Best Grants for New Nonprofits in Illinois

Romero Family Scholarship Fund

Fund was established to provide scholarship assistance to further the education of able and deserving young men and women in their post high school education in the fields of either technical, vocational, academic or professional education, with preference given to students from Henry and Franklin Counties and the City of Martinsville.

Amount

• $2,500+

The NIMH Career Transition Award (K22) supports tenure-track intramural investigators at NIMH in their transition to independent research faculty positions. This program aims to foster innovative research in mental health, encouraging applicants with a strong record of research excellence. Key deadlines for applications vary, including those for standard and renewal submissions, emphasizing the importance of timely applications to secure funding and advance mental health research initiatives.

This initiative aims to support research interventions targeting disparities in liver diseases and liver cancer among underserved populations in the U.S. It encourages innovative approaches to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes. The funding opportunity is available through various deadlines for both standard and renewal applications, promoting multi-level strategies to address these critical health issues effectively.

The Charles H. Adrean D.S.C. Post 625 Memorial Scholarship, established by American Legion Post 625, honors exceptional athletes graduating from schools within New York's American Legion District 5. This scholarship supports students in their pursuit of post-secondary education, including academic, professional, and trade programs. It remains accessible to recipients entering military service, allowing them to claim it upon returning. The foundation aims to empower youth through educational opportunities that contribute to personal growth and community service.

The NCAA Jim McKay Graduate Scholarship honors the legacy of journalist Jim McKay by awarding a one-time $10,000 scholarship to one male and one female student-athlete annually. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.5, demonstrate integrity, and show interest in sports communication. There is no limit to the number of nominations from institutions, highlighting the NCAA's commitment to supporting student-athletes in their academic and professional pursuits.

The NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Phased Innovation Award (R61/R33) invites research proposals for early phase clinical trials of natural products, including botanicals and dietary supplements, emphasizing scientific validity for further testing. Applicants may receive up to three years of funding for pharmacokinetics and bioavailability studies, with potential for an additional three years to evaluate clinical outcomes. This initiative aims to optimize natural product delivery through innovative study designs.

The NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Award supports innovative clinical trials of natural products, such as botanicals and dietary supplements, with a strong scientific basis. Applications are encouraged to explore optimal delivery methods and combinations with other treatments. Funding is available for up to three years to assess the impact on target engagement and clinical outcomes, aiming to translate basic science findings into practical clinical applications.

The NCCIH Natural Product Mid Phase Clinical Trial (R01 Clinical Trial Required) grant invites applications for mid-phase clinical trials focusing on natural products such as botanicals and dietary supplements. It aims to advance scientific knowledge by determining optimal dosing and patient responses. Applicants must provide preliminary data demonstrating bioavailability and measurable impacts on target engagement. This initiative will not support efficacy trials for cancer treatments and encourages early contact with NCCIH scientific contacts.

About Us

Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) is here to serve and add value to donors’ philanthropic needs by providing them an opportunity to “invest in the power of community.” It is our goal to identify current and emerging issues, channel resources to address community needs, and help prepare for the future.

MCF Mission

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to be a catalyst for lasting impact in Sarpy and Cass counties and to give opportunities to organizations and individuals to pursue their charitable goals.

Scholarships Through MCF

Midlands Community Foundation is committed to the futures of communities in Sarpy and Cass Counties, and across the country. Supporting higher education of students is a direct investment in the futures of these communities.

The Walt Secord “Always Sunny and 75” Memorial Trade Scholarship Application

The Fund shall annually distribute two (2) scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each.

The NIDCR Behavioral and Social Intervention Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) aims to support innovative research in behavioral and social interventions for dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions. This funding opportunity includes a milestone-driven planning phase of up to 2 years, with potential transition to implementation for an additional 5 years, facilitating comprehensive trial development and assessment.

The KUH P30 Resource Core Center funding opportunity invites applications for centers aimed at enhancing research in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology diseases. These centers will provide essential resources, including data and tools, to the research community, fostering collaboration through a national network with the Center Coordinating Hub. This initiative by the National Institutes of Health aims to drive innovative research and shared expertise for improved health outcomes.

The KUH U24 Center Coordinating Hub aims to foster collaboration among funded Centers within the NIDDK/KUHN mission. This initiative encourages the development and sharing of vital research resources, including data, reagents, and expertise, with the broader scientific community. By creating a national network, the program enhances research capabilities and promotes innovative solutions in kidney, urology, and hematology diseases.

The LUNGevity Career Development Award supports emerging research leaders focused on lung cancer. It funds innovative projects aimed at enhancing early detection and personalized treatments, including targeted therapies and immunotherapy. With a maximum award of $300,000 over three years, this opportunity is limited to US applicants. The funding is contingent upon annual progress reviews, with the first payment expected after November 1, 2025. This award aims to foster groundbreaking advancements in lung cancer research.

The DoW Bone Marrow Failure Idea Development Award supports innovative, high-impact research aimed at understanding and curing bone marrow failure diseases. This grant is available to both Established Investigators and Early-Career Investigators, with no preliminary data required for applications. Reviewers assess proposals based on specific criteria tailored to the investigator's career stage. The focus is on achieving interpretable results that contribute significantly to the field.

The DoW Bone Marrow Failure Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports innovative research aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of bone marrow failure. This funding opportunity encourages applications for translational and clinical studies, requiring preliminary data to strengthen proposals. Unique features include the ability for a partnering Principal Investigator to contribute to the research, thereby fostering collaboration while maintaining a focus on significant advancements in patient care.

The FY26 Bone Marrow Failure Research Program's Resource Development Award aims to create a multiomic atlas from human bone marrow failure samples. This resource will be open-access, providing essential data for researchers and clinicians to enhance their understanding of bone marrow failure diseases. A comprehensive Data Resource Sharing Plan is required to ensure timely availability of the developed resource, fostering collaboration within the scientific community.

The FY26 Parkinson’s Research Program Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports innovative, multidisciplinary research projects aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The award encourages collaboration among multiple principal investigators, requiring preliminary data and allowing clinical trials to enhance research outcomes. This initiative is vital for fostering impactful discoveries within the four specified focus areas of the program, ultimately improving patient care and management.

The NIDCD Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists (F32) supports rigorous biomedical research training and dissertation research for doctoral candidates in clinical, behavioral, or biomedical sciences. Funded by the NIH, this fellowship aims to enhance research capabilities and knowledge in the field of audiology. Key deadlines for applications include April 8, August 8, and December 8 for the years 2025 to 2027, ensuring timely opportunities for aspiring researchers.

The Beattie Family Foundation offers educational scholarships aimed primarily at medical and nursing students facing financial challenges. These scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, support individuals currently enrolled in accredited institutions who demonstrate strong academic capabilities. Additionally, limited funds are available for vocational or trade school tuition for those aspiring to enter skilled labor professions. The foundation prioritizes applicants based on financial need and academic performance.

The FY26 Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP) Early Investigator Research Award supports early-career researchers in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research. It offers two funding levels: Level 1 for fellows requiring a Mentor and Level 2 for independent investigators. The PI must show potential in PD research, with Level 1 emphasizing mentorship and Level 2 needing preliminary data. Research must align with one of the four FY26 PRP Focus Areas, excluding clinical trials.

The DOW Combat Readiness – Medical Research Program's FY26 Translational Research Award supports innovative research aimed at improving trauma care outcomes. This program emphasizes hypothesis-driven studies that can transition promising technologies into practical solutions for enhancing casualty survivability. Applicants must provide preliminary data and utilize validated animal models, with a focus on projects that meet a minimum technology readiness level of 4, ensuring a mature translational research effort.

The Classics for Kids Matching Grant Program, established by the Classics for Kids Foundation, aims to enhance music education for at-risk and rural youth by providing matching grants for fine stringed instruments. Since 1998, over $2 million has been allocated to support more than 300 programs across all 50 states. Schools and non-profits demonstrating need and commitment are encouraged to apply, fostering lifelong benefits of music participation and education.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is advancing research on immune tolerance through its Collaborative Network. This program aims to clarify the mechanisms of immune tolerance and develop interventions for related diseases, including transplant rejection and autoimmune disorders. Key objectives include conducting clinical trials on tolerogenic strategies and refining immune assays. This initiative is supported by regulations under the Public Health Service Act, ensuring a structured approach to improving patient outcomes.

The Translational Transplantation Tolerance Cooperative Study Group, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, aims to advance transplant tolerance strategies that promote long-term graft survival without lifelong immunosuppression. This initiative focuses on developing, optimizing, and evaluating methods to induce immune tolerance in allogeneic transplants through collaborative efforts across multiple centers, utilizing translationally relevant models to ensure effective outcomes.

The CART Fund Grant supports innovative Alzheimer’s Disease research projects in the U.S. with funding up to $500,000 for a two-year period. It invites full-time faculty from public and private institutions to submit Letters of Intent, emphasizing novel concepts that advance biomedical knowledge. Selected finalists will be invited to apply for standard grants. The initiative aims to foster groundbreaking research initiatives lacking extensive preliminary data, ensuring a focus on projects with transformative potential.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is advancing organ transplantation outcomes through the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children and Adults (CTOT-CA) program. This initiative supports multicenter clinical trials and mechanistic studies related to heart, lung, kidney, liver, and intestinal transplants, as well as non-hematopoietic cellular transplantation. By exploring immune mechanisms and innovative therapies, the program aims to enhance the success and efficacy of organ transplantation.

Upward Mobility Grants

The Upward Mobility Grant Program supports new and creative ideas that help people and families thrive in DeKalb County. Replacing the Promise Grants Program, this pilot initiative provides funding for projects that improve quality of life and help people build better lives in DeKalb County, IL.

The Foundation created this pilot program to support good ideas from the community and help turn those ideas into action.

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following areas:

Education & Youth

• Programs and resources that help children and teens learn and succeed.

Health & Well-Being

• Making it easier for people to get physical and mental health care.

Housing & Transportation

• Supporting safe places to live and reliable ways to get around.

Income & Employment

• Helping people find good jobs, build skills, and increase their income.

Applicants may request up to $5,000. Bilingual workshops and application support will be available throughout the process.