Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Indiana

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Sailor Classic Athletic Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Don Trygstad, who established the Sailor Classic Athletic Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Two men, with a commitment to Mona Shores and to athletes who learn and play on their athletic fields, started the Sailor Classic over a decade ago to raise money for items needed, that fall outside the Athletic Department's budget. In addition, the Classic gives the community an opportunity to celebrate all that the school does for kids. Most importantly, the Sailor Classic provides an annual scholarship to one male and one female student-athlete who are outstanding on the field, in the classroom, and in need of financial support.

The ARS New Investigator Research Grant aims to support innovative research in rhinology, including basic, translational, and clinical projects. The funding period is non-renewable and lasts up to 24 months. Eligible candidates include American Rhinologic Society members who have completed residency and lack significant prior funding. The number of grants awarded is contingent upon the merit of applications received, as determined by the ARS Board of Directors. This grant provides a unique opportunity for emerging researchers in the field.

The Greater Cincinnati African American Scholarship Fund, administered by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, offers scholarships for high school seniors in the Greater Cincinnati area. With awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, the program aims to support students pursuing higher education. Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded over $170,000 in scholarships, empowering local youth to achieve their academic goals and contribute positively to their communities.

The Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP) invites youth aged 18-35 from Canada, Mexico, and the United States to propose innovative solutions to environmental challenges. This initiative not only empowers young leaders through mentorship and networking but also provides seed funding to support impactful projects. By encouraging collaboration and sustainable practices, GELP aims to foster long-term benefits for communities and the environment, ultimately preserving shared natural resources.

The James Paul Sutton Medical Research Fund Grant supports non-profit organizations engaged in cancer and medical research, established through a trust by the Sutton family. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt. Preference is given to cancer research initiatives, while grants are not available for individuals, political groups, or for-profit entities. This fund aims to sustain medical research efforts for the long term, continuing the legacy of the Sutton family.

The Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty supports early career investigators in aging research, focusing on -omics studies related to biological aging and age-related diseases. Research areas include genomics, proteomics, and interventions targeting aging. Eligible applicants are independent researchers at U.S. not-for-profit institutions, with 10 years or fewer since their postdoctoral training. The award may cover overhead costs, promoting innovative research in the vital field of gerontology.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Jerry Van Winkle Memorial Scholarship

Jerry Van Winkle always considered himself a lifelong learner. One of his finest qualities was the ability to find a way to achieve his goals. He pursued his desire to become a counselor, beginning his Masters’ Degree studies at age 55. Jerry’s greatest joy was in helping students see the possibilities that education could provide. He would be honored to know that his wish – to assist students in pursuing their education – will be carried out through this scholarship fund. Each year this scholarship honors a student that demonstrates financial need, strong moral character, and personal growth throughout high school.

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.

Esther Sheehy McShurley Scholarship Fund

For Esther Sheehy McShurley, giving back has always meant investing in young lives. Whether volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Port Salerno or raising funds through its annual events, Esther has seen firsthand how early support can change a child’s path.

“It provides a wonderful start for the boys and girls,” she says. “If we can get to children while they’re young, they can become better citizens when they get older.”

Wanting to extend her impact beyond today, Esther created the Esther Sheehy McShurley Scholarship Fund through a charitable remainder unitrust with the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The scholarship will help graduating seniors from Martin County high schools, with a preference for students pursuing vocational or technical education.

She hopes the fund will empower students who are ready to learn skills, launch careers, and build better futures — especially those who dream of starting their own businesses. “There is a great need for scholarships for young people who want to apply their knowledge directly to making a living,” she says.

Esther sees her scholarship as an extension of the work she loves most: encouraging young people to believe in their potential and take their first steps toward independence.

“This is my legacy,” she says. “It’s nice to know that the children who receive this scholarship will know who I am and what I cared about. It’s a good feeling to know that someone will have an opportunity to make something of themselves — and make this a better world.”

The Richard Perrone Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation, supports outstanding Italian American undergraduate students in Connecticut majoring in computer science or a related field. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and hold an active NIAF membership, which can also be obtained through a parent or grandparent. This scholarship not only promotes academic excellence but also encourages students to embrace their Italian heritage.

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.

Helen Montgomery Musician Fund

The purpose of this fund is to support local minority artists that need assistance in order to pursue musical endeavors/expand their talent through programs associated with schools, church and nonprofit entities with a focus on music.

The Hoover Family Foundation, established in 1992, supports 501(c)(3) organizations in Indianapolis and Portland, focusing on self-sufficiency and quality of life improvements. With limited resources, the foundation prioritizes funding programs that enhance educational opportunities and provide effective social services to low-income individuals. Applications must be complete as incomplete submissions will not be considered, and the foundation does not accept faxes, emails, or video materials.

Since 2002, the ACA has partnered with L.L. Bean to sponsor the Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) Program. The CFS Program provides funding to local and regional paddling clubs and organizations that undertake stewardship projects on waterways in their area. The purpose of the program is to encourage paddling clubs to take an active role in protecting and improving the nation's waterways. 

Many of the stewardship needs of our nation's waters are best addressed at the local and regional level. Paddling clubs and watershed organizations are in an ideal position to lead these efforts. These paddlers are often willing to volunteer their time and assist with local stewardship projects. However, clubs often lack the funds needed to pay project expenses. As a result, they miss an opportunity to leverage dozens and sometimes hundreds of volunteer hours that could improve conditions on their favorite waterway.

CFS Grant Program

That is why L.L. Bean and the ACA have teamed up to sponsor the CFS Program.

CFS grants are available for projects that utilize volunteers in efforts to protect, maintain or restore recreational waterways, to provide for or improve public access, or to enhance safe navigation. 

Grant amounts range from $100-$1,000.

Past projects receiving CFS grants include:

• Removing heavy debris and trash from rivers and bays in numerous locations throughout the U.S.
• Improving access for local paddlers
• Establishing water trails 
• Water quality monitoring 
• Environmentally-sensitive woody debris removal 
• Riparian buffer restoration and improvement 
• Environmental education and outreach programs

ACA also offers additional assistance to clubs and organizations for waterway stewardship projects. Clubs and organizations concerned about liability for injuries that occur during stewardship projects may be able to obtain liability insurance coverage through the ACA. Clubs may request additional assistance using the It is not mandatory to be a paddling club to apply. In the past, grants have been awarded to conservation organizations and watershed groups.

Want to learn more about projects that have been funded through the CFS program? Review reports from past years!

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation offers College Prep Grants aimed at enhancing college readiness for African American children. These grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to building a pipeline of talent. Eligible applicants include public agencies and organizations aligned with the Foundation's mission. The funding excludes scholarships, operational costs, and individual applicants, focusing solely on direct program implementation costs.

The DCCF: Capital Project Grant supports the construction or renovation of buildings and the acquisition of land or major equipment. It is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and qualified educational institutions. There is no application deadline, and organizations can apply once every five years, with projects requiring a minimum budget of $250,000. Priority is given to projects demonstrating strong community need and stable management.

The NIH Blueprint Initiative aims to enhance neuroscience research by funding the development and application of germline and somatic gene-editing techniques. This initiative builds on existing marmoset gene-editing frameworks and integrates New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to improve understanding of human brain function and disease. High-priority areas include complex conditions like autism and schizophrenia. The initiative emphasizes the use of appropriate models to address critical questions in neuroanatomy, cognition, and behavior related to human brain health.

The ASPO Dustin Micah Harper Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Research Grant supports innovative research projects focused on recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). This grant encourages clinical and translational studies that aim to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of RRP. Eligible candidates include medical professionals and researchers in the U.S. and Canada. This funding opportunity prioritizes junior faculty who have recently completed their training, fostering new insights in RRP research.

The CSS Dharm V. Singh Carcinogenesis Graduate Student Endowment Award, established by the Society of Toxicology, encourages graduate students to submit abstracts for competition. The award, which includes a $750 cash prize for the first-place winner, aims to promote research in carcinogenesis. Additional prizes of $500 and $350 are awarded for second and third place. This initiative strengthens the commitment to diversity and inclusion in scientific research, fostering a healthier and safer world.

The AMVETS Children/Grandchildren Scholarship supports the educational aspirations of children and grandchildren of honorably discharged U.S. veterans and active military. This scholarship aims to bridge financial gaps after all federal and state assistance has been utilized. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, high school seniors, and demonstrate financial need while enrolled in accredited four-year universities. Incomplete applications will be disqualified, ensuring that the award goes to deserving candidates committed to their education.

The AMVETS Spouse Scholarship offers financial support to the spouses of honorably discharged veterans and active military personnel, including National Guard and Reserves. This scholarship aims to bridge financial gaps after other federal and state resources have been exhausted. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programs, demonstrate financial need, and not be in default on federal student loans. AMVETS stands committed to empowering military families through education.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Fern Cousineau Duncan Art Scholarship

Mrs. Duncan was an art teacher at Wenatchee High School from 1929 to 1959. She also taught at Wenatchee Valley College until she retired. This scholarship, established by Ms. Duncan’s will, supports graduating seniors from North Central Washington, with special emphasis on students who are pursuing a career in the field of art. As part of the application process, students must submit a portfolio of their work, which is reviewed by a panel of local artists.

The DoW Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Translational Research Award aims to transform scientific discoveries into clinical applications. This program encourages innovative research approaches and requires preliminary data. It prohibits basic research and clinical trials, emphasizing the need for relevant animal models or community-based participatory research for human subjects. Funding supports two research levels, refining ideas into tangible products or evaluating them for clinical trials, with options for early-career investigator partnerships.

The AMVETS Veteran, Active Duty & Guard/Reserve Scholarship provides financial assistance up to $12,000 for qualified U.S. Veterans and active military members pursuing undergraduate degrees. This scholarship is designed to bridge the financial gap after all other federal and state aid has been utilized. Eligibility includes being an honorably discharged veteran or active service member, enrolled in an accredited institution, and demonstrating financial need. AMVETS is dedicated to serving those who have served our country.

The AAFP Foundation's Center for the History of Family Medicine Oral History Grant offers up to $3,000 annually for oral history interviews in family medicine. Aimed at researchers, physicians, and students, it encourages the documentation of family medicine's history in the U.S. The grant supports travel and research expenses to enhance the oral history collection, ensuring a diverse representation of experiences and perspectives in the field.

The NCI Research Specialist Award (R50) supports non-tenure track scientists in cancer research who provide essential contributions within laboratories and core facilities. This award aims to enhance research careers for skilled scientists who do not seek independent investigator funding. Eligible candidates must possess an advanced degree, have at least two years of contribution to NCI-funded research, and dedicate a significant portion of their time to this work. The R50 offers salary support and travel funds to recognize and stabilize these vital roles in cancer research.

The NCI Research Specialist Award (R50) supports clinician scientists involved in NCI-funded clinical trials. This funding opportunity encourages the development of stable research careers by providing salary support and autonomy, allowing clinician scientists to contribute to national clinical trial development and implementation. They play a critical role in sustaining the NCI clinical trials network without serving as principal investigators. This award aims to ensure continuity in cancer research careers.

The FY26 Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program (TBIPHRP) aims to support impactful health services research that connects research, practice, and policy. It emphasizes building real-world evidence for interventions and clinical guidelines tailored to specific populations. Key features include requirements for clinical trials, preliminary data, and community-based participatory research approaches. The program also offers an Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option to foster collaboration between seasoned and emerging researchers.

The FY26 Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program's Clinical Trial Award aims to fund impactful clinical trials that address psychological health issues and traumatic brain injury (TBI). This award supports a variety of interventions, requires preliminary data, and mandates community-based participatory research approaches. It offers two research levels: one for pilot studies and early trials, and another for larger, advanced trials assessing effectiveness in relevant populations.