Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

Margot Eiseman Scholarship Fund

Established to carry on Margot Eiseman's legacy as an artist and educator by helping young artists pursue their dreams of an education and career in art.

Amount: Varies

• $1,000-$3,000

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• Must reapply annually by submission of a new application.

The Asian American Leaders in Mental Health Scholarship, offered by The Denver Foundation, supports Asian American and Pacific Islander students pursuing careers in clinical mental health. It emphasizes a commitment to social justice and community service, with scholarships awarded based on academic merit and passion for the field. One-time awards can be re-applied for in subsequent years, covering tuition, fees, and other educational expenses, ensuring support for students in their academic journey.

The Butler County Scholarship, established by the Central Alabama Community Foundation, aims to support graduating African American seniors from Georgiana School, Greenville High School, and McKenzie School. Annually, one scholarship is awarded, with the amount determined each year. Recipients may renew the scholarship for up to three additional years, provided they submit a high school transcript and references during the application process. This initiative underscores a commitment to educational advancement in the community.

About the Foundation

The MxCC Foundation Supports CT State Middlesex and Meriden Campuses

The purpose of the Middlesex Community College Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in Connecticut, is twofold:

• To support the college and its students by receiving, managing, and distributing funds for scholarships and other educational purposes, and
• To generate and strengthen communication and collaboration between the college and the Foundation and business, industry, professional, civic, and educational leaders in the communities served by the college—all of Middlesex County, Meriden and Wallingford in New Haven County, and Rocky Hill in Hartford County.

Removing financial obstacles that bar or inhibit student access to education is the Foundation’s driving force. Scholarships address not only the growing need for financial assistance, but also our perennial wish to celebrate student achievement.

The MxCC Foundation’s charge is to develop external resources that contribute support to student and academic programs, as well as efforts that foster student success.

Susan M. Smart Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the Student Senate in memory of Susan Smart, former Senate vice president who passed away in 1989. It is awarded to a returning or graduating student who demonstrates academic achievement, financial need and is involved in student activities.

The RBC Wealth Management Colorado Scholarship offers financial support to exceptional Colorado high school seniors pursuing degrees in science, mathematics, or engineering. Awards are based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and financial need. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and an ACT score of at least 31 or equivalent SAT scores. This scholarship aims to empower students facing challenges to achieve their educational goals.

The Southwest Airlines® Founders Scholarship, administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, offers financial support to dependents of Southwest Airlines employees pursuing their first post-secondary degree. Established in 1981, this renewable scholarship awards up to $20,000 over four years, contingent on meeting GPA and enrollment criteria. Eligible applicants must demonstrate community service and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5. This scholarship underscores the commitment to empowering educated communities.

The Bob and Cheri Suttner Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, supports residents from local school districts pursuing an electrical trade education. Established to promote careers in power line technology, this scholarship emphasizes the importance of skilled trades and aims to provide financial assistance for students attending technical colleges. It honors the legacy of Bob and Cheri Suttner, who dedicated their lives to the community and the electric utility profession.

The State Biomonitoring Cooperative Agreement aims to enhance public health laboratories' ability to conduct biomonitoring and assess human exposure to environmental chemicals. This funding opportunity emphasizes community investigations, state-level studies, and emerging chemicals not covered in the National Exposure Report. By improving laboratory capacity and fostering collaboration, the initiative seeks to identify harmful exposures and evaluate intervention effectiveness over a three-year period.

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: Spencer Success Stipend

The Spencer Success Stipend is a student support initiative created to help reduce financial barriers associated with internship opportunities in the risk management and insurance industry. The program provides funding to eligible students to assist with internship-related expenses that may otherwise make it difficult to participate in valuable experiential learning opportunities.

Through the Spencer Success Stipend, students may receive support for expenses such as housing, transportation, professional attire, technology, relocation costs, work-related meals, licensing or background check fees, and other direct internship participation costs. The goal of the program is to ensure students can fully engage in career-building experiences that strengthen their professional development, industry exposure, and long-term success.

Thanks to the generous support of Allied World and Munich Re, Spencer is proud to expand access to these opportunities and continue investing in the next generation of industry talent. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Southwest Airlines® Community Scholarship, administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, offers ten annual scholarships of up to $20,000 for students pursuing higher education in the airline industry. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a career interest in this field, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, and be 24 or younger. This renewable scholarship supports students attending accredited institutions and is specifically for those seeking their first post-secondary degree. Dependents of Southwest Airlines employees are not eligible.

The Alexander Brown Memorial Scholarship supports solid organ transplant recipients pursuing higher education. Open to high school seniors graduating soon or current students at accredited institutions, this one-time award can be used for tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. Selection is based on academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, and references. This scholarship aims to empower recipients to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

The Sam J. Lucas Jr. Scholarship, administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, offers multiple awards of $5,000 for employees and dependents of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. This one-time award is intended for students pursuing higher education in accredited institutions and requires a minimum GPA of 2.5. Recipients must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours and submit enrollment information to facilitate the scholarship's direct payment to their college.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Helen Schlicht McGeachy & Arthur C. Schlicht Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund provides scholarships to students graduating from Aurora Central, Aurora Christian, East Aurora, Marmion Academy, Rosary or West Aurora High School.

Students entering the field of education, engineering, science, medicine or nursing are eligible to apply for these awards.

This fund was established by Arthur C. Schlicht (1936-2020) in memory of his mother Helen Schlicht McGeachy.

Helen McGeachy (1910-1994) was a graduate of East Aurora High School. An outstanding typist and secretary, she ultimately became secretary to the presidents of CA&E Railway and Walker Process Equipment of Aurora. Arthur Schlicht was vice-president/national sales manager at Walker Process Equipment. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

This fund was created in 1994 and established as an endowment in 1995.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

The Indian Land Tenure Foundation's Legal Reform Grant Program aims to empower American Indian nations by addressing systemic barriers to land ownership and control. This initiative promotes collaboration on projects like estate planning, land policy reform, and engaging government leaders in discussions about tribal sovereignty. By focusing on legal reforms, the program seeks to rectify longstanding inequities and enhance the ability of tribes to manage their land effectively.

The Indian Land Tenure Foundation's Economic Opportunity Grant aims to empower American Indian nations by enhancing their control over reservation lands. This initiative addresses historical challenges in land ownership and economic development, providing essential resources and tools for communities to manage land effectively. By focusing on land acquisition and productive land use, the Foundation supports sustainable growth and cultural preservation, ultimately fostering economic self-sufficiency among Indigenous populations.

The Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship, established by the East Bay Community Foundation, honors labor leader Tom Sweeney. It awards $2,000 to graduating high school students accepted into college or university, and $1,000 to post-secondary students in undergraduate or graduate programs. Eligibility requires students to be members or dependents of IBEW Local 595 and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This scholarship supports educational expenses, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to fostering academic success in the community.

The Early Career Research Programs: POST Program Grant aims to attract and retain promising early career scientists in pediatric oncology research. This summer internship offers students from underrepresented communities a chance to gain hands-on experience through mentorship and real-time research projects. With funding up to $5,000, it prioritizes student stipends and encourages diverse participation. Students must commit to an 8-10 week program, fostering professional growth and networking opportunities within the field.

The Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation's Community Impact Fund Grants aim to enhance community well-being by supporting 501(c)(3) organizations focused on underrepresented populations. Grants range from $3,000 to $20,000 and are intended for projects in areas like disaster relief and sexual health. First-time applicants must submit a letter of intent before applying. The foundation prioritizes projects in regions where its members live and work, ensuring local engagement and impact.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program aims to enhance the technological investigative capacity of ICAC task forces nationwide. Through this funding opportunity, the program will support the development and refinement of investigative tools and methods to combat child sexual abuse material, exploitation, and trafficking. The deadline for application submission is November 5, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these critical issues.

Gainesville Chicken Scholarship

This scholarship supports college students pursuing a degree in poultry science or a related agricultural degree. Applicants should be graduating high school seniors or current college students pursuing a career in the poultry industry, majoring in Agricultural Business, Poultry Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Food Marketing, Agricultural Economics, etc. In 2026, one $2,000 scholarship will be offered.

The Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote American Indian self-sufficiency and culture. Grants are awarded quarterly, and applications must be submitted at least 30 days before meeting dates. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) compliant, focusing on entrepreneurship, education, and cultural preservation. The Foundation, established in 1997, has funded various projects, ensuring that grant funds are utilized effectively for their intended purposes.

Gainesville Symphony Orchestra Scholarship

This scholarship is for graduating seniors at public, private or homeschools in Hall County. Applicants must reside in Hall County and must play a musical instrument. In 2026, one scholarship award of $1,500 will be offered.

The Vadon Foundation Grant supports innovative, community-based initiatives aimed at sustaining healthy indigenous nations. By empowering visionary changemakers, the foundation addresses multi-generational challenges through focused programming in areas like language revitalization, community leadership, and addressing crises such as food insecurity. The foundation seeks to foster self-determination and sustainability within native communities, ensuring that future generations can thrive culturally and socially.

The Creative Capital Award, established in 1999, provides unrestricted project grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 for innovative artistic works in various disciplines. It supports artists in visual arts, performing arts, film, and literature through a democratic, open-call process. Awardees receive professional development resources and mentorship over a five-year relationship. Additionally, recipients are automatically considered for the State of the Art Prize, which offers a $10,000 grant to one artist from each U.S. state.

The Division 54 Lizette Peterson-Homer Injury Prevention Grant, provided by the American Psychological Foundation, supports innovative research focused on preventing injuries in children and adolescents. This grant aims to enhance understanding of psychological and behavioral factors influencing injury prevention, honoring the legacy of Lizette Peterson-Homer. Open to graduate students and early career psychologists, it encourages diverse applicants committed to improving children's health and safety through impactful research.

The Yass Prize & STOP Awards Initiative aims to revolutionize education by recognizing and supporting exceptional education providers focused on Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless (STOP) education. Established in 2021, the initiative awards funds to organizations serving Pre-K to 12th grade students across the United States, fostering impactful partnerships and innovative practices. With a commitment to transforming educational experiences, the initiative celebrates the vital work of educators in response to contemporary challenges.

The Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes GYSD Grant supports youth-led projects for Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day. Open to U.S. and Canadian youth aged 5-25, grants of $250 or $500 are available, depending on volunteer engagement. Projects should address community needs and foster inclusivity among diverse youth volunteers. Successful applications will partner with local organizations and focus on relationship-building. A total of $50,000 in grants will be awarded, encouraging meaningful community service.