Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

Sports Matter Mission

We believe that sports change lives. In addition to physical and mental health benefits, sports have the power to change our perspectives, our character and our communities for the better. This core belief has guided DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation since the beginning – but not everyone has the same access to play. Through grants and other support, The DICK’S Foundation Sports Matter Program helps under-resourced 501c3 organizations, schools and community teams across all 50 states provide opportunities for youth to play sports.

Why It Counts

• Low-Income Kids Play at Half the Rate of Wealthier Peers
• Participation in Team Sports has Declined 4% Since 2017
• One in Three Kids Can't Participate in the Sports They Want 
• Number of Kids Playing Multiple Sports Has Declined

Sports Matter Program

We Believe Every Kid Deserves a Chance to Play

The Sports Matter Program focuses on supporting youth sports in under-resourced communities.

All grant applications are made subject to review of the applying organization’s reputation and activities, and its agreement to comply with applicable terms and conditions. 

The Dorothy Stewart Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Brown County Community Foundation, aims to foster interest in public and environmental affairs. It provides financial support to graduates of Brown County High School or G.E.D. recipients who demonstrate exceptional citizenship and community involvement. Eligible candidates must pursue a degree in relevant fields, ensuring that the scholarship contributes to the development of future leaders in these critical areas.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Joan Blend Scholarship Fund

The Joan Blend Scholarship Fund assists students pursuing a career in nursing or who are registered nurses pursuing further studies. Applicants must reside in Stark County and have been accepted into or attend a school of nursing or a college or university offering a registered nursing degree. 

This scholarship is renewable.

The Harry D. Poling Scholarship, managed by the Brown County Community Foundation, supports current and former 4-H members pursuing higher education or vocational training. Established to assist students from Brown County, this scholarship prioritizes those seeking CDL or vocational training, emphasizing financial need. Since 1993, the Foundation has focused on educational initiatives, providing numerous scholarships to local graduates and working closely with The Lilly Endowment Inc. for enhanced educational opportunities.

The Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program, funded by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living, aims to enhance the skills of researchers in the field of disability and rehabilitation. By providing advanced training over a three-year period, this program focuses on improving community living and participation outcomes for individuals with disabilities. It seeks to equip scholars with the necessary tools to conduct high-quality, multidisciplinary research, ultimately benefiting the disability community.

The Faye Lynn Deckard Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Brown County Community Foundation, aims to provide scholarships for students accepted into accredited two- or four-year institutions. This fund supports residents of Brown County pursuing degrees in early childhood education, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder their educational aspirations. Since its inception, the foundation has been dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for local students, reinforcing its commitment to community development and academic achievement.

Achieve Your Community’s Economic Vitality Goals

Generously sponsored by U.S. Bank, Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street courses center the real challenges of entrepreneurs and equip Main Street leaders with invaluable insights and practical tools needed to respond. 

Building Your Local Business Ecosystem helps Main Street leaders understand and strengthen the network of people, organizations, programs, and resources that support local entrepreneurs and small businesses. Across three connected virtual classroom sessions, you will map your local business ecosystem, identify strengths and gaps, and develop practical ways to improve coordination and turn shared insights into action.

Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street is a recurring learning offering, available twice each year. Each session explores a distinct, timely topic shaping Main Street economies, allowing practitioners to gain tools, knowledge, and strategies to meet the immediate needs and long-term economic vitality goals of their community’s entrepreneurs.

What You’ll Get

• Three interactive virtual learning sessions
• Dynamic curriculum developed by subject matter experts
• Access to a peer network of Main Street economic development leaders
• Curated suite of templates, resources, and customizable tools that you can use right away
• A practical entrepreneurial ecosystem-mapping and action-planning process that you can apply in your own community
• Eligibility for credit toward the Main Street America Revitalization Professional credential and AICP certification 

Why It’s Worth the Investment 

Many community leaders are driving critical economic development initiatives on tight budgets — so how do you justify the expense of this course to your Board or leadership team? Here’s what you and your community will receive from this investment:

• Practical tools for understanding and mapping your local business ecosystem
• Strategies for identifying gaps, overlaps, and opportunities within the local support system
• Approaches for strengthening coordination among business-support partners
• Evergreen resources that support continued implementation after the course
• Professional credentials
• National peer networking

Price, Registration & What's Included

• Rates: $275 Member, $350 Non-member

About the Foundation

Our Mission

Beyond Batten Disease Foundation was established to eradicate juvenile Batten disease by raising awareness and funds to accelerate research for a treatment or cure.

About Funding

BBDF is dedicated to collaboratively developing, funding, and managing fundamental, preclinical, IND-enabling, translational and clinical research to improve the lives of children and young adults with CLN3 disease. Since 2008, BBDF has been the largest funder of juvenile Batten (CLN3) disease research, ranging from basic discovery research to translation into therapies. To inform our research initiatives, BBDF gathers information from one-on-one meetings, broad group discussions, scientific peer-reviewed publications, conference proceedings, drug pipelines, and tailored merit reviews into the foundation’s decision-making processes. Input comes from across the Research and Development spectrum including academia, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical sector, and clinicians, caregivers, and patients.

Our research funding decisions are based on these research objectives:

1) Supporting basic research to discover new mechanisms of disease, targets, and treatments

2) Supporting projects which facilitate execution of clinical trials such as expanding patient registries

3) Identifying biomarkers and other innovative clinical endpoints

4) Supporting projects that de-risks pharmaceutical investments in Batten disease

Foundation-Directed Research

The largest portion of the foundation’s portfolio is directed research. The foundation fills gaps in juvenile Batten disease research by funding high-impact projects and breakthrough technologies that will lead to disease mitigation and cure.

BBDF’s Principal Scientist regularly interacts with leaders in research and development across the entire therapeutic pipeline for Batten, as well as for adult forms of neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), and other related rare genetic diseases. To supplement this dialogue, BBDF creates specialty boards and steering committees to lead the development of its projects. A specialty board typically comprises ~200 years of combined experience specific to the proposed activity.

Investor-Initiated Research (Applying for a research grant)

In addition to directed research, BBDF accepts and awards research proposals. Because great ideas do not follow a schedule, we do this on a rolling submission basis. All budgets are carefully reviewed along with the proposed body of work. Applicants may be asked to revise their budgets and/or allow BBDF to share a summary of the proposal with other funders for the purpose of gathering additional support. Sometimes, the foundation will offer the applicant additional funding to incorporate additional expertise or methods into his or her plan.

Grants for Research About Urban Communication Issues

Since our launch in 2005, the Urban Communication Foundation has provided awards and grants to dozens of distinguished scholars, researchers, and journalists to recognize and support provocative work that contributes in significant ways to the discourse around urban communication issues.

While most of our recipients hail from academia and journalism, we also encourage submissions from other practitioners whose work will lend new insights into the discipline, raise broader awareness of related socio-political, economic, and cultural concerns, or influence public policy.

Gene Burd Grant for Research in Urban Journalism Studies

The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication has partnered with the Urban Communication Foundation to create the Gene Burd Grant for Research in Urban Journalism Studies. The purpose of this annual grant is to stimulate research that explains, enlightens, inspires, and improves the practice and study of journalism and communication in order to advance our understanding of journalism in urban environments.

Tom and Betty Herold Scholarship

This scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Thomas M. and Elizabeth L. Herold.

The Herold Scholarship is to be awarded to high school graduate(s) from a Randolph County, Indiana high school. The scholarship is awarded annually to one of the high schools on a rotational basis in the following order (or in the school consolidated), and then repeated: Randolph Central School Corporation (Winchester Community High School), Randolph Eastern School Corporation (Union City Jr./Sr. High School), Randolph Southern School Corporation, Monroe Central Jr./Sr. High School, Union School Corporation. Students must be pursuing a two- or four- year secondary degree.

The NIOSH K01 grant offers vital support for early-career researchers in occupational health, providing 'protected time' for mentorship and professional development. This funding aims to bridge the gap from postdoctoral training to independent research, fostering the next generation of investigators. By emphasizing skill enhancement and independence, the program plays a crucial role in advancing safety and health research. Applicants must articulate their mentorship needs and demonstrate the potential for increased autonomy in their research careers.

The CORE Funding: AHNS Presidential Award supports innovative research that integrates emerging technologies in head and neck cancer studies. This initiative aims to address critical gaps in early detection and treatment, especially for patients with advanced disease. By leveraging tools such as AI and advanced imaging, the program seeks to enhance understanding of disease mechanisms and improve patient-centered intervention strategies, ultimately advancing the field of otolaryngology.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. David K. Rogers Memorial ScholarshipThe David K. Rogers Memorial Scholarship Fund at Marion Community Foundation migrated from an existing scholarship fund at the former Marion Catholic High School, created shortly after the unexpected death of David K. Rogers.Created by David’s parents, Judge Richard and Sophie Rogers, the fund gives special consideration for an annual scholarship award to students who are active members of St. Mary Church. Exemplary character is a major consideration in the selection of recipients for this scholarship.

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.

Rob’s Hauling & Vance Family Scholarship

The Rob’s Hauling & Vance Family Scholarship Fund was created in 2019 by James and Lyndsey Vance. The Vance family places a priority on and a commitment to protecting, preserving, conserving, and sustaining the environment. Their scholarship gives special consideration to applicants who are pursuing an education in Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Renewable Energy Engineering, Sustainability Management, Urban Planning and Sustainability, Climate Science, Conservation Science, Conservation Biology, or Environmental Health and Economics. Consideration is also given to students studying Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture Production, Animal Science, Food Sciences and Technologies, Horticulture, Plant Science, Soil Science, and related fields.

Recipients may be a graduate or senior from any school located in Marion County who have been a resident of the area for their entire high school career and maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or greater.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Educator & Program Grants

Giving school theatre programs a boost

The Thespian Growth & Excellence Fund is committed to supporting the ongoing development of theatre programs and the pursuit of excellence for educators, students, schools, and communities by offering a number of grants that assist in EdTA membership, teacher support, and programmatic resources for theatre in schools.

By the end of 2024, the Thespian Growth and Excellence Fund has awarded 349 grants to 276 schools, totaling $286,167 in assistance provided to school theatre programs, many at schools with Title 1 designations.

Educator Support ($500)

Can be used for professional development for theatre educators that would benefit their students, including coursework, EdTA’s Theatre Education Conference registration fees, and related travel expenses.

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.Native American Education AwardGiven to a Native American graduate, applicants must have participated in Native Cultural/Academic activities, projects, or programs while attending MHS, be a participant in community service activities, and must have a minimum 2.0 overall GPA.

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.Simonen ScholarshipThe Paul & Alice Simonen Scholarship is offered to any Alger County resident planning to pursue post-secondary education at a college, university, vocational, or technical institute.

Preference will be given to an individual with future potential as evidenced by an exceptional record of achievement in school, community, and/or employment. Examples of achievement may include, but are not limited to, areas such as academics, fine arts, athletics, technology, volunteerism, service clubs, work/military experience.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Grants for Educators & Theatre Programs

A core piece of the Educational Theatre Foundation’s work is supporting theatre educators and theatre programs directly. We do this through a series of production and educator grants available to both members of EdTA as well as non-members.

EdTA Membership Grant

Theatre matters.

It belongs in our classrooms and communities – now more than ever. Yet the role of the theatre educator has become increasingly complex, and financial support is often uncertain or even eliminated.

To help meet this moment, the Educational Theatre Foundation is proud to introduce the EdTA Membership Grant.

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 Warren G. Harding Scholarship

The Marion Rotary Club Warren G. Harding Scholarship migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It honors the late Warren Gamaliel Harding, the 29th President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1921, until his death in 1923.

Rotary’s Harding scholarship is given to students who attend Harding High School and/or who intend to pursue an education and career in, or related to, journalism, business, history, government, or political science.

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.Thelma N. Cotey ScholarshipApplicants must be planning to pursue further education in the areas of medicine, business, or forestry. 

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 Robert E. Kibbey Scholarship

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 Robert E. Kibbey Scholarship migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It honors the late Bob Kibbey and 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 based on a 4.0 scale.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who intend to pursue an education and career in or related to business, management, or the hospitality or food industry.

The AINA Grant-in-Aid program, established by the Arctic Institute of North America, provides funding of $1000 to support young investigators, particularly graduate students, in their research related to Arctic issues. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with a U.S. or Canadian academic institution. The funding can cover travel, supplies, and equipment but not salaries. The program emphasizes the relevance and quality of research proposals that engage the Arctic community.

Stark Community FoundationStark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.The Wayne D. Ackerman Scholarship FundThe Wayne D. Ackerman Scholarship Fund assists seniors from Stark County high schools who will graduate in May/June. Applicants must be accepted as full-time students at a four-year college or university, have a GPA of at least 3.0, and have demonstrated outstanding involvement in academics and extracurriculars.Renewable Scholarship: No

The OJJDP FY 2026 Victims of Child Abuse Act Training and Technical Assistance program aims to enhance the skills of child abuse professionals. This initiative will promote coordinated investigations and improve intervention strategies for child abuse victims. By providing essential training on effective interviewing, investigative techniques, and interagency collaboration, the program seeks to elevate the quality of care and support available to affected children and families. Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

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 John C. Keggan Scholarship

The Marion Rotary Club John C. Keggan Scholarship was created in 2024. It honors the late John Keggan (1931-2023), philanthropist and businessman. John was the long-time owner and operator of the Marion Flower Shop and a realtor in Marion for 20 years. He was a Palace Guard, one of a group of local men who helped to save and restore the Marion Palace Theatre. He was an Air Force veteran and an avid Ohio State fan and alum.

His scholarship 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 based on a 4.0 scale.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who attend The Ohio State University regional campus in Marion, Ohio.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Urban & Margaret Hipp Family Endowment Fund

The Urban and Margaret Hipp Family Endowment Fund provides scholarships to local students.

This fund was created in 1964 as an advisory fund and became an endowment fund in 2009.

Urban Hipp (1913-2011) was born in Aurora, Illinois. He was a graduate of East Aurora High School and the University of Illinois (Class of 1936).

In 1939, he began his career at the Barber Greene Company where he served as vice president of finance and a director prior to his retirement in 1978. Mr. Hipp also was a director of the Old Second National Bank, Mercy Center Hospital and the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce.

Margaret Barber Hipp (1915-1999) was born in Aurora, Illinois. She was the daughter of Harry H. Barber (co-founder of the Barber Greene Company) and Blanche Capron Barber.

Mrs. Hipp graduated from the University of Illinois in 1937 where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She was active in many community activities including the Child Welfare Society and the Tuesday Garden Club.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

W. Charlie Hooper & Shirley Linder Hooper Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was created upon receipt of a bequest from the estates of W. Charlie and Shirley Hooper.

W. Charlie Hooper (1909-1995) was born in Hillsboro, Texas. He was an accountant with Podolak, Hooper and Kerr in Aurora.

Mr. Hooper also was a charter member of the Aurora Optimist Club and a member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge of Aurora and New England Congregational Church.

Shirley Hooper (1911-2003) was born in Grand Junction, Colorado. She also was a member of New England Congregational Church. During the last years of the couple’s life, they resided in Venice, Florida.

Scholarships from this fund are available to residents of the Foundation’s service area.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.