Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Georgia

The FY26 Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program's Military Medical Research and Development Award aims to fund the continuation of previous Department of War-funded research addressing high-priority medical needs for Service Members and Military Health System beneficiaries. It supports various projects, including late-stage preclinical studies and clinical research. Eligibility requires prior DOD funding, and a Clinical Research Option is available for studies involving human subjects or biological samples.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

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.

The Louise Nader Khourey Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Louise Nader Khourey Memorial Scholarship Fund assists graduating high school seniors planning careers in foreign language education OR senior-level undergraduate or graduate foreign language students who have met the criteria for student teaching in a licensure program. 

This scholarship is renewable.

The TIP Office of the US Department of State invites applications for projects aimed at combating human trafficking, adhering to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. This initiative prioritizes prosecuting traffickers, protecting victims, and preventing trafficking through strategies outlined in the National Security Strategy, executive orders, and the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, while aligning with America First Foreign Policy priorities.

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.

Council on Foundations

The Council on Foundations is a nonprofit membership association that serves as a guide for philanthropies as they advance the greater good. Building on our 75-year history, the Council supports over 1,000 member organizations in the United States and around the world to build trust in philanthropy, expand pathways to giving, engage broader perspectives, and co-create solutions that will lead to a better future for all. 

Council Awards

Our awards program recognizes excellence in philanthropy and honors leaders for their dedication to explore creative ways to advance the common good and fund solutions for complex issues. The Council Awards recognize exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact across the philanthropic sector.

Excellence in Community Foundation Leadership Award

The Excellence in Community Foundation Leadership Award recognizes an exceptional senior leader at a community foundation who demonstrates outstanding vision, integrity, and impact in advancing their institution's mission and the broader philanthropic field. Nominees should exemplify the unique leadership demands of community philanthropy.

Award Criteria

• Strategic Leadership and Vision: The individual has demonstrated clear, forward-looking leadership that advances the community foundation’s mission, such as, but not limited to, strong strategic direction and strong governance.
• Community Impact and Partnership: The individual has built meaningful relationships that strengthen the foundation’s role as a trusted community leader.
• Resource Development and Stewardship: The individual has advanced philanthropic resources and long-term organizational growth, such as, but not limited to, effective donor engagement and sustainable growth of the foundation’s assets and initiatives.
• Innovation and Field Leadership: Champions new ideas, approaches, and/or collaborations that strengthen and progress the community foundation and the philanthropic field.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is collaborating with other NIH institutes to enhance rigor and replicability in biomedical and behavioral research. This initiative aims to support projects focused on assessing the impact of improved research practices, developing frameworks for study selection, and measuring the generalizability of findings. Currently, applications are not being solicited, allowing researchers time to prepare collaborative proposals.

The BRAIN Initiative seeks to develop innovative tools and approaches for neuroscience research, focusing on cell-specific and circuit-specific processes within the central nervous system. This initiative encourages projects that enhance our understanding of brain architecture and function through novel technologies for characterizing neural components and advancing methods for recording and modulating neural activity. Applications are invited to address significant challenges and promote transformative breakthroughs in neuroscience.

The NIAID aims to enhance infectious disease research by supporting human microphysiologic systems (MPS) development. These in vitro platforms mimic human tissue functions, promoting drug and biological product development while reducing animal use. This initiative aligns with NIH’s commitment to innovative research practices and regulatory acceptance. By focusing on MPS in infectious disease contexts, NIAID seeks to streamline therapeutic advancements and establish robust human tissue models, addressing critical challenges in understanding and treating infections.

Council on Foundations

The Council on Foundations is a nonprofit membership association that serves as a guide for philanthropies as they advance the greater good. Building on our 75-year history, the Council supports over 1,000 member organizations in the United States and around the world to build trust in philanthropy, expand pathways to giving, engage broader perspectives, and co-create solutions that will lead to a better future for all. 

Council Awards

Our awards program recognizes excellence in philanthropy and honors leaders for their dedication to explore creative ways to advance the common good and fund solutions for complex issues. The Council Awards recognize exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact across the philanthropic sector.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award was first presented in 1984 and highlights those who not only have accomplished a great deal in the field of philanthropy, but have also done so while exemplifying the intellect, integrity, and leadership to which the field aspires.

Award Criteria

The criteria for this award reflects the characteristics and attributes of philanthropy’s foremost leaders. The individual should possess qualities such as:

• Leadership: The individual has demonstrated admirable leadership in the face of crisis or has shown a unique capacity to take their organization and the field to new heights.
• Courage: The individual has taken stands on issues important to them and their work and is willing to push their organization and the field to do better.
• Integrity: The individual embodies qualities such as fairness, a commitment to equity, and a willingness to admit faults and learn from mistakes.
• Trust: The individual centers trust in their relationships with partners and other stakeholders and furthers public trust in philanthropy.

Through your nomination, you can acknowledge the work of a trustee or staff member working in philanthropy who has made a critical difference in the field and demonstrated leadership in times of crisis, charting new paths for the social sector.One supplemental material upload is required (no more than five total items) may be uploaded to provide documentation and support of achievements. These supplemental materials may include, but not limited to: reference letter, endorsement, or letter of support for the nomination from the community leadership (i.e., nonprofit, grantee partner, or a government leader), videos, news articles, report, or publication, organizational strategic plan or annual report, or individuals resume.

The Council on Foundations prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin, to each such award.

Pre-clinical Investigation of anti-TFPI-mediated Rebalancing Mechanisms in Non-Hemophilic Bleeding Disorders 

There remains a scientific gap in understanding of the role of anti-TFP Imediated hemostatic rebalancing in the context of inherited or non-hemophilic bleeding disorders. This competitive grant program encourages competitive submissions focsed on generating preclinical/foundational data exploring the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of TFPI modulation in bleeding disorders other than hemophilia.

Geographic Scope

Brazil, China, Europe, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, USA

Funding Range and Project Length

Individual projects requesting up to $50,000 USD will be considered.

Request for study drug or compound is allowed (max $50,000 USD), additionally to the study project costs.

Maximum project length is 1 year.

The Alpha Omega Alpha/Pharos Poetry Award

To encourage students to write effective poetry. Winning poems are published in The Pharos.

The Award

Up to 5 poems will receive a $1,500 award. The winning entries will be published in The Pharos.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Terry Adler Memorial Scholarship

The applicant must be a graduating senior in Hardin County.

Community Foundation of Carroll County

The Community Foundation of Carroll County, Inc. was established in 1994 to ensure financial support for Carroll County not-for-profit organizations. It is governed by a Board of Directors and is a 501c(3) public charity. The Community Foundation of Carroll County is trusted partner for donors and nonprofits. We provide one central place where anyone can create a charitable fund, support what matters most, and leave a legacy of lasting impact.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports more than 75 scholarships. These scholarships vary in the amounts they award and cover a wide variety of student interests. Qualifiers range from academic achievements, sports played, and community service performed, to 4-H and FFA involvement. While the majority are for graduating Carroll County high school seniors, there are several for students in college or technical school, and even opportunities for students attending private primary school. 

International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 37 Scholarship

This scholarship is to provide scholarships for continuing education, undergraduate or graduate study to current and retired members of IUOE, Local 37, their spouses, dependent children (as defined by IRS regulation) and grandchildren. If the applicant is a Union Member he or she must have at least one year of continuous Union Membership. If the applicant is a spouse, dependent child or grandchild, the Union Member must fulfill the eligibility requirements.

The Rural Health Value Program aims to fund one recipient to provide essential analysis and technical assistance for rural stakeholders. This initiative helps them navigate the value-based care landscape in rural healthcare settings. By supporting rural providers, the program seeks to enhance their participation and success in innovative payment and delivery models that emphasize quality care and value-driven strategies. This funding opportunity ultimately aims to strengthen rural healthcare systems.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Meghan Lynn Rippeon Memorial Scholarship

The purpose of the Meghan Lynn Rippeon Memorial Scholarship is to honor the life of Meghan Lynn Rippeon by providing a scholarship for any senior graduating from a Carroll County, Maryland high school who has shown academic achievement and is pursuing an education in early childhood development and who has been accepted at an accredited College, University, or Technical School. Applications will also be accepted from continuing students, i.e. those that are already in college, who meet the criteria established for this scholarship.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Michael W. Wantz Scholarship

The purpose of the Michael W. Wantz Scholarship is to honor the values, attributes, and dedication of Michael W. Wantz, the diesel teacher at Carroll County Career & Technology Center. This award is to provide scholarships for graduating seniors in Carroll County, Maryland who have attained their secondary-school diploma from the Carroll County Career and Technology Center in Diesel Technology. The scholarships shall be for those students to attend schools of higher learning or a certified program appropriate to enhance their capacities and capabilities in Diesel Technology.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

Angels Over Ballyhoo Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was opened in memory of Karly Madsen McDonald.

Karly Madsen McDonald was an independent, kind-hearted, generous, and strong-minded young woman. Karly could be described as a "stubborn child," but in fact, she lived every moment of every day in her own unique way. She was the master of her world. Period. Even though she spent three years down south near her grandparents attending school, her heart never left Unalaska. She loved her sister and family very much. She also loved her truck, her cat "Luna," camping, listening to music, and hanging out with her close friends.

The non-endowed scholarship fund will focus on additional education in trade schools with a preference towards individuals from Nikolski, Unalaska, and Akutan, Alaska.

The J. Thomas Dutro Jr. Student Award, presented by the Paleontological Research Institution, recognizes the significance of systematic research in paleontology. This $500 award is open to graduate students (Masters or Ph.D.) engaged in systematic paleontology research. Eligible expenses include research supplies, bench fees, and travel for fieldwork or conferences, supporting the academic growth of promising paleontologists.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

Art Jess Scholarship Fund

The Art Jess Scholarship is open to Alaska residents who are Alaska Native, American Indian, and/or Hawaiian Native, and is intended to assist Alaskans with their post-secondary education, including but not limited to trade schools, vocational schools, undergraduate and graduate schools, community colleges and distance learning. Applicants may be full or part-time students.

Art Jess was a champion for the spiritual and social advancement of humanity in general and of Native American people in particular. According to his daughter, “Art believed in the best of people, that the world is a beautiful place, that all is well, and that everything will work out.” Art was a lifelong learner and believed that a person never really graduated until life was over.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Rita M Medeiros (Rita's Closet) Scholarship

The purpose of the Rita's Closet Scholarship is to honor the memory of Rita Marie Medeiros by providing scholarship (s) for graduating seniors at any public High School in Carroll County, Maryland, and the Carroll County Career and Technology Center. Because Rita was a very caring friend and spent much of her short life, giving others her time, her friendship and ultimately her organ donor gift, the Rita's Closet Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating student (s) pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited college, university or technical school who meets the criteria established for the fund.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance cancer research among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, focusing on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in rural areas. The initiative seeks to reduce cancer incidence and mortality rates while ensuring that research findings significantly improve health outcomes for these communities. Eligible organizations are invited to apply, with applications undergoing rigorous peer review to ensure only the most promising projects receive funding.

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.

Rainbow Youth Scholarship

Criteria:

• Creative expression submission and letters of recommendation. Financial need will be considered in the event of a tie.

Required materials

• Creative expression submission (ex: essay, short fiction, poetry, artwork, video, song, etc.) demonstrating a dedication/commitment to the interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community; 
• 2 letters of recommendation (one from within the student’s school system (counselor, teacher, etc.) and one from a source outside of the student’s school system); and 3) FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

• $1,000 | 1 scholarship - Applicants may choose to be anonymous. If so, no identifying information would be presented to the review committee and no public recognition would be made of the selected winner.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

Brandon C. Reiley Scholarship Fund

Brandon was nothing if not a true adventurer and a friend to all. His laugh was almost always mischievous but also contagious. Brandon was a citizen of the world, living and visiting countless countries and maybe getting into a little trouble along the way. He loved meeting new people and roping them into projects and ideas or connecting them to like minded souls.

This scholarship, established in memory of Brandon C. Reiley, supports Alaskan students pursuing higher education degrees in the fields of science, sustainability, mathematics, education, or aviation. All of these areas were important to Brandon and it is the goal of this scholarship fund to support students with similar interests and goals.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

Cael Askin Memorial Scholarship Fund

The donors establish the Cael Askin Memorial Scholarship in memory of their son, Cael (pronounced Kale) who died at age 25 in 2013 as a result of complications of Epilepsy. Cael was diagnosed with Asperger’s while in school and completed high school with a certified diploma utilizing an Individual Education Plan (IEP) through his time in school. The fund is intended to provide scholarships to Kenai students who have had Individualized Educational Plans (IEP’s).

The family of Cael Askin is honored to offer a $1,000 scholarship in his memory to support a graduating high school or home school senior receiving Special Education Services and intends to pursue secondary education or vocational/technical training.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

CARTA Scholarship Endowment Fund - Liability

Central Alaska Retired Teachers' Association Scholarship Fund was established to provide financial support for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in education or working towards certifications that will enable them to become teachers or administrators in the public schools.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

Dr. John Halligan Scholarship Fund

This is a scholarship fund established for students in pursuit of a medical career.

Dr. John Halligan graduated from The United States Military Academy at West Point in 1985 and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences with an MD. After completing his residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Washington, Dr. Halligan served in the US Army as a Radiation Oncologist until his retirement as a Colonel in 2008. After retiring from the military, Dr. Halligan fulfilled a decades-long dream and moved to Alaska to become the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Providence Alaska Medical Center. He has since expanded state-of-the-art cancer care in Alaska by opening Radiation Oncology Clinics in Soldotna, Juneau, and the MatSu Valley so Alaskans could receive care closer to their homes.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

Harry H. Hirshik Scholarship Fund

A scholarship fund focused on automobile mechanic education.

The Harry H. Hirshik Scholarship supports Alaskan students pursuing education or training in the field of automotive mechanics. Harry H. Hirshik was military-civil employee-mechanic. He lived in Eagle River and loved Alaska.