Best Grants for Community Centers in Arkansas

The Outdoor Fund - Local Impact Grant supports local organizations and projects that enhance community engagement and align with conservation goals. With grants up to $5,000, eligible projects include youth fishing clinics and trail maintenance. Funded by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, this initiative exemplifies their commitment to wildlife conservation and connecting communities to the outdoors. Eligible applicants include municipalities and registered nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada, focusing on specific conservation efforts.

The Combined Pilot Research Grants from the Plastic Surgery Foundation and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons aim to promote innovative research in maxillofacial surgery. With funding of up to $15,000 for one-year pilot projects, this initiative supports the preliminary phases of research, fostering the development of surgeon scientists and enhancing scientific knowledge in the field. Eligible applicants include MDs, DOs, or PhDs holding full-time positions in U.S. or Canadian institutions.

The 9.11 Promise Run Scholarships provide financial support to children of first responders and military personnel who have been killed or injured. Established in 2019, these scholarships range from $5,000 to $15,000 and can be applied toward trade school or college tuition. Eligible applicants must be under 25 years old and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Awards are issued directly to accredited institutions and can be renewed for up to six years, ensuring continued support for eligible students.

The ROSES 2025 program is focused on enhancing the scientific and technical readiness of key Decadal Survey investigations in heliophysics, specifically 'Links' and 'Solar Polar'. It aims to support research that aligns with the 2024 Heliophysics Decadal Survey's goals by identifying completable science objectives. Proposals should include innovative mission architecture and science objectives, while leveraging existing capabilities of heliophysics missions, without soliciting specifications for observations or instrumentation.

Sam A. Mills Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be a graduate of a Henderson County public high school who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in an accredited school on a full-time basis. The applicant must demonstrate financial need and show scholastic achievement and good citizenship.

Amount

• $1000

Morgan Hasbrouck 4-H Scholarship Fund

Established in memory of Morgan Hasbrouck, who was an active member of the Summit Sizzlers 4-H Livestock Club, to provide scholarships for active or former 4-H members.

Amount:

• Varies

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• Must reapply annually by submission of a new application.

About Community Foundation of Henderson County

• Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.
• Vision: Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

Haddy Harrington Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is to provide financial assistance for students who have demonstrated a passionate desire for advanced education in art or writing. Applicant must be a graduate of a Henderson County high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

This is a renewable scholarship.

Wilburn Clary Medal

The Clary Medal, made possible through the generosity of the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, recognizes outstanding high school student-athletes annually in memory of Wilburn C. Clary.

Consideration given to the following criteria:

• Applicant must demonstrate excellence in athletic participation through awards, honors, and special recognitions.
• Applicant must demonstrate success in other, non-sport, extra-curricular activities.
• Applicant must demonstrate active involvement within their community through volunteer service programs, scouts, or other similar activities.
• Applicant must demonstrate a desire to excel in all areas of life - athletics, education, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, honesty and integrity.

Awards

• 2, $3000

The Combined Pilot Research Grants by the AAPPS and PSF aim to promote innovative research in pediatric plastic surgery and hand surgery. With funding up to $15,000 for one-year pilot projects, these grants support the development of surgeon scientists and encourage applications that will enhance the scientific understanding and improve care for children with deformities requiring reconstructive surgery. This initiative fosters collaboration among various subspecialty organizations dedicated to advancing surgical research.

Medina Sunrise Rotary Fund

Established by Medina Sunrise Rotary Club to provide scholarships for Medina County seniors.

Amount: Varies

• $1,000-$2,000

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

Jerry McGee Endowed Scholarship

The Jerry McGee Endowed Scholarship was created in honor of Jerry McGee for his 24+ years of service as executive director of the North Carolina Athletic Directors' Association (NCADA). This award is unique in that it honors student-athletes who have distinguished themselves by overcoming adversity and returning to excel beyond expectations in their respective scholastic athletic sport(s).

Recipients of the Jerry McGee Endowed Scholarship will be eligible to apply for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Scholarship (NIAAA) provided each meets the criteria set forth by the NIAAA. NIAAA scholarship applications are due by May 1 to the NIAAA.

Awards

• 2, $3000

Coming Together Diversity Scholarship Fund

Established by Coming Together, an organization created in 1993 to promote racial harmony and cultural awareness in our community, to provide scholarships for students in Akron Public Schools.

Amount:

• $1,200

Number of awards:

• 1

Renewal:

• No

Charlie Adams Endowed Scholarship

First awarded in 2010, this scholarship honors the late former Executive Director of the Association, Charlie Adams, who was the fifth Executive Director of the NCHSAA and served from 1984 until 2010. The female award is given in honor of his daughter, Michelle, who participated in cross country at Chapel Hill on the 1984 State Championship team. The male award is given in memory of his son, C. Scott Adams, who was the first wrestler at Chapel Hill to compete in the State Wrestling Championships.

Funding sources for this scholarship include donations from individuals and athletic organizations (private donations) and interest earnings. This scholarship is awarded to one female, senior varsity cross-country athlete and one male, senior varsity wrestler at an NCHSAA member high school. Each recipient currently receives a one-time scholarship towards continuing their education.

Award presentation: NCHSAA Annual Awards Celebration, Piedmont Hall/Greensboro; June 2026 (date TBD)

Awards

• 4, $2500

The Schlumberger Foundation's Faculty for the Future Grant Program aims to empower women from developing countries to pursue advanced STEM research abroad. By providing fellowships of up to $50,000 for PhD candidates and $40,000 for postdoctoral researchers, the program supports women's education and encourages their return to home countries to advance local STEM fields. Since 2004, it has awarded 863 fellowships, fostering gender equality in STEM and enhancing community development through increased female participation in scientific careers.

Pat Gainey Student Scholarship Award

In 2006/07, through support from the Shoen Family Foundation, the Pat Gainey Student-Athlete Scholarship Award was established to recognize "Athletic Achievement and Strength of Character" annually and provide financial support for two student-athletes with a major focus on need-based applicants.

Pat Gainey, a Dunn, NC native and proponent of women's athletics, showcased a phenomenal record in women's basketball. His overall women's basketball record at Pamlico was an incredible 93-6. He then moved to Taylorsville where he coached from 1955-1964. His women's basketball teams collectively won five Western North Carolina High School Activities Association titles and at one point, recorded 54 consecutive wins and 140 straight conference victories. His overall women's basketball mark was 358-57.

Under Pat's tutelage, the Pamlico baseball teams captured 4 Seashore Conference Championships and compiled an overall record of 67-7 including 24 straight conference wins. Pat Gainey always had a great knowledge of baseball and spent the summer months scouting professional baseball prospects. Pat scouted a combined 18 years for the New York Giants and Chicago White Sox.

Award presentation: NCHSAA Annual Awards Celebration, Piedmont Hall/Greensboro; June 2026 (date TBD)

Awards

• 2, $5000

Jim Chenot Attitude for Gratitude Scholarship Fund

Established as a tribute to the late Jim Chenot, former WAPS-FM "Summit" on-air personality and business underwriting sales representative who passed away in 2016, to provide scholarships for Akron Public Schools seniors with a focus on raising awareness for those who have overcome obstacles that may have prevented them from fully realizing their healthy potential. Applicants are asked to share their stories of well-being and gratitude through essays, poetry, songs, podcasts or video.

Amount:

• Varies ($500-$1,000)

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

MetroWest Health Foundation

The MetroWest Health Foundation is an independent health philanthropy whose mission is to improve the health status of the community, its individuals, and families through informed and innovative leadership.

The foundation meets the health needs of our region's residents by supporting community-based and community driven programs. We encourage and foster leadership on critical health issues. We are a grantmaker, convener and facilitator, working to provide resources, information, ideas and advocacy for community change. Since its inception in 1999, the foundation has provided more than $50 million in financial support that helps residents and their families lead healthier lives.

MetroWest Health Foundation: Medical/Clinical Scholarship

Scholarships are provided to students who are residents of one of the 25 towns in our MetroWest service area. Students must be accepted into an eligible medical, or clinical program at an accredited academic institution.

Tuition scholarships are awarded for a maximum of up to $4,000 per academic year. Students can receive a maximum of 4 scholarships. Applicants are eligible to reapply on an annual basis.

The PSN Labs Scholarship, awarded by the Erie Community Foundation, supports seniors from Erie County schools who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are accepted into accredited four-year colleges. In 2023, the foundation allocated over $800,000 in scholarships to more than 500 students, helping them pursue their educational goals. This need-based scholarship aims to alleviate financial burdens and promote higher education among deserving students.

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.

The CoreCivic Foundation Grant aims to support nonprofit organizations that help former offenders, victims of crime, and underserved youth. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charities with a commitment to measurable outcomes. Preference is given to those with a history of collaboration with CoreCivic and those operating in Tennessee. This grant provides essential resources to enhance the quality of services delivered to these vulnerable populations, fostering rehabilitation and community support.

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 Rotary Club of Milwaukee Scholarship provides financial support and mentorship to high school seniors in Milwaukee pursuing higher education. This program, which has been active for over 110 years, aims to invest in the next generation of community leaders. Recipients not only receive financial aid but also engage in educational programming and are paired with mentors for guidance throughout their college journey, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed.

The Bauer Trust Fund Grant supports charitable organizations benefiting blind or handicapped persons. Established by Anthony F. Bauer, it aims to provide lasting support for those in need. To be eligible, organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and primarily operate in Connecticut. The fund does not support general operating costs, endowments, individuals, or political activities. This initiative reflects Mr. Bauer's legacy of generosity and commitment to aiding vulnerable communities.

Clarinet Scholarship & Education Program

The Clarinet Scholarship & Education Program seeks to honor Renna Clarinet Thornton’s philosophy and enthusiasm for education.

After graduating from Coppin State College with her degree in special education in 1972, Renna started her 40-year teaching journey with Baltimore City Public Schools as a science teacher and special educator.

Through the Clarinet Program, the Claude C. Thornton Foundation offers workforce development training, a $1,000 scholarship to collegiate students, as well as parent coaching 1:1s and workshops.

Mission

The Clarinet Scholarship provides awardees with unrestricted monetary and mentorship support to empower minority students through their academic journey, ultimately promoting exceptional achievement. The Clarinet Scholarship also serves to encourage awardees to continue utilizing inquiry-based strategies to gain the academics and skills needed to be victorious and productive within the community.

The Douglas & Deborah Murphy Scholarship, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Erie High School who aspire to continue their education or training. To be eligible, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. In 2023, the foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to more than 500 students, helping them pursue diverse career paths beyond high school.

The Gary & Helen Howell Family Scholarship Fund, established by the Erie Community Foundation, offers financial support to high school seniors from local schools such as McDowell and Cathedral Prep who demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In 2023, the foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to more than 500 students pursuing post-secondary education, showcasing its commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the community.

The Judith A. Dormann “Good Apple” Scholarship, awarded by the Erie Community Foundation, aims to support students who may not consider post-secondary education. With over $800,000 allocated to scholarships in 2023, this initiative seeks to recognize hard-working individuals demonstrating strong personal initiative and a commendable work ethic. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, ensuring that the scholarship reaches those who are committed to their educational goals.