Best Hartford Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

Stew's Cares Donation program encourages community support by providing donations via gift cards to local 501(c)(3) organizations. The Leonard family believes in giving back and has established a Wishing Well in stores to accumulate funds for charity. To apply for donations, organizations must submit requests in writing on official letterhead at least 60 days prior to their event. This initiative reflects Stew Leonard's commitment to supporting local communities and charities.

The Drs. Nima Patel and Daniel McNaughton Scholarship Fund, managed by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, offers scholarships for 2-3 students from the Greater Hartford region. Established in 1925, the foundation supports local students pursuing higher education in Connecticut. Eligible candidates include high school seniors and military veterans with a GPA of 3.0 or above, demonstrating financial need and an interest in science, medicine, engineering, or technology.

The General Grant Cycle by the Main Street Community Foundation supports community organizations in Bristol and surrounding areas. Since 1995, the Foundation has positively impacted local residents through competitive grants aimed at addressing basic needs, access to opportunities, and vibrant community projects. Eligibility requires tax-exempt status under 501(c)(3) and compliance with prior reporting. Preference is given to initiatives that respond to community needs, leverage funding, and promote collaboration among nonprofits.

The Dr. Sidney Rafal Memorial Fund, established by Dr. Rafal's family, honors his legacy in dentistry. Managed by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, this fund supports scholarships for Connecticut residents pursuing dental education at the University of Connecticut. Since 1945, the Hartford Foundation has awarded nearly $30 million in scholarships, aiding local students in their pursuit of higher education. This fund reflects a commitment to fostering future dental professionals.

The Drs. Nima Patel and Daniel McNaughton Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students in the Greater Hartford area, including Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, and Bloomfield, as well as military veterans. This scholarship aims to assist those pursuing a certificate or associate's degree at eligible community colleges, with a focus on fields such as science, medicine, engineering, or technology. Annually, 1-2 awards are offered to aid students in need of financial assistance.

The Edwards Community Endowment Program (ECEP) offers matching grants to support nonprofit organizations in northwest Connecticut in establishing or augmenting endowment funds. Funded by the Marion Wm. and Alice Edwards Fund, it provides $1 for every $4 raised, with a maximum match of $20,000. Organizations must raise at least $16,000 to qualify for initial matching funds, promoting sustainable endowment growth through strategic fundraising and board engagement.

The Year-End Critical Needs Grants, funded by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, allocate a minimum of $60,000 to support public charities and faith-based organizations within a 20-town service area. These grants aim to address urgent community needs and are part of a competitive grant process held three times a year. Organizations eligible for funding include those serving areas such as Barkhamsted, Cornwall, and Torrington, ensuring a responsive approach to local challenges.

The Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation (NCCF) offers Cycle Grants to enhance community life through arts, education, environment, health, and social services. Grants are available for small projects up to $1,500 and traditional projects over $1,500, with an average award of $5,000. NCCF encourages innovative, collaborative projects serving residents in its 20-town area, fostering local philanthropy and volunteerism.

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 Ruby A. Trivette Ruritan Scholarship, administered by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Ashe and Watauga counties in North Carolina. Eligible applicants must reside in Todd or be active members or children of active members of the Todd Ruritan Club. This scholarship opens for applications on December 16, 2025, and closes on March 3, 2026, providing crucial financial assistance for students pursuing higher education.

The LPGA Foundation

The LPGA Foundation supports women and young people through programs and initiatives aimed at empowering them through the game of golf. Since its founding, The LPGA Foundation has touched more than 500,000 lives through various scholarship and financial assistance programs, along with its flagship junior golf program, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf. The LPGA Foundation was established in 1991 and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which supports junior golf programs, scholarships, and financial assistance programs for women and young ladies.

Dolores Hope Financial Assistance Initiative

The LPGA Foundation has a tradition of taking care of its members and others in the golf industry. The Financial Assistance Fund was renamed the Dolores Hope LPGA Financial Assistance Initiative in 2007 to acknowledge Hope’s generous support of the fund and her long-time friendship with the LPGA.

The Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program supports federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and organizations in advancing health-related research. It aims to enhance research careers and infrastructure through a competitive application process. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, this initiative invites eligible entities to apply, ensuring that only high-quality proposals undergo peer review for potential funding.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is seeking applications to establish Regional Medical Libraries within the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Since 1965, the NNLM has enhanced public health information access through partnerships with libraries and health organizations. The initiative aims to improve community engagement, disseminate NIH research findings, and foster collaborations to promote health literacy and access to biomedical data, thereby supporting local clinical research efforts.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is inviting applications for its Coordinating Center within the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Established in 1965, the NNLM enhances public access to health information through collaboration with libraries and community organizations. The NCC will oversee network administration and evaluation, fostering partnerships and supporting local clinical research. This initiative aims to expand NIH engagement and improve public understanding of health resources and information available through the NNLM.

The LPGA Foundation

The LPGA Foundation supports women and young people through programs and initiatives aimed at empowering them through the game of golf. Since its founding, The LPGA Foundation has touched more than 500,000 lives through various scholarship and financial assistance programs, along with its flagship junior golf program, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf. The LPGA Foundation was established in 1991 and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which supports junior golf programs, scholarships, and financial assistance programs for women and young ladies.

Marge Burns Educational Grants

The Marge Burns Education Grant is available for LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals and is awarded to assist with the expenses of attending LPGA Certification Programs. Established with a bequest from Marge Burns, the grant recognizes the importance of LPGA Certification and Continuing Education for LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals.

• Grant Applicants must be an Approved Applicant or an LPGA Apprentice or Class B LPGA Professionals member in good standing.
• We ask that you provide details about the reason why you are requesting assistance.

The Robert E. Barnhill, Sr. Scholarship Fund provides financial support for North Carolina high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college or university as full-time students. Eligible applicants are evaluated on leadership potential, community involvement, academic achievement, and financial need. The scholarship may be renewed for up to three additional years, contingent upon maintaining a 2.0 GPA and continuous enrollment. Applications open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026.

The HEAL Initiative Whole Joint Health Program aims to advance research on the biological mechanisms of joint pain by exploring the interactions of various tissues within the joint. This innovative program will support clinical studies that focus on non-pharmacological interventions to enhance healing and improve quality of life for individuals suffering from chronic joint pain. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of joint health, the initiative aligns with the NIH's broader goals to reduce chronic pain and opioid dependency.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Edward A. Bouchet Award

This award promotes the participation of underrepresented minorities in physics by identifying and recognizing a distinguished minority physicist who has made significant contributions to physics research and the advancement of underrepresented minority scientists. The program will help publicize the lecturer's work and career development to the physics community, especially among minority physics students. The Lectureship consists of a stipend of $5,000 plus support for travel to an APS meeting where the recipient will receive the award and give a presentation. In addition, the lecturer should arrange to give up to three additional talks at academic institutions where the impact of the visit on minority students would be significant. The purpose of these visits would be to deliver technical lectures or lectures about his/her specialty, to visit classrooms when appropriate, to assist the college/university in pre-college outreach efforts where appropriate, and to talk informally with both faculty and students about research and teaching careers in physics. Financial support will also be provided for travel to these lectures. It will be presented annually.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is seeking applications for a Training Center under the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). This initiative aims to enhance professional development for librarians, community engagement, and access to health information. By fostering partnerships and disseminating NIH resources, the NNLM will broaden its impact and improve public understanding of health data and information. The NTC will develop innovative training curricula and materials to meet diverse audience needs.

Hermann K. Brauer Memorial Scholarship Fund

Students must be preparing for a professional career in medicine, dentistry, nursing, engineering or other science, teaching or law. The scholarship will not be used for career preparation in veterinary medicine, funeral direction, mortuary science, or in the ministry. The student must demonstrate clear financial need. To maintain the scholarship, the student must remain in good academic standing as defined by the college or university and have no failing subject. The student must demonstrate clear financial need. To maintain the scholarship, the student must remain in good academic standing as defined by the college or university and have no failing subject.

This will be outlined in your award notification. The minimum scholarship award amount is $1,000.

NCCF scholarship awards are only issued to not-for-profit institutions and government entities such as public colleges or universities.

Scholarships

We partner with donors to administer scholarships for students across the state. Most NCCF scholarships open for applications on Dec. 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026.

Undergraduates, graduates, medical and professional school students and adult re-entry students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities, career/technical schools, teaching credential programs and graduate, medical or professional schools in the United States are eligible for scholarships offered at NCCF.

Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements defined by the donor when the scholarship was established. Be sure to read the requirements of each scholarship carefully as directed through the universal application and address those elements as needed in your application.

Baronowski Family STEM Scholarship

Female graduates of a Brunswick County, NC, high school who plan to attend or currently attend a qualified institution of higher learning, including a college, university or community college, to pursue a degree in one of the STEM disciplines (Science, Engineering, Technology, or Math).

The Carteret County Association of Home Builders Murdoch Scholarship offers financial assistance to graduating seniors and graduates from Carteret County high schools. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time in accredited technical schools or universities pursuing degrees in construction-related fields. Priority is given to those with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrated financial need. Applications open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026, making it essential for interested candidates to prepare their submissions accordingly.

The Carteret County Retired School Personnel Scholarship Endowment offers scholarships to graduating seniors from Carteret County public high schools with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Eligible students must apply for admission to an accredited college or university and plan to pursue a degree in education, demonstrating their commitment to serving as positive role models. Applications open on Dec. 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026.

LPGA Amateur Golf Association

The LPGA Amateur Golf Association® is a passionate, inclusive group of women made up of over 18,500 members of all golf abilities throughout 130+ global chapters. This vibrant community connects women to learn, play and enjoy golf. We provide organized playing and learning opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities through a variety of local and national events. 

Women on Par Scholarship

About the Scholarship

The “Women on Par” Scholarship Program, provided by the LPGA Foundation, was established in 2007 by the EWGA Foundation (now the LPGA Amateur Golf Association™) to provide financial assistance to “non-traditional” female students. These scholarships are intended for women, aged 30 and older, who are attending a college or university for the first time or returning to school after an absence to complete their technical/vocational, Associate, or Bachelor’s degree. The scholarships are designed to help these women get “on par,” or get an equal footing, with their peers, friends, and other women who have had a chance to complete their college education.

Impact of the Scholarship

Since its inception, the Women on Par Scholarship has empowered more than 40 women to pursue their dream of earning a degree. This program provides more than financial support - it instills confidence, fuels ambition, and inspires recipients to achieve their goals and give back to their communities.

The scholarships we award vary each year based on the unique criteria of each scholarship. In 2025, we awarded over $3 million in scholarships to over 500 students, including $1.3 million to 110 students in western NC through our Disaster Relief and Resilience Scholarship.

Alpha Beta Chapter Scholarship Fund

Depending on the scholarship, it may pay for tuition, room and board, books, fees and/or other related educational expenses. This will be outlined in your award notification. The minimum scholarship award amount is $1,000.

NCCF scholarship awards are only issued to not-for-profit institutions and government entities such as public colleges or universities.

What We Do

At the North Carolina Community Foundation, we bring together generous people and connect them to causes and organizations they care about.

Our mission is to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our Philanthropic Network

We believe in the power of permanent philanthropy to strengthen our communities and people. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, our philanthropic network makes a powerful impact through robust grants and scholarships programs.

Bill Taylor Scholarship Endowment

Criteria

Enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or their spouses, children or other immediate family members attending a two- or four-year college or university.

What We Do

At the North Carolina Community Foundation, we bring together generous people and connect them to causes and organizations they care about.

Our mission is to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our Philanthropic Network

We believe in the power of permanent philanthropy to strengthen our communities and people. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, our philanthropic network makes a powerful impact through robust grants and scholarships programs.

Geraldine Mayo Beveridge Scholarship Endowment

About Geraldine Mayo Beveridge

Geraldine “Gerry” Mayo Beveridge taught school in Carteret County for 40 years. She was a Home Economics teacher and thought of her students as her children; she and husband “Captain David” had none of their own. Gerry would discreetly provide classroom supplies and clothing items for students in need. She quietly contributed money toward college for capable students who couldn’t afford it.

Gerry’s concern for students continued after retirement. As a member of the Carteret County Retired School Personnel (CCRSP), Gerry convinced members of the importance of awarding a scholarship to a graduating senior in each high school – East Carteret, West Carteret, and later, Croatan. To raise money, she organized bake sales and brought plants and canned foods to sell to members. The scholarships, though small, were a great effort for members and were greatly appreciated by recipients.

Gerry left a considerable sum of money to CCRSP with the expectation that it be managed well and used for scholarships. Today, the Geraldine Mayo Beveridge Scholarship is awarded to qualifying graduating seniors who want to teach Vocational Education, now called Career and Technical Education.

Gerry’s passion for her students and her love of education continues through this scholarship. She was an amazing educator whose philanthropy will last in perpetuity.