Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Iowa

AAYHF's Harvest Scholars Scholarship Program Fund

Attending four-year university or two-year college.

Amount

• (2) $1,500.00

Communities Foundation of Oklahoma

The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma stems from the vision of Tom McCasland Jr., and Gene Rainbolt. Two decades ago, these gentlemen formed a shared vision to create a single philanthropic organization to serve the charitable needs to rural communities across the great state of Oklahoma. Today, CFO has grown to assist hundreds of efforts in more than 45 counties.

Scholarship Opportunities

CFO offers over 100 diverse scholarship opportunities, empowering students across the state to pursue their educational goals. Each scholarship is tailored to meet unique needs, making higher education more accessible for all.

Imo Scheidt Memorial Scholarship

Provides a scholarship to graduating seniors who have been or are in the Foster Care System and have a minimum GPA of 2.5 unweighted.

The Community Foundation’s scholarships are for Arkansas students pursuing education at two- or four-year colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. Some scholarships are designated for graduates of a particular high school or those who plan to attend a particular college. Others are based on extracurricular activities or intended college majors.  

The Foundation has a scholarship portal with a quiz to help applicants determine scholarship eligibility. 

“Since 1976, the Community Foundation has partnered with individuals and organizations who want to support our state’s students in their pursuit of higher education,” said Heather Larkin, Community Foundation president and CEO. “These generous people provide the funding and determine the size and eligibility criteria of each scholarship, while we oversee the application and awarding process on their behalf.” 

Arkansas Service Memorial Scholarship

For students who are children of Arkansans who lost their life in service in the state, nation or community.

Communities Foundation of Oklahoma

The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma stems from the vision of Tom McCasland Jr., and Gene Rainbolt. Two decades ago, these gentlemen formed a shared vision to create a single philanthropic organization to serve the charitable needs to rural communities across the great state of Oklahoma. Today, CFO has grown to assist hundreds of efforts in more than 45 counties.

Scholarship Opportunities

CFO offers over 100 diverse scholarship opportunities, empowering students across the state to pursue their educational goals. Each scholarship is tailored to meet unique needs, making higher education more accessible for all.

Cindy's Angel Endowed Scholarship

Provides a renewable scholarship to students from Little Axe HS, Checotah HS, Seminole HS and Dallas Champions Academy. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. 

Aimee Melissa Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund

Graduating senior from a high school within Travis, Williamson or Hays counties.

Awards

• (1) $5,000.0

Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship

The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship honors the late Agnes Jones Jackson who was a long-time NAACP member from the San Francisco branch.

Scholarship amount:

• $2,000

This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

Communities Foundation of Oklahoma

The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma stems from the vision of Tom McCasland Jr., and Gene Rainbolt. Two decades ago, these gentlemen formed a shared vision to create a single philanthropic organization to serve the charitable needs to rural communities across the great state of Oklahoma. Today, CFO has grown to assist hundreds of efforts in more than 45 counties.

Scholarship Opportunities

CFO offers over 100 diverse scholarship opportunities, empowering students across the state to pursue their educational goals. Each scholarship is tailored to meet unique needs, making higher education more accessible for all.

Bulldog Ben and Marcia Robinson Scholarship

Provides a scholarship to graduating seniors in Muskogee County who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and 22 ACT score.

The BioLEAP Classroom Grant, funded by the National Anti Vivisection Society, provides educators with up to $1,000 to purchase humane anatomy models, replacing traditional animal dissection methods. This initiative supports the use of innovative learning tools like 3D digital models and synthetic specimens, enhancing educational experiences while promoting ethical practices in science education. Eligible applicants must be U.S. educators teaching an anatomy lab in the upcoming school year.

James Weldon Johnson Scholarship

The James Weldon Johnson Scholarship, powered by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is one of many funding opportunities available to students through the NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

The James Weldon Johnson Scholarship is open to first- or second-year male students who will matriculate to full-time enrollment at an accredited academic institution in Fall 2025.

Scholarship amount:

• $1,500

Amount of Scholarships:

• 15

This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

The Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER) program is a 20-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) by the US Air Force aimed at advancing innovative aerospace technologies. This initiative encourages white papers and proposals for research and development to enhance technology readiness levels. It is designed to provide the warfighter with a decisive advantage through transformative technology solutions. Multiple awards are anticipated, allowing for a range of project durations and funding values.

Communities Foundation of Oklahoma

The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma stems from the vision of Tom McCasland Jr., and Gene Rainbolt. Two decades ago, these gentlemen formed a shared vision to create a single philanthropic organization to serve the charitable needs to rural communities across the great state of Oklahoma. Today, CFO has grown to assist hundreds of efforts in more than 45 counties.

Scholarship Opportunities

CFO offers over 100 diverse scholarship opportunities, empowering students across the state to pursue their educational goals. Each scholarship is tailored to meet unique needs, making higher education more accessible for all.

Brian Crawford Memorial Scholarship

Provides a scholarship for Oklahomans who attended high school at Prague, Paden, Seminole, Shawnee, Meeker, Choctaw, Dale, Tecumseh, Bethel or Chandler in Oklahoma or have played in the Brian Crawford Memorial Tournament.

Steuben County Community Foundation

The Steuben County Community Foundation plays a unique role in making this community the best it can be for the people who call it home. We believe that through our work, our community members can live the lives they’ve always dreamed of. They’ll pay it forward, lift one another up, and make our community even better. Investing in our community today, positions it for a brighter tomorrow.

Steuben County Vocational Education Scholarship

The Steuben County Vocational Education Scholarship is available for Steuben County residents seeking some form of vocational training. In addition to graduates, current high school students are eligible to apply for this funding.

The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers, awarded by PEN America, recognizes twelve emerging writers annually for their debut short story published in a literary outlet. Each winner receives a $2,000 cash prize, and their stories are published in an anthology by Catapult. The prize aims to foster new voices in fiction, inspired by Robert J. Dau's legacy, highlighting the importance of literary excellence and encouraging the next generation of writers.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Jessie F. Dalman Scholarship

• Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public or private school within the primary service area of the Community Foundation or at Hudsonville High School or Hudsonville Unity Christian High School
• Enrolling in a 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• GPA of 3.8 or greater and ranked in the top 10 percent of graduating class
• United States citizen
• Leadership is an additional consideration

The Wag Wine Operation supports no-kill adoption groups by providing grants ranging from $250 to $1000. These funds assist organizations in purchasing essential supplies, food, and medical care for adoptable pets. Offered by the Petfinder Foundation, this initiative aims to keep homeless animals healthy and facilitate their transition to loving homes. Grants are awarded monthly until funds are depleted, with the program benefiting over 10,000 adoption groups across North America.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Mark Winia Memorial Soccer Scholarship

• Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation or in Hamilton or Saugatuck
• Enrolling at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• Financial need, a consideration (encouraged to submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 2.5 or greater
• Club or varsity soccer participant
• High involvement and giving back to the soccer world through participation in activities such as coaching, mentoring, refereeing, or Cleats for Kids
• Recommended by applicant’s club or school soccer coach
• 1,200-character or less essay explaining how you have given back to the sport of soccer beyond participating on teams and being a team captain or co-captain

The PEN Open Book Award, presented by PEN America, recognizes literary works by authors of color published in the U.S. during the year. With a focus on diversity, it awards a $10,000 prize and a residency in Italy to authors who have not yet garnered significant media attention. This award promotes underrepresented voices in literature, celebrating fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that challenge the norms and enrich the literary landscape.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Optimist Club of Saginaw – “Officer Ed” Nowaczyk Scholarship

The “Officer Ed” Scholarship is sponsored by the Optimist Club of Saginaw in memory of Edwin F. Nowaczyk, a longtime member of the Optimist Club and School Safety Officer for the City of Saginaw Police Department. Better known as “Officer Ed” to the thousands of children who loved and worked with him, Officer Ed was responsible for the school pedestrian and traffic safety programs. He was also instrumental in developing the school safety patrol program.

Although Officer Ed may be best remembered for his involvement with child safety programs, he also served as accident investigator, police community relations specialist and juvenile investigator with the Police Department. During his 38 years in law enforcement, Officer Ed received several letters of commendation and was the first recipient of the Saginaw Police Department’s “Lifetime Meritorious Service Award.”

Bill Boehlke Scholarship

Bill Boehlke worked for both the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle SuperSonics as a creative member of their digital communications departments. His imagination, humor and positive personality were appreciated by everyone he worked with. In memory of Bill, his family established this scholarship fund in 2020. The fund will provide scholarships to high school seniors in the state of Washington who are pursuing a career in digital communications, including social media video production. Scholarships will help cover qualified expenses including tuition, books and other expenses necessary for their classes. Scholarships are not renewable. Special consideration will be given to students based on financial needs and the applicant’s history of good character and community service.

Amount:

$1,000 - $5,000

The Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant offers Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) the chance to pursue innovative research projects without the need for preliminary data. Established in 2020, this grant encourages a significant shift in research direction, focusing on unique methodologies and approaches relevant to NIH's mission. Applicants must provide a detailed description of their proposed research direction, which should differ from their past work, and demonstrate its alignment with NIH Institutes' programmatic interests.

Communities Foundation of Oklahoma

The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma stems from the vision of Tom McCasland Jr., and Gene Rainbolt. Two decades ago, these gentlemen formed a shared vision to create a single philanthropic organization to serve the charitable needs to rural communities across the great state of Oklahoma. Today, CFO has grown to assist hundreds of efforts in more than 45 counties.

Scholarship Opportunities

CFO offers over 100 diverse scholarship opportunities, empowering students across the state to pursue their educational goals. Each scholarship is tailored to meet unique needs, making higher education more accessible for all.

McCasland Foundation Scholarship

Provides a scholarship to graduating seniors in Stephens County who has a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrates character, leadership and participation in school activities. In partnership with The McCasland Foundation.

The FY 2025 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs aim to enhance economic growth and resilience in distressed communities. EDA invites ongoing applications for funding, focusing on innovative approaches that leverage regional strengths. The updated NOFO emphasizes timely reviews and outlines submission procedures for core programs under the Public Works and Economic Development Act. Grantees are encouraged to develop unique initiatives that foster lasting economic prosperity.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Saginaw County Child Development Centers Scholarship

A group of concerned citizens met in 1966 to investigate the feasibility of founding a child care agency as part of the local community’s services to needy families. This meeting resulted in the founding of the Saginaw County Child Development Centers, Inc. (SCCDC) in May 1967. The agency started with a staff of five and at the time of its dissolution in 1998, it had a staff of more than 200 and served nearly 1,200 economically disadvantaged and at-risk preschool children throughout Saginaw County.

In its 31-year history, SCCDC provided a variety of programs including home day care programs, emergency food programs, training programs for staff and parents, a food reimbursement program for home day care providers, Michigan School Readiness program, Head Start and housing programs. The success of the program was its partnership within the communities it served to provide an opportunity for children and families to move from poverty to a self-sufficient lifestyle. The agency was dissolved when Saginaw County Community Action Committee was required by the government to operate the Head Start program, instead of delegating to SCCDC.

The PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction, offered by PEN America, recognizes a distinguished book of nonfiction published annually. This prestigious award, which includes a $10,000 prize, honors works that exhibit notable literary merit and critical perspectives on contemporary issues. Eligible authors, regardless of citizenship, must have published their book in the previous calendar year. This award highlights the importance of intellectual rigor and stylistic elegance, echoing the legacy of economist John Kenneth Galbraith.

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) aims to enhance STEM undergraduate education and research at HBCUs. It offers various funding opportunities, including Research Initiation Awards, Targeted Infusion Projects, Implementation Projects, and Broadening Participation Research Centers, to support innovative educational goals and broaden participation in STEM fields. Proposals are due on various dates, ensuring multiple opportunities for institutions to engage with this vital funding.

The Community Foundation’s scholarships are for Arkansas students pursuing education at two- or four-year colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. Some scholarships are designated for graduates of a particular high school or those who plan to attend a particular college. Others are based on extracurricular activities or intended college majors.  

The Foundation has a scholarship portal with a quiz to help applicants determine scholarship eligibility. 

“Since 1976, the Community Foundation has partnered with individuals and organizations who want to support our state’s students in their pursuit of higher education,” said Heather Larkin, Community Foundation president and CEO. “These generous people provide the funding and determine the size and eligibility criteria of each scholarship, while we oversee the application and awarding process on their behalf.” 

Lillian McGillicuddy Republican Party of Arkansas Scholarship

For students involved in the Young Republicans organization.

The Abbey Mural Prize, established in 1932, supports the creation and restoration of public murals across the United States. This prestigious award, administered by the National Academy of Design since 1940, emphasizes projects that enhance community engagement and social activism through art. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000, with a total annual funding cap of $125,000. Eligible applicants include artists, architects, and nonprofit organizations committed to impactful mural projects.