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Did you know that over 103,000+ public charities in the U.S. received more than $267 billion in government grants? That’s massive, right! This highlights how crucial nonprofit grants are in helping organizations tackle pressing funding challenges.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about nonprofit grants—including eligibility criteria, where to apply, and the top opportunities available in 2025.
Let’s get into it.
What are nonprofit grants?
Nonprofit grants are non-repayable financial aid offered by governments, foundations, and local bodies to help nonprofits achieve their mission.
Unlike standard donations—often unrestricted and used for various expenses—grants are typically designated for specific programs, projects, or operational needs and come with clear guidelines on fund usage.
How do nonprofits get grants?
Nonprofit grants can be secured through a structured application process. Since these grants are large enough to be considered major gifts, funders typically require organizations to submit a detailed proposal outlining:
- The nonprofit’s mission and goals
- The purpose of the grant funding
- A budget breakdown
- The expected impact of the grant
- A plan for measuring success
Successful grant applications are well-written and make a compelling case for funding.
SFMOMA’s Grant for ‘Ruth Asawa: Retrospective’
| The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) successfully secured a $1.5 million grant from Google.org to support the “Ruth Asawa: Retrospective” exhibition. This grant, the largest corporate grant in SFMOMA’s history for a single exhibition, was awarded based on a detailed proposal that highlighted two things: • Exhibition’s significance • Potential impact on the community. The funding enabled SFMOMA to enhance community initiatives, including free community days, educational programs, and collaborations with local organizations. |
What is the average nonprofit grant?
The size of nonprofit grants varies widely based on factors such as:
- Grantor’s capacity
- Project’s scope
- Organization’s size.
While some micro-grants may offer amounts as modest as $100 – $500, substantial grants can exceed millions. On average, many foundation grants range between $5,000 and $10,000. However, it’s crucial for nonprofits to research and align with grantmakers whose funding capacities and priorities match their needs.
| Funding Tip: Foundations often stick to funding patterns. Their past giving is the best predictor of future giving. For instance, if a foundation typically grants between $15,000 and $20,000, it’s unlikely they’ll suddenly award $100,000. |
Grant eligibility criteria
To be eligible for most nonprofit grants, especially from foundations, your nonprofit organization must typically have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This status, granted by the IRS, confirms your organization’s dedication to charitable, religious, educational, scientific, or literary purposes and exempts it from federal income tax.
Basic requirements for nonprofit status:
- State registration: Register your organization with the appropriate state authorities to operate legally within your state.
- Charitable purpose: Ensure your activities serve the public good and align with recognized charitable missions.
- Tax-exempt status: Obtain 501(c)(3) status from the IRS by submitting Form 1023, demonstrating your commitment to nonprofit purposes.
Keep in mind that each grant-making organization may have additional eligibility criteria for nonprofit grants. It’s essential to review these requirements carefully before applying to ensure your organization qualifies.
Three best sources of nonprofit grants
Nonprofit organizations can secure funding from various sources. Understanding these sources helps in aligning your organization’s mission with potential funders.
1. Government grants
Government grants are financial awards provided by federal, state, or local government agencies to support nonprofit initiatives that serve the public interest. About 30% of nonprofits in the U.S. rely on government grants, making them a primary revenue source for many organizations.
2. Foundation grants
Foundations, both private and public, allocate funds to nonprofits that align with their mission and values. These nonprofit grants can be project-specific or general operating support, with a focus on areas like education, health, or community development. In 2022, foundations made 31,373 grants, a 7.1% increase from the previous year.
3. Corporate grants
Many corporations provide grants as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. These nonprofit grants focus on areas like education, community development, and environmental sustainability. Corporate grants can be a valuable funding source for nonprofits.
| Did You Know? |
| CallHub offers grants that provide free calls and text messages to organizations supporting individuals affected by crises. This initiative aids nonprofits in reaching out to affected communities without the financial burden of communication costs. |
For more details on types of grants available, check out our blog: Different Types Of Nonprofit Grants You Can Apply For
Top nonprofit grants to apply for in 2025
Securing grants is essential for nonprofits aiming to further their missions. Below is a curated list of notable grants available in 2025, categorized by their funding source:
Type of nonprofit grants: Government Grants
1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a flexible federal assistance program that supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities, primarily for low and moderate-income people.
Highlights of the CDBG Grant:
- Supports and improves development of housing for safe and affordable living.
- Enhances community facilities and services
- Promotes job creation and retention for low and moderate-income individuals.
Eligibility: To be eligible for CDBG nonprofit grants, a community must typically be a “principal city” within a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), a metropolitan city with a population of at least 50,000, or a qualified urban county with a population of at least 200,000
Where to apply: To apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), you need to contact your local municipal, or HUD field office that serves your area as they administer the funds. You can also visit the official HUD website.
Want to learn more about securing funding for your nonprofit? Check out our guide to nonprofit fundraising strategies.
2. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a federal agency, provides art nonprofit grants.
Highlights of NEA:
- Supports projects in disciplines such as artist communities, education, dance, design, Film & Media Arts, and many more.
- Typically funds can range from $10,000 to $100,000
- For fiscal year 2026, the deadlines are March 11, 2025, and July 10, 2025, for projects beginning in 2026
Eligibility: Applicant organizations must have completed at least five years of arts programming before the application deadline. Tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organization. If the program was suspended due to the pandemic, add examples from 2018 or 2019 to meet this requirement.
Where to apply: Applications can be submitted through the NEA’s Grants for Arts Projects page.
| NOTE: The FY 2026 Challenge America grant opportunity is canceled. Applicants are encouraged to apply to the Grants for Arts Projects category at the March or July deadlines instead. |
Read Also: 16 Common Fundraising Challenges and How to Overcome Them
3. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grants
EDA is a federal agency that aims to provide nonprofit grants for improving economic conditions, creating jobs, and fostering innovative strategies in economically distressed communities.
Highlights of the EDA Grant:
- Supports projects in economically distressed regions (high unemployment/low income).
- Requires non-federal cost share. EDA typically covers up to 50% of project costs.
- Rolling applications with no quarterly deadlines for faster decisions.
| “Non-federal cost share” refers to the portion of a project’s cost not funded by the federal government, meaning it is paid for by a non-federal entity like a state, local government, or private organization. |
Eligibility: Eligible applicants must be a state, a political subdivision of a state, district organization, Indian tribe, institution of higher education, or a non-profit acting in coordination with a political subdivision of a state.
Where to apply: Proposals and applications must be submitted through Grants.gov or directly to the appropriate EDA regional office.
Type of nonprofit grants: Foundation Grants
1. Bank of America Charitable Foundation
This foundation provides nonprofit grants focused on economic mobility, workforce development, and community development.
Highlights of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grant:
- Funds basic needs, housing, and community empowerment.
- Grants: $250 for 50 volunteer hours, $500 for 100 hours.
- Supports projects boosting economic mobility.
Eligibility:
- Must be a 501(c)(3) organization, not a private foundation.
- Must serve communities in Bank of America’s operational areas.
- Must align with Bank of America’s focus on basic needs.
For more details, visit Bank of America’s eligibility criteria.
Where to apply: Applications can be submitted through the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s online portal.
| NOTE: Before applying for a grant, Bank of America will ask you to complete a short eligibility quiz. This helps determine if your organization aligns with their funding priorities. If eligible, you’ll gain access to the online application. |
Also read about 501(c)(3) donation adn fundraising rules
2. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a leading philanthropic organization addressing critical global challenges by providing nonprofit grants.
Here are some highlights of its initiatives:
- Supports global health, poverty alleviation, and education with innovative solutions
- Grant proposals are primarily by invitation.
- Occasionally publishes RFPs for specific initiatives. Current RFPs view here.
Eligibility: The foundation primarily awards grants to U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations and other tax-exempt entities identified by their staff.
Where to apply: Applications can be submitted through the Gates Foundation’s grants page.
Read Also: 2025 Nonprofit Trends: What To Expect This Year
3. Coca-Cola Foundation Grants
The Coca-Cola Foundation offers nonprofit grants to support environmental sustainability and community well-being initiatives.
Major highlights:
- Supports safe water access, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, circular economy, and community well-being
- The foundation funds creative solutions and impactful organizations
- It collaborates across organizations and geographies to drive large-scale change
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Where to apply: The Coca-Cola Foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests. You will be invited via email to apply. For more information, check out their online portal.
| NOTE: The Coca‑Cola Foundation awards over 200 annual grants, with $1.6 billion grants awarded so far. |
4. W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grants
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provides nonprofit grants to support children and families and equitable access to opportunities for people of color and marginalized communities.
The main highlights:
- Early childhood education, family economic security, and racial equity.
- Makes 80% of funding decisions within 60 business days of receiving proposals.
- It supports initiatives such as Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation, etc.
Eligibility:
- Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
- Organization in regions of the U.S, Mexico, and the central/southwest Haiti
Where to apply: Organizations can register through their grants management system on their website. A step-by-step approach is given on the website.
Also read our Complete Guide to Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations.
5. Walmart Foundation Grant
The Walmart Foundation provides nonprofit grants to support U.S. nonprofit organizations dedicated to community development and social impact.
Major highlights are
- Grants typically range from $250 to $5,000.
- Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly
- You can apply for grants in areas like community development, education, diversity, environmental sustainability, and public safety.
Eligibility:
- 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, schools, and faith-based organizations.
- Must serve the same area as the Walmart store applying for the grant.
- Applicants need a verified ‘spark good’ account.
For further details, refer to the Spark Good Local Grants Guideline.
Where to apply: Walmart has an open application process, through which organizations can apply.
Type of nonprofit grants: Corporate Grants
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Grants
The Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE provides nonprofit grants to support nonprofits leveraging technology to tackle critical social issues.
They offer three grants:
- ‘Go Further, Faster Award’ grant supporting innovative projects leveraging cloud technology. Offering up to $150,000 in unrestricted financial support
- ‘Momentum to Modernize Award’ grant supporting foundational technology project. Offering up to $150,000 in unrestricted financial support.
- ‘Pathfinder – Generative AI Award’ supports mission-critical projects utilizing generative AI. Offering up to $200,000 in unrestricted financial support.
Eligibility: The AWS IMAGINE Grant is available to 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the U.S., offering support based on their goals and where they are in their technology journey.
Where to apply: You can apply for the AWS IMAGINE Grant using the following link. First download the guidelines and then you can apply.
Read Also: Financial Plan For Nonprofit Organizations: A Foolproof Guide
2. Google Ad Grants
Google provides nonprofit grants that give U.S.-based nonprofits free advertising on Google search results to enhance visibility and engagement for their causes.
Their main highlights include:
- Free $10,000/month advertising budget.
- Free access to premium Google products like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Meet, and more.
- Nonprofit-specific tools like YouTube Nonprofit Program and Google Analytics for insights.
Eligibility:
- U.S.-based nonprofit organizations.
- Must be registered as a charity in Google for Nonprofits
For more detailed information click here
Where to apply: Apply through the Google nonprofit grants sign-up page
3. Wells Fargo Nonprofit Grants
The Wells Fargo Foundation collaborates with various national and local nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities to provide nonprofit grants.
Key highlights:
- Focus areas include financial health, housing affordability, small business growth and sustainability.
- Nonprofit grants proposals are evaluated based on how nonprofits promote innovative and scalable solutions.
- Implemented invitation process for nonprofits.
Eligibility criteria:
- Must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- Demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability.
- Address critical community needs.
For more detail, visit their official page
Where to apply: Organizations can submit a ‘Grant Interest Form‘ if they align with Wells Fargo’s strategic focus. Invitations are also sent to eligible nonprofits.
Read Also: How to Get Funding for a Nonprofit: Strategies and Tips
4. ServiceNow.org Partnership for Good Grant
ServiceNow does partnership for good nonprofit grants and collaborates with organizations like Accenture, GlideFast Consulting, and Plat4mation to support nonprofits focused on social justice and humanitarian efforts.
They offer these nonprofit grants:
- ‘Cause and cure grant’ supports health-focused initiatives.
- ‘Disaster and community support grant’ provides aid to communities affected by disasters app
- ‘Education and youth services grant’ funds programs dedicated to youth and education.
- The recipients will get a direct monetary grant of $100K to the nonprofit selected in each category
Eligibility:
- Nonprofit must be a designated 501(c)(3) or equivalent for its headquartering country
- Nonprofits must be headquartered in the USA, Canada, or Europe.
There are more eligibility criteria mentioned. Check them here.
Where to apply: They offer an open application. Nonprofits can use the ServiceNow website and submit their complete application with a letter of interest.
Now that you know where to look for nonprofit grants in 2025, it’s time to focus on how to secure them.
Found grant opportunities? Now you need to master grant writing
Let’s be real—finding grant opportunities is only half the battle. Winning them? That’s where the magic happens. It’s all about telling your nonprofit’s story in a way that makes funders sit up and say, “We need to support this!”
A great proposal isn’t just facts and figures (though those help!). It’s about showing the heart behind your mission and the real-world impact you’re making.
And remember these words from Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Your nonprofit is already part of that change. Now, it’s time to show funders how they can be part of it too.If you’re wondering where to start (or how to level up), we’ve got you covered.
Check out our complete guide to nonprofit grant writing—for tips and examples to craft proposals that get funded.
