Best Grants for New Nonprofits in Montana

Our Consortium

ROAR (Rare Organic Acidemias Research) is a multi‑center study that brings together patients, families, clinicians, and researchers to better understand rare organic acidemias such as PA, MMA, GA‑1, IVA, and others. Our goal is to improve lifelong care and future treatment options for the rare disease community.

ROAR works in partnership with patient organizations, clinicians, and research networks to ensure that study findings are shared, accessible, and meaningful. Families play a central role in shaping our questions and informing our direction.

Rare Organic Acidemias Research (ROAR) Consortium Pilot and Feasibility Grants

The overall mission of the ROAR pilot & feasibility grant is to support small projects which advance diagnosis, enhance clinical trial readiness, and improve therapies and outcomes for individuals with organic acidemias. Potential pilot projects may include data-mining of existing data, genotype-phenotype correlations, observational studies, patient-reported outcomes assessments, focus groups with patients and advocacy groups, interventional clinical trials (with prior NIH approval), biomarker studies, ancillary studies to ROAR clinical projects, or other similar projects. Upon completion of funding, we expect that the data generated from ROAR pilot projects will be leveraged for larger grant applications and larger projects within and outside the consortium. Moreover, we expect that the data generated will inform the design of future clinical trials and clinical studies in organic acidemias and ultimately, will impact the lives of individuals with organic acidemias by improving the diagnosis, management, and treatment for these disorders. 

Annual funding of up to $40,000 (total cost, including indirect costs) is available to support one pilot project for a one-year period. The ROAR Consortium intends to fund at least 1 award this cycle starting on October 15, 2026.

Golden Garden Scholarship

The Golden Garden Scholarship supports Buckingham and Louisa highschool seniors who plan to attend a two‑year community college or a four‑year university as full‑time students. Established to support first‑generation college students—particularly students of color—with financial need, the award provides $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years, and seeks candidates who demonstrate an interest in the Arts & Humanities, have a minimum 2.75 high‑school GPA, and a commitment to healthy lifestyle choices. Recipients must reside in Buckingham or Louisa County, remain enrolled full‑time throughout the scholarship term, and uphold good character and citizenship.

The Surveillance and Case Control Study of Stillbirth and Birth Defects (SUCCSSBD) aims to enhance the quality of birth defects and stillbirth surveillance in the U.S. By modernizing data collection through electronic case reporting, the initiative seeks to improve data quality and timeliness. The study will focus on identifying risk factors for birth defects and stillbirths, addressing a significant public health issue that affects thousands of pregnancies annually. CDC funding will support three key components in this effort.

The Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS), established by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, offers $700,000 over five years to support early career physician scientists transitioning to independence in academic biomedical research. This highly competitive program aims to enhance research innovation and public service by fostering a diverse scientific workforce. Proposals in basic biomedical, disease-oriented, or translational research, particularly those incorporating artificial intelligence or addressing climate change and human health, are encouraged.

The Professor Emeritus John Edward Lillich Endowed Scholarship Program, funded by the United Negro College Fund, aims to provide need-based scholarships to students majoring in engineering at HBCUs, with a preference for those attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT). This scholarship honors John Edward Lillich, a WWII veteran and advocate for women in engineering, supporting students in their pursuit of education and leadership roles.

The Level 1 Rural Outreach Grant, offered by the National Association of Realtors, aims to enhance REALTORS®' understanding of rural issues. With a maximum award of $3,000, this grant is available once per calendar year to associations. It supports educational efforts and promotes smart growth and diversity in rural communities. Grant recipients are required to complete an evaluation form for the funded activities, ensuring accountability and effectiveness in addressing rural challenges.

The Maier Foundation Scholarship, established in 1953, aims to support students pursuing degrees in science, engineering, or medicine. Offering scholarships up to $5,000, it is open to applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.00 who reside in Collin or Denton County. Preference is given to first-generation college students. This initiative is part of the Communities Foundation of Texas's commitment to building thriving communities through education and opportunity.

The Marcus Foundation focuses on addressing critical needs and systemic challenges, primarily in hunger alleviation and sustainable practices. They seek partnerships with organizations that promote innovative food resources and sustainability. Their funding strategy emphasizes collaboration to amplify resources and enhance impact while fostering immediate solutions to hunger issues. The Foundation believes in long-term stewardship and the importance of sustainability for future generations, aiming to create systemic change alongside immediate support.

The Pakideh/Khaghany Endowed Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Monroe County, supports local seniors pursuing degrees in science-related fields. This initiative aims to foster educational growth and career readiness, ensuring that Monroe County students have access to the resources they need to succeed in their academic journeys. With a commitment to community development, the scholarship highlights the foundation's dedication to enhancing educational opportunities for future generations.

The State Justice Institute Project Grant aims to enhance the administration of justice in state courts through innovative projects. It supports education, training, and technical assistance initiatives that demonstrate a need for improvement. Projects are evaluated based on methodology, management capabilities, and potential long-term benefits. Eligible applicants include courts and related organizations, while funds cannot cover routine court operations or salaries of court employees.

The Department of the Air Force is soliciting innovative research proposals for technologies that enhance multi-source data processing to improve Battlespace Awareness and automate decision-making processes. With a funding ceiling of approximately $99M and awards ranging from $3M to $35M, this opportunity is open to qualified offerors, including Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Note that foreign participation is not allowed in this BAA.

The EPSCoR Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology initiative, led by the National Science Foundation, aims to enhance the research capabilities of EPSCoR jurisdictions. By fostering STEM capacity and promoting geographic diversity, this program invites proposals that align with its goals. The focus is on strengthening local research infrastructure and talent development to boost competitiveness in science and technology fields across the nation.

The State Justice Institute offers Technical Assistance Grants to state and local courts for expert assistance in addressing operational challenges. Grants can provide up to $75,000 over 12 months, requiring a 50% match from applicants, with 20% in cash. Eligible entities include courts and regional associations, while ineligible expenses cover salaries and travel for court employees. The selection process emphasizes critical needs, sound approaches, consultant qualifications, and budget reasonableness, aiming to enhance court operations and compliance with federal requirements.

The State Justice Institute's Curriculum Adaptation & Training Grant aims to empower courts and national associations to tailor educational programs to local needs. With funding up to $40,000 for 12 months, it encourages innovative training for judges and court personnel. Applicants must provide a 50% match, including at least 20% in cash. Selection criteria focus on project goals, the necessity of funding, and the effective integration of new curricula into existing court systems, ensuring impactful judicial education.

The Mary W. Jackson Undergraduate Scholarship, offered by the AIAA Foundation, provides $10,000 to support students pursuing studies in aerospace sciences. Honoring NASA mathematician Mary W. Jackson, this scholarship aims to enhance access to educational opportunities for underrepresented students. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 and be enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution. This initiative reflects AIAA's commitment to fostering diversity and innovation in the aerospace sector.

The Spanish Peaks Community Foundation provides grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life in the Big Sky community. With a focus on local organizations, these grants support community services, educational initiatives, and cultural opportunities. By prioritizing applications that address direct needs, SPCF fosters a vibrant, inclusive environment that benefits residents and visitors alike. Organizations seeking funding should ensure their proposals align with SPCF's mission and demonstrate a clear impact on community welfare.

The Healthcare Auxiliary Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for students pursuing careers in healthcare. Eligible applicants must reside in Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, North Canaan, Salisbury, or Sharon. Preference is given to those who actively volunteer and engage with their community. This initiative aims to support local students in achieving their academic and professional goals in the healthcare sector.

The Hale Kauai Scholarship in Memory of William Moragne, established in 2015, supports Kauai residents pursuing degrees in agriculture or engineering. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and be full-time students at accredited colleges in Hawaii or the mainland USA. Preference is given to past recipients who continue to meet the criteria. This scholarship fosters educational advancement within the community, ensuring a brighter future for Kauai's youth.

Larimer County Scholarship

The Larimer County Scholarship is designed to support post-secondary pursuits of students throughout the region and is funded through contributions from many community members and legacy gifts. 

The Larimer County scholarship is available to students who have participated in community or philanthropic activities designed to strengthen our community. Activities could include volunteering or fundraising to provide funding to local nonprofits or school-based initiatives.   

This scholarship is available to high school seniors living in Larimer County. The scholarship is open to students pursuing any kind of secondary education including four-year degrees, two-year degrees, trade schools, etc. 

Scholarship amount:

• $4,000

Number of awards:

• 3

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.

The Bergel Institute

The Bergel Institute is dedicated to the advancement of human knowledge and the human condition.

The Institute focuses on six major areas:

• Economics
• Science
• Technology
• Consciousness
• Health
• Culture

The common theme in all of the Institute’s work is the pursuit of what is possible. It brings a commitment to critical thinking and the questioning of accepted norms and approaches to issues that lie at the foundation of what we think and how we live. In every discipline, assumptions are tested against evidence.

In addition to its research and programmatic endeavors, the Institute offers fellowships. Fellowships come with high expectations and are supported with structure and active mentorship.

Bergel Institute Fellowships

The Bergel Institute offers Fellowships to individuals of all ages who wish to spend a year in intensive study and project development in a subject area that aligns with the advancement of human knowledge and the human condition. Each year, the Institute will list specific fellowship topics within these areas. Applicants may pick one or propose a different topic, as long as it aligns with the Institute’s goals.

Fellowships run from June to May and are primarily virtual, with two paid Institute visits (to the home office in Florida) as the only in-person expectations during the Fellowship year. Fellows are expected to work approximately 20 hours per week and to bring a strong intrinsic motivation for the project. They will spend the year conducting intensive research and/or project development, supported by Institute staff, with monthly meetings and quarterly progress reports to help maintain momentum.

The Fellowship is also intended to function as an incubator, providing time, guidance, and structure for work that continues beyond the Fellowship year.

As noted above, Fellows travel to the Institute twice during the Fellowship year to present to leadership: once in August, at the end of Q1, and again in May, at the end of the Fellowship year. The May presentation focuses on what was accomplished during the year and the Fellow’s plans for next steps. Final work may take many forms, including detailed manuscripts, the launch of a business or organization; or a video series, documentary films, etc. Travel and lodging for both presentations are covered by the Institute.

Upon completion of the Fellowship year, all Fellows are required to serve as mentors for future Fellows, ensuring that accumulated knowledge and experiences are passed to their successors.

FE3: The Creation of the Mentoring Industry in the United States

In communities where mentors are needed the most, young children look up to the individuals who have preceded them. These individuals understand the local realities firsthand and can offer the type of consistent encouragement that changes life trajectories. This is at the heart of the Fellowship.

Individuals born and raised in communities characterized by high levels of poverty often face challenges that have made it difficult for them to find satisfying employment that leads to generational wealth.

For younger children, the cycles of poverty start at birth, and by age seven they are often part of a cycle of academic underperformance and youth violence. Soon thereafter the lack of career-building pathways are devastating, and yet this continues generation after generation in urban, rural, and suburban neighborhoods across the U.S.

This Fellowship focuses on building the mentorship industry into a credentialed profession, an essential part of the educational system. The goal is to produce a blueprint and complete the early implementation steps needed to create full-time jobs and career pathways, while improving outcomes for children.

The Fellowship includes designing the training, certification, and licensing framework, with The Bergel Institute serving as the standards-setting and certification body. The Institute will work with the Fellow to define competencies, set requirements, approve training partners, and issue credentials to mentors and mentoring organizations beyond the initial pilot site, which will launch during the Fellowship year.

The Zemurray Foundation Grant aims to enhance community well-being by promoting educational and health opportunities, environmental sustainability, and cultural vibrancy. Eligible applicants include organizations recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS or those with a fiscal agent that meets this criterion. A letter of intent may be submitted for consideration, and selected candidates may be invited to submit a full proposal.

The Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program, managed by the Rural Utilities Service, seeks Letters of Interest for loan applications to fund renewable energy generation and energy storage projects. With approximately $410 million available from the Inflation Reduction Act, the program offers up to 75% financing for project costs, along with potential loan forgiveness options. This initiative aims to enhance energy infrastructure in rural areas, promoting sustainable energy solutions.

The Science of Science: Discovery, Communication, and Impact (SoS:DCI) program fosters research that enhances the public value of scientific endeavors. It invites proposals that explore mechanisms of scientific discovery, improve understanding of communication outcomes, and assess societal benefits of science. Emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, the program prioritizes proposals that broaden participation in science, engage diverse teams, and support America's leadership in global scientific innovation. The goal is to create impactful, evidence-based policies and advance the science of science.

Community Foundation of Northern Nevada

Established in 1998 as a Nevada nonprofit 501(c) 3 Corporation, the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada has distributed more than $200 million in grants and scholarships from over 300 charitable funds to strengthen our Nevada home. 

Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada’s Scholarship Program is intended to help students cover the ever-increasing cost of tuition. Some of our scholarships are based on financial need, but others represent an award for achievement. These scholarships typically go to students who have excelled in an academic area or have shown they can balance academics, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. There are also scholarships designated for students who have overcome adversity, students pursuing degrees in high-need areas, and adult learners outside the traditional college age group. Community Foundation scholarships can help cover tuition, books, and on-campus housing.

General Fred Michel Memorial Scholarship

You are eligible to apply for a scholarship if you:

• provide strong evidence of interest in aviation as a career
• are a senior graduating from a northern Nevada high school, or are enrolled in or accepted to an accredited institution of higher education (2-year, 4-year, trade school, or certificate program)
• are pursuing or plan to pursue a degree in a field related to aviation
• have a minimum 1000 SAT and/or minimum 20 ACT score
• have a minimum 2.75 GPA
• agree to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and submit an unofficial copy of transcripts at the end of each semester you are receiving an award

The Cottrell STAR Award recognizes exceptional research and educational achievements of Cottrell Scholars and Holland Award recipients. It aims to enhance science education at U.S. and Canadian universities, promoting the Cottrell Scholars' national profile. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize, with applications initiated through nominations. Highlighted at the summer Cottrell Scholar Conference, the award supports a vibrant community of early career faculty committed to innovative research and teaching in the physical sciences.

The Cottrell IMPACT Award recognizes the significant contributions of Cottrell Scholars and Holland Award recipients in advancing science through leadership and service. It encourages excellence in academic leadership while raising the profile of awardees nationally. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize and highlights recipients at the Cottrell Scholar Conference and in professional journals, fostering a community of innovative researchers committed to impactful science.

The Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation, established in 2010, supports projects that align with Jewish ideals in education, science, and the arts. Based in Indianapolis, this foundation has funded initiatives across the United States, addressing various social issues. They do not impose minimum or maximum grant amounts, focusing instead on the project's merit and alignment with their mission. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, while general operating funds are not provided.