Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

The Dr. Horacio R. Villarreal Scholarship Fund aims to enhance the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by supporting current college students pursuing careers in the medical field. Funded by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, this scholarship is available to juniors and seniors from specific counties with a minimum GPA of 3.0, providing essential financial assistance to future healthcare professionals.

The Jalufka - Patricia Jalufka Endowed Scholarship, offered by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, aims to enhance educational opportunities for high school and college students from the Coastal Bend. This scholarship targets those majoring in Education, particularly in teaching reading or diagnosing reading disabilities, providing support to foster academic excellence and community development.

The Pethoud Scholarship, offered by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, awards two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors of Beatrice High School. One scholarship is designated for a student who has played softball for at least two years, while the second is for a senior aspiring to enter the medical field. Both candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, ensuring support for deserving students pursuing higher education.

The Bobo Kochevar Scholarship Fund, under the Boreal Waters Community Foundation, aims to support Rockridge High School graduates pursuing post-secondary education. This fund empowers students to achieve their academic goals in vocational, technical, or four-year college programs, fostering community development across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. By investing in the education of local youth, the scholarship contributes to vibrant, sustainable communities and supports initiatives that enhance educational opportunities and cultural preservation.

The Dermatology Foundation offers Career Development Awards to support the academic growth of emerging investigators in various dermatologic fields. With an annual stipend of $55,000, these awards foster research addressing significant health issues, including public health, diversity, and women's health. Eligible applicants must demonstrate strong institutional support and meet specific educational requirements. The awards can be renewed for up to three years, contingent on the recipient's progress and commitment to advancing dermatological science.

The Medical Student Research Supplement Award by the Dermatology Foundation supports medical students' research in dermatology, encouraging diversity and inclusion. This award offers $5,000 for direct research expenses, fostering the involvement of full-time students from underrepresented backgrounds. Eligible applicants must be current or former DF career development awardees and must recruit medical students pursuing MD or DO degrees who meet specific academic criteria. The award enhances research participation and strengthens the academic workforce in dermatology.

The Council of Independent Colleges

Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.

CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility.

NetVUE Grant Programs

NetVUE offers a variety of grants to member institutions, supporting programming for students and professional development for faculty members and staff. Grants support projects ranging from one to four years in length. Grant programs are tailored to differing circumstances among member institutions, including their particular areas of interest, their bandwidth and capacity for administering projects, and the depth of their previous engagement with vocational exploration and discernment. NetVUE grants are administered by the Council of Independent Colleges, with generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc.

NetVUE Professional Development Awards

Colleges and universities that are members of NetVUE are committed to campus activities that encourage vocational exploration by students. Many NetVUE campus leaders have observed, however, that supplemental funding at even modest levels to support opportunities for the professional development of staff and faculty members would enable their institutions to strengthen vocational exploration programming. In an era of careful institutional budgeting, institutional operating funds are not always available for such professional development opportunities. NetVUE Professional Development Awards seek to address this need.

NetVUE Professional Development Awards may be requested for use over one year for professional development activities that enhance the knowledge, skills, and expertise of faculty and staff members who play important roles in undergraduate vocational initiatives. The purpose of this grant is to develop campus conversations about vocation and to deepen the capacity of those who lead vocational exploration efforts at NetVUE member institutions. A special initiative within this grant, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion, allows for proposals of up to $25,000.

Funds may be used for a range of purposes, but not to substitute for faculty and staff costs that the institution is presently providing for its vocational exploration activities. Grant funds could, for example, support reading groups, faculty/staff retreats, or bringing speakers to campus; funds may be used to provide materials, pay expenses for travel and/or meals, and offer modest stipends.

The Mcnenny, George W. Scholarship offers a $500 award to graduating seniors from Beatrice High School pursuing careers in art or architecture. Established by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, this scholarship requires high academic achievement and exemplary citizenship, along with a faculty recommendation. The Foundation, founded in 1987, provides financial support to enhance educational opportunities within the Beatrice School District, managing a $3.8 million Endowment Fund to grant over $55,000 annually in scholarships.

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 Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program enhances rural healthcare access by establishing sustainable residency programs for physicians. Focused on training in accredited rural settings, the program addresses physician shortages by providing start-up funding for various medical specialties, including family medicine and psychiatry. This initiative aims to ensure long-term sustainability through stable funding sources like Medicare and Medicaid, ultimately preparing physicians to serve rural communities effectively.

The Meyer Family Positive Outcomes Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, supports students in the Dubuque area who are affiliated with the Boys & Girls Club. The fund aims to honor the Meyer family's dedication to local youth by providing financial assistance for educational opportunities, including tuition, training programs, and essential materials for trade-specific education. Awards can be renewed annually based on submitted applications, ensuring continued support for deserving students.

The Cancer Research Education Grants Program (R25) aims to enhance research education in areas crucial to the NIH mission. This program supports innovative courses that develop skills in cancer research, covering topics such as prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Grant applications are encouraged to be creative and state-of-the-art, addressing the needs of patients and their families. Key deadlines for applications span from January 2024 to September 2026, ensuring ongoing support for educational initiatives.

The Sanofi-Regeneron Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mid-Career Award, funded by the Dermatology Foundation, supports exceptional researchers committed to addressing dermatological issues affecting underrepresented groups. Offering $100,000 annually for up to three years, this award emphasizes projects that enhance understanding and improve health equity in dermatology. Eligibility includes a strong research commitment, relevant training, and a faculty appointment within 12 years of becoming an Assistant Professor. It encourages minority applicants to foster diversity in medical research.

The Masonic Scholarship, offered by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, provides a $500 award to graduating seniors of Beatrice High School. This scholarship recognizes good citizenship and moral character without requiring academic standing or financial need. It can be used at any accredited institution of higher learning, with a preference given to children of Masons or members of Jobs Daughters and Demoley. This initiative supports students aiming to further their education.

The African-American Community Foundation - Robert S. Early, Sr. Memorial Youth Scholarship, established in 2017 by the Roosevelt High School Class of 1968, supports African-American graduates from Montgomery County high schools. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be accepted into an accredited college or vocational program. The scholarship emphasizes participation in sports, particularly golf, baseball, or softball, honoring Robert S. Early's legacy as a dedicated community member and scholar.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Quintin & Alice Linn ScholarshipThe Linn Fund is a scholarship, created in 2022, to support Marion County students pursing degrees and careers in economics, finance, mathematics, and statistics.

The African-American Community Foundation offers the Pearl A. Dale and Audrey Parker Scholarship to support students who demonstrate resilience and academic achievement. Established by The Dayton Foundation, this scholarship honors the legacy of Pearl Dale, who overcame significant barriers in her education. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, score at least 21 on the ACT, and demonstrate financial need. This initiative fosters educational opportunities for African-American students, ensuring they have the resources to succeed.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Cornell Goodman Scholarship

Adam and Gina Goodman created this scholarship fund in 2011 to honor the memory of Adam’s grandfathers Maurice V. Cornell and Bertram Goodman, longtime residents of the Marion area.

Maurice (1912-2001) was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School and The Ohio State University. He held membership in Lombda Chi Alpha fraternity, Elks Lodge #32, 32nd degree Mason, Rotary, First Presbyterian Church, the Marion Country Club, and Symposiarchs. He served in the US Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He was vice president of Marion Power Shovel for eight years and retired as the regional manager of Bucyrus-Erie Co. after 10 years.

Bertram (1921-2003) was an orthodontist in Marion from 1946-1980. He was a US Navy veteran who served in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Marion Lions Club and Temple Israel.

The scholarship supports students who have attended a high school in Marion County. The fund gives special consideration to students pursuing a college degree in a business-oriented field, such as accounting, economics, finance, or marketing. Recipients must rank in the upper 25th percentile of their high school graduating class, or, if in college, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. McBride Family Scholarship

Created in memory of the late Doris Elaine McBride (1928-2022), the McBride Family Scholarship Fund was created by Russ & Marilyn McBride in 2023.  Applicant should have attended any Marion County high school and will major in education, medicine, or health care.

The Om & Shanti Scholarship, funded by the Communities Foundation of Texas, offers four-year awards of up to $6,000 annually for graduating high school seniors from public high schools in Dallas or Collin Counties. Applicants are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and preference is given to those pursuing a degree at an accredited Texas institution. This initiative aims to support local students in their educational aspirations.

The African-American Community Foundation - Paul R. and Frieda M. Miller Memorial Scholarship, managed by The Dayton Foundation, offers financial support to African-American high school seniors in Montgomery County planning to attend historically Black colleges. This scholarship honors the legacy of educators Paul R. and Frieda M. Miller, aiming to promote educational success. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate financial need, with preference for those majoring in education.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Max Ross Memorial ScholarshipThe Max Ross Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2018, shortly after his passing, by his family to support Marion students pursuing degrees in the field of education. Max was well known in Marion, having served as Marion County Sheriff, educator, businessman, and coach.

The Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages LLC Scholarship, offered by Communities Foundation of Texas, awards up to $5,000 to dependents of full-time Coca-Cola employees pursuing higher education in the U.S. Eligible applicants include high school seniors, college students, and graduate students with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Scholarships can be renewed annually for up to four years, providing ongoing support for education. Note that dependents of Executive Leadership Team members are not eligible.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Marion Music Club ScholarshipMarion Music Club , which has existed for more than 100 years (formerly known as the Marion Lecture and Recital Club), is open to anyone who loves music and supports the performing arts in Marion. Members range in age from 20-80 and includes those active with the Marion Area Orchestra, Marion Concert Band, area music stores, and private teachers, as well as students. They offer monthly programs for the community, including musical arts, poetry, theater, dance, instrumentals, and history — both live and via their YouTube channel. The Club encourages the arts in Marion by supporting the Palace Cultural Arts Association and Marion Civic Chorus.

The Shell Creek Watershed Scholarship, offered by the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, awards three $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from specific high schools in the Shell Creek Watershed Monitoring Program. Eligible students must have completed at least one year in the program and plan to pursue studies in science or natural resources. The scholarship is disbursed in two installments, contingent upon maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0 in college.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. David K. Rogers Memorial ScholarshipThe David K. Rogers Memorial Scholarship Fund at Marion Community Foundation migrated from an existing scholarship fund at the former Marion Catholic High School, created shortly after the unexpected death of David K. Rogers.Created by David’s parents, Judge Richard and Sophie Rogers, the fund gives special consideration for an annual scholarship award to students who are active members of St. Mary Church. Exemplary character is a major consideration in the selection of recipients for this scholarship.