Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in District of Columbia

The Carson Bailey Memorial Scholarship for Siblings, established by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, honors the memory of Carson Bailey. This scholarship aims to support brain tumor survivors pursuing their educational goals. Eligible applicants must have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before age 21, reside in the U.S., maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and be at least a senior in high school. A $1000 scholarship is available for those attending various educational institutions.

Mission

To empower worthy nonprofits by providing critically needed, unrestricted funding that helps them fulfill their missions with confidence and sustainability.

How We Serve Nonprofits

AmFund partners with nearly 800 organizations annually—supporting causes related to health, education, the arts, human services, animal welfare, and more. We’re known for our:

• Signature silent and live auctions featuring once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences.
• National reach with personalized service at events in all 50 states.
• Comprehensive marketing toolkits, onsite staff support, and beautifully displayed materials
• No-cost platform development for virtual and hybrid fundraising
• In-house travel specialists who provide custom planning, extensions, insurance, and 24/7 emergency support.
• Ongoing educational resources, grants, and consulting support for nonprofit development.

Request Support

Our model is built on relationship, trust, and results. Every trip sold, every service provided, and every donor interaction is designed to maximize your fundraising impact—without adding burden to your team.

The AISES RISE Scholarship offers $2,000 annually to support Indigenous students pursuing careers in STEM, particularly in the casino gaming industry. This initiative, powered by Aristocrat Gaming, aims to empower Indigenous talent through exposure, resources, and programming. Eligible applicants must be full-time students and current AISES members, demonstrating a commitment to their education and community. The scholarship seeks to enhance diversity in STEM fields by providing critical financial support to deserving students.

The Lakken’s Legacy Sibling Scholarship, established by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, honors Lakken Burzynski's courage and resilience in her battle with cancer. This $1,000 scholarship is designed for siblings of children diagnosed with brain tumors, emphasizing support for families impacted by such challenges. Eligible applicants must be 21 or younger at diagnosis and reside in the U.S. This initiative promotes positivity and hope, continuing Lakken's legacy of strength and family support.

The Lakken’s Legacy Survivor Scholarship, offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, awards $1,000 to brain tumor survivors pursuing education beyond high school. This initiative honors Lakken, who faced challenges during her cancer journey yet remained passionate about education. The scholarship aims to support individuals diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors before age 21, ensuring they have the opportunity to continue their studies in various educational institutions. It's a commitment to empower survivors and foster their dreams.

The Amazing Grace Scholarship, established by the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, honors Grace Fulcher, a brain tumor survivor. This scholarship supports students diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors before age 21, who reside in the U.S. and are pursuing higher education. With a $1000 award, the scholarship aims to empower survivors to achieve their educational goals, inspired by Grace's resilience and academic success despite her challenges.

The Jenna’s Rainbow Moving Forward Grant, offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, provides crucial financial assistance to adult survivors of brain or spinal cord tumors. Aimed at fostering independence, this grant supports costs associated with job transitions, new living situations, and resources to enhance self-sufficiency. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, diagnosed before 21, and not have received recent funding from CBTF or JRF. This initiative empowers survivors to overcome challenges and move forward in their lives.

The Allison Adams Wieczorek Scholarship supports graduate nurses pursuing degrees in maternal-infant and pediatric nursing. Established through the Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., this scholarship honors the contributions of Allison Adams Wieczorek, a dedicated board member with extensive experience in financial services. Applicants must have at least two semesters of study remaining and meet specific eligibility criteria, including holding a current RN license and maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.6. This initiative fosters nursing leadership and education.

Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund

For a high school senior from Central Noble, East Noble, Wawasee, West Noble or homeschool (homeschooled student must live in Noble County) who will be pursuing advanced education in emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Awards Per Year:

• 1 scholarship

Applicant High School:

• Central Noble, East Noble, Homeschooled, Wawasee, West Noble

Colleges:

• Any accredited college or university

Areas of Study:

• Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Services, Emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Martha Rodriguez Scholarship Fund

Martha Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship was initiated in 2025 by Lisa Ackerman, close friend and then Director of the Columbus Citizens Foundation. Raised in Gary, Indiana and a true New Yorker, Martha died as the result of traumatic head injuries from a tragic accident just outside her NYC apartment. Martha Rodriguez gave in life, working as a nurse helping patients navigate the trauma of breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In her death, she was lauded by the President of LiveOnNY, an organization that coordinates and oversees organ donations, for her last selfless act of giving. Martha donated organs that gave life and hope and helped three people lead better lives. Her zest for life was contagious, and her dedication, compassion, and expertise left an indelible mark on the lives of countless MSKCC patients and caregivers. She was a friend and mentor to many. She loved being a nurse at MSKCC and worked for more than 28 years as a nurse practitioner and for the last 15 years of her life dealing with breast cancer patients. This scholarship is awarded to nurses studying in master's or doctoral programs who are dedicated to oncology care, or women’s health, or are Latinx nurses.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Rogers and Meredith Scholarship (College) ($4,000) 

This renewable scholarship is available to students who have been residents of Epworth Children’s Home, Thornwell Home for Children or students who’ve been in custody of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

LinkScholars Program Scholarship ($2,000) 

This renewable scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, or Sumter counties in South Carolina.

The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, established in 1956, supports innovative projects that explore architecture's role in society and culture. It offers grants to individuals for production and presentation, as well as research and development, focusing on diverse ideas that provoke critical dialogue. The foundation prioritizes first-time applicants and seeks to amplify underrepresented perspectives while fostering collaboration across various disciplines in the arts and education.

The Culpeper Rotary Foundation Scholarship supports residents of Culpeper County pursuing a four-year degree. With a $1,000 award renewable for four years, applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process, emphasizing community involvement. This initiative reflects NPCF's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the region, ensuring that local students have the support they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.

The Limited Competition: Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program's Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award aims to enhance translational research by fostering collaboration in developing and implementing innovative solutions. This funding opportunity invites applications focused on new approaches and technologies that will improve research impact across various diseases and expedite treatment availability. Eligible applicants include organizations with active CTSA hub prime or partnering awards.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship Fund

The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship Fund is responsive to workforce readiness needs. This scholarship will be available on a rolling basis, students may apply at any time. Randy, a member of the Board of Governors at The Community Foundation starting in June 2022, owned two businesses in the area until 2021, Ultimate Subaru and Ultimate Buick GMC. As an active businessperson, philanthropist and retiree, he seeks to give back to the community he calls home. Tina and Randy have been friends to the foundation through leadership and participation, also contributing to the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits and through the Randy and Tina Harris Family Charitable Fund. 

Apply for a Scholarship

While it is common for students to go to college after high school, earning a college degree isn’t the only option after high school, nor is it the right option for everyone.

The trades are vital, though often underappreciated, career fields that are essential for the functioning of society. Skilled trades are the backbone of our society and can be lucrative, stable career opportunities. In areas like construction, manufacturing, technology and medicine there are trades where people are able to make significant contributions to our world.

African Americans are very underrepresented in these fields. To ensure the brightest future possible, it’s crucial for African Americans interested in the trades to have the financial resources necessary to further their education.

Randy’s father, James Harris, had a successful career as a machinist and welder. He demonstrated that a college degree was not a necessity for a successful career. This scholarship was created for those African American students like James Harris, who are inspired to develop their talents in trades or taking non-traditional paths to further their education.

Our Mission

The Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Through its programs, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film and media artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work.

Sally Menke Editing Fellowship

Description of Fellowship

The Sally Menke Editing Fellowship will include the following elements:

• Two editing mentors; collaboration with Sundance Institute staff to identify the mentors who will be available from July 2026 through May 2027. You will engage in monthly meetings with one or both of the mentors for advice on the editing process and potential opportunities for career development. When appropriate, there might be a key moment to observe mentors at work during an essential part of their process.

• Invitation to join the American Cinema Editors as an associate member. Benefits include receiving the ACE CinemaEditor Magazine, invitations to events, and screeners, with the opportunity to vote for the Feature Film Best Editing categories as part of the ACE Awards.

• Invitations to join periodic informal gatherings of the cohort of Menke fellows.

• Invitation to join the Art of Editing event at the 2027 Sundance Film Festival, where the annual Menke fellow is announced.

• Participation as an editor for two of the directing fellows at the 2026 Sundance Directors Lab (fellow must be available to attend in person at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, anticipated dates June 10–23, 2026).

Powering Economic Opportunity Fund

Converting America's economic transformation into lasting earnings gains for workers — by backing the employer-side job designs and workplace practices that a durable payer will carry forward.

Across the United States, the modernization of energy systems, physical infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing is creating sustained demand for skilled workers — electricians, welders, energy technicians, construction managers, and industrial specialists — even as the broader labor market has slowed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that energy-related occupations will be among the fastest-growing through 2034, and critical trades face significant shortages as experienced workers retire. 

Geopolitical uncertainty and conflicts only accelerate these trends and the need to focus on energy security. At the same time, AI-driven disruption continues to displace entry-level knowledge roles, creating a strong and underserved candidate pool for durable trade pathways.

Investments are expanding access to skilled trades training, but a critical gap remains between funding workforce programs and achieving lasting employment outcomes. Too many workers complete training without staying in quality jobs, and too few investments address the employer practices that improve retention, advancement and long-term earnings.

As part of our multiyear partnership with Families and Workers Fund, GitLab Foundation is pleased to announce a $4M open call for the Powering Economic Opportunity Fund — flexible grants of up to $500,000 supporting organizations that partner directly with employers, unions and industry to strengthen work-based learning, improve job quality and connect workers to durable, living-wage careers. Round 2 invests in employer-side practice change — the job designs and workplace practices that help workers stay, advance, and build careers — and in the durable financing that sustains those practices after the grant ends.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.

The O'Jays Scholarship Fund, established by the Stark Community Foundation, supports Stark County seniors graduating high school or residents with a GED pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. This initiative reflects the Foundation's long-standing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and addressing community challenges since its inception in 1963. The program aims to empower students to achieve their academic goals and improve their futures.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for Winter Sports awards up to 126 scholarships of $10,000 annually to outstanding student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. Eligible candidates are in their final year of NCAA competition and must have a minimum GPA of 3.2. The scholarships are available for men and women in various winter sports and are intended for use in accredited graduate programs, emphasizing the importance of academic achievement and community involvement.

The U.S. Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism, awarded by the Sidney Hillman Foundation, recognizes outstanding journalism that serves the common good. Open to global journalists, the contest honors work accessible to U.S. audiences, with no entry limits per outlet. Winners receive a $5,000 honorarium and a certificate at a ceremony in New York City. This prestigious award highlights impactful stories across various media platforms, emphasizing the importance of journalism in addressing social issues.

Gropper Clement Legacy Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates of Huron, James Valley Christian, Kadoka and Miller High Schools.

The Parkinson Family Foundation Grant supports organizations focusing on Food & Water, Faith & Evangelism, and Health & Humanitarian Efforts. Applications are open year-round, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000; larger requests are typically declined. Eligible applicants include schools, state governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The Foundation emphasizes selectivity and prioritizes organizations with established relationships and those promoting American ideals like freedom and justice.

The Conservation Alliance Grants program is currently under evaluation, leading to a pause in the member-directed grant cycle as the organization aligns its funding with its strategic plan launching in 2025. This initiative aims to harness the collective efforts of businesses and outdoor communities to protect North America's wild places through impactful and efficient grant-making. Future funding will focus on projects that enhance habitat, support Indigenous initiatives, and address climate change.

The Hypercholesterolemia Grant by the Patient Advocate Foundation offers financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia, helping cover out-of-pocket healthcare costs such as medication copays and insurance premiums. This nonprofit aims to improve patient access to necessary care while supporting over 3.8 million patients since its inception. Eligible applicants must have health insurance and meet specific income requirements to receive assistance in managing their healthcare expenses effectively.

The Ruth M. Cogan Foundation Trust Fund, established by the Stark Community Foundation, supports students from Stark County, Ohio pursuing college education in music. This fund aims to help graduating seniors or current college students who demonstrate a passion for music and embody the spiritual qualities exemplified by Ruth. Since 1963, the Foundation has evolved from a grantmaker to a community leader, transforming lives through philanthropy.