Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Michigan

Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Foundation

A 2021 International Tennis Hall of Famer, Dennis was the founder of the Professional Tennis Registry Foundation (PTR Foundation), now called Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Foundation, Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), and the Van Der Meer Tennis University.

Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Foundation is a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Foundation provides support to deserving individuals and organizations globally. The foundation is also focused on bringing tennis within reach to countless people worldwide.

Nehemiah Atkinson Humanitarian Grant

This grant reflects the Foundation’s dedication to giving and serving others. It is awarded to individuals who have shown an extraordinary commitment to enhancing the lives of those around them.

The Foundation supports projects that promote and preserve the legacy, vision, and spirit of our founder, Dennis Van der Meer. We will only consider funding for educational, life enrichment, mentoring, and tennis programs.

The Hematology Inclusion Pathway Resident Award supports underrepresented medical residents in hematology in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Participants receive $5,000 for research, mentorship from ASH members, and funding for the ASH annual meeting. Eligible candidates are in internal medicine or pediatric residencies, self-identify as underserved, and must conduct research with an ASH mentor. This program aims to enhance diversity and support crucial blood science research.

Community Foundation of the North State

The Community Foundation builds trust through relationship, integrity, and by providing safe places for donors to give their resources.

We are a nonprofit, public charity serving the people of Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties, with a mission to impact the region through the power of giving.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of the North State manages many scholarship funds that are awarded to graduating high school seniors as well as students already in an undergraduate program. Some scholarships were started by families or individuals; others by businesses or organizations. All scholarships share one important focus: helping young people reach their educational goals.

Matt Solus Memorial Scholarship Fund

The scholarship supports high school or College of the Siskiyous students in Siskiyou County pursuing careers in fire science or law enforcement.

Matt Solus Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Matt Solus, the son of Fred & Elouise Solus of Yreka. Matt was a victim of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Although Matt was on a heart transplant list, he succumbed to the disease at the age of 22. Matt was a 1997 graduate of Yreka High School. The Solus Family were pioneers in Siskiyou County, having first moved there in 1850. Matt was a member of the Explorer Program with the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department and had a strong interest in law enforcement and fire science. The scholarship supports students in Siskiyou County pursuing careers in fire science or law enforcement.

The What’s Your Gap Grant, provided by BreatheStrong CF in partnership with the Closing the Gap Foundation, supports teens and adults living with cystic fibrosis. This grant alleviates financial barriers, allowing recipients to pursue health and wellness opportunities tailored to their individual goals. It aims to empower applicants who envision a healthier lifestyle but face challenges in achieving it, serving as a catalyst for positive change in their lives.

The William Coon Jr. Scholarship, offered by the USACFA, provides four $2,500 awards annually for students with cystic fibrosis pursuing degrees in various fields. Applications require transcripts, proof of enrollment, and essays, focusing on financial need and academic performance. Winners receive full or half awards based on their enrollment status. This scholarship honors Bill Coon Jr.'s legacy, supporting individuals facing similar health challenges and promoting their educational aspirations.

The Burney and Lucy Lehman Scholarship, managed by the Decatur County Community Foundation, provides financial support for up to four years of post-secondary education to graduating seniors from North and South Decatur High Schools. This scholarship aims to assist students who face challenges in pursuing higher education, promoting academic success and community engagement. For eligibility, applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. More information can be found at ndsdscholarship.com.

American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation: Detroit Section Grant

The American Welding Society Foundation is committed to supporting welding education on the local level through its Welding Workforce Grant program.

AWS Sections sponsor annual grants for welding schools to purchase equipment or expand facilities to train more welders. 

Funds will be distributed only to the education/training institution. A grant recipient may not apply again for three years following selection.

Grant Amount

• $15,000

Spencer Educational Foundation Inc

The Spencer Educational Foundation was founded by the Rims Atlanta Chapter in 1979. To this day, Spencer remains the premier organization funding the education of tomorrow's risk management and insurance leaders.

The Spencer Educational Foundation: awards merit-based scholarships and grants to university students pursuing careers in risk management, insurance, and/or actuarial science; provides grants that create experiential learning opportunities both on and off campus; funds the development of risk management and insurance curricula in colleges and universities; supports Risk Managers by creating internship opportunities within the risk management function of their companies; and operates across the United States and Canada. 

Spencer Educational Foundation: Spencer Success Stipend

The Spencer Success Stipend is a student support initiative created to help reduce financial barriers associated with internship opportunities in the risk management and insurance industry. The program provides funding to eligible students to assist with internship-related expenses that may otherwise make it difficult to participate in valuable experiential learning opportunities.

Through the Spencer Success Stipend, students may receive support for expenses such as housing, transportation, professional attire, technology, relocation costs, work-related meals, licensing or background check fees, and other direct internship participation costs. The goal of the program is to ensure students can fully engage in career-building experiences that strengthen their professional development, industry exposure, and long-term success.

Thanks to the generous support of Allied World and Munich Re, Spencer is proud to expand access to these opportunities and continue investing in the next generation of industry talent. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The BK℠ Scholars Program, initiated by the Burger King Foundation, provides scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $60,000 to support high school seniors, restaurant team members, and their dependents in pursuing post-secondary education. Established in 2000, the program aims to empower individuals through education, encouraging leadership and civic engagement while also offering emergency assistance to employees facing hardships. This initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to education and community empowerment across North America.

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.

Bethany Lutheran Church Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Bethany Lutheran Church Congregational Council, which established the Bethany Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

In the 1870s, Danish immigrants to the Ludington area met to pursue a dream to worship God, provide Christian education, and support one another through fellowship. In 1878 they established the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, which later became Bethany Lutheran Church. Danish language worship services were held into the 1940s. A mural depicting Bethany's longest-serving pastor, The Reverend John Christensen, can be viewed from the parking lot west of the James Street Plaza. The congregation continued to worship and serve the community from its 1101 South Madison location until 2018 when, due to declining membership and financial support, it sold the church building to the Salvation Army and accepted the invitation of Grace Episcopal Church to share its building. Bethany held worship services there until March of 2019. As a memorial to all those who were a part of Bethany's ministry and in support of young people desiring post-high school education, Bethany's last act of service was establishing an endowed scholarship fund through the Community Foundation for Mason County.

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.

Virginia Scott Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Ludington Area School District, which established the Virginia Scott Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

This scholarship is presented to a graduating senior of Ludington High School with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4-point scale. The recipient must pursue a degree or certification at any two or four-year accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school.

Who We Are

Our Mission

UNCF envisions a nation where all Americans have equal access to a college education that prepares them for rich intellectual lives, competitive and fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship and service to our nation.

UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally-recognized pipeline of under-represented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly-qualified college graduates and to ensure that our network of member institutions is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and through college.

2026-2027 Lincoln Financial Scholars Program

The Lincoln Financial Scholars program provides college students with professional development and scholarship assistance to help prepare them for internships and early career opportunities

The Experience

Through engagement in live webinars and online learning management system, scholars will receive training in the following key areas to prepare for internship opportunities and early career opportunities

• Exploring the True Colors Personality Lens 
• Exploring Transferable Skills: Emotional Intelligence 
• Cultivation of Professional Skills: Networking - Branding - Managing Up 
• Financial Wellness

Each eligible student will be awarded a one-time, scholarship award of up to $3,000.

The Elizabeth Nash Foundation Scholarship supports individuals affected by cystic fibrosis (CF) in their pursuit of higher education. Since its inception in 2005, over 200 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 have been awarded to undergraduates and graduates at accredited U.S. institutions. The selection process considers academic performance, character, leadership, community service, and financial need. To qualify, applicants must have a CF diagnosis and be U.S. citizens.

About FFAR

Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) advances food and agriculture science to develop tools, technologies and information that benefit farmers, consumers and the environment. We connect funders, researchers and farmers through public-private partnerships to support audacious research addressing the biggest food and agriculture challenges. Our unique public-private partnership model allows us to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to identify research opportunities that help farmers adapt to current challenges. 

H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) has partnered with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the Pork Checkoff to fund a $4 million research program to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the U.S. swine herd.

As part of SHIC’s strategic mission to respond to emerging disease threats, SHIC monitors disease outbreaks nationally and internationally for their potential risks to the U.S. swine herd. H5N1 influenza is an emerging disease identified as a priority for U.S. pork industry prevention and preparedness due to the growing number of diverse mammalian species susceptible to infection and the unprecedented 2024 H5N1 outbreak impacting U.S. dairy herds.

Proposals should clearly state which of the below SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Priorities will be addressed through the project. 

SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Priorities

• Diagnostic Surveillance. 
• Introduction and Transmission Risks.
• Caretakers of Pigs.
• Biosecurity Practices
• Safety of Pork
• Mitigating Production Impact. 
• Business Continuity. 

The Rooted Pathways Program, initiated by First Peoples Fund, offers essential support to Native-led arts organizations, fostering their growth and stability. This funding empowers these organizations to thrive in their missions, providing unrestricted operating support and participation in a Learning Cohort. Eligible applicants include Native nonprofits and collectives with budgets under $500,000, and the program aims to uplift artists from U.S. federally recognized tribes. This initiative is part of the Wallace Foundation's broader commitment to enhancing well-being in the arts.

The Cromwell High School Alumni Scholarship Fund provides a one-time award of $1,000 for West Noble High School seniors residing in Sparta Township. Eligible applicants must plan to attend accredited higher education institutions or vocational training programs. Established by the Cromwell High School Alumni Committee in 2016, the fund aims to support students in pursuing their educational goals while honoring the values and memories associated with their alma mater.

The Alfred M. Aseel Legacy Scholarship honors the memory of Alfred Aseel’s parents and supports non-traditional students from Tupper Lake and surrounding areas in their pursuit of higher education. With a grant maximum of $5,000 annually, this scholarship aims to empower students to reinvent their futures through accredited colleges, universities, trade schools, or certification programs in the U.S. Eligibility includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a commitment to personal growth and integrity.

The Allen Family Career Advancement Grant (AFCAG) offers financial support for credentialing, licensure, internships, degrees, or certificates for working residents in Essex, Elizabethtown, Lewis, Westport, or Willsboro, NY. Award amounts range from $250 to $3,000 annually, with renewal options available based on academic progress. This grant aims to enhance career opportunities and foster educational pathways, ensuring that eligible residents can pursue their professional goals effectively.

The RFA-FD-23-001 funding opportunity aims to support clinical trials for orphan products targeting rare diseases. It focuses on evaluating the efficacy and safety of treatments to address unmet medical needs. By promoting innovative and collaborative trial designs, the FDA seeks to enhance the approval rates of effective therapies for rare conditions, ultimately benefiting patients and advancing drug development in this critical area.

About Us

Who We Are

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

What We Do

Through our network of blind members, we coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.

What We Believe

We are the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power to transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people—from our democratically elected leaders to our diverse nationwide membership.

Scholarship Program

Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty $10,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. 

Jesse and Hertha Adams Charitable Trust Scholarship

The Jesse and Hertha Adams Trust Scholarship is made available for those individuals who wish to achieve their dreams. Success is acknowledged through hard work and the effort you put forth. And the Jesse and Hertha Adams Scholarship acknowledges both. In addition to funding this named scholarship, the trust generously contributes to our program travel expenditures for our winners and many of our National Federation of the Blind other scholarships.

The Arthur L. and Elaine V. Johnson Foundation Grants, established in 1990, aim to support organizations that assist individuals with physical disabilities through guide dogs and other assistance animals. The foundation also prioritizes wildlife conservation efforts, particularly for endangered species and their habitats. Grants are awarded to charitable organizations under specific IRS classifications, focusing on long-term impactful projects. Applications for ongoing operational funding are discouraged, and priority is given to conservation activities that are science-based.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Jean M. Brown Nursing Scholarship Fund 

Jean M. Brown graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing in 1938. She went on to become Caterpillar’s first Industrial Nurse, a role she deeply valued. Inspired by her career, she wanted to help others pursue nursing as well.

Through her will, Ms. Brown established an endowed scholarship to support nursing students with financial need, with preference given to those pursuing a career in Occupational Nursing. The scholarship fund was created following her passing in October 2000.

About Us

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a resource for local charitable giving. Created by and for the people of San Luis Obispo County, The Community Foundation is an enduring source of charitable funds to meet the changing needs and interests of the region. We envision San Luis Obispo County as an inclusive haven where everyone, regardless of background, feels free to fully participate. In collaboration with our community partners and donors, we seek to foster a safe, respectful environment with ample opportunity for all to reach their potential and contribute to the success of our community. We invite you to join us in celebrating diversity, making sure all of our neighbors feel seen, and free from dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, as we shape a future where all residents can flourish. 

2025-2026 Scholarship Applications

Big dreams start here! With support from generous individuals, families, and businesses, the Community Foundation offers scholarships that help San Luis Obispo County students reach new heights in their education and careers.

Alan D. Stephenson Scholarship

The Alan D. Stephenson Scholarship was established to support promising LGBTQIA+ students to achieve their academic potential.

The Alfred I., Catharine J., and Eleanor G. Switzer Scholarship, offered by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, aims to support local youth residing in Los Osos, CA. This scholarship is open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and returning students, providing them with essential financial assistance to pursue their educational goals. By fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, the foundation encourages students to achieve their dreams and contribute positively to their community.

About Us

Who We Are

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

What We Do

Through our network of blind members, we coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.

What We Believe

We are the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power to transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people—from our democratically elected leaders to our diverse nationwide membership.

Scholarship Program

Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty $10,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. 

Kurzweil Foundation and Ray Kurzweil

The Kurzweil Foundation and Ray Kurzweil contribute to each recipient’s award, and provide each finalist with a commemorative plaque in both print and Braille. Ray Kurzweil is a long-time friend of the Federation and deserves our special recognition.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

NAFC Response & Emergency Needs Fund

The NAFC Response & Emergency Needs Fund is designed to address urgent and unforeseen challenges that threaten operations or patient access to care within NAFC member organizations. These organizations often operate with limited reserves, making them especially vulnerable to unexpected repairs, equipment failures, workforce disruptions, or community emergencies. This fund provides rapid, flexible support to help stabilize operations and ensure continuity of care for uninsured and underserved patients.

The Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health initiative aims to enhance health outcomes in Native American communities through innovative research. This program supports studies focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and culturally informed treatment strategies. Key deadlines for grant applications are October 21, 2025, and January 7, 2026. By addressing health disparities and leveraging community strengths, the initiative fosters sustainable interventions tailored to specific cultural contexts.