Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Maryland

The Champion At Large Scholarship, offered by the Cherokee Nation Foundation, supports Cherokee Nation citizens who are full-time students or graduating high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This one-year scholarship is specifically for those residing outside the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction and accepted into a two-year or four-year higher education institution. It aims to alleviate student debt and enhance educational opportunities for Cherokee students.

Margaret A. Stafford Nursing Scholarship

Award:

• One time award of $2,000. 

Julie H. Shenk Memorial Scholarship

Award:

• One time award of $1,000.

Who We Are

The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) is a nonprofit organization focused on partnering with donors to build opportunity and advance equity in Delaware.

Our mission is to strengthen Delaware by maximizing community-based philanthropy.

Our vision is a Delaware where generosity expands opportunities for all.

Looking for some financial help this school year?

The DCF awarded scholarships totaling a record-breaking $850,000 to 245 students for the 2024-2025 school year.

Section 4: Unique Scholarships requiring a separate application

Scott Kammerer Scholarship

One-time award of $2,000.

The Tri Kappa Scholarship - Women's Giving Circle, established by the Crown Point Community Foundation, aims to enhance life quality in South Lake County by providing financial assistance for various community needs. This non-renewable scholarship is open to residents over 21, with the next awards ceremony scheduled for May 7, 2026. The initiative reflects a commitment to maximize charitable impact while honoring donor intentions.

The Karen and Cornel Raab Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, offers financial support to graduating high school students from Crown Point, Cedar Lake, or Lowell with a minimum GPA of 2.8. This non-renewable scholarship aims to assist students in achieving their educational goals. The foundation oversees over 80 scholarship funds, ensuring resources are allocated to meet the diverse needs of the community.

The Janosik Family Scholarship, awarded by the Delaware Community Foundation, offers a one-time financial assistance of $2,000 for graduating seniors from specific Eastern Shore High Schools. This program emphasizes citizenship qualities, work ethic, and community service as key selection criteria. In 2024-2025, the foundation distributed a record-breaking $850,000 in scholarships to support students pursuing undergraduate degrees, promoting educational opportunities and equity across Delaware.

The L. Jane Keene Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, aims to support graduating high school seniors and college students from Crown Point or the Crown Point Community School District. This scholarship offers financial assistance to meet various community needs while fostering educational advancement. Selection is based on donor-specified criteria, ensuring that resources are aligned with the aims of both students and the community.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

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.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Foundation for MCC - William H. Young Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by an anonymous donor, who established the William H. Young Memorial Scholarship of the Foundation for Muskegon Community College of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship provides assistance to an associate degree-seeking student who demonstrates academic excellence based on either a high school or college academic record, with preference to students interested in the Social Service discipline.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

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.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Foundation for MCC - Student Emergency Needs Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Foundation for Muskegon Community College, who established the Muskegon Community College Student Emergency Needs Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship was established to provide scholarships to Muskegon, Ottawa or Newaygo County students.

The Youth Empowerment Program Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior who has been a member of the Youth Empowerment Project for at least one year. Applicants must submit an essay, a letter of recommendation from a project sponsor, and a transcript. This initiative aims to support students pursuing higher education at accredited institutions while fostering community engagement.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Kenneth Erickson Auto Mechanic Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Marguerite Winter and Marilyn Lynn, who established the Kenneth Erickson Auto Mechanic Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Kenneth Erickson was born at the end of the pre-car era. His father, a rural mail carrier, delivered mail by horse and buggy. When cars came along young Kenneth was fascinated by them and scavenged parts to build a yellow roadster, which he drove for several years. After a short stint at Continental Motors he decided to follow his passion and got a job as an auto mechanic. Eventually he opened his own business, Erickson's Garage, on Center Street in North Muskegon where he sold gas and repaired cars and trucks for over 40 years. In establishing the Kenneth I. Erickson Automobile Mechanic Scholarship, Ken's daughters, Marilyn Lynn and Marguerite Winter hope to support young people who would like to turn their passion for cars and motors into a life's work.

The Christopher Day Memorial Scholarship is offered by the Crown Point Community Foundation to support graduating high school seniors pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts. Applicants must be accepted into an accredited program. This non-renewable scholarship aims to assist students with financial needs while encouraging involvement in the ProStart program. The foundation manages over 80 scholarship funds, ensuring that community-driven financial support is directed to those who meet specific criteria.

Chester T. Dickerson, Sr. Memorial Scholarship

Graduate of a public high school, vocational or technical school or other form of public 9th through 12th grade education, as well as home-schooled students.

Awards:

• One time award of $1,500. 

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

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.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Foundation for MCC - Richard Kraft/Suzanne Kraft Mateer Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Richard H. Kraft, who established the Richard Kraft/Suzanne Kraft Mateer Scholarship of the Foundation for Muskegon Community College. Richard graduated from Muskegon Community College in 1949 and then continued his education at Michigan State University obtaining an engineering degree. He started and operated a successful consulting and engineering firm in Flint. He believes that starting at Muskegon Community College was the best thing he ever did before continuing his education. This scholarship is presented to graduating seniors of Muskegon, Ottawa, Oceana and Newaygo County high schools who will be attending Muskegon Community College, then pursuing a degree at any accredited college or university.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

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.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Foundation for MCC - Edward H. & Wilma Kyvig Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Kyvig family, who established the Edward H. & Wilma Kyvig Scholarship of the Foundation for Muskegon Community College. The Kyvig family established this scholarship to honor their parents, Edward and Wilma who both were instructors at Muskegon Community College. Edward and Wilma were very passionate about education and the importance of students obtaining a college degree. This scholarship was established to assist a student of good academic standing who shows potential and who is deserving of financial assistance.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

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.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Eleanor Polley Women's Golf Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Dennis Sruba and Joanne Polley, who established the Eleanor Polley Women's Golf Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County in memory of Eleanor Polley. Eleanor Polley was Executive Director of the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce when she died suddenly in 1995 at the age of 49. She was an untiring booster of the White Lake area and Muskegon County as a whole. She was also an avid promoter of women's golf. The Eleanor Polley Women's Golf Scholarship Fund was established in Eleanor's memory as part of the White Lake Community Fund by her family, her many friends, and the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. It will provide scholarships to women college students who are also avid golfers.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Scholarship

Applicant must be a full-time student with at least 60 credit hours pursuing a degree in a behavioral health field or a doctoral candidate enrolled in an accredited clinical psychology program and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Undergraduate recipients must demonstrate a likelihood of providing professional services within the Cherokee Nation Reservation, and graduate or doctoral recipients must be agreeable to a period of grant payback in service to the Cherokee Nation upon graduation and successful certification. Graduate or doctoral recipients must agree to a period of grant payback in service to the Cherokee Nation for a period that is equal to the number of scholarship years provided while pursuing the behavioral health degree. Such agreement shall be evidenced by a signed agreement for grant payback through service hours. Paid practicums will be available as determined by the review committee for eligible recipients enrolled in an accredited clinical psychology doctoral program. Funding for this scholarship opportunity is made possible thanks to the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act.

The City of Rockville Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, provides financial aid to residents for flood defense improvements. This program offers matching reimbursements of up to $5,000 for eligible flood mitigation practices, including protective measures for windows, doors, and basements. Both residential and commercial properties, along with homeowner associations, can apply to receive up to 50% of their improvement costs covered, ensuring better protection against future flooding.

The NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) grant aims to facilitate high-quality conferences that align with public health and scientific missions. Key deadlines include December 12, 2024, April 12, 2025, and August 12, 2025, among others, specifically for AIDS-related applications. This funding opportunity is provided by the US Department of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Sailfish Point Foundation Trade and Vocation Scholarship

All public high school students in Martin County.

Will be based on weighted and unweighted GPA, class rank, number of hours working during the school year, family income, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. 

Award:

• $up to $3,500.00

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida connects people who care with causes that matter. Since 1964, we have served the citizens of Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay, and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. We believe in Giving Back. Forever Forward.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, The Community Foundation offers several scholarships each year that benefit students in Northeast Florida who are seeking post-secondary degrees.

Talen Charles Birt Memorial Scholarship

The Talen Charles Birt Memorial Scholarship will provide financial assistance for students graduating from Andrew Jackson, First Coast, Jean Ribault, or William M. Raines High Schools in Duval County. In selecting the successful candidate, the review committee will consider the students’ demonstrated commitment to academics and leadership, plans to pursue a 2- or 4-year degree and can articulate why they have selected their area of study, and financial need. The one-time scholarship will support tuition and books, up to $2,000.

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida connects people who care with causes that matter. Since 1964, we have served the citizens of Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay, and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. We believe in Giving Back. Forever Forward.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, The Community Foundation offers several scholarships each year that benefit students in Northeast Florida who are seeking post-secondary degrees.

Sam and Lydia Payne Scholarship

The Sam and Lydia Payne Scholarship will provide financial assistance for three students graduating from a North Florida public or private school who demonstrate an aptitude and desire to succeed. The scholarship will support tuition and books, up to $12,000 ($3,000 per year for 4 years) provided the recipient continues to meet the eligibility requirements. In selecting the successful candidate, the review committee will consider a desire for personal growth and financial need.

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida connects people who care with causes that matter. Since 1964, we have served the citizens of Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay, and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. We believe in Giving Back. Forever Forward.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, The Community Foundation offers several scholarships each year that benefit students in Northeast Florida who are seeking post-secondary degrees.

Byon M. Morris Scholarship

The Byon M. Morris Scholarship will provide $4,800 ($1,200 per year for 4 years) to support tuition, books, fees, room & board, and degree-related expenses for one graduating senior who has attained Scouting’s highest ranks. One Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts) or one Gold Award winner (Girl Scouts), who demonstrates an aptitude and desire to succeed, will receive the scholarship. In selecting the successful candidate, the review committee will consider academic achievements, leadership experience, desire for personal growth and financial need.

The Amazon Literary Partnership Grant supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that empower diverse and marginalized writers. Since 2009, it has provided over $17 million to various literary groups, fostering emerging talent across genres. Eligible organizations must focus on developing writers, celebrating storytelling, and connecting them with audiences. By funding innovative initiatives, Amazon helps ensure that underrepresented voices are heard in the literary community, contributing to a rich and diverse narrative landscape.

Established in 1948, the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) – a nonprofit, non-political, scholarly society – is the leading international organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, and Eastern Europe in regional and global contexts.  

As a private, non-political international professional organization, we support our members, who are scholars and students in diverse disciplines and specialists in various professions, to share their knowledge and expertise and to foster greater understanding of the region and its impact in the world.

ASEEES Internship Grant Program

The ASEEES Internship Grant Program promotes the entry of young scholars with Russian studies expertise into sectors outside traditional academia, including not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations, business/trade councils, government, media, the arts, museums, publishers, and other non-academic sectors.

Funded by an external grant, ASEEES’s Internship Grant Program provides incoming, current, and recent (i.e. those who have graduated no more than two years prior to the competition deadline) MA, PhD, and professional school students with grants that make it possible for them to accept unpaid or underpaid internships in areas broadly related to Russia, including Russia’s relations with other regions/countries.

Eastern Colorado Scholarship

The Eastern Colorado Scholarship is designed to support post-secondary pursuits of students throughout the region and is funded through contributions from many community members and legacy gifts. 

The Eastern Colorado Scholarship is available to students attending school in Eastern Colorado (Logan County, Morgan County, Phillips County, Washington County, Sedgwick County, and Yuma County). The scholarship is open to students pursuing any kind of secondary education including four-year degrees, two-year degrees, trade schools, etc. 

Scholarship amount:

• $3,000

Number of awards:

• 4

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.