Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in District of Columbia

The When Georgia Smiled Grant, established by the Robin McGraw Revelation and Dr. Phil Foundation, focuses on aiding victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The foundation prioritizes programs that provide shelter, education, and mental health services to ensure safe and fulfilling lives for affected individuals. Additionally, it supports initiatives for children and disaster relief, fostering community resilience and family reunification efforts. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations operating in the U.S. with a commitment to inclusivity.

The Michael Hurewitz Scholarship, offered by The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, supports high school seniors in the region who have a passion for journalism and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship aims to empower students by providing them the necessary financial assistance to pursue their educational goals in journalism, fostering the next generation of storytellers and communicators in our community.

The ALACRITY Research Centers, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, aim to enhance the effectiveness of mental health interventions for youth and adults. This initiative supports interdisciplinary research to develop innovative approaches for optimizing mental health care access and quality. By fostering collaborations across various fields such as behavioral science and health systems engineering, the program seeks to transform clinical practices and improve outcomes for individuals facing mental health challenges.

The Cameron Pepera Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Pepera family in memory of their son, aims to support local high school seniors from St. Charles North and East High Schools. This scholarship, typically valued at $1,000, is designed for students demonstrating financial need and active participation in extracurricular activities. Funded by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, it reflects a commitment to enhancing the community's future by empowering its youth.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Women in Leadership of Central Illinois Scholarship Fund

The Women in Leadership of Central Illinois Scholarship Fund was established by the Women in Leadership of Central Illinois to provide scholarship support for women in the Tri-County (Peoria) area, who are pursuing secondary or post-graduate education or certification at an accredited college or university.

Women in Leadership Mission

To promote leadership among women by providing mentoring, networking, and educational opportunities.

The Viola Pfaff Bowman Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Hamilton County Community Foundation, supports high school students in Hamilton County, particularly those from Hamilton Heights, Noblesville, Sheridan, and Westfield High Schools. Candidates must be pursuing a degree in communications or business and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship honors Viola Pfaff Bowman, a dedicated alumna who inspired many through her involvement in school media. It encourages students with media program experience to apply.

The ASES Research Grant, provided by the ASES Foundation, offers up to $20,000 for innovative shoulder and elbow research projects. It invites applications from principal investigators who are orthopaedic surgeons working in North America. The funding supports projects lasting between 12 to 24 months and aims to foster advancements in patient care through research. Applications are limited to one per principal investigator per year, promoting focused and impactful research initiatives.

The Growing Convergence Research (GCR) initiative by the National Science Foundation (NSF) promotes innovative solutions to complex societal and scientific challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration. By integrating diverse expertise, GCR aims to address specific problems and foster new research paradigms. Proposals must outline a five-year plan, divided into two phases, with budgets not exceeding $1.2 million for Phase I and $2.4 million for Phase II. Successful projects are expected to lead to transformative advances in science and technology.

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.

This grant focuses on implementing research to identify effective combinations of community-clinical linkage strategies aimed at diabetes prevention and management. It addresses the challenges faced by Federally Qualified Health Centers and safety-net clinics, emphasizing the need for coordinated approaches. The study will explore factors influencing the adoption and integration of these strategies, ultimately aiming to develop practical evidence and best practices that enhance diabetes care in primary settings.

The GEMSSTAR for Emergency Medicine Supplemental Funding Program provides up to $25,000 over two years to support emergency medicine physicians who have received the NIA GEMSSTAR grant. This program aims to enhance the Professional Development Plan of GEMSSTAR awardees, ensuring they receive the necessary funding for their research endeavors. Eligibility is limited to those who have completed their clinical specialty training and are based at U.S. institutions, with funding contingent upon available resources.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invites applications for the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42 Clinical Trial Optional). This program supports interdisciplinary research centers focused on biomedical and environmental science. Eligible institutions must be accredited higher education establishments. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, and successful submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process to ensure quality and relevance in addressing hazardous substance issues.

The Chairman Tommy Taylor Memorial Scholarship

The Chairman Tommy Taylor Memorial Scholarship was opened by the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers in 2014 in memory of Tom Taylor, a former chairman of the alliance. He was a prominent figure in the oil & gas industry and an esteemed leader. The one-time $2,500 scholarship is for graduating seniors and currently enrolled college students who have graduated from a Texas high school. The student's field of study must be energy or oil and gas industry-related, including petroleum, geology, and engineering. The award can be used at any college or university.

The Arthritis Foundation is seeking research proposals focused on Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) to enhance shared decision-making in arthritis care. Projects should aim to deepen the understanding of patient treatment goals, monitor disease activity, and improve communication of PRO data. Research can span various arthritis types, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and should last up to two years. This initiative emphasizes the integration of patient perspectives to elevate care quality.

The Ruth Mitchell Hanson Scholarship is designed to support talented students from Saginaw County pursuing a career in music. Established in memory of Ruth Mitchell Hanson, a passionate composer and music instructor, this scholarship aims to honor her legacy and encourage future musicians. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.25, be high school seniors, and be enrolled full-time in a music program at an accredited college or university. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Rappahannock Industrial Academy Alumni Association Scholarship

Rappahannock Industrial Academy Alumni Association Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 by the Academy’s alumni to provide educational scholarships to qualifying African American students residing in one of the following counties: Essex, King and Queen and Middlesex. Students may attend public or private school.

Recipients will be encouraged to use this educational opportunity to enrich the lives of others in their home community. The Rappahannock Industrial Academy opened its doors on January 1, 1902 to provide secondary education for African American residents in the area. The Alumni Association has for many years awarded scholarships to students from Essex, Middlesex, and King and Queen Counties. 

The Douglas W. Pfautz Memorial Scholarship Fund honors a dedicated community servant and family man, Doug Pfautz. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Elizabethtown, this scholarship supports high school seniors from the Elizabethtown Area School District who demonstrate good moral character and a commitment to community service. Applicants must maintain good academic standing and plan to pursue further education. This one-time award encourages students to embody the Rotary motto of 'Service Above Self', continuing Doug's legacy of service.

The Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries Grants and Scholarships, supported by the Presbyterian Mission Agency, aim to empower leaders, congregations, and organizations that promote racial equity and women's rights. This initiative reflects the Presbyterian Church's commitment to justice and inclusivity, fostering an environment where diverse voices can thrive and contribute to the community. By providing these resources, the program seeks to uplift marginalized groups and promote social equity within faith-based settings.

The Bernice Barlow NAACP Scholarship, awarded by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be current members or children of members of the Saginaw NAACP Branch. This scholarship honors Bernice Barlow, a dedicated educator and NAACP leader, providing financial assistance to foster educational opportunities in the community. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, helping students achieve their career goals.

The CAC/Robert L. Viera Community Service Scholarship, established in 1998, supports Saginaw County high school seniors pursuing higher education. This award assists students demonstrating financial need and recognizes those with special circumstances allowing part-time college enrollment. The scholarship honors Robert Viera's legacy of leadership in the minority and low-income communities, aiming to empower future leaders through education and community service. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, ensuring accessibility to higher education for deserving students.

Eugene Frank Sommerlatte Endowment Fund

Majoring in Transportation Technology and enrolling in following semester.

Awards

• (1) $3,000.00

The Eash-Potter Scholarship supports LGBTQ youth in central Pennsylvania, honoring Melinda Eash and Sharon Potter's legacy. It is available to graduating high school seniors from specific counties who demonstrate commitment to enhancing the community climate for LGBTQ+ individuals. Financial need is a consideration, and the scholarship is a one-time award. Students of color, transgender individuals, and children of LGBTQ+ parents are particularly encouraged to apply, promoting diversity and inclusion within the scholarship program.

The Daniel W. Schindlbeck Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund, established in 2004, provides scholarships for students pursuing careers in criminal justice or law enforcement. Funded by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, it honors Daniel Schindlbeck, a dedicated police officer in Aurora. The typical award is $1,000, supporting students from the foundation's service area, including Kane and Kendall counties. This initiative promotes education and community service, ensuring a lasting legacy of civic engagement.

The David B. Perry Endowment Fund, established by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, honors a dedicated community member by providing scholarships to local students. With awards typically around $1,000, this fund supports educational aspirations for residents of Kaneville and surrounding areas. It reflects the legacy of David B. Perry, who was committed to preserving his community's heritage and fostering youth engagement in philanthropy.

Conserving Black Modernism Grant Program

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (AACHAF), a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has launched the Conserving Black Modernism grant program through funding from and a partnership with the Getty Foundation’s Keeping it Modern initiative. The Conserving Black Modernism grant program is designed to empower and equip preservationists and stewards with funding and technical support to preserve the material heritage, innovation, and legacy of modern architectural sites designed by Black architects.

Integrated into the Action Fund’s existing National Grant Program, the Conserving Black Modernism grant program will support non-profits and municipalities to steward 16 historic assets of modern architecture through funding, technical assistance, public awareness, and education. The program will support eligible project planning activities and seeks to develop future-looking plans that model and strengthen stewardship, interpretation, and asset management. This program aims to increase recognition of Black architects and their artistic expressions as well as diversify the meaning of American modern architecture and design. The Action Fund invites proposals from a broad pool of applicants who steward these places for public benefit and access.

Grants made from Conserving Black Modernism will total $150,000 each. Funding will be flexible and can support planning activities, limited capital improvements, and indirect costs. Funding ratios will be balanced to support and prioritize comprehensive project planning needs. For example, a $150,000 project planning grant with 10% indirect can be allocated to advance a full-scale building evaluation and preservation plan. The grant period for this type of project will be 12 months.

Conserving Black Modernism grants can also support projects consisting of a mix of project planning and limited capital improvements. Funding ratios will be balanced to prioritize project planning. For example, an applicant may propose a project which allocates $90,000 for planning activities, $45,000 for capital expenses, and $15,000 for indirect expenses. The grant period for this type of project will be 18 months.

Grantees can address the building’s priority needs and experience the full cycle of planning, design, and construction. Additional grantee support will include technical assistance, promotion, and conservation management training.

Historic Asset Example Archetypes

While this is not an exhaustive list, we are particularly interested in the following 20th-century property archetypes:

• Buildings Located on HBCU Campuses
• Community and Cultural Centers
• Schools
• Libraries
• Houses and Residences
• Spaces Associated with Sports & Recreation
• Green Book Sites
• Sites associated with Women’s History
• Sites associated with LGBTQ+ History

Madeline Mellers Memorial Girls Golf Scholarship

Madeline started playing golf at a young age with her father, Ed Mellers, in Missouri. After moving to Colorado with her mother and stepfather, Chris and Ann Bush in 4th grade, she continued to play and started competing in CJGA events around the state. When she started as a freshman at Rye High School in 1990-91, there was no girls’ golf team at Rye High School so CHSAA said she could try out for the boys’ team, and she made it! Her junior year, Madeline along with her coach, Greg Bailey and Hollydot Professional, Prim Ivan, approached CHSAA again to see if Mad’s scores from Boys golf in fall could qualify her for the Girls State golf tournament the next spring, and CHSAA decided yes! She qualified and played in her 1st state tournament the next spring, placing 10th. In those days, the girls competed against girls from every size of high school in the state 1A to 6A.

During her Junior and Senior years, Madeline was also working with Dana Smith, a well known teaching professional from the Mike McGetrick Golf Academy in Denver. Dana took Madeline’s golf to the next level and is now graciously helping with her scholarship. He was chosen as the best teacher in Colorado by Golf digest and has several articles on golf published by Golf digest and Golf Illustrated. He is currently one of the staff at Trent Wearner Golf in Denver.

Her senior year, we were able to field a team made up of girls from various Southern Colorado small high schools and they played in girls’ season, 11 tournaments in all. Madeline was medalist in all 11 tournaments. She went on to become the Pueblo Ladies City Champion 3 times in 1994, 1995, and 1996. She was the youngest girl to win the Ladies championship at 17 years old!

Madeline was awarded a golf and academic scholarship to Stetson University, a division 1 school in Florida, where she attended and played golf for 4 years graduating in 1998. Denver University Law School was her next stop, and she graduated with her Juris Doctorate in 2002, passed the bar and started her law career with a private firm in Denver.

Tragically, we lost Madeline at 41 years old to colon cancer after a courageous 5-year battle. At the time of her death, she was a Senior Asst. Attorney General for the state of Colorado and very actively involved as a fundraiser for the Colon Cancer Alliance of Colorado. Madeline Ann Mellers played golf all of her life and was President of the Denver Businesswomen’s golf league. 

Description of the award

• We will be awarding two $2,500.00 scholarships
• Payment will be made to the institution directly
• Both in-state and out-of-state institutions are accepted
• Applicants must maintain a 3.0 or above GPA while maintaining the scholarship

About Pfizer

Pfizer supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement, or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with medical and/or scientific strategies.

About the American Headache Society

The American Headache Society strives to improve the lives of people impacted by migraine and other headache disorders. The AHS is a professional society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. The Society’s objective is to promote the exchange of information and ideas concerning the causes and treatments of headache and related painful disorders. Educating physicians, health professionals, and the public while encouraging scientific research are the primary functions of the Society.

Quality Improvement and/or Research Grants: Migraine and Women’s Health

Migraine is a prevalent and debilitating neurological disease that disproportionately affects women, impacting quality of life, productivity, and overall health. Recognizing the need for innovative solutions and enhanced care, Pfizer and the American Headache Society (AHS) are collaborating to offer a new grant opportunity inviting proposals for collaborative quality improvement and research projects focused on migraine and women's health. This Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to foster high-impact research and initiatives that advance scientific understanding, improve patient outcomes, and address gaps in care. Projects should also contribute to the core goal of the AHS – improving the lives of people impacted by migraine and other headache disorders.

Objectives

• To advance research in migraine and women's health through collaborative pre-clinical and clinical projects
• To promote quality improvement initiatives that enhance diagnosis, treatment, and management of migraine in women
• To encourage multidisciplinary approaches that integrate clinical expertise, patient-centered care, and innovative research methodologies
• To generate measurable and actionable outcomes that contribute to improved standards of care and inform future research directions for women with migraine