Best Grants for Special Education in New Hampshire

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) organizations and public schools serving students with autism can seek up to US $7,500 for education technology and related training. With a mission to expand special needs education opportunities, Doug Flutie Foundation provides New Hampshire programs with funding for tablets, apps, smartboards, laptops, STEM activities, and technology-focused instruction.

With a mission to reimagine PK–12 public education, NewSchools Venture Fund provides U.S.-based, early-stage education organizations with US $150,000 - US $250,000 for innovative work serving students with learning differences. New Hampshire special education initiatives in schools or nonprofits may be eligible if they focus on new school models, learning tools, teaching, or postsecondary readiness.

Families of individuals with autism in New Hampshire can seek help covering medical, nutritional, personal, and educational needs that are not reimbursed by other sources. Focused on autism-related supports, MyGOAL invites first-time applicants who have not received a MyGOAL grant in the past three years; 25 families will receive assistance in 2026.

Students pursuing post-secondary education in Rock Island County can apply for the Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship, awarding up to US $1,000 for community college, trade school, or four-year programs. New Hampshire special education students may be interested if they reside in Rock Island County and are majoring in special education or related fields.

New Hampshire students will not be eligible; this scholarship is limited to graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools with a 3.0+ GPA who will major in education, preferably special education, at a four-year college. Administered by Ashland County Community Foundation, it supports students with financial need, leadership, community service, and extracurricular involvement.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing a degree in special education can receive scholarship support, including students from New Hampshire. Grants from Crown Point Community Foundation help residents within its service area access higher education in special needs education. Applicants submit one application considered for many different donor-created scholarships.

Students pursuing special education or speech, physical, or occupational therapy careers to support individuals with Down syndrome, including those from New Hampshire, may be eligible for this scholarship. With a mission to empower generous people, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region offers this award through its universal scholarship application.

New Hampshire students planning careers in special needs education, pediatric medicine, or Christian ministry may be eligible for the Kristin Lee Burry Memorial Scholarship, which supports higher education costs. Administered by Decatur County Community Foundation, this scholarship aids North Decatur graduates pursuing these fields and may benefit those focused on special education pathways.

New Hampshire special education teachers or students pursuing a special education major or certification at an accredited college can access funding through the Mack Henderson Special Education Scholarship. Offered by the Marietta Kiwanis Foundation, this US $2,500 award recognizes academic achievement and character, with a general priority for Cobb or Marietta students.

Special education teachers seeking additional licensing can receive up to US $2,500 annually for accredited coursework, through a scholarship managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. WindSwell Foundation supports special needs education professionals in Northeast Indiana public schools, which may interest New Hampshire educators exploring similar professional development opportunities.

Students pursuing education degrees, especially in special education or early childhood fields, may be eligible for up to US $3,000 to support college costs, though this particular scholarship is limited to Hampshire or Franklin County residents. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers this one-year award, which can be reapplied for annually and used toward tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund help New Hampshire special needs education and community organizations fund programs in mobility, environmental conservation, and people-focused initiatives. U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on accessible education, community safety, or healthier communities may be eligible for awards of US $5,000 - US $10,000.

Students pursuing higher education with special needs in New Hampshire can apply for the Ann Wall Scholarship to support college, university, or business school costs. With a mission to build a stronger community, Scranton Area Foundation provides scholarships, with preference for students from Dalton who have learning disabilities or special needs and are active in a church or religious institution.

Students pursuing careers in special needs education can receive scholarship support for higher education, including those in New Hampshire. With a mission to strengthen education opportunities, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation provides the St. Joseph School Scholarship to graduating seniors who plan to teach children with special needs and demonstrate financial need.

Teachers, counselors, and administrators serving blind students in New Hampshire and across the U.S. can receive more than US $1,000 plus convention travel through the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award. With a mission to recognize exemplary instruction, National Federation of the Blind provides this honor to special needs educators who create meaningful opportunities for blind students.

New Hampshire students pursuing special education, nursing, or physical therapy degrees can receive tuition support through the David Bruce Belcher Fund Scholarship, honoring caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. Benton Community Foundation provides this funding for Benton County high school graduates who demonstrate a strong desire to help people with developmental disabilities.

Students pursuing technical or vocational training in fields like construction, HVAC, health sciences, welding, or special education-related careers in New Hampshire can seek scholarship support for further education or retraining. St. Ignace Area Community Foundation offers these awards to recognize responsibility, community service, and civic involvement, which may benefit those preparing to work in special needs education settings.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

With a mission to support youth, animals, conservation, and veterans, the Von Voigtlander Family Foundation provides New Hampshire special needs education nonprofits with funding for scholarships, school support, and programs or camps for disadvantaged children. IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, especially those serving youth with disabilities, may be eligible; priority goes to Michigan-based charities but national support is possible.

New Hampshire special needs education nonprofits can access funding through Alma Gibbs Donchian for programs serving students with hearing or learning impairments, reading disabilities, or communication disorders. 501(c)(3) organizations, especially those piloting new models or collaborating with partners, may be eligible for awards up to US $10,000, with most funding focused in Vermont but not limited to it.

The Robert F. Schumann Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability, education, and the arts. Founded by Robert F. Schumann, an environmentalist, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for both humans and animals. It prioritizes projects that would not have been pursued without its assistance, particularly in ornithology and open space habitats. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt to apply, ensuring a focus on impactful community initiatives.