Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in New Jersey

The Polk County Tech Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides a $2,000 award for eligible high school seniors from select schools. This scholarship is renewable for a second year if a 2.5 GPA is maintained while enrolled in an accredited two-year or vocational program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and submit an essay detailing their work experience and academic goals, ensuring support for those pursuing careers in technical fields.

The Home Builders' Association of the GT Area Scholarship, offered by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, supports residents from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau Counties. This scholarship targets individuals pursuing education in the home building industry. Applicants must provide a letter of reference from a member of the Home Builders Association, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and demonstrate community involvement or leadership.

North Central Zone Covering Jefferson and Lewis Counties "Retired Educators Helping Future Educators" In Partnership with The Northern New York Community Foundation

Scholarship Awards for 2026

Three $1,000.00 scholarships will be awarded by the North Central Zone of the Retired Educators of New York (RENY) and the Northern New York Community Foundation (NNYCF) for students residing in Jefferson and/or Lewis Counties - These are a onetime award to help students get started with their college education

Any high school senior pursuing a career in the teaching profession is eligible

• You must be a 2025-2026 high school senior
• You must be accepted into a college program starting in the Fall of 2026

The Goossen Schroeder, Amber, Scholarship offers a $500 award for graduating seniors from Gage County with a minimum 3.0 GPA and ACT score. Managed by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, this scholarship aims to assist deserving students in pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must complete the application independently and submit original letters of recommendation. The Foundation promotes academic excellence and civic involvement, awarding over $55,000 annually to support educational opportunities in the community.

Marion Community FoundationMarion 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.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Tasha Jones Memorial ScholarshipThe Tasha Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2020 to honor the young life of Tasha Jones (1985-2020), a long-time and faithful employee of Edgefield Animal Care Center in Marion. The Tasha Jones Memorial Scholarship, created by her colleagues at Edgefield Animal Care Center, supports students pursuing a career in animal science, veterinary medicine, veterinary technician, or veterinary technology, who will be grateful, happy, and hardworking and pursue a goal of making life better for the animals and people they meet every day.

The Gerald D. Peet Scholarship honors the legacy of Gerald D. Peet by providing financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate or professional students pursuing degrees in Medicine at accredited institutions. This need-based award, administered by Native Forward, offers varying amounts from $100 to $30,000 per academic year, based on financial aid information from the institution's Financial Aid Office.

The American Legion Post 27 Scholarship, offered by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, provides $500 scholarships to two Beatrice High School graduating seniors (one male and one female) pursuing education at accredited institutions. The Foundation, established in 1987, has a $3.8 million Endowment Fund and awards over $55,000 in scholarships annually to support students in their academic endeavors. Applications must be completed by the students themselves and adhere to specific ethical guidelines.

The PATH Scholarship, established by the Ellucian Foundation in 2020, aims to support higher education institutions in assisting students facing financial hardships. With over $2.9 million awarded, it has benefited more than 3,100 students. Eligible institutions can receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, with individual awards up to $1,500. This initiative encourages public two-year colleges, particularly Minority Serving Institutions, to apply and adapt award criteria to meet the needs of their students.

The Alzheimer’s Association Clinician Scientist Fellowship for All (AACSFA) aims to support the training of clinician scientists in Alzheimer’s and other dementias. This program encourages applications from individuals in underrepresented groups, emphasizing the value of diverse representation in clinical and scientific fields. The fellowship is designed for professionals with patient contact or diagnostic roles, fostering advancements in dementia research and care.

The Alzheimer’s Association Research Fellowship for All (AARFA) Program aims to support early career researchers dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. By providing funding to postdoctoral researchers under established mentorship, the program fosters the development of independent scientists. It encourages applications from individuals in underrepresented groups, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in scientific inquiry and clinical practice, ultimately contributing to the fight against dementia.

The Alma Gilmore Doud Memorial Scholarship honors a dedicated community servant from Saginaw. Established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, this scholarship supports students pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs or undergraduate degrees. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and reside in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Priority is given to members of the First Congregational Church. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, addressing the growing demand for skilled trades in today's workforce.

About Legacy Foundation

Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We connect people, knowledge, and funding to build an equitable, accessible, and inclusive Lake County, now and for generations to come.

Legacy Foundation is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, and businesses connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. With a growing portfolio of over 300 funds and approximately $80 million in assets, Legacy Foundation is a trusted source for philanthropic giving in the region.

For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and impactful philanthropic support to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Mission Statement

Transforming Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve.

Vision Statement

Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Lake County Athletic Officials Association Scholarship

Use the chart below to see which scholarships are the best fit for you! You must complete the Legacy Universal Application to apply.

Scholarship eligibility requires students to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year public or private institution of higher learning. All scholarships are for full-time students, unless otherwise noted. Renewable awards are for 4 years of undergraduate study and cannot be used for post graduate coursework; all awards are paid directly to the school or may be used for book reimbursement.

Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

The mission of Susan G. Komen® is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Research (CCR) Grants

Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Research (CCR) Grants foster promising breast cancer researchers who are in the early stages of their faculty careers by providing support for up to three years of “protected time” for research career development under the guidance of a Mentor Committee. We seek to support those who will emerge as the next key leaders in the fight against breast cancer.

CCR Research Focus: Research projects must be hypothesis-driven, breast cancer-focused studies. They may be considered basic, translational, clinical and/or population science in nature and should align with Komen’s research priorities and mission to save lives from breast cancer. 

The Paul V. Roberts/AEESP Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award recognizes exceptional doctoral theses that advance water quality engineering in both natural and engineered systems. This prestigious award includes a $1,500 cash prize for the student, $500 for the faculty advisor, and travel stipends for attendance at the awards ceremony. Nominations are limited to one per advisor, with submissions automatically considered for three related awards, highlighting the importance of innovative research in environmental engineering.

The Paul F. Boulos Excellence in Computational Hydraulics/Hydrology Award, administered by the AEESP Foundation, recognizes outstanding student research in computational hydraulics and hydrology. It honors students with a plaque and a $1,500 cash award, alongside a $500 honorarium for their faculty advisor. Eligible candidates, both Master's and Ph.D. students, are evaluated based on their academic performance, research contributions, and community service. The application process requires comprehensive documentation, including letters of recommendation and a research publication.

The Jacobs Engineering Group/AEESP Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award recognizes exceptional doctoral research that advances environmental science and engineering. Sponsored by the AEESP Foundation, this prestigious award includes a $1,500 prize for the student and $500 for their faculty advisor. Additionally, travel stipends are available for both recipients to attend the awards ceremony. Faculty advisors are encouraged to nominate deserving dissertations, with strict limits on submissions to ensure fairness and focus on high-quality research contributions.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Kannan Family ScholarshipThe Kannan Family Scholarship is open to students from any high school in Marion County, with preference to seniors or graduates of Pleasant High School where the Kannan’s children attended. Their scholarship supports students pursuing a career in a STEM field – science, technology, engineering, or mathematics – or health care and special consideration will be given to those with demonstrated financial need.

The Larry A. Weaver, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards $4,000 to a graduating high school senior or HiSet diploma holder who is a member of the Buffalo Baptist Church in Buffalo, MO. Applicants must demonstrate financial need via FAFSA-SAI, submit a transcript, and provide an essay detailing community service and school activities, along with a recommendation letter from a church staff member.

Mission Statement

Beckley Area Foundation exists to inspire and facilitate generous charitable giving that advances our community.

The Beckley Area Foundation is committed to enriching lives and strengthening communities across Southern West Virginia.

Scholarship

Supporting Student Success

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Jan and Margaret Datsko Scholarship

Eligibility

Raleigh County resident; Accredited trade, vocational or technical school; Weighted for educational merit, personal achievement and financial need.

The Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides a $700 grant to a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student dedicated to working with autistic individuals and their families. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to those from the Truman Lake area. The application requires a transcript, essay, letter of recommendation, and a description of community service and work experience.

The Gravelin Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $450 grant to a graduating high school senior who has faced significant life challenges, such as illness or trauma. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.3, show financial need via a FAFSA-SAI form, and plan to enroll in an accredited two-year, four-year, or vocational institution. Applicants are required to submit a transcript, a personal essay, and details of their community service and school involvement.

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 Jack Ford Shelby Scholarship Fund, established in 1953, supports graduating seniors from Littlefield High School in Texas with scholarships up to $5,000 for pursuing a baccalaureate degree at accredited colleges or universities. This initiative aims to enhance community health and equity by investing in the education of local students, ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed academically and contribute positively to society.

The Myasthenia Gravis Network (MGNet) Scholar Program is designed to enhance research capabilities in myasthenia gravis through individualized training and mentorship. Funded by the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN), this program supports scholars with up to $75,000 for salary and research costs, aiming to prepare them for independent careers in clinical and translational research. Eligible candidates include MDs, PhDs, and mid-career faculty committed to advancing MG research.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is preparing to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at advancing research on the genomic factors influencing Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD). This initiative encourages interdisciplinary projects that utilize innovative genomic analysis techniques to uncover the mechanisms of neurodegeneration. The goal is to identify therapeutic targets that can inform precision medicine strategies for AD/ADRD treatment, while allowing time for potential applicants to form collaborations.

The William Brewster Snow Award, presented by the AEESP Foundation, honors outstanding environmental engineering graduate students. This annual award recognizes significant achievements in academic or employment projects, offering a plaque and a $250 cash prize. Eligible candidates must either be enrolled in or have recently completed a relevant Master's program. Evaluation criteria include academic performance, community service, and engineering accomplishments, ensuring that deserving students are acknowledged for their contributions to environmental engineering.