Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Kentucky

The FY26 Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program's Idea Award promotes innovative, high-risk cancer research initiatives. It supports groundbreaking concepts that advance cancer knowledge, patient care, and treatment options within the Military Health System. Projects must demonstrate creativity and innovation, avoiding incremental advancements. Notably, the Early Career Investigator Option is available to foster the growth of promising new investigators early in their careers. This award aims to make significant contributions to cancer research for Service Members and Veterans.

Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin gives everyone the opportunity to make significant and lasting gifts to their community. We manage over 320 funds that enhance Portage and Waushara counties. Together with our generous donors, we create a strong culture of philanthropy in Central Wisconsin.

We are a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and grants to organizations and projects that improve the quality of life in Portage and Waushara counties.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation proudly supports students in Portage and Waushara counties with over $325,000 in scholarships annually, thanks to the generosity of local individuals and families. Award amounts range from $500 to $40,000, opening doors to educational opportunities.

Whether you're a student seeking financial support or a donor looking to grow a scholarship fund, we invite you to explore available opportunities and learn how you can be involved.

Don & Mary Hamerski Memorial Scholarship Fund

Qualifications: Graduating High School seniors from a Central Wisconsin high school.

The Limited Competition: Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program offers funding to NIH-supported researchers for purchasing specialized instruments or integrated systems, with minimum awards of $25,000 and maximum awards reaching $350,000. Eligibility is restricted to institutions that have not received significant S10 funding in recent years. This program aims to enhance research capabilities by providing access to essential technology, thereby fostering scientific innovation and collaboration within the NIH community.

The Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program supports NIH-funded investigators in acquiring high-cost, specialized instruments, with a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum of $750,000. Eligible instruments include light microscopes, mass spectrometers, and DNA sequencers, among others. This program aims to enhance research capabilities by enabling the purchase or upgrade of essential equipment for scientific advancement.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports innovative research aimed at enhancing patient care and quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries. This award encourages collaboration, allowing an Early-Career Partnership Option for two Principal Investigators, where one must be an early-career investigator. Focused on impactful research from basic to translational science, this opportunity is crucial for advancing SCI knowledge and interventions.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Clinical Trial Award supports innovative clinical trials aimed at significantly improving spinal cord injury treatment. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration by allowing two Principal Investigators, including an early-career investigator, to drive the research forward. Applicants must partner with at least two SCI community members, ensuring that the project is informed by lived experiences and community needs throughout its development and implementation.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Clinical Translation Research Award funds innovative clinical research aimed at bridging the gap to larger clinical trials. It focuses on accelerating the application of new techniques and improving patient outcomes through effective diagnosis and rehabilitation strategies. Key features include an Early-Career Partnership Option for principal investigators and a requirement for community partner involvement, ensuring collaborative research that meets real-world needs.

The DoW Spinal Cord Injury Translational Research Award supports innovative research to transform promising spinal cord injury findings into clinical applications. It features an Early-Career Partnership Option, requiring at least one early-career principal investigator. Collaborations with SCI community partners are essential for providing guidance throughout the project. This funding opportunity aims to enhance the effectiveness of spinal cord injury interventions and improve patient outcomes.

Betsy L. Bertoli Scholarship

Academic Focus:

• Accounting or business administration/management

Award Average:

• $250

For Torrington High School graduating seniors who plan to pursue a career in accounting or business administration/management at the university level and have had at least one successful high school semester of accounting.

The Edna Mae Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, aims to support women from rural communities in their pursuit of higher education at vocational community colleges or universities. This scholarship is open to applicants actively enrolled in any form of higher education, including undergraduate and vocational programs, with a special focus on assisting those in need. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled students.

The Partnership Grants, offered by Music Movement, provide funding between $2,500 and $5,000 for eligible entities such as academies, public schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations within the United States. Applications are reviewed semi-annually, and existing non-profits must submit their 501(c)(3) TIN. Grants can be resubmitted for reconsideration annually, but international applications are not accepted.

About

Mission, Vision & Values

To enhance our community through philanthropy.

We aspire to co-create diverse, meaningful and innovative charitable giving that yields an exponential positive impact within local communities and beyond.

Dale & Thomasina Trout Memorial Fund

About the fund

The Trout Scholarship is awarded to Benton County high school graduates who have excelled in academics and school activities or athletics.

The UHCCF Medical Grant provides financial assistance to families with children under 16 years old who need access to medical services not fully covered by insurance. The grant offers up to $5,000 per year, with a lifetime maximum of $10,000. Families can apply regardless of their insurance provider, and the grant covers a wide range of medical expenses, ensuring children receive essential health care. Applicants must meet specific income and eligibility criteria to qualify for funding.

The Darlene Hooley Scholarship for Oregon Veterans supports military veterans who served in the post-9/11 conflict, prioritizing those in the Oregon National Guard and Reservists. This scholarship is designed for students enrolling in higher education institutions across the United States, providing financial assistance to those who have bravely served their country.

Knights of Pythias Scholarship Fund

In 1950, the membership roster for the Corvallis lodge of the Knights of Pythias, Valley Lodge No. 11 had more than 250 names, but membership declined over the years and the club subsequently disbanded. In 1992, as remaining members began discussions about how to distribute the assets of the lodge, Benton Community Foundation (BCF) emerged as a natural choice.

“We felt it would be best to keep the money in the community where our members lived and worked,” said Bob Bareinger, a member in the organization since 1943 and an officer since 1954. The lodge tried to give BCF the entirety of assets, including the deed to the building, but the Oregon Chapter that has jurisdiction over it stepped in and required the assets to be distributed differently. BCF received one-third of the lodge assets, which means that the Knights of Pythias will continue to serve the youth of Benton County in perpetuity by providing annual scholarships to graduates of Benton County high schools.

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Walter H. Meyer — Garry L. White Memorial Scholarship

This $5,000 scholarship is available to non-traditional students working towards an undergraduate (must be over 24 years old) or graduate (must be over 30 years old) degree.

The Earl and Jane Ferguson Scholarship Fund provides financial support to graduates of Klamath County high schools who wish to pursue higher education across the United States. This initiative aims to empower local students by making education more accessible, thereby fostering academic growth and community development. The fund is managed by The Oregon Community Foundation, a private organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for deserving individuals.

The Thornton Scholarship, funded by The Oregon Community Foundation, supports economically disadvantaged Black male graduates from Portland-area high schools pursuing higher education across the United States. This initiative aims to empower these students by alleviating financial barriers, thus enabling them to achieve their academic goals and contribute positively to their communities.

The MFA Fellowship, funded by the Dedalus Foundation, provides a $15,000 stipend to final-year students graduating from MFA programs in Painting and Sculpture in the U.S. Annually, four fellowships are awarded based on nominations from department chairpersons, allowing institutions to nominate two candidates each. Nominees must graduate in the following spring semester and submit application materials including work samples and a biographical statement. This initiative supports emerging artists in their professional development.

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Nora Stone Smith Scholarship

The Nora Stone Smith Scholarship honors and gives financial support to deserving immigrant high school seniors and students who have graduated in the past year and have participated in an ESL/ELL program at some point in their lives. This scholarship is available for all ESL/ELL students, regardless of their citizenship status. Undocumented students are encouraged to apply. This scholarship is $2,000 and renewable for 2 or 4 years.

The NLN Steve Cerame Nurse Educator Scholarship Award supports aspiring nurse educators by providing up to $8,000 annually for master's or doctoral students. This award honors the legacy of NLN's former CFO and aims to facilitate the education of future nursing faculty. Eligible candidates must be NLN members and have completed at least one year of their program. The scholarship focuses on enhancing the nursing workforce and advancing educational excellence in nursing.

The Researcher Connection Program by Uplifting Athletes Inc. supports travel expenses for rare disease researchers and doctoral students, fostering connections within the rare disease community. It emphasizes health equity by reserving at least 20% of funding for underrepresented researchers. Qualified applicants can receive up to $1,450 for travel costs related to attending relevant conferences and events, enhancing collaboration and awareness in the rare disease field.

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Women at Microsoft Scholarship

This scholarship supports high school seniors or graduates or current college undergraduates who self-identify as female or as non-binary (a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine). This scholarship is a $5,000 award with up to seven (7) scholarships granted.

The NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award offers up to $8,000 annually to support nurse educators pursuing advanced degrees. As the first organization dedicated to this cause, the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education aims to strengthen the nursing workforce in the U.S. and globally. Eligible candidates are NLN members and must be enrolled in accredited master's or doctoral programs, having completed at least one year of study. This initiative is vital for advancing nursing education and improving healthcare outcomes.

The HEAL Initiative: Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) aims to support R15-eligible Principal Investigators in conducting rigorous pain research. This initiative promotes interdisciplinary partnerships and enhances the research environment for health professional trainees. Key deadlines include October 28, 2025, and October 27, 2026, for standard applications, and November 24, 2025, and November 23, 2026, for AIDS-related applications. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days prior to the due date.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Illinois Mutual Employees’ Children Scholarship Fund 

The Illinois Mutual Employees’ Children Scholarship Fund was established by Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company to provide scholarship support for the children of employees who are graduating from high school or are undergraduate college or vocational students who will be enrolled full time.

For general scholarship questions, please contact Illinois Mutual’s Community Relations Department. For questions about the application process or required materials, contact the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at 309-674-8730 or amanda@communityfoundationci.org.

Big 30 Athletic Fund

This scholarship is for four graduating high school seniors from Big 30 participant schools. One award overall from any Big 30 school, one for a student from Cattaraugus County, one for a student from Allegany County, and one for a student from Pennsylvania. Students must have participated in at least two sports for all four years of high school. Emphasis will be placed on involvement in sports, but academic achievement will also be considered. Financial need may be considered.