Best Grants for Special Education in Hawaii

Early-stage U.S.-based education organizations improving special needs education and PK–12 public schools, including those serving Hawaii, can apply for NewSchools Venture Fund’s Learning Differences Grant Program, with awards of US $150,000 - US $250,000 in one-year general operating support. Funding supports innovative schools, learning solutions, teaching reimagined, and related initiatives for students with learning differences.

Families of individuals with autism seeking help for medical, nutritional, personal, or enrichment needs in Hawaii may be eligible for the MyGOAL Autism Grant Program. Focused on autism and special needs education, MyGOAL offers need-based support for non-reimbursable expenses that are not covered by schools, insurance, or other funders.

Students pursuing post-secondary education with a focus on special needs education or related fields can apply for the Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship, awarding up to US $1,000. Open to Rock Island County residents, this Quad Cities Community Foundation scholarship may benefit those in Hawaii-connected programs meeting the academic and major preferences.

Hawaii special education organizations should note this is a scholarship for individual students, not program funding. Graduating seniors from any Ashland County high school with a 3.0+ GPA who will major in Education, preferably Special Education, at a four-year college can receive support from Ashland County Community Foundation.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing a degree in special education and living within the Crown Point Community Foundation service area can receive scholarship support for higher education. Grants from Crown Point Community Foundation help students interested in special needs education, which may benefit Hawaii-focused programs by supporting future special education professionals.

Students pursuing special education or speech, physical, or occupational therapy careers to support individuals with Down syndrome in Hawaii can apply for this scholarship. With a mission to empower generous people with meaningful giving opportunities, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region offers this award through its universal application for higher education support.

Hawaii students seeking scholarships for special education, pediatric medicine, or Christian ministry degrees may be eligible for the Kristin Lee Burry Memorial Scholarship, which supports North Decatur graduates. This award from Decatur County Community Foundation helps cover higher education costs for those pursuing these fields and interested in special needs education or children’s health.

Hawaii special needs education students or teachers pursuing a special education major or certification at an accredited college or university can access funding through Marietta Kiwanis Foundation’s Mack Henderson Special Education Scholarship. Awards of US $2,500 support higher education in special education, with selection based on academic achievement and character.

Special education teachers seeking additional licensing or a master’s in special education can receive up to US $2,500 annually for tuition and related study costs. Managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, the WindSwell Foundation scholarship serves educators working in specified Northeast Indiana public schools and may interest Hawaii professionals exploring comparable opportunities.

Students pursuing education degrees, especially in early childhood, elementary, or special education, may be eligible for scholarships supporting tuition and related college costs. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts offers the Little Red Schoolhouse Scholarship Fund, providing up to US $3,000 for residents of Hampshire or Franklin County; Hawaii students with ties there may benefit.

Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund help Hawaii special needs education and community organizations fund programs in mobility, environmental conservation, and people-focused initiatives. U.S. nonprofits supporting accessible and inclusive education, safer communities, or healthier lives may be eligible for US $5,000 - US $10,000 to strengthen their local impact.

Students pursuing higher education with special needs or learning disabilities, including those in Hawaii, can apply for the Ann Wall Scholarship supporting college, university, or business programs. With a mission to build stronger communities, Scranton Area Foundation provides scholarships, with preference for students from Dalton who are active in a church or religious institution.

Students pursuing careers in special needs education who meet this scholarship’s criteria may benefit, though awards are limited to those residing in northern Chautauqua County. With a mission to strengthen local opportunity, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation supports higher education for future special education teachers with demonstrated financial need.

Teachers, counselors, and program administrators serving blind students in Hawaii can receive more than US $1,000 plus convention travel through this distinguished educator award. With a mission to uplift blind students’ education, the National Federation of the Blind honors exemplary special needs educators who provide high-quality instruction, experiences, and opportunities for their blind students.

Hawaii students pursuing special education, nursing, or physical therapy degrees can receive tuition support through the David Bruce Belcher Fund Scholarship. Benton Community Foundation provides this funding for Benton County high school graduates who want to help people with developmental disabilities, supporting their professional training in these care-focused fields.

Students pursuing technical or vocational training, including special education-related fields, can receive scholarships supporting higher education and career preparation in Hawaii and beyond. St. Ignace Area Community Foundation provides assistance for areas such as construction, HVAC, health sciences, welding, teaching, law enforcement, and health care, emphasizing responsibility, community service, and civic involvement.

About Us

Driving Positive Change in Noble County!

At the Community Foundation of Noble County we are passionate about making Noble County an even better place to call home. Since 1991, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Noble County to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible, as we see it as our mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change. The Community Foundation of Noble County is a public charity 501 (c) 3 entity.

As a group of invested community members, we identify local current and emerging issues and stimulate resources to address those needs, helping our region prepare for the future. We then leverage gifts and bequests from generous donors like you to drive positive change through grants in such areas as arts and culture, education, health and human services, civic affairs and other charitable areas of interest.

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life in Noble County by serving as catalyst for positive change, enabling donors to carry out charitable intent, and making grants.

Donor Story – Joest, Brian H. Memorial Fund

Brian Henry Joest was born in Lagrange, Indiana in 1957. He grew up on the Atwood family farm that was settled by his ancestors in the mid-1800s. Now a historical Hoosier Homestead, the Atwood Farm provided him with all the outdoor activities possible for a farm boy in northern Indiana. Brian’s love of nature and the outdoors continued throughout his life. After high school, he attended Glen Oaks Community College and then Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics

For decades, Brian went on annual backcountry camping and canoeing trips across the US and Canada. He paddled some of the most beautiful rivers in North America. He took a road trip to remote northern Alaska. He camped out on an active volcano in Guatemala. He explored most of the US National Parks. In his later years, his travels were less rustic but still adventurous as he and his wife, Cindy, checked off many items on his bucket list. They traveled to Paris, Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Ireland, and all around the US and Canada.

Brian began his professional career with management positions at Many Glacier Hotel at Glacier National Park in Montana; the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan; the Mountain View Grand Resort in New Hampshire; and Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado. He also worked for Marriott Corporation where he opened new hotels across the Midwest.

Upon the birth of his first child, Brian moved his young family back to Lagrange County so his children could grow up on the Atwood Farm near their family. Brian worked for Life Care Center of Lagrange, was a substitute teacher for the Lakeland School District, and worked for fifteen years for East Noble School Corporation, most recently as an Instructional Assistant for high school students with special needs.

Brian enjoyed doing things for other people and took so much joy in their happiness. His career choices reflected his servant’s heart. He loved working in the hospitality industry and being able to make someone else’s vacation more memorable. He helped the patients and their families at Life Care Center. He spent years making a difference for students in our local schools.

Brian experienced first-hand the unique challenges faced by the families of individuals with special needs. He was a father, stepfather, and step-grandfather to children with different disabilities. He understood the difficulties of navigating support systems and knew there are gaps in these systems that result in unmet needs. At the end of his life, while he was fighting cancer, Brian dreamed of being able to return to the classroom to help special needs students. This was not to be. In 2022, his family created this fund in his honor with the intent of continuing his dream to help improve the lives of individuals with special needs.

Anne K. Petry Scholarship Fund

Established by Summit Education Partnership Foundation to provide scholarships for Akron Public Schools students studying special education.

Amount:

• $1,000

Number of awards:

• 1

Renewal:

• No

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

McCormick & Company, Inc. actively supports charitable contributions through its Charitable Donations Committee (CDC), which prioritizes donations to non-profit organizations that enhance education, health, environment, and culture. The CDC focuses on organizations that benefit communities where McCormick employees live and work, ensuring a positive impact. Eligible groups must be tax-exempt and demonstrate a commitment to non-discrimination. However, donations are not made to individuals, political organizations, or entities that conflict with corporate values.

With a mission to strengthen youth, animal welfare, conservation, and veteran services, Von Voigtlander Family Foundation provides Hawaii 501(c)(3) organizations with support for related programs. Special education and special needs education initiatives for youth, including those with disabilities, may be eligible if they align with these focus areas; funding is available nationally with priority to Michigan-based charities.

Hawaii special needs education nonprofits and 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation for programs serving students with learning, reading, hearing, or communication disabilities. Grants up to US $10,000 are available nationally, with a preference for Vermont-based initiatives and projects that pilot new models or foster community partnerships.

The Robert F. Schumann Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability, education, and the arts. Founded by Robert F. Schumann, an environmentalist, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for both humans and animals. It prioritizes projects that would not have been pursued without its assistance, particularly in ornithology and open space habitats. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt to apply, ensuring a focus on impactful community initiatives.

The Kettering Family Foundation, established in 1956, supports diverse charitable activities across various sectors, including arts, education, health, and human services. Applicants must have a valid 501(c)(3) status and discuss proposals with foundation staff before applying. Only one application is allowed per year, and specific exclusions apply, such as for religious purposes and individual grants. The foundation emphasizes meaningful community impact, making it a vital resource for eligible organizations.