Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Maryland

Beckley Area Foundation

Beckley Area Foundation was established in January 1985 by ten community-minded citizens. It began with a gift of $1.1 million from the Dr. Thomas Walker Memorial Health Foundation as “seed” money for this Raleigh County project. BAF assets have grown to over $70 million with over 500 different funds managed by our three trustee banks. Today, Beckley Area Foundation is one of West Virginia’s largest community foundations.

Since its inception, BAF has distributed over $23 million to charities and other worthy projects in the fields of education, public recreation, health & human services, the arts, animal services and beautification.

Scholarships

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Most of these scholarships must be awarded to students from our geographic area or at least preference given to such students. While the majority of scholarships benefit Raleigh County applicants there are others designated for Fayette, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming students. 

Ross C. Todd Scholarship

Merit based award open to West Virginia blind students. Both graduating high school seniors and college upperclassmen, which at the time of application have achieved and maintained a 3.0 grade point average or better, are eligible to apply; All other considerations being equal, the two recipients having attained and maintained the highest grade point average within the applicant pool shall be named as recipients; West Virginia residents who are matriculating seniors or students already enrolled in a college/university.

This scholarship is renewable.

Beckley Area Foundation

Beckley Area Foundation was established in January 1985 by ten community-minded citizens. It began with a gift of $1.1 million from the Dr. Thomas Walker Memorial Health Foundation as “seed” money for this Raleigh County project. BAF assets have grown to over $70 million with over 500 different funds managed by our three trustee banks. Today, Beckley Area Foundation is one of West Virginia’s largest community foundations.

Since its inception, BAF has distributed over $23 million to charities and other worthy projects in the fields of education, public recreation, health & human services, the arts, animal services and beautification.

Scholarships

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Most of these scholarships must be awarded to students from our geographic area or at least preference given to such students. While the majority of scholarships benefit Raleigh County applicants there are others designated for Fayette, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming students. 

Louisa Holton Morris Music Scholarship

Music studies with preference to those specializing in organ music; Weighted for need and merit; West Virginia resident with preference to Raleigh County.​

This scholarship is renewable.

Beckley Area Foundation

Beckley Area Foundation was established in January 1985 by ten community-minded citizens. It began with a gift of $1.1 million from the Dr. Thomas Walker Memorial Health Foundation as “seed” money for this Raleigh County project. BAF assets have grown to over $70 million with over 500 different funds managed by our three trustee banks. Today, Beckley Area Foundation is one of West Virginia’s largest community foundations.

Since its inception, BAF has distributed over $23 million to charities and other worthy projects in the fields of education, public recreation, health & human services, the arts, animal services and beautification.

Scholarships

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Most of these scholarships must be awarded to students from our geographic area or at least preference given to such students. While the majority of scholarships benefit Raleigh County applicants there are others designated for Fayette, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming students. 

Bill Weese Trades Scholarship

Residents of Webster County, WV; Recent graduates and adult career-switchers seeking a professional trade or retraining assistance; Must attend a trade school including vocational programs offering certification or degree programs designed to teach specific employment skills; Additional requirement details available in application.

This scholarship is renewable.

The NIDDK Disorders of Gastrointestinal Interoception Consortium Clinical Centers (DGIC) aims to enhance understanding of gastrointestinal disorders by expanding the previous Gastroparesis Consortium's research scope. This initiative will include adult and pediatric conditions linked to impaired interoceptive processing, utilizing multidisciplinary approaches to uncover mechanisms connecting GI function to symptoms, identify biomarkers for treatment efficacy, and explore new therapeutic targets for future clinical trials.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Maurice D. Taylor Memorial Music Scholarship

Established by the family of Mr. Taylor who was originally from Montrose and became a nationally recognized music and band instructor. The scholarship will benefit a student from Montrose or Elk Lake who will attend a post-secondary degree program to major in music.   

U.S. Civil Society Microgrants

We seek to support projects that engage Pulitzer Center journalism to amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement with our focus areas.

Audience engagement has been at the core of the Pulitzer Center’s work since its founding in 2006. In addition to grants and fellowships that facilitate breakthrough journalism, we support initiatives that connect the reporting to the audiences that need it the most. Our goal is pursuing real-world impact: engaging and mobilizing communities, increasing understanding and connection, and influencing decisions locally and globally. 

This microgrant aims to support civil society organizations and groups in the United States to utilize Pulitzer Center-supported reporting as part of projects that contribute to a more informed and empowered community.

 For this grant cycle, we are seeking grant proposals for civic engagement projects to be completed by early December 2026 that focus on one of the following issues:

• Climate and the environment, with a focus on U.S fisheries and fishing communities or climate and labor
• Information and Artificial Intelligence
• Global health, with specific focus on mental well-being or connections to the Global South

The objective is to use Pulitzer Center-supported journalism as the inspiration for the projects supported by this civil society microgrant. By leveraging this reporting, we expect to build projects that amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement that will lead to impactful conversations in communities in the U.S. and beyond.

Grants range from US$2,000 to US$4,000. Project proposals can support existing activities or support the launch of new activities. 

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Helen Whitehead Memorial Scholarship

Established by the family of Mrs. Whitehead to provide tuition assistance for a graduating Senior from Blue Ridge, Elk Lake, Forest City, Montrose, Mountain View or Susquehanna Community High School who will matriculate at a college or post-secondary degree program to major in the culinary profession or a student who will matriculate at a college or post-secondary degree program to major in a degree in Nursing.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

R.E.S.C.U.E. Benjamin B. Stone Memorial Scholarship

Established by the environmental organization “Return Susquehanna County Under Ecology” to recognize Benjamin Stone. Two college scholarships are awarded each year and are available to seniors from all of the high schools in Susquehanna County and from Honesdale, Wallenpaupack Area, and Western Wayne High Schools in Wayne County.   

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Robert G. Sr & Mary L. McNamara Memorial Honor Scholarship

Established by the family of Mr. & Mrs. McNamara to provide college tuition assistance to a graduating Senior from Susquehanna Community School District who has maintained an 85 GPA and who will major in nursing and has the potential to contribute in a meaningful way to the health and welfare of the community.

The Teagle Foundation's Knowledge for Freedom initiative aims to empower underserved high school students through transformative experiences in the humanities. Grants ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 over 36 months support programs that foster civic responsibility and personal purpose. Colleges can also apply for planning grants of $10,000 to $25,000 to develop tailored programs. The initiative emphasizes intensive summer seminars led by faculty, with continued support for college applications and civic engagement.

The Kiwanis Club of Elk Grove offers the Jessie Baker Memorial Scholarship, valued at $1,000, aimed at supporting local students pursuing education in Special Education Teaching or related fields. Applicants must be full-time students from designated Elk Grove high schools, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and demonstrate financial need. A personal essay outlining educational objectives is required, along with participation in school and community activities, ensuring a commitment to both academic and civic engagement.

The Leonard-Litz Foundation's LGBTQ+ Advocacy Fund Grant aims to empower LGBTQ+ individuals by funding organizations that advocate for their rights and well-being. With a focus on health, wellness, and racial justice, the fund supports projects that require significant investment for impactful change. Prioritizing partnerships that serve vulnerable communities, including people of color and transgender individuals, this grant fosters equality and addresses systemic inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ people, especially in the northeast U.S.

The Leonard Litz Foundation supports LGBTQ+ organizations through grants that promote health, wellness, crisis intervention, racial justice, advocacy, and social assistance. Priority is given to organizations in the northeast U.S. and those serving communities of color and transgender individuals. Applications that clearly link funding requests to specific needs will receive stronger consideration. The foundation aims to foster a supportive environment for the LGBTQ+ community to thrive.

The Center for Scholarship Administration is proud to serve as the administrator of the following scholarship programs.

The funds are provided through the generosity of corporations, foundations, individuals and trust funds.

Ausmus G. Wells Memorial Fund Scholarship

The Ausmus G. Wells Memorial Fund Scholarship is providing scholarships for deserving students. The Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc. (CSA), a non-profit, independent organization is the facilitator of the scholarship fund.

Must be planning to attend East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina in any field of study leading to a degree, diploma or certificate provided the institution meets the requirements in the following paragraph. Recipients must be enrolled full-time each semester and working towards an undergraduate degree.

The institution must be an educational organization that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are regularly conducted. 

Boom & Bucket's Student Scholarship Program aims to provide a $1,000 scholarship each year to students pursuing heavy machinery programs at colleges or trade schools in the U.S. and Canada. This initiative supports both current and future students, ensuring access to quality education regardless of financial background. By investing in education, Boom & Bucket hopes to foster the next generation of heavy equipment professionals while demonstrating its commitment to transparency and customer service.

The Lester Little Ag Education Scholarship, offered by the Muskingum County Community Foundation, aims to support graduating seniors pursuing higher education in agricultural studies. Scholarships will be awarded to students from John Glenn, Philo, Tri-Valley, Maysville, and West Muskingum High Schools. Preference is given to those active in their school's ag programs and 4-H, with additional consideration for female applicants, fostering a commitment to agricultural education and community engagement.

The Energy, Power, Control, and Networks (EPCN) Program, managed by the National Science Foundation, fosters innovative research in multi-agent systems, resource allocation, and machine learning. It focuses on applications in energy, transportation, and robotics, while emphasizing the integration of renewable energy into power systems. EPCN also explores advanced power electronics, cybersecurity for grids, and the development of adaptive systems. This program encourages groundbreaking advancements in energy-efficient technologies and promotes collaboration in addressing complex challenges.

The ASH-Roland B. Scott Award, presented by the American Society of Hematology, honors outstanding research on Sickle Cell Disease by a resident. This prestigious award includes a $16,000 honorarium, $2,000 for mentor research supplies, and $2,000 for travel to the annual meeting. It recognizes the legacy of Dr. Roland B. Scott, emphasizing the importance of innovative research in improving patient outcomes in hematology.

About The Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is a community-based social impact investor whose mission is to engage, invest, and lead—working toward a vision of community vibrancy with opportunity for all. Our team of experienced staff and dedicated trustees is committed to boldly leading and supporting transformational community investments. We channel charitable contributions from donors through nonprofit partners that are meeting current community needs and steward community resources responsibly to ensure greater capacity for the future.

Adirondack League Club Scholarship

Established by Adirondack League Club to award scholarships to students in the Central Adirondack region of the Adirondack Park.

Candidates are identified by a committee.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a student who is completing their automotive certification from Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, and who intends to further their education at a college, university or technical school.

The Spotlight Funds: Inclusive Classroom Grants support K-12 educators by providing financial assistance to acquire essential tools and materials for diverse classrooms. These grants address inequities based on race, gender identity, and ability, ensuring that all students have the resources they need to succeed. With awards ranging from $500 to $1,000 per educator, the program prioritizes high-needs schools, empowering teachers to create inclusive learning environments that reflect their students' unique backgrounds.

Terrance Lavell Winters Memorial Scholarship

The Terrance Lavell Winters Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of a loving son, father, brother and uncle – Terrance Lavell Winters. He was born October 7, 1983 to his parents Barbara Ezell and Ray Henderson. Terrance had one son, Trevontae Lavell Winters, whom he considered his true love.

Sometimes shy, Terrance was loved by his smile. He enjoyed buying cars, repairing them and then selling the vehicles. He was known by his family as “Mr. R.P.M.”

Since Terrance’s passing on April 26, 2005, his mother Barbara has promised to keep his memory alive. To honor her son, Barbara created the Grandma Barb’s World-Class Students program. She bought and filled book bags for nearly 300 students for nine years. Barbara also organized a successful rally, prayer vigil and march to remember and honor her son in April 2015. By establishing this scholarship, Barbara hopes to keep the memories of Terrance alive.

The Innovative Programs to Enhance Research Training (IPERT) initiative by the NIH aims to support innovative educational activities that enhance the skills of participants across various career stages in the biomedical research field. This program focuses on courses for skills development, mentoring activities, and curriculum or methods development, ensuring a robust structure for leadership, recruitment, and evaluation.

The BRAIN Initiative invites applications for clinical studies aimed at advancing devices for recording and modulation in the human central nervous system. This funding opportunity focuses on small clinical trials that provide vital data for device development, particularly for treatments of central nervous system disorders. Investigators are encouraged to explore both non-significant and significant risk studies to enhance understanding of device functionality and design, ultimately contributing to improved clinical outcomes.

National PTA® is the oldest and largest child advocacy association in America. For 125 years, PTA has worked with school communities and decision makers to solve the toughest problems in our nation’s history.

PTA is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools.

PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education.

The Middle Ground Program Grant

National PTA, in collaboration with the New York Life Foundation, is offering grants of up to $3,500 to support middle school PTAs in creating The Middle Ground—a dedicated, supportive space for students experiencing grief and loss with opportunities for peer connection, creative expression, storytelling and support.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors from Lackawanna County high schools who plan to continue their education in a college or university program. This $6,000 scholarship, renewable for up to three years (for a total of $24,000), is offered each year for full-time study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university of the student’s choice. 20 students will be selected annually for this award.

The James F. Swift Scholarship Fund has awarded over $5.5 million since 2008, benefitting 360 local students.

Created in 2002 through a gift by Mr. James F. Swift to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund provides support for higher education for students graduating from high schools in Lackawanna County. Following Mr. Swift’s death in 2006, the Scranton Area Community Foundation gratefully received a significant gift from his estate to the scholarship fund, which has allowed a great number of students from Lackawanna County the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional goals through higher education.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is launching a competition to promote study abroad programs for Japanese students seeking graduate education in the United States. This initiative invites proposals from American and Japanese non-profit organizations to create innovative programs aimed at increasing enrollment of Japanese students in U.S. graduate schools across various fields, enhancing cross-cultural exchange and educational opportunities.