Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Maryland

Community Foundation of Monroe County

The Community Foundation of Monroe County (CFMC) builds a thriving, inclusive community through the power of philanthropy. By connecting generous donors with local causes, we help ensure Monroe County remains a place where everyone can thrive. Since our founding, we’ve been a trusted steward of community resources, fostering impactful collaborations and sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, poverty, and community development.

Scholarship Opportunities

We award over 120 scholarships each year to Monroe County residents. Whether you’re heading to college, pursuing a technical career, or furthering your education as an adult, there’s a scholarship for you.

Charles and Virginia Whitten Scholarship

For Monroe County high school seniors pursuing skilled trades.

Rochester Area Community Foundation

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission: We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Victor and Janet Salitan BOCES 2 Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide scholarship assistance for BOCES 2 Career and Technical Education students planning to pursue post-secondary education.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

Renewability

This scholarship is a one-time award and is not renewable.

Donor Information

This scholarship was established in 1979 to honor Victor Salitan. Victor served for 30 years as a school district attorney for several school districts and specifically for the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES.

Community Foundation of 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.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Noble County offers a wide range of scholarships to support local students in achieving their academic and career aspirations. 

Sneary, M.D. Max Memorial Scholarship Fund

Awards $2,500 one-time for a high school senior from Noble County to pursue a career in the medical field, with preference given to East Noble applicants.

Community Foundation of 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.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Noble County offers a wide range of scholarships to support local students in achieving their academic and career aspirations. 

Slater, Jonah W. Memorial Scholarship Fund

For a resident of Noble County who is pursuing any sort of post-secondary education. Pays $500 one time for the fall.

Community Foundation of 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.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Noble County offers a wide range of scholarships to support local students in achieving their academic and career aspirations. 

Schermerhorn, John and Mary Memorial Scholarship Fund

For a high school senior who is a Noble County resident who will graduate from Central Noble High School or East Noble High School or West Noble High School and is pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field. One-time payment of $500. 

Community Foundation of 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.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Noble County offers a wide range of scholarships to support local students in achieving their academic and career aspirations. 

Kile, David O. & Marjorie B. Kile Scholarship

This scholarship is available to any Noble County resident who is at least 19 years of age with a high school diploma, or GED, in pursuit of higher education in a field of their choice. This scholarship is available to applicants planning to attend, or are currently enrolled, either full-time or part-time, in an accredited vocational school, or two-year or four-year college or university. The award is given one time, with no restriction on applying in subsequent years, for educational purposes only.

Community Foundation of Monroe County

The Community Foundation of Monroe County (CFMC) builds a thriving, inclusive community through the power of philanthropy. By connecting generous donors with local causes, we help ensure Monroe County remains a place where everyone can thrive. Since our founding, we’ve been a trusted steward of community resources, fostering impactful collaborations and sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, poverty, and community development.

Scholarship Opportunities

We award over 120 scholarships each year to Monroe County residents. Whether you’re heading to college, pursuing a technical career, or furthering your education as an adult, there’s a scholarship for you.

Graceful Memories Memorial Endowed Scholarship

For Monroe County residents pursuing a career in medicine.

Bob Brittain Memorial Scholarship/CCHS Alumni Scholarship

Presented by the Columbia City High School Alumni Association

Criteria are the same for a two year degree and four year degree. This scholarship is one-time and non-renewable.

The ideal recipient of this scholarship will be a CCHS graduate who has been actively involved in several extra-curricular activities, major service activities, and have a grade point average reflective of respectable academic growth. This student will have a four year involvement in the activities listed below. This student will also be fully involved in high school classes during the final trimester of the senior year

Horizon of Hope Scholarship

Balancing the responsibilities of family and work can be challenging for anyone, but for single parents who want to improve their lives by continuing their education, juggling the added responsibilities can seem downright overwhelming.

The Horizons of Hope Fund was established to recognize and encourage single parents who have returned to school. Created to help lighten the load, Horizons of Hope assistance can be used for tuition expenses, books, supplies, transportation, childcare, or other living expenses.

Up to $500 per semester is available to single parents.

Mark Gradeless Welding Scholarship

This award was created in 2021 to honor the life of Mark “Grady” Gradeless. A 1977 graduate of Columbia City Joint High School, he worked at Dana Corporation, where he tirelessly serviced machines from the age of 18 until his retirement. “Grady” was a member of the United Auto Workers, Steelworkers Union and could often be found in his barn fixing something or tinkering. He was known for his daredevil shenanigans, practical jokes, patience, hard work, common sense advice and ability to uplift those around him. “Grady” was an amazing Dad, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and friend to all who knew and loved him. This award is for a student attending Ivy Tech Community College for the pursuit of a welding certificate.

Kenny Simon Scholarship

Kenny Simon, a member of the class 1988, met an untimely death in the summer of 1985. Kenny’s parents and friends established a scholarship fund in his honor.

The interest from this fund is to be used annually to provide a scholarship for a deserving member of the graduating class. In the event the scholarship if not applied for by students, the money will be contributed to the Special Olympics Program.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region Scholarship

Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region is an organization that welcomes for membership all women regardless of age, race, creed, religion or national origin, who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to volunteerism.

The league has had many fundraising events in its history, always with the purpose of returning monies to the community through varied and needed projects. The Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region Scholarship is one of those projects.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Judge Gary R. McDonald Memorial Scholarship

January 2004 marked the passing of a true champion of justice and compassion for the men and women of Michigan. Judge Gary R. McDonald, beloved father and friend, served the citizens of Saginaw and the rest of Michigan for over 30 years.

In honor of his esteemed service, the family and colleagues of this respected Michigan leader have created the Judge Gary R. McDonald Memorial Scholarship Fund. Its purpose is to grant students of Saginaw County the financial means to pursue a career in a law-related field so that Judge McDonald’s unrelenting pursuit of justice may continue in his honor.

Awarding this scholarship to those in need serves Judge McDonald’s personal mission of inspiring the hearts and minds of our youth to serve our communities for the good of all.

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

Our Community Foundation was established in Roanoke in 1988. With our growth, we expanded into the Martinsville/Henry County area in 2005. Today, we administer many hundreds of named endowment funds ranging in size from a minimum of $10,000 to millions of dollars. To date, donors have also committed very significant resources to the Foundation through future estate gifts.

Our Mission:Enabling people who love their community to easily give back.

Scholarships

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, the region’s community foundation, administers a variety of scholarships to reward and assist capable and deserving students based on the criteria established by the fund donors.

Jim Barker Scholarship Fund

Fund provides higher educational scholarship assistance to deserving students.

Harvey E. Anderson Scholarship

To be awarded to students who participate in Section V sports, have been diligent in academic and athletic endeavors, and exhibit self-motivation and extraordinary effort.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $4,000 each to both a male and a female athlete; paid as $1,000 per year for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study. Additionally, one non-renewable award of $1,000 to both a male and a female runner-up. Award paid in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

The CDC's NCIPC is seeking research proposals to tackle implementation challenges in providing linkage to care services for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). This initiative encourages partnerships with public health entities and local healthcare champions to create actionable, evidence-based strategies. The goal is to enhance care access and ensure comprehensive overdose prevention services are available in real-world healthcare settings, thereby improving outcomes for those at risk of opioid overdose.

We award over 120 scholarships each year to Monroe County residents. Whether you’re heading to college, pursuing a technical career, or furthering your education as an adult, there’s a scholarship for you. 

Community Foundation of Monroe County Scholarship

For adult Monroe County residents pursuing skilled trades training.

Middlesex County Medical Society Foundation

The Middlesex County Medical Society Foundation, founded in 1964 and was initially funded by contributions from the first mass polio vaccination in our county.

MCMS Foundation Scholarship Fund

Middlesex County Medical Society Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that awards scholarships to deserving students from Middlesex County, New Jersey for the study of medicine. Scholarships are awarded to deserving students who are enrolled in an accredited medical school.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Mildred Culbert Kelly & Fred W. Kelly Traditional Student Scholarship

Mildred Culbert Kelly and Fred W. Kelly never had children, but they were generous with contributions of time and talent to church and community groups that focused on youngsters.

Prior to his death in 1989, Mr. Kelly had been employed as an insurance agent and later purchased the Wheeler Insurance Agency which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1977. He was a founding member and past president of the Optimist Club and he assisted in establishing Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Saginaw and the READ Saginaw program.

Mrs. Kelly retired from the Accounting Department at Chevrolet Saginaw Grey Iron Foundry after 39 years of service. She volunteered at First United Methodist Church as director of the Children’s Choir, the Interpretive Choir and the Sacred Dance Group for many years. She was also a volunteer at READ Saginaw and Delta College Channel 19 and was a past president of the Opti-Mrs. Club. She died in 2000 at the age of 94.

Mildred Culbert Kelly and Fred W. Kelly’s legacy continues to assist youth with scholarships for students who might not otherwise obtain a college or Career and Technical Education (CTE) degree/certificate.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

James P. Konieczka Memorial Scholarship

The James P. Konieczka Memorial Scholarship was established by his three children, Bryan, Amy, and Katie, to honor their father’s wishes after his passing in 2016 following a courageous year-long battle with cancer.

Jim believed in the value of a college education, but he also understood that not everyone wants to pursue this post-secondary education path. It was his wish that this scholarship be made available to someone seeking Career and Techincal Education (CTE) training or to someone seeking a traditional college degree.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Iles Family Conservation Scholarship

The Iles Family Conservation Scholarship was established by Doug and Sandy Iles in memory of Clarence “Buck” Iles. A lifelong passion for conservation balanced with practical application is what Buck Iles stood for. A very avid sportsman, he was actively involved with leadership in the Michigan United Conservation Club and Saginaw Field and Stream, among others.

For more than 20 years, Buck Iles helped establish and operate the Saginaw Field and Stream Club annual scholarship raffle which supported over 40 different scholarships. Buck passed away in 2005 and this scholarship was established to continue the great raffle tradition that now no longer exists.

Doug and Sandy established this scholarship fund in “Dad’s” memory. Recipients should be students with an active interest in environmental issues. Although not limited to, emphasis will be placed on awarding this scholarship to a resident of Saginaw County. A minimum 3.0 GPA and a student who has the need for educational financial support are key determinants.

The Alpha Omega Alpha/Pharos Poetry Award

To encourage students to write effective poetry. Winning poems are published in The Pharos.

The Award

Up to 5 poems will receive a $1,500 award. The winning entries will be published in The Pharos.

Pre-clinical Investigation of anti-TFPI-mediated Rebalancing Mechanisms in Non-Hemophilic Bleeding Disorders 

There remains a scientific gap in understanding of the role of anti-TFP Imediated hemostatic rebalancing in the context of inherited or non-hemophilic bleeding disorders. This competitive grant program encourages competitive submissions focsed on generating preclinical/foundational data exploring the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of TFPI modulation in bleeding disorders other than hemophilia.

Geographic Scope

Brazil, China, Europe, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, USA

Funding Range and Project Length

Individual projects requesting up to $50,000 USD will be considered.

Request for study drug or compound is allowed (max $50,000 USD), additionally to the study project costs.

Maximum project length is 1 year.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for innovative technologies aimed at cancer research and clinical care. This funding opportunity supports early-stage projects focused on proof-of-concept studies to assess the feasibility of new methods and tools. Applications should demonstrate significant technical innovation, targeting advancements in cancer biology, early detection, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology. Technologies may include novel analysis platforms, imaging technologies, and biospecimen processing innovations, with a focus on cancer applications.

The FY26 Neurofibromatosis Research Program's Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award encourages innovative, high-risk research concepts in neurofibromatosis (NF). This award aims to support groundbreaking studies that will pave the way for future scientific inquiries. Proposals should present a well-defined, testable hypothesis grounded in sound scientific rationale. While preliminary data is encouraged, it is not a prerequisite for submission, allowing researchers to explore novel paradigms and perspectives in NF research.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the R33 grant aimed at advancing emerging technologies in cancer research. This funding opportunity seeks projects that demonstrate significant progress in technology development, focusing on cancer biology, early detection, and clinical diagnosis. Eligible proposals must showcase innovative methodologies that enhance research capabilities, with a strong emphasis on technical validation and broad applicability in cancer applications.

The Community Foundation of Hancock County offers educational support for Hancock County, Indiana adults who are seeking post-secondary training or schooling to improve their career prospects. There are also some opportunities provided by specific businesses in the area. The application is open year-round until all funds are used.

Nancy King “Dare to Dream” Fund

The purpose of this fund is to honor the Greenfield Kiwanis Club, a group whose members were like family to Nancy, through the provision of scholarships to persons who wish to obtain additional education.