Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The Community Foundation of Marquette County distributes over $130,000 annually in scholarships to benefit aspiring students in Marquette County.

Bernadette Reider Scholarship Fund

Provides scholarships to students from Marquette County who are entering into a college educational program in the field of nursing. Applicants will also be judged by financial need.

Distribution Process

• CFMC scholarship recipients will be contacted in June requesting student enrollment verification
• Scholarships can only be distributed once student’s information is received
• Scholarships will be distributed to the college/school/university indicated by student
• The scholarship must be used for tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the student at a qualifying educational institution; fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at such an educational institution; and room and board, within the first semester of first year of students enrollment
• That year’s recipient must claim the scholarship within that fiscal year to be distributed (by 12/31/xx)

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Alcus Family Scholarship Fund

• Demonstrate Financial Need.
• Student must continue to meet the Foundation’s renewal requirements.

The Salad Bars to Schools Grant, initiated by the Chef Ann Foundation, aims to provide salad bar equipment to U.S. schools, enhancing children's access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Launched in 2010, this initiative tackles childhood obesity by ensuring nutritious options in school meals. Eligible applicants receive technical support and free enrollments in educational courses to maximize the impact of their salad bars. By promoting healthy eating habits, the program strives to improve children's overall health and well-being.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Trimble Scholarship for Martin County Fund

• Must participate in extracurricular activities.
• Based on financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Williamson Pioneer Fund

Must demonstrate community involvement and show financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Women’s Empowerment Scholarship Fund

Florida Resident and female high school or non-traditional students who exhibit financial need (as defined by the Foundation’s scholarship policies).

The Stanley V. and Mary G. Mahalick Scholarship is a one-year award for deserving students from Mahanoy Area High School or Marian Catholic High School. Funded by the Center for Scholarship Administration, this scholarship supports students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who demonstrate financial need and good moral character. Recipients may reapply for additional funding up to four years, provided they maintain full-time enrollment in an accredited college or university.

The National Dance Project (NDP) Travel Fund offers financial support to U.S.-based presenters, curatorial staff, and residency directors, as well as current NDP artist grantees. This fund facilitates in-person engagements to assess the feasibility of presenting NDP-funded projects. Established over 30 years ago, NDP has invested more than $38.5 million in dance initiatives, promoting the creation and touring of new works while fostering relationships within the arts community.

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.

Barbara Burgin & Edwin & Carol Ehrhart Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was created to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers that will positively impact the environment and its inhabitants. Barbara Burgin (1907-1993) was born on a farm near Wheaton, Illinois. She later moved to Aurora, where she lived most of her life. During World War II, Mrs. Burgin was a butcherette at the Kroger Grocery Store in downtown Aurora. When the men returned from the war and assumed those positions, she became manager of several departments at Krogers. Her daughter Carol Ehrhart (1932-2018) was born in Aurora. A graduate of East Aurora High School, Mrs. Ehrhart was employed at Lyon Metal in Aurora. In 2008, she received an award from the City of Aurora as one of the city’s Volunteers of the Year. Mrs. Ehrhart volunteered for the Aurora Public Library and the Friendly Center Club at the Fox Valley Park District. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Her husband Edwin Ehrhart (1910-1984) was born on a farm in Naperville. He attended the Naperville schools and also worked at Lyon Metal. Mr. Ehrhart was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. This fund, which was created in 2005, became an endowment in 2007. Mrs. Ehrhart established the fund to encourage local students to further their educations. As she stated, “Education is essential to our survival and it is my hope that these scholarships will make a difference in the lives of future generations.”

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

School Nurses Association of Carroll County (SNACC) Scholarship

The purpose of the School Nurses Association of Carroll County (SNACC) Scholarship is to provide scholarships to graduating seniors from any Carroll County Public High School planning to pursue a career in nursing. The scholarship is intended to help defray first year college expenses.

All income in the Fund shall be used for fund purposes.

The money shall be transmitted by the Community Foundation of Carroll County directly to the desired college or university and applied directly to the student's tuition and books. The monies shall not be remitted to the scholarship winner.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Fighter Foundation Scholarship

The purpose of The Fighter Foundation Scholarship is to honor those with similar adversities as Krisha Lee Davis. Having served in the United States of America military and survived cancer, she has overcome many adversities and has never given up on herself. The Fighter Foundation Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating or continuing student at a High School in Carroll County Maryland pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university who meets the criteria established for the fund.

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.

Community Foundation Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Community Foundation has administered a scholarship program since 1949.  Since that time, millions of dollars have been distributed to Fox River Valley area students in support of their educational futures. In 1986, the Community Foundation Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in honor of all students who have received a scholarship through the Community Foundation Scholarship Program.  This fund is supported primarily through gifts received from those students.

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.

Coronado Dental Scholarship Fund

The Coronado Dental Scholarship Fund was created by Dr. Narda J. Coronado. Dr. Coronado was born and raised in Aurora. She attended Bardwell Elementary School and Waldo Junior High School. She is a graduate of East Aurora High School and the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. In 1990, she began her career in several different offices in Chicago’s suburbs before starting her own practice.  She returned to Aurora in 1996, where she continues to practice today. Dr. Coronado donated time to St. Basil’s Free Clinic in Chicago for over ten years, providing dental services to needy adults and children. She also has served on the Community Foundation Scholarship Committee for the past several years. Dr. Coronado created a scholarship fund within the Community Foundation to support local students entering the field of dentistry and medicine. As she stated, “I enjoy the field of dentistry so much and hope that this scholarship fund will encourage future students to pursue dentistry as a profession.”

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Everybody's Quilt Guild Textile Arts Scholarship

The purpose of the Everybody’s Quilt Guild Textile Arts Scholarship is to provide a scholarship for a student who is a resident of Carroll County, Maryland, graduating from a Carroll County High School, a private High School or a student who is Home Schooled who has been accepted at an accredited College or University and who will be pursuing studies in the field of Textile Arts and meets all the criteria established for the fund.

The Luminary's Futures Fund Grant supports innovative artistic projects in St. Louis, offering funding between $2,500 and $8,000. Launched in 2019 as part of the Andy Warhol Foundation's Regional Regranting Program, it aims to resource local artists and small collectives during a time of diminishing funding. The program emphasizes projects that engage communities and push creative boundaries, contributing to the cultural vitality of the region while fostering new models for arts organizing and collaboration.

Community Foundation of Carroll County

The Community Foundation of Carroll County, Inc. was established in 1994 to ensure financial support for Carroll County not-for-profit organizations. It is governed by a Board of Directors and is a 501c(3) public charity. The Community Foundation of Carroll County is trusted partner for donors and nonprofits. We provide one central place where anyone can create a charitable fund, support what matters most, and leave a legacy of lasting impact.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports more than 75 scholarships. These scholarships vary in the amounts they award and cover a wide variety of student interests. Qualifiers range from academic achievements, sports played, and community service performed, to 4-H and FFA involvement. While the majority are for graduating Carroll County high school seniors, there are several for students in college or technical school, and even opportunities for students attending private primary school. 

Bee a Rae of Sunshine Foundation – MaKenzi Rae Cash Memorial Nursing Scholarship

To support future nurses who exemplify kindness, compassion, and a commitment to caring for others, honoring MaKenzi Rae Cash’s legacy of empathy and her dedication to standing up against bullying in our community.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Lee H Madairy Scholarship

The purpose of the Lee H Madairy Scholarship is to honor the life of Lee H. Madairy by providing scholarship(s) for a new or returning college or vocational program student who has shown academic achievement, excellent moral character and is pursuing a career in a STEM field. The successful candidate will have been accepted at an accredited College, University, or vocational program. The amount of money available each year for the scholarship(s) will be determined by the income generated by the fund. In addition, if income in any given year is sufficient, grants for other charitable purposes may be made in Mr. Madairy’s memory.

The Walter Read Hovey Memorial Fund, established by The Pittsburgh Foundation in 1945, offers scholarships for aspiring art historians and related fields. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to attend graduate school. With assets of $1.386 billion, The Pittsburgh Foundation supports various community initiatives, enhancing quality of life through charitable giving and educational opportunities for local students.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Kaitlyn Taylor McDaniel Memorial Foundation Scholarship

The purpose of this Fund is to honor the life of Kaitlyn Taylor McDaniel by providing scholarship(s) who wish to pursue a career in nursing or nursing students already enrolled in a program. The Fund will also make grants from time to time to charities or for projects that would have been important to Kaitlyn.

The Botany and Beyond: PLANTS III program, funded by the National Science Foundation and the Botanical Society of America, aims to support diverse undergraduate scholars attending the 2025 Botany conference. Participants will engage in immersive mentoring, scientific talks, workshops, and networking opportunities while exploring various botanical fields. With full funding for travel and accommodations, this program fosters an inclusive environment for budding botanists, encouraging professional development in a supportive community.

The Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award, offered by SHAPE America, supports emerging researchers in physical education and public health. With a funding pool exceeding $600,000 since 1997, it provides annual awards of up to $2,000 to graduate students and early career professionals (within 4 years of graduation) who are members of SHAPE America. The focus is on behavioral research related to physical activity, particularly in natural environments, contributing to disease prevention and promoting overall health.

The SHAPE America: Research Fellow Program recognizes dedicated members for their significant contributions to health and physical education scholarship. Nominees must demonstrate excellence through impactful research, including a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed articles and participation in SHAPE America conventions. This prestigious designation promotes ongoing scholarship and encourages engagement within the diverse community of health and physical educators, enhancing professional practice and advancing the mission of SHAPE America.

The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) supports the development of biologic-based therapies for nervous system disorders. This initiative encourages innovative research in biologics, including proteins, antibodies, gene therapies, and cell therapies. The program facilitates collaboration with NIH-funded experts and contract research organizations, ensuring institutions retain IP rights for developed candidates. Key deadlines for grant applications span from January 2025 to July 2027, emphasizing the importance of timely submissions for interested applicants.

William D. and Catherine Griffin Fraser Scholarship

In memory of William D. Fraser and Catherine Griffin Fraser. Preference for a graduating senior from Olean High School or Cuba-Rushford Central School, but other graduates from other high schools in Cattaraugus or Allegany counties will be considered; preference for a four-year college, but two-year is eligible; student must be in good academic standing; financial need will be considered; preference for a student interested in a career in the medical field or education, but other majors will be considered. 

Southern Tier Military Support Group Scholarship

This scholarship fund will honor the work of the Southern Tier Military Support Group. The annual distribution will be available for a scholarship award for nontraditional students who are veterans, or for graduating high school seniors who are the children or dependents of a veteran or who are planning to enroll in an ROTC program during their college education.

Sondra J. Fox Scholarship

Established by Ruth D. Palmquist, Sondra J. Fox and Laurel S. Daise, this fund's purpose is to provide a scholarship for a student from Cattaraugus or McKean County who is pursuing a career in the mental health field with first preference for a student in a master's level program and second preference for an undergraduate college student who will be entering his/her junior or senior year. Major fields include, but are not limited to, counseling, social work and psychiatric nursing.

Pat McGee Nursing Scholarship

Established through the Pat McGee Endowment, named in memory of the former late New York State Senator representing the 57th district, awards are given each year to students, traditional or nontraditional, in the 57th State Senate district (which includes much of Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties) who are pursuing nursing degrees. Students must maintain at least a C average. Students previously receiving the award also can reapply.