Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Delaware

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4- year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. Her spirit and determination inspired others to support her cause, and when she passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement. Today, ALSF is one of the leading funders of pediatric cancer research in the U.S. and Canada, funding research projects and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. ALSF is one of the only childhood cancer research organizations that has been given the NCI peer-reviewed funder designation for rigorous selection of research grants. The mission of ALSF is to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.

Bio-Therapeutic Impact Award

The Bio-Therapeutic Impact Award accelerates the development of clinical trials for promising biologic approaches to treating childhood cancer. These approaches include, but are not limited to, immunotherapy, gene therapy and small molecules. The award, intended for investigators who are initiating clinical trials, totals the maximum of $1.8 million awarded over three years.

The ADCMS Competitive Grant Program, administered by the DOT Federal Highway Administration, aims to incentivize eligible State Departments of Transportation and partners to implement innovative technology in construction projects. This initiative promotes collaboration among various entities, including local governments and private industries, with a required cost share of 20% to enhance project viability and effectiveness. The program encourages joint applications to maximize the impact of technological advancements in the construction sector.

The American Heart Association offers $2,000 scholarships for students researching cerebrovascular disease and stroke. These funds are paid directly to the recipient's institution. Additionally, scholarship winners may qualify for a $750 travel grant to attend the International Stroke Conference, provided they present an accepted co-authored abstract. Eligibility includes being a member of the AHA and studying in accredited programs focused on cardiovascular disease.

The Edwin & Lanier File Ratcliff Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Beckley Area Foundation, supports students from southern West Virginia pursuing higher education. Established to alleviate college expenses, the scholarship targets deserving individuals committed to their academic goals. The Beckley Area Foundation, founded in 1985, connects donors and community partners to enhance local initiatives, focusing on education, health, and community development. This scholarship embodies the foundation's mission to inspire charitable giving and strengthen regional communities.

The Birth Center Membership Support Grants, offered by the American Association of Birth Centers Foundation, aim to assist birth centers facing financial hardships in paying membership fees. Eligible centers can receive support covering up to 50% of the fees, whether they are applying for membership for the first time or renewing their membership. This initiative emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards in maternity care and supports centers committed to serving low-income women.

The Joan L. Conroy Scholarship, established in 2024, supports Ph.D. nursing students dedicated to educating future nurses. It honors Joan L. Conroy's legacy, emphasizing her love for education and nursing. Applicants must have two semesters left in their program and demonstrate a commitment to geriatric nursing and home health care. This scholarship is funded by the Nurses Educational Funds Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes nursing leadership through educational scholarships.

Fund the Dream Scholarship

The Fund the Dream Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 by the Hispanic Alliance, GA. The purpose of this scholarship is to ‘Build the Dream, One Graduate at a Time.’ Minority students from first-generation/low-income backgrounds face systemic roadblocks while navigating the college admissions process. Graduating seniors coming from low-income families are seven times more likely to drop out than those from families with higher income. In addition, 74% of Latino students enrolled in colleges and universities in the U.S. cut their education short due to the financial pressures of supporting their families. To help mitigate the educational opportunity gap and student debt crisis, the Hispanic Alliance Georgia Fund the Dream Scholarship will support one student who has huge aspirations for their life and is willing to work through anything to achieve them. This scholarship is funded by proceeds from the annual Latino Fest in Gainesville, Georgia and is part of our commitment to making academic and scholarship support more accessible for all students.

When choosing a recipient, the selection committee will take into consideration factors such as the applicant’s academic achievement, financial need, immigration status, volunteering efforts, future educational goals, and responses to essay question. Special consideration will be given to students participating in the Latino Youth Leadership Academy. The 2026 scholarship will be a one-time award of $1,500.

The Fiscal Year 2026 United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP) aims to reduce congestion on land by designating Marine Highway Routes, enhancing alternatives to land transportation. Administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, this program encourages the use of Marine Highway Transportation, supporting projects that promote expansion and development of this sustainable transport option. Eligible projects may include innovative logistics solutions that alleviate traffic and contribute to environmental sustainability.

The Sex Worker Giving Circle Grant, launched by the Third Wave Fund, prioritizes funding for grassroots movements led by individuals directly impacted by gender oppression, especially within the sex work community. With a commitment to gender justice, the grant supports organizations that operate with a participatory approach to grantmaking, enabling them to address systemic inequalities. In recent years, the fund has distributed significant resources to empower and sustain these vital movements across the United States.

The Joanne V. Pontier Scholarship, established in 2022 by Mary V. Insall, honors her sister, a dedicated emergency nurse. With a generous $50,000 donation, this scholarship supports emergency nurses pursuing graduate studies. Applicants must be enrolled in accredited nursing programs and have a minimum GPA of 3.6. Preference is given to doctoral students in nursing research. This scholarship aims to foster leadership in nursing and improve emergency care, ultimately saving lives and supporting families.

The Judith G. Whitaker Scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports nurses pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in nursing. Applicants must have two semesters of study remaining and meet specific eligibility criteria, including a valid RN license and a minimum GPA of 3.6. Preference is given to doctoral students focusing on nursing research. This scholarship reflects over a century of commitment to advancing nursing education and leadership.

The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism

Prize Summary

The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism was established by the AACR in 2015 to raise awareness of the critical role that the media play in educating the public about cancer and cancer research.

Funded by a major bequest to the AACR from cancer research pioneer Dr. June L. Biedler, a scientist, mentor, and former member of the AACR Board of Directors, this prize showcases outstanding examples of cancer journalism and recognizes individual professional journalists who have produced accurate, informative, and compelling stories that enhance the public’s understanding of cancer, cancer research, cancer advocacy, or cancer policy.

The prize provides an unrestricted cash award of $5,000 and a commemorative award.

Categories

Each submission may be considered for only one category, as selected by the candidate on the application form.

Applicants may submit in any of the following categories:

Prize Acceptance

Awardees will be able to accept the prize during the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 in Orlando, April 2-7, 2027.

Improving Metastatic Prostate Cancer (mPCa) Care Through Innovative Strategies

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® and Pfizer Global Medical Grants (Pfizer) are collaborating to offer a new grant opportunity seeking proposals for investigator-initiated research to improve mPCa care. Pfizer (hereafter, “Grantor”) is providing $1 Million in funding to support quality improvement studies to advance health care quality, the delivery of quality care, and improve health care provider performance in mPCa care. The Grantor will serve as the funding organization. Grants are available to all investigators from institutions within the United States. 

Aim

To promote the advancement of scientific knowledge, health care provider performance, and/or health care quality improvement focused on improving mPCa care.

A total of $1 Million is available to fund all projects. The intent is to fund 2-5 studies. There is a funding cap of $250,000 per study. Exceptional studies with budgets above this amount will be considered based on scientific merit and must contain a robust justification. All budgets must include line-item information and robust justification.

The 'Repurposing Research for Chicago - Track 1 – Health Equity' grant, offered by Cures Within Reach, aims to fund clinical repurposing trials addressing health disparities among underrepresented populations. With a budget of up to $100,000, it encourages trials led by underrepresented researchers or focusing on women's health. The initiative seeks to enhance the quality of life in the Chicagoland area through effective and innovative medical solutions, fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.

The Altrusa International of Grand Rapids Scholarship, supported by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, aims to empower students from Allegan, Kent, Ionia, Muskegon, Montcalm, and Ottawa Counties. This scholarship is intended for individuals returning to college or entering after a two-year hiatus, emphasizing inclusivity and support for those with financial need. Recipients can benefit from awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, which are directly applied to educational costs, enhancing opportunities for academic and career advancement.

The TTF Advertising for the Environment Grant, established by the Temper of The Times Foundation in 1997, aims to enhance awareness of wildland conservation through marketing initiatives. This grant is exclusively available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and funds various advertising campaigns to protect native ecosystems. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate measurable impacts on conservation, rather than those focused solely on education.

The Graduate Education Fund offers the South Australia Defence, Space & Cyber Scholarship for scholars from the USA and South Australia. This scholarship supports PhD and Post-Doctoral research in Defence, Space, and Cyber Security, ensuring candidates have affiliations with educational institutions. Awarded funds, up to US $40,000, can cover tuition, travel, and living expenses. Applications are due in March for USA to Australia and September for Australia to USA, promoting collaboration in research between the two nations.

The John and Polly Sparks Early Career Grant, offered by the American Psychological Foundation, supports early career psychologists focused on research and intervention for serious emotional disturbances in children. This grant empowers researchers to develop scientifically-backed treatments that can be implemented broadly across the country, encouraging diverse applicants with a commitment to improving mental health outcomes for affected youth.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. Scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000 for a single year.

Robert and Judy Dreiling Scholarship

This scholarship offered to northern Nevada residents who are high school graduates or who have earned a high school equivalency certificate and adults seeking education to attain better employment.

The ideal candidates will be enrolled in an Associate's Degree track or certificate program at the school of their choice; the degree track or certificate program should result in a good lead to a good job. 

The scholarship will pay up to $5,000 for an Associate’s Degree or certificate program at private trade schools or community colleges for one or more candidates. You will be asked to write brief essays discussing: your life, your plans for the future, why you chose your certificate program, and how your education will impact your life and your family.

The D.K. Shroyer & Alma Davenport Shroyer Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, aims to support students from Raleigh County, WV, who have completed two semesters of college with a strong academic standing. This need-based scholarship provides opportunities for students pursuing higher education in accredited institutions. The foundation is dedicated to fostering charitable giving to enhance educational success and community growth across Southern West Virginia.

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program, managed by the Delaware State Housing Authority, provides essential funding for homelessness prevention and street outreach activities. It aims to enhance emergency shelters and reduce homelessness through rapid rehousing initiatives. Grants are available to local governments and non-profit organizations, supporting a wide range of activities to ensure safe and sanitary shelter for vulnerable populations. This program is critical in addressing homelessness in Delaware.

The AAFP Family Medicine Chapter Alliance Grant Awards support the philanthropic efforts of AAFP Constituent Chapters and Chapter Foundations. Since 2006, these grants have been designed to fund activities that align with specific priority areas including education, outreach, and public health initiatives. Eligible applicants include AAFP Chapters and Foundations, focusing on projects that promote community health and wellness.

The ASTRO-AstraZeneca SCLC Therapy Challenge RFP aims to enhance research on limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) through innovative combination therapies, particularly integrating immunotherapy with advanced radiation techniques. Proposals are encouraged to explore various aspects, including care patterns, treatment workflows, prognostic biomarkers, and toxicity management. The target budget for projects ranges from $175,000 to $375,000, with consideration given to higher requests based on scientific merit, fostering significant advancements in radiation oncology.

The Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation Grants support tax-exempt organizations working to enhance lives through arts, healthcare, education, and youth programs. The foundation requires a Letter of Intent (LOI) from all applicants, emphasizing its mission to select grant recipients who align with its values. Grants are not available for political purposes, endowment campaigns, or organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, or religion. This framework ensures a focused impact on community betterment.

The BioMarin Grant aims to support events, activities, and projects that enhance public health and benefit patients with rare diseases. This corporate funder focuses on scientific innovation and provides resources for organizations such as hospitals, universities, and patient advocacy groups. With an emphasis on education and community support, BioMarin encourages applications for funding throughout the year, ensuring timely assistance for eligible projects.

The FY26 Kidney Cancer Research Program's Idea Development Award supports innovative research that enhances understanding of kidney cancer, aimed at improving patient outcomes. Proposals should feature a strong hypothesis and a detailed research plan, with team members experienced in kidney cancer research. A unique aspect is the Partnering Principal Investigator option, fostering collaboration between two investigators, ensuring comprehensive project development while allowing for distinct submissions. This award emphasizes impactful partnerships to drive advancements in the field.

The DoW Toxic Exposures Translational Research Award aims to foster translational research that bridges military-related toxic exposure studies and clinical applications. This program encourages innovative collaborations by allowing for a Partnering Principal Investigator Option, enhancing interdisciplinary partnerships. By integrating basic science with clinical insights, the initiative seeks to expedite the development of impactful health care products and interventions to address toxic exposures faced by military personnel.