Best Grants for Charities in New Jersey

About Us

Who We Are

The Wayne County Community Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community organization that works to strengthen the community we all share by helping donors make a lasting difference with their philanthropic endeavors – connecting their dreams and passions with causes that matter.

Established in 1978 with a single gift of $1,000, WCCF has become the steward of over 620 separate funds created from bequests and gifts, each with their own philanthropic purpose to support the future of our community now – and for many years to come.

The mission of Wayne County Community Foundation is to provide philanthropic leadership to our community.

Pair-A-Douce Scholarship

Scholarship is open to individuals who are pursuing a technical/vocational education or two-year program in a one of the following skilled trade field of study:

• Building Trades
  • (examples may include, but are not limited to, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, or welding)
• Mechanical Trades
  • (examples may include, but are not limited to, agricultural equipment or farm machine mechanics)

Non-traditional students (adult learners) must be residents of Wayne County, Ohio and enrolled at Wayne County Schools Career Center, Heartland Technical Education Center (previously known as Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center), or OSU-ATI and pursing an applicable field of study. Applicants should demonstrate good character, strong work ethic, and financial need. First preference shall be given to students pursing a building trades program.

This application is for non-traditional students (adult learners) only. Traditional students (graduates or current graduating seniors of any high school located in Wayne County, Ohio) who wish to apply may do so by completing the Wayne County Community Foundation Universal Scholarship Application, found online at www.WCCFOH.org/scholarships

Michelle M. Vasenda Fund

Established in memory of Michelle M. Vasenda, a career nurse who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2009. It was her vision to create a scholarship to help those committed to helping others.

Amount: Varies

• $1,000-$2,000

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• Must reapply annually by submission of a new application.

The Lawren H. Daltroy Preceptorship in Health Communication aims to enhance patient-clinician communication by providing a one-on-one learning experience for trainees and junior researchers. Funded by the Rheumatology Research Foundation, it offers up to $15,000 over one year for eligible candidates with no prior R01 funding. The program focuses on projects that improve understanding of effective communication in healthcare settings, addressing critical issues such as health literacy and shared decision-making.

The NIH grant focuses on elucidating the role of transporters in key perinatal barriers such as the placenta and blood-brain barrier. By establishing a multi-barrier transport network, the initiative aims to enhance understanding of maternal and infant health regarding nutrient and medication transport. This research will create essential resources and standards, fostering future studies on perinatal exposure and intervention strategies. Ultimately, it aims to advance knowledge in pediatric pharmacology and neurodevelopment.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Richard and Helen Daron Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Ludington Area School District, which established the Richard and Helen Daron Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

This scholarship is presented to graduating seniors of Ludington High School. Award recipients must pursue a degree or certification at any two- or four-year accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school. Award recipients are eligible to receive up to three renewals.

Dale and Tillie Jessup Scholarship

The Dale and Tillie Jessup Scholarship is intended for graduating high school seniors who have attended a Greene County high school for all four years and have been a resident of Greene County or Clay County for those four years. Applicant must be planning to major, on a full-time basis, in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. Dale and Tillie Jessup established a unique scholarship fund for Greene County high school graduating seniors. The Jessup’s donated 100 acres of farm land to the Foundation. The land is leased for farming and the proceeds are used to provide scholarships to students in financial need. Students awarded the Jessup scholarship as a graduating high school senior may re-apply in subsequent years for additional awards.

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Geographical Area

The official geographic service area of Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc., beginning to our west and traveling clockwise, includes the following communities in addition to Marshfield (It also includes towns and rural areas between these communities.): Chili, Granton, Neillsville, Loyal, Greenwood, Withee, Owen, Spencer, Unity, Colby, Curtiss, Pittsville, Abbotsford, Dorchester, Stetsonville, Medford, Stratford, Rozellville, Hewitt, Auburndale, Blenker, Milladore, Sherry, Arpin.

Adam D. Steiner Legacy Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is for a student within the Marshfield Area Community Foundation service area who will be majoring in agriculture, dairy science or industry, or veterinarian and attending school fulltime. Preference to students who grew up on a dairy farm.

This funding opportunity aims to support research interventions that enhance health outcomes in Native American populations. It focuses on addressing significant health disparities through culturally informed research, including the development and testing of health promotion strategies and treatment interventions. The initiative encourages sustainable solutions tailored to community needs, leveraging existing strengths and resources to improve health equity and reduce disease morbidity and mortality. Applications are due on multiple deadlines from 2024 to 2027.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance health interventions for Native American populations, addressing significant disease inequities and unique sociopolitical factors. It supports research in developing, adapting, and testing culturally informed health strategies, ensuring sustainability and community involvement. Key deadlines for applications are October 21, 2024, 2025, and 2026 for standard grants, and January 7, 2025, 2026, and 2027 for AIDS-related grants, emphasizing timely participation.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Virginia Scott Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Ludington Area School District, which established the Virginia Scott Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

This scholarship is presented to a graduating senior of Ludington High School with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4-point scale. The recipient must pursue a degree or certification at any two or four-year accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school.

About Us

Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc. is a public, 501-C-3 charity. There are 30 community foundations in Wisconsin and more than 750 in the nation. The purpose of all community foundations is to accumulate charitable dollars that impact a specific geographic region in areas such as education, the arts, economic development, recreation, environmental protection, health care, and social services. They may be relatively small, as we are (assets of $14 million), or very large, as is the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (assets over $400 million).

Most people are familiar with private foundations, established by individuals, families, or corporations. Typically, in order to establish a private foundation, one has to have considerable wealth. You could say Community Foundations are much more democratic. We are, in a sense, an umbrella foundation containing many small foundations. We call those small foundations “funds.”

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Kenneth and Ardyce Heiting Scholarship (2025)

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Bethany Lutheran Church Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Bethany Lutheran Church Congregational Council, which established the Bethany Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

In the 1870s, Danish immigrants to the Ludington area met to pursue a dream to worship God, provide Christian education, and support one another through fellowship. In 1878 they established the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, which later became Bethany Lutheran Church. Danish language worship services were held into the 1940s. A mural depicting Bethany's longest-serving pastor, The Reverend John Christensen, can be viewed from the parking lot west of the James Street Plaza. The congregation continued to worship and serve the community from its 1101 South Madison location until 2018 when, due to declining membership and financial support, it sold the church building to the Salvation Army and accepted the invitation of Grace Episcopal Church to share its building. Bethany held worship services there until March of 2019. As a memorial to all those who were a part of Bethany's ministry and in support of young people desiring post-high school education, Bethany's last act of service was establishing an endowed scholarship fund through the Community Foundation for Mason County.

The We Raise Foundation's Emerging Leader Grant supports individuals aged 20-35 at Christian organizations developing innovative programs addressing poverty, violence, and inequality. With a total of $15,000 over two years, the grant allocates $10,000 for program support and $5,000 for leadership development, including coaching and conferences. This initiative aims to foster impactful leaders who inspire, communicate effectively, and engage deeply with their communities, ultimately creating lasting change.

The Founders Project Fulfillment Grant, offered by the Children's Theatre Foundation of America (CTFA), is dedicated to supporting 501(c)(3) IRS-certified theatres with a strong commitment to artistic excellence for young audiences. Eligible organizations must have a minimum operating budget of $1,000,000 and a proven track record of diversity in leadership, making this grant a vital resource for fostering inclusive theatre experiences for children and families.

The NEI Institutional Mentored Physician Scientist Award (K12 Clinical Trial Optional) aims to foster innovative research career development for clinically trained vision scientists. This funding opportunity encourages institutions to develop programs that prepare scholars for independent research careers, particularly in minimal risk clinical trials. Emphasis is placed on recruiting underrepresented groups in research, ensuring a diverse pool of clinician investigators engaged in vision research.

The Vadon Foundation Grant supports innovative, community-based initiatives aimed at sustaining healthy indigenous nations. By empowering visionary changemakers, the foundation addresses multi-generational challenges through focused programming in areas like language revitalization, community leadership, and addressing crises such as food insecurity. The foundation seeks to foster self-determination and sustainability within native communities, ensuring that future generations can thrive culturally and socially.

The Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants Program aims to address the skilled trades labor shortage by investing $50 million over five years to train 50,000 job-ready workers. The program supports community and technical colleges, as well as community-based nonprofit organizations, to enhance their skilled trades education initiatives. Eligible organizations can apply for grants from March 1, 2025, to October 1, 2025, to foster workforce development in essential trades such as HVAC, plumbing, and construction.

The C4O Organizing Grant, offered by the National Education Association Staff Organization, supports collaborative strategic organizing projects. It provides resources for training, coaching, and workshops aimed at enhancing member engagement and addressing equity in education. Eligible projects include those that align with NEA Strategic Goals, fostering leadership among members on critical issues affecting their practice. This grant aims to empower educators and improve opportunities for all students.

The NEA Professional Excellence Grants aim to empower state and local affiliates by providing funding for innovative practices and resources that enhance the education profession. These grants support initiatives focused on student success, professional development, and the establishment of a quality educator workforce. Typical funding ranges from $3,000 to $25,000, enabling affiliates to implement programs that address specific learning needs and foster community partnerships.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Central Presbyterian Church - Raisner Family Scholarship Fund

The Central Presbyterian Church-Raisner Family Scholarship Fund assists deserving Stark County students who are active in the church or who are children or dependents of an active member of Central Presbyterian Church who are pursuing first-year post-secondary education. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• No

Community Foundation: Central Blue Ridge

Proudly serving the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and the counties of Augusta, Highland, and Nelson in Virginia.

Our Mission

To enrich the quality of life by responding to needs and inspiring philanthropy in our community.

Scholarships

Our 2026 Scholarship Program will disburse over $300,000 this year!

Our scholarships support students of all ages (high school seniors, current college students, and adults returning to school) residing in Staunton, Waynesboro, and the counties of Augusta, Highland, and Nelson. 

Only one application is required to be considered for the majority of Community Foundation scholarships.

Frank and Mollie Butler Scholarship

The Frank and Mollie Butler Scholarship was established in 2025 by the Ravenhill Charitable Foundation.

Description

The Frank and Mollie Butler Scholarship will be awarded to graduating high school seniors from Augusta County who are pursuing degrees in Medical/Health Sciences fields or Accounting.

The American Geophysical Union Jerome M. Paros Scholarship Award supports graduate students pursuing geophysical instrumentation and precise field measurements in seismology, atmospheric sciences, or ocean sciences. Established by Jerome M. Paros, the scholarship awards up to $5,000 to three students annually, fostering talent in this critical field. Eligibility includes being a graduate student at an accredited institution, with a focus on geophysical measurements. AGU student members are encouraged to apply.

Rita Ildsgaard Dunk Scholarship (Music/Piano)

Amount

• $8000
• Active
• Renewable

This scholarship is for students graduating from high school or the equivalent who are residents of Henderson County and pursuing a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited education institution with a focus in music having preference given to piano. Recipient should be seeking a career in piano performance and a desire to instruct others in piano. 

Cohen Cares Scholarship

The Cohen Cares Scholarship was created by a family business that believes deeply in the power of community — and in the potential of young people who lead with their hearts. Named to reflect a commitment to caring for others, this award recognizes students who don't just dream of a better world, but actively work to create one.

Whether through volunteering, advocacy, peer support, or quiet acts of service, Cohen Cares recipients are students who have made a meaningful impact on those around them — often while navigating real challenges of their own. This scholarship is MCF's way of saying: your compassion matters, and your future is worth investing in.

What This Scholarship Looks For

• Resilience - Cohen Cares recipients have faced hardship and kept going. This scholarship honors students who have turned personal challenges into fuel for growth and service.
• Compassion - A genuine concern for the well-being of others is at the heart of this award. Recipients are students who show up for their peers, their families, and their community.

• Impact - Cohen Cares students don't just care — they act. This scholarship recognizes those who have taken meaningful steps to make a positive difference, however large or small.

The NCCIH Natural Product Mid Phase Clinical Trial (R01 Clinical Trial Required) invites applications for clinical trials focused on natural products, such as botanicals and dietary supplements. Emphasizing scientific validity, the program seeks to evaluate optimal dosages and patient responses in a hypothesis-driven manner. Applications must include substantial preliminary data to assess bioavailability and confirm measurable impacts on target engagement. Key deadlines range from March 2024 to October 2026, ensuring timely submissions for interested researchers.

The NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Award (R33) invites applications for early phase clinical trials of natural products like botanicals and dietary supplements. This funding aims to support studies that assess the impact of these products on target engagement and clinical outcomes. The NOFO encourages innovative designs that optimize delivery methods and investigate combinations with existing treatments. With a maximum support period of three years, the initiative seeks to translate basic science findings into practical clinical applications.

The NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Phased Innovation Award (R61/R33) invites applications for early phase clinical trials focused on natural products. This funding opportunity supports research into botanicals and dietary supplements that show promise based on preliminary evidence. Successful trials can receive up to six years of funding to enhance understanding of pharmacokinetics and clinical impacts. Applications must aim to optimize product delivery and explore innovative combinations with other treatment approaches.