Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Kansas

Simon and Donna Dragan Scholarship Fund

Created in 2025 by Simon and Donna Dragan, this scholarship will provide financial support to students enrolled in a trade school to further their construction skills and/or students pursuing a two- or four-year college degree in engineering or construction. 

Simon Dragan is a native of Vurpar, Transylvania, Romania. He came to the United States after escaping Communist Romania in 1969 and held a variety of entry-level positions in the Baltimore area before finding work with Williams-Scotsman, a distributor of modular and mobile buildings. Mr. Dragan worked in various roles at Williams- Scotsman, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President of Operations. In 1993, he purchased Whitley Manufacturing from Williams-Scotsman—a factory located in South Whitley, Indiana—and developed it into one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of modular structures. Under his leadership, Whitley expanded from a single facility into a nationwide enterprise serving diverse markets including education, healthcare, government, retail, and commercial sectors.

A visionary leader in the modular construction industry, Mr. Dragan was inducted into the Modular Building Institute (MBI) Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of his lasting contributions to modular design and manufacturing excellence. In July 2025, Mr. Dragan sold Whitley Manufacturing to Sunbelt Modular, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Grateful for the opportunities he found in the United States, Mr. Dragan has given back extensively to various nonprofit organizations and charitable causes.

The BRAIN Initiative, led by the NIH, aims to advance neurotechnologies at institutions with limited NIH funding. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration and knowledge transfer to integrate innovative neurotechnologies into research and training programs. While applications are currently not being solicited, potential applicants should start developing partnerships and projects in preparation for future submissions. This initiative will enhance the dissemination of BRAIN technologies and support novel research practices.

Weber Specialties Company Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the Weber Specialties Company located in Schoolcraft, Michigan to support students pursuing a certificate or two-year or four-year degree in a manufacturing curriculum.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution.

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

The Fostering Support of Mathematics Learning for Multilingual Learners grant, funded by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, aims to enhance PK-12 mathematics education by promoting multilingualism. It provides resources for professional development and materials to support teachers in integrating students' languages and cultures into their math instruction. Eligible applicants include PK-12 schools and educators committed to equitable teaching practices. This initiative encourages innovative approaches to foster an inclusive learning environment for diverse learners.

The Russell Sage Foundation's Core Research Grants program focuses on Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration, aiming to foster interdisciplinary research on the changing demographics of the U.S. population. This initiative encourages innovative collaboration among social scientists to enhance research quality and support the ideals of a pluralistic society. By building on insights from previous programs, it seeks to address critical questions concerning race and ethnicity within the context of immigration.

P.U.L.S.E. of Noble County – Senior Scholarship Fund

P.U.L.S.E. of Noble County is a group of service-minded youth who meet monthly to organize community projects that benefit Noble County and grant philanthropic dollars to other organizations making an impact. This scholarship is for Noble County high school seniors who are P.U.L.S.E. members and are pursuing a post high school education.

Awards Per Year:

• 4 scholarships

Applicant High School:

• Any high school in the area

Colleges:

• Any accredited college or university

Areas of Study:

• Any

Museums Empowered (2027) is a professional development initiative by the Institute of Museum and Library Services aimed at enhancing museum staff capabilities. It focuses on three vital areas: digital technology, evaluation, and organizational management. By supporting training and learning opportunities, the program seeks to empower museum professionals to effectively utilize digital tools, improve evaluation methods, and strengthen organizational resilience, ultimately fostering growth within museums of all types.

The Ben May Charitable Trust, established in 1971 by Mr. Ben May, supports charitable, scientific, and educational initiatives. Notably, it has funded the Ben May Laboratory for Cancer Research at the University of Chicago, contributing to significant medical advancements. The Trust accepts funding requests from 501(c)(3) organizations. Mr. May's legacy includes support for renowned researchers and institutions, ensuring ongoing contributions to the field of medical science and education.

About Us

Making a Difference, Together

The Community Foundation of Monroe County (CFMC) builds a thriving, inclusive community through the power of philanthropy. By connecting generous donors with local causes, we help ensure Monroe County remains a place where everyone can thrive. Since our founding, we’ve been a trusted steward of community resources, fostering impactful collaborations and sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, poverty, and community development.

Scholarship Opportunities

Whether you’re heading to college, pursuing a technical career, or furthering your education as an adult, there’s a scholarship for you.

Ahadi Women in Science Scholarship

For female graduating seniors from Monroe County high schools entering a science-related field.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

David R. Miller and Sara G. Miller Scholarship Fund

The David R. Miller and Sara G. Miller Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for first year college students from Western Pennsylvania pursuing courses of study in engineering or manufacturing, or related trades.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

The AWWA Scholarship Program, sponsored by the American Water Works Association, aims to support students pursuing Master's or PhD degrees in water treatment science and engineering. This initiative emphasizes the importance of innovative solutions for water treatment challenges, highlighting AWWA's commitment to the future of the water industry. The Stantec Scholarship specifically aids students enrolled in research-focused programs, fostering the development of forward-thinking water treatment strategies.

NetJets Scholarship

NetJets is the leader in private aviation. We believe that service is everyone’s job and our company mission is “To enhance the life of each owner, one exceptional travel experience at a time.” The NetJets Scholarship was designed to reinforce a love of business aviation and hospitality, reward academic merit and exemplary character, as well as inspire students to consider an exciting and rewarding career with NetJets.

Award Amount:

• Three Scholarships for $25,000 each

The AccessLex Diversity Pathway Intervention Grant Program aims to support initiatives that facilitate the entry of college students from historically underrepresented groups into law school. By providing funding of $200,000 to $300,000 over 12 to 24 months, the program seeks to improve enrollment and success rates for these students. AccessLex Institute emphasizes research-backed strategies and collaborative programs to enhance educational outcomes in legal education.

The GROW Decatur County Foundation Fund Grant, established in 2016, aims to enhance community projects in Decatur County, Kansas. With over $280,000 raised, it supports initiatives in youth development, recreation, beautification, and community improvement. Grants are available for nonprofit organizations and institutions serving the area, ensuring that funds directly benefit local projects. This grant fosters collaboration and growth by leveraging community support and matching funds from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

The John W. Speas & Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust Grant, established in 1943, supports educational, cultural, human services, and health care initiatives in the Greater Kansas City area. It prioritizes general operating and program support, with restrictions on capital funding. Eligible organizations must serve the Kansas and Missouri regions, focusing on community improvement and capacity building. This grant aims to enhance the quality of life for local residents through diverse programming.

Our mission is to enhance quality of life, today and in the future, by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Building a permanent endowment
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Meeting needs through grants, awards, and scholarships

Orpha J. & Ernest Milbradt Scholarship

The Orpha J. & Ernest Milbradt Scholarship was established to assist students attending KSU or KU.

Amount

Two new $500 scholarship will be awarded. This scholarship is eligible for an annual renewal for up to three years.

Geographic limitations

Kansas high school seniors attending either KSU or KU

Renewals

Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for renewal by meeting the following criteria:

• Recipient must attend either KSU or KU.
• Recipient must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA.
• Recipient must provide evidence of continuing financial need.
• Recipient must be continually enrolled as a full-time student.
• Recipient must be making reasonable progress toward an undergraduate degree, regardless of course study.
• Recipients may receive this scholarship for up to 4 years total.

Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations. 

Each year, Cumberland Community Foundation announces more than $1,000,000 in college scholarships to students from southeastern North Carolina.

The Kiwanis Club of Cape Fear Scholarship

Cumberland International Early College; EE Smith High School; Village Christian Academy; Westover High School senior.

The Wallace K. and Jane Ewing Scholarship, funded by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports high school seniors from the Tri-Cities pursuing studies in English. This scholarship considers financial need and involvement in arts and humanities activities, aiming to empower local students to achieve their educational goals. Applicants must submit transcripts and relevant documents, ensuring a comprehensive review process. This initiative reflects the commitment of Wally and Jane to positively impact student futures in the community.

The Sustainable Slopes Grant Program, initiated by the National Ski Areas Association in 2009, supports NSAA member ski areas in their sustainability efforts. With over $890,000 awarded, the program facilitates projects that enhance energy efficiency, protect natural habitats, and promote recycling. This year, applicants can apply for Cash Grants, the Herman K. Dupré Sustainable Snowmaking Grant, or the new Recycling Grant, all aimed at reducing environmental footprints and achieving sustainability goals.

The Richard D. Stehly Memorial Scholarship, offered by the ACI Foundation, supports undergraduate students pursuing degrees in concrete-related fields, particularly in structural design, materials, or construction. Applicants must demonstrate community sustainability efforts in their essays. The scholarship provides a $5,000 educational stipend and recognition in Concrete International magazine. This opportunity is open to international students, and recipients will receive funds in two installments during the award cycle, which spans from fall to spring semester.

The Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, offers $4.8 million to promote innovative thermal energy storage solutions for the industrial sector. With three phases from 2025 to 2026, participants can win cash prizes by developing cost-effective concepts to enhance energy efficiency. This initiative encourages the adoption of sustainable technologies to address energy demands while reducing the strain on the electric grid, supporting the overall decarbonization goals of the industry.

The Staff Research Program, initiated by the ARO, aims to enhance the professional skills of its scientific staff through collaborative basic research with external institutions. This program encourages hands-on scientific investigations in various fields, including engineering and life sciences, while ensuring the integrity of the ARO's mission. ARO scientists will not act as principal investigators on proposals but will contribute to research outcomes and educational activities, fostering knowledge advancement and collaboration.

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is a nationally respected leader in charitable giving, dedicated to improving quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing philanthropy, educating and connecting donors to community needs, and leading on critical local issues. Founded in 1978 with a simple belief that charitable giving should be accessible to all, the Foundation has grown into one of the largest and most innovative public charities in the country, offering donor advised funds and other giving vehicles that make philanthropy convenient, efficient, and impactful. Today, it manages more than $7 billion in assets, administers over 7,000 charitable funds, and has distributed more than $8 billion in grants, consistently ranking among the top community foundations nationwide.

Kelly Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund

Kelly Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarship support to children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren of current Altec Industries employees who are pursuing an engineering degree at an accredited two year or four year college or university. Eligible applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll as full time students in an engineering program and meet academic requirements, including a minimum 3.5 high school GPA and qualifying ACT or SAT scores for U.S. students, or an 80 percent honours average for Canadian students. The scholarship supports both U.S. and Canadian applicants who meet eligibility criteria and are preparing for careers in engineering.

The Limited Competition Small Grant Program under the NCATS CTSA aims to enhance the research capabilities of scholars transitioning to independent academic translational scientists. This program supports diverse clinical and translational science projects, including pilot studies and methodology development. The R03 grants are designed for short-term projects with limited resources that generate preliminary data for future R01 applications, thereby fostering innovation and advancing health research.

The 201 Undergraduate Concrete Durability Scholarship, offered by the ACI Foundation, is designed for full-time undergraduate students pursuing degrees in concrete-related fields. This scholarship awards $5,000 for educational expenses while also recognizing recipients in Concrete International magazine and on the Foundation's website. The scholarship aims to support students who demonstrate a keen interest in concrete durability, contributing to the advancement of the concrete industry.

The MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K99/R00) aims to enhance diversity in the biomedical sciences by supporting early career investigators from diverse backgrounds. This program facilitates the transition from mentored postdoctoral positions to independent faculty roles. Awardees will receive NIH research support and engage in professional development, mentoring, and networking activities to foster their competitive research careers, ultimately contributing to a more diverse scientific workforce in NIH mission areas.

The Lynn G. Bellenger Engineering Technology Scholarship honors ASHRAE's first woman president and supports qualified female undergraduate engineering technology students. Offered to those with a minimum GPA of 3.0, this one-year scholarship encourages studies in fields related to HVAC&R. The scholarship aligns with ASHRAE's mission to advance sustainable technology and create a healthier built environment. Eligible students must be enrolled in programs with ASHRAE student branches or accredited by recognized boards.