Best Grants for Community Centers in Missouri

The Foundation for Improvement of Justice Awards recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to improving the civil and criminal justice systems in the U.S. Nominations are accepted year-round, with winners receiving a Paul H. Chapman Medal, $15,000, a certificate, and an expenses-paid trip to the awards banquet. This initiative aims to encourage continued innovation in justice practices. Eligibility includes unique improvements to justice systems, while future project grants and past awardees are ineligible.

The Stephen Francis McNally Scholarship Fund offers need-based scholarships up to $4,250 for undergraduate students at UNCF-member institutions or accredited HBCUs. Established in honor of Steve McNally, this fund aims to support students facing financial challenges that hinder their college completion. With over 70% graduation rates for recipients, the scholarship not only alleviates financial burdens but also empowers students to thrive and succeed in their academic pursuits.

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.Aaron Seesan Memorial Scholarship FundThe Aaron Seesan Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist graduating seniors from Massillon Washington High School or Stark County high schools who have been accepted by or will attend a two-year or four-year college/university, a post-high school technical education program, or nursing school. Criteria is based on: 3.0 minimum GPA, demonstration of outstanding involvement in extracurricular school activities, and community service activities outside of school. Personal interview required.Renewable Scholarship: No

The Johnson & Johnson Scholarship offers $5,000 merit-based scholarships to New Jersey residents pursuing degrees in nursing or health sciences. Applicants must be juniors or seniors enrolled at accredited UNCF Member Institutions or other four-year institutions, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This initiative supports the mission of UNCF, which has raised over $6 billion to help minority students thrive in higher education, advocating for the importance of education and community engagement.

The Lendon Cole Byram Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Hamilton County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Cathedral High School and other Central Indiana high schools. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrate community involvement, and have participated in speech, debate, or Model U.N. for at least two years. This scholarship aims to empower students to achieve their full potential through education.

The Peter Gerkman Jr. Memorial Scholarship is aimed at Greater Capital Region high school seniors who have participated in varsity-level football. This scholarship encourages students to pursue higher education at accredited institutions in the U.S., supporting their academic and vocational aspirations. The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region has been committed to enhancing community life since 1968, making this scholarship a meaningful opportunity for deserving athletes.

Mid Shore Community Foundation Mid-Shore Community 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. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.The Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors through a pooled scholarship application - students complete one online application in consideration for all scholarships to which they meet eligibility. All applications are reviewed and considered by the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee. American Legion, Blake Blackston Post #77 ScholarshipAwarded to students graduating from high schools in Talbot County

QuikTrip is dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and early childhood education through strategic community investments. By donating 5% of annual net profits to qualified non-profits, QuikTrip aims to empower individuals and break the cycle of poverty. The company partners with organizations providing educational opportunities, ensuring that all youth, regardless of their backgrounds, can thrive as independent citizens. This initiative highlights QuikTrip's commitment to making a measurable impact in the communities where its employees live and work.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials. 

Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund

The Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund was initially financed by friend and colleague, Susie Stephenson. The fund is an option for donors who want to help young people experience and learn to play bluegrass music. Instead of funding a specific scholarship or grant, the Breen Fund will be used by the IBMA Foundation where needed most, in a variety of ways that benefit individuals age 21 and younger. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Bill was an Associate Professor and Professor of Finance at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University from 1971-2002, going on to serve as Chairman of the Finance Department and Head of Doctoral Studies for the Kellogg School. In addition to playing the banjo, Bill was an avid sailor and fly fisherman, and he never met a dog he didn’t like. His friends and family say it’s fitting that a man so passionate about the banjo, bluegrass music, and education is memorialize with a bluegrass youth education fund.

The Joyce Bytof Memorial Cancer Survivors Scholarship, established by Joyce Bytof in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, supports childhood cancer survivors graduating from specific Wisconsin high schools. This scholarship aims to assist them in pursuing higher education despite the financial and academic challenges posed by their experiences. Joyce's legacy continues to inspire hope and resilience among young survivors as they strive for academic success and a brighter future.

The Margaret Ferris Scholarship for Hard of Hearing Students, established by Margaret Ferris, a dedicated teacher, supports hard of hearing students from Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties. It aims to assist graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education. This scholarship honors Margaret's impactful career and commitment to the deaf community, emphasizing aural/oral training over American Sign Language. By providing financial aid, it continues her legacy of fostering educational opportunities for hard of hearing individuals.

The Jill B. Whiting Scholarship, established by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, supports graduating seniors from Central Dauphin High School and Central Dauphin East High School pursuing music or music education studies. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate community service and leadership, and show financial need. This scholarship honors Jill B. Whiting's legacy as a dedicated music volunteer and aims to foster artistic talent in the local community.

The Leader Scholarship Fund, established by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, supports students in HACC's LPN program from Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, or York counties. It honors Governor George Leader, a champion for education and disabilities, and emphasizes financial need and a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative aims to empower future healthcare professionals while fostering community growth and equity in Pennsylvania.

The Vascular Care for the Underserved Project Grants, funded by the Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation, aim to address disparities in vascular care for women. With a grant of $20,000, this initiative focuses on enhancing access, inclusion, and gender-specific research in vascular health. It supports innovative projects that aim to improve care delivery to underserved women and ensure equitable representation in vascular research, ultimately aiming to advance health outcomes and address historical exclusions in clinical studies.

The SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), are designed to promote early-career independence by supporting research and training goals in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences. Applicants can choose between two tracks: Fundamental Research and Broadening Participation. This initiative addresses significant scientific questions, aligning with NSF's mission to enhance the scientific workforce and foster diversity in research fields.

The Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship, established by the East Bay Community Foundation, honors labor leader Tom Sweeney. It awards $2,000 to graduating high school students accepted into college or university, and $1,000 to post-secondary students in undergraduate or graduate programs. Eligibility requires students to be members or dependents of IBEW Local 595 and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This scholarship supports educational expenses, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to fostering academic success in the community.

The Helen and Howard Smith Nursing Scholarship, established by The Dayton Foundation in 2002, supports students pursuing LPN or BSN degrees. Eligible applicants must be sophomores or above enrolled in nursing programs within Montgomery or Greene counties and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to non-traditional students. The Dayton Foundation, a key philanthropic entity since 1921, aims to enhance community welfare through charitable initiatives, focusing on education, health services, and cultural advancement.

Michelle M. Vasenda Fund

Established in memory of Michelle M. Vasenda, a career nurse who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2009. It was her vision to create a scholarship to help those committed to helping others.

Amount: Varies

• $1,000-$2,000

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• Must reapply annually by submission of a new application.

The Gough Family Scholarship, established in 2021 by The Dayton Foundation, aims to support graduating high school seniors from specific Dayton zip codes who exhibit a strong work ethic and plan to pursue education in a STEM-related field or business. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and have a history of successful employment. This scholarship reflects the Foundation's commitment to fostering education and enhancing opportunities for youth in the community.

The Bob and Cheri Suttner Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, supports residents from local school districts pursuing an electrical trade education. Established to promote careers in power line technology, this scholarship emphasizes the importance of skilled trades and aims to provide financial assistance for students attending technical colleges. It honors the legacy of Bob and Cheri Suttner, who dedicated their lives to the community and the electric utility profession.

The Darrell Wolf Trades Scholarship, established by the Clintonville Area Foundation, honors a self-taught machinist and 1982 Marion High School graduate. This $500 non-renewable scholarship supports students from the Marion or Clintonville School Districts pursuing a degree in welding or machining at an accredited technical college. Preference is given to those with relevant apprenticeship experience. Financial need is also considered, ensuring that deserving students can further their education and skills in the trades.

The Military Patient Relief Fund, launched by the National Breast Cancer Foundation in partnership with the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, provides financial assistance up to $1,000 for eligible military members diagnosed with breast cancer. This fund addresses barriers to care such as transportation, childcare, housing, food insecurity, and medical costs. Our mission is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone, offering support and hope to those in need.

The Dan Fouquette Scholarship, established by CommunityGiving, honors the legacy of Dan Fouquette, a founder of St. Cloud National Bank. This scholarship aims to support high school graduates pursuing careers in finance or business. Eligible applicants must apply online and have an account with the Scholarship Management System. The scholarship, valued at approximately $500, is available to students from select local high schools, fostering financial literacy and community engagement.

Our Story

Since 1963 when Stark Community Foundation was formed, hundreds of thousands of people’s lives have been changed through the power of philanthropy.

Over the years, the role of the Foundation has grown from a simple grantmaker to a community leader seeking long-term solutions to diverse community challenges.

The Virginia C. Jack and Ralph L. Jack Scholarship Fund

The Virginia C. Jack and Ralph L. Jack Scholarship Fund was established to assist students who are residents of Stark County; admitted to technical school, college or university, or school of nursing (full or part-time); traditional or non-traditional students accepted. Applicants must have attained a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and demonstrate financial need.

The Esther Roth Gillette Registered Nurse Scholarship, established by The Dayton Foundation in 2017, supports students enrolled in accredited nursing programs. This scholarship aims to empower future nurses by providing financial assistance to those demonstrating community service and financial need. The Dayton Foundation, serving Greater Dayton since 1921, is dedicated to enhancing local philanthropic efforts and addressing pressing community issues, making this scholarship a vital resource for aspiring healthcare professionals.

The SAVC Research Seed Grant, offered by the Society for Vascular Surgery, aims to support innovative research in vascular health. With a focus on quality improvement and actionable insights, this grant provides $10,000 to each of three selected recipients. Eligible applicants include SVS Active or Candidate Members and trainees in outpatient vascular practices. The grant emphasizes diversity and community engagement, encouraging projects that address health disparities and enhance patient care through various innovative approaches.