Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Maine

The ESA Youth Scholarship Program, by the Electronic Security Association, provides financial support to children of first responders, having awarded over $941,500 to date. Eligible applicants are high school seniors with parents who are full-time active first responders. Each scholarship winner receives $1,000 and a chance to compete for larger awards of $14,000 for first place and $5,000 for second place. Applications are welcomed from students in participating states.

The ISTAART Grant Program for Conferences and Convenings (IGPCC) Grant, funded by the Alzheimer's Association, aims to support innovative initiatives that enhance research discussions among Professional Interest Areas (PIAs). This funding mechanism encourages collaboration and networking opportunities for ISTAART members, allowing for the organization of educational workshops and conferences. Grants of up to $20,000 are available, with a focus on new projects that haven't received funding in the last 24 months. Applications are reviewed year-round.

The Austin Education Foundation Scholarship, established by a committee from the Austin School District, aims to support local high school seniors in their pursuit of post-secondary education. With an estimated total award of $3,500 over four years, the scholarship is designed to honor the legacy of Austin High School Alumni. To be eligible, applicants must belong to the Austin School District and submit an activity resume, facilitating a pathway for deserving students to achieve their educational dreams.

The FSR Early Career Fellowship Grant supports early-stage researchers in sarcoidosis, fostering skills and knowledge advancement. With $150,000 over two years, this grant aims to enhance medical care and scientific understanding of the disease. Eligible applicants, including international candidates, must present innovative study proposals and demonstrate a commitment to sarcoidosis research. FSR encourages transitions from fellowships to faculty positions, thereby strengthening academic credentials and promoting impactful research contributions.

Heartland Community Foundation: Paul and Terrii Bowman Scholarship

Amount

$1,000 minimum; Multiple scholarships may be awarded.

Geographic Limitations:

High school seniors qualified for graduation from a high school in Rooks County, Kansas.

Renewals

• Recipients are eligible for a one-year automatic renewal by meeting the following criteria:
  • Enrolled in a vocational field at a post-secondary institution.
  • In good academic standing.

Nearly a decade ago, HCLTech Grant was launched by the HCLFoundation to enable cross-sector collaboration and empower non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to play a decisive role in building a stronger, future-ready India. Today, HCLTech Grant has invested nearly $18 million in groundbreaking projects and is recognized as one of the largest grant programs in India—impacting over 27,000+ villages across 22 states and 2 UT's

HCLTech Grant for Climate Action in Americas Edition III

The future of cross-sector climate collaboration

We’re proud to bring our learnings and innovations from India to the Americas. As part of our global CSR strategy, we’ll start by investing $5 million over five years to impact-focused, Americas-based NGOs to supercharge their replicable, scalable and sustainable climate action projects. As a $13.7 billion technology company with over 218,000 people worldwide, our mission is to bring together the best of technology and people to supercharge progress for our clients, our people, our communities and our planet.

We’re looking to supercharge innovative, replicable, scalable and sustainable climate solutions. If the work you do fits the following criteria, our mission is to amplify your impact:

Prerequisites

• The organization’s bylaws should expressly permit engagement in purpose-driven projects and, where relevant, climate action initiatives, in accordance with the legal regulations of the country of registration.
• The proposed project must be designed for direct implementation by the applicant organization. Sub-granting of HCLTech funds is not allowed.
• The grant amount must not be used solely for infrastructure development / purchase of fixed assets like land, buildings, and vehicles, among others. Further, proposed infrastructure development costs must be spent in line with project objectives and activities defined.
• The applicant organization, including its governing body members, must not have any pending litigations.
• The applicant organization must not be blacklisted by any government agency, department, ministry, donor or international agency.
• The organization must not have faced cancellation of its license, registration or membership from the country-specific regulatory or statutory body.
• The applicant organization or its board members or employees must not have any political or religious affiliations.

Three organizations will be selected each year—first place will receive $500,000 and two runners-up will receive $250,000 each for a two-year project.

The NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training Program aims to enhance the training of undergraduate students in biomedical research. By supporting institutions with limited NIH funding, the program provides trainees with 2–3 years of full-time research training. This initiative fosters a skilled workforce prepared for advanced biomedical degrees, addressing national health-related research needs through comprehensive educational and developmental programs.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Kent A. & Diana C. Morgan Family Scholarship

The Kent A. & Diana C. Morgan Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 as a legacy fund. It will provide scholarships for Marion County high school seniors and graduates pursuing a degree in the field of education, with special consideration given to applicants who demonstrate, through the applicant’s application, extraordinary financial need.

The Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Research Grant, funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, aims to support innovative research that optimizes movement and enhances societal health. With a commitment to addressing health disparities, the foundation will award $40,000 for one or two years to promising researchers. This initiative not only strengthens the physical therapy profession but also contributes to the growing evidence base that underscores the value of physical therapy in various healthcare settings.

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.

Ruth Westerman Oren Nursing Scholarship

• Recent graduate of an Ottawa County high school or technical school or Ottawa County adult resident making a career transition to nursing
• Pursuing a nursing degree to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through an accredited nursing program within the United States
• Priority given to past recipients who have a strong performance record in their nursing studies

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club’s George Brown Scholarship

The Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years.

The Marion Rotary Club George K. Brown Scholarship was created in 2020. It honors the late George K. Brown, philanthropist, businessman, and a member of one of Marion’s founding families. His scholarship provides financial support for Marion County graduating seniors who have been a resident of Marion County for at least two full years and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Special consideration will be given to applicants who intend to pursue an education and career in or related to business or management.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club’s Karl W. Schell Scholarship

The Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years.

The Marion Rotary Club Karl W. Schell Scholarship migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It honors the late Karl Schell and provides financial support for Marion County graduating seniors. Recipients will have been a resident of Marion County for at least two full years and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who intend to pursue an education and career in, or related to, business, management, or the real estate industry.

The Tri-M Foundation's Performing Arts Grant Program aims to support innovative and high-quality performing arts projects by regional non-profit organizations. The program prioritizes projects that align with the organization's mission, engage audiences, and provoke important discussions. Grants range from $3,000 to $10,000, intended for diverse artistic expressions, including theatre and dance. Applications are encouraged from eligible organizations that demonstrate detailed project planning, inclusivity, and a commitment to addressing sensitive topics.

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.

Eleanor C. Hungar Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was established to administer a bequest from the estate of Eleanor Hungar.

Miss Hungar (1905-2005) attended Greenman Elementary School. She was a graduate of West Aurora High School and Illinois State University at Normal. Miss Hungar was a beloved and greatly admired teacher. She had a profound influence on the children whose lives she touched.

To this day, former students fondly recall her extraordinary kindness to those who had the good fortune to learn at her side.

In keeping with her lifelong devotion to children, she bequeathed a portion of her estate to provide scholarships for students entering the field of elementary education.

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 Jewell County Community Foundation's Fine Arts Future Development program supports high school seniors in the Solomon Valley area, including Mitchell, Cloud, and Jewell Counties, who are pursuing majors in Instrumental Music or Art. This initiative, backed by the Greater Salina Community Foundation, aims to foster creativity and artistic talent among youth, helping them to achieve their educational aspirations through scholarships and community support.

The Prader-Willi Syndrome Mini-Fellowship Grant aims to enhance understanding of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) through clinical proctorships. Offering up to $25,000 USD, this grant supports providers in shadowing experts in PWS while engaging in an academic project. PWSA | USA, dedicated to advancing research since 1983, focuses on high-impact projects that translate biomedical knowledge into effective treatments, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by PWS.

The Beattie Family Foundation offers educational scholarships aimed primarily at medical and nursing students facing financial challenges. These scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, support individuals currently enrolled in accredited institutions who demonstrate strong academic capabilities. Additionally, limited funds are available for vocational or trade school tuition for those aspiring to enter skilled labor professions. The foundation prioritizes applicants based on financial need and academic performance.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Lucy C. Perry Scholarship

Preference for funds from this scholarship is given to applicants studying at Indiana University and interested in public health.

The NCB - Botany Research Scholarship Program, offered by Northern California Botanists, targets undergraduate and graduate students pursuing research in botany and plant ecology. Scholarships of $1,500 support independent study, thesis, or dissertation projects within a specific geographic area of Northern California. Eligible applicants may reapply for funding for up to four years. This initiative aims to foster academic careers in botany and promote valuable ecological research.

The Karl A. Bickel and Madira Bickel Journalistic Scholarship Fund Grant supports journalism students at accredited colleges and universities. Established under Karl A. Bickel's Last Will and Testament, it awards approximately $40,000 annually. Eligible organizations must have journalism programs and qualify as 501(c)(3) exempt entities. While there are no geographical restrictions, preference is given to institutions in Florida. The fund is administered by Wells Fargo Bank, ensuring that deserving students receive necessary financial support.

The Anna B. Glauser Trust Grants provide financial support to organizations aiding physically handicapped individuals, particularly blind residents in Delaware County, PA. Established in memory of Willis K. Glauser, the trust awards 1-2 grants annually, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified, while funding for salaries is typically excluded. This initiative reflects Anna Glauser's lifelong commitment to assisting the visually impaired community.

The AOTF Implementation Research Grant supports innovative research aimed at integrating evidence-based practices into occupational therapy. This grant encourages projects that directly involve stakeholders, particularly from underrepresented populations, to address health inequities. With funding options of up to $100,000 for two years or $50,000 for one year, the AOTF seeks to enhance the effectiveness of care through practical implementation strategies in diverse clinical settings.

The William C. Risser Charitable Trust Grants support mental health research, particularly in Schizophrenia. This private foundation assists 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations across the U.S. with grants typically ranging from $25,000 to $55,000. Administered by Wells Fargo, the Trust awards 1-2 grants annually, focusing on program support for scientific and educational research. Eligible organizations must meet IRS exemption requirements.

The Classics for Kids Matching Grant Program, established by the Classics for Kids Foundation, aims to enhance music education for at-risk and rural youth by providing matching grants for fine stringed instruments. Since 1998, over $2 million has been allocated to support more than 300 programs across all 50 states. Schools and non-profits demonstrating need and commitment are encouraged to apply, fostering lifelong benefits of music participation and education.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Liesel M. Hiemenz Scholarship

This permanent scholarship was established in memory of Ms. Hiemenz, a nurse from Germany. Preference is given to applicants interested in public health.

Health Services Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (HSR-ADRD) Program

The HSR-ADRD program seeks to support research that strengthens dementia detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care pathways along the care continuum. Projects may address a range of health services research questions, including, but not limited to, studies examining barriers and solutions to timely access, quality, and care coordination. By supporting rigorous and innovative research, this program aims to generate actionable evidence to improve person-centered, coordinated, and equitable brain health and dementia care.

Program overview

The program welcomes proposals that utilize rigorous methodologies to advance understanding and improvement of cognitive impairment, including MCI and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care.

This award is structured as an individual research grant, with funding administered through the recipient’s institution. Proposals should address one or more Areas of Focus. Areas of Focus represent high-priority research topics for which this program is actively seeking proposals and include: 

• The Value of Early Detection and Diagnosis: Studies should investigate outcomes associated with early detection and diagnosis on at least two levels of the dementia care ecosystem (i.e., individual/families, providers/clinicians, health systems/payers, and policy/society).
• Care Pathways for Individuals with MCI or Dementia: Studies should consider comorbidities and investigate how people are being screened and diagnosed in different settings, and the post-diagnosis pathways for care and treatment, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions or combinations thereof.

Funding overview

• Each HSR-ADRD award is limited to a total of $250,000 U.S. (direct and indirect costs) for a duration of up to two years (awards should be a minimum one year).
• Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of total direct costs and are inclusive of indirect costs for the implementing institution as well as for any subcontracts.

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.

Kendall’s Kindness Scholarship Fund

The Kendall’s Kindness Scholarship Fund was created by the Maffia Family in loving memory of their daughter, sister, niece, and granddaughter Kendall Marie Maffia (6/12/2000-10/11/2021). This scholarship has been established to provide two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from either St. Charles North High School or St. Charles East High School. The Kendall’s Kindness Scholarship is intended for students who are planning to continue their education at a 4-year college and will major in an Arts-related degree.

Kendall’s family and friends want Kendall’s kind-hearted, gentle, loving, and passionate spirit to continue to impact others. The Kendall’s Kindness Scholarship Fund has been established to support young people who are interested in art, have a passion for their community, and exhibit the gentle spirit and kindness that Kendall showed others every day.

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.