing technical and job readiness training opportunities. This initiative also aims to create and expand career advancement programming and upskilling training for incumbent workers, ensuring businesses can grow to support the state’s climate goals. The program prioritizes several key areas, including expanding recruitment pipelines to broaden access to climate-critical priority occupations, creating and expanding technical and job readiness training, and fostering career advancement and upskilling opportunities. It also focuses on leveraging effective workforce development models like registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, developing new relationships with employers for job placements, and establishing wraparound and retention support services to address barriers to entry and advancement. Furthermore, a significant focus is on expanding the availability and effectiveness of climate-critical training by securing modern equipment and infrastructure resources. Expected outcomes include a more robust workforce for climate-critical sectors, increased access for residents to high-quality training and job opportunities, and businesses expanding their capacity to meet climate goals. Measurable results will likely involve the number of residents trained, placed in climate-critical occupations, and upskilled, as well as the expansion of training programs, equipment, and infrastructure. The overall theory of change is that by investing in workforce development, equipment, and infrastructure, MassCEC can directly support the state's clean energy and climate tech employer needs while creating equitable access to career advancement for Massachusetts residents.

This grant provides funding for independent documentary films that explore the Asian American experience, intended for broadcast on public television.

This grant provides significant funding to local nonprofits in Indianapolis that are tackling community challenges in key focus areas, with a structured application process culminating in an annual awards celebration.

The Colorado Gives Foundation is offering the Early Care and Education Grant Program, aimed at improving access to quality child care and education for children aged 8 and younger in Jefferson County, Colorado. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support the thriving of Jefferson County residents by investing in early childhood development, which is a critical foundation for lifelong success and community well-being. The program's focus on quality child care and education underscores the foundation's strategic priority of fostering a supportive environment for children and families within the county. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are community partners, specifically 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored organizations, who are committed to serving Jefferson County residents. The ultimate beneficiaries are children aged 8 and younger in Jefferson County, who will gain improved access to quality early care and education. The impact goals are centered around increasing the availability and affordability of quality programs, supporting age-appropriate social-emotional development, and coordinating systems that provide support to children and families in the region. The program prioritizes several key areas. These include supporting organizations that are implementing the Jeffco Bright Futures Roadmap, convening partners and stakeholders to advance policies aligned with strategic frameworks, and supporting evidence-based pilot programs to increase child care options. Another focus is to bring together stakeholders to develop a comprehensive Policy Blueprint aligned with the Jeffco Bright Futures Roadmap, aiming to improve access to quality early care and education programs, enhance social-emotional development, and coordinate supportive systems for children and families. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increased number of Jeffco residents served by quality early care and education programs, demonstrated impact within the county through budget application percentages, and concrete program successes specific to Jeffco populations. The grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for a one-year duration, with funding information of $5,000-$25,000 per year for a project period from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, reflects the foundation's theory of change: that by investing in and supporting community partners, particularly those focused on strategic initiatives like the Jeffco Bright Futures Roadmap, they can foster a stronger, more equitable environment for early childhood development and ultimately contribute to the long-term prosperity of Jefferson County.

This program provides financial support to non-profit organizations and school districts in Grays Harbor County for initiatives that benefit youth, focusing on creating or enhancing programs for children aged 18 and under.

This grant provides $2 million over two years to research teams focused on developing innovative methods for the early detection and diagnosis of hard-to-treat cancers with low survival rates.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community groups in Washington, DC, to create Family Success Centers that help vulnerable families improve their economic stability and access essential resources in underserved neighborhoods.

This microgrant provides funding to teachers and teens in underserved U.S. communities to host educational screening events focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, fostering youth engagement in global change efforts.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is offering grants to individuals seeking self-sufficiency and requiring transitional assistance to overcome short-term or one-time barriers. This program aligns with the foundation's mission, established through a testamentary gift by former Mayor Ron Dunin and his wife Helen, to assist those attempting to help themselves, echoing their own experiences as immigrants who received crucial support. The Dunins' goal was to give back to the community and help San Luis Obispo County residents in need, a sentiment deeply embedded in the foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change, which centers on empowering individuals to achieve independence through timely, targeted support. The target beneficiaries are individuals striving for self-sufficiency in San Luis Obispo County who face a temporary obstacle. The impact goals are to provide "a leg up" through one-time assistance that removes significant barriers to self-sufficiency. The program focuses on individuals who have demonstrated initiative in helping themselves and aims to fill gaps in existing support networks, rather than supplanting other funding or addressing ongoing needs. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in specific barriers to self-sufficiency for as many individuals/families as possible, with sufficient support provided to ensure effective barrier removal. Funding priorities include one-time assistance that creates a substantial difference in removing hurdles to self-sufficiency, targeted at those actively trying to improve their circumstances. The foundation prioritizes aid that provides "a leg up" for long-term impact, rather than short-term or ongoing needs. This assistance should benefit as many individuals/families as possible while still being robust enough to overcome the identified barrier. Crucially, the support must fill a gap in the existing support network and not replace other available funding. The foundation's theory of change emphasizes the power of strategic, one-time interventions to catalyze self-sufficiency. By collaborating with organizations that have established relationships with target populations, possess the capacity to administer hardship assistance, and can maximize direct aid while leveraging existing infrastructure, the program aims to achieve a high return on investment. The foundation's strategic priority is to support charitable organizations whose programs directly benefit San Luis Obispo County residents, ensuring that grant funds are efficiently and effectively deployed to foster community well-being and individual empowerment. The maximum grant award is $5,000, with a one-year grant period.

The Community Foundation of Will County (CFWC) is accepting applications for its FY2024 Community Partner Grant Cycle, an initiative central to the foundation's mission of enhancing the quality of life in Will County. This program aligns directly with CFWC's core purpose of supporting not-for-profit organizations that address a broad array of charitable needs within the area, including healthcare, human services, education, and cultural arts. By offering these grants annually, the CFWC demonstrates its commitment to being a responsive and proactive community partner with the local not-for-profit sector, fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for community development. The Community Partner Grants specifically target not-for-profit organizations operating within Will County, Illinois. The impact goals of this program are to address critical community needs, foster collaborative partnerships, and build the organizational capacity of the non-profit sector. While the CFWC does not provide general funding for daily operations, it strategically offers support for essential administrative costs to launch or conduct specific projects. This approach ensures that funding directly contributes to impactful initiatives rather than routine expenses, maximizing the grant's reach and effectiveness. The program prioritizes projects that reflect a strategic collaborative partnership, encouraging not-for-profits to work together to address wider community needs. It also focuses on initiatives that tackle critical issues impacting a significant segment of the community, ensuring that the grants address pervasive challenges. A key focus is also on building the organizational capacity of non-profits, enabling them to operate more effectively and efficiently in their vital work. This strategic emphasis helps strengthen the entire non-profit ecosystem in Will County. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of projects that address identified community needs, the formation of stronger collaborative networks among local non-profits, and an increase in the overall effectiveness and efficiency of participating organizations. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the focus on addressing critical needs and building capacity suggests that successful projects would demonstrate tangible improvements in the areas they serve. The CFWC's strategic priorities are rooted in being a community partner that not only responds to existing needs but also proactively supports the growth and development of the non-profit sector. This theory of change suggests that by investing in collaborative, need-based, and capacity-building projects, the foundation can create lasting positive change and significantly enhance the quality of life for residents across Will County.

This grant provides funding to early-stage companies in the U.S. and Canada that are developing innovative software and AI solutions aimed at combating climate change and promoting sustainability.

The Opportunity Grants by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, offering up to $10,000 for a 12-month period, are designed to stimulate and support new or existing programs, projects, or capital investments of nonprofit organizations serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties in South Carolina, excluding general operating support, religious, political activities, and scholarships among others.

The Sitka Legacy Foundation is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to tax-exempt organizations in Sitka and on Baranof Island, prioritizing those serving children and youth, for projects in areas such as health, education, outdoors, arts, and community development, to be completed within a year.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin to implement impactful water quality improvement projects and promote environmental stewardship within their communities.

This grant provides funding for innovative projects that help communities and ecosystems adapt to and recover from extreme weather events and natural hazards.