Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Nebraska

The Building Capacity Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the financial and operational capabilities of dioceses. This initiative focuses on funding projects that promote efficiency, financial stability, and effective fiscal management, ultimately fostering a self-sustaining community. Eligible programs include fundraising development initiatives and operational assessments, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently while supporting professional development for church leadership. This grant empowers dioceses to strengthen their foundations for future growth.

The Boustany Foundation's Sport 4 Children Award aims to enhance children's lives through sports, fostering happiness, health, and social skills. Open to organizations globally, the award supports projects that utilize sports for children's well-being. With a funding of 50,000 Euros, it encourages innovative and inclusive initiatives that promote participation in sports, aiming to create positive behavioral changes and community engagement. The foundation believes in the transformative power of sports to build responsible and healthy adults.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

John T. & Lois Schmidt Scholarship

The John T. & Lois Schmidt Scholarship Fund was created in 2017 to support seniors and graduates of Marion County high schools who are also members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, or children or grandchildren of those on active duty or veterans. The Schmidt Fund favors applicants from Elgin High School and those with GPAs of 2.5 or better.

The Schmidt Scholarship honors John and his military service. John served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from January 1943 to January 1946 and was stationed in several overseas and exotic locales, including New Guinea, Netherland East Indies, Morotai, and Mindanao in the Philippine Islands. At the end of his service, he received an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant and had earned the Bronze Star for valor and the Bronze Arrowhead—awarded to those present on D-Day on the beaches of Normandy, France.

Prior to his military career, John graduated from Agosta High School (1941) and shortly after his service, married Lois (Kraner) in 1948. He was employed by Marion Power Shovel, Marion Industries, and retired after 29 years with Whirlpool. He was a member of the Marion County Farm Bureau, Disabled American Veterans, and VFW Post 7201. John passed in 2009 at the age of 86.

The Engaging Young Catholics Grants aim to support ministries that provide faith formation to children, teens, young adults, and families. By focusing on the pastoral needs of young Catholics, the program enhances community vibrancy and fosters new leadership within the church. Catholic Extension prioritizes operational support and seed funding for initiatives that develop youth and young adult ministries, ensuring that dioceses can effectively reach and engage younger generations in their faith.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

We work side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges our Valley faces.

Our Board and staff are completely dedicated to the people and causes of Napa Valley and represent communities from American Canyon to Calistoga. They share skills, perspectives and the collaborative spirit that define our Napa Valley diversity.

Judith B. Cutcomb Scholarship

The Judith B. Cutcomb Scholarship is offered by CalRTA Napa Valley and administered by Napa Valley Community Foundation. It is awarded in memory of Judith B. Cutcomb, a St. Helena educator. The Cutcomb Scholarship supports current St. Helena Unified School District teachers who are continuing their education or graduates of St. Helena High School studying to be educators. Previous recipients of the scholarship are eligible to reapply.

The Community Care Grant, offered by the Banfield Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations and local/state government agencies in providing affordable veterinary care to owned pets. Since 2015, the foundation has aimed to enhance preventive care through grants and partnerships, helping pets in crisis and underserved communities across the U.S. This initiative ensures that essential veterinary services are accessible to all pet owners, fostering a better world for pets.

The Emergency Educational Grants offer vital financial support of up to $5,000 for undergraduate students who are children of deceased or totally disabled Elks. This grant is renewable for one year and is intended solely for educational purposes, helping cover costs such as tuition and books. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain full-time enrollment in an accredited U.S. college or university, while being unmarried and under 24 years old during the application year.

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 public charity to help donors support their favorite charities while receiving maximum tax advantage.

We serve as a vehicle for charitable giving, helping donors give to the causes they care about. Donor gifts will strengthen nonprofits increasing programs and services. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to establish a fund with us. 

Liebling For Worthy Students Scholarship

This fund was established to provide academic scholarships to students graduating from the St. Joseph School District and past recipients.

Guidelines:

• Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in August.

Amount:

• Minimum of $1,500 one-time award

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 public charity to help donors support their favorite charities while receiving maximum tax advantage.

We serve as a vehicle for charitable giving, helping donors give to the causes they care about. Donor gifts will strengthen nonprofits increasing programs and services. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to establish a fund with us. 

Steven, James W and Cecile I Scholarship Fund

This fund was established by the James W and Cecile I Steven Trust to provide academic scholarships to graduating seniors living in the counties of Andrew, MO or Buchanan, MO.

Guidelines:

• Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in August.

Amount:

• As many non-renewable awards as balance allows.

About The Community Foundation of Hancock County

We are a nonprofit, public charity that encourages philanthropy, convenes and leads community initiatives, provides educational support, and supports nonprofit organizations. 

Scholarships for Adults & Non-Traditional Students

The Community Foundation of Hancock County offers educational support for Hancock County, Indiana adults who are seeking post-secondary training or schooling to improve their career prospects. There are also some opportunities provided by specific businesses in the area. 

Cargold Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Dennis and Evelyn Chapman to honor Dennis’ parents and their belief in higher education.

The Building Leaders Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the recruitment, education, and ongoing formation of church leaders. This initiative provides critical funding for the professional development of both ordained and lay leaders in mission dioceses. By fostering partnerships with various organizations, it addresses the need for trained ministers and supports various funding areas, including seminarian sponsorship and diaconate formation, ensuring a robust future for church leadership.

The Building Foundation Grants by Catholic Extension aim to support essential pastoral and administrative functions in under-resourced communities. These grants provide salary subsidies and operational funding to ordained, religious, and lay ministers, ensuring access to Catholic services. Prioritizing areas with significant financial need, this initiative seeks to sustain the church's presence where it is most critical, enabling continued ministry and outreach for those who may otherwise be underserved.

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 public charity to help donors support their favorite charities while receiving maximum tax advantage.

We serve as a vehicle for charitable giving, helping donors give to the causes they care about. Donor gifts will strengthen nonprofits increasing programs and services. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to establish a fund with us. 

Townsend, R.E. Educational Scholarship

This fund was established by the trustees of the R.E. Townsend Educational Fund to provide academic scholarships to students intending to further their education.

Guidelines:

Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in August.

Amount:

Minimum of $1,000 and maximum of $2,000 per recipient depending on the fund balance. 

Catholic Extension provides essential funding to support the construction, expansion, or renovation of churches and community facilities. This initiative aims to meet the facility needs of under-resourced Catholic dioceses across the U.S. By focusing on active projects, Catholic Extension ensures that communities can enhance their worship spaces and support local ministries, ultimately fostering a stronger church community. Funding is available for both minor and major requests, with an emphasis on urgent needs and robust funding strategies.

Grants Program for Penn Investigators - Early career awards for Fellows, Postdocs and Instructors

Research grant applications in basic science, prevention, disease interception, and early detection that are relevant to the study of BRCA1/2 will be considered. The Basser Cancer Interception Institute focuses on funding new endeavors in emerging, orthogonal fields beyond DNA damage (e.g. mechanisms of haploinsufficiency, cancer evolution and tissue tropism). 

Grants focused on the following are of particular interest:

• Cancer interception and the pre-cancer disease state
• Issues relevant to men (including but not limited to prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, male breast cancer)
• Potential for translation into clinical practice
• Early detection

Grants that demonstrate a potential for translation into clinical practice will be prioritized for funding.

Early career awards for Fellows, Postdocs and Instructors

Early career awards for Fellows, Postdocs and Instructors up to $100,000 for one year. Grants are eligible for competitive renewal upon reapplication and are contingent on progress the first year.

Grants Program for Penn Investigators - Faculty Awards

Research grant applications in basic science, prevention, disease interception, and early detection that are relevant to the study of BRCA1/2 will be considered. The Basser Cancer Interception Institute focuses on funding new endeavors in emerging, orthogonal fields beyond DNA damage (e.g. mechanisms of haploinsufficiency, cancer evolution and tissue tropism). 

Grants focused on the following are of particular interest:

• Cancer interception and the pre-cancer disease state
• Issues relevant to men (including but not limited to prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, male breast cancer)
• Potential for translation into clinical practice
• Early detection

Grants that demonstrate a potential for translation into clinical practice will be prioritized for funding.

Faculty Awards

Faculty awards are for two years with a funding level up to $200,000 per year.

The Simeon J. Fortin Charitable Foundation, founded in 1986, champions cancer research initiatives aimed at finding a cure. It supports relevant projects and fellowships within medical and research institutions, ensuring a significant impact on health-related research. The grant review process is conducted by The Medical Foundation, in coordination with the King Trust Postdoctoral Fellowships, enhancing collaboration and funding opportunities for innovative research in oncology.

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.

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.

About The Community Foundation of Hancock County

We are a nonprofit, public charity that encourages philanthropy, convenes and leads community initiatives, provides educational support, and supports nonprofit organizations. 

Scholarships for Adults & Non-Traditional Students

The Community Foundation of Hancock County offers educational support for Hancock County, Indiana adults who are seeking post-secondary training or schooling to improve their career prospects. There are also some opportunities provided by specific businesses in the area. 

William W. Weil Good Citizen Scholarship

William W. Weil was born and raised in Greenfield, Indiana. After serving in the Korean War as an Aviation Engineer, he returned to Greenfield and became a respected local businessman as manager of the Broadway Lumber Company and the Weil Theatre. Bill was best known as a member of the Greenfield Banking Company Board of Directors for over 53 years. This scholarship was established to reward good citizenship.

Bold Foundation

Our Mission: Fighting Student Debt

The average student today will graduate more than $30,000 in debt and is far less likely to start small businesses, seek the highest impact careers, buy homes, or start families. At Bold.org®, we believe that’s a problem worth solving.

New Beginnings Immigrant Scholarship

Immigrating to a new home takes resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to achieving one’s aspirations.

Many immigrants have overcome extraordinary challenges and obstacles to continue their academic journeys and pursue their dreams. As a result of these hurdles, many students from immigrant backgrounds have limited financial resources which can make higher education inaccessible.

This scholarship seeks to support immigrant students so they can continue working toward their educational goals.

To apply, tell us about your experience as an immigrant and your career aspirations.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship to outstanding community college students with financial need, providing up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to cover educational expenses. This selective scholarship supports students in completing their bachelor's degrees at accredited institutions. Recipients benefit from personalized advising and a robust network of Cooke Scholars. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate unmet financial need, ensuring accessibility to higher education.

International Association of Yoga Therapists

IAYT’s mission is to advance yoga therapy as a recognized health profession.

The International Association of Yoga Therapists has championed yoga as a healing art and science since 1989. Membership is open to all who are aligned with our mission—yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, yoga therapists, healthcare practitioners who use yoga in their practices, and yoga researchers.

More than 5,000 individual members from 50+ countries, together with more than 150 Member Schools, help IAYT to support research and education in yoga.

Nearly 70 IAYT-accredited yoga therapy training programs educate the next generation of IAYT-certified yoga therapists, or C-IAYTs, who come from a range of lineages and backgrounds.

John Kepner Seva Award 

The annual Seva Award recognizes yoga therapists who bring yoga to those who have not had full access to these practices. This award was named in honor of Executive Director Emeritus John Kepner and his tireless efforts to advance the field and give back to the yoga therapy community.

Intended to help support and significantly advance the work of C-IAYTs or yoga therapists in training, the John Kepner Seva Award offers seed funding and publicity for well-defined and well-planned service projects.

IAYT and co-sponsor, the Give Back Yoga Foundation, commit annual support to these awards. 

What projects will be considered?

We’re seeking to support active and ongoing projects that benefit a population that may not otherwise be able to access yoga therapy. We're looking for innovative work that fosters accessibility, inclusivity, diversity, and social justice in yoga therapy, including initiatives focused on overcoming systemic barriers to accessing or training in yoga therapy. Positive consideration is given to yoga therapists from historically underresourced, underserved, marginalized, minoritized, and underrepresented backgrounds. Your application should include specifics about how your project will be communicated to and integrated into the community.

One winner will receive:

• $1,008 (US) prize for project facilitation
• Registration for one person to attend IAYT's Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR),
• Three nights at the conference hotel
• $400 toward travel to the conference
• Up to 20 yoga mats from Give Back Yoga Foundation to facilitate project classes (if applicable)
• Opportunity to tell the project's story in IAYT’s magazine Yoga Therapy Today
• Recognition at SYTAR 2026
• Social-media coverage from IAYT and Give Back Yoga Foundation
• Two-year beYogi membership (valued at $327)
• Lifetime Sequence Wiz membership (valued at $199/year)

Four runners-up will receive:

• $500 (US) prize for project facilitation (increased from previous years to support travel to SYTAR)
• Up to 20 yoga mats from Give Back Yoga Foundation to facilitate project classes (if applicable)
• Opportunity to tell the project's story in an upcoming IAYT publication
• Recognition at SYTAR 2026
• Social-media coverage from IAYT and Give Back Yoga Foundation

At Genentech, we invest in bold ideas and innovative solutions that address systemic inequities in science and medicine to advance a more just healthcare system. We focus on efforts that diversify the scientific and medical workforce, advance health equity, and help our communities thrive. We also further advance excellence in medicine and healthcare through our grants for independent medical education. IIncluding efforts to promote diversity in STEM across the education pathway, and efforts to support continuing medical education of healthcare providers. Select the option below that best fits your grant focus:

There are multiple ways to apply for funding. Before you submit an application, we encourage you to explore the following materials to learn more about our opportunities for funding, eligibility requirements and considerations, and the process for submitting a proposal within our Funding Request System (gFRS).

The Mission Program Grants: New Worshiping Communities Seed Grant offers up to $10,000 to support the establishment of new worshiping communities connected to the Presbyterian Church (USA). These grants focus on covering initial operational costs for the first year, including salaries and educational materials. Eligible applicants must be newly formed communities established after July 2010, located in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. This initiative fosters community growth rather than expanding existing congregations.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's College Scholarship Program offers financial support to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need. Scholarships cover significant educational expenses, including tuition and living costs, potentially providing up to $55,000 annually. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher and plan to enroll in an accredited four-year institution. This competitive program not only alleviates financial burdens but also connects students to a network of over 3,400 Cooke Scholars.

Sisters of the Sacred Heartland Dr. Allan French Memorial Scholarship

Provides a scholarship to students in Oklahoma who identify as members of the LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, and the countless affirmative ways in which people choose to self-identify) and a minimum GPA of 2.7 or higher.