Provides general operating support to groups engaged in community organizing; focuses on supporting community organizing in the Midwest (an eight-state region).

Organize primarily low- and moderate-income people | Based in or working in IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, or WI | Democratically run with a dues-paying membership base | Letter of Inquiry required for organizations never funded by Needmor (per LOI window)

Core Grants

The Foundation awards grants twice per year (Spring and Fall) to organizations/projects aligned with the Foundation's funding preferences; applicants begin with a Letter of Inquiry via the online Grant Portal.

Must be a 501(c)(3) organization (no for-profit entities or non-501(c)(3) organizations) | Projects must be within a 30-mile radius of Waterloo, IA | No individuals | No fundraising events or endowment campaigns | No religious events and promotions | Only one application per entity in a given funding cycle

Otto Schoitz Foundation Grants

Provides Bright Future Grants to organizations proposing projects that advance community impact initiatives (see listed initiatives). For FY2025-2026 SMCF will make $200,000 available; funded projects expected to be completed within one year.

Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity, 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, or 509(a)1 public entity | Project must provide direct benefit to residents of Adams, Fall Creek, Green and/or Stony Creek Townships of Madison County, Indiana | No single organization shall receive more than $10,000 in cumulative Bright Future Grants in Fiscal Year 2025-2026

Bright Future Grant

Resident-led grants awarded by the Resident Advancement Committee for neighborhood projects (gardens, pocket parks, mentoring, etc.); neighbors and small nonprofits within Saint Luke’s footprint can receive up to $6,000.

Applicant must be a resident of Buckeye–Shaker, Mt. Pleasant, or Woodland Hills | If applicant is not a 501(c)(3), must collaborate with a fiscal sponsor (501(c)(3)) | Available March–September annually

Community Grants

Invitation-only grantmaking for nonprofit organizations aligned with the Trust's giving areas (Helping People in Need; Protecting Animals and Nature; Enriching Community Life); applicants must contact a Trust program officer and, if invited, will submit an application via the Trust's online grants management system.

Nonprofit organizations located in and serving Marion County, Indiana or Maricopa County, Arizona | Applications are by invitation only (the Trust does not accept unsolicited applications) | Will not consider grants for international activities, academic research, sectarian purposes, programs that promote religious doctrine, or political campaigns | Will not consider grants for health programs except those related to the visually impaired | Will not consider requests for programs that target those currently incarcerated, exiting the criminal justice system, or recently released (programs for children of incarcerated individuals or youth in foster care will be considered)

Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust Grants

We value community. Our mission is to connect with our communities to support young minds, invest in our current and future workforce, create vibrant culture and vital communities, improve health and human services and protect our natural resources.

Must be a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit | Must provide organization's tax exempt status letter under Section 501(c)(3)

Otter Tail Corporation Foundation Grants

A prize recognizing Cuyahoga County non-profit organizations or collaborations demonstrating systems change and/or scalable innovation in the local workforce development ecosystem; award is $50,000 with no restrictions or deliverables.

Only non-profit organizations may be formally nominated | Nominations submitted via the grants dashboard by the stated deadline

Deborah Vesy Systems Change Champion Award

Kingdom Foundation is a faith-inspired movement backing institutions, churches, enterprises and communities across Africa. It provides catalytic capital and runs open grant calls (listed on /grants) for community organizations.

Registered community organizations, churches, social enterprises, cooperatives and grassroots networks | Must be based in or serving countries across the African continent

Core Grants

About this program

Eligibility

Geographic eligibility

Contact & website

Cathie Slabaugh

[email protected]

419.872.1490

www.needmorfund.org

Past recipients

2023

Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En La Lucha (Ctul)

$50,000

Arise Chicago

$47,000

Missouri Jobs With Justice

$40,000

Southsiders Organized For Unity And Liberation (Soul)

$40,000

Missouri Organizing And Voter Engagement Collaborative

$40,000

Lake County Sponsors

$40,000

482forward

$40,000

Action St Louis

$40,000

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition

$40,000

Closed

~$35K (148 grants)

8 states

Similar Grants

Otto Schoitz Foundation Grants

~$25K

Bright Future Grant

$2.0K–$10.0K

Community Grants

Up to $6.0K

Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust Grants

~$41K

Otter Tail Corporation Foundation Grants

~$5K

Deborah Vesy Systems Change Champion Award

~$50.0K