Can Individuals Apply for Nonprofit Grants?

Have you ever wondered if you can apply for a nonprofit grant without having an official nonprofit designation? With more than 5,000 grants available to nonprofits, locating grants for individuals can be overwhelming and frustrating. Eventually, you may even be tempted to scan nonprofit grants for individual eligibility.

So, the question remains — can an individual apply for grants as a nonprofit? The short answer is no. You must be a registered tax-exempt organization to apply for nonprofit grants. However, an individual could partner with a nonprofit organization. This is common with academic institutions, medical research institutes, government agencies, health providers, hospitals, and other nonprofit and industry partners.

Most of these opportunities are available to researchers, scientists, and faculty staff, but other opportunities do arise from time to time. Starting this process can be as simple as reaching out to local organizations or charities in your area.

3 Grants Individuals Can Apply for Using a Nonprofit

1. Faculty at IHEs can apply for up to $5,000 for events for students and scholars. 
2. Victims of fires and disasters can partner with fire departments for grants that offer assistance.
3. Research teams affiliated with organizations and institutions can apply for grants of $5,000 for projects related to sports and fitness.

Are There Grants for Individuals?

Currently, fewer than 2,000 grants are available to individuals. Here is a breakdown of the available grants:

• 30% are arts & culture grants for individuals
• 22% are business-related grants for individuals
• 17% of the grants are for research & evaluation
• 10% are housing-related grants
• 9% are for teachers, educators, or faculty staff
• 6% are for students
• 3% are fellowships or scholarships
• In addition, 2% are for veterans

To some, this may seem like a lot. However, keep in mind that each grant may be specific to a particular city, county, or state. In addition, each grant has particular requirements and criteria that must be met before you can apply.

When locating funding opportunities, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant search engine and database. A MemberPlus+ subscription is required to view the full grant details, including the eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, visit the GrantWatch FAQ page, and to see the great value with the top 20 GrantWatch features, click here.