Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Arizona

The Lemelson Foundation Grant supports initiatives in invention education and entrepreneurship, aiming to empower young inventors and foster innovation. With over $300 million provided since its inception, the Foundation focuses on strengthening ecosystems for invention in the U.S. and developing countries. Organizations interested in aligning with their mission are encouraged to take an eligibility quiz and submit inquiries through their contact form. This commitment is crucial for driving impactful solutions to global challenges.

Sports Matter Mission

We believe that sports change lives. In addition to physical and mental health benefits, sports have the power to change our perspectives, our character and our communities for the better. This core belief has guided DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation since the beginning – but not everyone has the same access to play. Through grants and other support, The DICK’S Foundation Sports Matter Program helps under-resourced 501c3 organizations, schools and community teams across all 50 states provide opportunities for youth to play sports.

Why It Counts

• Low-Income Kids Play at Half the Rate of Wealthier Peers
• Participation in Team Sports has Declined 4% Since 2017
• One in Three Kids Can't Participate in the Sports They Want 
• Number of Kids Playing Multiple Sports Has Declined

Sports Matter Program

We Believe Every Kid Deserves a Chance to Play

The Sports Matter Program focuses on supporting youth sports in under-resourced communities.

All grant applications are made subject to review of the applying organization’s reputation and activities, and its agreement to comply with applicable terms and conditions. 

The Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program offers funding up to $1,000 for Title I schools in the U.S. to enhance student engagement with parks and public lands. This initiative encourages hands-on learning experiences through outdoor activities and stewardship projects, promoting environmental education and healthy lifestyles. Eligible classrooms can apply, emphasizing student involvement in the application process. The program aims to empower students and teachers to foster a deeper connection with nature and their communities.

About American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF)The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) promotes firsthand exchange of intellectual and creative influence between the United States and the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. ASF offers fellowships, cultural grants, internships/training, publications, exhibitions and other public programs reinforcing the strong relationships between the two regions, honoring their shared values, and appreciating their differences.ASF Public Projects GrantThe American-Scandinavian Foundation promotes the cultures of the Nordic countries in the United States and American culture in the Nordic countries by encouraging programs that will enhance public appreciation of culture, art, and thought. In establishing priorities, the Foundation considers the lasting benefits that may be achieved by any grant and favors projects where its contribution will complement support from other sources. 

About the Hertz Foundation

Empowering the Nation’s Most EXCEPTIONAL Innovators

The Hertz Foundation identifies and empowers the nation’s most exceptional innovators in science and technology, fueling a lifelong community dedicated to solving our most pressing problems.

Hertz Community

Awards & Recognition

We’ve established several awards to recognize and support Hertz community members who are accelerating solutions to significant real-world challenges, either through their individual careers or volunteering to strengthen the Hertz Foundation’s work. In addition to providing financial and professional support at a critical time, we also hope to generate more awareness within the Hertz community and inspire collaborations that build on the momentum.

Newman-Galas Entrepreneurial Initiative

The Harold Newman and David Galas Entrepreneurial Initiative provides financial and professional support to Hertz Fellows who propose the most innovative entrepreneurial projects, with particular emphasis on collaboration among fellows. Awardees receive investments up to $25,000 to fund their work and receive mentoring from successful entrepreneurs within the fellows community.

Fueling Entrepreneurs

The initiative was established by honorary Hertz Fellow Harold Newman, a former member of our board of directors and a long-time supporter of and generous donor to the foundation. Newman changed the name to the Harold Newman and David Galas Entrepreneurial Initiative in honor of David Galas, a Hertz Fellow and chairman of the board. Through Newman’s substantial endowment, this award has helped enterprising fellows co-found 11 companies and develop new technologies with real-world impact.

The funds are provided with no strings attached, only the expectation that project leaders will be motivated to share their success with the foundation.

The Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts Grant Program, sponsored by the Teagle Foundation and Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, aims to enhance transfer opportunities between community colleges and private four-year liberal arts institutions. With grants up to $350,000, this initiative supports partnerships that promote timely degree completion for underrepresented students, fostering diversity and enriching academic environments. The program addresses transfer challenges, ensuring alignment in curricula and maximizing credit transferability to facilitate successful transitions to higher education.

The Gerber Foundation offers grants for pediatric research focusing on environmental hazards that affect infants and young children. The foundation seeks projects that provide innovative solutions to health and nutritional challenges faced by this vulnerable population. Grant applications are encouraged from organizations recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3), with an emphasis on research that produces new information to improve practices in infant care and development.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Grants for Educators & Theatre Programs

A core piece of the Educational Theatre Foundation’s work is supporting theatre educators and theatre programs directly. We do this through a series of production and educator grants available to both members of EdTA as well as non-members.

EdTA Membership Grant

Theatre matters.

It belongs in our classrooms and communities – now more than ever. Yet the role of the theatre educator has become increasingly complex, and financial support is often uncertain or even eliminated.

To help meet this moment, the Educational Theatre Foundation is proud to introduce the EdTA Membership Grant.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Educator & Program Grants

Giving school theatre programs a boost

The Thespian Growth & Excellence Fund is committed to supporting the ongoing development of theatre programs and the pursuit of excellence for educators, students, schools, and communities by offering a number of grants that assist in EdTA membership, teacher support, and programmatic resources for theatre in schools.

By the end of 2024, the Thespian Growth and Excellence Fund has awarded 349 grants to 276 schools, totaling $286,167 in assistance provided to school theatre programs, many at schools with Title 1 designations.

Educator Support ($500)

Can be used for professional development for theatre educators that would benefit their students, including coursework, EdTA’s Theatre Education Conference registration fees, and related travel expenses.

The NASN Research Grants, established by the National Association of School Nurses, aim to promote research on school nursing and the health of school-aged children. These grants support innovative projects led by school nurses who are NASN members. The program emphasizes the importance of quality school nursing practice, encouraging applications that adhere to specified guidelines and focus on future research initiatives. With a rich history of funding impactful studies, NASN continues to advance healthcare delivery in educational settings.

About us

SIR Foundation is a scientific foundation dedicated to fostering research in interventional radiology for the purposes of advancing scientific knowledge, increasing the number of skilled investigators, and developing innovative therapies that lead to improved patient care and quality of life. The foundation is committed to fostering the development and enhancement of innovative, minimally invasive, image-guided therapies from inception to mature clinical application and to conduct educational programs in the service of its mission.

Resident Research Award

Provides residents and fellows an opportunity to attend and present their scientific research at the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting. The intent is to expose young researchers who wish to further their careers in interventional radiology.

Award

Up to two recipients will receive complimentary registration and a travel stipend of $1,000.

About us

SIR Foundation is a scientific foundation dedicated to fostering research in interventional radiology for the purposes of advancing scientific knowledge, increasing the number of skilled investigators, and developing innovative therapies that lead to improved patient care and quality of life. The foundation is committed to fostering the development and enhancement of innovative, minimally invasive, image-guided therapies from inception to mature clinical application and to conduct educational programs in the service of its mission.

Research Scientist Award

Recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of PhD scientists and engineers at all levels of training for their basic and preclinical research on the topic of interventional radiology.

Award

Up to two recipients will receive complimentary registration and a travel stipend of $1,000.

About us

SIR Foundation is a scientific foundation dedicated to fostering research in interventional radiology for the purposes of advancing scientific knowledge, increasing the number of skilled investigators, and developing innovative therapies that lead to improved patient care and quality of life. The foundation is committed to fostering the development and enhancement of innovative, minimally invasive, image-guided therapies from inception to mature clinical application and to conduct educational programs in the service of its mission.

Dr. Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award

Promotes excellence in academic research for members early in their careers. This award honors the founding editor of the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) and recognizes the importance of the young investigator in developing interventional solutions for the future.

About

In 1990, SIR Foundation established the Dr. Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award as a way to recognize promising young practitioners of interventional radiology early in their careers and encourage their pursuit of academic careers. Each year, the author of the most outstanding clinical science research paper submitted receives this distinguished award.

Award

$3,000 honorarium along with complimentary registration to the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting.

The award will be presented during the SIR Foundation Awards Ceremony at the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting.

About us

SIR Foundation is a scientific foundation dedicated to fostering research in interventional radiology for the purposes of advancing scientific knowledge, increasing the number of skilled investigators, and developing innovative therapies that lead to improved patient care and quality of life. The foundation is committed to fostering the development and enhancement of innovative, minimally invasive, image-guided therapies from inception to mature clinical application and to conduct educational programs in the service of its mission.

Dr. Constantin Cope Medical Student Research Award

Introduces interested medical students to the greater interventional radiology community at the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting. Recognizes the student author of an accepted abstract that best honors the spirit of inventiveness and scientific purity.

Award

Up to two recipients will receive complimentary registration and a travel award of up to $1,000.

The APA Foundation's Helping Hands Grants provide up to $5,000 to medical schools for projects aimed at improving mental health education and assistance in under-served communities. Initiated in 2005, this program empowers medical students to lead initiatives that promote awareness of mental illness and encourage community service, particularly among minority populations. By partnering with community agencies, these projects foster a deeper interest in psychiatry while addressing critical mental health needs.

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) fosters a dynamic research environment that enriches cadet education, enhances faculty development, and supports Air Force mission capabilities. By engaging cadets in hands-on research alongside faculty, USAFA cultivates critical thinking and innovation. Additionally, the program addresses vital topics like hypersonics and cybersecurity, while fostering partnerships with industry to stimulate broader technological advancements. This initiative not only benefits cadets and faculty but also serves the public interest.

The NIH Stroke Clinical Trials Network (StrokeNet) aims to enhance stroke treatment through regional clinical enrollment coordinating centers (RCCs). Supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), this initiative promotes collaboration for clinical trials that focus on acute stroke treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation. While applications are not currently being solicited, this notice serves to prepare potential applicants for future opportunities in advancing stroke care.

The Medical Student Research Supplement Award by the Dermatology Foundation supports medical students' research in dermatology, encouraging diversity and inclusion. This award offers $5,000 for direct research expenses, fostering the involvement of full-time students from underrepresented backgrounds. Eligible applicants must be current or former DF career development awardees and must recruit medical students pursuing MD or DO degrees who meet specific academic criteria. The award enhances research participation and strengthens the academic workforce in dermatology.

The Cushing Scholarship was created in 2014. According to Marsha, “We are not as interested in a student’s financial status as we are on how they look at life.”

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Rocco Nicolosi Memorial ScholarshipIndividuals selected for the Nicolosi Scholarship must have attended a high school located in Marion County throughout his or her entire high school experience and have ranked in the upper 25th percentile of his or her high school senior class.To preserve Rocco’s memory and discourage future tragedies, applicants must write an essay on the topic of “Why Young People in Marion Need to be Drug, Alcohol, and Substance Free.”

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Quintin & Alice Linn ScholarshipThe Linn Fund is a scholarship, created in 2022, to support Marion County students pursing degrees and careers in economics, finance, mathematics, and statistics.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Cornell Goodman Scholarship

Adam and Gina Goodman created this scholarship fund in 2011 to honor the memory of Adam’s grandfathers Maurice V. Cornell and Bertram Goodman, longtime residents of the Marion area.

Maurice (1912-2001) was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School and The Ohio State University. He held membership in Lombda Chi Alpha fraternity, Elks Lodge #32, 32nd degree Mason, Rotary, First Presbyterian Church, the Marion Country Club, and Symposiarchs. He served in the US Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He was vice president of Marion Power Shovel for eight years and retired as the regional manager of Bucyrus-Erie Co. after 10 years.

Bertram (1921-2003) was an orthodontist in Marion from 1946-1980. He was a US Navy veteran who served in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Marion Lions Club and Temple Israel.

The scholarship supports students who have attended a high school in Marion County. The fund gives special consideration to students pursuing a college degree in a business-oriented field, such as accounting, economics, finance, or marketing. Recipients must rank in the upper 25th percentile of their high school graduating class, or, if in college, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. McBride Family Scholarship

Created in memory of the late Doris Elaine McBride (1928-2022), the McBride Family Scholarship Fund was created by Russ & Marilyn McBride in 2023.  Applicant should have attended any Marion County high school and will major in education, medicine, or health care.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Max Ross Memorial ScholarshipThe Max Ross Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2018, shortly after his passing, by his family to support Marion students pursuing degrees in the field of education. Max was well known in Marion, having served as Marion County Sheriff, educator, businessman, and coach.