Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation focuses on

• Education
• Health Care
• Sustainability

They accept proposals, have clear Eligibility Requirements and a Frequently Asked Questions section. They even have sample application forms:Event/Sponsorship (Sample Form) and Competitive Grant (Sample Form).

Eligible organizations seeking grants must be prepared to track and report specific results that demonstrate measurable human impact.

Continuous deadlines.

Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation supports an enormous range of educational initiatives across the United States (and worldwide), especially as related to "advancement of human knowledge" in about a dozen areas (e.g., Capacity building and technical assistance, Communications and public education, Evaluation and assessment, etc). 

Get more details at  or search their database of projects.

Some of the areas and initiatives include: Democratic and Accountable Government (e.g., Increasing Civic and Political Participation), Economic Fairness (e.g., Ensuring Good Jobs and Access to Services), Metropolitan Opportunity (e.g.,Expanding Access to Quality Housing, Connecting People to Opportunity etc.), and Educational Opportunity and Scholarships (e.g., Transforming Secondary Education), and Freedom of Expression (e.g., Supporting Diverse Arts Spaces etc). But that's just a small part of the picture; in 2011, the Ford Foundation distributed $422 million in grants (!) worldwide.

Wish You Well Foundation Grants

The Wish You Well Foundation Grants support family literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs.

The board meets an average of four times per year to review and vote on applications; most requests range from $200 to $10,000. Organizations are reminded to base their requested amount on the program's unique needs for funding.

Deadline: ongoing. 

National Alliance for Accessible Golf's Grant Program for People With Disabilities

Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to nonprofits working to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to learn and enjoy the game of golf.

The committee reviews completed grant applications received by the last day of each month in 2011.

Praxair Grants

With 2010 sales of $10 billion, Danbury-based Praxair is a global, Fortune 300 company that supplies atmospheric, process and specialty gases, high-performance coatings, and related services and technologies to a wide diversity of customers.

Praxair focuses its community support in the areas where it operates and further concentrates on four areas: community health; public libraries; higher education and diversity; and employee volunteerism. Employees participate in fund-raising walks, runs, bicycle rides and other activities to support numerous other health-related organizations in the communities where Praxair operates.

Praxair's "Library Links" program has funded a variety of needs at public libraries in 30 states. Among these projects are updating computer equipment, acquiring new reference materials; sponsoring summer reading programs and literacy courses, refurbishing meeting rooms.

Application form.

Praxair Foundation
The Praxair Foundation supports non-profit organizations primarily in the communities where Praxair operates. The level of support varies depending upon the nature of the project and how closely it fits with Praxair Foundation guidelines.

Preference is given to supporting well-defined projects in the following areas:

* Community service, focused on:
a. Employee volunteer grants - Praxair employees may apply to the Foundation on behalf of the non-profit organizations to which they volunteer their time and talents
b. Health-related organizations and services
c. Public Libraries - through Praxair's "Library Links" program which assists libraries in upgrading their technology, acquiring new materials or initiating innovative programs
d. United Way - matching employee donations

All proposals should describe projects that serve the needs of the community at large. Special attention will be given to innovative programs that can be started and completed within one year of the award. Goals should be clearly defined and measurable. Organizations receiving $25,000 or more are required to submit a report on the project being funded by Praxair no later than one year after the grant is made.

Kresge Healthy Environments grants

The Kresge Foundation offers Healthy Environments grants to help agencies improve the health and well being of vulnerable children from low-income families by making the places they live, learn and play safe and supportive of overall good health.

Funding priorities are clean air, safe and healthy housing and schools, and safe, accessible, and inviting outdoor play spaces – all advanced with community engagement, citizen leadership and cross-sector alliances.

The size and duration of awards will vary based upon the nature and scope of proposed projects; grantseekers can request between $100,000 to $750,000 for project periods of up to three years.

Organizations also may also choose to apply for a one-year strategic planning grant

Deadline: Ongoing.

Public Welfare Foundation

The Public Welfare Foundation supports efforts that ensure fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need. It looks for carefully defined points where its funds can make a difference in bringing about systemic changes that can improve people’s lives.

The Special Opportunities Program supports initiatives addressing racial equity and justice; these often represent initiatives that do not fit within their usual program areas (specified below). At times this program serves as a laboratory for new ideas. It also entertains proposals that combine objectives of more than one Foundation program. Grants made under this program must be especially compelling.

The application process is comprised of two steps: a letter of inquiry and invitations to submit full proposals. Upcoming deadlines include November 20 (for a February 2010 disbursal).

The Public Welfare Foundation also provides grants for programs in these specific areas:
• Criminal and Juvenile Justice
• Health Reform
• Workers’ Rights

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

Sara Lee Foundation Foundation Grants

The Sara Lee Foundation supports nonprofit organizations with clearly defined missions and programs addressing the following areas: food related programs (including food insecurity, nutrition education, and healthy and active lifestyles), women’s self-sufficiency programs, and diversity through highly visible cultural programs.

The Foundation's funding process utilizes a four-step system which includes determination of eligibility, online letter of intent, notification, and finally an invitational Request-For-Proposal (RFP).

Jenny’s Heroes Community Grant Program

Talk show host and philanthropist Jenny Jones’ community grant program, Jenny's Heroes, awards grants to everyday citizens with a desire to improve their community.The program's focus is primarily on smaller communities where fundraising can be difficult. Those who submit the best ideas for tangible, lasting community projects can receive grants of up to $25,000 each.

Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.