Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Alabama

Changemaker Scholarship

The Napa Valley Community Foundation Changemaker Scholarship benefits one exceptional graduating senior who attends a high school in Napa County and demonstrates drive, vision, and potential to succeed. Applicants may be the first person in their family to attend college or come from a middle-income household that will find it difficult to afford college. Applicants must have a strong academic record coupled with demonstrated leadership qualities, extra-curricular activities, and heavy involvement in the community. Recipients must attend a top-tier, four-year college/university and will receive funding for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Award Amount:

up to $10,000 per year and renewable for up to four years. Scholarship award amount will be based upon overall financial aid already received and any remaining funding gaps.

The White-Reinhardt Grant offers funding for projects that enhance agricultural literacy among K-12 students. With grants of up to $1,000 available, state and county Farm Bureaus can initiate new educational programs or expand existing ones. This initiative, supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation and its Women’s Leadership Committee, honors the contributions of Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, aiming to bolster agricultural knowledge across the nation.

The Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program aims to equip residents with the skills to deliver exceptional healthcare, especially in rural and underserved areas. By funding the training of residents in HRSA-supported primary care residency programs, it fosters a diverse healthcare workforce capable of meeting the needs of various populations. This initiative not only enhances the quality of care but also strengthens community health systems.

The Stazer Sisters’ Scholarship, provided by the Erie Community Foundation, supports U.S. citizens graduating from the Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy who are entering a four-year college. In 2023, over $800,000 was awarded to more than 500 students, based on their academic achievements, financial need, and extracurricular involvement. This scholarship aims to empower deserving students to achieve their educational goals and contribute positively to their communities.

About Us

Who We Are

The Wayne County Community Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community organization that works to strengthen the community we all share by helping donors make a lasting difference with their philanthropic endeavors – connecting their dreams and passions with causes that matter.

Established in 1978 with a single gift of $1,000, WCCF has become the steward of over 620 separate funds created from bequests and gifts, each with their own philanthropic purpose to support the future of our community now – and for many years to come.

The mission of Wayne County Community Foundation is to provide philanthropic leadership to our community.

Roy S. Bates Scholarship

Roy S. Bates (1916-2004)

Roy Bates was born August 28, 1916, in a farmhouse in Chester Township, Wayne County, Ohio. A breach baby, Roy’s arms and legs were broken during delivery; miraculously, the baby survived and the only permanent impairment was a crooked right arm that couldn’t be raised above the shoulder. Roy was a bright, precocious child who entered Chester High School at age 13 where he played on the varsity basketball and baseball teams and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1933.

Bates attended the College of Wooster where he was an outstanding intramural basketball and baseball player. After graduating from Wooster in 1937, Roy accepted a position teaching social studies at Chester High School. He was appointed Chester’s basketball coach in 1938, and he became the baseball coach in 1942. When Chester became a part of Northwestern High School in 1951, Bates was appointed basketball and baseball coach at the new school. When his coaching career ended in 1967, his varsity coaching record stood at 475-52 in baseball and 441-84 in basketball. Bates was the first coach in Ohio history to win state championships in both baseball (1959) and basketball (1965, and he was the first coach to be elected to both the Ohio Coaches Baseball and Basketball Halls of Fame.

A world traveler, Bates led eight senior class trips, 12 basketball team trips and about 40 National Education Association trips to every continent except Antarctica. From 1948 to 2001, Bates conducted more than 14,500 sports shows on Wooster Radio. He also officiated basketball, baseball, and softball games for more than 30 years.

After Bates retired from Northwestern in 1977, he assisted with college basketball programs at Indiana University, Cornell University, the University of Colorado, and the College of Wooster. Through his personal investments, he established the Roy S. Bates Scholarship Fund at Wayne County Community Foundation to help student athletes pursue their dreams of higher education.

The McLaughlin-Wilson Scholarship Fund, established in 1994 by Edith Wilson, supports residents of Monterey, MA, in accessing post-secondary education. Created in memory of Marjorie McLaughlin, this fund reflects Wilson's commitment to aiding the educational pursuits of local youth. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing intelligent minds in the community, ensuring that high school graduates from Monterey can achieve their academic goals. This scholarship is a testament to the enduring friendship and shared values of its founders.

The Plant Protection Act Section 7721 PPDMDPP provides funding to safeguard U.S. specialty crops and natural resources from invasive plant pests and diseases. With up to $90 million available in FY 2027, projects will focus on early detection and mitigation strategies across six goal areas, including pest identification and public outreach. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural resilience and support proactive measures against harmful pests, ensuring the protection of vital agricultural systems.

The GE Transportation AAF "Raymond Clarke" Dare to Dream Scholarship, administered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Erie High School who have a minimum GPA of 2.2 and are accepted to accredited universities or trade schools. This scholarship aims to facilitate access to higher education for deserving students, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to educational advancement in the community.

The Studebaker National Foundation Scholarship supports students pursuing careers in automotive studies. With over $20,000 awarded for technical and trade education in auto restoration, this scholarship encourages applicants to maintain the legacy of Studebaker. Eligible candidates include those studying automotive fields or those engaged with Studebaker as hobbyists. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required, and preference is given to members of Studebaker clubs or their relatives. Reapplications from previous recipients are allowed.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Noble Arent Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Ludington Area School District, which established the Noble Arent Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

This fund shall provide scholarships to a graduating Ludington High School senior member of the National Honor Society. This student must pursue a degree in the Field of Education at any four-year accredited college or university.

The Gordon B. and Josephine Hewlett Memorial Scholarship, established in 1999 by the children of Gordon B. and Josephine Hewlett, supports Franklin County students pursuing nursing degrees. This scholarship primarily targets undergraduate students but may extend to graduates if qualified applicants are scarce. Funded by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, it emphasizes academic achievement and community service, ensuring that local talent is nurtured in the healthcare sector.

This funding opportunity aims to support innovative research projects targeting previously undruggable classes of proteins associated with challenging human diseases. By encouraging early-stage exploratory projects, it seeks to foster the development of novel methods and agents that can selectively modulate these hard-to-target proteins, ultimately advancing therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes.

The Foundation awards scholarships to nontraditional students, students who are not graduating from high school this academic year, who are continuing their education through degree or certificate programs, seminars, workshops, or customized training. The application is open throughout the year, and applications are reviewed and determined on a quarterly basis. 

Catherine Pratt Memorial Scholarship

Awarded current college students, who are enrolled in Nursing.

The Girls Flag Grant, offered by USA Football, aims to empower youth and scholastic organizations to establish girls-only flag football programs. This inclusive initiative provides tailored support, including equipment, playbooks, and marketing resources. With a commitment to fostering growth in the sport, each grant is customized to meet the unique needs of the organization, ensuring long-term success and engagement in the game. Organizations must enroll with USA Football to apply.

The Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. There is one scholarship that is available to students in Cecil County. 

Sarah H. Willis Scholarship

Awarded to students graduating from high schools in Talbot County.

The Martin Family Scholarship, sponsored by the Erie Community Foundation, provides financial assistance to graduating seniors from Erie County High Schools. With over $800,000 awarded in 2023, this scholarship prioritizes students with at least a 3.0 GPA who demonstrate financial need and have engaged in extracurricular activities. Eligible applicants must have completed two years of a foreign language and participated in school sports or clubs, promoting a well-rounded educational experience.

The Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. There is one scholarship that is available to students in Cecil County. 

Margaret Ferree Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to students graduating from Talbot County Public Schools.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Joan Blend Scholarship Fund

The Joan Blend Scholarship Fund assists students pursuing a career in nursing or who are registered nurses pursuing further studies. Applicants must reside in Stark County and have been accepted into or attend a school of nursing or a college or university offering a registered nursing degree. 

This scholarship is renewable.

Tom and Betty Herold Scholarship

This scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Thomas M. and Elizabeth L. Herold.

The Herold Scholarship is to be awarded to high school graduate(s) from a Randolph County, Indiana high school. The scholarship is awarded annually to one of the high schools on a rotational basis in the following order (or in the school consolidated), and then repeated: Randolph Central School Corporation (Winchester Community High School), Randolph Eastern School Corporation (Union City Jr./Sr. High School), Randolph Southern School Corporation, Monroe Central Jr./Sr. High School, Union School Corporation. Students must be pursuing a two- or four- year secondary degree.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Cole Eriksson Parker Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund

The Cole Eriksson Parker Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarships to high school graduates or graduating seniors who are Buckeye Council, Scouting of America, Canton, OH, Eagle Scouts.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is offering at least $10 million in funding for the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program, aimed at supporting the production of pathogen-free plant material. This initiative focuses on establishing Clean Plant Centers across the U.S. to enhance competitiveness for specialty crop producers. Key priorities include optimizing clean plant distribution and advancing innovative technologies to increase awareness of clean plants' importance.

The Central PA Architects Foundation Fund Architecture Scholarship, offered by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, supports students from select counties in Pennsylvania who are enrolled in architecture degree programs. This scholarship aims to foster educational opportunities for individuals demonstrating financial need and commitment to the field of architecture, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of local communities.

The CSA Elizabeth Soeder Scholarship provides financial support to deserving students from Cape May County, NJ, facilitating their pursuit of higher education. This scholarship is available for one academic year and is open to high school seniors and current college students who demonstrate financial need and academic ability, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipients can reapply for funding in subsequent years, with awards not guaranteed, ensuring a competitive selection process.

Achieve Your Community’s Economic Vitality Goals

Generously sponsored by U.S. Bank, Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street courses center the real challenges of entrepreneurs and equip Main Street leaders with invaluable insights and practical tools needed to respond. 

Building Your Local Business Ecosystem helps Main Street leaders understand and strengthen the network of people, organizations, programs, and resources that support local entrepreneurs and small businesses. Across three connected virtual classroom sessions, you will map your local business ecosystem, identify strengths and gaps, and develop practical ways to improve coordination and turn shared insights into action.

Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street is a recurring learning offering, available twice each year. Each session explores a distinct, timely topic shaping Main Street economies, allowing practitioners to gain tools, knowledge, and strategies to meet the immediate needs and long-term economic vitality goals of their community’s entrepreneurs.

What You’ll Get

• Three interactive virtual learning sessions
• Dynamic curriculum developed by subject matter experts
• Access to a peer network of Main Street economic development leaders
• Curated suite of templates, resources, and customizable tools that you can use right away
• A practical entrepreneurial ecosystem-mapping and action-planning process that you can apply in your own community
• Eligibility for credit toward the Main Street America Revitalization Professional credential and AICP certification 

Why It’s Worth the Investment 

Many community leaders are driving critical economic development initiatives on tight budgets — so how do you justify the expense of this course to your Board or leadership team? Here’s what you and your community will receive from this investment:

• Practical tools for understanding and mapping your local business ecosystem
• Strategies for identifying gaps, overlaps, and opportunities within the local support system
• Approaches for strengthening coordination among business-support partners
• Evergreen resources that support continued implementation after the course
• Professional credentials
• National peer networking

Price, Registration & What's Included

• Rates: $275 Member, $350 Non-member

The Wyeth Foundation for American Art aims to promote the study and appreciation of historic American art through financial support for research, conservation, and innovative exhibitions. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 and are awarded to non-profit organizations. The foundation emphasizes the importance of scholarship and excellence in American art, while not funding projects focusing solely on art from the last three decades.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Oriole Foundation / Paula & Art Janousek Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Paula and Art Janousec. The Paula and Art Janousec Memorial Scholarship was established with funds donated by the Janousecs and the scholarship was named in their honor by former superintendent Cal DeKuiper who knew the Janousecs as his neighbors. Living next to the superintendent, the Janousecs were inspired and impressed by Ludington's staff and administration's dedication to education and students and cooperative spirit. Their wish was to create a legacy of support as friends of Ludington's educational community.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

Kelley Phillips Cox Legacy Scholarship

Awarded to Mid-Shore students, who are planning to pursue degrees in Environmental Science or Marine Biology