Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in New Hampshire

Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship

Established in memory of Gregory D. Spring, this scholarship is for a graduating senior from Allegany-Limestone Central School, Ellicottville Central School, Franklinville/Ten Broeck Academy, Portville Central School, Hinsdale Central School or Olean High School with a preference for a student who intends to pursue a degree or certification in a trade or technical program. 

The Henry Luce Foundation's Asia: Responsive Grants program supports initiatives that enhance understanding of East and Southeast Asia. With a focus on academic research, cultural exchange, and public education, the program seeks to promote collaboration between American and Asian institutions. Grants are awarded primarily to U.S.-based non-profits, fostering innovative teaching, resource development, and policy engagement, while prioritizing projects that bridge diverse disciplines and geographic divides.

The Liz Myers Scholarship, offered by the Ashland County Community Foundation, aims to support graduating seniors from Ashland County High Schools pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine or a related field. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be accepted into an accredited college or university. This scholarship honors Liz Myers' dedication to animal health and welfare, reflecting her belief in the profound bond between humans and animals.

The Jonathan Larson Grants provide essential support to emerging musical theatre artists, helping composers, lyricists, and librettists further their creative endeavors. Established in memory of Jonathan Larson, creator of the iconic musical "Rent," these grants empower artists to create impactful work that resonates with contemporary culture. The program, sustained by the American Theatre Wing and the Larson Family, encourages professional growth and artistic exploration without the limitations of specific projects.

The Petrone Scholarship, offered by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports non-traditional students pursuing nursing degrees. It aims to assist those advancing from a Nurse's Aide to an LPN or RN, or from LPN to RN, especially those with experience in Hospice Care. This scholarship provides essential financial aid to help eligible students achieve their educational goals in the nursing field, fostering a commitment to quality patient care.

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.

The Earthwatch Institute's Teach Earth Fellowship connects K-12 teachers with scientists through immersive research expeditions. Celebrating 50 years, this program empowers educators to inspire students with hands-on environmental science experiences. Teachers gain confidence, collaborate with peers, and develop impactful curricula. The fellowship includes workshops, networking opportunities, and resources to enhance environmental education in classrooms. Participants return with renewed purpose, ready to engage their communities in conservation efforts.

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida connects people who care with causes that matter. Since 1964, we have served the citizens of Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay, and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. We believe in Giving Back. Forever Forward.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, The Community Foundation offers several scholarships each year that benefit students in Northeast Florida who are seeking post-secondary degrees.

Bernie G. Yvon Memorial Fund Scholarship

For High School Seniors & College Students in The Theatre/Performing Arts

The purpose of the fund is to perpetuate the legacy of Bernie G. Yvon by supporting students pursuing study in the Theatre/Performing Arts with need-based scholarships. In this tenth year (2026), amounts up to $2000 each will be available from contributions to the fund via The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. In selecting the successful candidate(s), the review committee will consider the following:

• Knowledge of Bernie G. Yvon
• Theatre/Performing Arts potential and past experiences
• Financial need
• Academic record
• Two letters of recommendation
• GPA

The Hasting Innovation Award for Interstitial Lung Disease, offered by the American Lung Association, provides $75,000 annually for up to two years to support early-career researchers. This award targets investigators with proven excellence and a track record of accomplishment, aiming to advance lung disease science. Successful candidates must have held a K or R type award within the last three to five years, fostering innovation and discovery in lung health.

Dennis Jones and Wayne Johnston Memorial Dice Run Scholarship

This fund provides a scholarship for a graduating senior from either Olean High School or Allegany-Limestone Central School who will be attending a 4-year college, with preference for a student planning to study business or business related field (i.e. accounting, finance, marketing, economics etc.)

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.

The OAR Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for autistic individuals by funding community-led projects that address physical health and support services. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 are available for initiatives designed to produce practical tools and resources. Eligible applicants include family members, autistic individuals, and community organizations committed to improving the lives of those affected by autism. Projects should be innovative, publicly accessible, and focus on priority topics such as health systems and community services.

The Prader-Willi Syndrome Mini-Fellowship Grant aims to enhance understanding of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) through clinical proctorships. Offering up to $25,000 USD, this grant supports providers in shadowing experts in PWS while engaging in an academic project. PWSA | USA, dedicated to advancing research since 1983, focuses on high-impact projects that translate biomedical knowledge into effective treatments, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by PWS.

The Genentech Foundation supports innovative projects that address systemic inequities in healthcare. They fund tax-exempt organizations, including public charities and governmental entities, located in the U.S. Grant requests must be submitted at least 60 days before the project start date. Notably, projects must align with Genentech's commitment to advancing health equity and diversity in the medical workforce. Applications for funding will be accepted starting January 2, 2026, after a temporary closure.

Manuel And Fillie Garcia Hispanic Scholarship

The Manuel & Fillie Garcia Hispanic Scholarship was established as a permanent fund of Taos Community Foundation in 2011.

The award is available to graduating seniors in Taos and western Colfax counties with preference to Hispanic students pursuing advancement of higher education. The scholarship is available to those applying to 4 year colleges and universities as well as 2 year vocational/trade schools.

The award amount will be determined at the time of committee review. This award is typically renewable for up to three years if a 2.5 GPA is maintained and all required paperwork is returned in accordance with the Scholarship Agreement.

The Mission Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington in 2007, supports graduating seniors from Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties who plan to undertake mission trips to Latin America. This scholarship aims to inspire young individuals to engage in community service while gaining cultural insights. Eligible applicants must be juniors or seniors, ready to complete their mission within two years of receiving the award, providing a unique opportunity to make a positive impact abroad.

The Ogburn Family Scholarship, provided by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, supports high school seniors from Quincy, Wenatchee, or Eastmont High Schools. Eligible students should plan to pursue education or a medical field, such as nursing or radiology, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Preference is given to those attending Wenatchee Valley College or Central Washington University's teaching program. This scholarship promotes educational advancement within the community.

The Okanogan Masonic Lodge #169, through the Community Foundation of NCW, has been providing scholarships to deserving Okanogan County students since 1998. This initiative honors the wishes of Herbert and Elizabeth Davis, ensuring their philanthropic legacy supports local youth. The dedicated Masons review applications and select recipients, embodying commitment to education and community development. Their efforts have made a significant impact on students' futures, reinforcing the values of charity and support within the community.

The Pateros Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of NCW, supports Pateros High School students in their pursuit of higher education. This fund encourages academic and financial growth for graduating seniors and previous graduates, including home-schooled students from the Pateros School District. Established in the 1990s, it emphasizes education as a key driver of community development. Renewal is available for prior recipients, allowing for a maximum of two awards.

Youth Service America

Youth Service America believes that youth, communities, and our democracy thrive when we all work together for the common good. YSA is a leading global nonprofit that activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities. YSA supports its activation campaigns with grants, training and resources, and recognition programs for young people and their adult champions. Youth-led projects use Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) strategies to create social and environmental change.

We Serve To Remember Grants

Projects that Engage 100 Youth Volunteers

YSA’s We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants are for organizations, schools, and youth changemakers ages 5-25 to lead service projects on or around September 11, 2026. Programming efforts should also honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their families, and those who rose in service in response to that tragedy. (We suggest starting with eleven reflections about 9/11/01 and related ideas for service or service-learning projects.)

Grantees are required to engage at least 100 youth as volunteers in planning and implementing the service activities.

What are we looking for?

• Projects must be youth-led;
• Projects must include elements to honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, and those who rose in service in response;
• Projects must take place on or around September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance (Friday, September 11, 2026) – between Friday, September 4 and Friday, September 18;
• Project organizers must make their best effort to recruit and engage youth volunteers who are not usually asked to serve;

Grantees are also required to provide evidence of volunteer participation and number of hours served. Approved documention includes sign in sheets, copies of pre-and-post-surveys, or reports from school attendance or volunteer management system. These documents must contain a unique identifier for each volunteer, such as the volunteer’s full first and last name, their full first name and last initial, or a volunteer/student ID number.

Reflecting on the spirit of togetherness that brought people together in the days, weeks, and months after September 11th, we are especially looking for ideas that bring together all members of the community.

The FY26 Vision Research Program's Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) offers funding for innovative research addressing eye injury and visual dysfunction due to military exposure. This award supports preclinical to early translational studies aligned with specific focus areas. Unique features include two funding levels and a Partnering Principal Investigator Option. Applications undergo rigorous peer review based on research rationale, strategy, and impact, with potential for sharing with the National Eye Institute for additional funding consideration.

The FY26 Vision Research Program Clinical Trial Award supports the swift execution of clinical trials aimed at improving treatments for service-connected eye injuries and visual dysfunction. This award emphasizes the need for regulatory compliance, including IND/IDE submissions, and requires documentation confirming the application's active status by March 1, 2027. Review criteria focus on clinical impact, research feasibility, recruitment strategies, and ethical considerations, ensuring relevance to military health.

The Black Visual Arts Archives initiative, funded by the Getty Foundation, aims to enhance access to collections related to Black artists. This ongoing grant program supports projects that survey, process, and digitize archival materials while promoting public engagement through exhibitions and community events. By fostering awareness of Black contributions to the visual arts, the initiative strengthens the preservation of cultural heritage and encourages collaboration among libraries, universities, and community organizations.

The DoW Vision Research Program's FY26 Translational Research Award aims to accelerate the development of innovative drugs, devices, or clinical guidelines ready for clinical trials. It supports preclinical studies and pilot trials, ensuring alignment with specified VRP Focus Areas. Key features include a requirement for regulatory expertise in drug/device development and a unique Partnering Principal Investigator option. Review criteria focus on research rationale, strategy, feasibility, and impact, enhancing military health outcomes.

About NCCF

For more than 50 years, NCCF has been taking on tough problems to improve the quality-of-life in Northwest CT by supporting nonprofits that speak to the charitable passions of our generous donors.

NCCF is a Community Foundation, a tax-exempt public charity that enables donors to establish funds that support the work of local nonprofits through grants and provide scholarships to local students.

NCCF's Board and Staff champion the causes you care about with smart grant-making designed specifically to adapt over time and provide highly attentive, knowledgeable, and compassionate service that brings donors and organizations together to address community issues.

Scholarship Opportunities and Applications

Through the generosity of fundholders and donors, NCCF has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to assist students in Northwest Connecticut with the cost of higher education.

Michele Farley Pittler Scholarship

• Academic Focus: Unspecified
• Award Average: $1,000

The Mae Casali Bonvicini Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports Torrington High School graduating seniors aiming for higher education. With awards ranging from $400 to $1,500, this scholarship is designed to ease financial burdens for students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the NCCF’s service area. For over 50 years, NCCF has dedicated itself to enhancing the quality of life in Northwest Connecticut through grants and scholarships.

The Edward W. Diskavich Scholarship, established by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, honors the legacy of Edward W. Diskavich. It aims to support students from Oliver Wolcott Technical High School who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the service area. With awards ranging from $300 to $1,000, this scholarship helps alleviate the financial burden of higher education for deserving students, reflecting NCCF's commitment to enhancing community well-being through accessible educational opportunities.