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The Council of Independent Colleges
Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.
CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility.
NetVUE Vocation across the Academy Grants
One major purpose of an undergraduate education in the liberal arts is to help students shape a philosophy of life. At the same time, undergraduates today are increasingly preoccupied with postgraduate employment. The purpose of this grant program is to help colleges and universities develop more effective ways to strengthen the link between these two purposes of undergraduate education. It is designed to support institutions in their efforts to expand vocational exploration and discernment programs across the curriculum and co-curricular programs, with the following goals:
The Council of Independent Colleges
Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.
CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility.
NetVUE Program Development Grants
Colleges and universities that are members of NetVUE are already committed to campus activities that encourage vocational exploration by students. These institutions are making significant investments of their own resources to develop and sustain vocational exploration initiatives. In order to support NetVUE member campuses in their work, Lilly Endowment Inc. has provided funding to CIC to be used for NetVUE Program Development Grants. Many NetVUE campus leaders have observed that grants for program development at even modest levels would enable their institutions to strengthen and expand existing programs significantly.
NetVUE Program Development Grants may be requested in amounts up to $100,000 for use over two years to deepen, expand, or otherwise strengthen programs that are already underway (including those planned or initiated through recently completed NetVUE Professional Development Awards) and supported by the institution itself. A wide range of proposals that augment existing programs in vocational reflection and discernment will be considered; examples include
The Council of Independent Colleges
Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.
CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility.
NetVUE Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration
CIC is pleased to announce the first NetVUE grant program for individual projects by staff and faculty members. While NetVUE offers a number of grant programs for institutions, this new program—Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration—is its first program designed explicitly for individual projects by faculty members and staff at NetVUE member institutions.
Many employees at NetVUE member institutions engage and contribute to the exploration of vocation in undergraduate education through their scholarship, teaching, and practice. The NetVUE program seeks to support this work by offering them more resources to support new research and pedagogical innovation. Through the NetVUE Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration, CIC will offer funding and guidance to support projects that will generate artifacts or products (such as scholarly articles, course syllabi and learning activities, program designs, or other resources) that will develop and expand the existing field of scholarship, conversation, and pedagogy on vocation in undergraduate education.
This grant is intended to support innovative projects in the scholarship, pedagogy, leadership, and/or practice of vocation in undergraduate education. Proposals are welcome from both new and established scholars and practitioners. Particularly welcome are projects that seek to make vocational exploration and discernment available to all students, as well as projects that invite the NetVUE community toward fresh considerations and new frameworks in vocation as a lens for undergraduate education.
Founded in 2016, this program supports nonfiction filmmakers or filmmaking teams working on their first or second feature-length documentary.
In this year-long program, 9 filmmakers will receive:
You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply for the (Egg)celerator Lab. However, if you are selected for the Lab, you must secure a US fiscal sponsor, or be a 501(c)(3), to receive the funds. If granted, we can help advise on finding a fiscal sponsor.
Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
At Syndax, we are determined to realize a future in which people with cancer live longer and better than ever before. We believe that it takes a community to build a great medicine, and that is why we are working to set the new standard for developing medicines in the field of oncology – one that revolves around collaboration, shared learning, and excellence.
Syndax’s mission is to obtain regulatory approval and commercialize drugs that extend and improve the lives of cancer patients by drawing on the newest scientific research and advances, collaborating with determined problem solvers, and identifying value in overlooked aspects of science.
Educational Funding
At Syndax, we are committed to the goal of supporting objective, balanced and scientifically rigorous education that furthers improvements in science, medicine, and patient care. We accomplish this goal, in part, by providing grants for independent medical education (IME) programs. These can include live, online, and/or enduring programs that educate healthcare providers (HCPs), patients, or caregivers. Programs that are funded via Syndax medical education grants must be primarily dedicated, in both effort and time, to medical, health or scientific topics that are objective, balanced, unbiased, and scientifically rigorous. Medical education grants must never be made with the intent to directly or indirectly reward, influence or encourage the recipient to prescribe, purchase, sell or arrange for any Syndax product.
The Law School Admission Council, Inc. (“LSAC”) is committed to promoting access in legal education and the legal profession. The LSAC Pathway Grant (the “Grant”) program makes awards to nonprofit institutions for programming focused on one or more of the following strategic goals:
About
Chicken & Egg Films shapes a more equitable and just world with the catalytic power of documentary films by providing funding, mentorship and industry access to a global community of women and gender-expansive filmmakers. Founded in 2005 by Julie Parker Benello, Wendy Ettinger, and Judith Helfand, and helmed today by CEO Jenni Wolfson, our goal is to disrupt and dismantle barriers to filmmaking caused by gender bias.
Research & Development Grant
Now in its fourth year, the Research & Development Grant supports filmmakers from around the world who have directed at least one feature-length documentary and are in the research & development stage of their next feature-length film.
With continued grant-making support by Netflix, the Research & Development Grant supports directors to ideate and plan for their next feature-length film. Many filmmakers invest their personal resources into their films and face funding challenges when entering into the research & development stages of new projects. It is hard to secure funding for a new project without significant sample material, yet producing material without external funding can be almost impossible. To address this challenge, the Research & Development Grant provides financial support to directors during a filmmaking stage that is too often unpaid and unsupported.
A total of $450,000 USD will be awarded in the following grant amounts:
The final number of Research Grants vs. Development Grants disbursed will be determined during the selection process, based on the characteristics and strength of the applicant pool for each category.
The purpose of the Research & Development Grant is to support projects at the early stages of their lifecycle. If you have already raised a significant amount of capital (over 35% of your film’s total budget) and have shot and/or edited a substantial amount of footage, you may not be competitive for this grant, unless you can demonstrate very specific needs for the project (such as previously overlooked research activity).
We have separated the Research Grant from the Development Grant to allow early-stage projects to receive support without the need to submit all the deliverables required for projects in the development phase.
We recognize that each documentary is unique and that processes for research and development, fundraising, and production can vary widely. The information provided here is not intended as strict eligibility criteria, but rather as general guidelines to help applicants understand the stage at which we aim to provide support for projects.
The 2026 Chicken & Egg Films Research & Development Grant is generously supported by Netflix.
Chicken & Egg Pictures Inc
Chicken & Egg Films was founded in 2005 by documentary film industry veterans Julie Parker Benello, Wendy Ettinger, and Judith Helfand. As filmmakers, teachers, funders, and impact producers, they were inspired to utilize their collective expertise to uplift the power of fellow women storytellers. Chicken & Egg was thus created to help address financial and creative challenges uniquely faced by women in the field–a model that married funding with mentorship to create not just an organization, but a growing community.
Chicken & Egg Films shapes a more equitable and just world with the catalytic power of documentary films by providing funding, mentorship and industry access to a global community of women and gender-expansive filmmakers.
Chicken & Egg Award
The Chicken & Egg Award recognizes women and gender-expansive filmmakers at advanced stages in their careers who are poised to reach new heights in their creative and impact trajectories across the world.
Despite progress by talented women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers across the globe, there are often still numerous roadblocks that stand in the way of a true industry breakthrough. These barriers are often tied to gender, race, class, disability, and geography. Only a few women and gender-expansive nonfiction directors in the United States and abroad are able to work full time as independent storytellers, and few are folks of color, from working-class backgrounds, or from under-represented countries.
There are, however, a growing number who are getting close. Each has made several films, and each is an influential leader for the issues they explore on screen. With this Award, Chicken & Egg Films is making a bold investment in these creatives and a statement about gender equity. A greater diversity of voices participating in storytelling drives change. We believe this effort is inextricably connected to elevating critical social justice, environmental, and human rights issues.
The Chicken & Egg Award consists of a $75,000 USD cash award and a year-long mentorship program. Of the total, $50,000 is unrestricted, allowing filmmakers to decide how to use the funding to support their creative and business practices. The additional $25,000 is a grant for the project(s) the filmmaker will work on during their program year. Our in-depth mentorship program is focused on strengthening Awardees’ professional infrastructure, increasing their visibility, and fulfilling their personal and creative goals.
Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS)
The MNRS originally began to provide a place for nurses to collaborate, and collaborate they did! Over time, the founding members began to realize the benefits of having an organization dedicated specifically to nursing research. With some careful attention and a lot of hard work, we have grown into the organization it is today. We're a society where scientists, innovators, and drivers of clinical practice across the career trajectory, come together to share ideas and grow our field through innovative research.
The mission of the MNRS is to generate knowledge, translate evidence into practice, and enhance careers through collaborative engagement, implementation, and dissemination among diverse scholars. Our Vision to be the premier society that advances science, fosters leadership, and drives dissemination to improve health equity for all people.
It is an honor to recognize the important contributions of our nursing colleagues. MNRS accepts nominations for our five very prestigious awards to selected members of the Society who have made significant and notable contributions to the field of nursing through research.
The Excellence in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award
The purpose of the Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award is to recognize the contribution of a member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and made significant contributions to advance equitable health outcomes and reduce health disparities through research, which has enhanced the science and practice of nursing in the MNRS region.
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: Nursing 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 nursing 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.
Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry Program
To plan for, establish, manage and protect trees, forests, green spaces and related natural resources in and adjacent to cities and towns. The urban and community forestry program provides ecosystem services, social and economic benefits. It links these benefits to governmental, private and grassroots organizations and resources to improve the quality of life in these cities and towns.
Category Explanation
It is the mission of the Illinois Division of Forestry Resources to protect, perpetuate, restore, conserve, and manage the forest and related resources of Illinois, both public and private, rural and urban; and to ensure for future generations the greatest economic, scientific, and social benefits that can only be provided through a forest ecological system.
Opportunity Funding
ORS/OREF Distinguished Investigator Award
The ORS/OREF Distinguished Investigator Award honors an individual who has significantly contributed to the field of orthopaedic research and to the ORS and the OREF through their outstanding scientific achievements and their commitment of time and service.
A committee comprised of five individuals, including past ORS/OREF Distinguished Investigator Award honorees, established member representatives from the ORS and active OREF volunteers, will each submit a maximum of two nominees to be considered for this award.
The person nominating the ORS member for this award must include the following information about the nominee at the time of submission:
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.
Anthony Wunderle Memorial Scholarship Fund
Established by Lori and Greg Wunderle in memory of their son Anthony who had childhood leukemia. This scholarship is to provide educational opportunities for a higher education, accredited trade, or apprenticeship program for any cancer survivor or family member of a cancer patient, living or deceased.
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Edith Wiskind English Literacy Scholarship Fund
Established in memory of Edith Wiskind, a former English teacher, to provide scholarships for Summit County students, with preference given to those pursuing a degree in English.
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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.
Danny McCarty Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Family of Danny McCarty, who established the Danny McCarty Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County. Deb Del Zoppo and her family established a scholarship in memory of her nephew, Danny McCarty, after he passed away at the age of 26 in a motorcycle accident in Colorado. Danny was involved in the construction trades, so the focus of the two-year scholarship ($500 each year) is to support students who are going into that field of study.
Joseph P. Siegferth Sr. and Family Fund
Established by Joseph P. Siegferth Jr. in memory of his father to provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors majoring in elementary education, K-12 physical education, sports management or logistics.
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John T. and Julia A. Spellman Scholarship Fund
Established to provide scholarships for ambitious high school seniors in Summit County.
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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.
Drs. Ruth & John Carney & Irene Carney Kendrick Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Dr. John Carney, who established the Drs. Ruth & John Carney & Irene Carney Kendrick Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County.
The Carney’s love of Ludington ran deep, and they served the Ludington community through their family medical practice for over 42 years. Dr. Carney valued education and wanted to help others achieve their dreams. John’s encouraging spirit lives on through this scholarship, established in memory of his first wife and their late daughter, to create opportunities for adult students, students pursuing postgraduate degrees, or those facing barriers to getting a college degree.
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.
Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship
This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Emily & Frank Smiddy who established the Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.
Frank Smiddy, former owner of ProAct Environmental Services located in Ludington, has always had a passion for STEM-related learning and wants to give back to the community where he owns his business. He and his wife, Emily, wanted to leave a legacy of students going into this field the best chance possible to get their college education with as little debt as possible, so they established the Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship Fund. It is their hope that students receiving this scholarship will be motivated, when they are financially able, to give back to the community to help others see success.
Norma B. Summerville Scholarship Foundation Fund
Established to provide annual scholarships to female graduates of Akron Public Schools attending an accredited four-year institution of higher education.
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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.
George Dila Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Wayne and Jeanie Mortenson, who established the George Dila Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County to honor the memory of their dear friend, George Dila.
This scholarship is for graduating senior(s) of Ludington High School pursuing a degree or certification at any two or four-year accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school.
Michelle M. Vasenda Fund
Established in memory of Michelle M. Vasenda, a career nurse who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2009. It was her vision to create a scholarship to help those committed to helping others.
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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.
Joe Lancour Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the family of Joe Lancour, who established the Joe Lancour Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.
Joe Lancour served our country in Afghanistan where he lost his life. Joe was active in sports and graduated in 2004 from Ludington High School. He was artistic in many ways and loved to cook. His mother Starla Owens championed this scholarship fund to honor his memory.
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.
Lee Shipman Engineering Scholarship
This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Lee Shipman who established the Lee Shipman Engineering Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.
Lee Shipman has always had a love for all things electrical as far back as grade school when he added an additional phone in his family home so calls could be answered from more than one location! This eventually led him to get his degree in electrical engineering and a career at Dow Chemical in Ludington. He continued following his passion after retiring from Dow by working with a local Ludington business helping with the selection and modifications of equipment. Through this work, he recognized the real challenges that downtown merchants face. Lee is thankful for the people who have made a difference in his life, from his Latin teacher to coworkers to close friends and, because of this, he wants to give back to others. He established this Scholarship Fund for students pursuing electrical engineering.
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.
Ludington Education Association Scholarship
This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Ludington Area School District, which established the Ludington Education Association Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County. This fund provides scholarships to graduating seniors of Ludington High School.
Looking for Cass County grants for nonprofits?
Read more about each grant below or start your 14-day free trial to see all Cass County grants recommended for your specific programs in Illinois.
What's the typical amount funded for Illinois?
Grants are most commonly $104,222.
What's the total number of grants in Cass County Grants for Nonprofits year over year?
In 2024, funders in Illinois awarded a total of 104,158 grants.
Among all the Cass County Grants for Nonprofits given out in Illinois, the most popular focus areas that receive funding are Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations, and Human Services.
1. Education
2. Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations
3. Human Services
How is funding for Cass County Grants for Nonprofits changing over time?
Funding has increased by 16.08%.
How does grant funding vary by county?
Cook County, Lake County, and Macon County receive the most funding.
| County | Total Grant Funding in 2024 |
|---|---|
| Cook County | $6,893,460,213 |
| Lake County | $720,580,526 |
| Macon County | $544,478,272 |
| Champaign County | $541,704,331 |
| Dupage County | $496,099,366 |