Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Veronica Zerrer and Michelle Dungan Scholarship Fund

The Veronica Zerrer and Michelle Dungan Scholarship Fund applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Plan to enroll full-time at a four-year university, graduate school, community college, or career/technical school in the United States
• Have an unweighted GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Have a demonstrated financial need
• Open to all San Diego County applicants, with an effort to reduce educational disparities for those who have faced barriers related to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The SVS Student Research Fellowship, offered by the Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation, supports undergraduate and medical students in the U.S. and Canada conducting vascular research. The fellowship emphasizes hypothesis-driven projects, providing a $3,000 award and a complimentary Journal of Vascular Surgery subscription. It aims to enhance students' education while fostering innovative solutions in vascular health, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in applicant eligibility.

The Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards, supported by The ASCAP Foundation, encourages emerging jazz composers aged 13-30. This annual award offers a platform for creativity and innovation in jazz music. Eligible applicants must submit original works, including a score and recording, by the deadline. Previous winners may apply if their submission is a new piece. The foundation focuses on nurturing talent and enhancing arts education, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape.

The Soros Justice Fellowships support innovative individuals dedicated to reforming the U.S. criminal justice system. These fellowships, available in two tracks, offer funding for 12 or 18 months to projects that inspire dialogue, influence policy, and drive change. Track I is aimed at emerging leaders, while Track II is for seasoned professionals. With grants of $100,000 and $140,000 respectively, the program emphasizes collaboration and aims to foster a network of leaders committed to addressing injustice and inequality.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Environmental Education Foundation is to award educational scholarships and grants to area students and schools for environmental-centered studies and to promote environmental awareness to all ages of the Geneva Lake area.

Thomas E. Reynolds (TER) Foundation Scholarship

The scholarship was established to support the college education of students who are pursing a career goal related to the conservation or protection of the environment.​ Financial need will be considered if all other criteria are met.

Annual renewal requires that the student stay in touch with the EEF, provide term grade point averages, any change in his/her college program or professional goals, and maintain a 3.0 grade point average while actively working toward an appropriate degree.

The EEF High School Graduate Scholarship, offered by the Environmental Education Foundation, supports students from the Geneva Lake area pursuing environmentally-focused college degrees. Applicants must demonstrate a passion for conservation, have a solid high school record, and plan to attend an accredited four-year college. Financial need is considered alongside the fulfillment of other criteria. This scholarship encourages students to continue seeking additional funding for their education.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Christine Balch Memorial Scholarship Fund

Supporting Hampden County residents attending medical school

York County Community Foundation

York County Community Foundation was founded in 1961 by generous visionaries who saw an opportunity to perpetually support their community by pooling charitable giving, investing it to grow over time and make grants to charity from the earnings on the pooled fund. It wasn’t until 1991 that the Community Foundation made a real push to build its assets so that it could become the kind of leading organization it is today. Donors are the crux of our existence; they are the reason we have been so successful over the years. Today, thanks to encouragement from many community leaders, we have enhanced our mission to include being a community leader and changemaker by working with community stakeholders to leverage our grantmaking and expertise for powerful community improvement.

Field of Study Scholarships

Through the Community Foundation, our donors have established scholarship funds focused on a specific field of study. Each scholarship expresses our donors' deep commitment to helping York County students achieve their educational goals.

Tom Adams, Jo Hunger, George Lamotte Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was created for York County students studying to become a dentist, a dental specialist, or a dental hygienist.

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Individuals, families, organizations and businesses establish funds at the Foundation to carry out their charitable giving now and in the future.

Community Foundation of Henderson County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public charity, governed by a volunteer board of directors, that has been assisting donors fulfill their philanthropic dreams since 1982.

Our Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.

Scholarships

Community Foundation of Henderson County's Scholarship Program began in 1984. Thanks to the generosity of passionate donors, over 2,000 traditional and non-traditional students have been provided more than $10 million in scholarships to pursue higher education.

Robert and Vivian Edwards Scholarship

This scholarship is for a graduate of a Henderson County public, private or parochial high school who plans to enter into the field of veterinary medicine or related studies. This scholarship may be utilized for undergraduate and/or post-graduate studies. The recipient must be a legal resident of the United States.

The National Register Internship Travel Scholarship, funded by the American Psychological Foundation, offers financial assistance to psychology doctoral students for relocation to their predoctoral internship sites. This scholarship supports diverse applicants who are in good standing in accredited programs and have secured internships recognized by the APA or CPA. By alleviating relocation costs, the scholarship aims to facilitate the professional development of future psychologists.

About Us

We are one of over 900 community foundations in the US. We serve the 7 county Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our area of the state.

Who We Are

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, founded in 2006, is the newest community foundation in South Carolina. We have a permanent endowment to meet the changing needs of the Pee Dee.

• We foster philanthropy.
• We build resources for nonprofits.
• We support our local communities.

South East Express Scholarship

In 2019, to commemorate its 25th anniversary, South East Express, Inc. in Timmonsville, SC, established a permanent endowed scholarship at Eastern Carolina Community Foundation. The award is designated for a graduating senior from Florence One High Schools in Florence County, SC where the company is located. In addition, South East Express also plans to sponsor a paid summer internship for the winning applicant to learn more about the company and how it impacts the quality of life in Florence County.

The American Heart Association's International Visiting Professorship Award aims to enhance global research experiences by bringing international scientists to the U.S. for one week. This initiative promotes scientific exchange and collaboration, aligning with the AHA's mission. With a budget of up to $10,000, the program supports various travel-related expenses, fostering valuable connections and advancing research in critical medical fields.

The Innovative Project Award by the American Heart Association supports groundbreaking research in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular fields, with a focus on innovative ideas that do not require preliminary data. Awarding up to $200,000 over two years, it encourages proposals that challenge existing paradigms and explore new avenues of investigation. Eligibility is open to qualified researchers holding advanced degrees, emphasizing the importance of a well-justified budget and innovative project design without overlaps with existing funding.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Rintoul Family Fund

To support students from Hampden or Hampshire County attending a two- or four-year college, studying agriculture or other related majors.

The Division 39 Marsha D. McCary Fund Grant for Psychoanalysis aims to enhance public understanding of psychoanalysis and its applications in various fields. This grant supports initiatives that promote psychoanalytic education, research, and services, especially benefiting early career professionals and underserved populations. The American Psychological Foundation encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply, ensuring a broad representation within the field. This initiative fosters the ongoing development of psychoanalysis as a vital discipline in psychology.

This research study, funded by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, aims to investigate the effects of international parental child abduction (IPCA) on both abducted children and their left-behind parents. Key objectives include identifying the psychological, developmental, and social impacts of IPCA, pinpointing supportive gaps in the U.S., and recommending effective solutions to enhance support for affected families.

The Paul E. Henkin School Psychology Travel Grant, offered by the American Psychological Foundation, provides up to $1,500 for student members of APA Division 16. This funding helps cover registration, lodging, and travel expenses for attending the APA Annual Convention. It encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and requires a commitment to a career in school psychology. Eligible applicants must be current student members of APA Division 16 and cannot use the funds for food or materials not included in registration.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Vocational Education Merit Award Fund

The Vocational Education Merit Scholarship was created to provide scholarships to two graduating high school seniors who have excelled academically and is a nomination based award.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Scholarship Program

The community foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships for students, provided by the generosity of local donors. Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or a non-traditional student we work with donors to help you take the next step in your education.

Marcella Dowling Oakes Art Scholarship

For students qualifying for graduation from a high school within the service area of GSCF or its affiliates with an intended major in an art field, including, but not limited to, visual arts, fine arts education, digital/graphic arts, architecture, or design.

 Applicants must submit a personal statement about how they will utilize their drawing skills to accomplish their future career goals.

Renewals

• This award is not renewable.

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Scholarship Program

The community foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships for students, provided by the generosity of local donors. Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or a non-traditional student we work with donors to help you take the next step in your education.

Linda K. Freeland Early Childhood Education Scholarship

For High school senior from Saline County, KS, with an intended major of early childhood education.

Applicant must submit an essay that states why they have chosen to major in early childhood education.

Renewals

• This award is not renewable.

Rare Organic Acidemias Research (ROAR) Consortium Early Career Fellowship

The overall mission of the ROAR career enhancement core is to recruit and retain a cohort of physicians, physician-researchers, and other researchers with clinical research expertise in rare metabolic disorders, specifically organic acidemias.

 Annual funding of $50,000 (total cost, including indirect costs) is available to support a postdoctoral trainee or early career faculty member (within 5 years of residency or fellowship training as of proposed start date of either June 1, 2026 or October 1, 2026) for a one-year period. The ROAR Consortium intends to fund 1-2 awards this cycle with one award starting by June 1, 2026 and another starting by October 1, 2026. 

Trainees are expected to complete the following:

• Design and complete a clinical research project focusing on organic acidemias. This project can leverage existing projects within the ROAR consortium or can be a new project unrelated to existing projects in the consortium. Of note, funds cannot be used to support research projects involving animal models. 
• Meet monthly with their project mentor and periodically with the ROAR Career Enhancement Core leadership to discuss progress.
• Provide a progress report within 30 days of completing the program.
• Attend ROAR consortium activities including the monthly ROAR team calls and annual ROAR consortium in-person meeting.
• Present their project at the annual ROAR consortium in-person meeting or monthly ROAR team call.
• Acknowledge the ROAR consortium support on manuscripts published upon completion of the project.
• Trainees are expected to participate in the RDCRN Rare Disease Research Training Program.
• Trainees are encouraged to budget funds for travel to one conference relevant to the organic acidemia and/or rare disease community to present their work. 

The Centers of Excellence Program, funded by the US HHS: HRSA, aims to improve health professions education for under-represented minority individuals. It provides grants to health schools and organizations to enhance academic performance, expand clinical education, and strengthen faculty recruitment. This initiative promotes strategic partnerships to develop a competitive applicant pool and supports research on health issues affecting minority groups, ensuring better health outcomes and career opportunities in the health professions.

The R Accelerated Award Grants by Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation aim to support innovative pediatric oncology research. These grants are designed for early-career scientists focused on developing less toxic therapies for childhood cancers. Eligible applicants must be first-time principal investigators with a strong institutional backing and a commitment to pediatric cancer research. The program emphasizes the importance of scientific rigor and aims to accelerate the discovery of effective treatments, thereby improving outcomes for children with cancer.

The Oldham Little Church Foundation Grant, established in 1949, has awarded over $53.56 million in facility completion grants to small evangelical Protestant churches across the U.S. The foundation aims to support church renovations and new construction projects, enhancing their ability to serve their communities. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $15,000 and are considered quarterly. Eligible churches must meet specific criteria, including membership size and financial stewardship, to qualify for funding.

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Scholarship Program

The community foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships for students, provided by the generosity of local donors. Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or a non-traditional student we work with donors to help you take the next step in your education.

Gayle & Evelyn Richmond Scholarship

For graduating high school seniors from a high school in Plainville, Stockton, Natoma, or Palco, KS.

Renewals

Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for renewal by meeting the following criteria:

• Recipients must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.
• Recipients may receive this scholarship for a total of 4 years.

The National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) aims to enhance biomedical research on malignant mesothelioma by expanding its collection of biospecimens, including tumor tissues and blood samples, alongside demographic and clinical data. Established in 2006, the NMVB serves as a crucial resource for researchers, providing access to a diverse library of samples and data, which can help identify disease markers and develop improved treatment options. This initiative is essential for advancing the understanding and treatment of mesothelioma.

The Connie Celeste Sherman Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by family, supports students from Hampden County. Managed by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the fund assists those enrolling in accredited U.S. post-secondary schools. Eligible applicants include undergraduates and graduates, with awards up to $3,000. Students should verify the potential impact on financial aid and can use scholarships for tuition, fees, and other educational expenses, while considering tax implications.