Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in Minnesota

Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants aim to enhance youth engagement in recreational activities by offering funding for local initiatives. The program, which has distributed over $31.2 million since 2009, includes specific grants for water safety, sports equipment, and arts education. The Play Area Grants, with up to $300,000 available, focus on improving youth athletic and play facilities. Approximately $1.3 million is designated for the upcoming fall 2025 grant cycle, supporting community-based requests.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Connecting people, passion and resources

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Our Mission is to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people.

We envision a magnetic and interconnected West Michigan community.

Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Sustainability and Bold Aspirations

Give and Receive Openly, Build Trust with Each Other, Create Brave and Safe Space, Embrace Vulnerability, Accountability

Our North Star

For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.

Opportunities for students

Apply for scholarships to support your ambitions

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Scholarship Fund Details

Support for West Michigan Students

Attending college or trade school increases opportunity and opens doors to careers. Donor partners who establish a scholarship fund give students a boost on their path to higher education. Students who complete the general scholarship application are considered for these scholarships.

Open to students who are current or former wards of the court in Kent County, Michigan pursuing an undergraduate college or vocational education, have financial need and a 2.5 minimum GPA.

Must provide a letter of recommendation from a caseworker.

The Jenna’s Rainbow Moving Forward Grant, offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, provides crucial financial assistance to adult survivors of brain or spinal cord tumors. Aimed at fostering independence, this grant supports costs associated with job transitions, new living situations, and resources to enhance self-sufficiency. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, diagnosed before 21, and not have received recent funding from CBTF or JRF. This initiative empowers survivors to overcome challenges and move forward in their lives.

The Cargill Foundation focuses on improving the lives of low-income children in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul area by supporting nonprofit organizations. Their mission emphasizes the importance of nutritious food, equitable access to STEM education, and preparation for post-secondary education. Through employee-led initiatives, Cargill engages with local communities to address the Opportunity Gap, ensuring that all children have the resources and support they need for success in school and beyond.

The Amazing Grace Scholarship, established by the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, honors Grace Fulcher, a brain tumor survivor. This scholarship supports students diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors before age 21, who reside in the U.S. and are pursuing higher education. With a $1000 award, the scholarship aims to empower survivors to achieve their educational goals, inspired by Grace's resilience and academic success despite her challenges.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Martha Rodriguez Scholarship Fund

Martha Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship was initiated in 2025 by Lisa Ackerman, close friend and then Director of the Columbus Citizens Foundation. Raised in Gary, Indiana and a true New Yorker, Martha died as the result of traumatic head injuries from a tragic accident just outside her NYC apartment. Martha Rodriguez gave in life, working as a nurse helping patients navigate the trauma of breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In her death, she was lauded by the President of LiveOnNY, an organization that coordinates and oversees organ donations, for her last selfless act of giving. Martha donated organs that gave life and hope and helped three people lead better lives. Her zest for life was contagious, and her dedication, compassion, and expertise left an indelible mark on the lives of countless MSKCC patients and caregivers. She was a friend and mentor to many. She loved being a nurse at MSKCC and worked for more than 28 years as a nurse practitioner and for the last 15 years of her life dealing with breast cancer patients. This scholarship is awarded to nurses studying in master's or doctoral programs who are dedicated to oncology care, or women’s health, or are Latinx nurses.

The Lakken’s Legacy Survivor Scholarship, offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, awards $1,000 to brain tumor survivors pursuing education beyond high school. This initiative honors Lakken, who faced challenges during her cancer journey yet remained passionate about education. The scholarship aims to support individuals diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors before age 21, ensuring they have the opportunity to continue their studies in various educational institutions. It's a commitment to empower survivors and foster their dreams.

The U.S. Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism, awarded by the Sidney Hillman Foundation, recognizes outstanding journalism that serves the common good. Open to global journalists, the contest honors work accessible to U.S. audiences, with no entry limits per outlet. Winners receive a $5,000 honorarium and a certificate at a ceremony in New York City. This prestigious award highlights impactful stories across various media platforms, emphasizing the importance of journalism in addressing social issues.

The Lakken’s Legacy Sibling Scholarship, established by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, honors Lakken Burzynski's courage and resilience in her battle with cancer. This $1,000 scholarship is designed for siblings of children diagnosed with brain tumors, emphasizing support for families impacted by such challenges. Eligible applicants must be 21 or younger at diagnosis and reside in the U.S. This initiative promotes positivity and hope, continuing Lakken's legacy of strength and family support.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for Winter Sports awards up to 126 scholarships of $10,000 annually to outstanding student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. Eligible candidates are in their final year of NCAA competition and must have a minimum GPA of 3.2. The scholarships are available for men and women in various winter sports and are intended for use in accredited graduate programs, emphasizing the importance of academic achievement and community involvement.

The Carson Bailey Memorial Scholarship for Siblings, established by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, honors the memory of Carson Bailey. This scholarship aims to support brain tumor survivors pursuing their educational goals. Eligible applicants must have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before age 21, reside in the U.S., maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and be at least a senior in high school. A $1000 scholarship is available for those attending various educational institutions.

The Carson Bailey Memorial Scholarship, established by the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, honors the memory of Carson Bailey, a dedicated student and beloved family member. This scholarship is aimed at brain tumor survivors who have been diagnosed before the age of 21 and seek to pursue higher education. It provides $1000 to eligible applicants, supporting their educational aspirations while promoting inclusiveness and respect for all backgrounds within the brain tumor community.

The Charles B. Decker Memorial Scholarship, established in 1991, supports college and graduate students from the Tri-Lakes area pursuing journalism careers. This scholarship emphasizes the importance of education in the Adirondack region by providing essential financial assistance to students dedicated to journalism. Candidates are evaluated based on financial need, demonstrated commitment to journalism, and academic achievements, ensuring that the scholarship aligns with the foundation's mission to invest in educational opportunities.

Erin Marie Masling Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship encourages students who have the potential and desire to pursue a post-secondary education despite the effects of an ongoing medical condition or illness.

Number and Size of Awards

Number of recipients and award amounts vary; minimum award $500. Award paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

The Daland Fellowships in Clinical Investigation, awarded by the American Philosophical Society, support research in clinical medicine across various fields, including internal medicine and psychiatry. Each fellowship provides $40,000 annually for up to two years, contingent on satisfactory progress. Eligible candidates include those with recent M.D. or Ph.D. degrees, and applicants must conduct research under a scientific advisor in the U.S. Preference is given to those with limited postdoctoral training.

About Us

Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) is here to serve and add value to donors’ philanthropic needs by providing them an opportunity to “invest in the power of community.” It is our goal to identify current and emerging issues, channel resources to address community needs, and help prepare for the future.

MCF Mission

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to be a catalyst for lasting impact in Sarpy and Cass counties and to give opportunities to organizations and individuals to pursue their charitable goals.

Scholarships Through MCF

Midlands Community Foundation is committed to the futures of communities in Sarpy and Cass Counties, and across the country. Supporting higher education of students is a direct investment in the futures of these communities.

Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship Application Guidelines

The Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship Fund makes this scholarship available to students studying criminal justice, criminology, sociology, psychology, or pre-law

The Fund shall annually distribute two (2) scholarships in the total amount of $1,500, split evenly per semester (i.e., $750 Fall Semester, and $750 Spring/Semester).

Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund

For a high school senior from Central Noble, East Noble, Wawasee, West Noble or homeschool (homeschooled student must live in Noble County) who will be pursuing advanced education in emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Awards Per Year:

• 1 scholarship

Applicant High School:

• Central Noble, East Noble, Homeschooled, Wawasee, West Noble

Colleges:

• Any accredited college or university

Areas of Study:

• Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Services, Emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Transportation Research and Policy

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through evidence-based solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice.

The Infrastructure team has been investing in efforts to build better, faster, and lower-cost infrastructure with a focus on housing, energy, and transportation. For transportation, we are investing in policymaking and research that tackles the inefficiencies that make U.S. transportation infrastructure so difficult and expensive to build. 

Purpose

Transportation policy represents an avenue for improving the systems moving people, goods, and services. The Infrastructure team is seeking proposals evaluating the effectiveness and/or benefits of existing transportation or transportation-adjacent policies on outcomes for communities in the United States.

Eligible Projects and Topic Areas of Interest

This Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to bolster the knowledge base of potentially effective policies, programs, and interventions by funding efforts that align with key AV Infrastructure policy areas.

AV is primarily focused on traditional surface transportation — road and public transit — but is open to proposals in aviation, maritime, passenger and freight rail, trucking, and more.

We seek proposals for: 1) research, expanded data sets, or analysis; 2) administrative or legislative policy reforms at the federal, state, or local level; or 3) models of effective implementation including proposals for implementing agencies to partner with researchers or program evaluators to conduct baseline and post-intervention research on implementation effectiveness that will advance the knowledge base and provide illustrative examples within, but not limited to, the following topic areas:

• Transportation Capital Investment Reform. Evaluating how capital funding is prioritized and selected at the federal, state, or regional level, including discretionary grant programs and formula-based funding. What reforms could ensure projects deliver higher public returns?

• Cost Estimation, Oversight, and Accountability. Why do major transportation projects frequently exceed budgets and timelines, and how can we identify strategies to improve transparency, cost realism, and performance oversight?

• Access in Mobility Outcomes. Measuring how current transportation investments affect access to jobs, services, and economic opportunities for workers and families, and what policy changes could improve access.

• Performance-Based Project Selection. How can public agencies shift from current, politically driven allocations to datadriven, performance-based decision-making on capital project selections?

• Institutional Barriers to Reform. What organizational, legal, or procedural hurdles prevent DOTs and MPOs from adopting better practices (e.g., outcome-based planning, integrated land use/transportation policy)?

• Permitting and Permit Reform. How do current local, state, and federal permitting practices affect project cost, quality, timeline, and other concerns?

• Intergovernmental Dynamics. How do federal, state, and local funding structures and requirements enable or constrain effective transportation investment? What governance structures would improve outcomes when it comes to transportation planning and project delivery?

• Data Sets and Root Causes of High Delivery Costs. Expanded data sets on unit costs and/or research illuminating the root causes of why transportation and transit projects cost so much and take so long to deliver. What policy and practice changes could manage project delivery risks and improve the likelihood that projects will be delivered on s chedule and on budget?

• Domestic Content. How do Buy America and domestic content requirements affect the cost, speed, innovation, and effectiveness of transportation infrastructure projects?

• Procurement Process. How do current procurement practices affect project cost, quality, innovation, and accountability — and what policy and regulatory reforms could improve outcomes?

• Other. AV also welcomes innovative proposals on other transportation issues that align with our mission.

These research, policy development, and implementation proposals can be relevant to federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation or federal administrative changes; state reforms to Departments of Transportation; and/or local-level reforms relevant either to regional transportation agencies, transit agencies, or municipal governments.

The Edward P. Suchecki Family Scholarship, established by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports local high school senior athletes pursuing a business career. Named after Ed Suchecki, a dedicated coach and businessman who valued education, this scholarship prioritizes financial need and favors football and golf players. Applicants must submit their transcripts and other required documents. This initiative aims to empower young athletes to achieve their educational goals.

The Edith M. Pritchard Scholarship, offered by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports nurses pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in nursing education and public health. Applicants must hold a current RN license, maintain a GPA of 3.6, and have at least two semesters of study remaining post-award notification. This scholarship promotes nursing leadership and is funded through donations, reflecting over a century of commitment to nursing education.

The Limited Competition: Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program's Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award aims to enhance translational research by fostering collaboration in developing and implementing innovative solutions. This funding opportunity invites applications focused on new approaches and technologies that will improve research impact across various diseases and expedite treatment availability. Eligible applicants include organizations with active CTSA hub prime or partnering awards.

The Allison Adams Wieczorek Scholarship supports graduate nurses pursuing degrees in maternal-infant and pediatric nursing. Established through the Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., this scholarship honors the contributions of Allison Adams Wieczorek, a dedicated board member with extensive experience in financial services. Applicants must have at least two semesters of study remaining and meet specific eligibility criteria, including holding a current RN license and maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.6. This initiative fosters nursing leadership and education.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Multiple Sclerosis Scholarship

Dr. Rose Marie Lovio designed this scholarship with her favorite quote in mind: "Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it". This scholarship is designed for a student who has been directly diagnosed with the disease or who has a close family member who lives with multiple sclerosis. This chronic illness offers a multitude of challenges and this scholarship seeks a recipient who exudes positivity despite those challenges.

Generally the Community Foundation's scholarships are awarded to applicants who have high financial need. Applicants with household income exceeding $100,000 are less likely to be awarded, but applying will allow you to be considered for targeted scholarships.

Llewellyn L. Cayvan String Instrument Scholarship

Open to students studying music with concentration in viola, violin, violincello, or bass viol.

Mission Statement

Beckley Area Foundation exists to inspire and facilitate generous charitable giving that advances our community.

The Beckley Area Foundation is committed to enriching lives and strengthening communities across Southern West Virginia.

Scholarship

Supporting Student Success

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Surayria T. Hasan Scholarship

Eligibility

Both need and merit will be considered in selecting applicants; Must be a minority student from Raleigh County, West Virginia; Pursuing either a masters in nursing degree, a nurse practitioner degree, or physician’s assistant degree at a West Virginia school, preferably in Raleigh County.

The Fash Foundation Grants aim to support and enhance children's education and the arts in Tarrant County, Texas. The Foundation prioritizes contributions to higher education institutions that align with its mission statement. Grants are awarded to initiatives that promote health and educational advancements in various disciplines including sciences and the arts. The Foundation seeks to foster a nurturing environment for children's educational growth.

Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship

Established by Ben and Rose Schwabenbauer, former long-time teachers in the Olean City School District, this fund awards scholarships for graduating seniors from Olean High School, Otto-Eldred High School, Portville Central School or Bradford Area High School who will be attending a 4-year college with a preference for students majoring in education, particularly elementary education; criminal justice or a law enforcement-related field; or healthcare-related fields of study.