Best Local Government Grants in Ohio

Ohio 501(c)(3) community organizations and professional associations working on civic engagement and local government accountability can access funding through the Murray & Agnes Seasongood Good Government Foundation. Grants support voter education and access, public service internships and anti-corruption efforts, and initiatives that combat political polarization and promote transparent, fact-based civic discourse in the Greater Cincinnati Region.

Scherman Foundation provides Ohio civic engagement and democracy-focused 501(c)(3) organizations with US $40,000 - US $200,000 to build BIPOC political power and strengthen democratic participation. Eligible groups include locally rooted BIPOC-led or BIPOC-accountable organizations advancing voting rights, integrated voter engagement, rural and small-town organizing, arts-based voter engagement, and statewide civic infrastructure, plus select multi-state and national intermediaries.

Ohio community organizing groups focused on civic engagement, democracy, and social justice can access funding through the Needmor Fund for Social Justice for multi-issue, base-building work. Eligible organizations organize primarily low- and moderate-income people in the Midwest and may receive multi-year general operating support to build power and win concrete policy victories.

Local government entities and partners in Ohio supporting civic engagement and leadership for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can access funding to build advocacy and self-advocacy skills. Grants from Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council offer US $50,000 to develop and implement curricula and tools that help people with disabilities participate meaningfully on executive and county boards.

Ohio local government and related public entities working with youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities can access funding through the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council to pilot new service and support approaches. Grants of US $50,000 back projects that build self-advocacy, leadership skills, and civic engagement for youth with I/DD and their families in Ohio.

Nonprofit or community organizations in Ohio that support leadership and advocacy by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can seek US $10,000 - US $50,000 to strengthen self-advocacy efforts. With a mission to expand civic engagement and disability leadership, Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council provides funding for training, cross-disability collaboration, and culturally diverse leadership development.

Ohio youth-serving nonprofit organizations working on recreation, civic engagement, education, health and wellness, housing, support systems, or workforce readiness can seek Opportunity Youth Grants to support young people entering adulthood. The Columbus Foundation prioritizes programs that engage disconnected 18–24-year-olds in Franklin County and help them pursue opportunities to live well.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) status serving communities in Ohio and other Huntington footprint states can seek program-specific funding to aid low- and moderate-income people. Focus areas include community revitalization, community services, affordable housing, and economic and community development. Local governments partnering with eligible nonprofits on civic or community initiatives may benefit.

Local government entities and 501(c)(3) organizations in Ohio can seek funding for capital projects or special initiatives in conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, or health. Grants from James M Cox Foundation help communities in Cox service areas expand facilities, purchase equipment, or build capacity, with preference for partners engaged with local Cox businesses.

Ohio local governments, public schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek project-specific funding for sustainability, workforce development, basic needs, and community revitalization efforts. Norfolk Southern Foundation supports initiatives within 30 minutes of its rail network across its 22-state system, offering US $1,000 - US $50,000 through the Thriving Communities Grant Program.

Youth-led teams working on civic engagement and community projects in Ohio and nationwide can receive up to US $4,500 through the Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness Fellowship Program from Institute for Citizens & Scholars. Young people ages 14–24 form informal teams, gain civic leadership skills, and implement local change projects with coaching and stipends.

Eligible 501(c)(3)s, local or tribal governments, community foundations, CDFIs, and similar entities serving rural communities can apply for Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Trust for Civic Life Civic Experiment Grants; awards up to US $25,000 for nonpartisan, community-led civic participation programs. Rural Ohio communities in transition may be eligible when they fit the Trust’s priority regions and criteria.

Graduating high school seniors interested in communications, journalism, leadership, or historic preservation can receive US $500 - US $2,500 in multi-year college tuition assistance through the Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship. Focused on civic engagement and education, Coral Gables Community Foundation supports students with financial need, including those whose studies may strengthen local government and community leadership in Ohio and beyond.

Ohio grassroots organizing groups engaged in nonviolent civic and social justice activism can access funding through the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice for immediate or emergency campaign needs. U.S.-based projects may receive up to US $5,000 to respond quickly to unexpected opportunities with powerful organizing and direct actions.

Ohio civic engagement and education nonprofits planning major capital projects can access funding through the M J Murdock Charitable Trust for construction, renovation, property acquisition, and other facility upgrades. Eligible 501(c)(3)s, select governmental or tribal entities, and universities must primarily serve the Pacific Northwest and typically have at least 40% of project funding secured; awards exceed More than US $50,000.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers Strategic Projects: Equipment & Technology Grants to nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building projects and essential equipment, requiring recipients to cover at least 50% of costs. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and tribal entities. Priority is given to projects enhancing community services, education, and environmental stewardship, supporting initiatives that foster human flourishing and demonstrate diversified funding.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers the Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants to support nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building for mission-driven projects and infrastructure investments. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to community flourishing, with funding available for new programs or expansion of existing ones. The Trust prioritizes initiatives that align with its strategic goals, fostering sustainable nonprofit growth and impact in the region.

Ohio youth ages 5–25 planning community service, advocacy, or civic engagement projects can access funding through Youth Service America’s Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes GYSD Grant. U.S. and Canadian youth may receive US $250 - US $500 for supplies, local transportation, and volunteer support when they lead peer-engaged projects during Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day.

Ohio local government partners and 501(c)(3) organizations working on civic engagement and voter participation can seek funding for year-round on-the-ground organizing, voter education, and election protection efforts. Focused on civic engagement and education, Park Foundation supports U.S. groups mobilizing voters, defending voting rights, and countering suppression of democratic participation.

Nonprofit public charities with 501(c)(3) status running national or multi-state democracy and civil liberties initiatives can apply for invitation-only support from the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund. Programs that protect voting rights, reduce money in politics, or strengthen gun violence prevention efforts may be a fit, including those serving Ohio within a broader geographic scope.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups working on financial literacy, technology education, or vibrant community initiatives can receive support for scalable, measurable programs, including in Ohio. Affirm Cares provides funding for efforts like civic engagement, housing insecurity, homelessness, small business development, and technology access; submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.

Ohio nonprofits, schools, and government agencies can seek funding for community health events, memberships, and engagement activities that promote well-being and civic participation. Local government entities may be eligible for Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation’s Thriving Community Impact Fund when projects advance physical, mental, and social health, economic stability, or neighborhood and built environment improvements.

The Pipeline Grants Competition by the Russell Sage Foundation aims to bolster early-career scholars and enhance diversity in the social sciences. It supports innovative research focusing on economic mobility and systemic inequalities in the U.S. Eligible applicants can receive up to $35,000 individually or $50,000 in teams. The foundation emphasizes methodological diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging novel data usage. Projects should align with RSF's mission to improve social conditions, prioritizing underrepresented scholars from under-resourced institutions.

The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grant supports events that honor civil rights activist Ruby Bridges by encouraging students to walk to school and engage in discussions about activism, anti-racism, and anti-bullying. Grants of $500 or $1000 are available based on the number of students reached. This initiative aims to inspire positive changes within communities and promote meaningful dialogue among young people about social justice issues.

The Allstate Foundation - College Service Grants support youth empowerment through community service initiatives at community colleges and HBCUs across the U.S. Grants of $10,000 aim to enable youth-led projects that redefine service in the wake of a global pandemic. With over $1 million allocated to this effort, the program encourages innovative approaches to civic engagement and volunteerism, fostering a new generation of community leaders.

The NACD Technical Assistance Grants program, in partnership with NRCS, has been enhancing conservation district support since 2018. By funding staff hires, it aims to improve service for agricultural producers and address conservation workload challenges. The initiative focuses on outreach, education, and civic engagement to empower local communities, promote sustainability, and support historically underserved producers in implementing conservation practices, thereby fostering both individual and community resilience.

Better Food Policy Fund 

Since its inception, the Better Food Policy Fund has set its strategic direction in a participatory fashion. We are intentionally building capacity for engagement to ensure the Fund aligns with the needs of food policy council stakeholders.   

Thus far, the Fund has engaged 300+ food policy council stakeholders to help co-develop the Fund. We are immensely grateful for the individuals who helped shape the initial direction of this fund. We view this growing stakeholder audience as the people to whom the Fund’s governing body, the Independent Advisory Committee, is ultimately accountable.

Grantmaking

The Better Food Policy Fund invests in US-based food policy councils, empowering community and government collaboration for progressive food policy. We utilize participatory processes to enhance equity and redistribute power in the funding landscape. We seek to celebrate and uplift the work of food policy councils, and believe every food policy council is worthy of financial support.

We define “food policy councils” as councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, or regional level.  

We support actions aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for policy change, such as: 

• increasing levels of inclusive and equitable stakeholder engagement in public processes
• engaging systems thinking when tackling complex food system challenges
• facilitating collaboration with and across local government agencies and departments 
• developing or revising local policies and plans  

We define “better food policy” as practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems.

We define “civic collaboration” as people joining together at the intersection of community and government to address public issues.