Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

David L. and Frances G. Ray Scholarship

Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence (minimum GPA 2.5) and must also be good citizens of the community, as demonstrated by participation in community activities, school activities or employment.

Preference will be given to students who are pursuing education in medical or medical-related fields and those with limited financial assistance from other sources. Previous David L. and Frances G. Ray Scholarship recipients who maintain a 3.2 college GPA (4.0 scale) may re-apply to the program. 

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Cultivating Potential Scholarship Fund

This program provides assistance to individuals in Innovia service region in Eastern Washington who, through uncertain circumstances, have struggled and want a better life, but lack the resources to get started. Students must be nominated in order to apply and will receive a scholarship to their accredited school and program of choice to help offset tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, housing and other related costs associated with supporting their educational endeavors. Program requires a mentor and mentor/applicant participation in a cohort of scholarship recipients.

Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply. 

The Military Heroes Program, funded by the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, offers high impact grants to support both active duty and retired service members in their transition to civilian life. This initiative focuses on harnessing military skills for community leadership, promoting educational programs that honor service, and providing resources for meaningful employment. Non-profit organizations can apply for funding to create programs that align with these priorities and positively impact veterans and their communities.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Edwin P. and Patricia A. Pedersen Scholarship Fund

Students from Jupiter, Florida and graduated (or are graduating) from Jupiter High School.

The Year-End Critical Needs Grants, funded by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, allocate a minimum of $60,000 to support public charities and faith-based organizations within a 20-town service area. These grants aim to address urgent community needs and are part of a competitive grant process held three times a year. Organizations eligible for funding include those serving areas such as Barkhamsted, Cornwall, and Torrington, ensuring a responsive approach to local challenges.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Irving R. and Carol Rutkin Scholarship Fund

• High school senior attending a public or private High school in the southern part of Palm Beach County (Delray Beach to Boca Raton).
• The student must exhibit integrity and initiative.
• This is a need based scholarship.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Student must major in secondary education, English literature or history
• Demonstrate financial need

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund Created in Memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond

The Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond, a beloved neighbor and dear friend whose life embodied kindness, warmth and unwavering grace. Created by Ernest Frank, who considered Arlene a surrogate mother, the fund honors her legacy by supporting educational opportunities — something she deeply valued.

The scholarship fund serves as a lasting expression of love, respect and friendship, ensuring that Arlene’s spirit lives on by helping students pursue brighter futures — just as she would have wanted.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Heather and Patrick Henry Scholarship Fund

• Must demonstrate academic achievement or academic potential.
• Must demonstrate financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

H. David Faust Memorial Scholarship Fund

A native of Philadelphia, David made his home in West Palm Beach for more than 20 years. He was the administrative partner of Steel, Hector, Davis, Burns & Middleton (now Steel Hector & Davis), as well as attorney for the towns of Ocean Ridge and South Palm Beach. Additionally, he taught law courses at Palm Beach Community College. David was extremely active in his church, and served as a board member of the Community Foundation for six years. He was instrumental in starting the scholarship program.

Dave always said that he was content with his life, that it had been a good and satisfying one, and it surely seems to have been – a successful career, a prestigious and challenging practice, a prominence in the community, the bar, his church and his firm, blessed with a healthy and accomplished family, with a wife whose love, strength and enormous depth have been demonstrated so magnificently over this past year – all these were David’s. And perhaps, most important of all to him, was his deep and abiding faith in God. David’s life is an exemplar to all of us – the perfect partner, the great counselor, the outstanding lawyer, the effortlessly skilled leader, the caring father and husband. While he was here, he set a course for all of us in our daily lives which we will be proud to point to and should hope to emulate.”

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harry and Bertha Bronstein Memorial Scholarship Fund

For Students in Martin County.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

George and Arlene F. Lepeska Scholarship Fund

• Student should demonstrate strong extracurricular activities, academic excellence.
• Must show financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harrington Scholarship Fund for Martin County

For Students in Martin County.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harman Family Scholarship Fund

Graduating high school senior residing in Palm Beach County or Martin County.

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Since 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain has been the area’s signature resource for those who, like us, aspire to make our community a better place.

The Foundation has been at the forefront of positive community change and charitable impact since The Stanley Works and New Britain Machine pooled $30,000 in gifts before World War II to begin what was then called the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving. Primarily a grant maker for many years, providing funding to support New Britain non-profits and their programs, our Foundation today is leading and collaborating to shape the Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington of tomorrow.

First Years First Early Childhood Grants

The goal of the Initiative is to support optimal learning and development of children, birth through preschool so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. 

First Years First Strategies

Increase Social Emotional Learning (SEL) among young children to support school readiness, success and outcomes. Support SEL training for parents/caregivers, teachers and other adults that work with young children.

Strengthen Parent/Caregiver Education by building skills, knowledge and relationships in one or more of the following ways: 1) increase knowledge of child development, early brain development and the lasting impact of high quality early childhood education, 2) support deepening relationships among caregivers, educators and young children that increase and incorporate Social Emotional Learning, 3) strengthen parenting and caregiver skills so that children are supported and ready to learn and succeed in school.

Support Foundational Skill Development that is age appropriate in math, pre-writing, and pre-literacy among young children and families.

Support teacher training that increases skill, knowledge and expertise and teachers’ ability to support the optimal learning and development of children birth through preschool.

The Emily Stover Memorial Scholarship offers $2,000 annually to support outstanding members of the Nantucket community. This scholarship is aimed at individuals who are dedicated to helping others and are pursuing careers that reflect this commitment. Eligible applicants must be Nantucket residents attending accredited colleges or universities, demonstrating a passion for community service and a desire to make a positive impact.

The Weil Foundation provides grants to advance integrative medicine through education, research, and policy reform. Primarily aimed at non-profit healthcare organizations and medical schools, these grants support the development of educational programs in integrative medicine. Each grant is awarded for one year, with the possibility for recipients to apply for additional funding in subsequent years. The Foundation emphasizes cooperation, respect for grant-seekers, and transparency in its operations.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Fran Gay Memorial Scholarship Fund

When Fran died in 2000, she left behind not only her son, daughter, and other family members, but also her second “family” at JFK Medical Center. She worked at the hospital for 30 years in positions that included supervisor of Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit and as Assistant Director of Nursing, and Risk Manager. Her family established this scholarship to help students pursue careers in the health profession.

The Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarship offers need and merit-based financial assistance to students from Georgia and South Carolina attending accredited four-year colleges. Established in 1970, the foundation aims to enhance educational opportunities for underprivileged youth, awarding over $2.4 million annually. Eligible students can receive up to $3,000 per semester to cover educational expenses, supporting their academic journey while encouraging responsible scholarship and historic preservation.

The ICRG Seed Grant supports innovative research aimed at understanding and treating gambling disorders. With a focus on pilot studies, secondary data analysis, and developing new methodologies, it encourages both established and early-career researchers to apply for funding up to $40,000. The grant emphasizes the importance of addressing critical issues in gambling research while ensuring the inclusion of diverse participant groups. This initiative aims to enhance public education and promote responsible gaming practices.

The AMA Foundation's Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship, offering $10,000 in tuition assistance, is designed for medical students approaching their final year. This scholarship aims to support underrepresented groups in medicine, including African American, Latine, and Native American students, who are dedicated to serving underserved populations. Since 1950, the AMA Foundation has awarded over $61 million in scholarships, promoting diversity in the medical field.

The AMA Foundation's Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship provides $10,000 to medical students entering their final year. Since 1950, over $61 million has been awarded to support diverse medical students, particularly those underrepresented in the field. Applicants must show commitment to medicine and patient care, and all students from accredited U.S. medical schools can apply, regardless of AMA membership status.

The NCRG Large Grant, provided by the International Center for Responsible Gaming, supports high-quality research on gambling disorders and responsible gambling. Eligible applicants can request up to $75,000 annually for a maximum of 24 months, totaling $187,500. The grant emphasizes scientific rigor through its advisory board, ensuring only the best proposals receive funding. This initiative aims to advance understanding and treatment of gambling-related issues through peer-reviewed research.

The AMA Foundation's Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship in Illinois offers $10,000 in tuition assistance to medical students nearing graduation. This prestigious program, established in 1950, has awarded over $61 million in scholarships, emphasizing diversity and support for underrepresented medical students. Eligible applicants must be Illinois residents, involved in organized medicine, and plan to practice in Illinois post-residency. This scholarship continues the AMA Foundation's commitment to advancing medical education and fostering a diverse healthcare workforce.

Mid Shore Community FoundationMid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

The Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors through a pooled scholarship application - students complete one online application in consideration for all scholarships to which they meet eligibility. All applications are reviewed and considered by the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee. Frederick Douglass Scholarship (2026-07-27)Awarded to students graduating from high schools in Talbot County. 

Mid Shore Community Foundation Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

The Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors through a pooled scholarship application - students complete one online application in consideration for all scholarships to which they meet eligibility. All applications are reviewed and considered by the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee. Harwood Foundation ScholarshipAwarded to students graduating from Dorchester County Public Schools. 

Pike County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Pike County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

Gaskins Family Scholarship

Annual, renewable scholarship created by James S. and Cindy Gaskins.

Award Amount

• $2,370

Renewal Details

May be renewable for consecutive sophomore, junior, and senior years.  Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.