Best Frederick County Grants for Nonprofits in Virginia

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Don and Madalyn Sickafoose Educational Trust Fund

The Don and Madalyn Sickafoose Educational Trust Fund was established to assist students residing in southeastern Stark County, northwestern Carroll County and northern Tuscarawas County.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Cole Eriksson Parker Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund

The Cole Eriksson Parker Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarships to high school graduates or graduating seniors who are Buckeye Council, Scouting of America, Canton, OH, Eagle Scouts.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

About

Originally conceived by Dr Bruce Mesara in 1990 as a means to carry on his philanthropic efforts beyond his lifetime, the Mesara Family Foundation was re-envisioned by his two children Amy and Douglas in 2014, and received their 501(c)(3) status from the IRS in 2015. Amy and Douglas sought out the assistance of their cousins to build upon the charitable principals on their parents, aunts and uncles.

The foundation is headquartered in Kalamazoo Michigan.

Mission

The mission of the Mesara Family Foundation is to honor the philanthropic principles of the Mesara and Pauch families by supporting carefully selected organizations that share similar values. Our focus is to provide support toward education, conservation and other causes of special family interest where our funding will make a genuine difference.

Virginia Department of Fire Programs

Since 1969, Virginia has been at the forefront of firefighter training, starting with the Fire Services Training section within the State Department of Education.

Later becoming part of the Division of Fire Services Training under the State Fire Commission and eventually the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP).

VDFP’s commitment to public safety and excellence drives everything we do. We strive to enhance the safety and well-being of Virginia's residents through comprehensive education, training and support for the fire and emergency services community. Guided by our core values of excellence, integrity, service, innovation, collaboration, and respect, we strive to create a safer Virginia for all.

Fire Incident Reporting Grant

Funding Vital Equipment for Fire Reporting.

The Fire Incident Reporting Grant Program supports local jurisdictions in accurately documenting emergency incidents through the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). 

NERIS is the standardized national format for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on injuries, fatalities, and property loss resulting from fires and related hazards.

By improving the consistency and quality of incident reporting, this program helps strengthen emergency response efforts, inform public safety strategies and guide resource allocation at the local and national levels.

About

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is committed to creating safe, affordable and prosperous communities to live, work and do business in Virginia. Find out more about DHCD, including locations, mission and about our director.

Affordable and Special Needs Housing (ASNH) Program

The ASNH funding program opens applications twice a year - in the fall and spring to fund both rental and homeownership projects. To be eligible for ASNH funding, all projects must be new construction or substantial renovation of affordable housing units, or the adaptive reuse of buildings to create new affordable housing units for lower income homeowners or renters. Acquisition-only projects, public housing, and public facilities including emergency shelter, hospitals, nursing homes, or intermediate care or assisted living facilities are not eligible for ASNH funding. 

About VDOE

The Virginia Department of Education is the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. VDOE works in partnership with Virginia’s 132 school divisions to support and improve teaching and learning, set high expectations for all students, and promote student safety, wellbeing, and health.

Advancing Computer Science Education (ACSE) Grant

The Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of the Advancing Computer Science Education (ACSE) FY27 Request for Proposals (RFP). This competitive grant opportunity supports the implementation of the 2024 Computer Science Standards of Learning and provides funding to develop high-quality instructional resources, curriculum, and assessments; deliver professional development for current and future teachers; support summer and after-school computer science programming; and facilitate career exposure and work-based learning opportunities for high school students. Consistent with the grant's legislative intent, funded projects should prioritize at-risk students and schools.  

The 2026 Appropriation Act has allocated $1.35 million to support this initiative. All Virginia public school divisions, full-time regional public schools, and programs with a local or regional school board are eligible to submit proposals meeting the intent of Advancing Computer Science Education Grant Request for Proposal.  

Funding is available across three project types per availability of funds: 

• Professional Learning, Implementation, and Evidence of Learning (up to $75,000 per award), 
• Student Engagement and Experimental Learning (up to $75,000 per award), and  
• Expansion of Computer Science Advanced Learning Opportunities (up to $50,000 per award).  

American Cancer Society

The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

ACS Research Priority Areas

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has identified these 6 areas to categorize and track the research we fund to help advance our mission. Applicants (except Institutional Research Grants and Professor grants) are asked to select at least 1 of these research areas that aligns with their proposal:

• Etiology (causes of cancer)
• Obesity/Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL)
• Screening and Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Survivorship
• Health Equity Across the Cancer Continuum

Research Scholar Grants

Research Scholar Grants (RSG) provide support for independent, self-directed researchers.

Applicants' institutions must provide space and other resources customary for independent investigators.

Grant proposals are investigator-initiated and may pursue questions across the cancer research continuum, as long as they fit within an American Cancer Society (ACS) priority research area.

These grants typically contribute to the cost of salaries, consumable supplies, and other miscellaneous items required in the research. 

Research Scholar Grants are funded up to $215,000 per year (direct costs), plus 10% allowable indirect costs, with a project period up to four years.