Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Kentucky

The Mark Foundation Emerging Leader Award supports innovative cancer research led by early career investigators. Aimed at high-impact, high-risk projects, this grant is available to those employed by U.S. or Canadian non-profit academic institutions. Eligible applicants must be within three to eight years of starting their independent faculty research appointment. This award emphasizes multi-year independent funding and is not intended as the main funding source for the laboratory, ensuring that diverse research efforts are encouraged.

Jacquie Porter Scholarship for Aspiring Early Childhood Teachers in Austin ISD

Aspirations of becoming an early childhood educator.

Awards

• (1) $5,000.00

W. Thomas Musser Memorial Charitable Fund

Mission Statement

This fund has been initiated in memory of W. Thomas Musser (Tom Musser) and will provide grants to charitable organizations whose missions and activities most closely reflect those that Tom believed in and supported during his life time. A component of the fund will also be used to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing post-secondary education.

Scholarship

The W. Thomas Musser Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to honor the life and legacy of W. Thomas (Tom) Musser. Tom believed deeply in the importance of education and life-long learning. 

The National Meredith Willson Awards provide multi-year operating support to organizations using music for systemic change. The Music Man Foundation will award grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to 5-10 selected organizations in 2026, focusing on their impact through music. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, a history of music programming, and a commitment to systemic change. Applications will be evaluated on leadership, organizational capacity, and alignment with grant criteria.

The Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation offers a $20,000 grant annually to support sculptors and writers on sculpture, promoting creativity and artistic development. This grant is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, as well as O-1 Visa holders, who demonstrate a strong commitment to sculpture. Eligible expenses include materials, research, and living costs. The foundation values diversity and does not discriminate based on background, ensuring a wide range of applicants can apply.

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Awards

Excellence in Research

The Mensa Foundation’s Awards for Excellence in Research recognize researchers who are building new knowledge in intelligence.

Presented annually, these awards honor exceptional work published in peer-reviewed journals or presented at professional conferences.

Details

A prestigious recognition in the field, the Awards for Excellence in Research celebrate innovative contributions that redefine how intelligence, giftedness, and related fields are studied and applied.

Award Components

Criteria for Entry

The Tom Woodward Memorial Visual Arts Scholarship

The Tom Woodward Memorial Visual Arts Scholarship benefits students pursuing postgraduate studies at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or trade school. Art is not a required major for eligible applicants. This scholarship is renewable.

Application Requirements:

• High School Transcript, Essay, 3 Pieces of Artwork and References.

The CATCH Grant, offered by USA Football, provides essential support to organizations facing critical challenges such as natural disasters or theft. This program aims to enhance the athlete experience by assisting with unexpected hardships affecting operations. Eligible organizations enrolled with USA Football can apply for varying award amounts based on their specific circumstances. For more information, refer to the FAQs available on the USA Football website.

The Disability Foundation, in partnership with The Dayton Foundation, invites proposals for grants aimed at supporting organizations providing direct services to individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants include community-based nonprofits and academic institutions. Grants, capped at $10,000, can be used for various purposes such as enhancing service accessibility, purchasing necessary equipment, and expanding services. This initiative seeks to empower disabled individuals by ensuring they receive essential resources and support.

About Us

Overview

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives. ACF also manages the Pick.Click.Give. program.

Mission

Inspiring the spirit of giving and connecting people, organizations, and causes to strengthen Alaska’s communities now and forever.

Vision

ACF envisions an Alaska where communities come together and have resources to thrive.

Healthcare Excellence Scholarship Fund

The Aurora Integrated Oncology Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships to support Alaskan students achieve their fullest potential, with the goal of helping students improve their lives and improve healthcare in their communities.

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Awards

Mensa Foundation Prize

The Mensa Foundation Prize celebrates exceptional achievements that redefine our understanding of intelligence and creativity.

Awarded biennially, this distinguished honor highlights transformative scientific discoveries that elevate the understanding of intelligence.

Details

One of the most prestigious honors in the field, the Mensa Foundation Prize highlights exceptional contributions that elevate the understanding of intelligence.

Award Components

Criteria for Entry

Eldon & Mary Jean Jensen Family Scholarship

The Jensen Family Scholarship was established by Eldon and Mary Jean Jensen to inspire graduating seniors to return and contribute to their hometown communities. Throughout their lives, Eldon and Mary Jean have dedicated themselves to serving and supporting the communities of Faith, Lemmon, Bison, Hettinger, and beyond— with a spirit of generosity and community commitment. 

Awarded fall semester of sophomore year.

To provide financial support to graduates of high schools in the Lemmon, SD area.

Harlan & Mae Niedermyer Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates residing in Fall River County.

The Visionary Prize for Women’s Economic Empowerment, established in 2022 by Visionary Women and the Hostetler/Wrigley Foundation, honors a visionary woman leader of a nonprofit focused on advancing women's economic empowerment in the U.S. This prestigious award provides $100,000 in unrestricted funds to support the recipient's agency and its initiatives. Eligible candidates must have a minimum of four years of operation and an annual budget exceeding $500,000, actively working towards women's economic advancement.

Jeff & Marcia Sveen Scholarship

To provide financial support to South Dakota graduates with preference given to Dakota Provisions, LLC personnel in Huron, SD.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Tracy Houting Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student from one of the following high schools: Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West
• Enrolling/enrolled in a 2 or 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school (including vocational/technical school) within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 2.5 or greater
• Nominated by high school counselor based on traits like Tracy's (vivaciousness, positivity, and humbleness)
• All other selection criteria being equal, preference given to a student who is active in scouting, cheerleading and/or choral singing, and/or a student with strong interest in Native American culture and history.
• Potentially renewable for one additional year for recipients pursuing 2-year degrees and three additional years for recipients pursuing 4-year degrees.

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.

Eugenio R. Ricci and Rose DeNapoli Scholarship Fund

The Eugenio R. Ricci and Rose DeNapoli Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for individuals seeking to complete their education or begin their educational journey with extended study. This scholarship is established in loving memory of Eugenio and Rose, both of whom valued training and education and saw education as a necessity, not an expense.

Award Type: Single Year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.

The George Weeks Trust Grant supports charitable organizations that provide essential services to the blind and visually impaired in Fayette and Bourbon Counties, Kentucky. Funded by JPMorgan's private foundations, this grant aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with visual impairments. Only nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code are eligible to apply, emphasizing the trust's commitment to impactful community service.

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.

GFT Infrastructure, Inc. Scholarship Fund

The GFT Infrastructure, Inc. Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships to the children and grandchildren of GFT Infrastructure, Inc. employees who show exceptional leadership and character.

Award Type: Single-Year Award. Previous recipients of this scholarship may not re-apply.

The OTA Resident Research Grant supports resident-led clinical, translational, or basic research projects aimed at improving orthopaedic trauma care. With a maximum funding of $20,000 for a 12-month period, it encourages innovation and research within North America. Eligible applicants must be orthopaedic residents, ensuring that the projects are driven by their unique perspectives and needs. This initiative promotes diversity and aims to enhance the quality of patient care through education and research.

Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship

The Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

Scholarship amount:

• $3,000

This a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

The OTA Member Full Research Grant, offered by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, aims to fund clinical, translational, or basic research projects related to musculoskeletal trauma. Grants of up to $40,000 per year for two years are available for clinical research, and $25,000 per year for two years for basic research. Eligible applicants include OTA members in good standing, and research must be conducted in North America. The initiative seeks to enhance the quality of care for injured patients.

The SODEXO Stop Hunger Classroom Challenge invites K-12 classrooms in the U.S. to enhance existing hunger relief initiatives, such as food drives and backpack programs, by making them more impactful and student-driven. This initiative not only addresses the critical issue of child hunger but also empowers students to take action and lead projects that foster community engagement and social responsibility.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Scholarships

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or a student pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree, the Community Foundation for Mason County may have a scholarship for you.

Jack & Jean Ereon Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the family of Doug Ereon, who established the Jack & Jean Ereon Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Doug Ereon credits scholarships with making his college education possible and leading to a successful career in oil and gas. Inspired by his own experiences and the support of his parents, Jack and Jean Ereon, Doug established this scholarship fund. Jack and Jean were devoted community members; Jack played a key role in developing Ludington's marina, and Jean always encouraged her children to pursue higher education despite financial constraints.

This Fund will support scholarships for graduates of any Mason County High School pursuing a degree or certification at any accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school. The Jack and Jean Ereon Scholarship Fund provides unlimited renewals until education is complete, with the hope that deserving local students can pursue higher education without the burden of mounting debt. 

AISD 125th Anniversary Consolidated Scholarship

Attending four-year university, two-year college or trade school.

Awards

• (16) $1,200.00

The Beckman Scholars Program offers a 15-month mentored research experience for outstanding undergraduate students in chemistry and biological sciences. Each participating institution can submit one application, with awards totaling $21,000 per student and $5,000 per mentor. The program emphasizes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds. For more details, refer to the FAQs on the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation's website.

Excellence in Medicine Awards

The AMA Foundation’s Excellence in Medicine Awards honor physicians and medical advocates who exemplify the highest values of the profession—volunteerism, community engagement, leadership, and service to underserved populations. Each recipient is recognized at a ceremony during the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago and receives a $2,500 grant honorarium directed to a nonprofit health organization of their choice. Since 2005, more than 100 honorees have been celebrated through this program, with over $250,000 awarded to strengthen community health and advance equitable care nationwide. 

Excellence in Medicine Awards- Dr. Jacqueline A. Bello Friend of the AMA Foundation Award

Honors volunteers, AMA staff and donors for their active engagement and unwavering support of the AMA Foundation. Recipients are those who inspire hopefulness and encourage others to join them in giving their time and personal resources to further advance the Foundation’s mission.