Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Montana

The Mary Ellen Kowalski Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Mary Ellen, a dedicated educator and community member. Established by her husband in 2025, this scholarship aims to support graduating high school seniors from Marathon County pursuing post-secondary education. Applicants are evaluated on their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal challenges, ensuring that deserving students receive the financial assistance needed to succeed in their educational endeavors.

The John W. Work III Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, honors the legacy of an inspiring educator and composer. This scholarship supports undergraduate juniors, seniors, or graduate students, particularly African American, pursuing a degree in music. Applicants must maintain a B average and demonstrate musical potential. The fund aims to foster excellence in music education and ensure future generations benefit from John W. Work's impactful contributions.

The Howard Mayer Brown Fellowship, administered by the American Musicological Society, supports graduate students from historically underrepresented groups at U.S. or Canadian universities. Established to enhance diversity in musicology, it offers a $25,000 stipend for one year of full-time study. Applicants are expected to have completed at least one year of graduate work and demonstrate academic excellence. The fellowship encourages institutions to provide additional financial support, fostering a vibrant academic community.

The Thurman Munson Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by Stark Community Foundation, supports high school seniors from Stark or Summit County who have participated in varsity baseball or softball. This scholarship seeks to assist students demonstrating both academic potential and financial need, with verification of their sports involvement required. The fund alternates scholarship awards between male and female recipients each year, continuing the legacy of philanthropy since 1963.

The Tim Triner Letter Carriers Scholarship Fund, established by Stark Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors, particularly children and grandchildren of National Association of Letter Carriers members. This scholarship emphasizes scholastic achievement and is aimed at students accepted into full-time post-secondary education. Since 1963, the Foundation has played a pivotal role in addressing community challenges through philanthropy.

The Botany in Action Fellowship Program at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is designed for PhD students in plant-based research. It provides $6,000 for research and outreach expenses, an all-expenses paid trip for science outreach training, and opportunities to connect with the public through various outreach initiatives. This program nurtures the next generation of plant scientists committed to impactful research and educational outreach, fostering a deeper understanding of plant science.

The Sundance Institute's Native Lab Application aims to support emerging filmmakers and episodic creators from U.S.-based Native American, Native Hawaiian, Alaskan Native, and Indigenous communities, as well as Indigenous Canadian artists. This initiative nurtures independent storytelling and creativity, providing vital resources and opportunities for underrepresented voices in film. Eligible applicants must submit a narrative feature or episodic pilot script. The program will accept three U.S.-based projects and one Canada-based project, with activities held virtually and in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The Dementia Care and Brain Degenerative Diseases Grant, offered by the Sephardic Home For The Aged Foundation, aims to support innovative projects enhancing care and quality of life for older adults affected by dementia. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits in operation for at least two years. The Foundation prioritizes proposals focusing on dementia care, promoting collaboration and resource access for aging individuals. Interested applicants should submit a Letter of Inquiry through the online application system.

The AOA/AOSA Opportunities in Optometry Grant program aims to promote inclusion within the optometric profession. This program offers $1,500 grants to under-represented minority students who are applying to optometry school. Eligible candidates include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients who meet specific academic criteria. The initiative seeks to enhance diversity in the field and expand access to primary eye care, supporting the next generation of optometrists.

The Next Generation Undergraduate Scholarship, established by the Architects Foundation, aims to support diverse students pursuing architecture degrees. With a total award of up to $20,000, the scholarship is available to US citizens or permanent residents who are seniors in high school or second-year college students enrolled in NAAB-accredited programs. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering inclusivity and excellence in the architectural profession, empowering future leaders to shape the built environment.

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 BRAIN Initiative invites proposals for innovative devices aimed at recording and modulating the human central nervous system. This program supports efforts in developing therapeutic and diagnostic devices through clinical prototype implementation, safety testing, and small clinical studies. The goal is to gather critical data on device functionality and design, which may not be achievable through traditional non-clinical studies. This initiative requires NIH collaboration in project planning and progress monitoring.

Rainin Visionary Scientist Award 

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation believes that early support for innovative ideas can lead to improvements in preventing, predicting, diagnosing and treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Our Health grantmaking enables researchers worldwide to test ideas, gather and share data, and collaborate to advance the understanding of IBD.

The Rainin Visionary Scientist Award will provide grants of $300,000 each over two years to support three outstanding postdoctoral investigators whose work has the potential to advance the understanding of IBD and related biological systems. This award is designed to help postdocs based in the US who are actively preparing to transition to an independent faculty position develop innovative research programs and strengthen their trajectory toward independent scientific careers. By supporting promising scientists early in their careers, the Foundation seeks to accelerate discoveries that may ultimately improve the lives of people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Competitive proposals will demonstrate:

• A novel or creative scientific approach
• Strong potential to advance understanding of IBD biology or treatment
• Clear intellectual leadership from the applicant
• Feasible research aims that can be accomplished within two years
• A strong mentorship environment that supports career development

The Foundation particularly values projects that introduce new ideas, technologies or conceptual approaches to the study of IBD and relevant scientific disciplines.

Funds may be used for postdoctoral salary support, supplies, other direct research expenses necessary to complete the proposed work and travel to relevant scientific meetings. Awardees are expected to attend the Rainin Foundation Innovations Symposium during the award period. Economy/coach air travel costs for this meeting in San Francisco should be included in the budget.

The award provides $300,000 over two years. The grant period is October 1, 2026-September 30, 2028.

The Community Development Block Grant Housing Stabilization Program (HSP) in Montana provides essential funding for housing rehabilitation projects aimed at low- and moderate-income households. Grants are available on a rolling basis to local governments collaborating with nonprofit organizations. There is no maximum grant amount, and funds are allocated based on project needs. Successful applicants can access funds for five years to improve housing conditions and foster community development.

Who We Are

The GHACF is a team of dedicated individuals passionate about improving the lives of everyone in our community – connecting people, resources and solutions that create a lasting impact.

The GHACF is your partner. We can’t succeed alone – our work is possible only through the combined efforts of our nonprofit partners, community members, and passionate individuals. We are a bridge to help you make things happen and impact our community, together. We will walk alongside you to support and assist you in your philanthropic goals, now and forever.

Floto-Peel Family Fund

Medicine.

Checks are made payable to and mailed directly to the college after you have returned the required scholarship acceptance paperwork, thank you note, and photo. This is usually by early August.

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.

Helen Schlicht McGeachy & Arthur C. Schlicht Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund provides scholarships to students graduating from Aurora Central, Aurora Christian, East Aurora, Marmion Academy, Rosary or West Aurora High School.

Students entering the field of education, engineering, science, medicine or nursing are eligible to apply for these awards.

This fund was established by Arthur C. Schlicht (1936-2020) in memory of his mother Helen Schlicht McGeachy.

Helen McGeachy (1910-1994) was a graduate of East Aurora High School. An outstanding typist and secretary, she ultimately became secretary to the presidents of CA&E Railway and Walker Process Equipment of Aurora. Arthur Schlicht was vice-president/national sales manager at Walker Process Equipment. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

This fund was created in 1994 and established as an endowment in 1995.

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.

The Sadanand Singh Memorial Scholarship, offered by the American Academy of Audiology, provides $500 to a minority or international graduate student in audiology who demonstrates exceptional research potential. This scholarship honors Dr. Sadanand Singh, a dedicated educator and advocate for audiology, who passed away in 2010. Eligible candidates must be full-time students in good standing at a U.S. university, showcasing their promise through a resume, rubric, and personal statement.

The UCP Research Grant Program aims to enhance clinical and translational research focused on cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities. Grants of up to $20K support innovative studies, with a preference for projects addressing early diagnosis and treatment. Applications from U.S. and Canadian researchers are encouraged, particularly from those affiliated with UCP. The program promotes collaboration and aims to transform care through sustainable treatment solutions.

Gainesville Chicken Scholarship

This scholarship supports college students pursuing a degree in poultry science or a related agricultural degree. Applicants should be graduating high school seniors or current college students pursuing a career in the poultry industry, majoring in Agricultural Business, Poultry Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Food Marketing, Agricultural Economics, etc. In 2026, one $2,000 scholarship will be offered.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Claude V. Simmons Scholarship

The Claude V. Simmons Scholarship Fund was established to support post-secondary educational opportunities for qualifying members of the Church of Francis de Sales in Mathews County, Virginia.

Awards

• $6,600

Gainesville Symphony Orchestra Scholarship

This scholarship is for graduating seniors at public, private or homeschools in Hall County. Applicants must reside in Hall County and must play a musical instrument. In 2026, one scholarship award of $1,500 will be offered.

Steve's Foundation Grant is a small private funding opportunity providing grants between $500 and $5,000, averaging $2,600. It supports organizations that empower disadvantaged individuals, focusing on cost-effective programs that yield significant impacts. The foundation prioritizes proposals from non-profits that directly assist those in need, especially children and marginalized communities. Applications are evaluated annually in May or June, but due to high demand, the foundation cannot respond to every inquiry.

The P.E.O. Chapter DS Scholarship supports female students from the Tri-Cities area pursuing higher education. Established by the P.E.O. Sisterhood in 2005, it emphasizes academic achievement, financial need, and community involvement. Eligible candidates include graduating high school seniors and non-traditional students. The scholarship prioritizes applicants with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and those intending to attend Cottey College. The application process is straightforward, allowing candidates to apply for multiple scholarships with one submission.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Julie Herrick Easterly Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the family and friends of Julie Herrick-Easterly, who established the Julie HerrickEasterly Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Julie Herrick-Easterly, an only child and part of an established family tradition of journalism, worked as a copy editor for various newspapers across the country. Her father, Robert Herrick, was editor of the Muskegon Chronicle for 17 years. At age 34, Julie died from a terminal illness. Following Julie's death, her parents established this scholarship in her memory. Awards from the scholarship are given to a Muskegon area graduating senior who plans to pursue a career in journalism. The award represents an acknowledgment of the student's past achievements in this area of study. To the credit of the Herricks, Julie's love for journalism will always be remembered, and the family tradition will be perpetuated through the lasting gift of education.

The Jazz Road Creative Residencies Grant Program, initiated by South Arts, supports professional jazz artists in the U.S. by removing financial barriers to their creative practices. This initiative aims to enhance artistic growth through flexible residency activities, fostering community engagement and innovative collaborations. By providing crucial funding, it encourages artists to explore new creative visions, connect with diverse audiences, and build meaningful partnerships across the country, thereby enriching the jazz landscape.

ASPCA PRO

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA Research Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) research grants fund high-quality research with a clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend existing studies, focused on other disciplines, will also be considered if they can clearly demonstrate substantial potential benefit to animal welfare.

This year we are soliciting proposals in the following six research areas:

• Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research
• Applied Behavior Research
• Cruelty Research
• Farm Animal Welfare Research
• Psychological Trauma Research
• Shelter Research

Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge. Please view eligibility information for specific projects from the research area you are interested in. 

Psychological Trauma Research

Proposals related to developing and validating novel approaches to the objective documentation of animal cruelty and neglect in the absence of physical trauma (i.e., documenting psychological trauma) in dogs. Proposals are encouraged from any relevant discipline (e.g., physiology, psychology, ethology). Of particular interest is research that focuses on objective measures, including biomarkers and quantitative behavioral phenotyping.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Seminarian Studies, funded by UNICO Foundation Inc, offers four scholarships worth $1,000 each to full-time seminarians attending accredited Catholic seminaries in the U.S. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and either reside in specific states or have a UNICO sponsor. This scholarship supports the educational journey of seminarians, reflecting UNICO's commitment to serving the community and promoting Italian American heritage.