Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Michigan

John Callahan Memorial Fund

John changed people’s lives wherever he went. From his time at Corvallis High School in the soccer program, to his time at Winco, to his co-workers at Hewlett-Packard – he knew no strangers and always had time for a friendly hello. He was a wonderful husband, son, and loving father and made everyone happier when he was around. The John Callahan Memorial Scholarship is a soccer scholarship established at the Benton Community Foundation by his family and friends to honor his legacy and as a way to continue helping youth in the Corvallis community.

Jim Kohl "Give Me A Chance" Scholarship Fund

Most college scholarships these days are given to students who have excelled in their studies throughout their high school years, or whose need is so great that college might not be possible without the help of generous private donors. But what about the “late bloomers”—those students who realize the value of education, or find their own particular interests, too late to maintain an enviable grade point average? Thanks to Jim Kohl, late bloomers in the Monroe Rural Fire Protection District have a chance at financial assistance in furthering their education.

The fund benefits students of Monroe High School who may have been underachievers in their freshman or sophomore years, which would exclude them from many other scholarship opportunities. The intent is that these students will be given the encouragement to continue their studies and become productive, contributing members of the community.

The scholarship is administered by the Monroe Rural Fire Protection District. A committee of volunteers from the areas of Alpine, Bellfountain, Irish Bend, and Monroe review the applications and interview all applicants individually. The scholarship is awarded to senior students to attend the college or university of their choice.

The Growing the Body of Christ Grants, offered by the Siebert Lutheran Foundation, aim to enhance the Lutheran community by funding capital requests over $50,000, specifically in the Fall cycle. These grants support ministries that strengthen congregations, develop leaders, and innovate in church practices. Eligible organizations include Lutheran churches in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, promoting effective, collaborative outreach and educational initiatives for youth and families.

The Centers of Excellence in Healthcare Quality and Safety program aims to establish a collaborative network of healthcare systems and public health partners to enhance patient and healthcare worker safety. This initiative focuses on improving the quality and resilience of U.S. healthcare delivery across various settings, including hospitals and outpatient facilities. By fostering partnerships, the program seeks to effectively detect, respond to, and prevent safety threats, ensuring a higher standard of care and safety for all.

The Knowles Teaching Fellowship supports emerging high school science and mathematics teachers in the U.S. Ideal candidates possess a strong academic background, leadership skills, and a commitment to teaching. The fellowship emphasizes comprehensive development through mentoring and financial support, including grants for classroom materials and stipends to alleviate financial burdens. By fostering a community of over 500 educators, the program aims to enhance teaching quality and sustainability in the profession over a five-year trajectory.

New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research Award

The New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research Award provides early-career scientists the investment needed to propel them into successful research careers.

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) seeks nominations for its 2026 New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award. Through this program, FFAR intends to provide early-career scientists with the investment needed to propel them into successful research careers. The New Innovator Award program supports and promotes exceptionally talented new faculty who are conducting critical and highly innovative research addressing significant food and agriculture challenges. These awards allow grantees to focus exclusively on research without the pressure of securing additional funding.

The New Innovator Award is a flagship program of FFAR’s Scientific Workforce Priority Area and seeks to promote career advancement of promising new scientists who intend to make a long-term career commitment to research in food and agriculture and bring innovative, ground-breaking research initiatives and thinking to bear on problems facing food and agriculture. Within the scope of the New Innovator Award program, investigators have the freedom to explore new avenues of inquiry that arise during their research. Therefore, FFAR is interested in the program of research to be explored and its impact as opposed to a list of very specific aims.

It is expected that, through this program, investigators will have the ability to pursue highly creative ideas, firmly establish their early lines of research into important food and agriculture scientific areas and provide funding stability in the critical early career years.

Each applicant can receive from FFAR up to $150,000 per year for a maximum of three years totaling a $450,000 investment.

To further support the grantees, and allow them to fully focus on their research, matching funds are not required for this program.

Local Agriculture Market Program

The Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products. The primary goals of LAMP are to:

• Connect and cultivate regional food economies through public-private partnerships.    
• Support the development of business plans, feasibility studies, and strategies for value-added agricultural production and local and regional food system infrastructure.    
• Strengthen capacity and regional food system development through community collaboration and expansion of mid-tier value chains. 
• Improve income and economic opportunities for producers and food businesses through job creation; and   
• Simplify the application processes and the reporting processes for the program.

LAMP is an umbrella program created in the 2018 Farm Bill. LAMP encompasses the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), Regional Food System Partnerships Program (RFSP), and Value-Added Producer Grants Program (VAPG). LAMP funding is divided between these grant programs.

The Engineering Environmental Resiliency (EER) program, funded by the National Science Foundation, promotes innovative research focused on resource and energy conservation while enhancing environmental protection. By advancing technologies in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable manufacturing, EER aims to create resilient U.S. manufacturing systems. Key areas of interest include waste reduction, life cycle assessments, and the interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems, all contributing to a sustainable future.

The Established Advocacy Grant, offered by the AADA, provides crucial financial support to state dermatology societies that have previously received multiple advocacy grant awards. This program aims to enhance health policy initiatives, focusing on specific legislative priorities. Eligible states must align their applications with AADA’s policy priorities and demonstrate their advocacy efforts through a detailed plan. Compliance with IRS regulations and timely reporting is mandatory for continued funding.

The Development Advocacy Grant by AADA supports state dermatology societies new to advocacy, providing essential funding for health policy initiatives and lobbying. This program is tailored for states with limited prior funding, ensuring a simplified application process to encourage participation. Eligible states must align their projects with AADA's policy priorities and submit a final report detailing advocacy progress. This initiative fosters growth in advocacy efforts, empowering societies to influence key legislation effectively.

The AAD Advocate Of The Year Award, presented by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, honors exceptional grassroots advocacy efforts in dermatology. This prestigious award promotes year-round advocacy and highlights the significant impact of dedicated individuals. Eligibility includes active participation in legislative efforts and direct engagement with legislators. It aims to inspire and recognize those who contribute to the advancement of dermatology and skin health through advocacy initiatives.

The NEA Envision Equity Grants empower educators to implement innovative projects that foster cultural understanding, anti-racism, and civic engagement among students. With funding of up to $5,000, these grants support diverse educational initiatives over a 12-month period. Eligible applicants include NEA members, and funds can be allocated for resources, materials, and professional development aimed at enhancing student learning experiences. Projects that prioritize critical thinking and collaboration are particularly encouraged.

Who We Are

We are a church of Jesus Christ.

The one God we know as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the God we worship and serve. Christ is the center of our faith and practice. We seek the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, the Living Word among us, in our shared and individual lives.

We are a church of the Bible.

The Bible, as the written word that witnesses to the Living Word, is our guide for faith and practice. We bring the best of biblical scholarship to bear upon our understanding of scripture, prayerfully seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our interpretation.

We are a faith community in the Presbyterian tradition.

Our theology is Christian in its commitment to the God of Jesus and reformed in its commitment to salvation by grace and a call to grateful obedience in all of life. The way we govern ourselves is representative. We are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA. The great ends of the church as defined by the denomination’s Book of Order (1) guide the church’s programs and mission. We seek to serve our denomination and tradition primarily through the building of our congregation as a community of faith. Our witness is to the whole of the Gospel; therefore, we do not traditionally identify with any special interest organizations within the church.

We honor tradition.

We value wisdom as passed down or newly gained. We utilize forms of worship and study that have nourished Presbyterian churches for centuries while still open to innovation that honors God in new and relevant ways.

We are an accepting church.

Second Presbyterian honors the grace of God in Jesus Christ by accepting all those who look for a church home. We are a church for those who are single, married, divorced or widowed; for those who are childless, have children at home or children grown; for those who are happy or hurting; for those with great need and those with great resources. We seek to be a church where children know they are valued and where the elderly know they are not forgotten. As far as possible, we wish to honor diversity of opinion within our membership. At Second Presbyterian, we accept each other for who we are and who, by God’s grace, we will become.

We are committed to transforming lives.

Our prayer is to be God’s instrument in reaching and transforming lives, helping members and visitors grow in their Christian faith. We seek to help each other understand what it means to be obedient to the ordination of our baptism.

We are a high commitment church.

We are committed to following in the way of Jesus by providing ministries through which people may grow in grace and express love of God and God’s world. We promote healthy stewardship of resources which includes proportionate giving of one’s time, energy and money to the ministry of the church as an expression of one’s faith (2).

We are a servant church.

We equip members to serve neighbors near at home and far away, proclaiming the justice and compassion of Jesus Christ through word and deed.

We are a metropolitan church.

We are a downtown church with members from all over the Roanoke Valley. People find Second Presbyterian Church because they seek a faith community with a broad vision and a ministry that reaches the valley, nation and world.

Grants and Special Offerings

Beyond our normal budgeted support of agencies ministering to the vulnerable in our community, Second Presbyterian Church provides avenues for additional funding for agencies serving those in need in our community through specific grants, funds, and special offerings. Donations to these funds are always welcome.

Mountain Avenue Fund

The Mountain Avenue Fund was established in 2018 with the objective of supporting local agencies dealing with issues of hunger, homelessness, poverty, and at-risk children.

The Veterans and Nature Grant, offered by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, aims to engage veterans in outdoor activities that promote physical and mental health. With a funding pool of $100,000, grants of up to $10,000 are available for projects focused on outdoor recreation and wellness activities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) entities partnered with public land organizations, fostering environmental awareness and community involvement.

About Us

For over three decades, the Hamilton Education Foundation (HEF) has been sparking innovation and expanding horizons within our classrooms. Since 1991, this community-powered non-profit has channeled more than $2.5 million from passionate individuals, local businesses, and forward-thinking organizations directly into the hands of Hamilton’s students and teachers. 

By funding transformative workshops, creative projects, and classroom grants, HEF doesn't just support education—it inspires students to dream bigger, rewards academic excellence, and builds a stronger, more vibrant community.

Our Vision

The vision of the Hamilton Education Foundation is to assist in achieving creative and academic excellence for the 21st Century through funding activities and projects for students and educators in the Hamilton School District.

Our Mission

Our mission, in partnership with the community, is to fund, Enhanced, Extended, and Enriched learning opportunities for students and educators in the Hamilton School District.

Student Grants

Evaluation Factors

Applications are reviewed based on:

The NIH's TALK initiative aims to enhance clinical practices for late talking children by funding research to identify early signs of language delays. This NOFO focuses on developing evidence-based strategies for screening and supporting children and their families. It targets children over 18 months who are not meeting language milestones, particularly those at higher risk due to various factors. Collaborative research efforts are encouraged to ensure effective identification and intervention.

The OTA Young Investigator Research Grant aims to support early-career orthopedic trauma surgeons within five years of fellowship completion by providing $35,000 over two years. This funding promotes mentored research and development in orthopaedic trauma, encouraging innovative projects that demonstrate clinical relevance. Collaborating with AO Trauma North America and COIRI, the OTA facilitates access to resources like mentoring programs and grant libraries, fostering leadership and excellence in research and education.

U.S. Civil Society Microgrants

We seek to support projects that engage Pulitzer Center journalism to amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement with our focus areas.

Audience engagement has been at the core of the Pulitzer Center’s work since its founding in 2006. In addition to grants and fellowships that facilitate breakthrough journalism, we support initiatives that connect the reporting to the audiences that need it the most. Our goal is pursuing real-world impact: engaging and mobilizing communities, increasing understanding and connection, and influencing decisions locally and globally. 

This microgrant aims to support civil society organizations and groups in the United States to utilize Pulitzer Center-supported reporting as part of projects that contribute to a more informed and empowered community.

 For this grant cycle, we are seeking grant proposals for civic engagement projects to be completed by early December 2026 that focus on one of the following issues:

• Climate and the environment, with a focus on U.S fisheries and fishing communities or climate and labor
• Information and Artificial Intelligence
• Global health, with specific focus on mental well-being or connections to the Global South

The objective is to use Pulitzer Center-supported journalism as the inspiration for the projects supported by this civil society microgrant. By leveraging this reporting, we expect to build projects that amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement that will lead to impactful conversations in communities in the U.S. and beyond.

Grants range from US$2,000 to US$4,000. Project proposals can support existing activities or support the launch of new activities. 

The GSK Research Grant supports research on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI) in Otolaryngology. With funding of $25,000 for one year, it encourages projects that explore the intersection of patient care and workforce culture. Investigators are invited to address disparities in care, diagnosis, and treatment paradigms while enhancing understanding of these critical dimensions in healthcare. Applications must include letters of support from department chairs and co-investigators.

The Emerging Respiratory Pathogen Award, offered by the American Lung Association, aims to enhance our understanding of respiratory infections' pathobiology and their implications. This award supports innovative research addressing the biology of respiratory viruses, host response factors, community spread dynamics of COVID-19, and long-term effects of viral infections. With a funding of $100,000 per year for two years, this initiative encourages groundbreaking studies to improve lung health and disease outcomes.

PLTW Gateway

onsemi is a leading semiconductor manufacturer serving tens of thousands of customers across several markets with intelligent power and sensing technologies.

The ON Semiconductor Foundation, an onsemi Giving Now program, has named PLTW a strategic partner and made an initial investment of $150,000 to support grants for middle schools in Arizona, California, the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, and Texas to implement or expand the PLTW Gateway program.

PLTW is one of seven strategic partners named this year, with support focused on increasing diversity in STEM fields while increasing middle school students' awareness of semiconductors.

PLTW Program Status

Program Expansion

PLTW Gateway

onsemi is a leading semiconductor manufacturer serving tens of thousands of customers across several markets with intelligent power and sensing technologies.

The ON Semiconductor Foundation, an onsemi Giving Now program, has named PLTW a strategic partner and made an initial investment of $150,000 to support grants for middle schools in Arizona, California, the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, and Texas to implement or expand the PLTW Gateway program.

PLTW is one of seven strategic partners named this year, with support focused on increasing diversity in STEM fields while increasing middle school students' awareness of semiconductors.

PLTW Program Status

New Program

The HEAL Initiative aims to develop non-addictive therapeutics for pain management through small molecules and biologics. This funding opportunity supports preclinical optimization, facilitating the transition of promising candidates to clinical trials. Important proposal deadlines span from January 2024 to January 2027, with optional Letters of Intent encouraged 30 days prior. The program emphasizes collaboration with NIH staff to ensure thorough project planning and monitoring, aiming to revolutionize pain treatment while ensuring safety and efficacy.

The National Cancer Institute invites applications for the validation of biomarkers and assays for cancer detection and treatment. This funding opportunity supports both analytical and clinical validation of assays, emphasizing the importance of human samples. The program encourages multi-disciplinary collaboration and aims to enhance the performance and reproducibility of cancer assays across clinical laboratories. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time during the designated deadlines each year.

The ASRM/PSF Combined Pilot Research Grant, funded by the Plastic Surgery Foundation, aims to support innovative research in reconstructive microsurgery. By providing up to $10,000 for 1-year pilot projects, this grant encourages the development of surgeon scientists and promotes the advancement of scientific knowledge and clinical practices in the field. The initiative fosters collaboration among key organizations dedicated to enhancing research funding for impactful studies.

The Combined Pilot Research Grants from the Plastic Surgery Foundation and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons aim to promote innovative research in maxillofacial surgery. With funding of up to $15,000 for one-year pilot projects, this initiative supports the preliminary phases of research, fostering the development of surgeon scientists and enhancing scientific knowledge in the field. Eligible applicants include MDs, DOs, or PhDs holding full-time positions in U.S. or Canadian institutions.

About The Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is a community-based social impact investor whose mission is to engage, invest, and lead—working toward a vision of community vibrancy with opportunity for all. Our team of experienced staff and dedicated trustees is committed to boldly leading and supporting transformational community investments. We channel charitable contributions from donors through nonprofit partners that are meeting current community needs and steward community resources responsibly to ensure greater capacity for the future.

Adirondack League Club Scholarship

Established by Adirondack League Club to award scholarships to students in the Central Adirondack region of the Adirondack Park.

Candidates are identified by a committee.