Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Montana

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Craig “Cujo, Jr.” Bennett Scholarship Fund

Established in June 2015, the Craig “Cujo, Jr.” Bennett Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who has excelled in the face of adversity. This scholarship was established in memory of Craig Daniel Bennett, known as Cujo, Jr – a reference to his father’s flight call sign and to the way a seemingly harmless and vulnerable young person could grow into a passionate and powerful individual. Challenged by extensive multiple physical issues, he defied the negative predictions of skeptical doctors again and again. Craig sometimes encountered people who had difficulty seeing past his wheelchair to who he really was – for them he was a source of surprise and, once his dynamic personality made itself known, a source of inspiration. Craig was a goal-oriented fighter who whitewater rafted the New River and was elected Homecoming King at Bluefield College. He had dreams of walking to receive his diploma and of sky diving.

Craig wanted to be seen as “normal”. Those who knew him saw more than that, he was extraordinary.

Knowing that his life expectancy was shorter than average, Craig asked his parents to establish a scholarship in his memory. Craig Daniel was the recipient of a Bootstrap Scholarship, which is given to nominees that demonstrate the effort and will to succeed in the face of adversity. Award winners are chosen by how well they demonstrate the concept of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps." The Craig “Cujo, Jr.” Bennett Scholarship Fund also recognizes a student who uses determination and force of will to overcome odds, to meet hardship and to succeed in achieving their dreams.

Karma for Cara Microgrants empowers students aged 18 and under to bring their service project ideas to life with funding up to $1,000. Founded in honor of Cara Becker, who inspired community service during her own health journey, the program supports a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving local communities across the U.S. Students are encouraged to demonstrate creativity and community involvement, with grants awarded quarterly to fuel their impactful projects.

The American Fisheries Society…

• Includes 8,000+ members from around the world, including fisheries managers, biologists, professors, ecologists, aquaculturists, economists, engineers, geneticists, and social scientists
• Promotes scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources
• Publishes five of the world’s leading fish journals, and many renowned books
• Organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed
• Encourages comprehensive education and professional development for fisheries professionals

AFS Awards

Each year, AFS presents awards to its members and partners for unique contributions that directly or indirectly impact fisheries science. Each year there is a call for award nominations recognizing professional excellence and/or outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and service.

Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award

Presented to an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to the conservation of fishery resources. Eligibility is not restricted to AFS members, and accomplishments can include political, legal, educational, scientific, and managerial successes. Nominations should include a synopsis of fishery conservation contributions; a description of the influence of those contributions on improved understanding, management, or use of fishery resources; and, at least, one additional supporting letter.

The American Fisheries Society…

• Includes 8,000+ members from around the world, including fisheries managers, biologists, professors, ecologists, aquaculturists, economists, engineers, geneticists, and social scientists
• Promotes scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources
• Publishes five of the world’s leading fish journals, and many renowned books
• Organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed
• Encourages comprehensive education and professional development for fisheries professionals

AFS Awards

Each year, AFS presents awards to its members and partners for unique contributions that directly or indirectly impact fisheries science. Each year there is a call for award nominations recognizing professional excellence and/or outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and service.

Distinguished Service Award

Recognizes outstanding contributions of time and energy for special projects or activities by AFS members. The number of recipients may vary. A single member, a group of members, and AFS staff are eligible candidates. Nominations should include description of the outstanding contributions by the candidate(s).

Maury and Betty Hull Endowed Scholarship

The Maury and Betty Hull Scholarship was created to honor their lives and appreciation for their hometown, Forks, WA. The scholarship was established to help community students pursue their higher education dreams.

Award Information

Awards begin at $2,000 and are at the discretion of the committee.

Pacific Northwest Gold Star Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC), which connects veteran advocacy organizations in and around southwest Washington.

Award Information

Awards from this fund are $2,500. 

About us

SIR Foundation is a scientific foundation dedicated to fostering research in interventional radiology for the purposes of advancing scientific knowledge, increasing the number of skilled investigators, and developing innovative therapies that lead to improved patient care and quality of life. The foundation is committed to fostering the development and enhancement of innovative, minimally invasive, image-guided therapies from inception to mature clinical application and to conduct educational programs in the service of its mission.

Excellence in Innovation Award

Fund compelling, novel ideas that lead to improved health outcomes in IR.

About

Interventional radiologists create and introduce novel, minimally invasive procedures and devices that help solve some of our toughest medical challenges. To continue this rich history of innovation in IR, the purpose of this award is to fund compelling, novel ideas that lead to improved health outcomes in IR.

Innovation, for this purpose, is broadly defined as any use of emerging methods, new devices, new procedures or new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, that display an exceptional degree of potential for transforming and advancing the specialty of interventional radiology.

The Annual Meeting Research Award Committee selects one recipient for this award each year.

The recipient will receive:

• Complimentary annual meeting registration
• Travel stipend up to $1,000
• The opportunity to present their research as well as meet peers, network with senior scientists and participate in learning opportunities at the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting
• Recognition during the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting

Phoenix Scholarship Fund

Award Amount

Several scholarships in the range between $2,000 - $5,000 may be awarded at the scholarship committee's discretion.

About Pfizer Grants

Pfizer supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies.

Interventional Research Studies of Brentuximab Vedotin-Based Novel Combinations in AITL and PTCL-NOS

This competitive program is designed to support interventional InvestigatorSponsored Research aimed at generatin clinical evidence for brentuximab vedotin in novel combination approaches in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma–not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS).

Project Types and Area of Interest

Studies considered for Pfizer support should address key clinical and scientific gaps in the use of brentuximab vedotin in AITL and PTCL-NOS irrrespective of CD30 expression, with a focus on evaluating the safety and efficacy of novel brentuximab vedotin–based combinations with therapies available for PTCL treatment that are supported by a clear scientific rationale grounded in mechanism of action and/or disease biology.

The MultiState Conservation Grant Program provides vital funding for wildlife and sport fish restoration projects, as well as initiatives aimed at recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of outdoor enthusiasts. These grants address priority needs identified by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, supporting collaborative efforts among states to enhance conservation efforts. Eligible projects may include research, education, and public outreach, promoting sustainable use of natural resources and fostering community engagement in conservation.

The Combined Pilot Research Grants from the Plastic Surgery Foundation and the American Society for Peripheral Nerve support innovative research in peripheral nerve surgery. Aiming to enhance scientific knowledge and clinical practices, these grants fund preliminary projects with a maximum of $15,000 for one year. Eligible applicants include those with doctoral degrees or those in relevant clinical positions, encouraging new collaborations and research initiatives to advance the field.

Better Food Policy Fund 

Since its inception, the Better Food Policy Fund has set its strategic direction in a participatory fashion. We are intentionally building capacity for engagement to ensure the Fund aligns with the needs of food policy council stakeholders.   

Thus far, the Fund has engaged 300+ food policy council stakeholders to help co-develop the Fund. We are immensely grateful for the individuals who helped shape the initial direction of this fund. We view this growing stakeholder audience as the people to whom the Fund’s governing body, the Independent Advisory Committee, is ultimately accountable.

Grantmaking

The Better Food Policy Fund invests in US-based food policy councils, empowering community and government collaboration for progressive food policy. We utilize participatory processes to enhance equity and redistribute power in the funding landscape. We seek to celebrate and uplift the work of food policy councils, and believe every food policy council is worthy of financial support.

We define “food policy councils” as councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, or regional level.  

We support actions aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for policy change, such as: 

• increasing levels of inclusive and equitable stakeholder engagement in public processes
• engaging systems thinking when tackling complex food system challenges
• facilitating collaboration with and across local government agencies and departments 
• developing or revising local policies and plans  

We define “better food policy” as practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems.

We define “civic collaboration” as people joining together at the intersection of community and government to address public issues.

Robert and Margaret Pulliam Scholarship

This scholarship was established to encourage and reward academic excellence and community service.

Award Information

6 scholarships are awarded each year. Awards will likely be between $1,400-$1,600.

Society of Toxicology

Founded in 1961, the Society of Toxicology (SOT) is a professional and scholarly organization of scientists from academic institutions, government, and industry representing the great variety of scientists who practice toxicology in the US and abroad. The Society’s mission is to create a safer and healthier world by advancing the science and increasing the impact of toxicology. SOT operates under four guiding principles:

• Serving the needs of the scientific discipline and our members to enhance human, animal, and environmental health.
• Life-long learning and intellectual scientific stimulation.
• Diversity of representation in all activities of the Society.
• Integrity.

ESS Student and Postdoctoral Travel Awards

Description

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is pleased to sponsor two SOT Exposure Specialty Section travel awards for the upcoming 2026 Annual Meeting. Two $500 awards will be provided: one to a student and one to a postdoctoral researcher who is attending the Annual Meeting to present their work as part of the program.  

Who should apply? Any student or postdoc who is the presenting author of an abstract submitted to SOT for the Annual Meeting which indicates an application of exposure science with regards to toxicology. Abstracts will be evaluated based on the exposure assessment or methodology focus, scientific quality and significance of the research project, impact and/or novelty of the findings, written quality of the abstract, and stated need by the candidate.

The A Woman’s Work Founders Scholarship, provided by the Longmont Community Foundation, supports women in the Longmont and St. Vrain Valley area who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to their education. With awards ranging from $500 to $5,000, this scholarship prioritizes applicants who have shown resilience in overcoming challenges. By empowering women, the scholarship aims to foster individual achievement and strengthen the community, creating pathways to sustainable futures.

The Braly Trade / Vocational Scholarship, offered by the Longmont Community Foundation, supports individuals over 21 pursuing a trade or vocational education. This one-time award of $5,000 is allocated for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses. The scholarship honors the Braly family’s legacy in trades and aims to empower recipients to positively impact their communities. Applicants must be high school graduates or hold a GED and plan to attend an accredited institution in the U.S.

The TTP Bridge Program aims to enhance the safety and accessibility of bridges in Tribal communities, addressing the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. With aging bridges affecting economic development and children's transportation, this program allows federally recognized Indian Tribes to apply for funding for planning, construction, and rehabilitation of bridges. By focusing on TTP bridges in poor condition, the initiative seeks to strengthen economic foundations and ensure better connectivity with markets, benefiting both families and communities.

Animal and Range Sciences Scholarship

Award

• Varies

Scopes

• Agriculture, Animal and Range Sciences

The Anna Fuller Fund Grant provides year-round support for organizations dedicated to alleviating suffering caused by cancer. Established in memory of Egbert C. Fuller’s wife, the fund prioritizes applications that focus on cancer research and education initiatives. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or equivalent charities outside the U.S. Grant funds cannot be used for direct treatment, ensuring that resources are allocated to research and public education.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Estelle Jones Non-Traditional Students Scholarship ($2,000)

This renewable scholarship is designed to support students who are residents of Richland County School District One. 

Margaret B. Moeller Memorial Fund for Alzheimer's Home Care Companions

Grants support families in the Boyertown Area School District with members who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.

The Margaret B. Moeller Fund for Alzheimer's Home Care Companions provides grants for families in the Boyertown Area School District with individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia to obtain the services of in-home care companions, aides or other providers of respite care. Grants generally pay for several days of care for a specified period of time. The fund was created to help families who are not eligible for any other form of reimbursement for such services. Decisions are generally made within 15 days of receiving a complete application, including the referral.

Retina Research Foundation

Across the nation, there were only a handful of voluntary groups with the will and the means to tackle retinal disdorders. Retina Research Foundation, established in 1969, was one of those organizations. By the 1980s, RRF had become a voice for retina research in an effort to reduce the incidence of retinal disease, which was fast becoming the leading cause of blindness in developing countries.

Undaunted, the Foundation steadily raised funds each year for vision scientists who were nationally recognized for their work in retina research. Government funding for eye research increased dramatically, and the field of retina research matured. As this body of knowledge grew, RRF programs were expanded to include major awards that recognize established retina scientists and contribute to their ongoing research. The Foundation also developed scientific exchange programs to disseminate knowledge of the dramatic advances that were being made in the laboratory.

RRF Pilot Study Grants

The mission of the Retina Research Foundation is to reduce retinal blindness worldwide by funding programs in research and education. As a public charity, RRF raises funds from the private sector and the investment of its endowment funds.

RRF is currently welcoming pilot study grant applications for the 2027 grant period. Each grant application must be signed by the principal investigator and either their Department Chair or Dean of Research.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Jacqueline M. Miller Scholarship ($1,700)

This non-renewable scholarship is for high school seniors graduating from a high school in Fairfield County, South Carolina. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Handel-Carter Assistance Fund ($2,200)

This renewable scholarship was established to provide educational opportunities for people living, or those who have lived within the past two years, in a Richland County transitional housing program or within Columbia Housing Authority transitional housing in Columbia, SC. 

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Franklin Hines Scholarship ($3,600)

This renewable scholarship is available to students who are graduating seniors from one of the following high schools: Hartsville High School, Darlington High School, Lamar High School, or McBee High School. 

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Molly Gill Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Molly Gill Memorial Scholarship is awarded to any area graduating high school senior who has excelled with a physical disability.

This scholarship was established in memory of Molly Gill, who was a quadriplegic as the result of an accident. Molly faced her daily challenges with courage, and a determination to further her education and become independent. Molly Gill embraced the goodness of each day and her spirit is best summarized by the following quote: “I can always say, ‘what if?’ But, I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere with that."

The Lung Cancer Discovery Award, offered by the American Lung Association, supports innovative research aimed at improving outcomes for lung cancer patients. With funding of $100,000 per year for up to two years, this award encourages groundbreaking projects that enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, investigate genetic forms of lung cancer, and develop novel screening methods. The initiative is a vital step towards reducing lung cancer morbidity and mortality, ultimately improving patient care and saving lives.