Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

The FY26 Arthritis Research Program Clinical Research Award supports innovative clinical research addressing factors and interventions for arthritis. This program encourages proposals focusing on Prevention and Early Diagnosis or Treatment and Mitigation of Disease Progression. Applicants can choose between two research levels, with the requirement of a community collaborator for Research Level 2. Projects should aim to provide actionable evidence to enhance patient care and outcomes, making significant contributions to the field of arthritis research.

Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation

For more than 50 years, NCCF has been taking on tough problems to improve the quality-of-life in Northwest CT by supporting nonprofits that speak to the charitable passions of our generous donors.

NCCF is a Community Foundation, a tax-exempt public charity that enables donors to establish funds that support the work of local nonprofits through grants and provide scholarships to local students.

Russell F. Bruno Scholarship

For Torrington High School graduating seniors who have excelled in the study of English and are planning to major in writing, literature, journalism or a related field.

The Karl A. Bickel and Madira Bickel Journalistic Scholarship Fund Grant supports journalism students at accredited colleges and universities. Established under Karl A. Bickel's Last Will and Testament, it awards approximately $40,000 annually. Eligible organizations must have journalism programs and qualify as 501(c)(3) exempt entities. While there are no geographical restrictions, preference is given to institutions in Florida. The fund is administered by Wells Fargo Bank, ensuring that deserving students receive necessary financial support.

The Anna B. Glauser Trust Grants provide financial support to organizations aiding physically handicapped individuals, particularly blind residents in Delaware County, PA. Established in memory of Willis K. Glauser, the trust awards 1-2 grants annually, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified, while funding for salaries is typically excluded. This initiative reflects Anna Glauser's lifelong commitment to assisting the visually impaired community.

Fuel Up

We’re Fuel Up – an initiative created by America’s Dairy Farmers to help meet the needs of schools across the country when it comes to fueling healthy bodies and healthy minds.

Fuel Up is all about educators, students and partners working together to make a difference in their schools and their communities.

Fuel Up is an initiative focused on helping educators and students fuel wellness in the areas that matter most, like being mindful and staying healthy. Our educational resources, partnerships and grant/funding opportunities aim to broaden access to good nutrition and overall wellness.

School Nutrition Equipment Grants

Nutrition equipment grants are now available through GENYOUth's End Student Hunger initiative, with applications now open in the new School Wellness Portal.

K-12 schools can apply for an equipment grant to help increase students' access to, and participation in, nutritious school meals.

Overview of Fuel Up Equipment Grant

• One of two nutrition equipment kits—each valued at $2,000—is available to qualified K-12 schools to improve access to nutritious foods.

• Your application must demonstrate how the funding will increase your students’ access to and their consumption of dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese). Your local Dairy Council can help you with ideas for how to increase dairy.

• Applications will be evaluated based on a variety of factors, including school enrollment, student reach, in-school support, school location, and the sustainability of the proposed program. Consideration will be given to schools in underserved communities whose students are most at risk for poor nutrition and childhood obesity.

• You are encouraged to contact your local Dairy Council with questions about the application process. They can be especially helpful in suggesting ways to increase dairy consumption at your school.

Schools can visit the GENYOUth School Wellness Portal to review eligibility requirements, explore equipment options, and begin an application.  

The William C. Risser Charitable Trust Grants support mental health research, particularly in Schizophrenia. This private foundation assists 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations across the U.S. with grants typically ranging from $25,000 to $55,000. Administered by Wells Fargo, the Trust awards 1-2 grants annually, focusing on program support for scientific and educational research. Eligible organizations must meet IRS exemption requirements.

About

We make art possible

Our work makes art more accessible to all, so that everyone, from our neighbors to our future generations, can live in a more inspiring and enriching community.

Because The Arts Matter

Beyond the shows and exhibits we love, the arts shape our community — they open young minds, drive our economy and bring cultures together.

Cultural Tourism (CT) Funding

About the Opportunity

• Enhance the Orlando area’s arts and cultural identity
• Present quality arts and cultural experiences
• Promote tourism

United Arts of Central Florida facilitates the Orange County Cultural Tourism Funding program.

Charmayne Gooch Arts Scholarship

The Charmayne Gooch Arts Scholarship is available to Larimer County students who have the potential to succeed but may not have attained sufficient academic achievement to place them in a position to receive other scholarships. This can include students with a disability or special needs and/or a student who would benefit from a program with less emphasis on academics such as art, writing, music, or visual arts.

Scholarship amount:

• $5,000

Number of awards:

• 3

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.

The Delta Scholarship aims to support college-bound minority students in San Diego County who are dedicated to pursuing higher education. Established in memory of Jim Lewis, a passionate community leader, this scholarship offers up to $10,000 per student annually for four years, based on financial need. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0, planning to attend an accredited college or university.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) Program

Overview

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program is a formula grant program that enhances the capabilities of state, local, and tribal governments to provide residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment to adult and juvenile populations during detention or incarceration, initiate or continue evidence-based SUD treatment in jails, prepare individuals for reintegration into the community, and assist them and their communities throughout the reentry process by delivering community-based treatment and other recovery aftercare services.

The RSAT Program encourages the establishment and maintenance of drug-free prisons and jails and development and implementation of specialized residential SUD treatment for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The program also encourages the inclusion of medication-assisted treatment as part of any SUD treatment protocol.

The TTP Bridge Program aims to enhance the safety and accessibility of bridges in Tribal communities, addressing the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. With aging bridges affecting economic development and children's transportation, this program allows federally recognized Indian Tribes to apply for funding for planning, construction, and rehabilitation of bridges. By focusing on TTP bridges in poor condition, the initiative seeks to strengthen economic foundations and ensure better connectivity with markets, benefiting both families and communities.

Bureau of Justice Assistance

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system.

BJA strengthens the Nation’s criminal justice system and helps America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA focuses its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources, including training and technical assistance, to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. 

FY25 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance Program

Executive Summary

This NOFO will provide training and technical assistance (TTA) to state and local grantees of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program to enhance implementation of comprehensive residential substance use treatment during detention or incarceration and aftercare services to prepare individuals for successful reintegration into the community. The selected TTA provider will also maintain and update the RSAT TTA website to serve as single source of information for RSAT grantees that reflects evolving needs and emerging evidence-based approaches.

The Veterans Treatment Court Program Enhancement Grant aims to bolster the operations of veterans treatment courts (VTCs) that serve veterans involved in the justice system. By addressing substance use and mental health disorders, these courts facilitate access to essential treatment services, reducing recidivism and overdose fatalities. The grant supports jurisdictions in enhancing their VTC capacity, improving service quality, and ensuring veterans receive the necessary support for long-term recovery. Funding of up to $1,000,000 is available for eligible jurisdictions.

FY25 Veterans Treatment Court Program

Executive Summary

This NOFO will support the implementation and enhancement of veterans treatment court (VTC) operations. VTCs connect veterans who come in contact with the justice system to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD), mental health disorders (MHD), co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Funding supports service coordination, and recovery support services. VTCs integrate mandatory drug testing, incentives and sanctions, and transitional services in judicially supervised criminal court settings that have jurisdiction over veterans with behavioral health treatment needs. These courts aim to reduce recidivism and overdose fatalities, while increasing access to treatment and recovery support that leads to long-term recovery.

Category 1 supports the planning and implementation and/or launch of a VTC. These courts will support core capacity and provide critical behavioral health treatment, case management and coordinated judicial supervision, sanctions and incentives, and other supportive services, such as transitional housing, peer recovery services, relapse prevention and employment services, that can reduce recidivism.

Program Description

Planning and Implementation grants are available to eligible jurisdictions ready to commit to a 6- month planning phase followed by an implementation and/or launch of a VTC that supports core capacity and provides critical behavioral health treatment, case management and coordinated judicial supervision, sanctions and incentives, and other supportive services, such as transitional housing, peer recovery services, relapse prevention and employment services, that can reduce recidivism, including serving veterans who cannot or do not have access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services

The ESA Youth Scholarship Program, by the Electronic Security Association, provides financial support to children of first responders, having awarded over $941,500 to date. Eligible applicants are high school seniors with parents who are full-time active first responders. Each scholarship winner receives $1,000 and a chance to compete for larger awards of $14,000 for first place and $5,000 for second place. Applications are welcomed from students in participating states.

The American Heart Association (AHA) is launching the RFP for a Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) aimed at enhancing the early detection and delaying the progression of valvular heart disease. This initiative seeks collaborative proposals from researchers to address critical questions and advance understanding in this field. With a maximum budget of $4.4 million and a duration of four years, the AHA plans to award at least three grants based on scientific merit and alignment with its mission.

The NIH StrokeNet initiative invites applications for clinical trials and biomarker studies aimed at stroke treatment, recovery, and prevention. This funding opportunity encourages collaborative projects that validate promising interventions and scientific aims within the NIH StrokeNet framework. Key deadlines for submissions span from February 2025 to November 2026, with support provided by the National Coordinating Center and Regional Coordinating Centers to ensure efficient study implementation and participant recruitment.

The AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Ben Feinstein Memorial Research Scholar Award provides $100,000 annually for three years to early-career faculty dedicated to gastric cancer research. Eligible candidates must have an MD, PhD, or equivalent and a full-time faculty position in North America. The award supports research in various areas related to gastric cancer, ensuring a minimum of 50% time commitment to the project, thus fostering independent careers in digestive diseases.

The Anna Fuller Fund Grant provides year-round support for organizations dedicated to alleviating suffering caused by cancer. Established in memory of Egbert C. Fuller’s wife, the fund prioritizes applications that focus on cancer research and education initiatives. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or equivalent charities outside the U.S. Grant funds cannot be used for direct treatment, ensuring that resources are allocated to research and public education.

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida connects people who care with causes that matter. Since 1964, we have served the citizens of Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay, and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. We believe in Giving Back. Forever Forward.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, The Community Foundation offers several scholarships each year that benefit students in Northeast Florida who are seeking post-secondary degrees.

Bernie G. Yvon Memorial Fund Scholarship

For High School Seniors & College Students in The Theatre/Performing Arts

The purpose of the fund is to perpetuate the legacy of Bernie G. Yvon by supporting students pursuing study in the Theatre/Performing Arts with need-based scholarships. In this tenth year (2026), amounts up to $2000 each will be available from contributions to the fund via The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. In selecting the successful candidate(s), the review committee will consider the following:

• Knowledge of Bernie G. Yvon
• Theatre/Performing Arts potential and past experiences
• Financial need
• Academic record
• Two letters of recommendation
• GPA

Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship

Established in memory of Gregory D. Spring, this scholarship is for a graduating senior from Allegany-Limestone Central School, Ellicottville Central School, Franklinville/Ten Broeck Academy, Portville Central School, Hinsdale Central School or Olean High School with a preference for a student who intends to pursue a degree or certification in a trade or technical program. 

Ginger D. Schroder Cattaraugus County Legislative District 2 Scholarship

The Ginger D. Schroder Legislative District 2 Scholarship is given to a graduating high school student residing in Cattaraugus County Legislative District 2 who will pursue a trade degree or 2-or 4-year college degree.

The AWS Welding Workforce Grants aim to enhance welding programs by providing up to $50,000 for essential resources such as new equipment and training. This initiative addresses the growing demand for skilled welders while supporting educational institutions. Eligible applicants include secondary schools, community colleges, and post-secondary programs. Preference is given to proposals that significantly increase welding graduates and address geographic areas with high needs. Note: Applications are currently closed and will reopen in January 2026.

The NorCal SOT Graduate Student Achievement Award is designed for graduate students engaged in toxicology research. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program, be SOT and NorCal SOT members, and present an accepted abstract at the annual meeting. The award is based on merit, evaluating the quality, impact, and novelty of the submitted research. This initiative aims to support emerging scientists in their academic and professional endeavors.

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are not covered.

Bonnie & Printis Shelton Scholarship

Criteria evaluated:

• Academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and financial need

Required materials:

• FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

• $7,000 | 1 scholarship, renewable at $3,500 in each freshman & sophomore years

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are not covered.

Meyers-Hoefling Scholarship

Criteria evaluated:

• Academic achievement and financial need

Required materials:

• FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

• TBD | 1 scholarship - First Year for Award