Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Kansas

The NSF Geosciences Core Research program funds innovative projects across atmospheric, geospace, earth, and ocean sciences. It encourages proposals that push the boundaries of knowledge in fundamental research, promoting interdisciplinary approaches. This initiative seeks transformative ideas that may not have immediate commercial applications but are crucial for advancing scientific understanding and addressing complex environmental challenges. Researchers are invited to explore various domains or integrate multiple disciplines to enhance our comprehension of the Earth and its systems.

The CFSEK General Funds Grants support Southeast Kansas nonprofits with up to $160,000 in funding for 2023. The grants target projects in Youth Activities, Basic Human Needs, and Arts & Culture. Since 2004, numerous projects have benefited from these funds, fostering community growth and enhancing quality of life. In 2022, the foundation awarded $150,000 to 41 recipients, demonstrating a strong commitment to local initiatives. Applications will be available in June, encouraging broad participation.

The Safety, Security, and Privacy for Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE) program, launched by the National Science Foundation (NSF), addresses vulnerabilities in open-source products and their development infrastructure. It invites proposals to enhance safety, security, and privacy across various types of open-source ecosystems. The program aims to support initiatives that improve resilience against risks, attacks, and breaches, ensuring that OSEs can effectively manage current and future challenges.

The Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching, established by the American Geosciences Institute, honors educators who demonstrate exceptional leadership in earth science education. This prestigious award includes a $2500 prize for the winning teacher and a $1500 grant to attend the National Science Teaching Association's annual conference. The award celebrates the legacy of Dr. Edward C. Roy Jr., promoting innovation and excellence in teaching for future generations.

The Gene Haas Foundation offers Manufacturing Education Grants to empower students in technical career pathways through CNC education. These scholarships support public and private nonprofit schools, enhancing skills in CNC technology. Funds can be allocated for the Gene Haas CNC Scholarship and tooling awards for essential tools and safety gear. By fostering hands-on experience in real-world manufacturing, the foundation ensures the next generation of skilled professionals has the necessary resources to succeed.

The John K. Fairbank Prize in East Asian History, awarded by the American Historical Association, recognizes exceptional scholarly work in the history of East Asia, particularly focusing on books published after 1800. Eligible works must demonstrate high literary merit and can be nominated by authors or publishers. The prize aims to highlight significant contributions to the historical disciplines, with recipients announced in October 2025 and honored at the January 2026 AHA annual meeting in Chicago.

About Us

Mission and Vision

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

Beck - O.J. Beck, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Purpose:

Established in memory of O.J. (Junior) Beck, Jr., a respected general contractor and builder in the Coastal Bend with a reputation for attention to his projects and friendly relations with owners. He served his community as a member, director, vice president and president of the South Texas Chapter of the Association of General Contractors, the Business Development Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Ada Wilson Hospital, United Way, YWCA and many other organizations. He came to an untimely death on April 15, 1982.

The GHI Doctoral and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships offer support for European and North American scholars pursuing research in German and European history, German-American relations, and North American history. Awarded by the German Historical Institute, these fellowships prioritize projects requiring primary sources in North America and are available for one to four months. Monthly stipends are € 2,000 for doctoral students and € 3,400 for postdoctoral scholars, with additional airfare reimbursement for European recipients.

Unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description and criteria statement, applicants can attend accredited schools of their choice within the United States.

CFNJ scholarships awards vary. On average, awards range from $500 to $2,500. However, the award could be larger based on the number of qualified applicants and the parameters set by donors who have established the funds. 

James L. and Ruby L. Murray Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a college-bound, graduating senior from one of the following high schools: Trenton High School, Ewing High School, Cherry Hill High School West, or East Orange High School. Applicants must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history, social science, or political science at any college/university of their choice within the United States. Students also must have achieved a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better.

The NABG Scholarships support full-time undergraduate and graduate students in Geoscience programs at accredited institutions, with over $300,000 in funding raised through donations and events. Candidates must exhibit academic excellence, aiming to equip them for future careers in the geosciences. This initiative, backed by the National Association of Black Geoscientists, fosters diversity and prepares the next generation of professionals in the field.

The American Australian Association's Graduate Education Fund offers scholarships for American and Australian students pursuing Masters, Ph.D., or Postdoctoral research in various fields, including Science, Technology, and Sustainability. Established in 2002, the fund has awarded nearly $11 million to over 350 scholars. Scholarships up to $40,000 support travel, living, and tuition costs. Applications are accepted biannually, with specific periods for each direction of study. It also includes scholarships for Indigenous students.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Ginny and Jim Thompson Scholarship

Selection based upon (in order of priority):

Financial need, academic ability, recommendations, and an essay, “Why is education important to me?”

Awards

• One $1,000 scholarship

About Us

We are one of over 900 community foundations in the US. We serve the 7 county Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our area of the state.

Who We Are

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, founded in 2006, is the newest community foundation in South Carolina. We have a permanent endowment to meet the changing needs of the Pee Dee.

• We foster philanthropy.
• We build resources for nonprofits.
• We support our local communities.

FBi Construction Scholarship

FBi Construction created a scholarship fund at ECCF in 2017 to encourage students to enter the construction industry. This interest stems from a strong belief in education and a commitment to improve the quality of life where they do business. This scholarship funding will improve the talent pool which maintains FBi’s commitment to excellence.

The Jason Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Travel Grant supports five black/African American youth and teen services librarians annually. Each grant, ranging from $1500 to $3000, covers expenses for travel, housing, registration, and attendance at the ALA Annual Conference, including the Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast. This initiative aims to empower underrepresented librarians in their professional development and community engagement.

The Air Force Fiscal Year 2027 Young Investigator Program (YIP) is designed to support early career scientists and engineers who have recently obtained their Ph.D. This initiative aims to promote innovative basic research in science and engineering while enhancing the professional growth of promising investigators. Awards are available to U.S. institutions where the principal investigator is a full-time employee. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.

AmeriCorps Vista

AmeriCorps is the federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture.

Founded in 1965, AmeriCorps VISTA is a federal anti-poverty national service program designed to provide resources to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to strengthen efforts to address poverty and poverty-related problems in the United States. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of national service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, now known as AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps VISTA Request for Concept Paper

Projects must be developed in accordance with AmeriCorps VISTA core principles:

• an anti-poverty focus
• community empowerment
• sustainable solutions
• capacity building

Project applications must address one of the following areas:

• Economic Opportunity
• Healthy Futures
• Education
• Veteran and Military Families

The Burton and Erma Lewis Structural Engineering Scholarship, established by the estate of Mr. Lewis in 2025, aims to support students pursuing degrees in structural engineering. Awarded annually, the scholarship is available to undergraduate students enrolled in ABET-accredited programs who demonstrate a commitment to the field. Recipients can use the funds for tuition and academic fees, facilitating their education and career development in civil engineering.

The Dairy Health, Efficiency & Resource Dynamics Initiative Grant seeks innovative research proposals to enhance animal health, economic viability, and environmental outcomes in the U.S. dairy industry. A partnership between FFAR, Dairy Management Inc., and Zoetis, this initiative aims to explore the interconnections between dairy health, welfare, economics, and environmental sustainability, addressing critical gaps in understanding the impacts of improved animal health on dairy production.

The George Family Foundation offers Spirituality & Inner Life Grants to empower organizations that foster mindfulness and personal healing. They seek to support programs that promote respect, empathy, and compassion, aiming to bridge divides and enhance individual well-being. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that align with their mission, particularly those addressing meaningful community needs. They focus on 501(c)(3) organizations primarily in Minnesota and select areas, emphasizing innovative spiritual and inner life endeavors.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Ronald Clark McDaniel Memorial Scholarship Fund

To honor the life and legacy of Ronald Clark "Ron" McDaniel, family and friends established the Ronald Clark McDaniel Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2008. Ron, born in Harlan, Kentucky, moved to Battle Creek, Michigan at the age of 5. He was involved in the National Honor Society, Boys State, played baseball and football and graduated in the top ten of his class at Pennfield High School. He then served in the United States Air Force obtaining presidential awards and honors before he made his home back in Battle Creek. Ron managed to balance his commitment and love for his family and sports while exhibiting an unequaled work ethic, often working 7 days a week, at the same company for 38 years. This fund was established to carry on his value of education. He believed that all young adults should participate in extra-curricular activities in or outside of school while focusing on education. Most of all Ron McDaniel believed education was the key to success. Scholarships in memory of Ron will be awarded to graduating seniors who have participated in high school athletics and are seeking educational opportunities in teaching/education.

The Infrastructure Capacity for Biological Research Program, supported by the National Science Foundation, aims to enhance research capabilities across various biological disciplines. This program encourages proposals for developing and improving research tools and services in areas such as Cyberinfrastructure and Biological Collections. It also welcomes planning activities to foster collaboration among researchers. Projects must ensure broad accessibility and significant scientific outcomes for the wider research community.

The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization, whose mission is to cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of dressage in the United States.

In 1989, Lowell Boomer founded The Dressage Foundation (TDF) with a vision: to empower dressage across the country. Since then, we've awarded millions of dollars in grants, helping people across our sport, and across the country, achieve their dreams. From grassroots initiatives to high-performance endeavors, we aim to create a strong, inclusive, and vibrant dressage community.

We strive to cultivate dressage excellence by reducing some of the financial barriers of dressage training and education, and we believe that every aspect of our sport deserves help.

George Williams Young Professional Fund

The George Williams Young Professional Fund supports dressage professionals, ages 25-35, who are committed to the sport and have established businesses as instructors and trainers.   

The George Williams Young Professional Fund was established in 2018 to honor his lifelong commitment to dressage. Applicants should have a strong desire to participate in continuing education opportunities, in order to provide higher-quality instruction to their students. 

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is offering funding up to $750,000 for studies aimed at addressing critical methodological gaps in patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. This initiative focuses on enhancing the quality of evidence in clinical research by prioritizing areas such as artificial intelligence, study design improvements, support for data research networks, and ethical considerations. Successful proposals will contribute to advancing research methodologies and improving patient outcomes.

The Wilbur Awards, presented annually since 1949 by the Religion Communicators Council, celebrate excellence in communicating religious values and themes in secular media. Open to individuals and organizations, entries must have been published or broadcast in 2024. Categories include audio, audio-visual, images, and written works, allowing for both English and non-English submissions. The awards emphasize professionalism and respect in highlighting uplifting religious narratives within diverse media platforms.

The Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST) Award recognizes exceptional K-12 educators for their contributions to Earth Science education. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, the award aims to stimulate interest in Earth Sciences among students. Eight national finalists are chosen annually, ensuring broad recognition and encouraging teaching excellence. Nominees can apply themselves or be nominated by colleagues, allowing for two awards in an educator's career to honor both early and late career achievements.

This FOA is intended for proposals related to basic and applied research in the STEM categories, and not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement.The proposal submission process has two stages:I. Applicants are encouraged to submit a white paper first to Grants@NPS.edu, ; andII. Applicants must submit a full proposal through Grants.gov (do not submit white papers through Grants.gov, only full proposals)Applicants are encouraged to submit a White Paper in advance of a Full Proposal to minimize the labor and other costs associated with the production of detailed full proposals that have little chance of being selected for funding. Based on an assessment of the white papers, the responsible Research Program Officer will provide informal feedback notification to the prospective awardees to encourage or discourage submission proposals. The Research Program Officer may also, on occasion, provide feedback encouraging re-work to strengthen a proposal. White Papers may be submitted at any time during the open period of this FOA. A separate White Paper is required for each research proposal.

The Brice and Teresa Moczygemba Engineering Scholarship Fund, established by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from accredited programs in the U.S. Eligible applicants include current high school seniors and college students residing in Bexar, Karnes, or Wilson counties, with a minimum GPA of 3.6. This renewable scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and educational expenses, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to enhancing community well-being.