Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club Scholarship

For more than 110 years, Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world. Rotary links 1.2 million members to form an organization of international scope. It started in 1905 with the vision of one man, Paul Harris, in Chicago. He formed Rotary so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. Rotary is truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today, members in nearly every country are committed to service.

Locally, the Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years. 

The Marion Rotary Club’s Scholarship Fund migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It provides scholarship support for Marion County high school seniors.

The Giana Foundation Scholarship offers one-year scholarships of up to $5,000 for graduating high school seniors from public schools in Dallas, Collin, or Denton counties. Eligible students must pursue a degree in Visual and/or Performing Arts and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5. The scholarship can be used for tuition, books, and fees at any accredited college or university in the U.S. Up to four scholarships are awarded annually, promoting educational opportunities in the arts.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club’s Catherine Ferguson Scholarship

For more than 110 years, Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world. Rotary links 1.2 million members to form an organization of international scope. It started in 1905 with the vision of one man, Paul Harris, in Chicago. He formed Rotary so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. Rotary is truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today, members in nearly every country are committed to service.

Locally, the Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years. 

The Marion Rotary Club Catherine Ferguson Scholarship migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It honors the late Catherine Ferguson, the first woman inducted into the Marion Rotary Club and its long-standing club secretary. It provides financial support for Marion County graduating seniors. Recipients will have been a resident of Marion County for at least two full years and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

The Mr. & Mrs. W.L. Boyd Schooling Scholarship, established in 1953, provides up to $8,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors from Collin County, Texas high schools. Eligible students must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA and complete the FAFSA before applying. This initiative, supported by the Communities Foundation of Texas, aims to empower students pursuing higher education at accredited institutions within Texas, fostering community growth and development.

Charlie Adams Endowed Scholarship

First awarded in 2010, this scholarship honors the late former Executive Director of the Association, Charlie Adams, who was the fifth Executive Director of the NCHSAA and served from 1984 until 2010. The female award is given in honor of his daughter, Michelle, who participated in cross country at Chapel Hill on the 1984 State Championship team. The male award is given in memory of his son, C. Scott Adams, who was the first wrestler at Chapel Hill to compete in the State Wrestling Championships.

Funding sources for this scholarship include donations from individuals and athletic organizations (private donations) and interest earnings. This scholarship is awarded to one female, senior varsity cross-country athlete and one male, senior varsity wrestler at an NCHSAA member high school. Each recipient currently receives a one-time scholarship towards continuing their education.

Award presentation: NCHSAA Annual Awards Celebration, Piedmont Hall/Greensboro; June 2026 (date TBD)

Awards

• 4, $2500

Pat Gainey Student Scholarship Award

In 2006/07, through support from the Shoen Family Foundation, the Pat Gainey Student-Athlete Scholarship Award was established to recognize "Athletic Achievement and Strength of Character" annually and provide financial support for two student-athletes with a major focus on need-based applicants.

Pat Gainey, a Dunn, NC native and proponent of women's athletics, showcased a phenomenal record in women's basketball. His overall women's basketball record at Pamlico was an incredible 93-6. He then moved to Taylorsville where he coached from 1955-1964. His women's basketball teams collectively won five Western North Carolina High School Activities Association titles and at one point, recorded 54 consecutive wins and 140 straight conference victories. His overall women's basketball mark was 358-57.

Under Pat's tutelage, the Pamlico baseball teams captured 4 Seashore Conference Championships and compiled an overall record of 67-7 including 24 straight conference wins. Pat Gainey always had a great knowledge of baseball and spent the summer months scouting professional baseball prospects. Pat scouted a combined 18 years for the New York Giants and Chicago White Sox.

Award presentation: NCHSAA Annual Awards Celebration, Piedmont Hall/Greensboro; June 2026 (date TBD)

Awards

• 2, $5000

The Van London Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 1953 by Communities Foundation of Texas, offers a one-year scholarship up to $15,000 for students who are blind. This scholarship supports tuition, fees, books, and on-campus housing for those pursuing college or trade school certifications, ensuring that education is accessible to all. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and in good standing as students.

The Dr. Horacio R. Villarreal Scholarship Fund aims to enhance the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by supporting current college students pursuing careers in the medical field. Funded by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, this scholarship is available to juniors and seniors from specific counties with a minimum GPA of 3.0, providing essential financial assistance to future healthcare professionals.

The Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. There is one scholarship that is available to students in Cecil County. 

Margaret Ferree Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to students graduating from Talbot County Public Schools.

The John and Rheba Myers Scholarship, established by the Communities Foundation of Texas, offers financial assistance for up to full tuition and fees to graduating high school seniors or residents from Kaufman, Van Zandt, Wood, and Smith Counties. Eligible candidates must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and meet SAT or ACT score requirements. This scholarship supports academic pursuits at any accredited institution in the U.S., with no restrictions on fields of study.

The Elevance Health Foundation's Behavioral Health Grant aims to address significant challenges in mental health and substance use disorders. With a commitment of up to $90 million over three years, the Foundation seeks partnerships with nonprofits to enhance treatment access, promote prevention strategies, and alleviate loneliness among affected individuals. This initiative emphasizes innovative solutions and measurable outcomes, targeting both national and local programs, particularly in states with pressing health disparities.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship

Dorothy Ellen Thew, a lifelong member of the Marion community, left, as part of her legacy, a gift to create three scholarship funds at Marion Community Foundation. Dorothy, a noteworthy person in her own right, designated that three scholarship funds be created from her estate to honor beloved members of her family. The Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship honors her sister’s love of music and dedication to education.

Well educated, Dorothy was a 1936 graduate of Marion Harding High School and attended Hunter College, and Indiana, East Carolina, and Toledo universities. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy Waves in 1943 and had a naval career which spanned 30 years. Dorothy worked at the selective service board from 1943-1955 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marion Depot until its closing in 1961. She retired from the Columbus Defense Supply Center in 1979.

Her civic involvements mirrored her military career. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion and a Plank-Owner of the Navy Lone Sailor Memorial Association and Fleet Reserve Association, as well as the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, American Association for Retired Persons, the American and Marion County Historical societies, Marion Senior Citizens and Central Christian Church of Marion.

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.

The Elizabeth Anne Ala Scholarship, established by Communities Foundation of Texas, offers a $2,000 scholarship to a graduating senior from any Garland ISD high school who has excelled in a bilingual studies/ESL program. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and a 3.5 in bilingual/ESL classes, and must be U.S. citizens or documented residents. This initiative aims to support students in pursuing higher education.

The Simon Greenstone Panatier Scholarship, offered by the Communities Foundation of Texas, provides annual scholarships totaling $50,000 for students affected by cancer. Eligible applicants include high school seniors from Dallas County or previous SGP recipients, who have a personal or familial cancer diagnosis. With a minimum GPA of 3.0 and SAT/ACT score requirements, this scholarship aims to support educational pursuits at accredited institutions across the U.S.

The Texas DPS Scholarship, offered by the Communities Foundation of Texas, provides financial assistance to current or retired Texas Department of Public Safety employees and their immediate family members. Eligible applicants must be Texas high school graduates or foreign nationals residing in Texas for a year, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and standardized test scores. Scholarships can be applied at accredited colleges or universities in the U.S., fostering educational opportunities for those who serve the community.

The Northwood Woman’s Club Scholarship offers one-year scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for female students pursuing education at accredited institutions in the U.S. Established in 1953, the scholarship aims to support women in their academic endeavors without restrictions on the field of study. Eligible applicants must be female residents of Dallas or Collin County, Texas, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative fosters educational growth and community development.

The MG Eugene C. Renzi, USA (Ret.) STEM Teachers Scholarship, funded by AFCEA and ManTech International, offers $2,500 annually to support U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing graduate-level education in STEM teaching for grades K-12. This scholarship honors the legacy of Maj. Gen. Renzi and is aimed at candidates with a minimum GPA of 3.5 who are enrolled in accredited programs. It covers tuition and course-related expenses, fostering future educators in critical STEM fields.

The Horticulture Printers Scholarship, established in memory of Harold & Beky Vanberg, offers up to $5,000 for dependents of Veritiv employees. This one-year scholarship can be applied at any accredited U.S. college or university. Selection criteria include academic achievement, SAT/ACT scores, civic involvement, and financial need. Since 1953, Communities Foundation of Texas has partnered with donors to support educational opportunities, fostering thriving communities through accessible scholarship programs.

South James River Foundation Scholarship Fund

The purpose of this scholarship fund is to provide financial support of $1,000 per recipient to 10 high school seniors in Buckingham planning to attend an accredited two or four-year college/university, community or junior college, vocational technical, or trade school.  

The Andy Warhol Foundation's Arts Writers Grant supports writers engaging with contemporary visual art through various formats, including articles, books, and short-form writing. Grants range from $15,000 to $50,000, catering to both emerging and established writers. Eligible applicants must be individuals over 25, U.S. citizens or residents, and published authors. This initiative encourages critical discourse and interdisciplinary approaches in arts writing, particularly related to post-World War II visual art and its diverse contexts.

Drew Bilinski Memorial Scholarship

Award:

• One time award of $500.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

A.B. & Hazel Augenstein Scholarship

The A.B. & Hazel Augenstein Scholarship Fund is Marion Community Foundation’s first multi-year scholarship.

Created in 2009 by a gift from the Hazel & A.B. Augenstein Scholarship Foundation Trust, it supports students from River Valley. The trust was created by the Claridon Alumni Association to honor and memorialize the significance of A.B. Augenstein’s role in the Claridon School community. The Claridon Alumni Association continues to be the main supporter of this endowment fund.

The Captain John G. Gardner, USMC, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Scholarship honors a dedicated Marine who went missing in action during the Vietnam War. Established by Local Chapter 124 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, it aims to support the descendants of decorated Vietnam Veterans from 18 western counties in North Carolina. This scholarship provides financial assistance to graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue higher education at accredited institutions.

The U.S. Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis Journalism, awarded by the Sidney Hillman Foundation, recognizes outstanding journalism that serves the common good. Open to journalists globally, the prize honors works published or broadcast in English within the last year. Winners receive a $5,000 honorarium and a certificate at a ceremony in New York City. This prestigious award promotes impactful storytelling that resonates with a U.S. audience and champions social justice.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community.Michael G. Lindquist, PhD ScholarshipA scholarship will be given to a graduate of any Alger County high school planning to pursue a degree in engineering, chemistry, math, or physics. Academic excellence coupled with financial need are prime considerations.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.

ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community. Lloyd C. Artibee ScholarshipApplicants must be planning to attend a university, college, technical, or vocational institution, and have been involved in community and/or school activities.