Best Grants for Veteran Nonprofit Organizations in Michigan

Veteran-serving 501(c) or 170(c) nonprofits in Michigan can apply for Regions Bank’s employee matching gifts program, which supports donor-designated contributions for military and veterans services. Eligible organizations must fall within Regions’ footprint and focus areas; funding may strengthen programs for U.S. service members, veterans, and their families.

Michigan nonprofits serving U.S. service members and veterans can receive up to US $1,000 in matched donations through Regions Bank’s Matching Gifts Program for recent retirees. Eligible 501(c) or 170(c) organizations within the Regions footprint may benefit when Regions retirees request matches for qualifying gifts supporting military, veterans, or related community programs.

Veteran- and first responder–serving organizations in Michigan that provide wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery support can apply for the Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, which funds access to mental health, physical therapy, adaptive training, and holistic wellness programs. With a mission to support the military-veteran community, Bob Woodruff Foundation backs evidence-based services that improve resilience and quality of life.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and educational institutions in Michigan and other CSX service areas can apply for CSX Foundation’s in-kind donations to support military members, veterans, and community first responders. Support may include intermodal transportation services and donated railroad equipment or materials for eligible community-focused projects.

With a mission to strengthen communities, SpartanNash Foundation provides Michigan military and veterans services nonprofits with support for programs addressing hunger, homelessness, and hope. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must align with these focus areas and be located within 30 miles of a SpartanNash corporate office, distribution center, or retail store.

Michigan residents with ties to Wabash County pursuing higher education and willing to serve in the armed forces can receive scholarship support for nonsectarian colleges in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, or Ohio. The Community Foundation of Wabash County’s Roy B. Craver Scholarship Endowment may benefit students connected to veteran-focused nonprofit programs.

Focused on military and veterans services, MGM Resorts Foundation invites Michigan nonprofits serving individuals and families to apply for one-year community grants. Funding prioritizes programs for veterans and military families, including housing, workforce development, health and wellness, food security, and related human services in regions where MGM Resorts employees live and work.

Undergraduate descendants of Vietnam veterans seeking post-secondary education in Michigan can receive up to US $3,000 for tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, or trade school tools. Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan awards renewable scholarships to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or approved refugees enrolled part- or full-time at accredited nonprofit institutions, with preference for those demonstrating financial need.

Veteran students living in Michigan’s Calhoun County who are enrolled at Western Michigan University can receive merit- and need-based scholarship support through this program. Grants from Western Michigan University help Michigan military and veterans services students cover higher education costs when they meet residency, discharge, GPA, and financial-need requirements.

Military-affiliated students and dependents pursuing higher education in Michigan can receive merit-based scholarship support for college success and persistence. Focused on military and veterans services, Western Michigan University invites eligible WMU Student Veterans of America members with at least a 3.3 GPA to apply for the Brad Older Memorial Military Scholarship each fall.

Military-affiliated students and dependents in Michigan pursuing higher education at Western Michigan University can receive needs-based scholarship support for any major through the Veterans and Dependents Scholarship. Western Michigan University’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs provides this fall scholarship for those currently serving, veterans, and their family members who can document military status.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and educational institutions in Michigan serving veterans, active military, or first responders can apply for CSX Foundation’s Pride in Service grants, awarding US $2,500 - US $25,000 for safety, mental and emotional health, bridging community divides, workforce development, and financial assistance or food insecurity initiatives within CSX’s service network.

Wounded veterans in Michigan and nationwide facing service-connected infertility can apply for the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s VIVA fertility grants to help pay for treatment at Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) clinics. Eligible applicants receive financial assistance and connections to supportive reproductive health resources for building their families.

Early-career active-duty military orthopaedic trauma surgeons in Michigan and across the U.S. can access a traveling fellowship supporting advanced clinical education and mentorship at high-volume trauma centers. The Orthopaedic Trauma Association and SOMOS provide one-week observerships at up to three leading trauma systems to build trauma care, leadership, and military-civilian collaboration skills.

Michigan veteran-serving nonprofits supporting higher education for military families can access funding through Community Foundation for Southwest Washington’s Pacific Northwest Gold Star Scholarship. This US $2,500 award assists children of deceased Global War on Terror service members with college costs and prioritizes applicants with significant financial need; eligibility ties to Clark, Cowlitz, or Skamania County, WA residency.

Veteran and military-affiliated students in Kane or Kendall County, Illinois pursuing full-time post-secondary education can receive about US $1,000 from the Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233 Scholarship Endowment Fund. Grants from Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley support higher education for Marines, Navy Corpsmen/Chaplains, and their spouses, children, or grandchildren, which may benefit those serving veterans.

Students pursuing higher education with military involvement or Kiwanis ties can apply for the Raymond Steve Tumlin Scholarship, awarding US $2,500 for accredited college, university, service academy, or military college study. Michigan applicants with ROTC, service academy plans, or Kiwanis connections may be eligible, with priority for current or former Cobb or Marietta students.

Michigan law enforcement officers and military police serving in the state can be nominated for recognition of exceptional service through this national award program. Michigan military and veterans’ service organizations connected to policing or public safety may benefit by nominating eligible officers for the NRA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award from the NRA Foundation.

AmeriCorps Vista

AmeriCorps is the federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture.

Founded in 1965, AmeriCorps VISTA is a federal anti-poverty national service program designed to provide resources to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to strengthen efforts to address poverty and poverty-related problems in the United States. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of national service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, now known as AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps VISTA Request for Concept Paper

Projects must be developed in accordance with AmeriCorps VISTA core principles:

• an anti-poverty focus
• community empowerment
• sustainable solutions
• capacity building

Project applications must address one of the following areas:

• Economic Opportunity
• Healthy Futures
• Education
• Veteran and Military Families

The PFC Shane W. Cantu Grant, established by the Shiawassee Community Foundation, honors the memory of PFC Shane W. Cantu, who died in Afghanistan in 2012. This fund supports the community by providing flexible giving options, ensuring that donations enhance lives in Shiawassee County while maintaining responsible stewardship of charitable funds. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to fostering strong community relationships and making a lasting impact.

About Us

Leadership. Collaboration. Impact.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley helps philanthropists support the causes closest to their heart while connecting local residents to the resources they need for a better quality of life.

Our Mission

To serve as a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy, partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your Community, Your Support System

Our community members support hundreds of local students every year through various scholarships facilitated by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

The Service Club Alliance Grant, offered by the Midland Area Community Foundation, is designed to facilitate collaboration among Midland area service clubs. This initiative streamlines the grant process, allowing nonprofit organizations to submit a unified application to multiple clubs for support. By sharing applications, the Alliance enhances resource allocation effectiveness, ensuring impactful community support. Nonprofits can apply without a limit on requests, promoting flexibility in addressing urgent community needs.

Justamere Foundation

Our goal is to remove barriers that are keeping hard working people from being fully self-sufficient. We support programs that are addressing these obstacles, big and small, in a way that opens a path to self-reliance.

The Justamere Foundation is dedicated to working with our community partners to find innovative ways to help our neighbors through education, coaching, and connections.

Small solutions can result in enormous change. The Justamere Foundation’s mission is to find those needs and connect them to the right resources to make the biggest impact.

Areas of Need We Support

The Justamere Foundation’s mission is to find those areas that are underserved by traditional resources and see if we can make a bigger difference with direct involvement. Solutions might involve grants, non-traditional scholarships or simply making the right connection.

We focus on four main areas of need in our community:

• Trade Education: Individuals working towards obtaining a family-sustaining income encounter many small barriers that can impede their progress. We’ve partnered with local community colleges and organizations that work to eliminate the barriers.
• Veterans Resources: Veterans entering the civilian workforce can struggle to find the right fit. We’re working with organizations to support veterans with this process.
• Childhood Literacy: Reading is essential. Fostering a love of reading and learning opens so many doors as children grow up. We support organizations with programs that focus on education and literacy resources for children in underserved areas.
• Arts Education: Arts programs inspire and help children express themselves. We support summer and after-school programs in music, art, and theatre.

How do we support these areas?

• Non-Traditional Scholarships
• Grants that make a real impact

Non-Traditional Scholarships

There are many traditional Scholarship and Financial Aid resources for high school kids going on to college. This is great but it leaves a whole lot of people out of the solution. Kids who couldn’t go directly to college or didn’t finish highschool – Adults who are in a job that cannot effectively support their family and want to make a change – or anyone simply looking for a better life. The resources available to them are limited. We want to work with organizations that are addressing those challenges and see if there’s a connection to be made, an existing program to utilize or even a new program to be developed.

The Justamere Foundation focuses on removing barriers to self-sufficiency by supporting innovative community programs. They prioritize four key areas: trade education, veterans resources, childhood literacy, and arts education. By providing grants and non-traditional scholarships, the foundation aims to empower individuals and create lasting change. Their mission is to connect underserved communities with essential resources, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Military and veteran individuals in Michigan undergoing breast cancer treatment can receive one-time financial assistance for transportation, childcare, housing, food, or medical costs. National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Military Patient Relief Fund offers up to US $1,000 to eligible active-duty service members and veterans under 500% of the federal poverty level who face current financial hardship.

Veterans of the U.S. military pursuing post-secondary education can receive scholarship support for tuition and other cost of attendance needs through the Guyon Scholarship for Veterans. Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region awards one non-renewable US $1,000 scholarship to eligible veterans with financial need in specified Wisconsin counties, which may interest Michigan veteran-serving organizations sharing this mission.

The Capital Region Chamber Unified Military Affairs Council Scholarship is designed for students whose parents serve at specific military installations in the Greater Capital Region. This scholarship aims to support high school and college students as they pursue their educational goals at technical schools or colleges. Established by The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, it reflects a commitment to empowering local students and enhancing the community by investing in the next generation's education.