Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Iowa

The NSF Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 Program supports projects that enhance research capabilities in science and engineering. This program provides funding for both design and implementation of mid-scale research infrastructure, emphasizing the development of a diverse workforce. By addressing specific community needs and promoting competitive research environments, the program encourages innovative approaches to infrastructure development. Proposals may involve upgrades, new acquisitions, or design efforts aimed at successful implementation of vital research tools.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Improving Undergraduate Physics Education (IUPE) Award

The American Physical Society's (APS) Committee on Education (COE) seeks to recognize improvement in undergraduate physics education and support effective practices in education at the undergraduate level with the COE Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education.

This award will recognize up to three undergraduate physics programs, organizations, alliances, and networks each year and will focus on the entire undergraduate physics institution, organization, alliance, and/or network, rather than individual members of a department.

• Applicants may submit only one application per year.
• We encourage applicants not recognized in a particular year, to submit new applications after the award period has ended.
• To encourage broad participation and to motivate programs, organizations, alliances, and networks to commit to sustained improvement and achievement, awardees may submit new applications after three years.

The Brave Heart Foundation Grant aims to uplift underserved populations, focusing on children and families through education, health, and community action. With a commitment to funding impactful programs in Indiana, the Foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate clear community benefits. Larger funding requests are accepted from previously funded agencies, ensuring continuity and accountability. This grant serves as a vital resource for initiatives that enhance the well-being of those in need, fostering positive change within local communities.

The Arthur S. Tuttle Fellowship, established in 1983 through the generosity of ASCE President Arthur S. Tuttle, supports graduate students in civil engineering. Up to four students may receive this annual fellowship, which is intended for their first year of graduate studies. Candidates must be members of the American Society of Civil Engineers and demonstrate financial need and educational merit. This fellowship promotes the development of future civil engineering professionals.

American Chemical Society

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is committed to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Our mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community, and champion scientific integrity. Our vision is a world built on science.

What We Do

More than 145 years after our founding, we remain a champion for chemistry, its practitioners and our global community of members.

We’re recognized as a leading publisher of authoritative scientific information. Our 80+ peer-reviewed journals are ranked the “most-trusted, most-cited and most-read.”

We empower our members to advance chemistry, elevate their career potential, expand their networks, inspire future generations, collaborate globally and build communities that provide scientific solutions.

We provide broader networks that facilitate connections and open doors in a way no other professional organization can match!

ACS Catalyst Scholarship

Description

The ACS Catalyst Scholarship is an education initiative designed to support undergraduate students pursuing chemistry or chemistry-related fields. This scholarship offers support to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need or hardship. This program provides $10,000 in funding, with the possibility of renewal in future years, to help students continue their academic journey.

Must plan to pursue a career in the chemical sciences.

Funding for this scholarship is paid directly to accredited colleges or universities to cover essential educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, and books.

The NIH Common Fund Data Ecosystem aims to enhance the reusability of biomedical data through collaboration between Common Fund programs and external data resources. This funding opportunity encourages projects that connect various biomedical data ecosystems, including the HEAL Data Ecosystem and the BRAIN Initiative. By fostering partnerships, the initiative seeks to improve the accessibility and interoperability of valuable datasets, ultimately advancing research efforts. Note that clinical trials are excluded from this funding opportunity.

Robert J. & Kathryn W. Davis Scholarship

Award:

4-year award of $7,500 per year, renewable each year. Student must maintain a 2.75 GPA and remain in their major to renew their award each year. Possible medical school awards could follow if applicant moves on to medical school.

The Friends of Loutit Library Fund Scholarship, established by the Friends of Loutit Library in 2005, aims to assist students pursuing an advanced degree in Library Science. This scholarship is open to individuals who either reside or have resided in the Tri-Cities area of Northern Ottawa County. Financial need is not a consideration, ensuring that all eligible students can apply for this essential educational support from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.

The Gunther & Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship is an exclusive opportunity for current and former Elks National Foundation scholarship recipients pursuing medical or osteopathic degrees. This scholarship, established in memory of Gunther Weigel, aims to support Elks scholars entering their first year of medical school. The number and amount of scholarships vary annually, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to healthcare education.

The Greenwall Faculty Scholars Program supports junior faculty in bioethics research, offering 50% salary support for three years and project funding of $5,000 annually. Scholars engage in community-building through semi-annual meetings, mentoring, and philosophical seminars. Priority is given to applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and those not yet considered for tenure. This program aims to drive innovative research that addresses pressing ethical issues in clinical and public health settings, fostering future bioethics advancements.

The Joseph E. and Marjorie B. Jones Foundation is a private philanthropic organization committed to enhancing life quality in the greater Washington, D.C. area. The foundation focuses on human services, healthcare, and educational initiatives, believing in the inherent dignity of all individuals. It supports projects that foster community trust and partnership while avoiding funding for basic research, scholarships, or sectarian activities. The foundation aims to inspire and uplift communities through strategic partnerships.

The NEA Arts and Artifacts Domestic Indemnity Program provides museums and cultural institutions in the U.S. with financial protection against loss or damage to significant artworks during exhibitions. Established in 1975 and expanded in 2007, the program aims to enhance public access to art by minimizing insurance costs. Managed by the National Endowment for the Arts, it involves thorough evaluations by expert panels to ensure eligibility and compliance, facilitating the safe display of invaluable cultural treasures.

Enhance Hamilton County Foundation

The mission of the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the quality of life for citizens in Hamilton County. To these ends, the Foundation will promote endowment collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of the designated area.

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Greater Des Moines Foundation. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that our communities’ charitable programs were supported now and in the future.

EHCF Annual Grant Program - Education

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation will provide grants to improve the quality of life throughout Hamilton County, Iowa. We want to help develop all our communities into places where people want to live, as well as, to benefit rural areas of the county.

The Foundation supports the spirit of giving throughout Hamilton County by providing outstanding support and services to our donors, volunteers, other charitable-focused agencies, grant seekers, and the community. We achieve this by:

• Helping people realize their dreams of making a difference and finding the best vehicle to achieve that, by designing and implementing their charitable giving plans.
• Facilitating and supporting the works of charitable-focused organizations in Hamilton County through strategic grant making.
• Acting as stewards for the community by managing donor funds.
• Bringing diverse groups together for the common good.

Competitive grants are made available yearly from unrestricted funds, one of which is: 

 Education – Schools (of all ages), adult learning programs

The NEA Arts and Artifacts Domestic Indemnity Program, administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, ensures that U.S. museums can exhibit significant art and artifacts without the burden of high insurance costs. Established in 1975, it provides indemnity against loss or damage, promoting access to cultural heritage. The program evaluates applications through expert advisory panels and typically meets three to six months after deadlines to decide on indemnity requests, thereby supporting the arts and enriching public engagement.

The NEA Arts and Artifacts International Indemnity Program, established in 1975, supports the exhibition of significant art and artifacts by minimizing insurance costs for international exhibitions. Administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, it covers U.S. owned art during exhibitions in the country. The program evaluates applications through advisory panels and the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities, ensuring that vital cultural works are accessible while providing necessary financial protections.

The Zyne Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance and support Catholic faith-based organizations and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits dedicated to education, medical research, and family values. The foundation's mission focuses on making a direct impact on individuals' daily lives, ensuring that these initiatives can thrive both now and in the future, promoting community well-being and development.

The Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation, established in 1994, supports public agencies and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to preserve historic environments. With grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, this highly competitive funding opportunity aims to foster appreciation for cultural heritage and enhance community livability. Eligible activities include planning, education, and preservation projects. Applicants must match the grant dollar-for-dollar and adhere to specific guidelines to ensure the success of their initiatives.

The NEA Arts and Artifacts International Indemnity Program, administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, provides financial protection for museums exhibiting significant art and artifacts. Launched in 1975, it minimizes insurance costs for international exhibitions. The program allows U.S. entities to receive indemnity for works of art while on display in the U.S. Applications are assessed by expert panels, ensuring a thorough review process before approvals or conditional notices are issued.

About Us

The Pocahontas County Foundation was organized in 2005 to promote and enhance community based philanthropy in Pocahontas County. The Foundation receives funding to facilitate endowment-building and grant-making throughout the county. Seventy-five percent of these funds will be awarded through grants to charitable organizations for educational, civic and public purposes in Pocahontas County.

Pocahontas County Foundation Grant

The Pocahontas County Foundation will provide grants to improve life in Pocahontas County, Iowa. We want to support development of all our communities into places where people want to live, as well as to benefit rural areas of the county.

Each year we hold a mandatory meeting in October to discuss any new application procedures and answer questions. One member from any group or non-profit organization must attend this meeting in order to receive grant funding. The 2026 Grant Info meeting will be held in October 7, 2026 at the Pocahontas County Conservation Office beginning at 6:30 pm. The grant deadline is 5:00 p.m. on November 20, 2026. 

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening offer the GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant to enhance community gardens across the U.S. This initiative supports programs that engage under-resourced communities, focusing on youth participation. In 2026, 120 grants of $750 will be awarded, with additional funding opportunities available through specialty awards for programs addressing specific needs, including those serving LGBTQ+ youth and communities of color.

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.

Thomas R. and Catharine G. Allan Scholarship Fund

The Thomas R. and Catharine G. Allan Scholarship was established in memory of Thomas R. and Catharine G. Allan who thought it was important to further your education. The scholarship assists graduating seniors and graduates from Calhoun County public and private high schools pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities in teacher education.

The Chapman Prize, established by the Daniel and Barbara Chapman Trust, honors individuals and organizations making significant contributions to American society. Each year, the award focuses on a theme; in 2025, it will spotlight Economic Prosperity. Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens and nonprofits with three years of charitable work demonstrating impact in the chosen field. Approximately $100,000 will be awarded annually to support endeavors that enhance economic prosperity through various initiatives.

The Two-Year College Biology Teaching Award, sponsored by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), recognizes outstanding biology educators in two-year colleges who implement innovative teaching techniques. This award highlights the importance of culturally responsive pedagogies that foster equity and inclusion in various learning environments. Recipients receive a $500 travel honorarium, a recognition plaque, and one year of complimentary NABT membership, supporting their professional development and commitment to enhancing biology education.

The FY 2027 Service Area Competition (SAC) funding aims to enhance healthcare access in underserved communities across the U.S. by providing grants for comprehensive primary and preventive health services. This initiative addresses essential health needs through competitive funding opportunities, ensuring that health centers can effectively serve their designated areas. Additional service areas may be announced as needed if current centers are unable to continue their operations, thus maintaining service continuity.

The Prof. Chan Two-Year College Award for the Engaged Teaching of Biology recognizes outstanding contributions by Two-Year College faculty who develop and implement innovative, inclusive pedagogical approaches. Sponsored by Sarah McBride and John Melville, this award emphasizes the impact of teaching on a broader student population and includes a $500 travel grant for the NABT Professional Development Conference, fostering professional development and collaboration among biology educators.

The FY 2027 Service Area Competition (SAC) aims to enhance health services in underserved communities across the U.S. and its territories. This funding opportunity supports comprehensive preventive and primary health care delivery. Each SAC announcement details service areas available for competition, with potential additional areas announced throughout the year. This initiative is crucial for ensuring continuous access to quality health care for vulnerable populations.

The FY 2027 Service Area Competition (SAC) aims to enhance health services in underserved communities across the U.S. by providing grants for comprehensive primary and preventive care. This initiative will support health centers in delivering high-quality services, addressing the needs of populations that face barriers to care. Each funding opportunity will specify service areas available for competition, ensuring effective resource allocation to improve community health outcomes.