Vilcek Foundation Opens $200,000 in Grants for Immigrant-Serving Nonprofits
April 5, 2026 · 2 min read
Jared Klein
The Vilcek Foundation has opened its 2026 grant cycle with $200,000 available for U.S. nonprofits whose work uplifts immigrant contributions in the arts, sciences, culture, and society. Individual awards run up to $20,000, and the deadline is April 30, 2026.
The announcement marks the foundation's 25th year of giving — and comes as federal funding for immigrant-serving organizations faces increasing political headwinds.
What the Foundation Is Looking For
The Vilcek Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations based in the United States or U.S. territories whose missions focus on immigrants' roles in arts, sciences, education, or social services. K-12 schools and charter schools are not eligible.
The foundation has signaled that it will prioritize applications from states and territories where it has not previously awarded grants. In its 2025 cycle, it expanded into nine new states — Alaska, Colorado, Kentucky, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah — and Guam.
"Ideal grant recipients will create outputs, provide services, or serve populations in a way that sets them apart from other institutions in their sector," the foundation stated in its announcement.
Why This Matters Right Now
Private philanthropy is stepping into gaps left by shifting federal priorities. With the GSA proposing new conditions on federal grants related to diversity programming, and USDA facing legal challenges over grant term changes, foundation funding offers nonprofits a channel less subject to political volatility.
The Vilcek grants are unrestricted enough to support programming, operations, or capacity-building — flexibility that federally funded organizations rarely enjoy.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Vilcek Foundation Grant Portal by April 30, 2026. All proposed activities must take place between September 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027.
Nonprofits searching for foundation funding opportunities can explore curated listings at grantedai.com.
For analysis of how private philanthropy is responding to federal grant uncertainty, visit the Granted blog.