Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

About All Points North Foundation

All Points North Foundation is dedicated to navigating communities upward.

All Points North Foundation was founded in 2011 by a family who believes passionately that everyone has a “true North” – a place of achievement – and that everyone should have equal opportunity and access to realize their goals.

Our Vision

We envision a nation where the middle school years are seen as an important, vital time in the lives of youth, and where the public middle school education experience in underserved communities measurably improves

We also envision a nation where the integration of solar benefits families, local economies and the environment.

Our Priorities

All Points North Foundation funds grantees in two areas – public middle school education (grades 6-8) and solar – that have the power to help communities nationwide navigate upward.

Grant Making

All Points North Foundation seeks collaborative partnerships with grantees in our two priority areas.

Education

All Points North Foundation is one of the few foundations focused on public middle school education, defined as grades six through eight. We recognize the vital importance of the middle school years in shaping the future of our nation’s youth.

All Points North Foundation seeks to measurably improve public middle school education in underserved communities, whether urban or rural, through two priorities:

• Funding programs that prepare and retain middle school teachers in an ever-changing education climate.
• Helping students grow both academically and socially/emotionally.

Middle schoolers need a nurturing school environment and expertly trained, passionate teachers who can help foster academic, social and emotional growth.

It’s critical for teachers to be adequately prepared for rapidly changing classrooms and school environments, and to be continuously encouraged and inspired to serve as key role models for middle school students.

It’s also critical for middle school students to be inspired and engaged, and excited to embrace the path of learning ahead. Research clearly indicates the habits and patterns set in middle school forecast success for students in their high school years and beyond.

The Donald & Ruby Branson Foundation Grant aims to promote environmental, educational, and social progress in America. Established by the Branson family, it seeks to instill values of community involvement and charitable responsibility in future generations. The foundation primarily supports tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) and emphasizes the importance of education and environmental stewardship, ensuring a cleaner and more attractive world for all.

Our Mission

The Mission of Kids Chance of Nebraska is to provide financial support to further the education of the children of Nebraska workers who have been severely injured, totally disabled or killed as a result of employment related injuries or occupational diseases. It is the goal of Kids’ Chance of Nebraska to make a difference in the lives of these children by providing scholarships to help eligible students achieve both their educational goals and their families’ dreams.

Scholarship Application Process

Kids’ Chance of Nebraska (KCNE) provides college scholarships to the children of Nebraska workers who have been severely or fatally injured in a workplace-related accident. KCNE awards as many scholarships as the current year’s funding will allow.

We open our application portal twice a year, Fall and Winter.

The High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Grant Program, offered by the NIH, invites applications for purchasing or upgrading high-end, specialized instruments, with a minimum award of $750,001 and a maximum of $2,000,000. This program supports NIH investigators aiming to enhance their research capabilities through advanced technologies such as mass spectrometers and electron microscopes. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm local time of the applicant organization.

The Society of Toxicology offers the Supplemental Training for Education Program (STEP), which provides up to $1,000 to support graduate students in toxicology seeking additional training to address skill gaps. Eligible applicants must be PhD students who have completed coursework and passed comprehensive exams. The funding covers workshops or courses not available through their graduate program, enhancing career prospects in toxicology.

The NIH is seeking innovative computational approaches to enhance the curation of biomedical research assets at scale. This initiative aims to accelerate access to secure datasets and computational models, facilitating transformative discoveries in biomedical science. Key deadlines for applications range from January 2025 to January 2027, covering standard, renewal, and AIDS-related grants. Applicants are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent 30 days prior to application deadlines to ensure a streamlined review process.

The Carver, We’ll Find a Way Scholarship Fund, established by the Carver Family, offers scholarships to local students passionate about helping others. This fund is part of the Community Foundation of Washington County, Maryland, which manages over 100 scholarships aimed at supporting both high school graduates and non-traditional students pursuing further education. The foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life in Washington County through educational support and community engagement.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from a high school in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, or Pike county who plays baseball and plans to continue playing in college.

The Food Allergy Fund Innovators Research Grants aim to support innovative research addressing the root causes of food allergies. This initiative invites academic investigators and early-stage companies to submit proposals on a rolling basis. Grants ranging from $75,000 to $250,000 are available for one or two years, with a focus on collaboration and innovation. Proposals will be reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Board, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling food allergy challenges.

Geological Society of America 

The Geological Society of America (GSA), founded in 1888, is a global scientific society with members from academia, government, and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of geoscientists at all career levels, encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. GSA is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, USA.

Jack Kleinman Memorial Award for Volcano Research

The Jack Kleinman Memorial Award for Volcano Research represents a partnership between GSA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to recognize early-career scientists conducting high-impact research in volcanology. The award was created in memory of Jack Kleinman—a USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory scientist known for his commitment to collecting high-quality field data and who relished a challenge, inspired enthusiasm in others, and delighted in the natural world. The award honors students who demonstrate these same qualities in their scientific explorations.

Up to US$5,000 may be awarded to undergraduate, graduate, and aspiring graduate students, regardless of current enrollment status. Successful proposals typically focus on geologic, geochemical, geophysical, or hazards investigations with an emphasis on fieldwork. Cooperation with a staff member from the USGS Volcano Science Center is encouraged and given considerable weight in the selection process.

Funding is intended to defray the costs of field-focused studies, such as travel to field sites, living expenses during fieldwork, field supplies, and analytical costs. Awardees are invited to present their results in the USGS Kleinman Seminar Series and attend the Awards Ceremony at the GSA annual meeting.

The Alliant Credit Union Foundation, established in 2008, is dedicated to bridging the digital divide for underserved communities. By providing reliable broadband, digital literacy resources, and technology equipment, the foundation aims to promote economic empowerment and self-sufficiency. They support 501c3 organizations that share similar missions and emphasize the importance of financial literacy. Their initiatives include collaboration with community leaders and organizations to deliver essential resources where they are needed most.

The Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood provides grants to support innovative projects aimed at improving the welfare of young children in the U.S. The foundation focuses on early childhood welfare, education, and parenting education, promoting safe environments and effective teaching methods. Grants are awarded to projects with significant potential impact on children's lives, emphasizing national application and interest. Eligibility requires 501(c)(3) status, while ineligibility includes funding for foreign programs and capital equipment.

The Autism Centers of Excellence R01 aims to advance research in autism through collaborative networks, enhancing the past 23 years of progress. This initiative encourages innovative methods and technologies, inviting experts to consider applying for future funding opportunities. Although applications are not currently solicited, potential applicants are urged to form meaningful collaborations. This funding opportunity reflects a commitment to improving research in autism, leveraging diverse scientific expertise to address critical challenges in the field.

The Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) initiative, spearheaded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development along with several other prominent institutes, aims to encourage innovative research projects. While applications are not currently open, potential applicants are urged to prepare collaborative proposals that leverage cutting-edge technologies. This funding opportunity, utilizing the P50 Research Program Projects and Centers activity code, seeks to build upon over two decades of research advancements.

American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation

The AAFP Foundation focuses on improving health for everyone, and your support makes an immediate impact on the good work we do—from leadership development and education scholarships to funding social and health care services.

The AAFP Foundation strives to create a sense of belonging through an inclusive environment that embraces the family medicine community by recognizing individual uniqueness and contributions to family medicine.

Richard D. Feldman, M.D. Student and Resident Essay Contest

Each year, the Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) sponsors a contest to encourage medical students and family medicine residents to write scholarly essays relevant to the history of family medicine in the United States. The first-place winner will receive $2,000 and the second-place winner will receive a $1,000 award.

We encourage all to apply and are committed to developing scholarly essays relevant to the history of Family Medicine in the United States by medical students and residents who reflect the rich diversity of the specialty and the patients served.

The National Kidney Foundation's Young Investigator Research Grant supports clinical research on kidney disease. It aims to foster innovation in patient-oriented studies, including technology development and clinical trials. Eligible applicants are junior faculty in the U.S. who have completed nephrology training. The grant provides up to $35,000 for one year, with potential renewal. Funds cover research costs, salaries, and limited travel, while prohibiting indirect costs and patient care expenses.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, offer over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students this year. These scholarships are primarily for individuals with ties to the tree fruit industry in Washington, with a special focus on the Danna Gebbers Guzman Memorial Scholarship, aimed at nursing students. Eligible recipients can use the funds at accredited institutions with nursing programs.

The Clinical Investigator Career Development Award offered by the Lymphoma Research Foundation aims to support early-career physician researchers in developing new lymphoma therapies. With a total funding of $375,000 over three years, the program provides salary support and incidental funds for research supplies and professional development. Eligible candidates must have no more than six years of experience post-training, focusing on clinical research design and implementation to enhance their skills and career trajectory.

The NIDCR Drug, Biologic, Device and/or Procedure Intervention Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3) is designed to support clinical trial planning and implementation for dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions. This funding opportunity encourages applications that propose innovative research strategies within the NIDCR mission. Key deadlines span from February 2025 to January 2028, with emphasis on milestone-driven planning phases leading into possible clinical trial phases.

The Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA) offers Student Enrichment Grants to support educational activities in the music and entertainment fields. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for accredited institutions that are MEIEA members. Eligible projects include workshops, guest speakers, and community service initiatives. Special consideration is given to first-time applicants and projects promoting diversity and inclusion, aiming to enrich student experiences and foster greater engagement within the industry.

The Alcon Foundation focuses on enhancing global eye health through charitable monetary donations to 501(c)(3) organizations. Grants aim to support programs that improve access to quality eye care and education, fostering community development. Eligible applicants must demonstrate high-quality services, well-defined goals, and the ability to report outcomes. The foundation does not fund organizations that discriminate or are not 501(c)(3) compliant, ensuring that resources are directed towards impactful initiatives.

The Student Enrichment Grants: Level II Awards, offered by the Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA), provide up to $500 for non-institutional members to support student activities in music and entertainment. Eligible applicants include faculty in good standing, promoting diverse initiatives. Grants can fund workshops, guest speakers, and community projects, with a focus on enhancing student education and engagement in the industry. Special consideration is given to first-time applicants and impactful projects.

The DoW Military Burn, Patient-Centered Research Award aims to enhance the implementation of burn care research into clinical practice for military settings. The FY26 program supports clinical trials and research that directly benefit burn patients in resource-limited environments, fostering collaborations between experienced researchers and junior scholars. This initiative addresses critical gaps in combat burn care, ensuring effective interventions and guidelines are developed and utilized in operational battlespaces.

The FY26 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Discovery Award aims to support groundbreaking research in combat-relevant burn care. This award encourages innovative and exploratory studies that provide new insights and foundational data for future clinical research. The focus is on novel approaches that lay the groundwork for scientific advancements and product development in burn care, ensuring robust preliminary data generation for subsequent research initiatives.

The Igor Gorin Memorial Award, established in 1993 by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, honors the legacy of Igor Gorin by supporting aspiring vocalists. With $382,000 awarded to 49 young talents, this fund provides unrestricted financial assistance for coaching, travel, and auditions. The 2026 award offers up to $12,000, aimed at those overcoming financial barriers to pursue operatic careers, ensuring that exceptional vocalists can thrive in their artistic journeys.

Community Collaboration Challenge

Applications for the 2026 Community Collaboration Challenge are now open! With support from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, the Challenge provides $5,000 – $10,000 awards to communities and is designed to support collaboration that expands and pilots evidence-based K-12 student supports in the form of high-impact tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and/or wraparound/integrated student supports.

The FY26 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Technology/Therapeutic Development Award (TTDA) aims to translate promising preclinical findings into burn products for clinical use in challenging environments. This award supports the development of both tangible products, like medical devices, and knowledge products that enhance health outcomes. A new Mentorship Option encourages collaboration between experienced researchers and junior scientists, fostering the next generation of leaders in military burn care research.