Henry E. Niles Foundation Grant

The Henry E. Niles Foundation Grant, focused on humanitarian efforts, seeks to uplift individuals in need through support for education, economic self-sufficiency, and public health initiatives. Grants range from $2,500 to $50,000, with a preference for programs demonstrating financial sustainability and collaborative efforts among organizations. Notably, the Foundation prioritizes long-term solutions over temporary fixes and encourages innovative pilot programs. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, primarily for established 501(c)(3) organizations in the northeastern United States.

NOTE: Not currently accepting applications from new organizations.
NOTE: The Boards meet 10 times a year and applications are reviewed in the order they are received on a rolling basis with no deadlines. The Board will review up to thirty-five (35) applications per meeting. ​
Primary Program Interests
The Board is currently highlighting the following areas:
Education – Included in this interest area are primary, secondary and higher education for those motivated individuals who are unable to obtain the benefits of quality education without assistance.
Economic Self-Sufficiency – This program area includes but is not limited to: job training, the encouragement and support of entrepreneurialism, mentoring, and micro-credit initiatives.
Health & Independence – Special interests here include medical and public health assistance for the elderly, the poor, the disadvantaged and the disabled.
Guiding Principles & Considerations
Favors programs addressing long-term solutions to the causes of problems, as distinguished from programs that simply treat the symptoms.Added emphasis on programs and organizations that address the intersection of its various program interests.Encourages pilot initiatives that test new program models.Particular interest in organizations that promote collaborative efforts among groups and organizations.Qualities sought by the Foundation in its grantee organizations are: effective and dynamic personnel; passionate leadership; a bias against bureaucracy; prudent management & governance practices; and commitment to results and overall assessment of program impact.
Grants range from $2,500 up to $50,000. In unique circumstances, the Foundation does consider a more significant grant for a program having a major impact in one or more of its areas of interest.

Eligibility

Although grants are made in other regions of the country and/or abroad, the majority of the Henry E. Niles Foundation's grantmaking is focused in the northeastern United States.Any grant for international programs or projects will be made only through US tax-exempt organizations.
All applicants must have tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.In unique circumstances, the Foundation does consider a more significant grant for a program having a major impact in one or more of its areas of interest.The Foundation encourages pilot initiatives that test new program models.The applicant must have an active board of directors with policy-making authority.The board should demonstrate competence in the sound financial management of the organization.

Ineligibility

Organizations may apply to only one (1) of the two (2) Niles Foundations. See Laura J Niles Foundation info hereAreas of Exclusion: The Foundation will not provide grants to the following:organizations not determined to be tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code;individuals;general fundraising drives;endowments;government agencies; ororganizations that subsist mainly on third party funding and have demonstrated no ability or expended little effort to attract private funding.Applicants, if declined, may not reapply for at least two years from the date of the application.Subsequent applications must describe changes from the prior application in full.