Best Grants for Special Education in Kansas

Graduating high school seniors pursuing a degree in special education and living within the Crown Point Community Foundation service area can apply for the Kathy, Russ and Jim Keller Scholarship. This non-renewable award is one of many scholarships administered by the foundation and may benefit students interested in special needs education, including those from Kansas who meet residency requirements.

Kansas special needs education students planning to major in education may be eligible if they are graduating seniors from an Ashland County high school with a 3.0+ GPA. The Judith Halama Ebert Scholarship from Ashland County Community Foundation supports study at accredited four-year colleges, with preference for special education majors who show leadership, service, and school involvement.

Students pursuing post-secondary education in Rock Island County, including those in special needs education, can apply for the Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship, which awards up to US $1,000 for tuition or related costs. Kansas special education students may be interested if they have ties to Rock Island County and meet the GPA requirement.

Families of individuals with autism seeking help with medical, nutritional, personal, or enrichment needs in Kansas can apply for this need-based support, which is awarded to primary caregivers for the direct benefit of the individual with ASD. Focused on autism-related services, MyGOAL gives preference to first-time applicants and may benefit those with special education needs.

Early-stage U.S. PK–12 public education organizations serving students with learning differences can apply for NewSchools Venture Fund support, including work in Kansas. With a mission to reimagine education, NewSchools provides funding of US $150,000 - US $250,000 plus coaching and peer connections for innovative schools, learning solutions, teaching, and postsecondary readiness initiatives.

Students in Kansas pursuing degrees in special education or speech, physical, or occupational therapy can use this scholarship to prepare for careers serving people with Down syndrome. With a mission to empower generous people, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region offers this award through its universal scholarship application.

Kansas students pursuing special education, pediatric medicine, or Christian ministry degrees may qualify for the Kristin Lee Burry Memorial Scholarship. Offered through the Decatur County Community Foundation for North Decatur graduates, this award helps future educators and related professionals reduce college expenses while honoring Kristin’s legacy of service and academic dedication.

Kansas special education teachers or students pursuing special education majors or certifications at accredited colleges can access funding through the Marietta Kiwanis Foundation to support their studies. This US $2,500 Mack Henderson Special Education Scholarship emphasizes academic achievement and character, with priority for applicants who are current or former Cobb or Marietta students.

With a mission to strengthen youth, animals, conservation, and veterans, Von Voigtlander Family Foundation provides Kansas special needs education programs and other 501(c)(3) organizations with support for scholarships, inclusive camps, and related services. IRS-recognized charities, especially those in Michigan but also nationally, may be funded when no comparable local provider exists.

Special education teachers seeking additional licensing or a master’s in special education can receive up to US $2,500 annually for tuition and related study costs. Managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, the WindSwell Foundation scholarship serves eligible educators in specific Northeast Indiana public school districts and may interest Kansas special needs education professionals exploring similar opportunities.

Kansas special needs education nonprofits can access funding through Alma Gibbs Donchian to support programs for students with learning or hearing impairments and related communication disorders. 501(c)(3) organizations, excluding churches and schools, may receive up to US $10,000, with priority for collaborative, pilot initiatives and projects demonstrating long-term funding plans.

Kansas special education and youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations in the greater Kansas City metro can access funding through Royals Charities for programs in literacy and education, healthy and active communities, and military and veteran support. Eligible nonprofits must operate in specified Kansas and Missouri counties, with preference for budgets under $5 million.

Students pursuing education degrees, especially in special needs education, may be eligible for scholarships supporting tuition and related college costs; awards are up to US $3,000. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ Little Red Schoolhouse Scholarship Fund supports residents of Hampshire or Franklin County, which may benefit Kansas programs partnering with or serving these students.

Kansas nonprofits providing special needs education, community safety, health, or environmental programs can seek funding to support mobility, environment, or people-focused initiatives. Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund help organizations across the U.S. that improve transportation access, promote biodiversity, or create safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities, with awards ranging from US $5,000 - US $10,000.

Students pursuing higher education with special needs or learning disabilities in Kansas may be eligible for the Ann Wall Scholarship, which supports study at a college, university, or business. With a mission to build stronger communities, Scranton Area Foundation gives preference to students who are active in a church or religious institution.

Students pursuing careers teaching children with special needs and demonstrating financial need may be eligible for this scholarship, though it is limited to residents of northern Chautauqua County. With a mission to strengthen communities, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation supports higher education pathways in special needs education through the St. Joseph School Scholarship.

Teachers, counselors, and administrators serving blind students in Kansas can receive recognition and support for special needs education through the National Federation of the Blind’s Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award. With a mission to honor excellence in educating blind children, National Federation of the Blind provides an expense-paid convention trip, over $1,000, and professional development opportunities.

Kansas students pursuing special education, nursing, or physical therapy degrees can receive tuition support through the David Bruce Belcher Fund Scholarship. Benton Community Foundation provides this funding for Benton County high school graduates who plan to study these fields and demonstrate a strong desire to help people with developmental disabilities.

St. Ignace Area Community Foundation: CTE Technical Scholarship

The St. Ignace Community Fund annually awards scholarships assisting students with higher education, technical training, vocational training or retraining based largely on acknowledgement of student responsibility, community service, and civic involvement. These Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of donors to the various accounts within the St. Ignace Area Community Fund. Some accounts specifically are awarded to recognize higher education in the areas of special education, vocational/technical careers, teaching, law enforcement, and health care.

About Us

Driving Positive Change in Noble County!

At the Community Foundation of Noble County we are passionate about making Noble County an even better place to call home. Since 1991, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Noble County to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible, as we see it as our mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change. The Community Foundation of Noble County is a public charity 501 (c) 3 entity.

As a group of invested community members, we identify local current and emerging issues and stimulate resources to address those needs, helping our region prepare for the future. We then leverage gifts and bequests from generous donors like you to drive positive change through grants in such areas as arts and culture, education, health and human services, civic affairs and other charitable areas of interest.

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life in Noble County by serving as catalyst for positive change, enabling donors to carry out charitable intent, and making grants.

Donor Story – Joest, Brian H. Memorial Fund

Brian Henry Joest was born in Lagrange, Indiana in 1957. He grew up on the Atwood family farm that was settled by his ancestors in the mid-1800s. Now a historical Hoosier Homestead, the Atwood Farm provided him with all the outdoor activities possible for a farm boy in northern Indiana. Brian’s love of nature and the outdoors continued throughout his life. After high school, he attended Glen Oaks Community College and then Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics

For decades, Brian went on annual backcountry camping and canoeing trips across the US and Canada. He paddled some of the most beautiful rivers in North America. He took a road trip to remote northern Alaska. He camped out on an active volcano in Guatemala. He explored most of the US National Parks. In his later years, his travels were less rustic but still adventurous as he and his wife, Cindy, checked off many items on his bucket list. They traveled to Paris, Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Ireland, and all around the US and Canada.

Brian began his professional career with management positions at Many Glacier Hotel at Glacier National Park in Montana; the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan; the Mountain View Grand Resort in New Hampshire; and Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado. He also worked for Marriott Corporation where he opened new hotels across the Midwest.

Upon the birth of his first child, Brian moved his young family back to Lagrange County so his children could grow up on the Atwood Farm near their family. Brian worked for Life Care Center of Lagrange, was a substitute teacher for the Lakeland School District, and worked for fifteen years for East Noble School Corporation, most recently as an Instructional Assistant for high school students with special needs.

Brian enjoyed doing things for other people and took so much joy in their happiness. His career choices reflected his servant’s heart. He loved working in the hospitality industry and being able to make someone else’s vacation more memorable. He helped the patients and their families at Life Care Center. He spent years making a difference for students in our local schools.

Brian experienced first-hand the unique challenges faced by the families of individuals with special needs. He was a father, stepfather, and step-grandfather to children with different disabilities. He understood the difficulties of navigating support systems and knew there are gaps in these systems that result in unmet needs. At the end of his life, while he was fighting cancer, Brian dreamed of being able to return to the classroom to help special needs students. This was not to be. In 2022, his family created this fund in his honor with the intent of continuing his dream to help improve the lives of individuals with special needs.

Anne K. Petry Scholarship Fund

Established by Summit Education Partnership Foundation to provide scholarships for Akron Public Schools students studying special education.

Amount:

• $1,000

Number of awards:

• 1

Renewal:

• No

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering special education or related services in Wyandotte County can apply for Penn National Gaming Foundation support for programs in education, human services, health, and community development. Grants may benefit students with disabilities as part of broader local initiatives in communities where the company has a business interest.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers training programs through the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) to enhance special education research. For FY 2027, the focus is on Methods Training, particularly on analyzing large datasets related to learners with disabilities. This initiative supports early career researchers and current education researchers in developing rigorous methodologies to address significant educational challenges, aiming to inform policy and practice in special education.

McCormick & Company, Inc. actively supports charitable contributions through its Charitable Donations Committee (CDC), which prioritizes donations to non-profit organizations that enhance education, health, environment, and culture. The CDC focuses on organizations that benefit communities where McCormick employees live and work, ensuring a positive impact. Eligible groups must be tax-exempt and demonstrate a commitment to non-discrimination. However, donations are not made to individuals, political organizations, or entities that conflict with corporate values.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.