Best Benton County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

The Bettye Smith Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund honors a dedicated advocate for education, offering two $10,000 scholarships annually to high school seniors in Warren County, MS. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens with strong academic records and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship celebrates the legacy of Ms. Brown, who inspired many to pursue their educational dreams, ensuring her commitment to academic excellence continues to impact future generations.

The Congressional Science Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for Ph.D. holders to work at the intersection of science and government in Washington D.C. This prestigious fellowship, sponsored by ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, allows participants to apply their expertise as special assistants to Congress members. The fellowship begins in September 2025 and concludes in August 2026, providing an annual stipend and relocation expenses. Ideal for early to mid-career scientists, it encourages the use of scientific knowledge in public policy.

Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship

The Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship (supported by the George W. Bush Foundation) provides one or more annual scholarships for up to $10,000 to lawful permanent residents of the United States, U.S. citizens or refugees who were born in North Korea pursuing an educational program in the United States or its possessions. North Korean-born individuals pursuing a degree in accredited colleges and universities in the United States with South Korean citizenship are eligible to apply.

This scholarship may be renewed on an annual basis by completing the scholarship application in full. Renewal applications will be reviewed alongside first-time applicants.

The Remote Biomarker Measurements in Microphysiological Systems Grant seeks innovative proposals to enhance remote biomarker analysis technologies for microphysiological systems, crucial for deep space missions. It prioritizes non-invasive, adaptable methods that allow for continuous monitoring of biomarkers without sample return. This initiative aims to advance personalized healthcare and biological research, addressing astronaut health in challenging environments. Eligible entities include U.S. institutions and collaborations with foreign entities under specific conditions.

The Lady Suzanna P. Tweed Scholarship, administered by the Coral Gables Community Foundation, honors Lady Tweed's legacy of supporting education and volunteerism. Aimed at students from Coral Gables Senior High, it requires excellence in academics and community involvement. Awards are based on financial need and can be one-year or renewable. Over $2.9 million in scholarships have been granted in the past decade, helping deserving students further their education at various institutions.

The Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy Technologies (Scaleup) Ready initiative by ARPA-E invites applications for funding to advance transformative energy technologies. This program supports innovative projects that demonstrate potential for significant market disruption and emphasizes rigorous project management and technology risk mitigation. Eligible organizations must have inventions conceived during an ARPA-E award, reported in the iEdison system, and hold relevant U.S. patent applications. For further details, visit ARPA-E's website.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, offer over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students this year. These scholarships are primarily for individuals with ties to the tree fruit industry in Washington, with a special focus on the Danna Gebbers Guzman Memorial Scholarship, aimed at nursing students. Eligible recipients can use the funds at accredited institutions with nursing programs.

The Gilead Research Scholars Program focuses on innovative research in areas of unmet medical need, including Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). Designed for early-stage investigators, it offers up to $180,000 in funding over two years to support projects addressing health inequities. The program prioritizes applicants from underrepresented groups and fosters diversity to enhance scientific progress. Successful candidates must demonstrate a commitment to research and have a mentor experienced in PBC.

The AbbVie Foundation Health Equity Accelerator seeks innovative solutions to enhance healthcare access for underserved communities. This program empowers nonprofit organizations by providing mentorship, resources, and financial support, including a $10,000 stipend for participants and a $50,000 grant for the best solution. By fostering community-led initiatives, the accelerator aims to address health disparities and improve the quality of care through tailored, grassroots approaches. Applications are encouraged from organizations rethinking care delivery models.

The Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program, administered by the Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, offers a competitive scholarship of $3,000 annually for up to four years for undergraduate studies. This initiative recognizes exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements among high school students. Scholarships are available to those attending accredited colleges or universities in the U.S. or Canada, though children of Cleveland-Cliffs officers are ineligible. The program aims to enhance educational opportunities and support community growth.

The NIDCR Drug, Biologic, Device and/or Procedure Intervention Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3) is designed to support clinical trial planning and implementation for dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions. This funding opportunity encourages applications that propose innovative research strategies within the NIDCR mission. Key deadlines span from February 2025 to January 2028, with emphasis on milestone-driven planning phases leading into possible clinical trial phases.

The Livable Communities Development Grants, funded by the Metropolitan Council, aim to enhance housing and job opportunities in Minneapolis. The City will accept sponsorship applications starting in December, requiring a $750 application fee. Up to eight projects may be recommended for funding in the 2026 program year, with a focus on readiness and alignment with city plans. Grant funds will be available only after the Metropolitan Council's approval and can reimburse developers for eligible costs.

The Rita Allen Foundation: Scholars Award in Pain supports early-career researchers in basic pain science. Established in 2009, it offers grants of $150,000 over three years to those investigating innovative pain mechanisms and analgesic development. Eligible candidates should be in the early stages of their faculty careers, demonstrating exceptional promise and a commitment to pain research. This award aims to enhance understanding and treatment of chronic pain, fostering impactful scientific advancements.

The Ken W. Davis Foundation Grant provides essential funding to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that align with the Foundation's mission of promoting basic human needs and education in line with Constitutional freedoms. With a minimum grant size of $2,500, the Foundation focuses on supporting human service organizations in Tarrant County, Texas, and the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, while also offering national support for grants related to Constitutional freedoms.

The ACTA Apprenticeship Program has been supporting California's cultural traditions for nearly 25 years by providing $5,000 contracts to mentor artists for intensive training of eligible apprentices. This program fosters the continuity of traditional arts through one-on-one mentorship, culminating in public presentations and documentation of the learning process. Eligible applicants must submit a collaborative application, demonstrating commitment and quality in their respective art forms. This initiative not only preserves cultural practices but also enhances community engagement.

The Igor Gorin Memorial Award, established in 1993 by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, honors the legacy of Igor Gorin by supporting aspiring vocalists. With $382,000 awarded to 49 young talents, this fund provides unrestricted financial assistance for coaching, travel, and auditions. The 2026 award offers up to $12,000, aimed at those overcoming financial barriers to pursue operatic careers, ensuring that exceptional vocalists can thrive in their artistic journeys.

Community Collaboration Challenge

Applications for the 2026 Community Collaboration Challenge are now open! With support from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, the Challenge provides $5,000 – $10,000 awards to communities and is designed to support collaboration that expands and pilots evidence-based K-12 student supports in the form of high-impact tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and/or wraparound/integrated student supports.

The Smart Family Fund is a private foundation dedicated to supporting early-stage non-profits that demonstrate the potential for scalable, positive impact. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, they aim to assist organizations in refining their models and preparing for larger investments. The foundation, guided by three brothers, focuses on mentoring and backing social entrepreneurs facing challenges in securing funding for innovative yet untested ideas, fostering a brighter future for communities.

The Rona Jaffe Foundation Fellowship supports emerging women writers with a fully funded 7-month residency at the Fine Arts Work Center. Established by the Rona Jaffe Foundation, it includes a $2,500 prize to assist with travel and living expenses. Eligible candidates must be U.S. residents, at least 18 years old, and not enrolled in a degree program during the fellowship year. This prestigious fellowship aims to nurture exceptional literary talent.

This funding opportunity invites renewal applications for existing NINDS-supported clinical trial cooperative agreements (U01) that require additional time and resources. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) expects applicants to request only what is necessary for trial completion, without introducing new aims. Discussions with NINDS prior to submission are encouraged. Eligible applications must be renewals of previously approved cooperative agreements under specified NIH funding announcements.

This funding opportunity invites applications for pilot projects focused on understudied proteins linked to rare diseases. The goal is to generate preliminary data and tools related to these proteins, which belong to druggable families with known rare disease associations. By supporting innovative research, this initiative aims to facilitate the characterization of these proteins, ultimately contributing to advancements in understanding and treating rare diseases.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) aims to advance the identification and evaluation of candidate biomarkers for neurological and neuromuscular disorders. By facilitating the clinical development of neurotherapeutics, the FOA encourages research that includes both animal studies and preliminary human evaluations. The ultimate goal is to produce biomarkers ready for rigorous analytical and clinical validation, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments in clinical practice.

The Limited Competition: Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program offers funding to NIH-supported researchers for purchasing specialized instruments or integrated systems, with minimum awards of $25,000 and maximum awards reaching $350,000. Eligibility is restricted to institutions that have not received significant S10 funding in recent years. This program aims to enhance research capabilities by providing access to essential technology, thereby fostering scientific innovation and collaboration within the NIH community.

The Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program supports NIH-funded investigators in acquiring high-cost, specialized instruments, with a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum of $750,000. Eligible instruments include light microscopes, mass spectrometers, and DNA sequencers, among others. This program aims to enhance research capabilities by enabling the purchase or upgrade of essential equipment for scientific advancement.

The NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) grant aims to facilitate high-quality conferences that align with public health and scientific missions. Key deadlines include December 12, 2024, April 12, 2025, and August 12, 2025, among others, specifically for AIDS-related applications. This funding opportunity is provided by the US Department of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The AGRI County Fair Grants in Minnesota aim to support county fairs in preserving and promoting agriculture while enhancing access to the arts and cultural heritage. Funded by the Minnesota Legislature through the AGRI Program and the Legacy Amendment, these grants offer $10,800 for agricultural projects and $3,800 for arts-related initiatives for 2025. Eligible projects include livestock education displays, sound equipment, pottery workshops, and antique farm equipment exhibits, fostering community engagement and cultural appreciation.

The Dave Dowling Scholarship, offered by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, supports aspiring students in horticulture or floriculture. With an award of $1,000 each for two promising candidates, this scholarship encourages young individuals to pursue careers in cut flower production. Successful applicants also receive a one-year ASCFG membership, fostering community and educational opportunities. This initiative aims to advance the domestic cut flower industry by nurturing the next generation of growers.