Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

The Fostering Support of Mathematics Learning for Multilingual Learners grant, funded by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, aims to enhance PK-12 mathematics education by promoting multilingualism. It provides resources for professional development and materials to support teachers in integrating students' languages and cultures into their math instruction. Eligible applicants include PK-12 schools and educators committed to equitable teaching practices. This initiative encourages innovative approaches to foster an inclusive learning environment for diverse learners.

The 201 Undergraduate Concrete Durability Scholarship, offered by the ACI Foundation, is designed for full-time undergraduate students pursuing degrees in concrete-related fields. This scholarship awards $5,000 for educational expenses while also recognizing recipients in Concrete International magazine and on the Foundation's website. The scholarship aims to support students who demonstrate a keen interest in concrete durability, contributing to the advancement of the concrete industry.

NetJets Scholarship

NetJets is the leader in private aviation. We believe that service is everyone’s job and our company mission is “To enhance the life of each owner, one exceptional travel experience at a time.” The NetJets Scholarship was designed to reinforce a love of business aviation and hospitality, reward academic merit and exemplary character, as well as inspire students to consider an exciting and rewarding career with NetJets.

Award Amount:

• Three Scholarships for $25,000 each

The Mary Lea Simpson Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Audio Engineering Society Educational Foundation, provides tuition remission for the final year of undergraduate studies in Audio Engineering or Recording Arts at a North American institution. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher, demonstrate proficiency in recording or mixing, and be members in good standing of the Audio Engineering Society. This scholarship aims to support talented individuals pursuing a career in audio engineering.

The Bernard Erlin Memorial Scholarship, offered by the ACI Foundation, honors the contributions of Erlin to the concrete industry. It provides financial support of $5,000 to deserving undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees related to concrete materials. Recipients will also receive recognition in Concrete International magazine. This scholarship aims to foster the next generation of leaders in the concrete sector, ensuring educational opportunities for passionate individuals committed to innovation in this field.

About Us

Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) is here to serve and add value to donors’ philanthropic needs by providing them an opportunity to “invest in the power of community.” It is our goal to identify current and emerging issues, channel resources to address community needs, and help prepare for the future.

MCF Mission

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to be a catalyst for lasting impact in Sarpy and Cass counties and to give opportunities to organizations and individuals to pursue their charitable goals.

Scholarships Through MCF

Midlands Community Foundation is committed to the futures of communities in Sarpy and Cass Counties, and across the country. Supporting higher education of students is a direct investment in the futures of these communities.

John J. and Doris M. Buford Legacy Fund Scholarship Application Guidelines

The John J. and Doris M. Buford Legacy Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors or full-time college students studying in the fields of Nursing and Pre-law.

The Fund shall annually distribute two (2) scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each.

Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations. 

Each year, Cumberland Community Foundation announces more than $1,000,000 in college scholarships to students from southeastern North Carolina.

The Kiwanis Club of Cape Fear Scholarship

Cumberland International Early College; EE Smith High School; Village Christian Academy; Westover High School senior.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds. 

Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

MassMutual Scholars Fund

To support graduating high school seniors from Springfield, MA or Enfield, CT interested in pursuing careers in financial services, business or information technology.

Additional Guidelines

• Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation.
• Scholarship awards could impact the financial aid offered by a college, and students are advised to check with their college financial aid offices about this.
• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. Some part and/or all the award could be considered taxable income. It is advisable students check with the college or tax accountant regarding this matter.

The FY27 Communications and Networking Applied Research program aims to advance technologies essential for Naval operations. This initiative aligns with the Design for Maritime Superiority, focusing on the Naval Tactical Grid (NTG) to ensure seamless connectivity among distributed units. The technologies developed will operate under challenging conditions across multiple domains, enhancing command and control capabilities for effective decision-making in maritime and other operational theaters.

The DLA Piper Scholarship Programs - LEAP (Legal Elite Athlete Program) aims to support student athletes and veterans pursuing a legal career. Administered by Scholarship America, this initiative promotes access to legal education for individuals who demonstrate discipline, resilience, and leadership. Eligible candidates must be at least 18 years old, have completed two years of undergraduate study, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This program reflects a commitment to breaking down financial barriers in education.

The DLA Piper BRAVO Scholarship Program, managed by Scholarship America, supports veterans and student athletes pursuing legal careers. It aims to remove financial barriers and promote diversity in law by offering scholarships to qualified individuals. Eligible applicants must be 18 or older, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and plan to enroll in law school within a year. This initiative fosters discipline and resilience in pursuing legal education and careers.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

David R. Miller and Sara G. Miller Scholarship Fund

The David R. Miller and Sara G. Miller Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for first year college students from Western Pennsylvania pursuing courses of study in engineering or manufacturing, or related trades.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

Better Health Together (BHT) is committed to enhancing community wellness through sponsorships. By collaborating with over 100 organizations in eastern Washington, BHT addresses critical health issues and supports events that elevate community voices. Organizations seeking funding should submit applications at least 6–8 weeks prior to their event to ensure timely review. BHT values partnerships that align with its mission and aims to invest in innovative solutions for community health challenges.

The Limited Competition Small Grant Program under the NCATS CTSA aims to enhance the research capabilities of scholars transitioning to independent academic translational scientists. This program supports diverse clinical and translational science projects, including pilot studies and methodology development. The R03 grants are designed for short-term projects with limited resources that generate preliminary data for future R01 applications, thereby fostering innovation and advancing health research.

The Wallace K. and Jane Ewing Scholarship, funded by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports high school seniors from the Tri-Cities pursuing studies in English. This scholarship considers financial need and involvement in arts and humanities activities, aiming to empower local students to achieve their educational goals. Applicants must submit transcripts and relevant documents, ensuring a comprehensive review process. This initiative reflects the commitment of Wally and Jane to positively impact student futures in the community.

The Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, supports exceptional scientists for a five-year term, with potential for renewal. Scholars receive up to $8.6 million over ten years, including salaries, benefits, and a substantial research budget. They dedicate at least 80% of their time to research and foster an inclusive lab environment, mentoring future scientists. This program emphasizes scientific excellence while integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into research practices.

Scholarship funds are established by local individuals, families, businesses and organizations. They provide tuition assistance and financial support to new and continuing college students, and many offer renewable awards.

Jessica Lynn Herman Memorial Scholarship

Graduating high school senior from the Huntington Beach High School District with a passion for both the sciences and humanities and demonstrated commitment to mentoring or tutoring. 

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.

Leroy McKinney Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was created in memory of Leroy McKinney Jr., who was a graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, Class of 1988. Upon graduation, he studied Pre-Engineering in college. He also had an entrepreneurial spirit. Though he struggled with mental illness, one of his proudest accomplishments in life, was returning to college as an adult and completing his Bachelor's degree in Business Management. He would be honored to know this scholarship was created in his legacy to support other African American men to pursue their education in these fields.

About the Healthy Soils Program Block Grant

Through the Block Grant model, CDFA's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS), partners with regional organizations to administer local grant programs that support farmers and ranchers implementing healthy soils practices.

Block Grant Recipients work directly with producers in their region by providing outreach, technical assistance, and support throughout project implementation. These organizations manage the local application process, recommend projects for funding to CDFA, establish agreements with producers who carry out soil-health practices on their operations, and manage funded on-farm projects.

By working through trusted regional partners, the Block Grant model helps ensure funding reaches producers along with locally informed support and technical expertise, thus expanding the adoption of soil-building practices across California.

The AWWA Scholarship Program, sponsored by the American Water Works Association, aims to support students pursuing Master's or PhD degrees in water treatment science and engineering. This initiative emphasizes the importance of innovative solutions for water treatment challenges, highlighting AWWA's commitment to the future of the water industry. The Stantec Scholarship specifically aids students enrolled in research-focused programs, fostering the development of forward-thinking water treatment strategies.

The Dave Caldwell Scholarship, sponsored by the American Water Works Association, offers a $5,000 award to exceptional undergraduate or graduate students pursuing engineering degrees in the drinking water field. This competitive scholarship honors Dave Caldwell, co-founder of Brown & Caldwell, emphasizing the importance of fostering future talent in water infrastructure and habitat restoration. Eligible candidates include female and minority students committed to improving water systems and ensuring sustainable practices.

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is a nationally respected leader in charitable giving, dedicated to improving quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing philanthropy, educating and connecting donors to community needs, and leading on critical local issues. Founded in 1978 with a simple belief that charitable giving should be accessible to all, the Foundation has grown into one of the largest and most innovative public charities in the country, offering donor advised funds and other giving vehicles that make philanthropy convenient, efficient, and impactful. Today, it manages more than $7 billion in assets, administers over 7,000 charitable funds, and has distributed more than $8 billion in grants, consistently ranking among the top community foundations nationwide.

Kelly Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund

Kelly Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarship support to children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren of current Altec Industries employees who are pursuing an engineering degree at an accredited two year or four year college or university. Eligible applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll as full time students in an engineering program and meet academic requirements, including a minimum 3.5 high school GPA and qualifying ACT or SAT scores for U.S. students, or an 80 percent honours average for Canadian students. The scholarship supports both U.S. and Canadian applicants who meet eligibility criteria and are preparing for careers in engineering.

The Mark B. Holzman Scholarship, offered by the Delaware Community Foundation, provides a one-time award of $2,500 to eligible Delaware residents. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited undergraduate institution and been accepted into an accredited graduate program in fields such as medicine, law, or ministry. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing advanced degrees while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0. For more details, visit delcf.org/scholarships.

The Staff Research Program, initiated by the ARO, aims to enhance the professional skills of its scientific staff through collaborative basic research with external institutions. This program encourages hands-on scientific investigations in various fields, including engineering and life sciences, while ensuring the integrity of the ARO's mission. ARO scientists will not act as principal investigators on proposals but will contribute to research outcomes and educational activities, fostering knowledge advancement and collaboration.

The MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K99/R00) aims to enhance diversity in the biomedical sciences by supporting early career investigators from diverse backgrounds. This program facilitates the transition from mentored postdoctoral positions to independent faculty roles. Awardees will receive NIH research support and engage in professional development, mentoring, and networking activities to foster their competitive research careers, ultimately contributing to a more diverse scientific workforce in NIH mission areas.

The Russell Sage Foundation's Core Research Grants program focuses on Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration, aiming to foster interdisciplinary research on the changing demographics of the U.S. population. This initiative encourages innovative collaboration among social scientists to enhance research quality and support the ideals of a pluralistic society. By building on insights from previous programs, it seeks to address critical questions concerning race and ethnicity within the context of immigration.

The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) program aims to enhance diversity in the research workforce by supporting early career investigators from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative includes a K99/R00 career transition award for postdoctoral scholars and a UE5 cooperative agreement to foster mentoring, networking, and professional development. With multiple application deadlines from 2024 to 2027, MOSAIC is dedicated to facilitating successful transitions into tenure-track or equivalent research-intensive faculty roles.