Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in Massachusetts

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Alpha Omega Alpha, founded in 1902, is the national medical honor society. Its mission is:

• Alpha Omega Alpha — dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by:
• recognizing high educational achievement;
• honoring gifted teaching;
• encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community;
• supporting the ideals of humanism; and
• promoting service to others.

Helen H. Glaser Student Essay Award

To encourage medical students to write scholarly essays relevant to medicine. Winning essays will be published in an issue of The Pharos.

Only one entry may be submitted per student.

Requirements

• Essays must be written while the student is in medical school, must be the work of a single author, and must be an original work. The essay must not be offered to, or published by, any other journal or entered in any other contest prior to submission or during, the AΩA selection process.
• The essay must be related to medicine.
• Essays should not be fictional or written in first person, but academic/scientific in theme.
• The essay must not exceed 15 double-spaced pages of 12-point type with minimum 1-inch margins, exclusive of reference listing. The author’s name and essay title must be on each page, and all pages must be numbered.
• Unique references, numbered consecutively, should be limited to 20. (Reference citation of a website is not acceptable unless a site is the sole source of the information or has official academic credentials. Examples of acceptable sites are official government web pages such as that of the National Institutes of Health.)
• The Pharos Editorial Board suggests that authors review George Orwell’s “6 Rules for Writing”.
• Essays that are not selected as award recipients may be submitted to other contests/publications after the winners are announced.
• Essays not meeting all requirements will not be considered.

The AWWA Scholarship Program, specifically the Neptune Technology Group Scholarship, offers a $5,000 award to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in mechanical, electrical, computer, or software engineering. This initiative, supported by the American Water Works Association, highlights the importance of investing in the future workforce of the water industry, fostering education and innovation among aspiring professionals.

The Wolcott Family Foundation focuses on funding grassroots organizations that drive social change and environmental stewardship. They prioritize support for projects that empower communities, strengthen civil liberties, and address ecological challenges. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations in Colorado classified under section 501(c)(3), with grants awarded for one year. The foundation values projects emphasizing environmental preservation and community involvement aimed at tackling societal issues.

NRA Range Grant Program

General Provisions

The following guidelines govern the award of all grants made under the auspices of the NRA Range Grant Program. Please read this entire document prior to completing a grant application. The NRA Range Grant Program was established in September 2000 by a resolution of the NRA Board of Directors. This resolution also dissolved a separate account established by the Board of Directors known as the Range Loan Fund. A portion of the endowment's earnings are used to award grants for purposes consistent with the endowment's objectives. The amount distributed annually is limited to the lesser of the endowment's prior year's net earnings or 5% of the endowment's fair value as of December 31 of the previous year. Range Grant funds are made available at the NRA's sole discretion to qualifying NRA-affiliated clubs and associations by approval of the Range Development Committee - a standing committee of the NRA Board of Directors.

The All of Us Research Program seeks to advance its mission by enabling access to biospecimens stored in the All of Us supported Biobank for researchers to conduct assays to evaluate associations between biomarkers and chronic diseases and add data to the All of Us resource for broad use by researchers. Biomarker analysis includes, but is not limited to, biomarker discovery; biomarker validation; novel disease stratification; and multiomics integration for disease risk, diagnosis, and prognosis, in support of advancing precision medicine. The All of Us Research Program is a historic effort to enroll 1 million participants who share data to accelerate research and medical breakthroughs, and enable individualized prevention, treatment, and care. Researchers use data from the program to learn more about how individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics can influence health and disease.Grant authorities that allow the All of Us Research Program to forecast this opportunity are as follows: 42 USC 241 and 284.

The ACI Foundation's Tribute to the Founders Fellowship supports graduate students in construction, design, education, or materials. Awardees receive a $10,000 educational stipend, recognition in Concrete International magazine, and travel expenses to two ACI conventions. This fellowship aims to foster the next generation of concrete industry leaders through education and mentorship, while also encouraging personal development and career readiness through a structured internship program.

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Theresa Earenfight Scholarship

The purpose of the Theresa Earenfight Scholarship is to support undergrad or graduate students who are passionate about the intersection of social justice and animal welfare within a historical context. Applicants should be studying history, in particular how history intersects with animal activism, animal rights, animal liberation, and other related topics. Preference will be given to students with strong financial need, students of color and those from historically marginalized communities, and/or students who may face barriers to receiving other scholarships. This is a $10,000 annual scholarship renewable through the completion of the student’s degree, assuming the student continues to meet the eligibility criteria. The scholarship may be applied to tuition and fees, or other academic expenses payable to the college or university.

Better World Scholarship Fund

The scholarship encourages women to acquire a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) field. The donor’s bachelor’s degree is in mathematics, followed 15 years later with a master’s degree in business administration. Her degree in mathematics provided opportunities for jobs in software development and application, medical research, technical documentation, organizational education and training, scientific research, and business. Her career was challenging, dynamic, encouraged creativity, never boring, offered schedule flexibility that allowed her to parent her four children, provided career choice independence, and was lucrative. Go STEM Girls!

Award Amount:

• Minimum $1,000

Excellence in Medicine Awards

The AMA Foundation’s Excellence in Medicine Awards honor physicians and medical advocates who exemplify the highest values of the profession—volunteerism, community engagement, leadership, and service to underserved populations. Each recipient is recognized at a ceremony during the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago and receives a $2,500 grant honorarium directed to a nonprofit health organization of their choice. Since 2005, more than 100 honorees have been celebrated through this program, with over $250,000 awarded to strengthen community health and advance equitable care nationwide. 

Excellence in Medicine Awards- Dr. Debasish Mridha Spirit of Medicine Award

Recognizes the work of U.S. physicians who demonstrate altruism, compassion, integrity, leadership and personal sacrifice while providing quality health care to destitute, distressed or marginalized populations in impoverished communities.

Made possible by Debasish Mridha, MD

Dr. Jill Biden Scholarship - Biden Breast Health Initiative

Essay:

• Why have you chosen a career in health care or education, and why do you feel it is important to encourage others to adopt a healthy lifestyle?

Awards:

• One time award of $2,500; one award per county. 

The Amy Clampitt Poet Residency Program, established by The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, offers a six-month residency for poets at Amy Clampitt's former home in Lenox, Massachusetts. This program aims to foster the study and promotion of poetry, providing a peaceful retreat for a poet to focus on their craft. Selected poets receive a monthly stipend of $4,000 and are encouraged to make their creative work a priority during their stay.

Excellence in Medicine Awards

The AMA Foundation’s Excellence in Medicine Awards honor physicians and medical advocates who exemplify the highest values of the profession—volunteerism, community engagement, leadership, and service to underserved populations. Each recipient is recognized at a ceremony during the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago and receives a $2,500 grant honorarium directed to a nonprofit health organization of their choice. Since 2005, more than 100 honorees have been celebrated through this program, with over $250,000 awarded to strengthen community health and advance equitable care nationwide. 

Excellence in Medicine Awards- Dr. Edmond and Rima Cabbabe Dedication to the Profession Award

Honors physicians who are committed to expanding knowledge through teaching, conducting research and publishing. Other qualifying virtues include leadership, volunteerism and philanthropic activities in medical and other civic organizations.

Made possible by Edmond Cabbabe, MD, and Rima Cabbabe

The Robert P. Wadell Transportation Engineering Scholarship, established in 2022 by Robert P. Wadell, P.E., MSCE, F.ASCE, supports undergraduate students in civil engineering with a focus on transportation. Funded through the ASCE Foundation, the scholarship aims to aid up to two deserving students annually with tuition and fees. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in an ABET-accredited program and members of the ASCE. Preference is given to those in their final two years of study.

The Robert B. B. and Josephine N. Moorman Scholarship, established in 2008 by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), provides financial support for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in civil engineering or related fields. This scholarship honors Robert B.B. Moorman, a dedicated civil engineering professor. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an ABET-accredited program and maintain good standing with ASCE. This award aims to alleviate tuition costs for deserving students committed to the civil engineering profession.

The Lawrence W. & Francis W. Cox Scholarship, established by Mrs. Wahneta T. Hinrichs in 2008, honors the legacy of her husband and father-in-law. This scholarship is awarded annually to one undergraduate civil engineering student enrolled in an ABET-accredited program. It aims to support students with tuition expenses, furthering their education in civil engineering disciplines, thus contributing to the profession's growth and sustainability.

The Eugene C. Figg, Jr. Civil Engineering Scholarship, established by Figg Engineering Group in 2002, honors the legacy of Gene Figg, who was renowned for his artistic bridge designs. This scholarship aims to support undergraduate civil engineering students with a passion for bridge design and construction, facilitating their education in an ABET-accredited program. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens and Student Members of the American Society of Civil Engineers in good standing.

The B. Charles Tiney Memorial ASCE Student Chapter Scholarship, established in 1980 by Mrs. Hazel M. Tiney, provides financial support to deserving undergraduate civil engineering students. This scholarship aims to assist with tuition expenses for those enrolled in ABET-accredited programs. Recipients are chosen based on their commitment to the civil engineering field and must be members in good standing of the American Society of Civil Engineers and their respective student chapters.

About Borealis Philanthropy

Borealis Philanthropy is a philanthropic social justice intermediary that works to resource grassroots leaders and social justice movements for transformative change. We help funders expand their reach and strengthen their impact through donor collaboratives that support a variety of issues, communities, and movements. Borealis is home to nine donor collaboratives, including the Disability Inclusion Fund and Disability x Tech.

DIF x Tech Fund

For the Disability Inclusion Fund at Borealis, part of our efforts for disability rights and justice includes the ways disability and technology are working towards shared goals in our movements. The DIF x Tech initiative, supported by the Ford Foundation’s Technology & Society Program and the MacArthur Foundation’s Technology in the Public Interest, invites proposals that are working to bring about transformational change at the intersections of disability, justice, and technology

About the Disability Inclusion Fund and DIF x Tech

The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) supports U.S.-based groups run by and for people with disabilities to lead transformational change. The Fund is supported by donors including the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy, which is comprised of foundation presidents who are committed to disability inclusion as part of improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within philanthropy.

Part of the efforts of disability rights and justice includes the ways disability and technology are working towards shared goals in our movements. This newly launched initiative is housed at the Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) and supported by Ford Foundation’s Technology & Society Program and the MacArthur Foundation’s Technology in the Public Interest. 

DIF x Tech Fund Values

All Disability x Tech award decisions will align with the DIF guiding values. The DIF guiding values are:

• Participation: Movement funding accountable to the disability rights movement. Those impacted by injustice/exclusion should be involved in strategies to advance justice/inclusion.
• Intersectionality: Acknowledging that disabled people have multiple and intersecting social and political identities that can influence their ability to have access and inclusion including race, gender identity, class, sexual orientation.
• Radical inclusion: Deeply committed to removing barriers and ensuring access so that those most affected by intersecting identities can participate, valuing lived experience.
• Leadership of those most impacted by ableism: Emphasis is given to organizations led by people subject to systemic bias and impacted by underrepresentation, particularly disabled people of color, queer, gender nonconforming and women with disabilities.
• Cross-movement solidarity: Intentional focus on collaboration and bridge- building amongst disability justice activists and across movements.
• Sustainability: Resources and tools that support the growth of grassroots disabled-led organizations, and expand operational capacities for ongoing movement building. 

What we fund

We invite proposals that are at the nexus of technology, disability rights and justice. This opportunity may be a good fit for your organization, if you are doing work in any of these areas below:

• Disabled people sharing technical skills and knowledge with others in the community.
• Disabled people leading policy, rights, and disability justice activism work related to tech. 
• Disabled people participate in all stages of the design and development of new tech that will enrich lives of people with disabilities.
• Enabling collective and equitable access to digital infrastructure. 
• Expanding the participation, leadership, and thought partnership of overlooked and under-resourced people with disabilities in all areas of the technology sector.
• Partnerships between disability-focused engineering design labs and maker spaces within schools, centers for independent living, or local nonprofit organizations.
• Permissible Policy Work:
  • We may support nonpartisan policy education and advocacy related to disability and technology. Any lobbying must remain within applicable 501(c)(3) limits and Borealis grant restrictions.

The Survivor Fellowship Program for Students, initiated by Everytown for Gun Safety in 2015, empowers individuals directly affected by gun violence. This year-long volunteer advocacy training helps survivors share their narratives, fostering awareness and mobilizing communities to combat gun violence. Participants must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in an educational institution, with a personal connection to gun violence, ensuring diverse experiences are represented in this impactful initiative.

Age Strong Commission

For us, strength comes in many forms. Strength of community. Of cultures. Of experiences. Strength to embrace new chapters and opportunities. We believe that Bostonians who are 55+ make our City strong and vibrant. Our mission is to enhance your life with meaningful programs, resources, and connections so we can live and age strong in Boston together.

Older Americans Act Support and Health Services Grant

Through the Older Americans Act Support and Health Services Grant, the City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission seeks to fund programs that are providing a comprehensive and supportive social service system while promoting longevity and an optimal quality of life for older adults. The goal of this grant program is to leverage existing community trust and foster a sense of community within each neighborhood. Grants will be made to ensure high-quality social programs are accessible to older adults.

Grant Priorities

• Support older adult programming in the community at non-profits through cost reimbursement funding
• Help older adults maintain independent living in their communities as long as desired through supportive and/or evidence-based programming

The Older Americans Act Support and Health Services Grant is based on Title III-B and Title III-D funding.

Title III-B

With Title III-B grants, we aim to fund multiple agencies throughout Boston to provide supportive services to older adults. The programming may include services, such as: legal assistance, friendly visit, home repair, recreation, computer training, and translation/interpretation services. For a complete listing of allowable services, please visit OAAPS Service Categories. Title III-B allowable services will have a corresponding “B” in column F.

• As mandated by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), twenty-two percent (22%) of the total Title III-B Support Services must be allocated to legal services programming in the City of Boston.

The Greenwall Foundation invites proposals for its Bridging Bioethics Research & Policymaking Grants, aimed at integrating bioethics into policy without funding academic research. This initiative addresses ethical dilemmas arising from healthcare advancements, encouraging innovative project ideas at all governmental levels. Grants up to $50,000 will prioritize projects with smaller budgets and shorter timelines. Collaborations with diverse expertise beyond academia, including policymakers, are encouraged to effectively bridge research and policy.

The Greenwall Foundation invites nominations for the 2025 Bernard Lo, MD Award in Bioethics, a prestigious $25,000 prize recognizing outstanding contributions to bioethics. This award highlights exceptional mentorship in bioethics, celebrating individuals who support rising professionals across diverse sectors, including academia, government, and public health. Nominations can be made by mentees and colleagues, fostering an inclusive recognition of mentorship excellence. Renominations are encouraged, but self-nominations are not allowed.

The Ilpo Martikainen Audio Visionary Scholarship, provided by the Audio Engineering Society Educational Foundation, supports U.S. graduate students dedicated to advancing audio technology. This scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Martikainen, founder of Genelec, who significantly contributed to loudspeaker innovation. Eligible students must have completed an undergraduate degree and demonstrate a commitment to audio engineering. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $5,000, paid directly to the student's graduate school.

The George Family Foundation offers Spirituality & Inner Life Grants to empower organizations that foster mindfulness and personal healing. They seek to support programs that promote respect, empathy, and compassion, aiming to bridge divides and enhance individual well-being. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that align with their mission, particularly those addressing meaningful community needs. They focus on 501(c)(3) organizations primarily in Minnesota and select areas, emphasizing innovative spiritual and inner life endeavors.

The Gene Haas Foundation offers Manufacturing Education Grants to empower students in technical career pathways through CNC education. These scholarships support public and private nonprofit schools, enhancing skills in CNC technology. Funds can be allocated for the Gene Haas CNC Scholarship and tooling awards for essential tools and safety gear. By fostering hands-on experience in real-world manufacturing, the foundation ensures the next generation of skilled professionals has the necessary resources to succeed.

The Ken W. Davis Foundation Grant provides essential funding to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that align with the Foundation's mission of promoting basic human needs and education in line with Constitutional freedoms. With a minimum grant size of $2,500, the Foundation focuses on supporting human service organizations in Tarrant County, Texas, and the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, while also offering national support for grants related to Constitutional freedoms.

Linda Norton Good Neighbor Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to support exceptional students within the Poudre School District who aspire to pursue degrees in finance, economics, business, or real estate. It embodies Linda Norton’s legacy of community service, advocacy, and significant contributions to the field while providing opportunities for the next generation of students in these related disciplines.

Scholarship amount:

• $1,500

Number of awards:

• 1

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.