Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Iowa

The Batkoski Family Scholarship honors Frank Batkoski, a dedicated sheet metal worker and Army veteran, by supporting students pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE). Established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, this scholarship aims to inspire hard work and craftsmanship. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it targets high school seniors from Saginaw County who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and seek to excel in skilled trades. This initiative reflects the growing demand for skilled workers in various trades.

The Benzie Central Legacy Scholarship Endowment, established by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Benzie County Central Schools pursuing postsecondary education. This scholarship emphasizes character, citizenship, and community service, while financial need and academic achievement are considered secondary. It aims to empower students to achieve their educational goals, fostering a spirit of giving back to the community that nurtured them.

The Buckley Schools Marie Guyton Scholarship Endowment, established by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, offers three scholarships annually to graduating seniors from Buckley Community Schools. These include the Marie Guyton Valedictorian Scholarship and the Eleanor Smith Salutatorian Scholarship, both of which require no application, as well as the competitive Marie Guyton Leadership Scholarship. This initiative aims to recognize and support the academic achievements and leadership potential of local students.

The Nels Andersen Scholarship, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors a pioneer in early childhood education. This scholarship supports Saginaw County residents pursuing undergraduate studies in early childhood development, elementary education, or Career and Technical Education (CTE) training, with awards ranging from $500 to $4,000. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and can be high school seniors or current college students. Preference is given to full-time students and former participants of Saginaw County Head Start programs.

The American Business Women’s Association – Saginaw Charter Chapter Scholarship supports women pursuing higher education, fostering personal and professional growth. Established in 1954, this scholarship encourages female students in Saginaw County to achieve their academic goals, particularly those enrolled in career and technical education programs. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it aims to empower women in various fields by providing financial assistance, ensuring that the next generation of businesswomen can thrive and contribute to their communities.

The Alpha Sigma Chapter, Alpha Delta Kappa, Inc. Scholarship supports aspiring educators in Saginaw County. Established in 2018, it honors the legacy of women educators dedicated to improving educational excellence. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, be full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree in education, and demonstrate residency in Saginaw County. The scholarship amount ranges from $500 to $4,000, with preference given to previous recipients. This initiative aims to foster the next generation of educators.

The Updated National Dislocated Worker Grant Program Guidance addresses the opioid crisis by prioritizing funding for applicants who demonstrate a critical need and have not previously received opioid-related grants. Key updates include eliminating Disaster-Relief Employment as a requirement, emphasizing the inadequacy of workforce resources, and encouraging applications that focus on training qualified professionals in relevant fields. These changes ensure that the program aligns with current policies and effectively supports communities impacted by the opioid epidemic.

The Home Builders' Association of the GT Area Scholarship, offered by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, supports residents from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau Counties. This scholarship targets individuals pursuing education in the home building industry. Applicants must provide a letter of reference from a member of the Home Builders Association, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and demonstrate community involvement or leadership.

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together around a vision to give back to our region then, now, and forever.

This vision lives on within our organization today as we support the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.

Together with our partners, we spark positive change for a variety of local causes, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services, across our region.

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Scholarships

The Community Foundation is home to a variety of scholarships designated to benefit a graduating senior from Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS). 

The Les and Anne Biederman Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Fund (Central, West)

In keeping with the visions and determinations that were held by the late Les Biederman, this scholarship is available to students who endeavor to pursue careers in nursing or business.

One scholarship awarded annually at each Central and West for a student pursuing a career in business and one scholarship awarded annually at each Central and West for a student pursuing a career in nursing.

Who We Are

Community foundations began nationally in 1914 and are publicly-supported, 501(c)(3) philanthropic organizations that hold, administer, invest and make grants from both endowed and non-endowed funds established by individuals, families and others. They were designed to be simple, flexible, convenient, tax-wise, cost-effective and perpetual charitable vehicles.  

Our Community Foundation was established in Roanoke in 1988. With our growth, we expanded into the Martinsville/Henry County area in 2005. Today, we administer many hundreds of named endowment funds ranging in size from a minimum of $10,000 to millions of dollars. To date, donors have also committed very significant resources to the Foundation through future estate gifts.

Information for Scholarship Seekers

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, the region’s community foundation, administers a variety of scholarships to reward and assist capable and deserving students based on the criteria established by the fund donors.

Specifics of the Foundation’s scholarship program may be subject to change from time to time. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Foundation at (276) 656-6223.

Ashby C. and John T. Pinkard Scholarship Fund

 Fund provides higher education scholarships to deserving young men and women.

Geological Society of America 

The Geological Society of America (GSA), founded in 1888, is a global scientific society with members from academia, government, and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of geoscientists at all career levels, encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. GSA is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, USA.

Jack Kleinman Memorial Award for Volcano Research

The Jack Kleinman Memorial Award for Volcano Research represents a partnership between GSA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to recognize early-career scientists conducting high-impact research in volcanology. The award was created in memory of Jack Kleinman—a USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory scientist known for his commitment to collecting high-quality field data and who relished a challenge, inspired enthusiasm in others, and delighted in the natural world. The award honors students who demonstrate these same qualities in their scientific explorations.

Up to US$5,000 may be awarded to undergraduate, graduate, and aspiring graduate students, regardless of current enrollment status. Successful proposals typically focus on geologic, geochemical, geophysical, or hazards investigations with an emphasis on fieldwork. Cooperation with a staff member from the USGS Volcano Science Center is encouraged and given considerable weight in the selection process.

Funding is intended to defray the costs of field-focused studies, such as travel to field sites, living expenses during fieldwork, field supplies, and analytical costs. Awardees are invited to present their results in the USGS Kleinman Seminar Series and attend the Awards Ceremony at the GSA annual meeting.

Kari Hamaker Performing Arts Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a student in Marshall, Olivet or the surrounding area, during school or upon graduation, seeking a degree in Performing Arts or for additional enrichment opportunities in performing arts. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. GPA is not a qualifying factor; however, transcripts and test scores are required. Students who receive this scholarship are encouraged to apply for further support in subsequent years.

Our Mission

The Mission of Kids Chance of Nebraska is to provide financial support to further the education of the children of Nebraska workers who have been severely injured, totally disabled or killed as a result of employment related injuries or occupational diseases. It is the goal of Kids’ Chance of Nebraska to make a difference in the lives of these children by providing scholarships to help eligible students achieve both their educational goals and their families’ dreams.

Scholarship Application Process

Kids’ Chance of Nebraska (KCNE) provides college scholarships to the children of Nebraska workers who have been severely or fatally injured in a workplace-related accident. KCNE awards as many scholarships as the current year’s funding will allow.

We open our application portal twice a year, Fall and Winter.

About All Points North Foundation

All Points North Foundation is dedicated to navigating communities upward.

All Points North Foundation was founded in 2011 by a family who believes passionately that everyone has a “true North” – a place of achievement – and that everyone should have equal opportunity and access to realize their goals.

Our Vision

We envision a nation where the middle school years are seen as an important, vital time in the lives of youth, and where the public middle school education experience in underserved communities measurably improves

We also envision a nation where the integration of solar benefits families, local economies and the environment.

Our Priorities

All Points North Foundation funds grantees in two areas – public middle school education (grades 6-8) and solar – that have the power to help communities nationwide navigate upward.

Grant Making

All Points North Foundation seeks collaborative partnerships with grantees in our two priority areas.

Education

All Points North Foundation is one of the few foundations focused on public middle school education, defined as grades six through eight. We recognize the vital importance of the middle school years in shaping the future of our nation’s youth.

All Points North Foundation seeks to measurably improve public middle school education in underserved communities, whether urban or rural, through two priorities:

• Funding programs that prepare and retain middle school teachers in an ever-changing education climate.
• Helping students grow both academically and socially/emotionally.

Middle schoolers need a nurturing school environment and expertly trained, passionate teachers who can help foster academic, social and emotional growth.

It’s critical for teachers to be adequately prepared for rapidly changing classrooms and school environments, and to be continuously encouraged and inspired to serve as key role models for middle school students.

It’s also critical for middle school students to be inspired and engaged, and excited to embrace the path of learning ahead. Research clearly indicates the habits and patterns set in middle school forecast success for students in their high school years and beyond.

The FY26 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Technology/Therapeutic Development Award (TTDA) aims to translate promising preclinical findings into burn products for clinical use in challenging environments. This award supports the development of both tangible products, like medical devices, and knowledge products that enhance health outcomes. A new Mentorship Option encourages collaboration between experienced researchers and junior scientists, fostering the next generation of leaders in military burn care research.

The FY26 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) Discovery Award aims to support groundbreaking research in combat-relevant burn care. This award encourages innovative and exploratory studies that provide new insights and foundational data for future clinical research. The focus is on novel approaches that lay the groundwork for scientific advancements and product development in burn care, ensuring robust preliminary data generation for subsequent research initiatives.

The DoW Military Burn, Patient-Centered Research Award aims to enhance the implementation of burn care research into clinical practice for military settings. The FY26 program supports clinical trials and research that directly benefit burn patients in resource-limited environments, fostering collaborations between experienced researchers and junior scholars. This initiative addresses critical gaps in combat burn care, ensuring effective interventions and guidelines are developed and utilized in operational battlespaces.

The Zachary Adam Giordan-Lascari Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, supports fathers pursuing physical therapy education at accredited institutes. This scholarship aims to assist students from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. With a focus on community impact, this fund exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering a thriving future for recipients in Southern New Mexico.

About The Children’s Heart Foundation

The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) is the country’s leading national organization solely dedicated to funding congenital heart defect (CHD) research. The mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation is to fund the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects. Since its inception, CHF has funded millions of dollars of CHD research across the U.S. and Canada. 

AHA/CHF Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards

The Children’s Heart Foundation partners with the American Heart Association to fund Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards. This collaborative investment of funds provides support for investigators who are actively conducting research directly related to advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CHDs, which directly aligns with The Children's Heart Foundation's mission. 

Congenital Heart Defect Funding Opportunities

A multi-year commitment between the American Heart Association (AHA) and Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) jointly supports Predoctoral Fellowship or Postdoctoral Fellowship investigators actively conducting basic, clinical, population, or translational congenital heart defects research.

Predoctoral Fellowship

Purpose

To enhance the integrated research and clinical training of promising students who are matriculated in pre-doctoral or clinical health professional degree training programs and who intend careers as scientists, physician-scientists or other clinician-scientists, or related careers aimed at improving global cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health.

• AHA research awards are limited to U.S.-based non-profit institutions, including medical, osteopathic, and dental schools, veterinary schools, schools of public health, pharmacy schools, nursing schools, universities and colleges, public and voluntary hospitals and others that can demonstrate the ability to conduct the proposed research.

• Applicants must be AHA Professional Members at the time of proposal submission. The AHA expects all mentors associated with training/mentored research awards to maintain active AHA membership, as well.

• This award is not for individuals of faculty/staff rank.

Applicants are not required to reside in the United States for any period before applying for American Heart Association funding. However, applicants must have one of the following designations at the time of proposal submission – not award start date, depending on career stage and each individual’s situation. An awardee must maintain one of the designations listed below throughout the duration of the award. Please consult with your institution’s grant officer.

• U.S. citizen
• Permanent resident
• Pending permanent resident (must have filed Form I-485 for permanent resident status and obtained an I-797C 3 Notice of Action that the application has been received by USCIS and case is pending)
• E-3 Visa - specialty occupation worker
• F-1 Visa – student (for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows only)
• G-4 Visa - family member of an international organization employee
• H1-B Visa - temporary worker in a specialty occupation
• J-1 Visa - exchange visitor (pre- and postdoctoral fellowships only; all other awardees must obtain an H-1B or equivalent by the award activation date)
• O-1 Visa - temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences
• TN Visa - NAFTA Professional
• DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

About The Children’s Heart Foundation

The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) is the country’s leading national organization solely dedicated to funding congenital heart defect (CHD) research. The mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation is to fund the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects. Since its inception, CHF has funded millions of dollars of CHD research across the U.S. and Canada. 

AHA/CHF Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards

The Children’s Heart Foundation partners with the American Heart Association to fund Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards. This collaborative investment of funds provides support for investigators who are actively conducting research directly related to advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CHDs, which directly aligns with The Children's Heart Foundation's mission. 

Congenital Heart Defect Funding Opportunities

A multi-year commitment between the American Heart Association (AHA) and Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) jointly supports Predoctoral Fellowship or Postdoctoral Fellowship investigators actively conducting basic, clinical, population, or translational congenital heart defects research.

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Purpose

To enhance the training of postdoctoral applicants who are not yet independent. The applicant must be embedded in an appropriate investigative group with the mentorship, support, and relevant scientific guidance of a research mentor. Recognizing the unique challenges that clinicians, in particular, experience in balancing research and clinical activity, this award mechanism aims to be as flexible as possible to enable applicants to develop academic careers in research alongside fulfilling clinical service commitments.

The trainee and mentor should collaboratively provide a thoughtfully planned, systematic proposal aimed at clearly answering an investigative question in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or brain health research

• AHA research awards are limited to U.S.-based non-profit institutions, including medical, osteopathic, and dental schools, veterinary schools, schools of public health, pharmacy schools, nursing schools, universities and colleges, public and voluntary hospitals andothers that can demonstrate the ability to conduct the proposed research.

• Applicants must be AHA Professional Members at the time of proposal submission. The AHA expects all mentors associated with training/mentored research awards to maintain active AHA membership, as well.

• This award is not intended for individuals of faculty rank.

Applicants are not required to reside in the United States for any period before applying for American Heart Association funding. However, applicants must have one of the following designations at the time of proposal submission – not award start date, depending on career stage and each individual’s situation. An awardee must maintain one of the designations listed below throughout the duration of the award. Please consult with your institution’s grant officer.

• U.S. citizen
• Permanent resident
• Pending permanent resident (must have filed Form I-485 for permanent resident status and obtained an I-797C 3 Notice of Action that the application has been received by USCIS and case is pending)
• E-3 Visa - specialty occupation worker
• F-1 Visa – student (for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows only)
• G-4 Visa - family member of an international organization employee
• H1-B Visa - temporary worker in a specialty occupation
• J-1 Visa - exchange visitor (pre- and postdoctoral fellowships only; all other awardees must obtain an H-1B or equivalent by the award activation date)
• O-1 Visa - temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences
• TN Visa - NAFTA Professional
• DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

The National Swine Resource and Research Center (NSRRC) is a pivotal resource that enhances biomedical research by providing genetically modified models. This centralized facility reduces variability and costs for researchers, allowing them to focus on scientific discovery. NSRRC offers breeding, cryopreservation, and genotyping services, ensuring consistent access to high-quality models. By consolidating these resources, it promotes reproducibility and supports the development of innovative methodologies in research, ultimately advancing our understanding of human health and disease.

Marshall Bowling Council Smith/Dannenberg Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to an active, certified member of the Marshall Youth Bowling Association/United States Bowling Council (USBC) who plans to further his/her education in a college or vocational school. Applicants must be an amateur as defined by the USBC. Service in USBC state, local and league offices will be considered. Civic, curricular and co-curricular activities; grade point and hobbies outside of bowling may be determining factors. DO NOT submit a Marshall Community Foundation Scholarship Application.

The Grant for Grassroots Exchange: U.S.-Japan Community Networking supports initiatives that foster connections between grassroots communities in the U.S. and Japan. With funding up to $10,000, projects should enhance mutual understanding through events like workshops and conferences. Eligibility is limited to U.S. organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and priority is given to collaborations with underrepresented groups. This grant aims to strengthen community ties and promote cultural exchange on a local level.

LaVern Smith Scholarship

Scholarships awarded to members of a 4-H or a FFA chapter within Calhoun County. Applicants must be seniors in high school or enrolled in a technical school or college, and under the age of 19 at the time the application is submitted. GPA is not a determining factor.

Who We Are

Saginaw County is home. It is a beautiful community you’d be foolish to underestimate. We may have our challenges, but seeing its cities, villages and townships continue to grow and flourish gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride like none other.

Back in 1984, The Saginaw Community Foundation was founded to enhance the quality of life in our county by providing leadership, education, and support for philanthropy. Today, we still continue this mission of supporting the needs of our community through targeted grants, investments, and scholarships.

In addition to our grantmaking and scholarship programs, the Foundation also offers donor advised funds, which allow donors to recommend charitable grants to organizations of their choice. We also manage several endowed funds, which provide ongoing support for specific causes or organizations.

Saginaw Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. A staff of professionals oversee our day-to-day operations and work with donors and community organizations to identify and address community needs.

CTE Scholarships

Dreaming of a career in welding? Maybe managing your own auto mechanics garage fuels your thoughts or you would love to become an electrician. Perhaps studying to become a chef in a culinary arts program suits your tastes.

No matter what your career path may be, there is little doubt that in recent years interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) has grown. The increased need for workers skilled in the trades has resulted in larger numbers of students seeking out CTE programs.

Schools offering CTE encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology. In the past, financial assistance has been hard to come by for these areas of study, but that is no longer the case. Saginaw Community Foundation has several scholarship opportunities for those who have the desire to pursue CTE.

According to leading economists, not everyone needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.

For aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued skilled trade workers, there is great opportunity to take advantage of tailored CTE programs. The demand is massive as an estimated 3 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant.

Our CTE scholarship awards range between $500 – $4,000 typically.

Reverend William D. Aldridge, Sr., Scholarship

The Reverend William Desmond Aldridge, the second oldest of five children, was born May 1, 1927, in Europa, Miss. The Reverend Aldridge was called to the ministry in 1944 at the age of 17. He completed three years of study at Rusk College before accepting his first pastorship in 1948. The Reverend Aldridge was named pastor of Christ Community Church on Easter Sunday in 1954, making him one of the longest-serving pastors in Saginaw County.

The Reverend Aldridge taught in the Buena Vista School District for nearly 10 years and has always placed a high priority on encouraging youth to seek academic excellence. Mary Viola “Jean” Aldridge, his wife of 50 years, was a teacher in the Buena Vista School District as well.

The Reverend Aldridge also worked at the General Motors Malleable Iron Plant and retired in 1981 after 28 years of service.

The Rev. Dr. Roosevelt and Dr. Nurame Austin, Sr. Scholarship, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors Pastor Roosevelt Austin's dedication to his church and community. This scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Saginaw County pursuing undergraduate degrees or Career and Technical Education (CTE) training. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it fosters educational opportunities for students in skilled trades, reflecting Pastor Austin's belief in the power of education.

The Raymond and Mary Jane Barry Educational Scholarship Fund, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, aims to support students from Saginaw County pursuing careers in technical fields. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, this fund honors the Barrys' commitment to education and community service. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA and demonstrate enrollment in a Career and Technical Education program or an undergraduate degree. This scholarship encourages students to overcome challenges with humor and determination.