Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in California

The Terry Farrell Firefighters’ Fund, established post-9/11, provides vital educational and financial support to families of firefighters across the U.S. With over $10 million distributed in grants and surplus gear, the fund offers scholarships, emergency assistance, and training for first responders. It also supplies rural fire departments with necessary equipment and sponsors health initiatives like blood and bone marrow drives, ensuring comprehensive support for those who serve our communities.

The Brown Rudnick Community Grants program aims to support front-line educational workers in underserved communities across cities like Boston and New York. With grants up to $2,000, it addresses immediate educational needs that traditional funding overlooks. This initiative encourages collaboration with educators to enhance learning environments and foster positive change, ensuring that impactful projects receive the necessary support to thrive within a year of funding.

The USTA Wheelchair Tennis Grassroots Grant supports the growth of wheelchair tennis nationwide, having invested over $650,000 since 2008. This funding aims to enhance grassroots programs, focusing on attracting new junior players. Grants are tailored to each program's budget and needs, facilitating essential resources such as coaching, court time, and equipment. However, applications for tournament travel or multiple wheelchair purchases are discouraged, ensuring funds are used effectively to develop the sport for young athletes.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Robert J. and Norma E. Bazzett Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Robert J. and Norma E. Bazzett, who established the Robert J. and Norma E. Bazzett Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Robert, a 1959 graduate of Ludington High School, said he always had the idea in the back of his mind to establish a scholarship fund for the “average” student. “I always felt there was a need for that,” Robert said, “because there are a lot of kids like me that were just average C students in high school. We were cut out of the scholarship picture because our grades weren’t good enough, but that didn’t mean we were not worthy of a scholarship.”

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's College Scholarship Program offers financial support to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need. Scholarships cover significant educational expenses, including tuition and living costs, potentially providing up to $55,000 annually. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher and plan to enroll in an accredited four-year institution. This competitive program not only alleviates financial burdens but also connects students to a network of over 3,400 Cooke Scholars.

The Donaghue Foundation's Another Look Grant focuses on enhancing health and well-being for older adults in long-term care facilities. It prioritizes research that utilizes existing datasets and includes stakeholders to inform project development. High-priority topics include improving palliative care, workforce innovations, and addressing disparities in care quality. This program is open to PhD investigators from tax-exempt institutions in the U.S., aiming to foster impactful health-related research that enhances care quality for seniors.

The AAD Young Investigator Awards recognize promising dermatology researchers in the U.S. and Canada, offering a $6,000 prize and plaque for outstanding research in either basic/translational or clinical tracks. Eligible applicants must have a DO, MD, or PhD, and their research should be completed and submitted for publication. The application window is open from June 1 to September 1, encouraging diversity within research topics and applicants.

The Everett C. Fox, MD, Memorial Lectureship honors a distinguished dermatologist and offers a $10,000 award to the selected lecturer, who will present a 30-minute lecture at the AAD's Innovation Academy. Nominations are open until June 15 for the upcoming selection cycle, with entries held for five years. Candidates must be practicing clinical dermatologists with proven communication skills, ensuring the recognition of expertise within the field.

The Clarence S. Livingood, MD, Memorial Award and Lectureship recognizes outstanding contributions to dermatology. Established by the Department of Dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital, it honors Dr. Livingood's legacy. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize and the opportunity to present a lecture at the AAD Annual Meeting. Nominations are accepted annually until January 15, remaining active for five years, and are open to experts beyond dermatologists, emphasizing communication and expertise in relevant issues.

Florida Kiwanis Foundation

The Florida Kiwanis Foundation was created in 1971 by Former Kiwanis Governor Robert Thal. Since 1971, Florida Kiwanis Foundation has been supporting Kiwanis Clubs, Divisions, and students make a real impact in the state of Florida.

Our Purpose: To leave a legacy for the children. We are dedicated to supporting Florida Youth to ensure a brighter future and leave a legacy for the children.

Mission: Help children in need. To enable caring individuals, clubs, and divisions to combine their resources of time, talent, and funds to create a greater impact on the needs of children and families in Florida.

Maria Mychaniuk Kiwanis Scholarship

The Maria Mychaniuk Scholarship is dedicated in memory of a quiet, dignified member of the Flagler County community. Ms Mychaniuk believed that students who have a sincere desire to succeed by furthering their education needed to be assisted in doing so and requested that the focus of this scholarship would be to provide an opportunity to those students that may have difficulty qualifying for other awards.

She was a firm believer in community service and in such, asked the Kiwanis Club of Flagler County, through the Florida Kiwanis Foundation, to select a worthy student whose principles of community awareness, service, and commitment to making the area a better place to live would benefit by her generosity. On behalf of Maria Mychaniuk, the Kiwanis Club of Flagler County and The Florida Kiwanis Foundation are pleased to offer this scholarship.

Florida Kiwanis Foundation

The Florida Kiwanis Foundation was created in 1971 by Former Kiwanis Governor Robert Thal. Since 1971, Florida Kiwanis Foundation has been supporting Kiwanis Clubs, Divisions, and students make a real impact in the state of Florida.

Our Purpose: To leave a legacy for the children. We are dedicated to supporting Florida Youth to ensure a brighter future and leave a legacy for the children.

Mission: Help children in need. To enable caring individuals, clubs, and divisions to combine their resources of time, talent, and funds to create a greater impact on the needs of children and families in Florida.

George & Ann Langguth Scholarship

George Langguth joined Kiwanis in 1967. He served as a Distinguished President in 3 clubs and as a Distinguished Lieutenant Governor in 1973-74. He served as Key Club District Administrator of the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District from 1974-1981. He was a member of Kiwanis International’s professional staff, serving as Director of Key Club International programs from 1981-1988 in Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana. He has received the highest honor Key Club can bestow on an individual in 8 Districts in North America.

On February 1, 1988, he became Florida District Secretary and held the position of District Secretary and Executive Director for 24 years, longer than anyone in Florida District history. During his tenure, George coordinated all Florida District Conferences and Conventions and provided guidance and support to the District’s 300+ clubs. He is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable authorities on Kiwanis history and administration.

Langguth has been Distinguished District Secretary numerous times. He holds life membership in Kiwanis International and the Florida District of Kiwanis. He is a Ralph Davis Fellow of the Florida Kiwanis Foundation. He holds a Tablet of Honor, a Diamond Level 15 George F. Hixson medal, and he is also a member of the Kiwanis International Legacy Society. In his 46 years of Kiwanis membership, he has personally sponsored over 300 men and women into Kiwanis clubs to which he has belonged.

He married his wife, Ann, in 1971. He and Ann have a son, Michael, and a daughter, Kathryn. Ann served as the Florida Kiwanis Administrative Secretary alongside George for 20 years. She holds numerous Kiwanis and Kiwanis Foundation honors.

Florida Kiwanis Foundation

The Florida Kiwanis Foundation was created in 1971 by Former Kiwanis Governor Robert Thal. Since 1971, Florida Kiwanis Foundation has been supporting Kiwanis Clubs, Divisions, and students make a real impact in the state of Florida.

Our Purpose: To leave a legacy for the children. We are dedicated to supporting Florida Youth to ensure a brighter future and leave a legacy for the children.

Mission: Help children in need. To enable caring individuals, clubs, and divisions to combine their resources of time, talent, and funds to create a greater impact on the needs of children and families in Florida.

Broster Joe & Jan Schroeder Kiwanis Scholarship

Your Florida Kiwanis Foundation is honored to recognize the establishment of the Broster Joe & Jan Schroeder Kiwanis Scholarship. Created in memory of Lt. Col. Joe Schroeder’s distinguished military service, including 122 combat missions in Vietnam, five Air Medals, and the Distinguished Service Cross, and his and Jan’s lifelong commitment to community and Kiwanis, this scholarship carries forward their legacy of service. Beginning in 2026, the scholarship awards $1,600 annually for up to four consecutive years to a deserving graduating high school senior from Florida.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship to outstanding community college students with financial need, providing up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to cover educational expenses. This selective scholarship supports students in completing their bachelor's degrees at accredited institutions. Recipients benefit from personalized advising and a robust network of Cooke Scholars. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate unmet financial need, ensuring accessibility to higher education.

The Simeon J. Fortin Charitable Foundation, founded in 1986, champions cancer research initiatives aimed at finding a cure. It supports relevant projects and fellowships within medical and research institutions, ensuring a significant impact on health-related research. The grant review process is conducted by The Medical Foundation, in coordination with the King Trust Postdoctoral Fellowships, enhancing collaboration and funding opportunities for innovative research in oncology.

The Marin Cultural Association (MCA) Arts Grants program provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations and artists in Marin County. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for operational and program support including arts programming, materials, and production expenses. MCA aims to sustain Marin's arts resources, promote equitable representation in the arts, and enhance collaboration within the community, making the arts accessible to all residents.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) is a competitive grant initiative by the National Park Service, aimed at enhancing parks and recreational opportunities in urban, underserved communities. This program supports the acquisition, development, and renovation of outdoor recreation areas through federal funding, addressing the needs of community organizations, local governments, and recognized tribes. Applications are accepted twice a year, before June 1 and November 1.

The Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship for Undergraduates provides $2,000 to support students pursuing biochemistry and molecular biology, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or residents, enrolled full-time in accredited institutions, and members of ASBMB. This scholarship aims to enhance diversity in the biomedical workforce and encourage ongoing engagement in scientific activities. Applications are open to all qualified candidates, with a focus on underrepresented groups.

The Reading is Fundamental Matching Grant for Read for Success empowers local organizations to enhance literacy by providing matching funds for books and resources. Since 1966, RIF has partnered with communities to foster a culture of reading among children in need, offering diverse books that reflect their lives. This grant matches local investments dollar-for-dollar, maximizing the impact of funding for educational programs. Eligible applicants include schools and youth-serving organizations across the U.S., supporting children from birth through grade 12.

The PVA Education Foundation Grant Program, offered by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, supports innovative projects aimed at improving the lives of individuals with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D). Grants of up to $75,000 are available for initiatives in consumer education, professional development for healthcare providers, and research translation. This funding enables the development of essential educational tools and resources to enhance health, independence, and quality of life for the SCI/D community.

Dissertation Grants

With support from the National Science Foundation, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Grants Program seeks proposals for Dissertation Grants. The AERA Grants Program provides advanced graduate students with research funding and professional development and training. The program supports highly competitive dissertation research using rigorous quantitative methods to examine large-scale, education-related data. The aim of the program is to advance fundamental knowledge of relevance to STEM education policy, foster significant science using education data, promote equity in STEM, and build research capacity in education and learning. Since 1991, this AERA Program has been vital to both research and training at early career stages.

The Grants Program encourages the use of major data sets from multiple and diverse sources. It emphasizes the advanced statistical analysis of data sets from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal agencies. The program also supports studies using large-scale international data systems (e.g., PISA, PIRLS, or TIMMS) that benefit from U.S. federal government support. In addition, statewide longitudinal administrative data systems (SLDS) enhanced through federal grants are also eligible for consideration. The inclusion of federal or state administrative information that further expands the analytic capacity of the research is permissible. The thrust of the analysis needs to be generalizable to a national, state, or population or a subgroup within the sample that the dataset represents.

The Grants Program is open to field-initiated research and welcomes proposals that:

• develop or benefit from advanced statistical or innovative quantitative methods or measures;
• analyze more than one large-scale national or international federally funded data set, or more than one statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS) or incorporate other data enhancements;
• integrate, link, or blend multiple large-scale data sources; or
• undertake replication research of major findings or major studies using large-scale, federally supported or enhanced data.

The Grants Program encourages proposals across the life span and contexts of education and learning of relevance to STEM policy and practice. The research may focus on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to such issues as student achievement in STEM, analysis of STEM education policies, contextual factors in education, educational participation and persistence (pre-kindergarten through graduate school), early childhood education and development, postsecondary education, and the STEM workforce and transitions. Studies that examine issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion across STEM topics and/or for specific racial and ethnic groups, social classes, genders, or persons with disabilities are encouraged.

Award

• Award Component 1 - $27,500 Stipend
• Award Component 2 - AERA Research and Training Conference
• Award Component 3- AERA Annual Meeting Capstone Research Institute

The budget must include funds to attend the AERA Annual Meeting. The funds can be used for research-related expenses such as tuition, living expenses, travel to secure data enclaves or scholarly conferences, books, computer equipment, and other expenses directly related to conducting this research. AERA encourages cost sharing from universities in the form of tuition assistance, office space, university fees, and other expenses.

The Disaster Response & Resilience Fund, managed by the Humboldt Area Foundation, supports non-profit organizations and community groups in Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, and Curry counties during disasters. The fund focuses on immediate needs and safety for the vulnerable, addressing challenges posed by natural and man-made disasters. By prioritizing equitable support, it aims to strengthen community resilience and ensure effective disaster response and recovery.

The Reading is Fundamental Matching Grant - Books for Ownership program supports local literacy initiatives by providing funding for diverse books and literacy resources. Established in 1966, RIF aims to foster a culture of literacy among children in under-resourced communities. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to double their impact through matched funds, ensuring children have access to high-quality books that reflect their experiences and broaden their perspectives.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Illinois Mutual Employees’ Children Scholarship Fund 

The Illinois Mutual Employees’ Children Scholarship Fund was established by Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company to provide scholarship support for the children of employees who are graduating from high school or are undergraduate college or vocational students who will be enrolled full time.

For general scholarship questions, please contact Illinois Mutual’s Community Relations Department. For questions about the application process or required materials, contact the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at 309-674-8730 or amanda@communityfoundationci.org.

Spencer Educational Foundation Inc

The Spencer Educational Foundation was founded by the Rims Atlanta Chapter in 1979. To this day, Spencer remains the premier organization funding the education of tomorrow's risk management and insurance leaders.

The Spencer Educational Foundation: awards merit-based scholarships and grants to university students pursuing careers in risk management, insurance, and/or actuarial science; provides grants that create experiential learning opportunities both on and off campus; funds the development of risk management and insurance curricula in colleges and universities; supports Risk Managers by creating internship opportunities within the risk management function of their companies; and operates across the United States and Canada. 

Spencer Educational Foundation: Internship Grants

Through our Internship Grant Program, Spencer aims to support tomorrow’s Risk Management and Insurance leaders through experiential learning opportunities. 

Spencer provides internship grants of up to $7,500 to Risk Managers to hire interns in the risk management function of their organizations. Employers apply for grants from Spencer, and students then apply directly with the companies for internship opportunities.

Since 1999, Spencer has awarded $3.5 million to create over 650 risk management internships. Through the internship program, students learn about the field in a real-world business setting where they can quickly apply what they know, respond to new experiences, and begin to develop contacts in the industry. 

The ILA Exemplary Reading Program Award, presented by the International Literacy Association, recognizes exceptional reading and language arts programs across all grade levels in Canada and the United States. This award aims to highlight outstanding educational efforts that promote literacy improvement and excellence among school staff. Eligible programs must submit comprehensive applications showcasing their entire reading initiatives, serving as models for others. Winning schools gain recognition while contributing to the advancement of literacy education.

The Bellevue Heights Church Foundation, established over 30 years ago, has significantly contributed to humanitarian efforts and theological education by awarding millions in grants. Its Student Endowment Fund supports Master of Divinity students with monthly scholarships, benefiting 35 to 40 students annually. All church members can participate in the Foundation's governance, and grant recipients must provide updates on their projects. Applications must be submitted in hard copy, following specific guidelines.

Big 30 Athletic Fund

This scholarship is for four graduating high school seniors from Big 30 participant schools. One award overall from any Big 30 school, one for a student from Cattaraugus County, one for a student from Allegany County, and one for a student from Pennsylvania. Students must have participated in at least two sports for all four years of high school. Emphasis will be placed on involvement in sports, but academic achievement will also be considered. Financial need may be considered.