Seed Grants for Nonprofits

Last updated September 29, 2026

There are currently 77 open seed grants for nonprofits in Grantable's free grants database, drawn from foundation sources and updated daily. 51 list an award amount, with a median of $10K.

Open grants
77
from 72 funders
Median award
$10K
middle half $5,000–$25K
Total listed funding
$3.3M
across 51 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines
7
7 with a published date

On this page: Foundation · Updated daily

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★Grant
Mockingbird- Nonprofit Incubator Grant Program

Mockingbird Incubator · Foundation

Rolling · Up to $4K

The Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Grant Program supports emerging nonprofit founders in creating sustainable growth and impact.

Community Grants

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford Inc · Foundation

Rolling · Up to $10K

Showing 73–74 of 74

About seed grants

Seed grants provide early-stage funding to launch a new organization, program, or idea before it has a track record or other support. They are typically smaller and intended to help recipients test a concept, build initial capacity, or reach a milestone that unlocks larger funding. Because they fund unproven work, seed grants emphasize the strength of the idea, the team, and a credible plan rather than past results.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow seed grants for nonprofits down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do seed grants for nonprofits award?

Of the 77 open seed grants for nonprofits Grantable lists as of September 29, 2026, 51 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $10K, and the middle half fall between $5,000 and $25K. The largest is $1M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most seed grants for nonprofits?

By number of open listings, the most active funders are Branford Community Foundation (2), Community Heart & Soul (2), Ripley County Community Foundation Inc (2), Schlecht Family Foundation Inc (2), and The Wildflower Foundation (2). In all, 72 funders have at least one open grant in this category.

When are seed grants for nonprofits due?

Of 77 open grants, 7 accept applications on a rolling basis, 7 have a published upcoming deadline, 11 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 52 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site.

What is a seed grant?

A seed grant is early-stage, often modest funding meant to get a new nonprofit, program, or pilot off the ground. It typically covers startup costs — initial staffing, a pilot, research, or proof-of-concept work — and is designed to help an organization reach the point where it can attract larger or ongoing funding. The focus is on potential and feasibility rather than an established history.

Who offers seed funding to nonprofits?

Seed grants come from foundations with innovation or startup initiatives, community foundations, corporate social-impact programs, and venture-philanthropy or social-entrepreneurship funds. Some funders run dedicated pilot or incubation programs, and many pair a seed grant with mentorship, training, or technical assistance to improve the odds that the new effort succeeds.

How do you improve your chances of winning a seed grant?

Because there's little or no track record to point to, a strong seed application leads with a clear, well-defined problem, a credible and specific plan, and evidence that your team can execute. Funders also look for a defined milestone the seed money will achieve and a realistic path to sustainability beyond the grant. Pilots, letters of support, and any early proof points strengthen the case.

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