Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Montana

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Jerry Van Winkle Memorial Scholarship

Jerry Van Winkle always considered himself a lifelong learner. One of his finest qualities was the ability to find a way to achieve his goals. He pursued his desire to become a counselor, beginning his Masters’ Degree studies at age 55. Jerry’s greatest joy was in helping students see the possibilities that education could provide. He would be honored to know that his wish – to assist students in pursuing their education – will be carried out through this scholarship fund. Each year this scholarship honors a student that demonstrates financial need, strong moral character, and personal growth throughout high school.

The Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010, in memory of Freeland resident and business owner Bernie Smillie. Bernie passed away in 2000, due to complications from a lung transplant he had received in 1994. In 2005, family and friends of Bernie established the Bernie Smillie Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds of this outing has helped to promote organ donor support and awareness and establish this scholarship fund.

Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship - Medical

Evaluation Criteria

• Leadership ability
• Financial need
• Academic performance
• Standardized test scores
• Special skills
• Awards and honors
• Community service
• Work experience
• Extracurricular school activities
• Overall involvement
• Career goals as demonstrated in essay
• Letter of recommendation.

The Collegiate Community Hub Grant, offered by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in collaboration with the ITA, provides up to $10,000 to collegiate organizations operating a tennis facility as a new 'Collegiate Community Hub.' This initiative aims to enhance community engagement by offering accessible tennis instruction and playing opportunities for all ages. Eligible facilities must meet specific operational criteria and demonstrate their commitment to serving the local community.

The A. Lucchetti Martino Scholarship is awarded to outstanding Italian American undergraduate students majoring in International Relations, requiring a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applicants must hold an active NIAF Membership, which can be obtained through a parent or grandparent. This scholarship fosters commitment to Italian culture and heritage while supporting students enrolled full-time in U.S. accredited institutions. The National Italian American Foundation, a non-profit organization, promotes the rich traditions and contributions of Italian Americans.

The Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) aims to boost basic and clinical research at health professional and graduate schools that have historically received limited NIH funding. By supporting small-scale research projects led by faculty, REAP fosters student engagement in significant research endeavors, enhancing their educational experience. Eligible institutions must grant advanced degrees in health professions and have received under $6 million in NIH support in four of the last seven years, promoting broader participation in the nation's biomedical research efforts.

The LaMantia Family Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), aims to support outstanding Italian American students pursuing studies in computer science or STEM fields. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and hold an active NIAF membership, which can be obtained through a parent or grandparent. This scholarship promotes the importance of Italian heritage while encouraging academic excellence in the next generation of leaders.

The National Science Foundation's Engineering Directorate (NSF ENG) promotes groundbreaking research in chemical, bioengineering, energy, and transport systems. Key programs include Chemical Process Systems, Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems, Energy, Water, and Resource Engineering, and Transport Phenomena. NSF ENG seeks innovative, transformative proposals that push the boundaries of foundational research, regardless of immediate commercial applications, and emphasizes diverse funding opportunities based on availability.

The Bill and Joyce Coborn Memorial Scholarship supports Coborn's employees and their dependents pursuing private high school or post-secondary education. Offered by CommunityGiving, this scholarship provides up to 20 awards of $1,000 each, fostering educational advancement and community empowerment. Eligible applicants include high school seniors, college students, and graduate students who are children of Coborn's employees with at least one year of service. This initiative honors the legacy of Bill and Joyce Coborn while promoting lifelong learning.

The Diana Jacobs Kalman/AFAR Scholarships for Research in the Biology of Aging offer MD, DO, PhD, or combined-degree students the opportunity to conduct research on aging. Established by Diana Jacobs Kalman, a leader in aging science, the program addresses the challenges of an aging population. By awarding up to ten scholarships, it aims to foster innovative research and improve the quality of life for older adults. Proposed projects should focus on specific areas like immune function, inflammation, and genetic control of longevity.

The AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty and Glenn Foundation for Medical Research offer up to $160,000 for one- to two-year research projects focusing on the biology of aging. Aimed at early career faculty, these grants support innovative studies not limited to age-related diseases but rather the fundamental mechanisms of aging. Approximately 10 grants will be awarded in 2026, with funding starting July 1. Applicants must be independent investigators within 10 years of their postdoctoral training.

The Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease Grant Program, funded by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, aims to support early-career assistant professors studying human infectious diseases. With a budget of $505,000 over five years, it encourages innovative research on the interplay between human systems and infectious agents, fostering multidisciplinary approaches to enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms and health maintenance.

Edward E. Ford Foundation

The Edward E. Ford Foundation seeks to improve secondary education by supporting U.S. independent schools and encouraging promising practices. 

• We make Traditional Grants to eligible schools and Associations to help them grow and develop in pursuit of their own missions.
• We make Educational Leadership Grants to eligible schools or groups of schools that consist of larger dollar awards to fewer recipients.
• We encourage collaboration with others in both grant cycles.
• Occasionally, we may make larger, multi-­year Collaborative Innovation Grants in support of projects that have the potential to influence secondary education more broadly and positively affect our democratic society.
• Beyond grant-making, we share what we learn, sponsor strategic meetings, and work with others to identify and respond to the most pressing challenges facing the field of secondary education.

Traditional Grant for Associations

These grants are made in response to requests that can range from $25,000 to $100,000 and that must be matched by additional funds raised by the association at least 1:1.

Associations seeking placement on a Traditional Grant Agenda should be prepared to specify the anticipated dollar value of their proposal when they request placement. This can be months in advance of the date the final version of the proposal will be due, depending on the length of the queue. 

Traditional Grants are awarded based on the quality of the proposal and other considerations in terms of the association’s operation, but it does not identify certain areas of independent school work as favored. That is, you can seek guidance as to what sort of proposals have been funded in the past but association should identify their own greatest institutional need that they think the Foundation can help address.

Step-by-Step Process

• Request Agenda Placement — Please fill out the Agenda Placement form to tell the Foundation a bit more about your association and to help us determine if it is eligible for EE Ford funding.

• Agenda Placement Phone Call — If your association is eligible for Agenda Placement, we will schedule a phone call between your association’s Executive Director and the Executive Director of the EE Ford Foundation. This phone call will serve as an informal introduction and it will determine if Agenda placement is right for your association. No proposal can be considered from associations that have not reserved a place on an upcoming Agenda. If your association is placed on an Agenda, you will receive an Agenda Placement Confirmation email with further instruction.

• Executive Director Meeting — Schedule a 2-3 hour meeting between your association’s Executive Director and our foundation’s Executive Director to be held in our Brooklyn office. The Preliminary Materials will be due one week prior to this meeting (see “Preliminary Materials” under "Required Materials"). 

• Final Submission — Deadline for submission of final materials is January 30 for the April Agenda or April 1 for the June Agenda. When the Board makes its decision about a proposal, the Executive Director communicates this decision within days.

The Regenerative Agriculture Foundation Grant supports organizations that promote regenerative practices, emphasizing the value of people, plants, animals, and the planet. With a focus on BIPOC-led initiatives, the foundation encourages systemic change in agricultural systems through collaborative funding. Grants are available to U.S.-based organizations that align with RAF's vision and engage in transformative efforts. The competitive grantmaking process is by invitation only, ensuring targeted support for impactful projects.

The NICHD Resource Program Grants in Bioinformatics aim to support the operation and enhancement of vital bioinformatics databases for research on animal models of embryonic development. These grants promote user training, data curation, and interoperability with NIH resources, ensuring wide dissemination of critical tools and resources to the research community. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, with optional Letters of Intent encouraged 30 days prior to the proposal deadline.

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

J. Matthew Moore Memorial Scholarship

Annual, renewable scholarship created in memory of Matthew Moore by his wife, Lucy Goffinet, and his parents, John E. and Ann C. Moore, to help students pursuing advanced education.

Award Amount

• $1,580
• May be renewable for consecutive sophomore, junior and senior years. 
• Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.

The BRAIN Initiative's funding opportunity aims to support the establishment of facilities at minority-serving and IDeA-eligible institutions for the production and distribution of brain cell type-specific reagents. These reagents will enhance neuroscience research by enabling precise manipulation and access to brain cell types, facilitating advancements in understanding circuit functions in various species. The initiative encourages collaboration among awardees to optimize the use of these essential resources across the neuroscience community.

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

German American Bancorp Scholarship

Annual scholarship created by Peoples Bank, now German American Bancorp, to help Daviess County students pursue advanced education.

Award Amount

• $2,000

The Native American Church Property Grants, administered by the Presbyterian Foundation, support essential repairs and improvements to Native American church properties. This initiative is crucial for maintaining the infrastructure of churches and chapels, ensuring their safety and functionality for congregations and visitors. The program reflects the Presbyterian Church's commitment to serving Native American communities, fostering faith and ministry. Through these grants, urgent needs are addressed, strengthening the presence and mission of Native American congregations within the PC(USA).

The Oak Foundation's Learning Differences Grant Programme aims to foster equitable educational experiences for students with learning differences, particularly those marginalized by racism and poverty. Through strategic partnerships with not-for-profit organizations, the program enhances understanding of diverse learners' needs, translates knowledge into effective practices, and influences systemic changes to create supportive learning environments. The initiative emphasizes the importance of community involvement, ensuring that students' voices are heard and their educational needs are met.

The James B. Linsmayer Foundation Grant supports programs in arts, culture, education, health, and human services primarily within the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Established in memory of James B. Linsmayer, the foundation aims to be a strategic partner in these vital areas. Eligible grantees include public charities recognized under IRC guidelines, with no geographic limitations but a preference for local organizations. While start-ups may be considered, funding for organizational expenses is not permitted.

The Shreveport Geological Society Scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing geology-related studies. Established in 1919, the Shreveport Geological Society promotes innovation in geology and offers financial assistance to eligible students. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited institution, demonstrate financial need, and show academic capability. Special consideration is given to renewal scholarships for deserving recipients. This initiative fosters educational growth and professional development in the geological sciences.

The Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy Technologies (Scaleup) Ready initiative by ARPA-E invites applications for funding to advance transformative energy technologies. This program supports innovative projects that demonstrate potential for significant market disruption and emphasizes rigorous project management and technology risk mitigation. Eligible organizations must have inventions conceived during an ARPA-E award, reported in the iEdison system, and hold relevant U.S. patent applications. For further details, visit ARPA-E's website.

The OVC FY 2026 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking aims to strengthen responses to human trafficking through multidisciplinary collaboration. This initiative provides essential resources for victim identification, service delivery, and case investigations, all supported by the U.S. Department of Justice. By fostering cooperative efforts, the program seeks to enhance the effectiveness of local jurisdictions in combating this critical issue and ensuring the safety and rights of affected individuals.

The Trauma Care Readiness and Coordination Cooperative Agreement aims to enhance trauma system resilience, aligning with ASPR's vision for a prepared nation in the face of disasters and public health emergencies. This program supports innovative and scalable trauma system models, ensuring communities are equipped with robust healthcare responses. By fostering collaboration and effective planning, it seeks to protect lives and reinforce national security through well-coordinated trauma care strategies.

The America’s Horse Cares Grant Program, provided by the American Quarter Horse Association, aims to enhance the welfare and training of American Quarter Horses in therapeutic settings. By funding educational workshops from March to September 2026, the program seeks to elevate horsemanship standards and ensure proper horse care. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, focusing on equine-assisted activities for individuals with various challenges, thereby fostering transformative experiences through education and responsible practices.

The Veridian Credit Union Scholarship offers four $2,500 awards to high school seniors and four $2,500 awards to post-secondary students enrolled in accredited programs. To qualify, applicants must be the primary owner of a Veridian Credit Union account in good standing. This initiative, managed by the Iowa Credit Union Foundation, supports educational advancement and aims to foster financial success among its members.

The Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarship, offered by Veridian Credit Union, supports high school seniors and post-high school students pursuing post-secondary education at accredited institutions. To qualify, applicants must be members in good standing at a credit union affiliated with the Iowa Credit Union League. This scholarship aims to foster financial success and educational advancement, ensuring that students can achieve their academic goals without financial barriers.