Loans and Program-Related Investments (PRIs) for Nonprofits

GrantStation’s exclusive database features 233 active funding opportunities giving this type of support, all accepting requests from new grantseekers!

With a membership, you’ll gain instant access to our full directory of 15,000+ funders and powerful tools to find, track, and secure the best grants for your mission. Maximize your grant success today with our expertly curated funder database, step-by-step grant writing resources, and industry-leading online education.

Cadillac Area Community Foundation

LEARN MORE
Application Deadline:

Applications are accepted September 1 through May 31, annually

The Cadillac Area Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and meeting the needs of the citizens of the Cadillac, MI, area.

Through the Cadillac and Kellogg for…

Bader Philanthropies, Inc.

LEARN MORE
Application Deadline:

Preliminary applications: May 31 and November 30, annually

Grant Range:
$45286451 - $45286451
Average Grant:
$45286451

Bader Philanthropies, Inc., including the Helen Daniels Bader Fund and the Isabel and Alfred Bader Fund, supports nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life in Wisconsin and…

The Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Foundation

LEARN MORE
Application Deadline:
  • General Fund Grants: February 2 and June 1, 2026 Letter of Inquiry; March 23 and July 20, 2026 Full proposal
  • Discretionary Grants: Rolling/accepted throughout the year
  • The deadline will be updated when a new funding cycle is announced.
     

 

Grant Range:
$500

The Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation is dedicated to serving the community within the geographic boundaries of the Archdiocese of Baltimore through the funding of worthwhile organizations…

Washington Square Health Foundation

LEARN MORE
Application Deadline:

June 1 and December 1, annually

Grant Range:
$500 - $30000

The Washington Square Health Foundation grants funds to nonprofit organizations to promote and maintain access to adequate healthcare for all people in the Chicagoland, IL, area regardless of race…

Henry P. Kendall Foundation: New England Food Vision Prize

LEARN MORE
Application Deadline:

Letters of Interest: June 5, 2026
Full Application: August 7, 2026

Grant Range:
$25000 - $100000

The New England Food Vision Prize, an initiative of the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, is aimed at building resiliency, relationships, and capacity within New England’s academic institutional food…

The Atmospheric Fund

LEARN MORE
Application Deadline:
  • Expression of interest deadline: February 20 and June 12, 2026
  • Full application: April 17 and August 7, 2026

The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) is a regional climate agency that invests in low-carbon solutions for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area of Ontario and helps scale them up for broad implementation…

Social Venture Partners Denver

LEARN MORE
Application Deadline:
  • Fundraising Accelerator: March 1, 2026
  • Pro Bono Consulting: June 1-14, 2026

Social Venture Partners Denver (SVP Denver) works to help organizations increase effectiveness, amplify impact, and drive social change. SVP Denver provides resources to enhance the organizational…

The Colorado Health Foundation

LEARN MORE
Application Deadline:

Applications are accepted throughout the year, and must be submitted at least 45 days before the proposed event.

Grant Range:
$50 - $2952040
Average Grant:
$149447

The Colorado Health Foundation funds impactful work that helps Coloradans live their healthiest lives by advancing opportunities to pursue good health and achieve health equity.

The…

It’s important to note that while grants and donations are often the key sources of funding for nonprofits, they aren’t the only sources. Often, the best option for a nonprofit is a loan or program related investment, known as PRIs. These kinds of funding options offer greater flexibility, helping nonprofits meet their needs without relying too heavily on donations or grants.

These sources of funding are especially useful for helping a nonprofit navigate a period of “scale-up”, as they need to tackle a particular project or grow.  A loan is to be paid back later after the nonprofit has grown, while a PRI returns a profit to the investor in question.

You can get loans from banks, credit unions or community development financial institutions (CDFI). PRIs, generally, are offered by foundations looking to earn financial returns while making a social impact. You may also see social impact investors and venture philanthropists offering PRIs.

Though they’re not grants, the process of securing loans and PRIs are somewhat similar - you have to show you’ve done your homework. The difference in this case is you need to spell out for the loan-giver or investor not only how their funding will be used, but also how it will be repaid. For investors, you will have to go through a process similar to working with grantmakers, where you demonstrate what the measurable impact of the investments will be.

You can find plenty of emergency grants below to apply for. And make sure to browse the rest of GrantStation for excellent webinars and tips on best grant writing practices.