Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

Southern California Kids to Parks Grants Program

National Park Trust is thrilled to offer the 2026 Southern California Kids to Parks Grants Program. Open to Title I schools (40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch) based in the Southern California Edison service area (Map of Eligible Locations) for grades 3 through 12, this grant program provides classrooms with up to $1,500 for in-park experiences. While grant requests for all types of park visits are welcome, applicants are encouraged to consider trips to historical sites in honor of the celebration of our country's 250th birthday in 2026.

Funding can be used towards program fees, transportation costs, stewardship supplies, and any other materials needed for a robust learning experience.

This grant is designed to be student-driven, and student-teacher collaboration is a must. All applications must include a stewardship element and a park-themed educational component that focuses on either outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles, environmental education/science, or history.

Teachers may submit the application on behalf of their class, but direct student involvement in the application is required.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Bradley “Ace” Schaffner Scholarship Fund

The Bradley “Ace” Schaffner Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation in honor of Ace by his parents to provide scholarships for students living in Southwestern Pennsylvania who are pursing a 4-year liberal arts degree.

Award Type: Single Year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

College Club of Pittsburgh Scholarship Fund

The College Club of Pittsburgh Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for students who have faced social, economic, or educational barriers due to systemic gender inequity, and who were born, lived in or went to school in Western PA to provide support for continuing education.

Award Type: Single Year Award. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Westmoreland Education Fund

The Westmoreland Education Fund was created at The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County to provide scholarships to traditional and non-traditional students who reside in Westmoreland County.

Award Type: Renewable award.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

William and Muriel Reynolds Moreland Scholarship Fund

The William and Muriel Reynolds Moreland Scholarship was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to honor William H. Moreland and Muriel Reynolds Moreland in appreciation of their lifetime commitment to the citizens of the Borough of Dormont, Pennsylvania. This scholarship supports graduating seniors who are residents of Dormont Borough and are continuing their education in a post secondary accredited program. Applicants should demonstrate service to others through their school, church and community.

Award Type: Single-Year Award. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply.

The Pittsburgh Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four–year universities, graduate schools, and career/technical schools.

Ken and Ann Horoho Memorial Fund

The Ken and Ann Horoho Memorial Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the Johnstown/Altoona area to assist in furthering their educational pursuits.

• Average Award: Varies
• Award Type: Single-Year Award

The Pittsburgh Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four–year universities, graduate schools, and career/technical schools.

Robert L. Vann Scholarship Fund

The Robert L. Vann Scholarship Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarship aid to worthy and needy students for education beyond the high school level.

• Award varies
• Award Type: Renewable award.

The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown offers a prestigious Writing Fellowship for emerging writers. This seven-month residency, running from October to April, provides a $1250 monthly stipend, private accommodations, and a $1000 exit stipend for relocation. With a legacy of supporting notable writers like Louise Glück and Jhumpa Lahiri, the fellowship emphasizes self-directed creative time. Application fees vary by date, starting at $40, to enhance accessibility for all applicants.

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Alpha Omega Alpha, founded in 1902, is the national medical honor society. Its mission is:

Alpha Omega Alpha — dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by:

• recognizing high educational achievement;
• honoring gifted teaching;
• encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community;
• supporting the ideals of humanism; and
• promoting service to others.

Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award

The Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA) Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Awards were established by the AΩA Honor Medical Society in partnership with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in 1988 to provide national recognition to medical school faculty who have distinguished themselves in medical student education.

The award annually recognizes four faculty members -basic science and preclinical and clinical disciplines- at LCME-accredited medical schools. Each year, in collaboration with the Association of American Medical Colleges, AΩA presents this award to four outstanding teachers nominated from medical schools in the United States and Canada. 

Past recipients of the award have developed medical education programs and materials widely adopted in medical school curricula. 

The recipients are recognized at an annual virtual AAMC Awards Recognition Event.

The Award

Recipients each receive a $7,500 award. Each recipient’s nominating institution will receive $2,500 for teaching activities. If a school has an AΩA Chapter, $1,000 will be awarded to the Chapter.

About Us

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Our Promise

To help you help others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

Paul J. Falco Scholarship

The Paul J. Falco Scholarship provides a scholarship opportunity to high school level students from the Village of Marble Cliff who demonstrate outstanding scholastic and leadership qualities. The late Paul J. Falco, who served as Mayor of the Village for 36 years, was an ardent supporter of the Village, its residents, and the pursuit of life-long learning. The generosity of this endowment by Mayor Falco and his wife Bobbie Hall Falco provides the opportunity to recognize the talented youth of the Village of Marble Cliff. In its 20 years of existence the Paul J. Falco Scholarship Committee has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to residents of the Village of Marble Cliff.

The Alford Family Golf Scholarship

This scholarship is given in honor of the Alford Family and provides scholarship support to one male and one female varsity golfer who will continue to play at the NCAA Division II or III level.  

Consideration is given to the following verifiable and documented criteria:

• GPA and Class Rank.- Quality of reference letters.- Examples of an applicant's ways of giving back to the game of golf besides playing the game.- Leadership qualities with examples applicable to the applicant's team and as an individual.- Examples of sportsmanship as a player and integrity as a person 

Awards

• 2 , $1000

About Us

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Our Promise

To help you help others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

James G. and Marguerite Cook McQuillen Scholarship Fund

Mrs. McQuillen was a retired schoolteacher. She taught for 39 years before retiring, and trained many student teachers during her tenure. The scholarship, in memory of the McQuillens, benefits graduates of high schools in and around Nelsonville, Ohio.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Larry Waters Scholarship

The Larry Waters Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating high school seniors from Kearny High, Eastlake High, and Southwest High schools who plan to enroll full-time in a four-year university, or community college with the intent to transfer to a four-year university, anywhere in the U.S.
• Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Have a demonstrated financial need

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Lauer Scholarship

The Lauer Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating seniors from a San Diego County public high school who plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Be actively involved in serving their community as demonstrated by their involvement in extra-curricular activities, community service or work experience and must describe how they plan to give back to their community during and after college
• Have demonstrated social responsibility and a high level of integrity
• Have parents who have not received a college degree
• Have a demonstrated financial need

The Swantz Family Foundation Grant aims to support innovative nonprofit organizations that reconnect young people with nature. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt, and grants are typically awarded for one year, with some exceptions for multi-year funding. Recipients are required to submit a final report detailing project activities and the use of funds within 12 months. The foundation may recover funds if misused, ensuring accountability and effective use of resources.

The Petco Love Stories Grant Campaign celebrates the profound impact of pet adoption. Each year, Petco Love and BOBS® from Skechers® award grants to animal welfare organizations that facilitate these life-changing adoptions. Since 2013, over $8 million has been distributed to support these organizations. Pet parents are encouraged to share their unique love stories about their adopted pets, showcasing how their lives have been enriched. Compelling narratives and quality visuals will help submissions stand out.

The South Carolina Farm Bureau Foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing degrees in agriculture or related fields. Awarded based on character, leadership, and dedication, these scholarships support rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors from farm families or farm-oriented backgrounds. The selection process is managed by the Foundation's Scholarship Committee, ensuring alignment with established guidelines. This initiative aims to foster future leaders in agriculture and enhance educational opportunities in this vital sector.

The Local President Release Grant, offered by the National Education Association, aims to support local associations by providing financial assistance for the release of local presidents. This program facilitates critical leadership work, professional development, and member engagement within the community. Eligible local associations, including those offering part-time release, can apply to enhance their capacity without compromising existing programs. The initiative ultimately strengthens the effectiveness of local associations in achieving NEA's strategic priorities.

Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa Challenge Grant

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a devastating chronic inflammatory disease that manifests as recurrent painful nodules under the skin in the intertriginous areas of the body. It is associated with significant impacts on quality of life, psychosocial well-being, and long-term health outcomes of patients as well as consequences for families and caregivers. HS is prevalent, affecting between 1 and 4% of the population beginning in adolescence and persisting into adulthood. Despite the impact of HS, it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied particularly in the pediatric and adolescent populations. Contributing to this dynamic are unknowns related to a complex disease etiology, stigma associated with HS symptoms (e.g., sweating, itching, and scarring commonly in the genital region), and limited treatment options to date with even fewer available for children under the age of 12.

To address the needs of children and adolescents living with HS, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), HS Connect, and the HS Foundation are offering the 2026 Pediatric HS Challenge Grant to support an early-to-mid career investigator for a one-year project focused on a high-priority, patient-centric research topic.

Focus

Proposals should address one or more of the following high-priority research topics:

• Predicting treatment effectiveness and risk utilizing real world evidence and/or experience
• Early disease and factors involved in severe disease development
• Optimizing surgical and procedural approaches to minimize pain, shorten healing time, and reduce recurrence
• Improving recruitment of diverse and representative populations for clinical studies, trials and advanced therapeutics

Funding:

• Up to $50,000 to support one year of research
• One award anticipated for this funding cycle

The Petco Foundation offers grants aimed at animal welfare organizations, focusing on enhancing adoption and medical care initiatives. With a commitment to lifesaving programs, they invest in organizations that demonstrate accountability and significant impact in their communities. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, municipal agencies, and SPCA/humane societies that provide sheltering services. The grant cycle allows for one proposal submission per year, ensuring support for those dedicated to improving the welfare of companion animals.

Patrick J. Kiley / Houston AGC Scholarship

Benefiting employees, dependents of employees, and/or interns of AGC Houston member firms OR students involved in AGC Student Chapters.

Award Amounts

Multiple awards are given each year. Scholarship award amounts will vary for each selected scholarship recipient.

OREF/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Research Grant

Solicits investigator-initiated proposals focusing on research in the science of biologic – reconstruction, bone regeneration, transplantation - allografts, and including stem cells for graft transplantation.

The Higher Education Challenge Grant Program, administered by the USDA, aims to address critical educational needs at various levels. This program encourages innovative approaches that can be modeled by others, fostering collaboration between universities and the private sector. By enhancing relationships in the science and education community, it seeks to improve program quality and ensure lasting benefits beyond the project duration.

The Petco Love Foundation, previously known as the Petco Foundation, has been dedicated to animal welfare since 1999. With a mission to enhance the lives of pets and their families, they provide significant funding to nonprofit organizations for lifesaving initiatives. The 'Access to Care' program supports spay/neuter clinics and low-cost veterinary services, ensuring that more pets receive essential care. Petco Love remains committed to fostering healthier communities and improving the well-being of pets across the nation.

The Petfinder Foundation's Disaster Response and Recovery Grants provide crucial support to Petfinder members affected by natural disasters. These grants assist organizations in recovering from events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, ensuring that adoptable pets receive necessary care. Eligible applicants must be active Petfinder members and demonstrate a need due to disasters occurring within the past 60 days. The initiative aims to enhance the resilience of shelters and rescue groups in challenging times.

The KONG Toy Grant, offered by the Petfinder Foundation in collaboration with KONG, aims to enhance the adoptability of shelter pets by providing enriching toys. This initiative supports animal shelters and adopters throughout North America, helping to keep pets mentally stimulated and happy. By focusing on pet enrichment, the grant seeks to increase the chances of successful adoptions, thereby reducing the euthanasia of adoptable animals. Organizations that are Petfinder.com members can apply for these valuable resources.

Crown Castle Scholarship

Benefiting Crown Castle interns OR dependents of Crown Castle employees.

Award Amount

• Three (3) scholarships awarded annually
• $10,000 divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters
• Recipients may reapply for up to 3 consecutive years.

What can this scholarship be used for?

• The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student's college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses.
• Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.