Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Maryland

Early Career Talent Development General Application

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) Department works closely with some of the nation’s leading corporations and foundations to shape and execute internship programs, including both stand-alone internship programs and internship-and-scholarship programs

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) Department works closely with some of the nation’s leading corporations and foundations to shape and execute internship programs, including both stand-alone internship programs and internship-and-scholarship programs with two goals – 

• To help companies build a more diverse workforce; 
• To provide diverse students with the preparation they need to succeed in college, familiarize themselves with professional career paths, and prepare to be competitive candidates for internships and future employers after graduation.

UNCF’s SPDP partners include The Walt Disney Company, Toyota, Papa Johns, United Health Foundation, Wells Fargo, and the Walton Family Foundation. We currently serve over 1500 students annually through internship, leadership, and professional development services.

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) offer career readiness, success coaching, and paid summer and semester internships to college students. Students participating in SPDP will be exposed to career pathways and opportunities and have access to leadership and personal development training. 

SPDP students will:

• Prepare to navigate from college to early-stage careers
• Enhance professional experiences through meaningful internships
• Develop stronger project management skills
• Improve networking and communication skills
• Strengthen interviewing techniques 

Currently, the SPDP is sourcing candidates to fill for summer 2026 internships!! The Early Career Talent Development General Application is used to establish an applicant pool of potentially eligible students for these ongoing internship/student professional development opportunities that are published/unpublished. Internship or professional development opportunities using the Early Career Talent Development General Application, are restricted to students who are enrolled full time at an accredited institution within the U.S. during the 2025-2026 academic year. 

The Fiscal Year 2026 Flood Mitigation Assistance program aims to enhance flood mitigation funding delivery, focusing on the needs of disaster survivors. This federal initiative, managed by FEMA, provides essential funds to states, territories, and local governments to mitigate flood risks and reduce repetitive damage to properties insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. The program supports various activities designed to lower the financial exposure of the NFIP while promoting community resilience against flooding.

About the Awards

The late Dr. James F. Fries, formerly professor emeritus of medicine at Stanford University, came up with the idea for the James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health in a 1987 ascent of Nepal’s Makalu—one of the world’s highest peaks—when his party became trapped in a severe snowstorm and was ultimately unable to scale the mountain.

Following that experience, Dr. Fries returned to sea level and set about establishing a foundation to support a Nobel-like prize for health that now annually awards a $100,000 prize to an an outstanding leader judged by an expert panel to have done the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the field of health.

In 1992 the Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award was established in honor of Elizabeth Fries, daughter of James and Sarah Fries. The $50,000 prize is awarded annually to an individual judged to have made substantial contributions to their area of health education and health promotion. Sarah Fries remained active in the Fries Awards for Health program until her death in May 2017, and Jim Fries remained active in the awards until his death in November 2021.

The CDC Foundation is honored to partner with the James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation, which established and funds the award. As of 2016, the CDC Foundation manages and administers the Fries Awards for Health program, which include the James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health and the Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) aims to support innovative research for validating therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD). This initiative focuses on overcoming barriers in treatment development by ensuring well-validated targets linked to disease mechanisms. By employing a phased award mechanism, NINDS seeks to enhance the rigor of target validation, facilitating the transition from basic discoveries to clinical applications, ultimately accelerating the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

Emand Hamad, M.D. Healthcare Career Scholarship

Provides scholarships to students planning on majoring in a healthcare major.

The Ruth D. Frick Ames Scholarship, established by Robert Ames to honor his wife, supports students pursuing a nursing degree. Managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation, this scholarship aims to ease the financial burden for those aged 18-32 with a GPA of 2.9 or higher. Applicants should demonstrate financial need, strong academic performance, and community involvement. This initiative reflects Ruth's legacy of compassion, service, and commitment to helping others in the nursing field.

The SMART Scholarship Program, managed by Scholarship America, provides substantial support to STEM students, offering full tuition, stipends between $30,000 and $46,000, and summer internships at DoD facilities. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers for high school seniors and current college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With applications opening annually on August 1, the program fosters a strong community of scholars dedicated to innovation and research in STEM fields.

The TPC Group Mark of Excellence Scholarship Program, administered by Scholarship America Inc, supports the children of full-time employees pursuing higher education. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers and promote educational access for students aged 24 and under. The program encourages academic achievement and assists those planning to enroll in accredited colleges or vocational schools, ensuring that eligible applicants receive the necessary support to realize their educational aspirations.

The Wellroot Family Services Scholarship Program, administered by Scholarship America Inc., supports students in financial need who exhibit academic excellence, leadership, and personal growth. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and current undergraduates with a minimum GPA of 2.0, planning to enroll full-time in accredited institutions. The program emphasizes holistic evaluation, considering academic performance, community involvement, and personal challenges overcome, ensuring that deserving candidates receive the support they need to succeed.

The New Britain-Berlin Rotary Club Scholarships, managed by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, support graduating seniors from local high schools, including technical schools. Priority is given to INTERACT Club members who demonstrate leadership and community service. This initiative aims to encourage youth to actively engage in their communities and make a positive impact through volunteerism. The scholarship reflects the Foundation's commitment to fostering educational attainment and community development.

The AEESP Award for Outstanding Teaching in Environmental Engineering & Science recognizes exceptional professors dedicated to teaching in environmental engineering. It honors those who demonstrate excellence in classroom engagement, innovative teaching practices, and mentorship. Open to nominations from all ranks, this award includes a plaque, a $500 cash prize, and a $750 travel allowance for the awards ceremony. Past winners are ineligible, ensuring fresh talent is acknowledged annually.

The AEESP Master’s Thesis Awards recognize outstanding M.S. theses that advance environmental science and engineering. Each year, two exceptional theses are honored with a plaque and $500 for the student, alongside a plaque for the faculty advisor. Additionally, winners receive $750 for travel to the awards ceremony. Nominations are limited to one per faculty advisor, and the theses must be from the previous calendar year, emphasizing the importance of current and impactful research in the field.

The AEESP Outstanding Publication Award honors landmark papers in environmental engineering and science that have significantly influenced the field. It is awarded annually to living authors of eligible papers, with nominations made by non-authors. Recipients receive a plaque, a $500 cash prize, and a $750 travel allowance for the ceremony. Nominations must adhere to specific guidelines and are valid for three years. Previous winners are ineligible for re-nomination during this period.

The Charles R. O'Melia AEESP Distinguished Educator Award recognizes exceptional contributions to environmental engineering education. Awarded annually, it honors professors with outstanding teaching records, significant research achievements, and impactful mentoring. Recipients receive a plaque, a cash prize of $1500, and a $750 travel allotment for the awards ceremony. For nomination details, visit the AEESP Foundation's website.

The Robert L. and Pauline H. Minton Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the children of Pauline H. Minton, honors their parents' legacy as dedicated Battelle employees and single parents. This scholarship aims to support children of full-time Battelle staff who are pursuing education at public or nonprofit colleges in the U.S. With an award amount of $1,000, it reflects a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for deserving students in central Ohio.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Joe Lancour Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the family of Joe Lancour, who established the Joe Lancour Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Joe Lancour served our country in Afghanistan where he lost his life. Joe was active in sports and graduated in 2004 from Ludington High School. He was artistic in many ways and loved to cook. His mother Starla Owens championed this scholarship fund to honor his memory.

The Frederick George Pohland Medal, awarded by the AEESP Foundation, recognizes outstanding contributions in environmental engineering and science. Nominations are open only to AEESP and AAEES members, with specific submission guidelines including a cover letter, CV, and letters of recommendation. This prestigious award honors the legacy of Dr. Frederick G. Pohland, known for his significant advancements in anaerobic processes and dedication to the field.

The Mecu Foundation Grant, established in 2009, aims to enhance financial education and literacy within the Baltimore community. It supports 501(c)(3) organizations that align with its mission, offering small grants to those dedicated to improving community welfare. Notable beneficiaries include Baltimore City Schools and various non-profits focused on educational initiatives. The foundation emphasizes the importance of community engagement and is a proud supporter of over 50 charitable organizations, fostering a culture of financial literacy and empowerment.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

George Dila Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Wayne and Jeanie Mortenson, who established the George Dila Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County to honor the memory of their dear friend, George Dila.

This scholarship is for graduating senior(s) of Ludington High School pursuing a degree or certification at any two or four-year accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school.

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.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Emily & Frank Smiddy who established the Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Frank Smiddy, former owner of ProAct Environmental Services located in Ludington, has always had a passion for STEM-related learning and wants to give back to the community where he owns his business. He and his wife, Emily, wanted to leave a legacy of students going into this field the best chance possible to get their college education with as little debt as possible, so they established the Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship Fund. It is their hope that students receiving this scholarship will be motivated, when they are financially able, to give back to the community to help others see success.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Drs. Ruth & John Carney & Irene Carney Kendrick Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Dr. John Carney, who established the Drs. Ruth & John Carney & Irene Carney Kendrick Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

The Carney’s love of Ludington ran deep, and they served the Ludington community through their family medical practice for over 42 years. Dr. Carney valued education and wanted to help others achieve their dreams. John’s encouraging spirit lives on through this scholarship, established in memory of his first wife and their late daughter, to create opportunities for adult students, students pursuing postgraduate degrees, or those facing barriers to getting a college degree.

Community Finance Initiative 

Advancing the financial resilience of low-income households across the U.S.

This model enables us to engage and support a broad range of organizations across the globe to tackle some of the most pressing social issues of our time.

The Citi Foundation’s 2026 Community Finance Initiative commits $35 million to support programming that bolsters the financial stability, strength and safety of low-income households in the U.S.

Focus Areas

The Foundation seeks to support organizations advancing low-income household financial resilience in the United States across three focus areas:

Stabilize: Programs that help low-income households to build financial skills and confidence to manage daily finances and navigate financial stress.

• Financial coaching on budgeting, credit, debt reduction and savings strategies.
• Digital tools offering personalized financial guidance and product navigation.
• Assistance with public benefits and social safety net programs.

Strengthen: Programs that help low-income households build and repair credit, as well as short- and long-term financial assets.

• Financial products or services for credit building and credit repair.
• Initiatives to increase savings, including emergency funds.
• Support for homeownership, including readiness, preservation and long-term stability (e.g., first-time buyer assistance, preventing displacement and support systems for aging in place resources).

Safeguard: Programs that protect low-income household financial security by preventing and addressing financial losses.

• Education and support for the safe and confident use of digital financial tools.
• Fraud and scam awareness, prevention and recovery initiatives, including protection from identity theft.
• Interventions to help households recover from major financial shocks (e.g., healthcare costs, extended family care, job transitions or natural disasters).

Funding Opportunity

The Foundation plans to award 70 $500,000 (USD) grants (to be disbursed over two years) totaling $35 million to community organizations working in select communities where Citi has a presence.

The grants will be restricted and are anticipated to be disbursed in two annual payments in 2026 and 2027. Proposed projects should be for a term of 24 months, starting no sooner than August 1, 2026 and ending no later than December 31, 2028.

The Jacobs Engineering Group/AEESP Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award recognizes exceptional doctoral research that advances environmental science and engineering. Sponsored by the AEESP Foundation, this prestigious award includes a $1,500 prize for the student and $500 for their faculty advisor. Additionally, travel stipends are available for both recipients to attend the awards ceremony. Faculty advisors are encouraged to nominate deserving dissertations, with strict limits on submissions to ensure fairness and focus on high-quality research contributions.

The Paul F. Boulos Excellence in Computational Hydraulics/Hydrology Award, administered by the AEESP Foundation, recognizes outstanding student research in computational hydraulics and hydrology. It honors students with a plaque and a $1,500 cash award, alongside a $500 honorarium for their faculty advisor. Eligible candidates, both Master's and Ph.D. students, are evaluated based on their academic performance, research contributions, and community service. The application process requires comprehensive documentation, including letters of recommendation and a research publication.

Joseph P. Siegferth Sr. and Family Fund

Established by Joseph P. Siegferth Jr. in memory of his father to provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors majoring in elementary education, K-12 physical education, sports management or logistics.

Amount:

• $1,000

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

Mission

The Mission of the Muskingum County Community Foundation is to improve quality of life in the community by nurturing opportunities and serving needs through collaboration and philanthropy.

Vision

The Envisioned Future of the Muskingum County Community Foundation is that Muskingum County’s quality of life attracts organizations and people to pursue their dreams and practice their passions.

A. Porter Spirit of ZHS Fund

A long time teacher at Zanesville High School. As a new teacher ZHS embraced her and she embraced the Blue Devils. Annette Porter is a first generation college graduate from a single parent home. While her parents supported her decision to go to college, it was necessary to incur personal debt which was and is common. This scholarship is available to help those students who may need a little financial help to take the first step toward college, and also make the collegiate experience less burdensome.

Becoming a Blue Devil was a process. Annette had a lot of help along the way, from Principals, Asst Principals, teaching peers, friends and family, so in an effort to pay it forward she has created this scholarship. “ Everyone of my students had potential, the most difficult thing was to convince them to work toward achieving it”. This scholarship will be awarded to a Blue Devil, not necessarily the most “spirited” but the Best Blue Devil who demonstrated all of the qualities that make up a Blue Devil.