Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

The Edwin R. Adland & Ruth H. Adland Scholarship, administered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, supports high school seniors from Rock Island County, Illinois, or Scott County, Iowa. With awards up to $5,000 annually, this need-based scholarship aims to assist students attending Augustana College, Iowa State University, or the University of Northern Iowa. Recipients must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and demonstrate good character to renew their scholarship for up to four years.

The Horsley Opportunity Scholarship Fund, administered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, provides need-based scholarships of up to $1,000 for Scott County, Iowa high school graduates. With a GPA requirement between 2.0 and 3.5, the scholarship especially encourages applications from nontraditional students and veterans. This initiative supports students in pursuing post-secondary education at community colleges, trade schools, or four-year institutions, contributing to over $600,000 awarded annually in scholarships.

The Inspire the Future Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, aims to support graduating high school seniors from Calumet County who have experienced foster care. Eligible students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrate a commitment to personal growth and academic success. This scholarship not only alleviates financial burdens for college or vocational training but also fosters a supportive community environment for those in need.

The Michael Jackson Scholarship, provided by the United Negro College Fund, offers up to $4,000 in financial assistance for Communication and Performing Arts students at UNCF-member colleges during the 2025-26 academic year. This one-time award aims to support students with financial needs, reflecting UNCF's commitment to enhancing minority education and fostering future leaders. With a history of over $5 billion in scholarships, UNCF continues to champion educational opportunities for thousands of students.

The OVC FY 2026 Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Human Trafficking aims to enhance the availability and quality of services for minor victims. This funding opportunity reflects the commitment of the U.S. Department of Justice to combat human trafficking and provide critical resources to support law enforcement and service organizations. Applications must be submitted in JustGrants by October 5, 2026, ensuring timely access to vital funding for enhancing victim support services.

The Honors Enrichment Travel Award (HETA) at Northeastern University supports students in attending domestic conferences, specifically targeting those with high financial need. This non-reimbursement award covers costs such as conference registration, hotel, and flights, up to $2000. Students are limited to one award per academic year and are encouraged to seek additional funding. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with specific deadlines for submitting requests based on travel needs.

The Saw Island Foundation provides Social Change, Faith-Based, and Special Grants to nonprofit organizations focused on community betterment. They support initiatives that enhance economic security and promote Christian education. While active engagement is primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, they welcome extraordinary projects aligned with their mission. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. The foundation does not fund individual grants, political activities, or lobbying efforts.

The Warren L. and Florence W. Calvert Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 1974, supports deserving geological students pursuing graduate studies in Economic Geology. Awarded first in 1978, the fund is sustained by contributions from HGS members and investment returns. Recipients, selected based on academic merit and endorsements from Earth Science professionals, must carry a minimum of 9 credit hours and can renew for subsequent years with satisfactory progress.

The NSF MPS Chemistry Research Programs support groundbreaking research in chemical sciences, encompassing areas such as chemical catalysis, measurement, imaging, and theory. This initiative encourages innovative proposals that can lead to transformative advancements, without the necessity of immediate commercial applications. Researchers interested in exploring foundational concepts that could shape the future of chemistry are invited to submit their ideas for funding.

This funding opportunity aims to support innovative mechanistic research that enhances precision probiotic therapies. It encourages studies that identify person-specific features influencing probiotic responses, focusing on the variability among individuals. The goal is to develop strategies to improve probiotic clinical outcomes by understanding the biological patterns linked to probiotic effectiveness. Applications should demonstrate rigorous mechanistic studies and preliminary data supporting the correlation between host biology and probiotic response.

Dresser-Rand Employees Scholarship

This Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who are the children of employees of Dresser-Rand/Siemens Energy. Employees must have been Olean-based employees as of February 2, 2020 with at least 12 months of service.

The Community Foundation of Grant County offers over 120 scholarship opportunities for U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens pursuing higher education at accredited institutions. With more than $1 million awarded annually, the foundation supports students of all backgrounds and academic abilities. Scholarships are competitive and aimed at covering qualified educational expenses, including tuition and fees. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate on proposals, enhancing community impact through education and development.

Laurie Anzivine Memorial Scholarship

First preference for a graduating high school senior from any high school in Cattaraugus County, second preference for a graduating senior from any high school within a 30-mile radius of Olean, NY, who will be attending a four-year college and who has had an immediate family member or guardian who has gone through cancer treatment. The student must be in good academic standing. Financial need is not a factor. The applicant must submit an essay of no more than 350 words explaining what the student learned from his/her family member or guardian who struggled with cancer and the impact it left on him/her and what advice the student would give to someone else who may face the same situation.

The National Geographic Content Scholarship, offered by the United Negro College Fund, supports juniors and seniors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Recipients receive a $10,000 award and participate in a one-week immersion program with National Geographic, gaining valuable industry experience and mentorship. This program seeks passionate individuals interested in creative storytelling and environmental advocacy, promoting diversity and inclusion within the media field.

The OVC FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking aims to enhance victim service programs across the United States. This initiative supports victims by providing critical services to address their diverse needs, including mental health support and assistance with legal challenges. By funding comprehensive programs, the Office for Victims of Crime seeks to combat human trafficking effectively and promote recovery for affected individuals, ensuring their rights and well-being are prioritized.

The Lemelson Foundation Grant supports initiatives in invention education and entrepreneurship, aiming to empower young inventors and foster innovation. With over $300 million provided since its inception, the Foundation focuses on strengthening ecosystems for invention in the U.S. and developing countries. Organizations interested in aligning with their mission are encouraged to take an eligibility quiz and submit inquiries through their contact form. This commitment is crucial for driving impactful solutions to global challenges.

Siouxland Community Foundation

Our Mission

The Siouxland Community Foundation strives to enhance the quality of life in the greater Siouxland tri-state area by seeking charitable gifts to build permanent endowments as charitable capital for the community, providing a flexible vehicle to receive and distribute gifts of any size, making grants in response to community needs, and providing services that will help shape the well-being of Siouxland.

Junior League Mildred Anderson Community Grant Program

The purpose of the Junior League of Sioux City is to address community needs through the participation of trained volunteers. Thanks to a generous gift, the Junior League of Sioux City has been able to financially support short-term community need projects through the Mildred Anderson Community Grants program since 1990. Funds are distributed through a competitive application process.

The Alternative Fuel Foundation Grant aims to support educational institutions in developing programs focused on renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Grants typically range from $250 to $500, with larger amounts considered on a case-by-case basis. Eligible applicants include public or private K-12 schools and universities. The foundation encourages projects that promote alternative fuels and community involvement, with a preference for initiatives that can be completed within a year.

The NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24) supports mid-career health-professional doctorates by providing protected time for patient-oriented research (POR). This grant also enables recipients to serve as research mentors for clinical residents, fellows, and junior faculty. Key deadlines for applications span from June 2024 to February 2027, ensuring ample opportunities for interested applicants to engage in impactful research and mentoring.

The Enhancing Student Mathematics Learning through the Use of Tools and Technology Grants, provided by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, aim to promote innovative technology use in teaching mathematics to Pre-K-12 students. These grants encourage proposals that focus on enhancing students' understanding of math concepts through various tools, including professional development for educators. Eligible applicants include current math teachers and full-time coaches, with a focus on impactful evaluation plans.

The ISF Public Interest Legal Fellowship empowers American Muslims by providing opportunities in public interest law. This fellowship offers a salary of $70,000, professional development workshops, and mentorship to help fellows advance their careers. Applicants must be active members of the Muslim community, have graduated from law school within the last three years, and have secured a host organization for their project proposal. This initiative aims to increase representation and influence in policy-making.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is seeking applications for research coordination and data support under the Health and Extreme Weather initiative. This funding opportunity aims to engage NIH grantees and the broader community by sharing best practices, developing training resources, and facilitating access to health and environmental data. The initiative will enhance collaboration, reduce duplication, and promote data standards to support impactful research and infrastructure activities.

Stanislaus Community Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals. We believe that by investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter future for Stanislaus. 

Turlock Irrigation District Energy Scholarship

Open to high school seniors attending a high school within the TID District territory planning to pursue a career in the Energy Utility Sector. (i.e. Engineering, Environmental Science, Electrical, Lineman etc.). Must plan to attend an accredited trade school or college/university and demonstrate financial need. The household must be a TID customer.

Award Amount:

• $2,500

The Genesis Mission by the DOE aims to transform science and energy through AI by inviting interdisciplinary teams to tackle significant challenges in energy, environment, and nuclear sectors. With multiple deadlines for FY26 Phase I and II applications, the initiative encourages leveraging diverse scientific resources to enhance R&D workflows. Successful proposals could integrate AI advancements into the American Science Cloud, fostering innovation in critical areas like advanced manufacturing and quantum information science.

The ROSES 2025: D.4 program by NASA focuses on enhancing theoretical and computational astrophysics through collaborative networks. It aims to address grand challenges in Time Domain Multi-Messenger Astrophysics by integrating diverse expertise from various fields. Researchers from U.S. institutions are encouraged to propose innovative tools for modeling complex multi-messenger phenomena, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across academic, national laboratory, and private sectors to prepare the next generation of scientists.

The Neag Foundation Grant aims to foster positive change in education, healthcare, and the arts. Supporting initiatives in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, the foundation focuses on enhancing educational opportunities, advancing healthcare interventions, and promoting the arts and humanities. By encouraging innovative projects that receive community support, it seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals and families. Organizations with a 501(c)(3) status are encouraged to apply for funding opportunities that align with these goals.

The North Lee Community Foundation Grant provides funding up to $5,000 to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Lee County, Iowa. This grant supports projects in arts, culture, education, health, and community betterment, emphasizing practical solutions and community engagement. Eligible organizations can apply for recurring grants but must submit one application per year. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate community impact, leadership development, and collaboration among diverse groups.