Find Grants for Your Nonprofit in New York

How to Find Grants for Nonprofits in New York

If you're reading this, you're probably juggling a lot. Maybe you're running programs, managing volunteers, and now someone said, "Hey, we should apply for grants." And suddenly you're Googling at 10 p.m., clicking through outdated listings, and wondering if there's a better way.

There is. And you don't need to be a professional grant writer to find funding that fits your mission.

This guide walks you through how to find grants in New York — from state portals to private foundations — and gives you a realistic plan to get started. Let's break it down, step by step.

Start with What's Available in New York

New York has a lot of grant opportunities, but they're spread across different systems. Here's where to begin:

State Government Grants

NY.gov Grants Management is your main hub for state-level funding. It's the official portal (also called the Statewide Financial System) where you can search for grants, register your nonprofit, and manage applications all in one place.

• You'll need to register and get prequalified before applying
• The system includes a help desk and training resources
• It's free to use, but the interface can feel a bit formal — stick with it

DASNY (Dormitory Authority of the State of New York) also offers grants, especially if you're working on community center construction or renovation projects.

Pro tip: Bookmark the NY.gov Grants Gateway and check it monthly. State grants often have specific deadlines tied to budget cycles, and you don't want to miss them.

Federal Grants

Don't forget Grants.gov, the federal grant portal. Many New York nonprofits are eligible for federal funding, especially in areas like education, health, housing, and community development. You'll need a DUNS number and SAM registration to apply — it's a bit of paperwork upfront, but worth it for larger awards.

Top Foundations to Know in New York

New York is home to some of the largest and most active philanthropic foundations in the country. Here are a few you should know about:

Statewide and National Foundations

• The Ford Foundation: Supports grassroots initiatives and collaboration, especially around social justice, economic opportunity, and creativity. They fund organizations led by people closest to the problems they're solving.
• Bloomberg Philanthropies: Focuses on clean energy, digital innovation, and K-12 education. They tend to fund larger initiatives with measurable impact.
• Carnegie Corporation of New York: Promotes education, democracy, and international peace. They're interested in knowledge-sharing and systemic change.
• The Rockefeller Foundation: Works on climate change, economic mobility, and health equity. They often fund innovative approaches and partnerships.

New York City and Regional Funders

• New York Foundation: If you're doing community organizing, grassroots advocacy, or movement-building in New York City — especially around racial, economic, gender, disability, or climate justice — this foundation is worth exploring.
• Community foundations: Many counties and regions in New York have their own community foundations (like the New York Community Trust or the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo). These funders know the local landscape and often prioritize smaller, community-based nonprofits.

Pro tip: Start with funders whose mission aligns closely with yours. Don't waste time applying to a foundation focused on education if you run an animal rescue. Fit matters more than name recognition.

Your Grant Search Toolkit

Here are the tools and resources that can help you find grants faster and smarter:

Ressources gratuites

• NY.gov Grants Management: Your go-to for state grants, with training and a help desk
• Grants.gov: Federal grant opportunities
• Zeffy Grant Finder: A 100% free tool built for nonprofits like yours — search by cause, location, and eligibility without paying subscription fees
• Foundation Directory Online (free version via your library): Many public libraries offer free access to Candid's foundation database

Paid Tools (If Your Budget Allows)

• Instrumentl: Offers grant discovery, tracking, and insights. Includes a learning center and webinars. Consider it if you're applying to 10+ grants a year and need help staying organized.
• Cause IQ: Good for prospecting and researching funders, especially if you want to see financials or past grantees.

Pro tip: Start with free tools. You can find plenty of relevant grants without paying for a subscription, especially when you're just getting started.

Eligibility and What Funders Look For

Most grants in New York require that your organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. But there's more to it than that.

New York-Specific Requirements

• Charitable registration: If you're soliciting donations or conducting charitable activities in New York, you'll likely need to register with the Charities Bureau (Form CHAR410). Some exemptions apply, so check if you qualify.
• Annual filings: You'll need to stay current on your IRS Form 990, New York Corporate Tax Exemption Renewals, and Sales Tax Exemption Renewals.

What Funders Typically Want to See

• Proof of 501(c)(3) status
• A clear mission and track record
• Financial statements or a budget
• Board member list
• Sometimes: specific policies (like a whistleblower policy or nondiscrimination statement)
• Sometimes: a physical location (this can disqualify fully remote or virtual nonprofits from certain local grants)

Pro tip: Keep a folder (digital or physical) with all your core documents ready to go. You'll use them over and over again.

When to Apply

Grant deadlines in New York (and nationally) tend to follow some patterns:

• Q1 (January–March): The busiest time for grant deadlines — about 29% of grants close during this window
• Q4 (October–December): Another active period, around 25% of deadlines
• Q2 and Q3: Slightly quieter, but still plenty of opportunities

Some grants have rolling deadlines, meaning you can apply anytime. These are great if you're just getting started or missed a big deadline.

Pro tip: Start your search in the fall. That way, you'll be ready to apply when Q1 deadlines hit in January and February.

Getting Started: Your First 3 Weeks

Here's a realistic plan to help you move forward without getting overwhelmed.

Week 1: Set Up Your Systems

• Register your nonprofit on NY.gov Grants Management (if you haven't already)
• Create a free account on Zeffy Grant Finder
• Gather your core documents: 501(c)(3) letter, budget, mission statement, board list
• Set up a simple spreadsheet to track grants you find (columns: funder name, deadline, amount, status)

Week 2: Start Searching

• Search for grants using keywords that match your mission and location (see the list below)
• Bookmark 5–10 grants that look like a good fit
• Read the eligibility requirements carefully — don't waste time on grants you're not eligible for
• Sign up for email alerts from NY.gov and any foundations you're interested in

Week 3: Prioritize and Prepare

• Pick 2–3 grants with upcoming deadlines that feel manageable
• Read the full application guidelines for each one
• Start drafting answers to common questions (your mission, your impact, your budget)
• Reach out to a peer or board member to review your draft before submitting

Pro tip: Don't try to apply to everything at once. Start small, learn the process, and build from there.

Search Keywords That Work

When you're searching for grants in Zeffy's Grant Finder, Google, or foundation databases, try these keyword combinations:

• "New York nonprofit grants"
• "New York state grants"
• "grants for [your cause] in New York" (e.g., "grants for animal rescue in New York")
• "New York community foundation grants"
• "grants for small nonprofits New York"
• "New York City nonprofit funding"
• "rural grants New York"
• "grants for Black-led nonprofits New York"
• "New York charitable registration"
• "Ford Foundation New York grants"

Pro tip: Be specific. Instead of just "education grants," try "after-school program grants New York" or "literacy grants Buffalo NY."

Getting Help When You Need It

You don't have to figure this out alone. Here are a few places to turn for support:

• NY.gov Grants Management Help Desk: Offers training and answers questions about state grants
• Your local nonprofit network or association: Many regions have coalitions or resource centers that offer grant workshops or peer learning groups
• Candid (formerly Foundation Center): Offers free and low-cost webinars on grant writing and fundraising
• Your public library: Many libraries offer free access to grant databases and can help you navigate the research process

You've Got This

Grant seeking is a skill, not a superpower. It takes time to learn, and it's okay if your first few applications don't result in funding. Every application you submit teaches you something — about your organization, about what funders are looking for, and about how to tell your story more clearly.

You don't have to do this alone, and you don't have to do it perfectly. Start small, stay organized, and remember: the right grant is out there. You just need to find it.

And when you're ready to search, Zeffy's Grant Finder is here to help — 100% free, built for nonprofits like yours.