Best Grants for 501(c)(3)

The Women's Fund Success Grants, established by the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, aim to empower women and children in central Illinois. Since 1993, these grants have supported organizations that create impactful programs benefiting women and girls. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and local government units, with a focus on initiatives that address community needs and promote equality. The fund does not support capital campaigns or sectarian purposes, ensuring resources are directed towards community service.

The George and Elizabeth McClure, Jr. Family Scholarship at Montana State University supports undergraduate students pursuing a Management degree from the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Candidates must be full-time students, with preference given to Montana high school graduates. This scholarship aims to enhance educational access and foster future leaders in business management, reflecting MSU's commitment to transforming lives through higher education.

The Morris Animal Foundation invites proposals for the Feline Health Fellowship Training Award, aimed at advancing the health and welfare of domesticated cats. This program supports new investigators by providing salary funds in a mentoring environment. Proposals should focus on hypothesis-driven research with high scientific merit, targeting community and pet cats (Felis catus). The maximum award duration is 24 months, with budgets not exceeding $145,000. Join us in making impactful contributions to feline health.

The Morris Animal Foundation offers the Annual Feline Proposals: Feline Health Established Investigator Award to support research aimed at improving the health and welfare of domesticated cats. Established in 1948, the foundation funds innovative, hypothesis-driven studies that demonstrate high scientific merit. This grant encourages collaboration between academia and industry and has a maximum project duration of 36 months, with average awards around $100,000. Eligible proposals should focus solely on domesticated cats, excluding other feline species.

The Morris Animal Foundation offers the Annual Feline Health Pilot Study Award to support innovative research that enhances the health and welfare of domesticated cats. This funding is aimed at proof-of-concept studies, advancing animal health research through collaborative projects. With a maximum funding of $20,000 for a 12-month duration, the foundation seeks proposals that have a significant impact on both scientific and community stakeholders, ensuring a healthier future for feline populations.

Danial & Joeanna Smith Education Scholarship

The scholarship was established through a bequest from the estate of Danial and Joeanna Smith for the purpose of providing educational scholarships to permanent residents of Van Buren County and who are planning to pursue a bachelor's degree at a four-year college/university. Additional application materials are required for this scholarship.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution.

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

The Suncoast Scholars program, managed by the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, offers three $2,000 scholarships to deserving high school seniors in Charlotte County. Established in 1990, the Foundation has awarded over $3.1 million in scholarships to support local students in their pursuit of higher education. Eligible candidates must be high school seniors with strong academic performance and leadership skills, planning to attend accredited colleges or technical schools in Florida.

The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation offers $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors in Citrus County, demonstrating a commitment to education since 1990. Eligible applicants must attend a public or charter school, show financial need, and plan to enroll in a Florida college or technical school for the 2025-26 academic year. This initiative supports students in covering tuition and other essential educational expenses.

The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation is offering eight $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors in Broward County. Since 1990, they have provided over $3.1 million in scholarships to support students pursuing higher education. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, possess leadership qualities, and plan to enroll in an accredited college or technical school in Florida for the 2025-26 academic year. This initiative underscores the foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the community.

The Alabama State Council on the Arts Literary Grant - Consolidated Project aims to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality for Alabamians by supporting diverse artistic resources. It funds cohesive activities like performance seasons, workshops, and exhibitions, promoting arts education and cultural appreciation. This grant fosters excellence in the arts, providing opportunities for all citizens to engage with and appreciate the rich artistic heritage of Alabama.

The Alabama State Council on the Arts offers the Folklife - Consolidated Project Grant to enhance the quality of life for Alabamians through diverse artistic support. This grant funds cohesive activities, including performance seasons, workshops, and exhibitions, promoting excellence in the arts. It aims to preserve folk art traditions, increase public engagement with the arts, and recognize their role in economic vitality, ultimately enriching Alabama's cultural landscape.

The Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants support innovative projects aimed at enhancing the lifesaving efforts for cats and dogs in U.S. shelters. Eligible organizations, including public and private shelters and rescue groups, can apply for up to $50,000 to fund initiatives like intake prevention services, medical care for at-risk pets, and shelter enrichment programs. All projects must align with the mission of increasing adoption rates and improving animal welfare within the Best Friends Network.

The Alabama State Council on the Arts Literary - Project Grant aims to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in Alabama by supporting diverse artistic resources. This grant encourages a wide range of projects, including festivals, performances, and exhibitions, fostering public engagement with the arts. It promotes excellence in arts education, recognizes folk traditions, and supports economic development through the arts, ensuring that all Alabamians can experience and appreciate artistic expressions.

Brian Thiele Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, established by family and friends in memory of Brian Thiele, provides financial assistance to students who exhibit characteristics similar to those for which Brian is so fondly remembered. This includes playing varsity and/or club soccer, achievement of personal and academic goals, overcoming obstacles to meet his goals, competitive spirit, leadership and a special caring for community. Additional application materials are required for this scholarship.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution. 

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

The Inclusion & Belonging Grant Program by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in local communities. With $40,000 available, grants up to $3,000 support nonprofits, government entities, and schools in ensuring representation and engaging diverse voices in leadership. Applications are accepted anytime until funds are exhausted, fostering equitable opportunities for community involvement and event visibility in the Ozarks.

The Minnesota Department of Education is offering grants for remodeling, constructing, or repurposing gender-neutral single-user restrooms. This initiative supports safe and healthy school environments, aiming for improved accessibility and student health. Grant amounts can reach up to $150,000, with a maximum of $75,000 allocated per site. At least 80% of funds must be dedicated to restroom projects, while 20% may be used for engagement and implementation activities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to student safety.

The Flexible Support Grant: Tier 1, provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, offers grants up to $5,000 to support arts organizations with an operating budget of $0 - $74,999. This funding aims to enhance Minnesotans' access to the arts through operational support, organizational capacity efforts, and diverse arts programming in the 9-county region of southcentral Minnesota.

The Flexible Support Grant: Tier 2, offered by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, provides up to $10,000 to arts organizations within a 9-county area in southcentral Minnesota. This grant supports operational costs, enhances organizational capacity, and funds arts programming, ensuring equitable access to diverse art forms for the community. It specifically targets organizations with annual budgets between $75,000 and $199,999, promoting sustainable arts initiatives that enrich local culture.

The Funds for Women Graduates: Emergency Grant offers financial assistance of up to £2,500 for graduate women facing unexpected financial crises while studying at approved institutions in Great Britain. Applications are open to women of all ages and nationalities, awarded twice yearly in April and December. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled, have completed at least six months of their course, and demonstrate financial need. This grant provides crucial support to help women complete their academic programs.

The Flexible Support Grant: Tier 3, offered by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, provides up to $15,000 for arts organizations with an annual operating budget of $200,000 or more. This funding aims to enhance access to the arts in a 9-county area of southcentral Minnesota, supporting operational needs, organizational capacity, and arts programming. Eligible projects may include staff support, facility improvements, or programming events, fostering a vibrant arts community.

The Excellence in Education Teacher Mini-Grant Program, provided by the Siouxland Community Foundation, aims to enhance educational quality for children in Siouxland. Grants of up to $500 for individual teachers and $1,000 for teams support innovative classroom projects that improve student learning. This initiative addresses the critical role of teachers in fostering student success by offering funding for resources often unavailable through traditional channels, thus promoting creativity and engagement in education.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

A.C. “Kate” & Leo Joseph Merlone Teaching Scholarship

Kate and Leo Merlone understood the value of education, both in formal academia and through any media that would expand a person’s mental horizons.

Commitments to family obligations in their youth did not allow them to continue their formal education to the extent that they had desired. Instead, throughout their lives, they chose self education through books, travel, museums, volunteer involvement in the community and always good conversations.

They passed on this message of self education to their children, even as they encouraged them to pursue a higher education. Their strong work ethic and efforts to constantly improve themselves have been a wonderful example for their children and grandchildren.

The A.C. “Kate” & Leo Joseph Merlone Scholarship is a way to continue their desire for education and for being educators to their family and to the community in which they spent their lives.

The Medical Education and Research Cost (MERC) Grant Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, supports clinical medical education in Minnesota. With $59 million allocated for the current fiscal year, the program provides funding to sponsoring institutions, such as hospitals and schools, which are responsible for clinical education programs. The minimum grant award is $5,000, aimed at addressing the financial challenges faced by teaching facilities in a competitive healthcare market.

Established in 2007 with the enactment of Substitute House Bill 2115, the Initiative is aimed at recognizing and preserving significant historic resources related to the agricultural heritage of Washington. These goals are achieved in two ways: through the creation of the Washington State Heritage Barn Register and the appropriation of matching funds to assist with the emergency stabilization and rehabilitation of barns and associated significant agricultural buildings.

The Gates Family Scholarship at Montana State University supports students pursuing a degree in Agriculture. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. This scholarship aims to aid undergraduate students and is part of the university's broader commitment to providing transformative educational opportunities. With limited availability for incoming students, it stands as a vital resource for those eager to embark on their agricultural studies.

L.L.Bean Charitable Donations supports outdoor initiatives that bring communities together. The program encourages partnerships with inspiring individuals and organizations. To apply, ensure requests are made at least eight weeks before the event. Please note that the program does not fund individuals, advertising, specific schools, or projects outside the U.S. For more information, visit their website to learn how to get involved.

The 4Culture Heritage Projects Grant Program supports initiatives that make history relevant through exhibits, publications, and oral histories in King County, WA. Grants range from $2,000 to $15,000, funding projects that enhance public access to heritage resources and promote collaborations among diverse communities. The program seeks to broaden historical narratives, focusing on racial equity and inclusion, while ensuring projects benefit underrepresented populations and provide accessible educational opportunities.