Best Grants for 501(c)(3) in Iowa

The Mark Foundation Emerging Leader Award supports innovative cancer research led by early career investigators. Aimed at high-impact, high-risk projects, this grant is available to those employed by U.S. or Canadian non-profit academic institutions. Eligible applicants must be within three to eight years of starting their independent faculty research appointment. This award emphasizes multi-year independent funding and is not intended as the main funding source for the laboratory, ensuring that diverse research efforts are encouraged.

The Youth Programming Grant, offered by the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), aims to support Native American farmers and ranchers through various projects. This grant focuses on providing essential business assistance, agricultural education, and advocacy services. By funding diverse initiatives, the NAAF seeks to promote the ongoing involvement of Native communities in agriculture, ensuring their sustainable growth and development within the sector.

The Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy Technologies (Scaleup) Ready initiative by ARPA-E invites applications for funding to advance transformative energy technologies. This program supports innovative projects that demonstrate potential for significant market disruption and emphasizes rigorous project management and technology risk mitigation. Eligible organizations must have inventions conceived during an ARPA-E award, reported in the iEdison system, and hold relevant U.S. patent applications. For further details, visit ARPA-E's website.

Tulsa Community Foundation

TCF is among the nation’s largest community foundations, managing over $6 billion in assets and distributing $300 million or more each year to charities across northeastern Oklahoma and the United States. Established in 1998, TCF assists nonprofit agencies, corporations, individuals and families with flexible charitable giving solutions. TCF delivers easy, low-cost solutions to benefit the community and region.   

Scholarships

Tulsa Community Foundation maintains more than forty scholarship funds, assisting students locally and nationally. The diversity of eligibility criteria for each fund reflects the variety of donor motivations to create or support scholarship funds.

Annually, TCF distributes funds to assist hundreds of students with educational expenses at colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, and primary and secondary schools.

Invited Scholars Fund

The Invited Scholars Award supports students enrolled in undergraduate, trade or vocational programs at U.S. institutions. 

The Republic Services Community Grant Program supports local nonprofit organizations focused on neighborhood revitalization, safety, disaster relief, and social services. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can apply once annually through an online application process. The program emphasizes a non-discrimination policy, ensuring services are provided without bias. However, funding is not available for individuals, government entities, schools, or religious organizations. This initiative reflects Republic Services' commitment to community engagement and support.

Women's Education Coalition Grant

This multiyear grant helps women who are unemployed or struggling to support themselves and their families. This scholarship supports tuition, college expenses, and helps build a better future for you and your family. 

This education grant was established by a coalition of four member organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, YWCA Kalamazoo and the former Kalamazoo Network.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution.

This is a multiyear scholarship, meaning that it is eligible to repeat annually up to the degree/program completion.

Ann N. MacGregor Scholarship

This fund was established in 2007, through a gift from the estate of Ann N. MacGregor, to provide scholarship assistance for incoming freshmen, undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a visual arts curriculum. Demonstrating financial need is not required, but preferred. Additional application materials are required for this scholarship.

Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution. 

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Washington County Community Foundation

The Washington County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation which manages scholarships for itself and other affiliate foundations.

Scholarship Program

The community foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships for students, provided by the generosity of local donors. Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or a non-traditional student we work with donors to help you take the next step in your education.

M.C. Hess and Margaret Hess Boyle Educational Fund for Washington County Scholarship

For graduates or students in good standing qualifying for graduation from Washington County, Kansas. Preference shall be given to applicants from Mahaska, Haddam, and Morrowville areas, but it is not a requirement. 

Renewals

• Scholarship recipients are eligible to reapply as part of the total applicant pool, so long as they continue to meet the scholarship criteria. 

Gamma Mu Foundation

The Gamma Mu Foundation provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that serve clients and communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas across the United States. The Foundation awards grants for initiatives focused on community support services, public education and research, and HIV and health programs benefiting the LGBTQ+ community.

Additionally, the Foundation offers academic scholarships to LGBTQ+ individuals facing financial hardship and the impacts of discrimination. These scholarships are designed for those who actively support their local LGBTQ+ communities and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing their education or vocational training. The Gamma Mu Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Scholarships

The Gamma Mu Foundation is committed to supporting the academic aspirations of gay men and LGBTQ+ students through our annual scholarship program. Scholarships provide financial assistance for a wide range of educational paths, including vocational training, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and graduate or professional programs.

Scholarships are awarded exclusively for full-time study at accredited institutions or programs chosen by the student.

Students attending community colleges or accredited vocational programs are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must select one scholarship category that reflects both their academic status for the upcoming fall term and identity. Categories include:

• Gay Male First-Year Student – For students entering college or technical school directly from high school.
• Gay Male Undergraduate Student – For current, returning, or adult undergraduate students enrolled in a college or technical school.
• Gay Male Graduate Student – For students pursuing graduate or professional degrees.
• LGBTQ+ Undergraduate Student – Open to undergraduate students of all LGBTQ+ identities.
• LGBTQ+ Graduate Student – Open to graduate and professional students of all LGBTQ+ identities.

Submitting multiple applications or applying in a category that does not align with your academic status or identity may lead to disqualification. 

Use of Scholarship

Scholarships may be used to cover tuition, books, fees, and other college-related expenses at accredited colleges, universities, vocational, or professional schools. All scholarship funds are disbursed directly to the institution and must be applied to the fall or spring term following the award. The scholarship is a one-time grant, and continued financial support beyond the initial award is not implied. Please see FAQ section.

Award Duration

• Scholarships are awarded for one year only.
• Recipients must reapply each year for funding consideration.
• The Foundation does not offer multi-year scholarships.

Applications are assessed based on the following criteria:

• Financial need
• Experience overcoming discrimination or marginalization
• Leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion
• Demonstrated LGBTQ+ community involvement
• Educational and career goals
• Extracurricular activities
• Academic and professional achievements

The Petco Foundation offers disaster relief support for animal welfare organizations affected by disasters. Eligible applicants include authorized members of IRS-designated 501c3 nonprofits, government agency representatives with operational insight, and invited for-profit entities focused on animal welfare. However, the foundation does not fund individuals, organizations outside the U.S., or those whose primary mission does not relate to animal welfare. This initiative aims to provide critical assistance during times of crisis.

The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants, administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts, provide one-time funding up to $5,000 for artists facing unexpected medical emergencies. This program aims to alleviate financial burdens caused by medical costs, ensuring that artists can receive necessary care without delay. Eligible applicants must be practicing artists in visual arts, film, or choreography, and demonstrate financial need. This initiative supports artists of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those outside major coastal cities.

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 American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation is inviting proposals for the CORE Funding: AHNS Presidential Award, aimed at enhancing value-based care in head and neck oncology. This initiative focuses on improving quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes through data-driven strategies. Key proposal components include quality and process measures, along with identifying care gaps. Priority areas include behavioral health integration and innovative contracting models, promoting scalable solutions that enhance care quality and value in this specialty.

About Us

Leadership. Collaboration. Impact.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley helps philanthropists support the causes closest to their heart while connecting local residents to the resources they need for a better quality of life.

Our Mission

To serve as a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy, partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your Community, Your Support System

Our community members support hundreds of local students every year through various scholarships facilitated by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

The Ottawa County Community Foundation manages the Steve and Patricia Baccus Scholarship Fund, aimed at supporting students graduating from high schools in Minneapolis or Bennington, KS. This scholarship is designed for those pursuing further education at accredited institutions and is funded by local donors. While the foundation promotes community philanthropy, it does not offer renewal options for this scholarship, encouraging students to seek ongoing educational opportunities.

The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region

Who We Are

Empowering generous people with meaningful giving opportunities.

Since 1968, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region (CFGCR) has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Capital Region. We work with — and for — all our neighbors across the community because together, we are stronger.

Eric Minkiewicz Presidential Scholarship Award

This scholarship is available to eligible employees of Renewal by Andersen of Eastern NY and their immediate family members who plan to pursue a two or four year college degree or a trade/technical certification program.

We support students who live our values: who do what they say they will, act with urgency, respect others, work as a team and commit to continuous improvement.

This scholarship reflects our belief that everyone leads, and our commitment to fostering a winning environment for our employees, customers, and community.

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Scholarship Program

The community foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships for students, provided by the generosity of local donors. Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or a non-traditional student we work with donors to help you take the next step in your education.

Marcella Dowling Oakes Art Scholarship

For students qualifying for graduation from a high school within the service area of GSCF or its affiliates with an intended major in an art field, including, but not limited to, visual arts, fine arts education, digital/graphic arts, architecture, or design.

 Applicants must submit a personal statement about how they will utilize their drawing skills to accomplish their future career goals.

Renewals

• This award is not renewable.

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Scholarship Program

The community foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships for students, provided by the generosity of local donors. Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or a non-traditional student we work with donors to help you take the next step in your education.

Linda K. Freeland Early Childhood Education Scholarship

For High school senior from Saline County, KS, with an intended major of early childhood education.

Applicant must submit an essay that states why they have chosen to major in early childhood education.

Renewals

• This award is not renewable.

Rare Organic Acidemias Research (ROAR) Consortium Early Career Fellowship

The overall mission of the ROAR career enhancement core is to recruit and retain a cohort of physicians, physician-researchers, and other researchers with clinical research expertise in rare metabolic disorders, specifically organic acidemias.

 Annual funding of $50,000 (total cost, including indirect costs) is available to support a postdoctoral trainee or early career faculty member (within 5 years of residency or fellowship training as of proposed start date of either June 1, 2026 or October 1, 2026) for a one-year period. The ROAR Consortium intends to fund 1-2 awards this cycle with one award starting by June 1, 2026 and another starting by October 1, 2026. 

Trainees are expected to complete the following:

• Design and complete a clinical research project focusing on organic acidemias. This project can leverage existing projects within the ROAR consortium or can be a new project unrelated to existing projects in the consortium. Of note, funds cannot be used to support research projects involving animal models. 
• Meet monthly with their project mentor and periodically with the ROAR Career Enhancement Core leadership to discuss progress.
• Provide a progress report within 30 days of completing the program.
• Attend ROAR consortium activities including the monthly ROAR team calls and annual ROAR consortium in-person meeting.
• Present their project at the annual ROAR consortium in-person meeting or monthly ROAR team call.
• Acknowledge the ROAR consortium support on manuscripts published upon completion of the project.
• Trainees are expected to participate in the RDCRN Rare Disease Research Training Program.
• Trainees are encouraged to budget funds for travel to one conference relevant to the organic acidemia and/or rare disease community to present their work. 

The Limited Competition: Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program offers funding to NIH-supported researchers for purchasing specialized instruments or integrated systems, with minimum awards of $25,000 and maximum awards reaching $350,000. Eligibility is restricted to institutions that have not received significant S10 funding in recent years. This program aims to enhance research capabilities by providing access to essential technology, thereby fostering scientific innovation and collaboration within the NIH community.

The Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program supports NIH-funded investigators in acquiring high-cost, specialized instruments, with a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum of $750,000. Eligible instruments include light microscopes, mass spectrometers, and DNA sequencers, among others. This program aims to enhance research capabilities by enabling the purchase or upgrade of essential equipment for scientific advancement.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

South Dakota Farm Bureau Scholarship

To provide financial support for scholarships as recommended by the South Dakota Farm Bureau.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau is committed to supporting agriculture across our state. This scholarship is designed to honor young people with a passion for agriculture and a dedication to their rural communities. It aims to provide scholarships to youth who plan to return to rural areas to work and contribute to the continued vitality of these communities.

The Peggy Lee Songwriter Award, presented by the ASCAP Foundation, honors lyricists of original songs who exhibit a sophisticated command of language and demonstrate significant talent. This prestigious award recognizes contributions to jazz and popular music, with a prize of $2,500 shared among co-writers. Eligible entrants must be U.S. citizens or residents, at least 18 years old, and ASCAP members in good standing. This award celebrates the legacy of Peggy Lee, a pioneering figure in music.

The Sammy Cahn Award, presented by The ASCAP Foundation, honors exceptional lyric-writing talent among songwriters of original songs. Established in 1995 to commemorate Sammy Cahn's legacy, the award offers a $5,000 prize to recipients. Eligible entrants include ASCAP writer members in good standing or independent songwriters. Submissions are judged anonymously based on lyric quality and overall craft, ensuring the recognition of artistic excellence within the songwriting community.

The Leiber & Stoller Music Scholarship, funded by The ASCAP Foundation, offers $2,500 annually for four years to high school seniors pursuing a music major. Aspiring songwriters, musicians, and vocalists are encouraged to apply. The selection process evaluates music and lyric writing, overall craftsmanship, and artistry. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or residents and meet specific criteria. The scholarship is aimed at nurturing the next generation of music creators, ensuring their educational journey is supported.

UNCF STEM Scholars Program

The UNCF STEM Scholars Program is an initiative designed to identify and provide scholarship and academic support for students who aspire to earn STEM degrees and to pursue careers in STEM fields, awarding 75 scholarships. The program enables highly capable young people to pursue undergraduate STEM majors and prepares them for successful careers in a variety of STEM professions.

Individual Award

• Maximum total up to $25,000, please see Program Benefits below.

The Michael Masser Scholarship, established by the late composer Michael Masser, supports talented students in music. It offers $3,000 to recipients for educational advancement, with nominations made by ASCAP representatives. Eligible nominees must demonstrate exceptional talent in music composition or performance and be entering a collegiate music program. This scholarship aims to foster the next generation of music creators and enrich the arts community through financial assistance.