Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in Indiana

The Combined Pilot Research Grants by the Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF) and the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS) aim to support innovative pilot studies in hand surgery and plastic surgery. Grants of up to $10,000 are provided for projects that enhance scientific knowledge and clinical practices. Eligibility requires applicants to be MDs, DOs, or PhDs in U.S. or Canadian institutions, and membership in AAPS is encouraged to facilitate collaboration and mentorship.

The Alieene Vance Memorial Scholarship, established by Don and Mason Foertsch, honors a former employee of Foertsch Construction. This annual, renewable scholarship aims to support children and grandchildren of Foertsch employees in their pursuit of higher education. Eligible applicants are high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.5, and renewal is possible for students maintaining good standing in their college programs. Selection is based on academic performance, leadership, and a required essay.

The Brauns Family Scholarship, established by Thomas and Vicki Brauns, supports graduating seniors from South Spencer High School who have attended Luce Elementary School for at least two years. The scholarship aims to assist students as they pursue post-secondary education at accredited institutions, contributing to their academic and future success. This initiative reflects the commitment of the Community Foundation Alliance to empower local students and enhance educational opportunities within the community.

The Cornelius R. Collignon Family Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation Alliance, supports graduating seniors or graduates from Spencer County high schools pursuing a four-year degree in agriculture, forestry, or aviation. Established in memory of Cornelius R. Collignon, this scholarship honors his dedication to protecting natural resources. Eligible applicants must demonstrate leadership, patriotism, and financial need, with preference given to students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year in college.

The Dale and Marilyn Hasler Memorial Scholarship, established by family and friends, supports graduating seniors from Heritage Hills and Southridge High Schools. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and seek a four-year engineering degree. The scholarship emphasizes financial need and community involvement, promoting educational advancement for local students. This initiative is part of the Community Foundation Alliance's broader mission to foster philanthropy and improve community wellbeing in southwestern Indiana.

The Elisa and Brian Peters Memorial Scholarship, established by the Peters Family, aims to support graduating seniors from Heritage Hills High School pursuing post-secondary education. This annual scholarship honors Elisa Peters, a passionate advocate for education and medical sciences. Preference is given to students entering medical science, STEM fields, or vocational trades. Managed by the Community Foundation Alliance, it exemplifies the commitment to enhancing local educational opportunities and fostering community development.

The Friends of IU Scholarship is an annual award established by Michael and Mary Schriefer and Larry and Charlene Hess, aimed at supporting graduating seniors from Heritage Hills High School who plan to attend Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The scholarship focuses on financial need, leadership skills, and community involvement, with a preference for applicants majoring in education. This initiative is part of a broader Community Scholarship Program managed by the Spencer County Community Foundation.

The Friends of Pioneer Scholarship, established by Pioneer sales representatives, supports high school graduates and seniors in the LPH Territory who have a parent in agriculture. Eligible applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrate community involvement. This initiative, managed by the Community Foundation Alliance, aims to empower local students pursuing higher education through financial assistance and recognition of their achievements in academics and community service.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

PNM Pueblo Relief Scholarship

Native Forward Scholars Fund, in partnership with PNM, established the Pueblo Student Relief Scholarship to assist Pueblo students who are facing financial hardships and challenges by providing them with a one-time relief scholarship. The fund will be utilized to help support students in emergency situations that include, but is not limited to – food insecurity, emergency travel costs, emergency housing costs, emergency healthcare costs, educational technology or technology-related resources, childcare costs, or other educational expenses.

The Gene and Christina Schwindel Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation Alliance, Inc., supports graduating seniors or graduates of Heritage Hills High School in their pursuit of post-secondary education. This annual scholarship honors the contributions of Gene and Christina Schwindel and is part of a broader Community Scholarship Program that promotes educational opportunities for local students. The foundation's mission is to enhance community welfare through philanthropy and educational support.

The Harold and Thelma Hunter Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation Alliance, Inc., supports graduating seniors of Heritage Hills High School who demonstrate financial need and strong moral character. Established in memory of Harold Hunter, this annual scholarship aims to assist students pursuing post-secondary education with a minimum GPA of 2.8. Preference is given to applicants ranked in the 50th to 90th percentile of their class, encouraging community engagement and perseverance.

The Leonard Litz Foundation-Silver Connect Initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for LGBTQ+ older adults by providing grant funding to nonprofit organizations. This program addresses isolation and barriers faced by seniors, particularly those affected by disability, race, or economic hardship. By supporting community-driven models, Silver Connect promotes dignity, safety, and inclusion, ensuring that LGBTQ+ elders have access to necessary resources and affirming services across the Eastern United States.

The Fertility Grants (VIVA Program) by the Bob Woodruff Foundation offer vital financial support to wounded veterans facing infertility challenges due to their service-related conditions. Since its inception, the program has assisted over 100 veteran families in starting their own, highlighting a commitment to ensuring veterans have access to necessary fertility treatments. This initiative addresses the unique needs of veterans, recognizing that they experience infertility at nearly double the rate of the general population.

The Partnership Grants, offered by Music Movement, provide funding between $2,500 and $5,000 for eligible entities such as academies, public schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations within the United States. Applications are reviewed semi-annually, and existing non-profits must submit their 501(c)(3) TIN. Grants can be resubmitted for reconsideration annually, but international applications are not accepted.

Our Scholarships

Since 1986, the Community Foundation has been the leading source for post-secondary scholarship funding in Frederick County, and in more recent years, has provided significant scholarship support for students in Carroll County.

Our program supports nearly every area of study imaginable, with scholarships funded by generous donors who believe in the value of education. Some donors want to support students aspiring to careers similar to theirs; other donors want to give back to the community that has generously given to them. Others wish to honor the legacies of their loved ones, both living and deceased.

Mary Alice and R. David Stup Scholarship Fund

This special fund was created through Mary Alice Stup’s estate which stated that the Community Foundation was to create a ‘second chance’ scholarship fund to uplift students who have lived-experiences of harm or past legal challenges, so they can have a second chance.

The Community Foundation partnered with the nonprofit, legal, educational, and government agency community to award this scholarship for the first time for the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholarship application will be open again in early 2026, with the scholarship monies to be used between July 1, 2026, and August 15, 2027. 

The College Well-Being Funding Opportunity aims to enhance the health of college students through innovative programs and research. Offered by the American College Health Foundation, it provides up to two awards of $3,500 to eligible institutions for improving campus infrastructure that promotes student well-being. This initiative encourages creativity and collaboration among campus health professionals to develop effective, measurable outcomes in student wellness. By fostering a culture of well-being, the foundation seeks to address the evolving needs of contemporary students.

The Generation Regen Challenge, presented by BMO, aims to promote regenerative agriculture in Canada and the U.S. by providing $200,000 to innovative social enterprises and non-profits. This initiative seeks to enhance local farming practices, soil health, animal welfare, and biodiversity, while ensuring food security for underserved communities. By supporting projects that restore ecosystems and sequester carbon, the challenge encourages a sustainable agricultural future. Applications are open to eligible organizations focused on impactful solutions in their communities.

The Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarship, offered by Veridian Credit Union, supports high school seniors and post-high school students pursuing post-secondary education at accredited institutions. To qualify, applicants must be members in good standing at a credit union affiliated with the Iowa Credit Union League. This scholarship aims to foster financial success and educational advancement, ensuring that students can achieve their academic goals without financial barriers.

The Veridian Credit Union Scholarship offers four $2,500 awards to high school seniors and four $2,500 awards to post-secondary students enrolled in accredited programs. To qualify, applicants must be the primary owner of a Veridian Credit Union account in good standing. This initiative, managed by the Iowa Credit Union Foundation, supports educational advancement and aims to foster financial success among its members.

The Rare Disease Endpoint Advancement Pilot Program, initiated by the FDA, aims to enhance the development of novel efficacy endpoints for drugs addressing rare diseases. This initiative encourages collaboration between sponsors and the FDA throughout the endpoint development process. By fostering innovation through guidance and public workshops, the program seeks to equip FDA staff and improve evaluation methods for rare disease therapies. The pilot program is set to run until September 30, 2027, providing vital support for drug development in this area.

The DCCF Teacher Grants provide financial support of up to $500 for innovative classroom projects in Decatur County. These grants aim to empower teachers to implement creative ideas that cannot be covered by traditional funding sources, such as school budgets. The Decatur County Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering impactful initiatives in the community. This program exemplifies their commitment to supporting educators and improving the overall learning environment.

The Georgeann Cowles Eiskamp Memorial Scholarship offers a $2,000 award to a female student who has graduated from a high school within the PVUSD boundaries. Eligible candidates must be majoring in an agriculture-related field and have completed at least two semesters of college. Preference is given to those who have participated in 4-H or FFA or have relevant internships. The scholarship is awarded upon proof of college enrollment.

The Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship offers a $4,000 award to students pursuing degrees in agriculture or culinary arts. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 and reside in Santa Cruz County or Pajaro Valley. The scholarship is awarded upon proof of college enrollment and can be distributed over a maximum of four years. Preference is given to students who have participated in 4-H programs, supporting their educational journey in these fields.

The J.J. Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship offers a $1,500 award to students majoring in agriculture. To qualify, applicants must either reside in Santa Cruz County or be members of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. The scholarship is awarded upon proof of college enrollment, making it an excellent opportunity for aspiring agricultural professionals to receive financial support for their education.

The West-Gray Scholarship Fund, established in 2014, supports undergraduate and graduate students in applied geology who demonstrate academic excellence and are members of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists. This fund aids students conducting field studies in environmental and engineering geology particularly in the eastern United States, fostering future professionals in the field.

The NLN Steve Cerame Nurse Educator Scholarship Award supports aspiring nurse educators by providing up to $8,000 annually for master's or doctoral students. This award honors the legacy of NLN's former CFO and aims to facilitate the education of future nursing faculty. Eligible candidates must be NLN members and have completed at least one year of their program. The scholarship focuses on enhancing the nursing workforce and advancing educational excellence in nursing.

The John R. Stempka Memorial Scholarship, established by Linda Stempka and family, supports Erie County residents pursuing technical education, particularly in welding. In 2023, the Erie Community Foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to empower more than 500 students in their educational endeavors. This scholarship aims to help individuals achieve their career goals and enhance their skills in the technical field, ensuring a brighter future for the community.