Best Jackson County Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

Scholarships and Awards

The National Federation of the Blind offers several scholarships and awards that honor blind individuals as well as teachers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and organizations whose work benefits the blind community.

Blind Educator of the Year Award

Recognize a blind educator who strives to guide, uplift, and advocate for their blind students and the needs of blind people.

The Blind Educator of the Year Award was established by the National Organization of Blind Educators, a division of the National Federation of the Blind, in 1991 to recognize outstanding blind teachers.

Every year, the award pays tribute to a blind teacher whose exceptional classroom performance, notable community service, and uncommon commitment to the NFB merit national recognition. A teacher not only provides information but also guidance, advocacy, and love. The recipient of the Blind Educator of the Year Award must exhibit all of these traits and must advance the cause of blind people in the spirit and philosophy of the NFB.

The Award

The Blind Educator of the Year Award is presented at the NFB National Convention.

Who We Are

Our Mission

“The mission of the National Federation of the Blind is to achieve widespread emotional acceptance and intellectual understanding that the real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight but the misconceptions and lack of information which exist. We do this by bringing blind people together to share successes, to support each other in times of failure, and to create imaginative solutions.”

The NFB of Colorado, a state affiliate of the national organization, shares this mission and works as a whole and in concert with its state-wide chapters to accomplish it.

Announcing the Scott C LaBarre Memorial Scholarship Program for Colorado blind and low-vision post-secondary students

This year the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado will be awarding up to $10,000 in scholarship funds for deserving students. We have decided to expand the eligibility to students attending an accredited technical educational program. Technical programs must be appropriately accredited and at least one year in duration. For questions on whether the program qualifies please reach out to the scholarship committee chairs (contact info below) for a determination.

Each year at its state convention, the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado (NFBCO) gives a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars. The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for all blind persons. Recipients of Federation scholarships need not be members of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado nor the National Federation of the Blind.

All scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, service to the community, and financial need.

Deputy Patrick Mayfield Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a North Georgia First Responder, their child or spouse who are pursuing their post-secondary education. For this scholarship, a first responder is defined as Police (including local and state), Fire, EMS workers, and Communications officers. In 2026, one scholarship award of $500 will be offered.

Judge Richard S. (Stan) Gault Education Scholarship

The Judge Richard S. (Stan) Gault Education Scholarship was established in 2010 by his family to honor his memory and support residents of his hometown, Forsyth County, Georgia, in pursuing their educational goals. The Honorable Richard S. Gault was a distinguished Georgian, a highly respected jurist, a dedicated community leader, and a lifelong advocate for education.

This scholarship is available to non-traditional students or graduating high school seniors who attend Forsyth Central High School, North Forsyth High School, or East Forsyth High School. Applicants must be a resident of Forsyth County, Georgia. Students must be planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, technical school, or secondary training program. In 2026, one scholarship award of $2,500 will be offered.

Gainesville Symphony Orchestra Scholarship

This scholarship is for graduating seniors at public, private or homeschools in Hall County. Applicants must reside in Hall County and must play a musical instrument. In 2026, one scholarship award of $1,500 will be offered.

Gainesville Chicken Scholarship

This scholarship supports college students pursuing a degree in poultry science or a related agricultural degree. Applicants should be graduating high school seniors or current college students pursuing a career in the poultry industry, majoring in Agricultural Business, Poultry Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Food Marketing, Agricultural Economics, etc. In 2026, one $2,000 scholarship will be offered.

Fund the Dream Scholarship

The Fund the Dream Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 by the Hispanic Alliance, GA. The purpose of this scholarship is to ‘Build the Dream, One Graduate at a Time.’ Minority students from first-generation/low-income backgrounds face systemic roadblocks while navigating the college admissions process. Graduating seniors coming from low-income families are seven times more likely to drop out than those from families with higher income. In addition, 74% of Latino students enrolled in colleges and universities in the U.S. cut their education short due to the financial pressures of supporting their families. To help mitigate the educational opportunity gap and student debt crisis, the Hispanic Alliance Georgia Fund the Dream Scholarship will support one student who has huge aspirations for their life and is willing to work through anything to achieve them. This scholarship is funded by proceeds from the annual Latino Fest in Gainesville, Georgia and is part of our commitment to making academic and scholarship support more accessible for all students.

When choosing a recipient, the selection committee will take into consideration factors such as the applicant’s academic achievement, financial need, immigration status, volunteering efforts, future educational goals, and responses to essay question. Special consideration will be given to students participating in the Latino Youth Leadership Academy. The 2026 scholarship will be a one-time award of $1,500.

Flight Medic Phil Hart Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a North Georgia First Responder, their child or spouse who are pursuing their post-secondary education. For this scholarship, First Responder is defined as Police (including local & state), Fire, EMS workers and Communication officers. In 2026, one scholarship award of $500 will be offered.

Florence and Jack Sims Memorial Scholarship

The Florence and Jack Sims Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at the North Georgia Community Foundation in 2014. The Sims were active participants and supporters of their communities and the Baptist Church in White, Hall, and Oglethorpe Counties. Their Christian beliefs led them to follow Christ’s teaching in Matthew 22: v37-40 – to first love God and second to love thy neighbor as thyself. The Fund was established by their three children- Jackie, Michael, and Hal- to honor their faith and memory.

Recipients must attend a high school located in Hall County or White County, GA, or be homeschooled students residing in Hall County or White County, GA, and plan to attend an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and should demonstrate active involvement in extracurricular and/or community activities such as volunteering, work, and church activities. In 2026, one scholarship award of $2,000 will be offered.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Jacob Branen Memorial Scholarship Fund

Jacob was joyful and determined; two traits that helped him overcome the learning and physical challenges presented by his cerebral palsy. He exceeded all expectations and successfully completed his senior year without an IEP for the first time in his education. He went on to achieve a BA in Anthropology from FAU, focused on archaeology. He followed his passion by completing a “dig school” with Boston and Hebrew Universities at Tel Dor in Israel. His family was heartbroken when he was killed in an accident on his way to work at age 29. The memory of his gregarious laugh, kind heartedness and generous spirit lives on. He would have been deeply gratified to know another overcoming student would be helped in his name.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Irving R. and Carol Rutkin Scholarship Fund

• High school senior attending a public or private High school in the southern part of Palm Beach County (Delray Beach to Boca Raton).
• The student must exhibit integrity and initiative.
• This is a need based scholarship.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Student must major in secondary education, English literature or history
• Demonstrate financial need

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Ellington Scholarship Fund

Founded by Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Lovett Ellington, this scholarship is available to African-American graduating senior from any Palm Beach County high school who will be pursuing a career in elementary education.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund Created in Memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond

The Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond, a beloved neighbor and dear friend whose life embodied kindness, warmth and unwavering grace. Created by Ernest Frank, who considered Arlene a surrogate mother, the fund honors her legacy by supporting educational opportunities — something she deeply valued.

The scholarship fund serves as a lasting expression of love, respect and friendship, ensuring that Arlene’s spirit lives on by helping students pursue brighter futures — just as she would have wanted.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Heather and Patrick Henry Scholarship Fund

• Must demonstrate academic achievement or academic potential.
• Must demonstrate financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

H. David Faust Memorial Scholarship Fund

A native of Philadelphia, David made his home in West Palm Beach for more than 20 years. He was the administrative partner of Steel, Hector, Davis, Burns & Middleton (now Steel Hector & Davis), as well as attorney for the towns of Ocean Ridge and South Palm Beach. Additionally, he taught law courses at Palm Beach Community College. David was extremely active in his church, and served as a board member of the Community Foundation for six years. He was instrumental in starting the scholarship program.

Dave always said that he was content with his life, that it had been a good and satisfying one, and it surely seems to have been – a successful career, a prestigious and challenging practice, a prominence in the community, the bar, his church and his firm, blessed with a healthy and accomplished family, with a wife whose love, strength and enormous depth have been demonstrated so magnificently over this past year – all these were David’s. And perhaps, most important of all to him, was his deep and abiding faith in God. David’s life is an exemplar to all of us – the perfect partner, the great counselor, the outstanding lawyer, the effortlessly skilled leader, the caring father and husband. While he was here, he set a course for all of us in our daily lives which we will be proud to point to and should hope to emulate.”

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harry and Bertha Bronstein Memorial Scholarship Fund

For Students in Martin County.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

George and Arlene F. Lepeska Scholarship Fund

• Student should demonstrate strong extracurricular activities, academic excellence.
• Must show financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harrington Scholarship Fund for Martin County

For Students in Martin County.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harman Family Scholarship Fund

Graduating high school senior residing in Palm Beach County or Martin County.

Society of Toxicology

Founded in 1961, the Society of Toxicology (SOT) is a professional and scholarly organization of scientists from academic institutions, government, and industry representing the great variety of scientists who practice toxicology in the US and abroad. The Society’s mission is to create a safer and healthier world by advancing the science and increasing the impact of toxicology. SOT operates under four guiding principles:

• Serving the needs of the scientific discipline and our members to enhance human, animal, and environmental health.
• Life-long learning and intellectual scientific stimulation.
• Diversity of representation in all activities of the Society.
• Integrity.

ESS Student and Postdoctoral Travel Awards

Description

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is pleased to sponsor two SOT Exposure Specialty Section travel awards for the upcoming 2026 Annual Meeting. Two $500 awards will be provided: one to a student and one to a postdoctoral researcher who is attending the Annual Meeting to present their work as part of the program.  

Who should apply? Any student or postdoc who is the presenting author of an abstract submitted to SOT for the Annual Meeting which indicates an application of exposure science with regards to toxicology. Abstracts will be evaluated based on the exposure assessment or methodology focus, scientific quality and significance of the research project, impact and/or novelty of the findings, written quality of the abstract, and stated need by the candidate.

 YWCA Clark County Chan Barnett Scholarship

The mission of the YWCA Clark County Scholarship is to advance, support and promote education for women returning to the workforce.

The YWCA Clark County Scholarship was founded in 1994 by Channing R. R. Barnett with the purpose of helping women acquire training they need to become employable and self-sufficient.

Channing was sixty when she left her marriage. She had been a wife and mother for thirty two years - and worried she had no 'marketable skills' with which to support herself. Conquering her fears, Chan enrolled in Clark College's Displaced Homemakers Program. With the support of other women, Chan began to explore and develop her own talents. Drawing on her strong conviction to 'paddle her own canoe' she decided to make the most of her resources.

Reading the Wall Street Journal from cover to cover, taking advantage of every free resource she could find, and having the confidence to call investment brokers and ask lots of questions eventually paid off! As Chan said, she went from, "just having my toes in the stock market, then my ankle, and now I'm swimming up to my neck!"

The support she received from YWCA during this challenging time inspired Chan to start YWCA Scholarship. Her personal success is an inspiration to us all; it is her hope to pass along that inspiration to other women who face similar challenges.

Award Amount

One to two scholarships in the range between $1,000 - $4,000 may be awarded at the scholarship committee's discretion.

Roy F. Mather Scholarship

Born in 1918, Roy F. Mather, Jr. described himself as the product of the Great Depression. He contributed to his family's livelihood at a young age, caring for his two younger brothers and working a wide range of agriculture-related jobs available in California's San Fernando Valley. During World War II, Roy worked on merchant ships that sailed from northern Chile to Washington's Puget Sound, transporting nitrate for explosives production. After the War, Roy returned to southern California to marry his wife, Geraldine. They had two children and were married 59 years. Roy applied the work ethic developed in his youth to a variety of jobs—as a Fuller Brush dealer and at aeronautical engineering positions at Lockheed and McDonald Douglas. While raising a family and often working more than one job, Roy took classes at night offered through the University of California's extension services – math, science and law. Later, Roy and his wife lived in Latin America which held a special place for them.

Roy retired in 1969, and he and Geraldine moved to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In his early 60's, Roy could swing a heavy Polanski needed to fight forest fires and later was a spotter for firefighting aircraft. In 1975, Roy and Geraldine moved to Vancouver, Washington.

Roy's character, direction and drive were shaped during times that were much tougher than most of us experience today. In commenting on his hope for his scholarship fund, Roy said, "I want the students to be goal oriented and serious. Earnest, really. I know those are broad terms, but they are ones that helped me throughout my life. I want to reward those students who possess these qualities that will contribute to their future success and life fulfillment."

Award Information

Awards are between $2,000 - $3,500 and are at the discretion of the committee.

Robert and Margaret Pulliam Scholarship

This scholarship was established to encourage and reward academic excellence and community service.

Award Information

6 scholarships are awarded each year. Awards will likely be between $1,400-$1,600.

Phoenix Scholarship Fund

Award Amount

Several scholarships in the range between $2,000 - $5,000 may be awarded at the scholarship committee's discretion.

Patricia Schroder Memorial Scholarship

Pat had a big heart for helping others and devoted her life to assisting, teaching, and coaching students with disabilities. She worked as a special education teacher's assistant at various schools across the Evergreen School District after earning her Masters, she moved to White Salmon, Washington, where she taught at Columbia High School. In 1994, she moved back to Vancouver and accepted a teaching position at Camas High School where she taught social studies and special education. She retired in 2010 after more than 16 years with the Camas School District.

Pat had a big heart for helping others. She loved and took interest in many of her students throughout her teaching career. She was also actively involved in Special Olympics as a coach and volunteer in addition to providing temporary respite care relief for families of children with special needs.

Additionally, Pat developed a passion for politics at an early age when she first served as a government page at the Washington State Capitol during her senior year in high school. She became an active member in Washington State Democrats, where she attended state democratic caucuses and managed senatorial and legislative campaigns. She also successfully spearheaded the passage of levy and bond election campaigns to support educational programs in the Evergreen School District. Her love for politics later resulted in her running and being elected as Mayor of the city of White Salmon in 1992, where she held the post for two years. Pat enjoyed visiting Frisco, Texas to spend time with her family whenever she could.

Award Amount

2 scholarships are awarded each year. Awards will likely be between $1,000-$1,400.

Pacific Northwest Gold Star Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC), which connects veteran advocacy organizations in and around southwest Washington.

Award Information

Awards from this fund are $2,500.