Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

The Bristol Bay Foundation offers a Higher Education Scholarship Program supporting both full-time and part-time students pursuing 4-year or advanced degrees. Eligible applicants must be shareholders of the BBNC or their descendants, have a high school diploma or GED, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Scholarships are based on academic performance and life experiences, with applications due in April for the next academic year.

Crown Castle Scholarship

Benefiting Crown Castle interns OR dependents of Crown Castle employees.

Award Amount

• Three (3) scholarships awarded annually
• $10,000 divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters
• Recipients may reapply for up to 3 consecutive years.

What can this scholarship be used for?

• The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student's college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses.
• Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.

The $20,000 Nevins Teaching and Clinical Research Fellowship, offered by the American Academy of Periodontology, aims to support emerging periodontal educators facing educational debt. This fellowship is awarded over two years, providing $10,000 annually to assist with income alongside full-time academic teaching roles. Eligible candidates include board-certified periodontal educators with one to five years of teaching experience in U.S. programs, selected through a competitive application and interview process.

AΩA is committed to preparing future leaders in medicine and health care. Leadership is about making a positive difference and can be developed through education, observation, experience, and by working with leader mentors. Service learning provides excellent opportunities for students to develop as servant leaders. Only one team from each school may be nominated.

The Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award, funded by the American Academy of Periodontology, honors outstanding research in periodontal regeneration. With a $10,000 scholarship, it is open to second- and third-year residents or recent graduates in accredited periodontal programs who have contributed original research. Applicants must be AAP members and U.S. citizens or permanent residents, aiming to advance clinical therapies in periodontics. This award commemorates Dr. Jo Rummelhart's legacy and the impact of her work in the field.

The Robert S. Schoor Research Award Program, supported by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, offers a $2,000 annual award for resident-written manuscripts in periodontology. It encourages significant research topics related to clinical practice, honoring Robert S. Schoor, DDS, a leader in periodontal education. Full-time residents in accredited US periodontal programs are eligible to apply, with co-applications accepted under certain conditions. Manuscripts should be suitable for submission to the Journal of Periodontology.

The American Institute of Physics offers Grants-in-Aid to support research in the history of the physical sciences. Aimed primarily at graduate students, the program also welcomes applications from undergraduates, postdoctoral researchers, and established scholars. Grants up to $2,500 are provided on a reimbursement basis for expenses such as travel and research assistance. Applications for research conducted globally are encouraged, including visits to the Niels Bohr Library & Archives.

The Patty & Paul Levi Research Award, administered by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, offers a $5,000 grant to support research in periodontics. This award is specifically for predoctoral dental students who have a mentor from a periodontal faculty. Applications may be submitted after graduation if the research was conducted during their predoctoral studies, but immediate family of board members are ineligible.

The Dr. Colin Richman and Family Perio.-Ortho. Interface Award fosters innovative research at the intersection of orthodontics and periodontology, addressing critical issues such as alveolar bone deficiencies and airway management. Annually, $20,000-$40,000 will be awarded to support clinical or basic science research aimed at enhancing patient outcomes through collaborative treatments. This grant aims to complement existing institutional support rather than replace it, ensuring that groundbreaking research in this field continues to thrive.

The AAP Teaching Fellowships, funded by a $1 million commitment from the American Academy of Periodontology, aim to support early-career periodontal educators by providing $25,000 in debt relief. These fellowships are available to qualified faculty within their first three years of full-time teaching at U.S. periodontal training institutions. Each Teaching Fellow receives $5,000 annually for five years, contingent upon continued teaching. Interviews for finalists will occur during the AAP Annual Meeting at their own expense.

The Kramer Scholar Award for Excellence, funded by the American Academy of Periodontology, offers a $10,000 scholarship to outstanding third-year students enrolled in accredited U.S. periodontal graduate programs. Selection is based on academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership, and community involvement. Finalists must present their application research at the AAP Annual Meeting. This prestigious award aims to encourage excellence in periodontics through support and recognition of dedicated students.

OREF/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Research Grant

Solicits investigator-initiated proposals focusing on research in the science of biologic – reconstruction, bone regeneration, transplantation - allografts, and including stem cells for graft transplantation.

The Charles W. Finley Visiting Scholar Education Grants, established by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, honor Dr. Finley's legacy by providing $2,000 grants to accredited U.S. periodontal programs. These funds support honoraria, travel, and seminars featuring prominent speakers in periodontology, requiring matching funds from the institutions. The grant also mandates a formal presentation to the entire dental school, fostering educational opportunities for students and faculty alike.

The Dr. Mark K. Setter Leadership in Periodontology and Dental Implantology Award honors the legacy of Dr. Mark Setter, a distinguished figure in periodontology. Established by the AAP Foundation, this annual $10,000 award recognizes a full-time periodontal resident who exemplifies exceptional leadership qualities in promoting periodontology and dental implantology. The recipient is selected based on their impact on peers and the community, underscoring the importance of mentorship and the advancement of the field.

Patrick J. Kiley / Houston AGC Scholarship

Benefiting employees, dependents of employees, and/or interns of AGC Houston member firms OR students involved in AGC Student Chapters.

Award Amounts

Multiple awards are given each year. Scholarship award amounts will vary for each selected scholarship recipient.

The Carl J. Niedzial Memorial Scholarship, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation in 1923, supports members of the CT State Police Credit Union and their immediate families, including grandchildren. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region, the foundation aims to help students achieve their college education dreams by addressing critical community issues and fostering equitable outcomes.

The Bridget McCabe Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, aims to support students at any life stage who demonstrate a passion for learning. With an annual award of up to $1,000, this non-renewable scholarship encourages applicants with a minimum 2.5 GPA who have graduated from a high school in Southern Arizona. The initiative reflects a commitment to nurturing future leaders and ensuring access to education for deserving students.

The Persbacker Family Fund Scholarship, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation, is dedicated to residents of Bridgewater who have volunteered significantly in their community for over six years. This scholarship aims to support local students in achieving their college education dreams. With awards starting at $2,500, the foundation continues its legacy of fostering educational opportunities for deserving students in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region.

Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa Challenge Grant

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a devastating chronic inflammatory disease that manifests as recurrent painful nodules under the skin in the intertriginous areas of the body. It is associated with significant impacts on quality of life, psychosocial well-being, and long-term health outcomes of patients as well as consequences for families and caregivers. HS is prevalent, affecting between 1 and 4% of the population beginning in adolescence and persisting into adulthood. Despite the impact of HS, it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied particularly in the pediatric and adolescent populations. Contributing to this dynamic are unknowns related to a complex disease etiology, stigma associated with HS symptoms (e.g., sweating, itching, and scarring commonly in the genital region), and limited treatment options to date with even fewer available for children under the age of 12.

To address the needs of children and adolescents living with HS, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), HS Connect, and the HS Foundation are offering the 2026 Pediatric HS Challenge Grant to support an early-to-mid career investigator for a one-year project focused on a high-priority, patient-centric research topic.

Focus

Proposals should address one or more of the following high-priority research topics:

• Predicting treatment effectiveness and risk utilizing real world evidence and/or experience
• Early disease and factors involved in severe disease development
• Optimizing surgical and procedural approaches to minimize pain, shorten healing time, and reduce recurrence
• Improving recruitment of diverse and representative populations for clinical studies, trials and advanced therapeutics

Funding:

• Up to $50,000 to support one year of research
• One award anticipated for this funding cycle

The Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department Memorial Scholarship, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation, supports college-bound students from Roxbury, offering a $2000 award. This scholarship prioritizes current or former members of the Roxbury Fire Department and their descendants, promoting educational opportunities for those committed to serving their community. With a legacy dating back to 1923, the Foundation plays a vital role in enhancing the educational landscape in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region.

The Sergeant Felix M. DelGreco, Jr. Scholarship, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students who are children of current CT Army National Guard members. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region, the Foundation aims to help students achieve their educational dreams through generous donor contributions. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering educational opportunities and supporting military families within the community.

The Splendido Residents Association Scholarships aim to support students in Southern Arizona by providing financial assistance for educational pursuits. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have worked at least 12 hours weekly for six months. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $13,000 based on school type and enrollment status. Recipients can reapply for up to four years, ensuring ongoing support for their academic journeys.

The Rosa Louise Parks Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, aims to support students in financial need who demonstrate the potential for academic success. This unique scholarship, named after the civil rights icon, is dedicated to high school graduates from Southern Arizona, ensuring that they have the necessary resources to pursue higher education and become future leaders. It exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to fostering educational aspirations within the community.

The Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation (CSSI) program by the National Science Foundation aims to provide flexible funding opportunities to address evolving needs in cyberinfrastructure. It supports various award classes, including Elements for small groups, Framework Implementations for larger interdisciplinary teams, and Transition to Sustainability for established CI projects. These initiatives focus on developing integrated CI services, ensuring sustainable impact, and promoting collaboration across scientific disciplines to enhance research and innovation.

The Limited Competition: Biomedical Research Environment & Sponsored Programs Administration Development (BRE-SPAD) Program aims to enhance the research capacity of resource-limited institutions. By focusing on essential areas like biomedical research environment and sponsored programs administration, this initiative seeks to foster rigorous and reproducible biomedical research. Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit proposals addressing their specific needs, thereby expanding the pool of qualified researchers and strengthening the settings for NIH-funded research.

Nestlé Purina offers pet food donations and disaster relief primarily to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt pet welfare organizations in the U.S. Their commitment includes supplying food and litter to over 900 organizations, reflecting their dedication to the well-being of pets and communities. Purina also assists during natural disasters, providing essential support to pets in distress. Organizations interested must ensure eligibility and can expect a decision within 10 business days after application submission.

Michigan Sugar Company

Since our founding, more than a century ago, when six independent sugarbeet companies merged, Michigan Sugar Company has perfected the process of turning one of the region’s largest cash crops—the sugarbeet—into pure, all-natural sugar.

Today, Michigan Sugar Company is the third largest beet sugar processor in the United States, producing an annual average of about 1.3 billion pounds of sugar.

Michigan Sugar Company is proud to offer several scholarships to students in our sugarbeet growing areas. 

Michigan Sugar Festival Queen Scholarship

The Michigan Sugar Festival Queen Program, managed by the Sebewaing Chamber of Commerce and Festival Committee and sponsored in part by Michigan Sugar Company, celebrates and promotes the sugarbeet industry. This scholarship is designed for candidates with strong ties to Michigan sugarbeet farming, reflecting the importance of industry connection and representation.

All contestants will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Michigan Sugar Festival.

Contest winners will be required to attend a certain number of parades, events, and social commitments requested by Michigan Sugar Festival Committee. In addition, the following year’s Michigan Sugar Queen Interview Day, Michigan Sugar Queen Crowning Event, the Michigan Sugar Festival Grand Parade as the past year’s queen and court, along with parades in Bay, Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola Counties.

Recommendations in support of applications could be from teachers, counselors, pastor, employer, or other respected business officials.