Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in Montana

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation is inviting applications for the 2025-26 Allison Summers Pediatric Pilot Grant. This $10,000 grant aims to support mid-career optometrists in conducting pilot research that fosters new collaborations and innovative projects in pediatric optometry. Eligible candidates must be Fellows of the Academy and demonstrate a commitment to advancing pediatric research. The deadline for submitting the Letter of Intent is August 4, 2025.

The Francis R. Dewing Foundation Grant provides seed money to support innovative projects in early childhood education, benefiting children up to sixth grade. Founded by Frances R. Dewing in 1963, the foundation aims to stimulate intellectual growth in young children through unique educational methods. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $25,000, with a focus on projects that demonstrate a broad impact on the educational community. Applications are accepted from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities across the United States.

Daviess County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Daviess County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

McKinley Vance Agri-Business Scholarship

Annual scholarship established by Lucile Vance in memory of her husband.

Award Amount

• $20,910 (multiple scholarship may be awarded from this amount)

Daviess County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Daviess County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

Fraternal Order of Police Washington Lodge 101 Scholarship

Annual scholarship created by Lodge 101 of the Washington Indiana Fraternal Order of Police.

Award Amount

• $1,140 (multiple scholarships may be awarded from this amount).
• Award will be paid upon completion of two semesters of college with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) and documentation showing recipient’s continued studies in law enforcement or a related field.

Perry County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Perry County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

Charles S. (Blackie) and Rose H. Paulin Scholarship

Annual scholarship created by Betty Lou Paulin Gast in memory of her parents.

Selection Criteria

Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and the supplemental requirements.

Award Amount

• $1,410

The Covenant Foundation's Signature & Ignition Grants celebrate excellence in Jewish education by funding innovative projects that enhance educational practices. The Foundation supports diverse institutions across North America, inviting applications for creative programs that can adapt and disseminate effective practices. While Signature Grants may reach up to $150,000 over three years, Ignition Grants focus on untested ideas with funding up to $20,000 for one year. One application per cycle is permitted.

The NARMS Cooperative Agreement Program aims to enhance antibiotic resistance surveillance in retail food specimens. Funded by the FDA, this initiative strengthens the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System established in 1996. By improving detection methods and expanding sampling sites, the program seeks to protect public health and align with NARMS objectives, ultimately combating the growing threat of antibiotic resistance in food commodities.

The PCORI Call for Proposals for HSII Implementation Projects invites innovative approaches to address barriers in healthcare settings. These projects should enhance practice change through active, multi-component strategies and include rigorous evaluations to measure implementation effectiveness. While developing tools to support these strategies is permitted, it should not be the main focus. Successful proposals will demonstrate their potential impact on healthcare outcomes and patient experiences.

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.

The CORE Funding: AHNS Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association Award aims to support vital research projects focused on thyroid cancer, encompassing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. This initiative by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation promotes advancements in the field through funding opportunities that enhance research capabilities and foster collaboration among researchers. Through the support of this award, significant strides can be made in understanding and combating thyroid cancer.

The CORE Funding: AHNS Trainee Pilot Research Award supports innovative research in head and neck oncology, encouraging trainees to engage in clinical or translational studies. Since its inception, CORE has provided over $14 million in grants, facilitating significant advancements in otolaryngology. This initiative aims to enhance research efforts, reduce fragmentation, and promote collaboration among various stakeholders to improve outcomes for patients with head and neck neoplastic diseases.

The CORE Funding: Lilly Research Grant aims to advance research on genetic hearing loss. It invites investigators to explore the genetic factors contributing to hearing loss, promoting innovative projects that enhance understanding in this critical area. Supported by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Foundation, the grant fosters significant research efforts to improve outcomes and strategies in otolaryngology, ensuring a comprehensive approach to hearing health.

The Truman Scholarship, established by the Truman Foundation, supports college juniors committed to public service. It offers up to $30,000 for graduate studies, alongside mentoring and career development opportunities. Ideal candidates demonstrate leadership, a strong commitment to public service, and the potential for success in graduate school. This prestigious award aims to cultivate future leaders dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

The Valley Hospital Auxiliary has been supporting future healthcare professionals since 1961 by providing scholarships to high school seniors and undergraduate students. In 2025, they awarded $30,000 to 21 exceptional students who have shown academic excellence and a commitment to healthcare. This initiative not only benefits the recipients but also contributes to the community by nurturing the next generation of medical leaders. Eligible high school students can reapply throughout their college years, ensuring continuous support for their educational journeys.

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.

IBMA  Foundation Project Grants

The IBMA Foundation awards project grants each year, usually in amounts between $1,000 and $2,500. The deadline to apply is December 2. Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission in one of the following areas

• Arts & culture
• Education
• Literary or academic programs
• History preservation

The J. D. Crowe Banjo Scholarship, established by the IBMA Foundation, honors the legacy of renowned bluegrass musician J. D. Crowe. Funded by a generous $20,000 donation from Arthur Hancock III, this scholarship aims to support aspiring banjo players pursuing their education at the collegiate level. Eligible candidates must showcase high performance skills on the banjo and demonstrate a commitment to the bluegrass music industry, ensuring Crowe's influence continues for future generations.

The Katy Daley Broadcast Media & Sound Engineering Scholarship, funded by the IBMA Foundation, supports individuals pursuing studies in broadcasting or sound engineering with a bluegrass music focus. Annually, $2,000 scholarships are available to current IBMA members, including adults seeking continuing education. Eligible fields include radio, television, digital media, and sound engineering. The application deadline is June 1 for fall semester scholarships, promoting professional involvement in the bluegrass music industry.

The Mike Auldridge Memorial Scholarship, established by the IBMA Foundation, honors the legacy of Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Mike Auldridge. It awards a $1,000 to $2,000 scholarship to students studying Dobro, steel guitar, or acoustic guitar at the college level. Applications are due by June 1 for the fall semester. This initiative supports the foundation's goal of fostering bluegrass music education and preserving its rich heritage.

The Neil Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award, presented by the IBMA Foundation, recognizes emerging academic scholars who deliver exceptional research on bluegrass music at juried conferences. Recipients earn a $500 honorarium and entry to the IBMA Business Conference and Awards Show. This award honors Neil Rosenberg, a prominent bluegrass historian, and aims to support graduate students and recent PhDs in their scholarly endeavors, promoting the preservation and study of bluegrass culture.

The IBMA Foundation is pleased to announce the permanent endowment of the Rick Lang Music Songwriter Scholarship, funded by a $50,000 gift from Rick and Wendy Lang of New Hampshire. Rick Lang is a GRAMMY-nominated writer who serves as the chair of the IBMA Songwriter Committee and volunteers with the IBMA Songwriter Mentor Program.

The Rick Lang Music Songwriter Scholarship is awarded annually to a student planning to study songwriting at the college level. Applicants are not required to have a declared major in songwriting, but they must already have demonstrated skills as a songwriter and plan to further their study of the art on a higher education level. Applicants must be current IBMA members. 

The first two recipients of this scholarship were Heather Alley (2020), a student at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY, and Jessica Lang (2021, no relation to the donors), a student at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

“Our goal with the scholarship is to help our youth be able to afford to further their educations in the music field and realize their dreams,” the Langs said. “Young people are the future of bluegrass music, and we are glad to be able to help them along their journey! We are beyond excited about finally endowing the scholarship. This means it will perpetuate and be available to students each and every year.”

The new endowed fund is held at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in Nashville, TN, which invests and administers more than $500 million in charitable funds. The Rick Lang Music Songwriter Endowment Fund will distribute annual income to the IBMA Foundation to use in funding one or more Rick Lang Music Songwriter college scholarships each year and for expenses of administering that scholarship program.

Gifts to support this endowed scholarship are welcome from additional individuals, organizations and corporations interested in supporting the future of bluegrass songwriting.  

The SHAPE America: Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary role model committed to fostering student engagement in professional activities. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of membership in SHAPE America and serve as full-time faculty at a higher education institution. This award emphasizes mentorship through professional behavior, involvement in student projects, and providing academic guidance, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers.

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.

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.

The Limoges & Gilmore Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Limoges & Gilmore Scholarship Endowment Fund was endowed in 2024, and provides a scholarship to students with financial need from the Aurora or CFFRV service area who have demonstrated service and empathetic leadership within their community. The fund was created by the family who are long-term residents of the Aurora area who have provided service and leadership within the community. The family has provided service and board level positions to community service, church, school, and non-profit organizations.

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.

The Italian-American Mutual Aid Society of Aurora, Illinois Scholarship Endowment Fund

Since 1932, The Italian-American Mutual Aid Society of Aurora has maintained a strong commitment to the Aurora community through the support of numerous civic projects.

In 1995, the organization created a scholarship fund to benefit area students studying at the college or university level. In the awarding of scholarships from this fund, preference is given to applicants of Italian descent.

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.

Susan Laz Vogus Scholarship Endowment Fund

This scholarship fund was established by Jerry, Mike, and Tim Vogus in honor and memory of their wife and mother, Susan Laz Vogus (1947-2023). The scholarship will be awarded annually to two eligible Kane County applicants per year and will prioritize students with financial need. 

Laz, as she was known to her friends, was an admired, beloved, and impactful activist, advocate, educator, leader, mother, and sister. She believed in the power of education and everyone having access to high-quality schools and a loving home where they could feel secure and supported. She created that for her family and was an outstanding teacher, whether serving students in inner-city Milwaukee or those pursuing a GED at the Illinois Youth Center. Later, she served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), helping children navigate the child welfare system, for which she was recognized as Illinois CASA Advocate of the Year in 2004.

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.

Robin M. Hodgson Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

Mrs. Hodgson served on numerous local and national volunteer organizations, including the Family Counseling Service of Aurora, the Oswegoland Park & Recreation Foundation and the Community Foundation Scholarship Committee. She was survived by her husband, John Hodgson, two daughters and five grandchildren.

Family and friends created a scholarship fund in her memory to help local students achieve their dreams of a higher education. This fund was endowed in 2024.

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.