Fundraising professionals like you seek new ways to grow and expand their nonprofit missions yearly. New grant opportunities are constantly emerging to make funding for nonprofits easier, and we’ve got the latest options for grantees to leverage.
Fundraising professionals, like yourself, constantly seek novel avenues to grow and expand their nonprofit missions each year. Fortunately, new grant opportunities continuously emerge, easing the funding process for nonprofits. And here, we present the latest options for grantees to capitalize on. Increased funding opens more doors for beneficiaries, which is why organizations such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and others wholeheartedly dedicate their philanthropic efforts to support nonprofits driven by big ideas and passionate hearts.
Grants are not limited to nonprofits who possess knowledge of the right funders; they present a remarkable funding opportunity for any nonprofit with missions and goals aligned with the communities that grant organizations deeply care about and actively engage with. Just like engaging with modern donors, your storytelling skills and ability to demonstrate impact play a crucial role in securing your next grant.
Below, we showcase ten grant opportunities to apply for this year, along with advice to help you find the ideal partnership.
How to Write an Effective Grant Proposal
Organizations such as AWS provide grants that expand the horizons of nonprofit projects by leveraging technology. Cutting-edge concepts like natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning exemplify innovative approaches to addressing global challenges.
As nonprofits continue to embrace innovation, grants serve as a means to provide funding that supports their philanthropic endeavors through the utilization of cloud technologies.
When it comes to funding your nonprofit's mission, programs, personnel, and goals, you have a plethora of options to consider. Specifically focusing on nonprofit grants, the key lies in finding funding opportunities that align with your organization, cater to your specific needs, and possess eligibility requirements that reflect the nature of your work. For instance, you may come across a grant that targets California nonprofits dedicated to early childhood education. Upon further investigation, you may discover that grant organizations like yours typically receive an average of $4,000 per year from such grants. This example highlights the intricate nature of certain grants and emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough research.
Libby Hikind, CEO and founder of GrantWatch, shared her best advice for nonprofits choosing the right grants on the Whole Whale podcast:
The 990 is publicly available for most grants. Ask what is the average grant size and what does the average organization being granted funds look like? And frankly, if you don’t look like those organizations, you know to take a pause and ask yourself, is this the grant for me?
As you explore funding possibilities for your nonprofit’s specific projects and goals, we’ve rounded up 10 grant opportunities to kick-start your search.
The AWS IMAGINE Grant, which recently announced the 2023 IMAGINE Grant, will offer up to $150,000 in unrestricted cash and $100,000 in AWS credits for visionary nonprofits. Organizations excited about the potential of new technologies to pilot projects or enhance existing programs have a place to showcase community work and apply for funds that make all the difference.
The NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants will award nearly $2.5 million to nonprofits in 2023 through 11 NBC and Telemundo-owned television station markets. Organizations with total expenses under $1 million are encouraged to apply for unrestricted funds to support the diverse community across youth education and empowerment, next-generation storytellers, and community development.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation offers grants to nonprofits that achieve measurable impact in the fight against poverty, disease, and inequity worldwide. Grants account for 90% of the organization’s charitable giving and currently sit as its largest vehicle for funding. U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for funding that makes a meaningful difference.
The Ford Foundation reimagines philanthropy by catalyzing leaders and organizations focusing on social justice and establishing global movements. To do that, the foundation offers grants to a wide range of organizations that align with this type of programming. Nonprofits with missions that address the underlying drivers of inequality are great applicants for the Ford Foundation’s funding.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a wonderful place to source funding if you’ve got a bold idea or solution rooted in health equity. The organization focuses on four core impact areas: health systems, healthy communities, healthy children and families, and leadership for better health. The grant process involves staff and leading experts in fields of shared interest to support nonprofit outcomes and objectives.
Bloomberg Philanthropies awards grants to nonprofits in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. The organization looks to fund organizations supporting five key areas: the arts, education, environment and sustainability, government innovation, and public health. Bloomberg Philanthropies supports millions of people in over 700 cities and 150 countries, investing $1.7 billion worldwide in 2022.
Walmart’s local community grants have an open application process to provide funding to organizations making an impact close to home. Looking at a more local-level grant program, corporations like Walmart are a great example of community-based grants and funding for nonprofits. Nonprofit organizations that operate on the local level or are an affiliate of a larger organization that operates locally and directly benefits the service area of the Walmart facility providing the funding are eligible.
The Silicon Valley Community Foundation looks to support nonprofits in many areas. Consider applying if your nonprofit makes waves in advancing financial stability, early childhood development, housing, arts and culture, environment, faith, health, and many other impact categories.
The Rockefeller Foundation commits to support efforts globally that improve lives and the planet through equity and fairness. If that sounds like your nonprofit, it might be worth exploring the organization’s hundreds of active grants or connecting with staff members who may share an interest in your programs.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York, a proactive grantmaker looking for innovative projects with meaningful, transformative outcomes, identifies grant recipients by program staff. The organization awards grants through a smooth grant management system, and the process is highly collaborative to ensure the best partnership between nonprofits and the organization’s values.
Within the realm of grant opportunities, there are numerous types beyond the private foundations and corporate options we have discussed thus far. It is worth dedicating time to explore local government grants, small business grants, family foundations, and federal grants in order to find a sponsorship that aligns with your nonprofit's objectives. As you embark on the grant application process, here are a few quick tips to bear in mind.
From healthcare to human services, your grant proposal is a chance to shine. Whether you choose to hire a professional grant writer or rely on your team of nonprofit leaders to compile the application, the outcomes can be highly valuable for your strategic planning.
