Best Grants for Preschools

Folklife & Traditional Arts Project Grants

Purpose

To ensure that South Carolina's diverse living traditions remain vibrant and visible parts of community life.

Traditional arts are expressions of shared identity that are learned as a part of the cultural life of a particular group. This shared identity may be rooted in family, geographic, tribal, occupational, religious, or ethnic connections, among others. As expressions of a living culture, traditional arts have been handed down from one generation to the next and reflect the shared experience, aesthetics, and values of a group. Traditional arts are dynamic, reflecting change and individual innovation over generations of practitioners.

This grant ensures that South Carolina’s many living traditions remain vibrant, visible parts of community life by supporting nonprofit organizations and units of government seeking to promote and sustain the traditional arts practiced across the state. South Carolina’s cultural landscape encompasses diverse artistic traditions and practitioners, including indigenous, longstanding, and more recently-arrived art forms and communities.

Funding

• Up to $6,000

Matching Requirement

• 1:1 (grantee:SCAC)

Parks & Trails New York

Founded in 1985 by a group of passionate park advocates who believed New York’s magnificent state park system merited its own advocacy group, PTNY’s purview quickly grew to include trails, outdoor recreation, active transportation, and bicycle and pedestrian issues.

Over its tenure, PTNY has successfully prevented the closure of over 100 sites during a critical budget crisis, championed the effort to close gaps in the Erie Canalway Trail, and developed the foundational concepts for the Empire State Trail (EST). Through grants and grassroots support, we’ve directed $10 million to community groups and engaged over one hundred thousand volunteers, ensuring cherished public spaces thrive. Today, these efforts contribute to the remarkable success of nearly 88 million park visits and nearly 10 million annual users on the nation-leading Empire State Trail.

Western New York Trail Town Grants

Background

Administered by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), and with generous funding provided by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, PTNY will offer $60,000 in competitive grants to support a broader initiative aimed at boosting local economies by leveraging visitation to nearby public lands. The grants can be used to promote place-making efforts, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and implement community-driven projects that prioritize active transportation alternatives for cyclists and pedestrians.

Matching Funds

Trail Town Grants require a local match of at least 10% of the total project budget (not the ask). The entire match may be from in-kind sources (volunteer labor, donated materials, etc.) or may be supplemented by cash. The amount funded through this project must be no more than 90% of the total project budget.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Grant

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is a private, international philanthropic organization, making grants to nonprofit organizations globally in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare. SNF is currently engaged in a long-term landmark effort to improve access to quality health care in many countries, the multifaceted Global Health Initiative (GHI), with a current budget of over one (1) billion U.S. dollars.

During the implementation of the Global Health Initiative (GHI) over the next few years, SNF will continue to assess applications for support, but will do so in a much more selective way.

Bailey and Friends Grant

Financial support from Bailey and Friends focuses on several categories including: spay/neuter, quality shelter care, adoptions and foster care, emergency relief, therapy/companion training, community education on responsible pet ownership and other programs to ensure that dogs and cats have the chance to live healthy, happy lives in stable environments.

Bailey and Friends strives to improve the lives of dogs and cats primarily in underserved communities and rural areas where services are limited. Small ‘mom & pop’ operations with limited capacity to provide needed services are encouraged to apply.

As a new extension of the Golisano Foundation, financial resources for grants are limited. Our average award is in the $5,000 – $10,000 range, however, smaller and larger grants will be considered. Please call the office for further discussion before starting the online application.

Applications for programs, capital projects or community planning initiatives related to the field of animal welfare will be given consideration.

Community-wide strategies involving alliances/coalitions/collaborations that bring together the expertise and perspectives of various stakeholders; that can identify and grow best practices and effective programs; that are easy to replicate and share broadly with other communities will be given consideration.

The Selby Mission

By investing in people through academic scholarships and supporting capital projects of local organizations, we look beyond what is and enable change for what can be.

Traditional Grants

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation awards “traditional grants” twice each year.

Organizations with budgets greater than $300,000 that primarily serve Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties have the opportunity to apply.

The Selby Foundation invests in capital support that will help nonprofits achieve more for those they serve.

United Way of Greater St. Louis

Our Mission: The United Way of Greater St. Louis mission is to mobilize the community with one goal in mind – helping people live their best possible lives. We unite people, resources and funding to help build strong and equitable communities where everyone can thrive.

Safety Net

United Way’s Safety Net is a collaborative network of agencies that deliver an array of essential direct services to address the region’s most pressing needs, helping families and individuals remain and work toward stability. Safety Net agencies provide direct services that address basic, urgent needs – such as access to food and housing— as well as supports that help move individuals and families toward stability, including education, health and well-being, workforce access, and financial mobility.

Safety Net Funding

United Way of Greater St. Louis is now accepting applications for its Safety Net Funding cycle and invites all eligible agencies across its 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois, including those not currently receiving United Way funding, to apply. United Way equips 160 local nonprofits with vital funding and training resources to support measurable impact across its five impact areas. Organizations selected will receive a three-year contract and become part of the UWGSL member agency network.

United Way’s Impact Areas

• Basic Needs 
• Community Stability and Crisis Response 
• Early Childhood and Youth Success 
• Health and Wellbeing 
• Jobs and Financial Mobility 

While needs are great across the five impact areas, United Way will use data derived from its landscape analysis of community needs to inform how service areas will be prioritized to ensure the region has access to a strong and resilient network as needs arise.

Information for Grantseekers

The Legacy Foundation invests in and serves as a catalyst for ideas, partnerships, medical education, research and programs that improve the health and quality of life in the Rio Grande Valley. The Foundation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being.

Types of Grants

Collaborative Grants:

• $50,000 to $500,000
• Fosters partnerships for larger-scale projects.
• Letters of Support from collaborators strengthen applications.

Foundation Initiatives:

• $500,000 +
• For strategic projects aligning with our goals, such as capital grants or seed funding.

Ted Gacomis Scholarship for Civil Engineering

Mission Statement

Ted Gacomis worked with several civil engineering firms in Chester County. For thirty plus years, he was part of Edward B. Walsh (EBW) & Associates, based in Exton, PA, where he became a Partner and Vice President. The EBW family and the many County township officials with whom he worked were a very important part of his life.

Ted offered his engineering skills to many organizations as a volunteer, including Habitat for Humanity and Operation Honduras, the latter holding a very special place in his heart as he volunteered there for more than twelve years.

Ted was more than a Civil Engineer; it was very important to him to mentor and support future generations of young men and women in his profession. He offered his time and knowledge freely and was never too busy to answer a question. Along with this “teaching” came, of course, the jokes and sense of humor he loved to share.

He was born in Kingston, PA and graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School. He then attended the Pennsylvania State University to study Civil Engineering, which was followed by receiving his engineering license. Prior to joining EBW, Ted’s first professional employment was with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, where he continued his learning, including that of adding to his repertoire of practical jokes. Ted loved to have fun with his co-workers and friends.

A gentleman, scholar, true friend, and a humble man, Ted would be so pleased to be honored with a scholarship bearing his name that would help a young person know what it means to be a person of integrity, compassion and hard work pursuing a degree in civil engineering.

Because Ted was a dear mentor to many, Howell Engineering, a full service civil engineering/land surveying/environmental firm, located in West Chester, PA, will provide, in addition to the scholarship, a summer internship complete with a mentoring opportunity. Engineering interns would be exposed to all facets of civil engineering design and the latest AutoCAD design software as well as drone technology. Howell performs civil site design engineering and land surveying for a wide variety of clients including residential, commercial and industrial real estate developers.

Guidelines

The Ted Gacomis Scholarship for Civil Engineering awards a scholarship of $1,000 to one high school senior, who will pursue a degree in civil engineering and to offer an internship at a local engineering firm.

RoseLoe-Dix Endowed Scholarship Fund

Attending four-year university, two-year college or trade school in the upcoming semester, majoring in Business, Sciences, Computers, Christian Religion, Literature, Pre-med, Medical Field, or Engineering.

Awards

• (2) $12,000.00

 Parkston Area Foundation 

The Parkston Area Foundation (PAF) is a tax-exempt organization developed in 2004. Our mission is to promote philanthropy and support a wide range of social, economic, and charitable needs in the greater Parkston area.

The purpose of the PAF Board is to raise funds to create a community savings account which will grow and benefit the communities of Dimock, Milltown, Hillside, and Parkston. The funds are deposited with the South Dakota Community Foundation which invests the dollars and annually returns earned interest to the PAF for grant distributions. The Parkston Area Foundation has been annually awarding grants to support the community since 2007.

Grants

Since 2007, the Parkston Area Foundation has combined efforts with the Opie R. Benson and Helen A. Benson Community Improvement Foundation as well as the Avera St. Benedict Foundation in awarding grants every year. In 2007, the three foundations pooled monies and granted a total of $10,000 in funds. Since 2008, the foundations have continued to work together giving out grants each year, but have since each designated specific amounts to recipients.

Parkston Area Foundation Grant

Qualification

Purpose of the project should fulfill a community need and should involve a tangible and measurable means of evaluation.

Volunteerism

Projects that involve significant and continuous community volunteer support will be favorably considered.

Innovation

The Parkston Area Foundation (PAF) funds ongoing, well-established projects as well as innovative projects designed to address existing community needs in innovative ways.

Discrimination

Applications from persons and/or agencies offering services exclusively to one gender, age group, or race will be closely scrutinized for discriminatory practices. Funding will be based on the needs of the individuals being served.

Continued Funding

No guarantee of continued funding will be communicated until subsequent grant applications are reviewed. However, once initiated under foundation funding, projects with a good track record will be considered favorably in subsequent grant decisions. No more than three years of sequential grant funding shall be awarded to any one grantee for the same purpose.

Challenge Grants

The PAF encourages matching funds from all grant applicants. When the board perceives the need for more local involvement and support of a given project, it may issue challenge grants in any proportion. Funding may be contingent upon acquisition of the required matching money. There may be times when the PAF perceives a need in the community currently not being met. The board then may issue a challenge grant to the community or request a proposal to address that particular need.

Eleanor & James Latta Jr. Scholarship Fund

Mission Statement

In the spirit of the A. Duie Pyle company focus on supporting people in as many ways as possible, the Latta Scholarship goal is to assist the children or stepchildren of A. Duie Pyle employees to enter into or continue attending an accredited college or technical school. Applicants must be children or stepchildren of A. Duie Pyle employees, should be able to demonstrate academic success, community and/or school contribution and a solid-grasp of future professional plans.

If you are an A. Duie Pyle employee and would like your child to apply for the Latta Scholarship, full details and an application can be accessed here. For any additional questions you can reach out to pylemarketing@aduiepyle.com. or grants@chescocf.org

Background

The Eleanor & James Latta Jr. Scholarship Fund was established through donations from A. Duie Pyle, Inc. and from private donors for the benefit of children of employees of A. Duie Pyle. The fund is administered through the Chester County Community Foundation, and award winners are selected by the fund's scholarship committee, none of whom work at A. Duie Pyle.

Eleanor Pyle was Duie Pyle's daughter, and in 1942 she married James Latta, Jr. At the time, Mr. Latta was serving his country in the U.S. Army. Shortly after the wedding, Mr. Latta shipped out and served in the China-Burma-India Theater, and did not return home until April of 1945. Beginning in 1946, Jim Latta worked alongside Duie Pyle as the company continued to grow.

As Mr. Pyle's health declined in the early 1960's, Mr. Latta assumed the decision making for the future of the company. Mr. Latta led Pyle through rapid expansion, diversification, and a Teamster strike, and Pyle's resulting decertification. Throughout his leadership, Eleanor, his wife of 52 years, was by his side and involved in the company's activities. As Mr. Latta's health problems began to compound during 1985, much of the responsibility for the day to day decision making was transferred to Mr. and Mrs. Latta's three sons: Jimmy, Duie, and Peter. Mr. Latta remained a guiding force for his sons until his passing on June 16, 1995. Mrs. Latta continued as the matriarch of the company for many more years, until her passing on September 29, 2011.

The company experienced tremendous growth and solidified its identity as an outstanding place to work under the leadership of Eleanor and James Latta, Jr. They were always big proponents of education, and this scholarship fund is in memory of their tremendous contribution, and for the benefit of the employees of A. Duie Pyle, who they both so dearly respected and valued.

In 2013, shortly before his retirement, Pyle's President, Steve O'Kane, started the Eleanor & James Latta Jr. Scholarship Fund for the benefit of children of employees of A. Duie Pyle, in memory of Eleanor & James Latta Jr.

SHPE Austin Scholarship Fund

Intend to pursue or currently pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, and intend on being a fulltime student for the upcoming academic year.

Awards

• (7) $1,000.00

East End Neighborhood Association Scholarship Fund

Mission Statement

The sole purpose of this fund shall be to support agencies and other charitable causes as recommended by the Fund Advisors and approved by the Board of the Community Foundation.

Rene Hernandez Scholarship Fund

Hispanic graduating seniors in Travis and Williamson county.

Awards

• (1) $2,000.00

Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Eta Chapter

Mission Statement

The Fund has been established for the primary purpose of providing educational scholarships to students at St. Joseph’s University (formerly Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia).

YWCA Chester County Fund

Mission Statement

A primary focus of the YWCA Chester County Fund is to provide scholarships to women, primarily non-traditional students, to continue their education.

National Academy of Construction

Purpose: The purpose of the Academy is to establish a body of acknowledged construction industry leaders and to provide them recognition through election to the National Academy of Construction. It also offers their collective experience and expertise for the improvement of the industry. The Academy shows recognition to fresh and novel industry achievement with appropriate awards programs. Another important purpose of the Academy is to provide a network system of linkage between past and present participants in the construction industry.

NAC Scholarship

• Members of the National Academy of Construction (NAC) established this scholarship to provide funding for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in construction or a closely related field and who intend to pursue a career in the construction industry.
• NAC’s mission is to recognize and honor individuals from all disciplines in the industry for their distinguished contributions to the industry and to share this reservoir of expertise as a service to the nation, including service contributions. It is one of the nation’s esteemed construction industry institutions, characterized by its extensive and diverse expertise, proven leadership, and trusted judgment.
• NAC is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in the construction industry. The intent of this scholarship is to provide financial support for two semesters for deserving students who plan to pursue careers in the construction industry, thus giving back to the profession some of the benefits that its members have received.

Since the scholarship program’s inception in 2020, NAC has awarded 36 scholarships worth over $203,000 to students from across the country.

Only one applicant is permitted from each university. There are no exceptions to this requirement. If more than one application is received from a university, the university will be notified and asked to choose one applicant.

Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the NAC Annual Meeting. NAC will cover registration for this event and work with the recipients, their universities and others to identify sources of funding to cover travel expenses to attend. Attendance at the Annual Meeting is not required.

W. Thomas Musser Memorial Charitable Fund

Mission Statement

This fund has been initiated in memory of W. Thomas Musser (Tom Musser) and will provide grants to charitable organizations whose missions and activities most closely reflect those that Tom believed in and supported during his life time. A component of the fund will also be used to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing post-secondary education.

Scholarship

The W. Thomas Musser Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to honor the life and legacy of W. Thomas (Tom) Musser. Tom believed deeply in the importance of education and life-long learning. 

LiveOak Scholars Fund

Attending a 4-year University in Texas to pursue a degree in business, engineering or computer sciences

Awards

• (7) New: $7,000
• Up to 5 returning
• Returning: Varies

Jonathan Frank Decherd, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

Currently attending or planning to attend Baylor University.

Awards

• (4) $2,500.00

Maria Metzler Johnson Scholarship in Mathematics Fund

Awards the highest grade by a woman in mathematics at LASA.

Awards

• (1) $3,000.00

Montana Department of Commerce

Mission

The Department of Commerce effectively and efficiently delivers programs and resources through technical assistance, funding/investments, training/consulting, promotion, research, reporting and outreach to provide affordable housing and create sustainable business and economic growth to enhance community vitality to benefit the citizens of Montana.

Montana Coal Endowment Program Infrastructure (MCEP)

The Montana Coal Endowment Program was formally known as the Treasure State Endowment Program. Any references to the Treasure State Endowment Program or “TSEP” now refer to the Montana Coal Endowment Program or “MCEP” as authorized by the 67th Legislature in Senate Bill 258 (Chapter 330, Laws 2021). The Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) is a state-funded program created in 1992 as a result of Legislative Referendum 110. It is designed to help solve serious health and safety problems and assist communities with the financing of public facilities projects. The program helps local governments with constructing or upgrading drinking water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary or storm sewer systems, solid waste disposal and separation systems, and bridges.

Applicants must have the management capacity to undertake and satisfactorily complete the project applied for and assure proper management of MCEP funds. Grant recipients must be in compliance with applicable auditing and financial reporting requirements and have the capability to specifically assure proper tracking and recording of funds.

John L. and Linda D. Bohnel Scholarship Fund

Must be attending a college or university that partners with Upswing.

Awards

• (5) $1,000.00

Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 by the family and friends of Scott Elliott after he lost his courageous battle against cancer. As a way to honor his legacy, the Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship incorporates Scott’s life-long passion and commitment to swimming and education. He swam competitively for most of his life, and eventually would go on to become a swimming coach and mentor for 20 years at various clubs and programs around West Chester.

Scott’s impact on the West Chester swimming community is unmatchable. He was able to transform a pool deck into a magical place for so many people—a place where the strongest friendships were formed, the most intimidating obstacles were overcome, and new realizations of one’s potential began to take hold. The lessons Scott taught will not be forgotten, the memories he forged will not diminish.

The level of dedication Scott showed for swimming was only exceeded by his devotion to his wife and two children, Trevor and Piper. Scott was a very involved, loving parent and partner. He led by example through his commitment to bettering the community, his charismatic and approachable personality, his dedication to the sport of swimming, and his ever-relenting ability to persevere given any circumstance. Along with the many memories Scott’s friends and family will share along the way, the Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund will serve as a constant reminder of their father’s giving nature and very beloved personality.

In Scott’s tenure as a coach and mentor, he encouraged positive development among his swimmers both in and out of the pool. This scholarship embodies Scott’s commitment to helping others become the best version of themselves.

In addition to the Scott Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund, supporters can remember and honor Scott by participating in the Annual Run to Find a Way #ScottStrong. The most recent run was held on June 4th, 2022. Visit the Run Sign Up Website by clicking here to register for this event.

Javier Niño Memorial Scholarship Fund

Pursuing a STEM degree at a 4 year college. Must be a Breakthrough Central Texas student.

Awards

• (1) $1,000.00

Emma E. Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mission Statement

The Emma E. Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to memorialize Emma by helping female swimmers pursue their dreams of a college education. The scholarship awards will be granted on an annual basis to female graduating high school senior athletes in Southern Chester County.

About Emma

Emma was an excellent student as a sophomore at Unionville High School (UHS). She loved to swim and was a dedicated member of both the Kennett YMCA Sea Dragons and UHS swim teams. In her spare time, Emma was a lifeguard and also taught young children how to swim at the Y. As a younger child and teenager, Emma excelled on the ballfield in URA softball.

At the young age of 16, Emma passed away following complications caused by a rare type of gastric cancer, a form of the disease that was unheard of in a child and unfortunately found too late. Throughout Emma’s brief illness, she was strong and determined to get better, and did not let her health issues define her in any way.

Emma was beautiful in every sense of the word, and was loved throughout her community and beyond. She worked hard at whatever she was trying to accomplish, but always with a cheery, exuberant attitude and lovely smile. More than anything, her absolute kindness and warm heart are what made Emma our sweet girl.

Chester County Estate Planning Council Scholarship Fund

The Chester County Estate Planning Council includes attorneys, trust officers, accountants, financial planners, wealth managers, investment planners, stockbrokers, insurance agents, appraisers, realtors, and nonprofit planned giving officers, as well as other specialists in related professions serving Chester County, PA.

What is Estate Planning?

Estate Planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the protection, orderly administration, and disposition of a client’s wealth in accordance with their wishes, upon the occurrence of major events such as birth, marriage, divorce, incapacity, and death. Significant attention is paid to minimizing taxes and administration expenses. Estate planning requires knowledge of state property, probate, and trust laws; and federal and state income, gift, inheritance, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax laws. Some estate planning areas include:

• Creating a will
• Setting up durable power of attorney
• Naming an estate executor to oversee the terms of the will
• Establishing a guardian for living dependents
• Creating/updating beneficiaries on plans such as life insurance, IRAs and 401(k)s
• Setting up trust accounts in the name of beneficiaries
• Philanthropy planning to arrange for estate gifts to charities

Guidelines

The purpose of the Chester County Estate Planning Council Scholarship Fund is to award $500 or $1,000 academic scholarships to West Chester University students entering junior or senior year, pursuing studies and considering a career in estate planning.

Additionally, the CCEPC Scholarship includes a complimentary membership to the Chester County Estate Planning Council during the student’s college years, and for two (2) years post-graduation. CCEPC’s goal is to offer students invaluable networking and learning opportunities as they pursue careers in the estate planning field.