Best Grants for Charities in Illinois

Stark Community FoundationStark 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. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.Adrienne O’Neill Scholarship FundThe Adrienne O’Neill Scholarship Fund was established to assist students who are the first generation in their family to attend college. Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5, demonstrate financial need and intend to utilize this scholarship as the “last dollars” after all aid/scholarships have been awarded.Renewable Scholarship: Yes

This funding opportunity aims to establish a U.S. network for active surveillance of pediatric acute respiratory illnesses and gastroenteritis. The initiative will focus on respiratory and enteric viruses, assessing the effectiveness of prevention products such as vaccines. Recipients will follow CDC protocols to enroll patients and confirm viral infections, ultimately reducing hospitalizations and enhancing public health strategies for children's healthcare.

Daviess County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Daviess County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

McKinley Vance Agri-Business Scholarship

Annual scholarship established by Lucile Vance in memory of her husband.

Award Amount

• $20,910 (multiple scholarship may be awarded from this amount)

The BJA FY 2026 Capital Case Litigation Initiative aims to enhance legal representation in state capital cases. By providing essential funding, this initiative supports both prosecutors and defense attorneys to ensure equitable legal processes for indigent defendants. The U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. Applications are due by November 5, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, marking a critical opportunity for improvement in capital case litigation.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is set to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at advancing informatics technologies for cancer research. This initiative will support the development of tools that enhance data acquisition, management, and analysis throughout the cancer continuum. By focusing on technologies with proven impact, the NOFO seeks to optimize and sustain resources critical for cancer biology, diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

The Crystyl A. Rucker Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Crystyl A. Rucker Memorial Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of providing academic financial support to graduating seniors of Battle Creek Public Schools pursuing post-secondary educational opportunities. Crystyl Arnita Rucker (1951-2021) was born in Detroit, Michigan and was a graduate of John J. Pershing High School. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, at Michigan State University. She began her teaching career with the Battle Creek Public Schools, at Northwestern Junior High School. Affectionately known as "Ma Ruck" at Northwestern, she taught seventh and eighth grade journalism and English. She believed in connecting with each student to push his or her academic and personal potential, while having lots of fun. Outside of Northwestern, she taught and mentored Battle Creek students in the "Dreamers" Program and spearheaded academic after-school and family scholarship programs at the Battle Creek YMCA. She retired from Battle Creek Public Schools in 2003.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Walt & Jackie Redmond Education Fund

Walter and Jacqueline Redmond made a generous contribution to the Battle Creek Community Foundation to be used for scholarships for Battle Creek area students who are seeking education beyond high school. Involvement in Junior Achievement programs will be considered as a favorable factor in the selection process.

Stark Community FoundationStark 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. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.The Wayne D. Ackerman Scholarship FundThe Wayne D. Ackerman Scholarship Fund assists seniors from Stark County high schools who will graduate in May/June. Applicants must be accepted as full-time students at a four-year college or university, have a GPA of at least 3.0, and have demonstrated outstanding involvement in academics and extracurriculars.Renewable Scholarship: No

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

William G. & Marion E. Stuckle Scholarship

The fund was also established to provide scholarships and assistance with training for individuals pursuing, or wishing to pursue, a career in nursing. William Stuckle, and his late wife, Marion, have long recognized the importance of encouraging individuals in selecting nursing as a profession in our society and the need for constant updates in their training. The scholarship awards will be based on character, including the caring, respect, trustworthiness, responsibility, fairness, and citizenship of the individuals.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community.Thelma N. Cotey ScholarshipApplicants must be planning to pursue further education in the areas of medicine, business, or forestry. 

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship

Created in 2023, the Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholarship is devoted to nursing leadership in the Magnet Recognition Program which recognizes health-care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high quality nursing.

The scholarship is given to a Master’s or Doctoral student demonstrating leadership in aspiring to achieve or continuing to achieve Magnet designation, such as being a Magnet Program Director/Coordinator, a leader of or actively involved as a member of their quality council, clinical indicator council or similar quality improvement program.

Susan Bowar-Ferres, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, is an Emeritus NEF Board Member who has dedicated many years of service to the NEF Board of Directors, as President of NEF as well as Chair of the Bylaws Committee. A nursing administrator in multiple health care service organizations spanning 50 years, Dr. Bowar-Ferres has devoted more than three decades of her professional career to the Magnet Recognition Program, serving as an appraiser, team leader and team member. Under her leadership as the Chief Nursing Officer, NYU Langone Medical Center earned two successive Magnet designations. Her dedication to the Magnet Program is ongoing. Dr. Bowar-Ferres is dedicated to excellence in practice and all that Magnet recognition means. The Susan Bowar-Ferres Scholar shares these values and aspirations.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

John Granville Marshall Memorial Scholarship

Applicants must upload a portfolio of design work from the Mead Design Studio OR an essay of 500- words or less describing their journey pursuing a passion or curiosity.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Kaufman Family Memorial ScholarshipThe Kaufman Family Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2019 to honor the adventurous spirit of Martin T. Kaufman II. 

Innovia Foundation

Each year, Innovia awards over $500,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $10,000.

Doris L. Kenney Memorial Scholarship

Recipients may reapply in subsequent years if they have maintained a 3.5 GPA during the preceding year. Consideration is also given to candidates who have had their schooling interrupted for any of a variety of reasons, and applicants pursuing their academic preparation, making a career change or retraining in a different field of endeavor.

Each year, Innovia awards over $500,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $10,000.

Don and Mable Nicholls Scholarship

Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who demonstrate financial need, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and are first generation college students (no parent or guardian has completed a 4-year bachelor's degree). Awardees must plan to enroll in a post-high school program at full-time status.

Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply. 

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Harris ScholarshipThe Harris Scholarship Fund was created in 2017 by the LaRue United Methodist Church to honor the generosity of the late Everett and Elvida Harris and to support students active with the church.In addition to being a current and active member of the LaRue Methodist Church, recipients of the Harris Scholarship will be a high school senior, graduate, or candidate for graduation from any high school in Marion County with a GPA of 2.0 or greater.

Health, Patient, and Science Focused Giving

At Genentech, we invest in bold ideas and innovative solutions that address systemic inequities in science and medicine to advance a more just healthcare system. We focus on efforts that diversify the scientific and medical workforce, advance health equity, and help our communities thrive. We also further advance excellence in medicine and healthcare through our grants for independent medical education. Including efforts to advance health equity, support patient needs, engage the scientific community, and provide co-pay assistance. 

There are multiple ways to apply for funding. Before you submit an application, we encourage you to explore the following materials to learn more about our opportunities for funding, eligibility requirements and considerations, and the process for submitting a proposal within our Funding Request System (gFRS).

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Gladys & Everett Granger Memorial ScholarshipThe Granger Scholarship is a faith-based award and is given annually to college students from the Marion area. Special consideration is given to applicants who are members of Trinity Baptist Church, St. Mary Catholic Church, or employees of an assisted living facility located in Marion County. The Granger Fund was created in 2012 by the couple’s children, B.J. Granger, Margaret Vogel and Judith Granger. 

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Eula M. Rhoads ScholarshipThe Eula M. Rhoads Scholarship Fund makes awards to Marion area high school seniors in the top 25 percent of their graduating class and graduates who maintain a college GPA of 3.0 or better. Special consideration is given to those pursuing a degree in pharmacy or veterinary medicine at an Ohio college.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Eugene & Cecilia Reszczynski ScholarshipThe Reszczynski Scholarship, created in 2002, is one of the oldest at Marion Community Foundation. It makes awards each year to students who score in the top 50th percentile of the ACT or SAT and have attended a high school in Marion County for two or more years. This scholarship honors the late Eugene and Cecilia Reszczynski and their passion for helping others. 

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Gary A. & Mary Ruth Roberts Endowment Fund

The Gary A. & Mary Ruth Roberts Endowment Fund was created by Gary and Mary Ruth Roberts to foster educational opportunities for elementary, high school and college level individuals, as well as provide grants to local non-profit organizations. Gary and Mary Ruth Roberts are lifelong residents of the Aurora area. Mr. Roberts was born in Marion, Illinois. His family moved to Aurora when he was three years old. Upon graduation from East Aurora High School, he entered the military.  In 1946 and 1947, Mr. Roberts served as a Lieutenant in the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan. He was employed by the Freeman United Coal Mining Company for thirty-nine years.  He retired in 1987 having achieved the position of Vice-President of Sales. Mary Ruth Roberts (1928-2022) was a graduate of West Aurora High School. She continued her studies at the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Evanston, Illinois.  She graduated from St. Francis and later from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. As a long-time cancer survivor, Mrs. Roberts was active with the American Cancer Society where she volunteered for thirty-five years as director of the Reach to Recovery Program.

Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations. 

Each year, Cumberland Community Foundation announces more than $1,000,000 in college scholarships to students from southeastern North Carolina.

Lula T. and James L. Crosby Scholarship Fund

Any high school in Cumberland, Hoke or Harnett counties.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Marvin F. & Geraldine E. Pilmer Scholarship Endowment Fund

The family of Marvin and Geraldine Pilmer created a scholarship fund shortly after the passing of Mr. Pilmer. In 2016, this scholarship fund became an endowment. Scholarships are reserved for students graduating from Waubonsee Community College. Marvin Pilmer (1929-1996) was a graduate of West Aurora High School. He attended Aurora University and graduated from the Realtor’s Institute. Mr. Pilmer founded Pilmer Real Estate, Inc. in 1971. At the time of his death, he was chief executive officer of the company. He had served as president of the Greater Aurora Association of Realtors, chairman of Our Savior Lutheran Church and chairman of the Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce. He also had been a director of the Aurora Country Club, Copley Memorial Healthcare Foundation and Plum Landing. Geraldine Pilmer (1933-2015) was co-founder of Pilmer Real Estate.  In addition to raising five children, Mrs. Pilmer volunteered for several community organizations including Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Orville Peterson Health Care Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund provides scholarships to residents of the area served by Copley Memorial Hospital in Aurora to further their post graduate education in medicine, health administration or dentistry. The scholarship was established at the time of Orville Peterson’s retirement in 1976. Mr. Peterson (1910-1984) was president of Copley Memorial Hospital from 1946 until 1976.  During that time, the hospital undertook three major building projects. Mr. Peterson also guided the remodeling of the Pediatric Department and the renovation of the 1888 building which later became the Kidney Dialysis Center. He often recalled and was deeply touched by the extraordinary commitment of the hospital’s physical therapy staff during the polio epidemic. “The staff just never left during that time.” Mr. Peterson passed away in 1984 in Long Beach, California. In the 1990’s, Copley Memorial Hospital (renamed Rush-Copley Medical Center) moved from its original location on Lincoln Avenue in Aurora to Ogden Avenue in Aurora.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Random Acts Matter Scholarship Fund

The purpose of the Random Acts Matter Scholarship Fund is to recognize one exceptional graduating senior from each of the St. Charles high schools (St. Charles North and St. Charles East) who are committed to making their community a better and kinder place to live through random acts of kindness and support. Random Acts Matter was founded on the idea that the power of care, compassion and kindness can change our community and the world.  The scholarship was created to recognize high school students who see the world through the lens of kindness and then ACT in big ways and small.  We feel that when students model this behavior it creates a ripple of kindness which impacts their families, other students, faculty, and the entire community. Random Acts Matter (RAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing care and compassion in our community.  We accept nominations for individual acts of kindness and participate in ongoing community outreach. Our mission is to inspire and connect people within the community, create awareness and advocate for our neighbors in need of care and compassion and create a community inspired to provide random acts of kindness and support.