Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in California

The Extramural Discovery Science Accelerator Award supports the commercialization of ongoing cancer research projects, focusing on experiments that facilitate technology validation and de-risking. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a budget of up to $75,000 for one year. This award encourages independent investigators at any career stage to advance their technologies, with a strong emphasis on commercial viability and collaboration within a learning community.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Erwin & Ella Hoffman Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund provides scholarships for students with a preference for graduates of East Aurora or West Aurora High School and attendance at a Lutheran-affiliated college or university. The fund was established by a bequest received from the estate of Mrs. Hoffman, who died in 1979, a year after her husband’s death. The couple owned and operated a farm in North Aurora for most of their lives.

They were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aurora.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

We award over 120 scholarships each year to Monroe County residents. Whether you’re heading to college, pursuing a technical career, or furthering your education as an adult, there’s a scholarship for you. 

Harold and Helen Rammler Nursing Scholarship

Available to students pursuing a degree in nursing.

The USA Swimming Foundation's Youth Learn-to-Swim Grant aims to increase access to swim lessons for children across the nation. By providing funding to swim lesson programs, the foundation ensures that financial barriers do not prevent children from learning this vital life skill. Grants can be used for free or reduced-cost lessons, addressing the needs of underserved communities and promoting safety through swimming education.

Robert & Pauline Hoover Scholarship Fund

The Robert and Pauline Hoover Scholarship was established in 2006 as part of Robert’s estate plan after he died. Robert had a degree in banking from Columbia University in New York City. When he finished his graduate degree, he came back to his native Chester Township to engage in farming and banking. Robert was the North Manchester Kiwanis Star of Service recipient and had a passion for civic and business affairs.

The Puffin Foundation's Annual Artist Grant Program, focused on odd years, supports individual artists and non-profit organizations in the genres of video/film and theater. Grants, typically around $1,750, aim to uplift marginalized voices in the arts. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with an SSN. The program excludes proposals in other disciplines and projects involving AI. This initiative prioritizes diverse artistic expression and aims to maximize funding impact for those with limited financial resources.

The NARMS Cooperative Agreement Program aims to enhance antibiotic resistance surveillance in retail food specimens, building on the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System initiated by the FDA in 1996. This program seeks to improve detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food commodities and expand sampling sites. By strengthening monitoring efforts, it aims to protect public health and achieve measurable outcomes aligned with NARMS objectives, contributing to national efforts against antibiotic resistance.

The Carolyn Balsa Hancock Scholarship honors an inspiring educator and counselor, Carolyn Hancock, who dedicated her life to helping students overcome challenges. Established by her family and friends, this scholarship supports graduating seniors from the East Side Union High School District who are pursuing vocational or academic training. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and embody Mrs. Hancock's spirit of hard work and perseverance, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Dr. George H. Hitchings Memorial Scholarship

Born in Hoquiam in 1905, George H. Hitchings grew up in a family of shipbuilders. Hitchings’ father, George, Sr., worked at and eventually managed the Hoquiam shipyard that his father-in-law, Peter Matthews, established in 1897. 

From the late 1960s until his death in 1998, Dr. Hitchings became increasingly involved with philanthropy. He served as President of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, a nonprofit foundation which supports biomedical research, and he led several charities in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, where Burroughs Wellcome had relocated in 1968. In 1983, Dr. Hitchings founded the Greater Triangle Community Foundation, which serves the Triangle area.

While preference will be given to applicants interested in studying science or medicine, the George H. Hitchings Memorial Scholarship is open to all applicants who satisfy the general eligibility requirements of the Scholarship Program.

The Community Projects, Programs and Services (CPPS) funding program in San Diego provides grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for one-time community needs. It supports initiatives in social, environmental, cultural, and recreational areas, ensuring they serve a lawful public purpose. Funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis, and applicants must be tax-exempt entities, financially solvent, and disclose all funding sources. This funding aims to enhance community services and infrastructure.

A. M. and May Abel Memorial Scholarship

Anthony M. Abel, brother of W. H. Abel of Montesano, was born in Sussex, England and raised in Salina, Kansas.

He earned his law degree from the University of Kansas, and established a successful law practice in 1903. There he married May Rosmond. Abel went on to become one of western Washington’s most highly regarded lawyers.

The A. M. and May Abel Memorial Scholarship is open to all applicants who satisfy the general eligibility requirements of the Scholarship Program.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Tom and Sandy Shoemaker Skills Scholarship

Adults or graduating seniors who reside in Shelby County, Ohio or in the School Districts of Shelby County, Ohio, who are enrolling in an accredited adult educational program or trade school or pursuing an Associate’s Degree shall be eligible to apply.

Selection based upon:

• Demonstrated interest and passion for a specific career path, demonstrated work experience, demonstrated community or school service and recommendations.

Awards

• One $1,000 scholarship

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Vera DoLean Ginn Kiwanis Scholarship

Shelby County resident pursuing a career in elementary education. 

Selection based upon:

• Intent to pursue the field of elementary education, financial need, academic ability, community and school service, recommendations.

Awards

• Two $1,000 scholarships

The Burney - Cecil E. Burney Scholarship, established in memory of Cecil E. Burney, aims to enhance the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by supporting students who have graduated from high schools in the CBCF seven-county area. Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors or current college students maintaining a GPA of 3.0, and they must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in the United States.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance program aims to enhance the ability of state, Tribal, and local agencies to effectively address cases of missing and exploited children. This initiative will support multidisciplinary teams, including law enforcement and child protection personnel, to improve investigations and prosecutions. By providing essential resources and training, the program seeks to strengthen responses to protect vulnerable children and combat related public safety issues.

The AINA Grant-in-Aid program, established by the Arctic Institute of North America, provides funding of $1000 to support young investigators, particularly graduate students, in their research related to Arctic issues. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with a U.S. or Canadian academic institution. The funding can cover travel, supplies, and equipment but not salaries. The program emphasizes the relevance and quality of research proposals that engage the Arctic community.

About Scholarships

Through the incredible generosity of our donors, the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound manages 26 scholarship funds that offer a wide range of scholarship awards and encourage students of all backgrounds and educational interests to apply. We also want to extend a sincere thank you to our many scholarship donors, advisors, and scholarship committee members for their investment in our student's bright futures this year and for many years to come!

L&E Bottling Company Scholarship

The L&E Bottling Company Scholarship Fund was established by the L&E Bottling Company, Inc. to assist graduating high school seniors in Thurston County in obtaining a higher education. This scholarship has the potential to be renewed for up to an additional three years of undergraduate education. Reapplication each year is required.

The BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K99/R00) aims to enhance diversity in neuroscience by supporting talented postdoctoral researchers from various backgrounds. This program facilitates their transition to independent faculty positions, providing essential NIH research support to help launch competitive research careers. Applications are due in February, June, and October for standard grants, and in March, July, and November for renewals.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Casey Neal Rogers Memorial Scholarship

The Casey Neal Rogers Memorial Scholarship was established in 2006 to honor the memory of Casey Rogers who passed away from a tragic automobile accident in 2003. Casey possessed a love of family and friends, excelled at athletics, had a sharp sense of humor, and was an honor student. The fund provides post-secondary educational scholarships for qualifying graduating high school seniors of Northumberland County High School, Northumberland County, VA.

Awards

• (2) $3,000

The ASH-Roland B. Scott Award, presented by the American Society of Hematology, honors outstanding research on Sickle Cell Disease by a resident. This prestigious award includes a $16,000 honorarium, $2,000 for mentor research supplies, and $2,000 for travel to the annual meeting. It recognizes the legacy of Dr. Roland B. Scott, emphasizing the importance of innovative research in improving patient outcomes in hematology.

The Community Foundation of Marquette County distributes over $130,000 annually in scholarships to benefit aspiring students in Marquette County.

Bernadette Reider Scholarship Fund

Provides scholarships to students from Marquette County who are entering into a college educational program in the field of nursing. Applicants will also be judged by financial need.

Distribution Process

• CFMC scholarship recipients will be contacted in June requesting student enrollment verification
• Scholarships can only be distributed once student’s information is received
• Scholarships will be distributed to the college/school/university indicated by student
• The scholarship must be used for tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the student at a qualifying educational institution; fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at such an educational institution; and room and board, within the first semester of first year of students enrollment
• That year’s recipient must claim the scholarship within that fiscal year to be distributed (by 12/31/xx)

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Eugenia T. Bumpass Education Scholarship

The Eugenia T. Bumpass Education Fund was established in 1999 to support postsecondary educational scholarships for qualifying graduates of high schools in Louisa County.

The Community Foundation of Marquette County distributes over $130,000 annually in scholarships to benefit aspiring students in Marquette County.

Father Vincent L. Ouellette Scholarship Endowment Fund

Provides financial assistance for graduating high school students who are members of the St. Joseph’s Parish and will be pursuing a degree at a four year college or university. 

Distribution Process

• CFMC scholarship recipients will be contacted in June requesting student enrollment verification
• Scholarships can only be distributed once student’s information is received
• Scholarships will be distributed to the college/school/university indicated by student
• The scholarship must be used for tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the student at a qualifying educational institution; fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at such an educational institution; and room and board, within the first semester of first year of students enrollment
• That year’s recipient must claim the scholarship within that fiscal year to be distributed (by 12/31/xx)

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Georgienne B. Laws Scholarship

The Georgienne B. Laws Scholarship was established in 2001 by Rosalind Knight to memorialize Mrs. Laws, a native of Mathews County and a longtime math teacher and guidance counselor at Thomas Hunter High School.

Community Foundation of the North State

The Community Foundation builds trust through relationship, integrity, and by providing safe places for donors to give their resources.

We are a nonprofit, public charity serving the people of Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties, with a mission to impact the region through the power of giving.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of the North State manages many scholarship funds that are awarded to graduating high school seniors as well as students already in an undergraduate program. Some scholarships were started by families or individuals; others by businesses or organizations. All scholarships share one important focus: helping young people reach their educational goals.

Jackson Family Scholarship

Scholarship awards are made to students who are either seeking to enter the nursing profession or who are currently in the nursing profession and wish to obtain a higher level of certification in the nursing field (LVN to RN, RN to BSN). Applicants must have completed at least 2 semesters that are applicable to their nursing degree.

The Jackson Family Scholarship was originally established in 2007 to support promising students in nurse training programs. The donors decided to focus on nursing because they both recognized the important contributions nurses make to patients’ well-being, and the increased need for well-trained nurses in the future. Through these awards, the Jackson Family Scholarship Fund will make positive contributions to excellent students and help build the nursing workforce of the future.

In 2019 the fund moved to the Community Foundation with the intent to support students specifically in the North State region. Scholarship awards will be made to students who are either seeking to enter the nursing profession or who are currently in the nursing profession and wish to obtain a higher level of certification in the nursing field (LVN to RN, RN to BSN). Applicants must have completed at least 2 semesters that are applicable to their nursing degree. Priority consideration will be given to nurses who plan to work in the California “North State”.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Mary Davidson Bryan Scholarship

The Mary Davidson Bryan Scholarship was established by the family of Mary Davidson Bryan to benefit academically qualified graduates of high schools in Bedford and Rockbridge Counties.

Awards

• (2) $2,000

Who We Are

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice.

Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan

AACN is guided by a clear vision, mission, and values that shape its leadership in academic nursing. Its strategic plan sets priorities to strengthen nursing education, support deans, faculty, and students, and advance health care nationwide.

AACN2: Pathway to Critical Care Nursing Scholarship

Overview

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN-Critical Care) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN-Colleges) are partnering to provide scholarships to prelicensure nursing students interested in practicing in critical care settings. Administered by the Foundation for Academic Nursing, the AACN2: Pathway to Critical Care Nursing Scholarship will provide $2,500 in support to eligible students enrolled in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs who are committed to providing expert care to patients at their most vulnerable.

Scholarship Details

This year, we will be distributing eight $2,500 scholarships to prelicensure nursing students who are interested in pursuing careers in critical care nursing ($20,000 in scholarships).