Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

The Howard D. Colman Scholarship supports high school seniors from Boone and Winnebago Counties pursuing degrees in engineering or technology fields. Established in memory of entrepreneur Howard D. Colman, the scholarship offers $2,500 in the first year, with potential renewal up to $10,000 for three additional years, contingent on meeting criteria. Recipients gain hands-on experience through internships with local firms, fostering connections to the Rockford area.

The Eppley Foundation for Research, established in 1947, supports advanced scientific research in chemistry, physics, and biology. It prioritizes innovative studies, particularly in medical investigations and climate change. The foundation does not fund social sciences or projects with ample existing financial support. Applicants must hold a PhD or MD and be associated with a nonprofit in the US. The foundation aims to foster groundbreaking research that is unlikely to be replicated elsewhere.

The Story County Community Foundation offers the McCallsburg, Iowa Legacy Grant to enhance community well-being. This grant is aimed at nonprofit organizations and government entities in McCallsburg, focusing on projects that directly benefit local residents. Funding is subject to the available balance of the McCallsburg Legacy Fund. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that promote art, education, health, and community welfare while fostering an inclusive environment. For inquiries regarding eligibility and funding amounts, contact the Foundation directly.

The Stout Foundation Grant supports organizations aligned with the values of its founder, Mr. Stout. Grants are awarded exclusively to entities with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and focus on charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. Preference is given to organizations with low overhead costs and those located in areas frequented by Foundation members. The Foundation aims to promote effective use of funds while remaining flexible in its grant-making approach.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Senior Master Sergeant Texie C. Taylor, USAF Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be a junior or senior undergraduate or graduate student majoring in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, nursing (RN), engineering (aerospace, civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical) or mathematics with a minimum 3.0 GPA. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area.

The Ackley Community Foundation Grants, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aims to enhance the quality of life for residents of Ackley, Iowa. By providing financial support for various projects in arts, education, health, and community betterment, the foundation fosters a vibrant community. With a focus on sustainability, the foundation prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate broad community support and effective collaboration among local organizations, ensuring impactful and lasting improvements.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association

The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association provides the best way for practitioners to give back to the Federal legal community. Chartered by Congress in 1954, the Foundation serves people in communities across the United States through its generous grants, scholarships, and programming.

Our Mission: The Foundation’s mission is to:

• Promote and support legal research and education;
• Advance the science of jurisprudence;
• Facilitate the administration of justice;
• Foster improvements in the practice of Federal law

Foundation Grants

Foundation grants support community service projects and civics programs which comply with the Foundation’s mission to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law.

Civics Education Grant

The Civics Grant Program is designed to support projects and initiatives that promote a wider public understanding of democratic principles, the judicial system and the rule of law. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity), and other organizations to develop and support projects in their communities that foster public understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, particularly among younger Americans.

Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.

Bravo Greater Des Moines offers Operating Grants to support the essential administrative expenses of nonprofit cultural organizations in the Greater Des Moines area. This funding is crucial for enhancing the region's arts, culture, and heritage, helping to elevate the community's vibrancy. Returning applicants must complete an interest form, while new applicants are required to meet with Bravo staff prior to applying. The program aims to maximize the impact of arts and culture in the region.

The Community Foundation of Jackson County Grants aim to enhance the quality of life for all residents by supporting innovative projects that address significant community issues. They focus on sustainable solutions that benefit diverse groups, including the underserved. Grants are available for initiatives in areas such as community development, education, health services, and the arts, encouraging collaboration to maximize impact and efficiency. This foundation plays a vital role in fostering community growth and resilience.

The Amgen Foundation Inc focuses on non-healthcare donations and sponsorships that target humanitarian, social, educational, and community programs. They offer support to organizations outside the U.S. healthcare community, particularly those recognized as tax-exempt public charities. Eligible organizations must serve specific Amgen communities throughout the U.S. This initiative aims to enhance health outcomes and address critical societal needs, thereby reducing the burden of disease and improving lives.

The Ida B. Wells Graduate Student Fellowship, offered by the Coordinating Council for Women in History, provides a $1000 award to graduate students working on dissertations that explore themes of race and gender. This fellowship supports crucial stages of research or writing for students across various disciplines, not limited to history departments. It aims to foster inclusive scholarship and advance the representation of women in historical studies, encouraging emerging scholars to engage with these vital topics.

The Dubuque Racing Association Core Grants aim to enhance community betterment through non-profit initiatives focused on population growth and tourism. These grants prioritize capacity building alongside material purchases, supporting organizations that align with the mission to foster economic vitality in the tri-state area. Eligible applicants include non-profits with specific IRS designations, emphasizing projects that strengthen local resources and improve quality of life while adhering to strict funding guidelines.

The Hagerstown Garden Club Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, supports Washington County residents pursuing education in horticulture. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors and current college students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This scholarship honors the legacy of the Hagerstown Garden Club and is part of a broader initiative to enhance community life through educational opportunities, fostering both personal and professional growth in the horticultural field.

Alliance for Social Trust: Trust in Practice Awards

Trust is the foundation of vibrant, resilient communities and healthy civic life. Across the country, local and national organizations are demonstrating the profound ways trust shapes our collective well-being—strengthening relationships between neighbors, cultivating confidence in institutions, and enabling people to work together to solve shared challenges. These efforts are often rooted in the knowledge and leadership of those closest to the work. 

The Trust in Practice Awards support non-profit organizations that are collaborating on new initiatives to build trust across local or virtual communities. Grantees will be part of a national network dedicated to fostering trust through the Alliance for Social Trust’s programs and storytelling platforms. Award recipients will also participate in the annual Trust in Practice Summit to celebrate the work of trust builders.

The Andrea Wagner Women in Science Scholarship Fund, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, offers financial support to female students in the region pursuing degrees in math, chemistry, physics, engineering, or biology. To qualify, applicants must be residents of the Berkshire Taconic region, enrolled as freshmen, sophomores, or juniors at a four-year college, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3. This initiative aims to empower women in science and foster educational advancement.

The River Bluff Community Foundation Grant supports nonprofits enhancing the quality of life in Clinton and Camanche. With awards ranging from $500 to $5,000, the Foundation is eager to fund innovative ideas or existing programs in health, education, community development, and the arts. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and partners with fiscal sponsors. The Foundation excludes funding for individuals, endowment funds, and deficit financing, encouraging impactful community initiatives.

The Guido's Fresh Marketplace Scholarship Fund, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, honors the legacy of Guido Masiero, a dedicated educator and entrepreneur. This scholarship aims to support graduating high school students from public schools in Pittsfield, Lenox, or Great Barrington, Massachusetts, who are pursuing higher education in physical education, health, wellness, or business studies. The fund reflects the foundation's mission to enhance community opportunities and economic mobility.

The C Spire Wireless Foundation provides sponsorships primarily focused on STEM education, aiming to enhance digital literacy and workforce development in underserved communities. Organizations eligible for support must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities dedicated to these educational initiatives. Preference is given to projects based in the foundation's service region. Proposals should be submitted at least 90 days prior to events for consideration, with a review process taking two to three weeks.

The C Spire Wireless Foundation Grant supports STEM education initiatives in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. Aimed at 501(c)(3) organizations, it focuses on projects that enhance digital literacy, technology skills, and workforce development. With a commitment to community transformation, the foundation prioritizes local projects that improve tech education and broadband access, creating a stronger future for the region. Applications must be submitted 150 days before the event, with a review period of up to four weeks.

About The Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is a community-based social impact investor whose mission is to engage, invest, and lead—working toward a vision of community vibrancy with opportunity for all. Our team of experienced staff and dedicated trustees is committed to boldly leading and supporting transformational community investments. We channel charitable contributions from donors through nonprofit partners that are meeting current community needs and steward community resources responsibly to ensure greater capacity for the future.

No organization has all the answers, but together, with our partners and donors, we have the means and the will to chart a new course—one that will build upon generations of philanthropy and strengthen the fabric of Herkimer and Oneida counties.

Adirondack Construction Scholarship

A scholarship established by Adirondack Construction in Vernon to support the future career goals of students pursuing business or construction management.

CTSGC Faculty-Student Research Grant

To encourage undergraduate student engagement in the research process, NASA CTSGC has created a Student-Faculty Research Grant. This grant will enable undergraduate students to gain meaningful research experience in NASA CTSGC Affiliate research laboratories in areas consistent with the mission of NASA as exemplified by its Mission Directorates. They are Aeronautics Research, Human Exploration and Operations, Science, and Space Technology.

The award will support two undergraduate students (one from a 4-year institution and the other from a community college) with a stipend and provide a small stipend for the faculty advisor. If the research is happening over the summer, the project should span a minimum of 8-weeks in length, where students work full-time on the project. If the project is to be completed during the academic year, students and PI must present a plan to obtain approximately 320 hours of commitment to the project.

Award Information 

Refer to the NASA CTSGC website for the amount and number of awards available each program year. Since this is an institutional award, a subcontract for each lead institution will be executed.

Fund Distribution 

Awarded funds will be made available upon completion and execution of a subaward agreement between the awardee's institution and the University of Hartford. Award funds will be distributed to the recipient institution, which shall administer the award in accordance with its internal policies governing grants and sponsored programs.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers training programs through the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) to enhance special education research. For FY 2027, the focus is on Methods Training, particularly on analyzing large datasets related to learners with disabilities. This initiative supports early career researchers and current education researchers in developing rigorous methodologies to address significant educational challenges, aiming to inform policy and practice in special education.

The Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) Program aims to support federally recognized AI/AN Tribes and organizations in developing a workforce of researchers focused on AI/AN health disparities. This initiative, funded by the NIH, provides phased support for training and mentoring activities that equip individuals with the necessary skills to conduct culturally responsible biomedical research, ultimately guiding them towards successful careers in the biomedical research field.

The Urban Indian Health Program - Education & Research collaborates with the US Dept. of Health & Human Services to enhance educational and research opportunities for urban Indian populations. This initiative aims to address health disparities and ensure that urban Indians have access to quality health services and information. By partnering with various urban Indian organizations, the program fosters community engagement and empowers individuals through education and research, ultimately improving health outcomes.

The Tribal Management Grant program is designed to empower tribes and tribal organizations by enabling them to take over functions and services of the Indian Health Service. Under the Public Law 93-638, this initiative aims to enhance their health management capabilities, fostering self-determination and improved healthcare delivery. The Indian Health Service plans to provide between five and sixteen awards to support this vital development in tribal health management.

The David C. J. Peters Scholarship, established by Southland Industries in honor of ASHRAE member David Peters, offers a one-year scholarship to qualified undergraduate students in mechanical or architectural engineering. Candidates must be enrolled full-time in a bachelor's program at designated institutions and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or be in the top 30% of their class. This initiative supports the mission of ASHRAE to promote sustainable practices in engineering.

The Lewis-Houghton Civics and Democracy Initiative, under the Teaching with Primary Sources program, aims to empower organizations in the U.S. and its territories to create innovative projects that leverage digitized primary sources from the Library of Congress. This initiative, named after Reps. Lewis and Houghton, promotes education in civics, democracy, and history, fostering critical thinking and literacy among students. Grants will be awarded based on the proposal's alignment with these educational goals, enhancing community engagement.