Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Kentucky

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) program, established by NIGMS, aims to enhance research funding efficiency by providing stable financial support to investigators. This allows for greater scientific flexibility and encourages innovative studies. MIRA is pivotal for distributing funding among promising researchers, fostering groundbreaking research. The program invites applications from eligible NIGMS-funded and NIH-defined New Investigators, as well as current MIRA grantees seeking renewal, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach to advancing science.

The Robert P. Wadell Transportation Engineering Scholarship, established in 2022 by Robert P. Wadell, P.E., MSCE, F.ASCE, supports undergraduate students in civil engineering with a focus on transportation. Funded through the ASCE Foundation, the scholarship aims to aid up to two deserving students annually with tuition and fees. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in an ABET-accredited program and members of the ASCE. Preference is given to those in their final two years of study.

The Robert B. B. and Josephine N. Moorman Scholarship, established in 2008 by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), provides financial support for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in civil engineering or related fields. This scholarship honors Robert B.B. Moorman, a dedicated civil engineering professor. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an ABET-accredited program and maintain good standing with ASCE. This award aims to alleviate tuition costs for deserving students committed to the civil engineering profession.

The Lawrence W. & Francis W. Cox Scholarship, established by Mrs. Wahneta T. Hinrichs in 2008, honors the legacy of her husband and father-in-law. This scholarship is awarded annually to one undergraduate civil engineering student enrolled in an ABET-accredited program. It aims to support students with tuition expenses, furthering their education in civil engineering disciplines, thus contributing to the profession's growth and sustainability.

The Eugene C. Figg, Jr. Civil Engineering Scholarship, established by Figg Engineering Group in 2002, honors the legacy of Gene Figg, who was renowned for his artistic bridge designs. This scholarship aims to support undergraduate civil engineering students with a passion for bridge design and construction, facilitating their education in an ABET-accredited program. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens and Student Members of the American Society of Civil Engineers in good standing.

The Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Grant Program inspires young students to cultivate a love for gardening by providing free oversized cabbage plants to 3rd grade classrooms across the continental U.S. Initiated in 1996, the program encourages hands-on learning about where food comes from. Each year, students compete for a $1,000 prize awarded to the best cabbage grown, fostering excitement and education about agriculture. This initiative not only promotes environmental awareness but also engages students in practical science.

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.

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.

Committee of 100 Academic Scholarship

Awards:

• One time award of $5,000.

About Community Foundation of Henderson County

• Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.
• Vision: Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

Elizabeth DeVilling Environmental Odyssey Scholarship

This scholarship provides support to graduating seniors or graduates of any Henderson County public, private or parochial high school seeking to further their education beyond high school. Recipients of this scholarship must be accepted to an accredited degree granting college or university and be actively pursuing an undergraduate degree in the field of environmental science or a related field. Preference will be given to those who have expressed a desire to pursue work which relates to environmental preservation and/or conservation and have financial need for assistance. Extra-curricular and extra participation in activity relevant to earth sciences/environmental sciences will be given added priority.

The Capacity Accelerator for Tribal Offshore Wind Engagement, launched by the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to empower Tribal Nations in offshore wind energy decision-making. This initiative offers up to $7.1 million in cash prizes and technical assistance through three phases: Capacity Needs, Capacity Development, and Engagement. Each phase is designed to support Tribes in outlining their priorities, building capacity, and implementing impactful projects in offshore wind energy.

Steven Thayer Hopi Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Steven Thayer to provide scholarship funding for young Hopi artists to develop their talents and artistic skill.

The Arnold Ventures RFP invites proposals for causal research on community safety and the criminal justice system. This initiative aims to generate evidence that informs effective policies to enhance safety and fairness in justice. Applicants should propose robust research designs capable of isolating treatment effects, focusing on real-world outcomes in the U.S. Preference is given to interventions with potential for policy adoption and led by early-career researchers or those without previous funding from Arnold Ventures.

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.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Youth Sports Fund of Grayson County

CKCF’s Youth Sports Funds encourage and support youth participation in recreational sports, making these opportunities available to any player, regardless of their financial situation. Our Youth Sports Funds offers scholarships for families who need financial assistance for children to play sports.

Scholarships may cover all or a portion of registration fees and/or sports equipment. Scholarships will be paid directly to the sports league, not to the individual participants. Funding is limited, and scholarships are not guaranteed to all applicants.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Youth Sports Fund of Hardin County - Gymnastics

CKCF’s Youth Sports Funds encourage and support youth participation in recreational sports, making these opportunities available to any player, regardless of their financial situation. Our Youth Sports Funds offers scholarships for families who need financial assistance for children to play sports.

Scholarships may cover program fees only. Scholarships will be paid directly to the sports league/organization, not to the individual participants. Funding is limited, and scholarships are not guaranteed to all applicants.

Innovation in Religion and Spirituality Seed Grants Call for Proposals

The Religion and the Public Sphere program at the Social Science Research Council aims to foster research on the wider implications of new forms of religious and spiritual life. This program is offered with the support of the Luce Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation, and the Templeton World Charity Foundation.

Overview

In recent years, scholars have noted that religious and spiritual life is being substantively reshaped. “Innovation” is one way of framing these changes, but it remains a partial and contested analytic lens, and is popularly associated with the sudden emergence of a “new” element introduced into an otherwise static tradition. Scholarship on religion and spirituality, however, points to a more complex set of processes. The essays in an ongoing forum for The Immanent Frame have set out some initial parameters of these dynamics: rather than invention ex nihilio, what we often see is the strategic recombination of existing elements within a broader context of social, political, and cultural change.

Research Themes

This request invites proposals that examine the dynamics of religious and spiritual change that fall within the frame of “innovation.” Possible topics include, but are not limited to: 

• Explorations of innovations within transnational or diasporic religious and/or spiritual communities within the United States, particularly related to the circulation of ideas and culture from or to the Global South.   
• Gendered knowledge of innovation. 
• Studies of the process by which an innovation attains—or does not attain—legitimacy, relevance, or authority within a given community or institution. 
• The relationship between contemporary economic conditions—poverty, economic insecurity, and competitive pressures for time and money—and innovations in religion and spirituality. 
• Historical studies of innovations in religion and spirituality; the creation, reception, transformation, and longevity of an innovation over time.  
• Civic participation and the social mobilization of new or innovative religious identities, as well as the reinterpretation of religious or spiritual traditions or ideas in the service of particular political or ideological projects.

Program Terms 

The program offers research support over a period of up to 6 months. The grant funds will be up to $10,000 per award.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the Toward Translation of Nanotechnology Cancer Interventions (TTNCI) program. This funding opportunity focuses on advanced pre-clinical research aimed at developing nanotechnology-based cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. TTNCI awards will support the maturation of innovative nanomedicines using nanoparticles and nano-devices, enhancing cancer treatment efficacy. Successful projects will progress towards further NCI translational programs, such as the NExT initiative.

The Orphan Kitten Club’s Mightycat Grant Program offers financial assistance to individuals and organizations dedicated to saving neonatal kittens. Funding supports essential needs such as medical care, supplies, and innovative programs aimed at improving survival rates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and independent rescuers with a proven track record in kitten care. The program's mission is to enhance rescue efforts and provide vulnerable kittens the opportunity to thrive and find loving homes.

The Amy Clampitt Poet Residency Program, established by The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, offers a six-month residency for poets at Amy Clampitt's former home in Lenox, Massachusetts. This program aims to foster the study and promotion of poetry, providing a peaceful retreat for a poet to focus on their craft. Selected poets receive a monthly stipend of $4,000 and are encouraged to make their creative work a priority during their stay.

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is a sovereign nation and has three main branches of government – Judicial, Executive, and Legislative. One of our most important resources is our people.

Education

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz seeks to provide opportunities for Tribal members to reach potential, establish independence and improve quality of life through lifelong learning and education.

Arthur S. Bensell Memorial Scholarship

Arthur S. Bensell was an educator, civic leader, Tribal Council member and Tribal Chairman. He spent many years in service to his community and Tribe as Mayor of the City of Siletz and tribal leader.

Art attended Ohio State University and graduated from Heidelberg College in 1934. During his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he served as a teacher, principal and reservation principal in Minnesota, Alaska and North Dakota. Upon returning to Siletz, Art became involved in tribal business affairs and served many years on the Tribe’s Education Committee and always strived for better educational opportunities for Tribal members.

A memorial scholarship fund was established through the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians to honor and award Tribal members in education. The $1000 scholarship is administered by the Tribal Education Committee and strengthened by various fund raising activities throughout the year.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is funding Cycle 3 to enhance patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). This initiative targets critical methodological gaps, focusing on improving the use of artificial intelligence, study design, data research networks, and ethical protections. By addressing these areas, PCORI aims to strengthen the quality of evidence in CER, thus promoting better outcomes in healthcare decision-making.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Education / Meritorious / Service Awards

The Educational/Meritorious/Service awards recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to the welding industry. From educators who have advanced welding knowledge to those who've exhibited outstanding service, these awards celebrate dedication, expertise, and the advancement of welding as both an art and a science.

Private Sector Instructor Membership Award

This award was established by the AWS Board of Directors as a means of honoring educators in the welding community teaching in private facilities. These individuals, in the opinion of the AWS Education Committee, have advanced the knowledge of welding to their students through apprenticeship programs, internal corporate training programs, and similar nonpublic educational activities.

This award is recognized at the National, District and Section levels. The nominee is selected at least 12 months in advance of FABTECH. Selections are made during the annual District Conference meetings for all three levels. District and Section level recognitions are automatic but National level nominee information is submitted to the AWS Education Committee for final selection.

The J.M. Heberlig/B.J. Helterbran Scholarship Fund, established by dedicated educators, supports Pennsylvania residents pursuing degrees in Art Education or Recreation & Parks. This scholarship aims to alleviate the financial burden on students entering their second, third, or fourth year at a 4-year institution. With a focus on academic achievement, a minimum GPA of 2.8 overall and 3.0 in the major is required, alongside a demonstrated commitment to education and community service.

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.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Education / Meritorious / Service Awards

The Educational/Meritorious/Service awards recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to the welding industry. From educators who have advanced welding knowledge to those who've exhibited outstanding service, these awards celebrate dedication, expertise, and the advancement of welding as both an art and a science.

Howard E. Adkins Memorial Instructor Membership Award

The Howard E. Adkins Instructor Membership Award is sponsored by Mrs. Wilma Adkins and family, and is given as a means of recognizing high school, trade school, technical institute or community college instructors whose teaching activities are considered to have advanced the knowledge of welding to students in their respective schools.

This award is recognized at the National, District and Section levels. The nominee is selected at least 12 months in advance of FABTECH. Selections are made during the annual District Conference meetings for all three levels. District and Section level recognitions are automatic but National level nominee information is submitted to the AWS Education Committee for final selection.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Funding Announcement aims to enhance methods for conducting patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. This initiative seeks to address critical methodological gaps, focusing on improving the use of artificial intelligence in clinical research, study design, data research networks, and ethical protections in patient-centered CER. With a budget of up to $750,000, successful proposals will contribute to the quality and strength of evidence generated in CER studies.