Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Kentucky

The Abbott Professional Medical Education Grants provide funding to healthcare institutions and education providers for independent medical education events. Established by the Abbott Fund, these grants aim to enhance scientific knowledge and patient wellness, focusing on areas such as cardiovascular diseases and heart therapies. Grants cover general expenses like accreditation and marketing, but do not support speaker fees or travel costs. Applications must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the event.

City Barbeque Scholarship Fund-Employees/Dependents

The City Barbeque Employee and Dependent Scholarship Fund is intended to promote educational opportunities for employees, and/or dependents of City Barbeque employees, in their chosen field of study.

Award Amount:

• Five scholarships at $3,000 each

Cage Family Scholarship Fund

The scholarship honors the Cage Family’s commitment to support students who are working toward a college degree.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

The Wexner Davidson Fellowship (WDF) is a transformative leadership development program designed for Jewish communal professionals in North America aged 26-36. Over three years, Fellows engage in cohort-based learning at biannual institutes, receive coaching, and deepen their Jewish knowledge while building a strong professional network. This initiative fosters personal and professional growth, equipping the next generation of leaders to serve their communities effectively and connect with a global alumni network.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

McGuire-Holcomb Scholarship Fund

The scholarship was established in memory of the donor’s brother, William F. McGuire; mother, Ruth H. Holcomb; and stepfather Kenneth P. Holcomb. The scholarship provides tuition and books for the education of students who have a physical disability.

The Wexner Field Fellowship is a three-year program aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of Jewish professionals in North America. Participants engage in leadership institutes, receive personalized coaching, and gain access to professional development funds. This fellowship fosters a robust network of leaders committed to serving the Jewish community, encouraging a deeper understanding of its diversity and strengthening essential leadership competencies. Eligible candidates must be full-time employees at Jewish organizations with at least five years of relevant experience.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Erwin & Ella Hoffman Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund provides scholarships for students with a preference for graduates of East Aurora or West Aurora High School and attendance at a Lutheran-affiliated college or university. The fund was established by a bequest received from the estate of Mrs. Hoffman, who died in 1979, a year after her husband’s death. The couple owned and operated a farm in North Aurora for most of their lives.

They were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aurora.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) supports the development of biologic-based therapies for nervous system disorders. This initiative encourages innovative research in biologics, including proteins, antibodies, gene therapies, and cell therapies. The program facilitates collaboration with NIH-funded experts and contract research organizations, ensuring institutions retain IP rights for developed candidates. Key deadlines for grant applications span from January 2025 to July 2027, emphasizing the importance of timely submissions for interested applicants.

The AI for Economic Opportunity Fund, established by the GitLab Foundation, aims to catalyze transformative economic opportunities using advanced AI technologies. This funding round invites bold proposals that leverage AI to enhance economic mobility, improve service delivery, and create new educational pathways. Grantees will receive $250,000 in funding, technical support, and access to a network of practitioners. The fund seeks projects that demonstrate ethical awareness and promote fairness in AI deployment.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

College Students Scholarships 

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in college. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s school of choice. The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s school to be applied toward college costs. 

DeKalb Ag Scholarship

The DeKalb Ag Scholarship was established in tribute to the DeKalb Ag company which originated in DeKalb, Illinois. Initial donations to this scholarship were provided by the DeKalb Ag Alumni Association and members. This $1,200 scholarship is for college students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year with an agriculture-related degree and eventually a career in agriculture.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

College Students Scholarships 

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in college. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s school of choice. The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s school to be applied toward college costs. 

Leonard & Vivian Nelson Ag Scholarship

Family members established this scholarship in memory of Leonard and Vivian Nelson to benefit agricultural students. One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student majoring in an agriculture-related field of study in their sophomore, junior or senior year of college.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

College Students Scholarships 

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in college. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s school of choice. The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s school to be applied toward college costs. 

Orville A. Olson Ag Scholarship

Established in memory of Orville A. Olson, this scholarship is available to college juniors and seniors majoring in an agriculture-related degree and seeking a career in a field of agriculture. One $1,200 ag scholarship will be awarded.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

College Students Scholarships 

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in college. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s school of choice. The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s school to be applied toward college costs. 

Raymond & Frances Katz Ag Scholarship

Established in memory of Raymond & Frances Katz, this scholarship is open to students enrolled at the University of Illinois as an Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE) major (accounting, agribusiness, farm management, finance, consumer economics, environmental economics, or policy). One $2,000 scholarship will be given annually to a sophomore, junior or senior at Illinois.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

College Students Scholarships 

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in college. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s school of choice. The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s school to be applied toward college costs. 

Russell & Berni Schelkopf Ag Scholarship

The Schelkopf family created this scholarship in 2022 to honor their parents, Russell and Berni, and their contributions to the agricultural industry. This scholarship is designed for a college student majoring in an ag-related field of study. One, $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a sophomore, junior or senior in college.

The National Pride Grant for LGBTQIA+ Small Businesses, opening for applications on April 22, 2025, offers $25,000 in funding distributed as $1,000 micro grants to 25 eligible LGBTQIA+ business owners. Designed to support diverse founder-led enterprises, this initiative encourages professional development and aids in achieving over $1 million in revenue. Eligible participants must have a U.S.-based business and meet specific criteria regarding ownership, revenue, and employee count.

The NMDP Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program Grant supports early-career researchers in hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy. With a maximum funding of $400,000 over five years, it aims to address complications post-transplant, such as infection and relapse. This prestigious grant encourages innovative research proposals, particularly those targeting HLA-mismatched donor outcomes. By fostering new talent in the field, the program is essential for advancing our understanding of critical post-transplant challenges.

The Open Door Scholarship

This fund was created by a donor family who believes that education is the cornerstone to a life of opportunity, security, choice, and continued growth. The aim of the Open Door Scholarship is to do just that – help open the door to driven, hardworking students who share the donor family’s belief in the power of education and who seek to use that education to thrive.

Award Amount:

$10,000 payable over four years at $2,500 per year

Twylla and Lloyd Fisher Scholarship

The scholarship was founded by Lloyd Edison Fisher, Jr. and his wife of 47 years, Twylla Peterson Fisher. Lloyd was born on October 23, 1923 in Medina, OH, and was awarded a Stadium Cooperative Scholarship at The Ohio State University (OSU), but his college years were interrupted by World War II. He served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of staff sergeant and engaged in combat in Europe, followed by occupation duty in Japan.

He returned to OSU to complete his undergraduate degree and graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of its law review publication. Lloyd began his legal career with Ohio’s Department of Taxation, before electing to become a trust officer with the Huntington National Bank. He subsequently joined the Columbus law firm then known as Alexander, Wenger, & Holschuh; which later merged with Porter Wright Morris & Arthur. After practicing law for nearly 63 years, Lloyd retired from the firm. Lloyd was an active member of Maple Grove United Methodist Church and was instrumental in establishing a robust pension program for retired clergy.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarship

Robert Jordan attended Mifflin High School, joined the military upon graduation, loved to drive, hard worker, fun-loving, well respected, a leader. Married to Donna, father of four, grandfather of six.

Award Amount:

• $1,000

Twylla and Lloyd Fisher Scholarship for Small, Private Colleges

The scholarship was founded by Lloyd Edison Fisher, Jr. and his wife of 47 years, Twylla Peterson Fisher. Lloyd was born on October 23, 1923 in Medina, OH, and was awarded a Stadium Cooperative Scholarship at The Ohio State University (OSU), but his college years were interrupted by World War II. He served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of staff sergeant and engaged in combat in Europe, followed by occupation duty in Japan.

He returned to OSU to complete his undergraduate degree and graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of its law review publication. Lloyd began his legal career with Ohio’s Department of Taxation, before electing to become a trust officer with the Huntington National Bank. He subsequently joined the Columbus law firm then known as Alexander, Wenger, & Holschuh; which later merged with Porter Wright Morris & Arthur. After practicing law for nearly 63 years, Lloyd retired from the firm. Lloyd was an active member of Maple Grove United Methodist Church and was instrumental in establishing a robust pension program for retired clergy.

Award Amount:

• $2,400

About The NRA Foundation

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

The Annual NRA Club Awards Program

Each year the National Rifle Association recognizes outstanding clubs, state associations, youth clubs and an individual or organization for public service. The Annual Awards program recognizes significant accomplishments achieved in areas of organization, operation and public service rendered.

Outstanding Youth Club Awards

The Outstanding Youth Club Award is presented to the club that has demonstrated noteworthy achievement in all aspects of club operation.

All Club Award recipients receive:

• A free range evaluation from an NRA Range Team Advisor
• A free year of club membership
• $1,000 award

About The NRA Foundation

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

The Annual NRA Club Awards Program

Each year the National Rifle Association recognizes outstanding clubs, state associations, youth clubs and an individual or organization for public service. The Annual Awards program recognizes significant accomplishments achieved in areas of organization, operation and public service rendered. 

Outstanding Club Awards

The Outstanding Club Award is presented to the club that has demonstrated noteworthy achievement in all aspects of club operation. 

All Club Award recipients receive:

• A free range evaluation from an NRA Range Team Advisor
• A free year of club membership
• $1,000 award

About The NRA Foundation

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

The Annual NRA Club Awards Program

Each year the National Rifle Association recognizes outstanding clubs, state associations, youth clubs and an individual or organization for public service. The Annual Awards program recognizes significant accomplishments achieved in areas of organization, operation and public service rendered.

Outstanding State Association Awards

The Outstanding Youth Club Award is presented in honor of a State Association's effectiveness in carrying out the purpose and objectives of the National Rifle Association in the State or Territory for which the State Association is organized.

All Club Award recipients receive:

• A free range evaluation from an NRA Range Team Advisor
• A free year of club membership
• $1,000 award

Greater Columbus Community Helping Hands, Inc. Scholarship Fund

The scholarship provides support to underserved students.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

Gideon Development | King Lincoln District East Side Resident Scholarship

Gideon Development founded this scholarship to support students from the King Lincoln District as they pursue higher education.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

Dr. Gregory I. Brooks Scholarship Fund

Friends and family established this fund in memory of Dr. Gregory I. Brooks, a physician who was active in the Dublin, Ohio community for more than two decades. Dr. Brooks served as team physician for Dublin City Schools, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many students and their families. This fund supports annual scholarships for graduates of Dublin City Schools.

Award Amount:

• Three $1,000 scholarships

Dorothy A. Cornelius Scholarship Fund of the Ohio State University Nurses Organization (OSUNO)

The scholarship was created to honor the professionalism and ideals of Dorothy Alice Cornelius, an international nursing leader. A resident of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Ms. Cornelius believed that one nurse could make a difference. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Ms. Cornelius served in the U.S. Navy Nurses Corps during World War II. Her nursing career included positions as executive director of the Ohio Nurses Association and the American Journal Nursing Company. She was an active American Red Cross volunteer and served on numerous committees and commissions for the State of Ohio and federal governments. The fund provides scholarships for registered nurse members of the OSUNO to pursue advanced nursing education.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500