Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Gerald and Inez O’Brien Scholarship

Gerald and Inez O’Brien both grew up in Saginaw County and were married for over 30 years before Gerald passed away at an early age. 

Gerald and Inez both believed strongly in education and supporting family and friends. In addition, they each treasured their lifetime neighbors and knew the importance of building relationships with their community neighbors and enjoying life. 

This scholarship memorial fund was created by their daughter, Ann Pavlik, and son, Dr. Keith O’Brien. The fund will strive to recognize those giving back to the community and those facing challenges head on, even when life throws roadblocks along the way.  

The Petco Foundation offers disaster relief support for animal welfare organizations affected by disasters. Eligible applicants include authorized members of IRS-designated 501c3 nonprofits, government agency representatives with operational insight, and invited for-profit entities focused on animal welfare. However, the foundation does not fund individuals, organizations outside the U.S., or those whose primary mission does not relate to animal welfare. This initiative aims to provide critical assistance during times of crisis.

The Getty Foundation's Connecting Art Histories initiative enhances global art historical scholarship by fostering intellectual exchange among scholars, particularly in underrepresented regions. This ongoing grant program supports seminars and workshops that connect over 1,000 early to mid-career researchers from diverse areas, including Africa and Latin America, to promote collaborative research and career development. The initiative not only builds professional networks but also aims to strengthen the discipline of art history by addressing geographic and political barriers.

The Raven Fund Jump Start Award, established by the CIRI Foundation, provides scholarships of up to $2,000 per year for CIRI voting shareholders who are high school students. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a recognized post-secondary education program, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0. The funding covers direct educational costs such as tuition, books, and housing. The award allows for multiple applications within the year, encouraging ongoing educational pursuits.

The USTA's Tennis Venue Services provides funding for tennis facilities, emphasizing community and growth. Grants are available for various projects, including basic improvements, resurfacing, and new constructions. With funding up to $55,000 based on project type, the program supports collegiate organizations in enhancing their facilities. This initiative promotes healthy competition and camaraderie among players, ensuring tennis remains accessible and well-equipped for all enthusiasts.

The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience offers Scholar Awards to early-career neuroscientists focusing on learning and memory disorders. The awards provide up to $225,000 over three years, emphasizing research that could lead to significant clinical advancements. Eligible candidates must work as independent investigators at U.S. non-profit institutions, hold an Assistant Professor position for less than four years, and demonstrate their research program's potential. The program aims to foster innovative solutions in neuroscience.

Connecting Passion to Purpose

Marshall County Community Foundation is a public charity where local roots help great ideas take flight. We are community-minded partners and trusted investors. We help shape the vision for Marshall County. Our passion is to connect caring people with opportunities to make an impact.

Our mission is to serve all of Marshall county — its people and its future — by growing and managing endowment funding and fostering philanthropy.

Investing in the Scholars of 
Marshall County

Marshall County Community Foundation administers a number of scholarships, from traditional awards for graduating seniors to those geared towards current students, professionals, and other special circumstances.

Each scholarship has its own application guidelines, deadlines, and application process, so please be sure to read the instructions of the scholarship you’re applying for carefully.

All Marshall County Scholarships

We administer a number of scholarships, which range from the traditional academic and athletic awards to corporate and special circumstances offerings. These scholarships are open to all residents of Marshall County, as long as other requirements are met.

Applying for a scholarship is free, so we invite you to spend some time finding opportunities for which you are a good fit. You can learn more about each scholarship by clicking on each of the below scholarship titles.

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide one or more annual scholarships to a student and/or graduating seniors from a high school, home school, or alternative school in Marshall County.

Lois Roth Foundation

The Lois Roth Foundation honors the life and work of Lois Wersba Roth. Since 1987, it has sought to promote and encourage dialogue across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries, with an emphasis on the humanities, arts and social sciences. Foundation programs are conducted in collaboration with a range of partners and focused on three domains: Fulbright & Academic Collaborations, Cultural Diplomacy, and Literature & Translation.

Cultural Diplomacy

In recollection of Lois Roth’s efforts to promote cross‐cultural understanding and cooperation as a US Foreign Service Officer, the Roth Foundation partners with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) (US State Department), to provide the department’s four awards honoring excellence in the field of cultural and educational diplomacy.

The types of qualities displayed by recipients of Roth Foundation cultural diplomacy awards include:

• Cross‐cultural sensitivity and understanding for all—regardless of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin or disability—and the courage and intellectual integrity to bring alternate facts and opinions into open conversation
• Ingenuity and imagination in creating projects, programs and products to deepen the contact between foreign intellectuals, artists and professionals and their US counterparts
• Familiarity with global affairs and foreign languages, to deepen substantive discussion between US and foreign intellectuals, scholars and professionals
• Patience, wisdom and generosity in helping new colleagues, both international and US, develop their careers
• Special skill in promoting collaborations between US and foreign institutions and high‐quality exchange opportunities with the civil sector.

Lois Roth Award For Cultural Diplomacy

The Lois Roth Award is presented every year to a Foreign Service Officer who has made significant contributions to the field of US cultural and educational diplomacy. It honors those who exhibit cross-cultural sensitivity in all aspects of their work and show patience, wisdom and generosity in helping new colleagues—international and American—to pursue and develop their skills and careers. Displaying familiarity with different areas of the world, global affairs and foreign languages, winners of this award hold substantive discussion with US and foreign scholars, artists and professionals, while exemplifying Lois Roth’s personal legacy of superior creativity and human warmth in their work with others.

Nomination Process

Every spring, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will internally circulate details regarding nominations for the four Lois Roth Foundation Awards. State Department supervisors are invited to submit nominations in all four categories.

The IATSE Local 700 Hardship Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible members of the performing arts and entertainment industry during critical times. This support helps cover essential living expenses, such as housing and healthcare, to prevent eviction and utility shut-offs. To qualify, members must have met minimum dues requirements or be officially retired. The fund does not cover expenses like credit cards, loans, or business-related costs.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Charles Alan Beauchamp Scholarship

Applicant must be an undergraduate student majoring in an approved environmental field with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicant must have completed different areas of volunteer service. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area.

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Grants support the preservation of historic sites that reflect African American cultural heritage. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 assist projects in areas like Capital Projects, Organizational Capacity Building, Project Planning, and Programming. Eligible applicants include public agencies, accredited colleges, and nonprofits. The program emphasizes themes such as activism, innovation, and historically significant sites, aiming to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of African American history.

The Skatepark Project Grants aim to support underserved communities in building public, free, concrete skateparks for youth. Eligible applicants include public charities and local agencies committed to designing inclusive spaces. The projects must engage local skaters in planning and fundraising, promote safety, and be open year-round without entry fees. The initiative fosters community involvement and addresses social inequalities, ensuring that all types of skatepark users can benefit from these vital recreational resources.

The Pelvic Health Research Grant, offered by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, aims to enhance the health and movement of society through innovative research in physical therapy. With a commitment to addressing health disparities and supporting emerging researchers, this grant provides $40,000 over one or two years. It underscores the foundation's mission to optimize movement and improve health outcomes while fostering a robust pipeline of skilled researchers dedicated to evidence-based practices.

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 Carvajal Educational Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, aims to support current high school seniors from specified Texas counties in their pursuit of higher education. With a focus on Judeo-Christian institutions, this scholarship provides financial assistance for tuition, fees, and books, promoting academic achievement with a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5. Established to foster educational opportunities, the fund emphasizes the importance of community impact and leadership.

The Edward E. Ford Foundation offers Traditional Grants to independent schools in the U.S. for projects that enhance educational opportunities. With over $118 million granted since its inception, the Foundation emphasizes the importance of matching funds, requiring a dollar-for-dollar commitment from schools. Eligible institutions must serve grades 9-12, be NAIS members, and have a qualified Head of School. Applications are considered during the June and November Agendas, supporting diverse educational initiatives.

The Russell Sage Foundation's Immigration and Immigrant Integration Grants aim to fund innovative research that explores the dynamics of race, citizenship, and legal status in relation to immigrant outcomes in the U.S. This initiative seeks to understand the complex interplay of policies and social factors affecting immigrants and native-born populations across various racial and ethnic groups. Researchers are encouraged to utilize diverse data sources to deepen insights into immigration integration and the societal implications of legal status.

The CITGO Distinguished Scholars Program, offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, is designed for junior high school students in the Alief, Houston, and Spring Branch ISDs. This program supports students planning to enroll in a 2- or 4-year college with funding for tuition, fees, and books. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required, and awards are granted to 40 students, empowering them to pursue higher education.

The EEFF Educational Leadership Grant, initiated in 2008 by the Edward E. Ford Foundation, supports innovative proposals from independent schools that aim to impact educational practices nationally. Schools can apply without prior invitations, and grants are awarded based on proposal quality. Eligibility includes serving grades 9-12, having a diverse mission, and a head of school in their third year. The program encourages original thinking and partnerships beyond the school community, aiming for significant, replicable change.

The Facility and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) enables the research community to propose projects requiring access to specialized instrumentation and facilities funded by the Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) Program. This solicitation offers three submission tracks: Education and Outreach, Single Facility Request, and Field Campaigns. Proposals are accepted anytime, with preference given to those submitted to programs within the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) of the National Science Foundation.

The Danette Honesto Scholarship Program, administered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, offers financial assistance to current high school seniors and college students pursuing various degrees in the USA. Applicants must be dependents of Sonterra Medical Management Group employees and meet specific eligibility criteria. This scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities and is a testament to the Foundation's commitment to community development, having distributed millions in grants and scholarships since 1964.

The Duncan Scholars Program Scholarship Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, offers financial assistance for full-time students enrolled in various accredited institutions across the USA. This renewable scholarship is available to children of current Enterprise Products Company employees, ensuring that those with at least three years of service can support their child's educational pursuits. The program aims to enhance community well-being by investing in youth education and future leaders.

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) National Grant funds innovative projects that empower youth with disabilities, enhancing their leadership and employment skills. Grants typically range from $10K to $100K per year for one to two years. MEAF seeks proposals that break down employment barriers, support U.S. youth with disabilities, and promote inclusive practices. Projects should demonstrate a plan for national dissemination and measurable outcomes, particularly benefiting young veterans transitioning to civilian life.

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 State Clinical Achievement Awards and the Louis M. DiCarlo Award honor significant accomplishments in clinical practice within audiology and speech-language pathology over the past six years. Nominations are submitted by state associations, selecting individuals who have advanced clinical knowledge. The DiCarlo Award, in memory of Louis M. DiCarlo, provides a plaque and a $2,500 grant to further the recipient's work. Eligible achievements must be specific and well-defined.

The Gerald M. Friedman Fund Grant, established in 2002, honors the contributions of Gerald M. Friedman to sedimentary geology. It supports graduate students in their research and travel for professional development. Eligible candidates must be in good academic standing and have completed at least one semester of graduate study. This fund, initiated by Friedman's former students, reflects his legacy in academia and the field of sedimentary geology.

The DoW Rare Cancers Concept Award for FY26 promotes groundbreaking ideas in rare cancer research. This award encourages innovative applications that explore novel courses of investigation without requiring preliminary data. Unique to this program is the prohibition against mentioning the Principal Investigator or collaborators in the proposal materials, ensuring an unbiased review process. This funding opportunity aims to advance scientific discovery in the rare cancer domain.