Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Alaska

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Rocket Scholars Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the parents and alumni of Reeths Puffer Schools, who established the Rocket Scholars Foundation Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The Rocket Scholars Foundation was created by parents and alumni with two purposes in mind:

• To continue to foster within the school system a culture of rigorous academic achievement for all students and
• To offer those students who have demonstrated high achievement, scholarships to help defray the increasingly expensive tuition costs at colleges, universities and accredited post-secondary vocational and technical schools.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Stanley C. and Maxine G. Sutherland Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Stanley Sutherland, Jr., who established the Stanley C. and Maxine G. Sutherland Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Education was important to Maxine Sutherland. She graduated from Muskegon Junior College in 1940, received her nursing degree from the Hackley School of Nursing in 1942, and continued her education over the years until she received a B.S. in Education from Western Michigan University. Nursing was also important to Maxine, and over the years she was employed by Hackley Hospital, Visiting Nurses, and the office of her brother, Dr. Griffith. In her memory, her husband, Stanley Sutherland, Jr., has established the Maxine G. Sutherland Memorial , a donor advised , which will assist Muskegon County residents to pursue careers in nursing and other health related fields as well as support other projects and programs that were equally important to her.

The Beth N. Rom-Rymer Travel Scholarship provides $1,000 for Native psychology graduate students to attend the American Psychological Association's annual convention. This opportunity is specifically for members of the Society of Indian Psychologists (SIP). The scholarship aims to support diverse applicants and encourages first-time attendees who demonstrate financial need. APF, the funding organization, is dedicated to enhancing the field of psychology by supporting early career professionals and their contributions to societal improvement.

The Peter C. Sotus, M.D. Scholarship is part of the Erie Community Foundation's initiative that awarded over $800,000 in scholarships in 2023 to support students pursuing post-secondary education. This scholarship targets high school seniors accepted into accredited institutions, focusing on careers in medicine or music. Preference is given to students born outside the US or children of non-US born parents. This award encourages diversity and support for aspiring professionals.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Paul and Libby Kara Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Paul M. Kara, who established the Paul and Libby Kara Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The Paul and Libby Kara Scholarship Fund helps graduating seniors or adult/returning students with significant financial need. It is designed to help students with the "last dollars" needed to continue their education. Paul and Libby believe that every student should be able to achieve their educational goals.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the validation of biomarkers and assays for cancer detection and treatment. This funding opportunity allows for biphasic or monophasic applications to support both analytical and clinical validation phases. Successful projects will leverage human specimens to develop assays that enhance cancer treatment and prevention, ensuring multidisciplinary collaboration among scientists and clinicians. This initiative aims to improve cancer management through reliable and clinically validated tools.

The Lane E. Warren Scholarship Fund, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, offers a $1,000 award to a Madison County resident who is a high school graduate or graduating this year. This scholarship honors Lane E. Warren, a promising student whose life was tragically cut short. The selection criteria emphasize financial need and community service, supporting students pursuing college or certificate programs in their educational endeavors.

The Roesler, Max and Elizabeth Memorial Scholarship Fund supports non-traditional students aged 25 and older in Noble County, Indiana, pursuing higher education or retraining. This fund awards $1,500 to applicants enrolled in any accredited college, university, or trade school. Applicants may be full-time or part-time students and may reapply. The scholarship reflects the commitment of generous donors to invest in local students' educational goals.

The Linda Tilghman Healthcare Scholarship supports Noble County high school seniors enrolled in the Primary Healthcare Program at Impact Institute. Applicants must pursue a degree in healthcare and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50. This one-time $1,000 award can be used for tuition and academic fees. To apply, students must submit an essay on their healthcare outlook and provide a reference from a teacher or employer. Funds not used for educational purposes must be returned.

The Glaucoma Foundation: Advancing the Treatment of Glaucoma

The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) is dedicated to accelerating breakthrough glaucoma research and helping move promising discoveries toward patients. By supporting innovative, next-generation research and connecting leading scientists and clinicians, TGF drives progress toward better understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of glaucoma, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

Exfoliation Syndrome and Exfoliation Glaucoma, Pressure Independent Mechanisms of Glaucoma, Neuroprotection, and the Genetics of Glaucomas that affect people under the age of 40

The Glaucoma Foundation offers grants to researchers striving to improve the lives of glaucoma patients through novel innovations and scientific advances. The areas of current focus for TGF’s Grant Research program are Exfoliation Syndrome and Exfoliation Glaucoma, Pressure Independent Mechanisms of Glaucoma, Neuroprotection, and Genetics of Glaucomas that affect people under the age of 40 years. Examples of research that may be considered range from basic science to clinical interventions, such as genetics and genomic medicine, disease modeling, assessment of ocular perfusion, artificial intelligence, and clinical research. A priority will be given to novel proposals with a viable study hypothesis leading to impactful results that are fundable at the NIH level. Initial grant funding for one year is for up to $75,000; a grantee is permitted to apply for a grant renewal of up to $75,000. A renewal grant is a one-year grant based on research findings from the initial research.

Pfizer is launching a grant initiative to enhance care for patients with advanced ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This program aims to support independent medical education projects focusing on patient and caregiver preparation for ALK inhibitor therapy, side-effect management, and the development of resources that promote informed decision-making and accessibility. By addressing the challenges faced by this patient population, the initiative seeks to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.

Pfizer, in collaboration with the American Headache Society, invites innovative proposals for quality improvement initiatives targeting gaps in headache medicine. The focus is on enhancing patient outcomes through effective diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies, as well as education in medical training. This grant aims to develop widely usable tools and information that promote patient-centered care and equity for those affected by migraine and headache disorders.

About The Glaucoma Foundation

The Glaucoma Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people with glaucoma. The Foundation works to encourage and support basic and applied research in glaucoma with a goal of preserving and restoring vision. We strive to be an important resource to help patients, their families, and at-risk individuals to manage their glaucoma through education and outreach.

About Research to Prevent Blindness

The mission of Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) is to preserve and restore vision by supporting research to develop treatments, preventives and cures for all conditions that damage and destroy sight. Since it was founded 60 years ago, in 1960, RPB has channeled more than $383 million into eye research. As a result, RPB has been identified with nearly every major breakthrough in vision research in that time.

The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) and Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) partner annually to provide a grant aimed at supporting women and under-represented racial and ethnic minority researchers in the pursuit of glaucoma research.

The TGF (sponsored by Patricia Hill) / RPB Fellowships in Glaucoma provide one-year $10,000 fellowships focused on substantive glaucoma research, including investigation into the etiology, diagnosis and/or treatment of glaucoma, to current ophthalmology fellows with an MD, MD/PhD, PhD or other relevant degree.

The Ryder Sroufe Memorial Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation of Whitley County in 2025, honors the legacy of Ryder Carl Sroufe. This scholarship supports young individuals who embody enthusiasm, humility, and compassion, reflecting Ryder's spirit of kindness and service. It aims to empower the next generation of leaders and helpers, ensuring that Ryder's values of hard work and community commitment continue to thrive. Eligible students are recognized for their efforts to strengthen their communities.

The Universal Application for Adults offers a simplified way for adult students in Elkhart County to apply for six different scholarships with one application. This initiative by the Community Foundation aims to support those pursuing further education, whether returning to school or changing careers. Eligible applicants must have a high school diploma and plan to attend an accredited institution. This program streamlines the scholarship process, making it easier for dedicated learners to access funding opportunities.

The Samuel R. and Anna Barone Scholarship, established by the Erie County Community Foundation, supports Erie County, Ohio graduating seniors who are first-generation college-bound students. This scholarship aims to assist students demonstrating financial need and academic achievement, with a requirement of a minimum 3.0 GPA. Since 1995, the foundation has been committed to empowering local youth and enhancing community quality of life through education.

Access Advocate for Clinical Research Participation

Objective:

This program will support implementation and evaluation of a Parkinson’s disease (PD) focused Access Advocate model designed to increase inclusive research participation. Funding will support Access Advocates at clinical sites to build practical, relationship based pathways to improving representative research enrollment and retention.

Funding Details:

• Duration: 24 months 
• Award Amount: $200,000 

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and its inclusive recruitment strategy has examined what barriers and motivators shape participation (e.g., FIRE-UP PD study3) as well as funded sites to pilot tactics that address those barriers (e.g., Black & African American Connections to Parkinson’s Disease study4). Now we aim to scale and validate approaches that show early promise by investing more deeply and measuring impact across settings.

This program will fund advocates at clinical sites to build practical, relationship-based pathways to improving representative research enrollment and retention. These support staff will help patients and care partners navigate health system complexity and everyday needs that often determine whether research participation is feasible. They will help address barriers such as transportation, caregiving responsibilities, language needs, and insurance and financial strains by connecting people to resources, coordinating logistics and providing consistent follow-up. These advocates also should discuss research participation opportunities with patients and connect them to recruiting studies.

The model is grounded in the idea that research participation is more feasible when (i) foundational practical needs are addressed first and (ii) raised by a trusted health care partner. By helping to reduce practical barriers, advocates are expected to increase screenings, enrollment conversion and retention across key trial milestones.

This program will test these hypotheses and further establish training, infrastructure needs and sustainability of such positions.

Program Goal

This program aims to:

• Support establishment of site-based Access Advocates to support potential participants and care partners across multiple active or planned PD studies.
• Evaluate needs and opportunities for onboarding and ongoing training for advocates in PD and clinical research fundamentals as well as site and local resources.
• Recommend repeatable workflows for identifying prospective participants, assessing barriers, connecting them to resources, coordinating logistics and supporting follow-up.
• Collect and report a core set of evaluation metrics across sites (reach, encounters, referrals, screened, enrolled, retained), including barrier tracking and resolution.
• Evaluate the impact of Access Advocates in recruiting and retaining underrepresented community individuals to/in Parkinson’s studies.
• Evaluate the impact of Access Advocates on “health system value” indicators (e.g., appointment adherence/show rates, medication access/adherence proxies) that could support funding sustainability from other sources.
• Establish a cross-site learning community that enables funded sites to share lessons, refine the Access Advocate model and inform broader adoption beyond the funding period.

Jazz Road Tours Grants provide financial support for emerging and mid-career jazz artists to develop tours across communities in the U.S. Grants up to $15,000 facilitate three-to-six site tours, focusing on underserved areas. This program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, aims to enhance artists' income opportunities while promoting jazz in diverse venues. Applications are encouraged from individual artists, with deadlines throughout 2024 and 2025 for various tour periods.

The Madeleine Chapter 204, Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Erie County, Ohio high schools, emphasizing financial need and community service. With a minimum GPA of 3.0, this scholarship can be renewed for up to three additional years, subject to the Scholarship Advisory Committee's discretion. Preference is given to applicants from Vermilion High School, fostering local talent and community engagement.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

George Byelich Student Athletic Scholarship Fund

Participation in and enjoyment of sports and athletics were a big part of George's life. Growing up in Lansing, Michigan as the fifth child in a family of eight of immigrant parents, George somehow managed to learn how to play golf at an early age. Golf and the friendships he made in the sport were a very important and enjoyable part of his life. George also ran on the Track and Cross country teams at Lansing Eastern High School and ran Cross Country at Michigan State University. The Lakeview School District, its students and staff were also a very important part of George's life. By living across the street from Lakeview High School, having two sons graduate from there and by participating in many school-related activities over the course of thirty years, George made many cherished friends and acquaintances with the students, staff and coaches. Through his efforts over twenty years as a volunteer timer and referee for LHS, Kellogg Community College and Battle Creek Swim Club swim meets, George got to know several generations of swimmers and their families. George also volunteered as a timer for Cross Country meets, and for a number of years was a volunteer assistant tot he Boys' and Girls' Golf Teams. In these and other sports, George especially enjoyed seeing the development and progression of the athletes, both in sports and as individuals. As sports and athletics were so important to his development and enjoyment, George was always glad to see a child's interest in any type of sport of physical activity and did his best to encourage it. Accordingly, his family is very appreciative and proud that this Fund has been established in recognition of George, and may in some way assist in the growth and development of students through their participation in sports or athletics. 

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers Postdoctoral Fellowships to support innovative research aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis. These fellowships are designed for promising researchers holding advanced degrees, providing funding for training that enhances their ability to conduct impactful studies. The Society prioritizes applications that align with high-priority research questions outlined in its Pathways to Cures Roadmap, emphasizing the importance of diverse methodologies and engagement with underserved populations.

The George W. Mallinckrodt Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School supports MC/MPA students who demonstrate courage, vision, and a strong commitment to ethics and good governance. This fellowship is aimed at individuals who aspire to improve public policy and leadership, contributing to a just and sustainable society. It is based on merit and financial need, without discrimination based on citizenship or other protected classifications. Applications are accepted after admission applications are submitted.

The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, established in 1988, supports photography programs at museums and public institutions. It promotes photography's recognition alongside other art forms and contributes to HIV/AIDS medical research. Notably, it has funded major galleries and initiatives, donating significant collections to renowned museums. The Foundation aids curators in developing photography exhibitions and provides financial support for acquisitions, exhibitions, and publications, ensuring Mapplethorpe's artistic legacy endures.

The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) offers Donor Designated Grant Programs aimed at funding innovative projects addressing childhood cancer. These grants support researchers dedicated to finding cures, enhancing treatment, and improving care. With an annual commitment to extraordinary researchers, PCRF ensures funds are directed towards promising advances in prevention and treatment. Since 1982, PCRF has raised over $51 million, significantly impacting survival rates and striving to eliminate childhood cancer through collaborative efforts and cutting-edge research.

The Mystery Donor Vocational Scholarship Fund, managed by the Decatur County Community Foundation, supports local students accepted into vocational schools. This scholarship aims to assist those pursuing hands-on careers through skill development in various institutions or apprenticeship programs. By easing financial burdens, it encourages students to gain practical experience and contribute to their communities, fostering a skilled workforce for the future.

The E. Wayne Baumgartle Agricultural Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Decatur County Community Foundation, aims to support students from Decatur County, Indiana, pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture. This scholarship seeks to alleviate the financial burden of educational expenses for deserving candidates. Interested students are encouraged to reach out to the local FFA instructor for more information. This initiative reflects the foundation's commitment to fostering community growth through educational opportunities.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative provides funding to support states and localities in combating violent crime and overdose deaths. This initiative aims to enhance prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies for children, youth, and families impacted by substance use disorders. Collaboration among law enforcement, educational institutions, and community organizations is essential to effectively address the needs of at-risk populations and those already involved in the child welfare and justice systems.