Best Chico Grants for Nonprofits in California

For 30 years, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation has served as a partner in philanthropy to credit unions, with a mission to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich our communities. A great example of this collaborative philanthropy is our scholarship program. 

More than 20 credit unions in North Carolina and South Carolina have active managed funds at the Foundation. The generosity of these credit unions helps hundreds of high school seniors as well as undergraduate and graduate students receive scholarship funds each year.

As a member of any of the following credit unions, you may apply for a scholarship.

HopeSouth FCU Scholarship Fund

Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 and are available based on achievements and/or financial need.

When you apply for a HopeSouth Scholarship, you’re also entered into consideration for multiple opportunities. We have partnered with Carolinas Foundation Scholarship Program — giving you even more opportunities to fund your education.

For 30 years, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation has served as a partner in philanthropy to credit unions, with a mission to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich our communities. A great example of this collaborative philanthropy is our scholarship program. 

More than 20 credit unions in North Carolina and South Carolina have active managed funds at the Foundation. The generosity of these credit unions helps hundreds of high school seniors as well as undergraduate and graduate students receive scholarship funds each year.

As a member of any of the following credit unions, you may apply for a scholarship. 

Sharonview CARES Paul Paliyenko Scholarship Fund

We're proud to support the academic goals of our young members and family members of our Sharonview team. Each year, we partner with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation to honor deserving students with scholarship money to help with the costs of their higher education needs.

Any applicant that does not receive a scholarship award from Sharonview is automatically entered in the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's scholarship pool.

Paul Paliyenko, who served on Sharonview’s Board of Directors for more than 25 years, felt it was the Credit Union’s first duty to serve its members. He insisted that it was the responsibility of the Credit Union to create not only the best returns for its members, but to establish a trusting relationship with them. Paliyenko’s drive to care for the member is why we honor his memory with the Sharonview Cares Scholarship.

For 30 years, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation has served as a partner in philanthropy to credit unions, with a mission to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich our communities. A great example of this collaborative philanthropy is our scholarship program. 

More than 20 credit unions in North Carolina and South Carolina have active managed funds at the Foundation. The generosity of these credit unions helps hundreds of high school seniors as well as undergraduate and graduate students receive scholarship funds each year.

As a member of any of the following credit unions, you may apply for a scholarship.

SAFE FCU Scholarship Fund

Your journey to success starts here.

SAFE is proud to offer eleven deserving high school seniors a $2,500 college scholarship to start their journey to higher education. 

Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies

Established in 1948, the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) – a nonprofit, non-political, scholarly society – is the leading international organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, and Eastern Europe in regional and global contexts.  

ASEEES Next Generation Dissertation Research Fellowship Program

Established in 2025, the ASEEES Next Generation Dissertation Research Fellowship Program provides a maximum stipend of $28,000 for doctoral students at US universities, regardless of citizenship, to conduct dissertation research in Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies. The program is open to students in any discipline whose dissertation topics are within Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies.

Fellowship Project Scope

• The dissertation topic must be in Slavic, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies
• Most of the proposed research should be conducted in Eastern Europe and/or Eurasia but the fellowship can be used to conduct research for a briefer period in secondary site(s) such as the U.S.; in cases of equally qualified applications, some preference may be given to research entirely in the region

The stipend can be spent on expenses incurred while conducting research, including living expenses, research expenses, international airfare, visa expenses, and evacuation and health insurance.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Woodlands’ Families Scholarship ($2,900)

This renewable scholarship is available to students who are descendants of the enslaved families of the former Woodlands Plantation in Bamberg County, South Carolina. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

William S. and Elizabeth B. Heath Scholarship ($2,100)

This renewable scholarship is for students graduating from a high school in Sumter County, South Carolina. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Wesley United Methodist Church Scholarship ($1,000)

This scholarship is for graduating high school students who are members of Wesley United Methodist Church located in Columbia, South Carolina. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

South Carolina Arms Collectors Association Scholarship ($2,000)

This renewable scholarship is for members, dependents or grandchildren of members of the South Carolina Arms Collectors Association in good standing for the last three consecutive years. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Sonoco Scholarship ($2,500)

This renewable scholarship is for dependents of qualified Sonoco employees of U.S. domestic facilities. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Rogers and Meredith Scholarship (College) ($4,000) 

This renewable scholarship is available to students who have been residents of Epworth Children’s Home, Thornwell Home for Children or students who’ve been in custody of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

LinkScholars Program Scholarship ($2,000) 

This renewable scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, or Sumter counties in South Carolina.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Katherine K. Greiner Scholarship ($3,000) 

This renewable scholarship was established to support students who plan to become elementary, middle or high school teachers. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Junior League of Columbia Scholarship ($3,000)

The Junior League of Columbia created this non-renewable scholarship to assist students who attended one of the elementary schools located in Richland School District One in Columbia, SC. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Jeryl Salmond II Memorial Scholarship ($1,700)

This renewable scholarship is available to students who are pursuing a career in the Mental Health field. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Jacqueline M. Miller Scholarship ($1,700)

This non-renewable scholarship is for high school seniors graduating from a high school in Fairfield County, South Carolina. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Handel-Carter Assistance Fund ($2,200)

This renewable scholarship was established to provide educational opportunities for people living, or those who have lived within the past two years, in a Richland County transitional housing program or within Columbia Housing Authority transitional housing in Columbia, SC. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Franklin Hines Scholarship ($3,600)

This renewable scholarship is available to students who are graduating seniors from one of the following high schools: Hartsville High School, Darlington High School, Lamar High School, or McBee High School. 

The Strategic Growth Council's Factory Built Housing Pilot Program Round 3 Catalyst Grant aims to enhance the availability of affordable, high-quality housing in California through innovative factory-built housing solutions. By providing grants of up to $500,000, the program supports regional efforts to build knowledge and capacity, fostering collaboration among stakeholders. The initiative seeks to create scalable strategies that integrate factory-built housing into local plans, addressing barriers and promoting long-term sustainable housing solutions.

The Robert E. Gross Award for Excellence in Pediatric Research and Achievement, presented by the American Pediatric Surgical Association, honors an individual whose significant contributions have transformed pediatric surgery practices. This prestigious award recognizes enduring changes in clinical management that are widely accepted by pediatric surgeons as standard. Nominations are required for this award, which showcases the commitment of APSA to advancing surgical care for children through advocacy and education.

The PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship offers a renewable $5,000 award for undergraduate students from marginalized ethnic backgrounds or genders pursuing engineering at a U.S. university. Established in 2024 in partnership with PAE, the scholarship aims to enhance diversity in engineering fields, focusing on candidates committed to climate justice. Awardees benefit from mentorship and networking opportunities with industry professionals, fostering both academic success and community impact.

The James F. Densler Award, presented by the American Pediatric Surgical Association, recognizes individuals who promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in pediatric surgery. This prestigious award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to diverse care delivery and team dynamics, fostering an inclusive environment within the surgical community. Nominees should exemplify dedication to enhancing the lives of underserved populations through their work in pediatric surgery.

The Donald E. Meier Surgical Humanitarian Award, presented by the American Pediatric Surgical Association, honors a member dedicated to providing surgical care to underserved children without expecting reimbursement. This award recognizes significant humanitarian contributions, whether through local outreach or global missions. Nominations are submitted to the Board, which determines the frequency of the award based on the submissions received. This accolade highlights the commitment of surgeons to humanitarian efforts in the pediatric surgical field.

The Distinguished Service Award, presented by the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA), recognizes individuals for their lifetime commitment and significant contributions to pediatric surgery. This prestigious honor highlights a nominee's wide-ranging impact on the field and their dedication to advancing surgical care for children. Nominations are vital, as the frequency of the award is determined by the APSA Board, ensuring that exemplary service is celebrated appropriately.

The AIAA Rising Stars program empowers underrepresented undergraduate students interested in aerospace by providing scholarships to attend key AIAA events like the AVIATION Forum or ASCEND. Participants receive support for travel, conference registration, and unique networking opportunities with industry leaders. This initiative not only fosters professional growth but also helps build lasting relationships in the aerospace community, celebrating the achievements and potential of future innovators in the field.

Proposition 4 – Wildfire and Forest Resilience is a funding opportunity offered by the California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. It aims to support projects focused on watershed improvement, wildfire resilience, and forest restoration while promoting workforce development for disadvantaged communities. Applicants must submit a Concept Proposal followed by a Full Application if selected. This initiative enhances ecological health and creates career pathways in vulnerable populations.

The California Library Literacy Services grant provides essential funding for public libraries in California to develop and implement adult literacy programs. By offering free tutoring, this initiative aims to enhance literacy among adults, empowering them to achieve personal and professional goals. Libraries selected for funding will participate in the 2026-2027 project cycle, ensuring continued support for ongoing literacy efforts that enrich the community and preserve the state's unique history.

The William Simes Research Fund, established in honor of Frances Simes Hastings, supports graduate students and postdoctoral researchers conducting field research at Hastings Natural History Reservation in California. Awards of $2,000 are available to offset costs related to housing and research supplies for extended research periods. This fund fosters scientific inquiry at one of the oldest field stations in the University of California Natural Reserve System, promoting the stewardship of diverse natural habitats.