Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in New Jersey

Kickstart Your Project with a Mini-Grant

At H2O for Life, we never want finances to be a barrier to participating in a service project. The H2O for Life Mini-Grants are meant to be a supportive resource for teachers and students who want to kick-start their projects with us. Mini-grants of up to $500 will be awarded to support teachers and students with the necessary funds for their service-learning programs.

Our Mission

H2O for Life offers a service-learning opportunity designed to engage, educate and inspire youth to take action to solve the global water crisis by raising awareness and funds to support implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene education projects for global partner schools.

Since 2007, nearly 1 million students from H2O for Life schools have supported water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects for partner schools in the developing world.

What is H2O for Life doing to address the global water crisis?

H2O for Life’s service-learning opportunities are designed to engage, educate, and inspire youth to become global citizens. Our innovative school-to-school approach helps young people develop a concern for others by taking a major global crisis and scaling it down to a manageable size — one water project in the developing world.

Through the service-learning opportunity we provide, students learn that they can make a tangible difference for the students in their partner school.

Kari Hamaker Performing Arts Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a student in Marshall, Olivet or the surrounding area, during school or upon graduation, seeking a degree in Performing Arts or for additional enrichment opportunities in performing arts. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. GPA is not a qualifying factor; however, transcripts and test scores are required. Students who receive this scholarship are encouraged to apply for further support in subsequent years.

Marshall Bowling Council Smith/Dannenberg Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to an active, certified member of the Marshall Youth Bowling Association/United States Bowling Council (USBC) who plans to further his/her education in a college or vocational school. Applicants must be an amateur as defined by the USBC. Service in USBC state, local and league offices will be considered. Civic, curricular and co-curricular activities; grade point and hobbies outside of bowling may be determining factors. DO NOT submit a Marshall Community Foundation Scholarship Application.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Mountz Girls ScholarshipThe Mountz Girls Scholarship Fund was created in 2022 by Patricia Anne Chapman to honor her mother and aunts — Virginia M. Duffey, Glenna L. Rodman, and Jean A. Kibler, and her mother, Rachel F. Chapman. An inheritance from her Aunt Glenna Lou was the seed money to start the scholarship, to be awared to female students — seniors and graduates — of high schools in Marion County pursuing an education in the fine arts, visual arts, commercial art, or art education.

About us

SIR Foundation is a scientific foundation dedicated to fostering research in interventional radiology for the purposes of advancing scientific knowledge, increasing the number of skilled investigators, and developing innovative therapies that lead to improved patient care and quality of life. The foundation is committed to fostering the development and enhancement of innovative, minimally invasive, image-guided therapies from inception to mature clinical application and to conduct educational programs in the service of its mission.

Excellence in Innovation Award

Fund compelling, novel ideas that lead to improved health outcomes in IR.

About

Interventional radiologists create and introduce novel, minimally invasive procedures and devices that help solve some of our toughest medical challenges. To continue this rich history of innovation in IR, the purpose of this award is to fund compelling, novel ideas that lead to improved health outcomes in IR.

Innovation, for this purpose, is broadly defined as any use of emerging methods, new devices, new procedures or new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, that display an exceptional degree of potential for transforming and advancing the specialty of interventional radiology.

The Annual Meeting Research Award Committee selects one recipient for this award each year.

The recipient will receive:

• Complimentary annual meeting registration
• Travel stipend up to $1,000
• The opportunity to present their research as well as meet peers, network with senior scientists and participate in learning opportunities at the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting
• Recognition during the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting

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.

Dr. Tarlok & Amar Purewal Scholarship

Dr. Tarlok and Amar Purewal, long-time Marion residents, strongly believe in helping young people find employment in the trades and careers that do not require a college degree, or even a high school degree. In collaboration with Jobs & Family Services, the Buckeye School, Tri-Rivers Adult Education, Marion Matters, and Marion Technical College, the Purewals created an endowment fund which blends a scholarship with a field of interest fund. The scholarship criteria does not require a high school degree — but does not exclude applicants with one — and will be awarded to applicants pursuing an education in the trades, apprenticeship, and skilled labor, or two-year degrees in fields that do not require traditional 4-year degrees. The Purewal Fund may award grants to an organization or program that assists individuals in obtaining training for gainful employment, especially for individuals with financial need for such training and education.

The Purewal Fund is an example of the flexibility community foundations have to match donors’ unique ideas to local needs.

Adaptive Sports in Schools Mobility Grants

Request for Proposals

More than 7 million students in the U.S. receive special education services for disabilities in public schools. A 2010 study by the U.S. General Accountability Office found that students with disabilities participated in athletics at significantly lower rates than their peers. Currently, 2,490 k-12 public schools in the U.S. are members of the American Association of Adaptive Sports Programs schools and have adaptive sports programs for students.

The Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund seeks public schools pursuing funding to start adaptive sports programs or increase access to adaptive sports and equipment for children and youth. Bridgestone is offering eight $25,000 “mobility” grants to organizations that can establish new athletic programming for students with disabilities. Organizations must articulate a clear plan to provide access to new athletic programs for students with disabilities in one or more public schools for students grades K-12.

William L. & Mary Ann Brown STEM Endowment Scholarship Program

The William L. & Mary Ann Brown STEM Endowed Scholarship Program was established by William L. and Mary Ann Brown to provide need-based scholarship support to seniors graduating from a high school in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, enrolled at a UNCF member institution, four-year HBCUs, and four-year institutions.

Successful applicants must be graduating high school seniors entering their first year of college, pursuing a STEM degree, including, but not limited to, fields in physical sciences, mathematics, the biological sciences, the chemical sciences, computer sciences, and engineering. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student.

The Peter and Doris Skorput Scholarship, managed by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, offers financial support for postsecondary education to residents of West Stockbridge, MA, who have lived there for at least eight years. This initiative, rooted in the foundation's mission to strengthen communities through philanthropy, aims to enhance economic mobility and quality of life in the region, reflecting values of impact, innovation, and equity.

LaVern Smith Scholarship

Scholarships awarded to members of a 4-H or a FFA chapter within Calhoun County. Applicants must be seniors in high school or enrolled in a technical school or college, and under the age of 19 at the time the application is submitted. GPA is not a determining factor.

The New World Fund Scholarship, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, provides financial support to new immigrants pursuing degrees at Berkshire Community College. This scholarship honors Gerald Dickler, who overcame adversity to succeed as a New York City attorney. Eligible students must have been in the U.S. for five years or less, demonstrate leadership potential, and exhibit financial need. By fostering academic success and community involvement, this initiative aims to empower the next generation of leaders.

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.

Walker Family Scholarship

Eligibility

Graduating Senior from a Raleigh County High School; Pursuing a degree in the arts; 3.0 GPA; Demonstrate both academic merit, and financial need.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Montrose Area Chamber of Commerce Pauline MacNeal Memorial Scholarship

Established to honor past Chamber member Mrs. Pauline MacNeal. Provides college tuition assistance to graduating seniors from the high schools in Susquehanna County, as well as home schooled or cyber schooled students, who reside in Susquehanna County and will major in a business related field.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Ruth Westerman Oren Nursing Scholarship

• Recent graduate of an Ottawa County high school or technical school or Ottawa County adult resident making a career transition to nursing
• Pursuing a nursing degree to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through an accredited nursing program within the United States
• Priority given to past recipients who have a strong performance record in their nursing studies

The Arnold Fields Community Endowed Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, provides a $1,000 award to a deserving high school senior from Hampton County. Eligible applicants must be graduating from one of the specified high schools with a minimum GPA of 2.25 and plan to pursue further education at a college or university. This scholarship aims to support local students in achieving their educational goals.

About Us

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.

Don and Ellen Garrison Service to Community and School Scholarship

The Don and Ellen Garrison Scholarship celebrates a family history rooted in the Okanogan Valley, beginning when Don's family homesteaded south of Malott in 1917. Don and Ellen built a life of community leadership and dedication, operating their orchard and serving on various local boards. Their commitment to the region remains strong, as both of their sons became educators in Washington, with one son teaching in Okanogan where his father, Don, graduated in 1933.

This award supports graduating seniors of Okanogan High School planning to attend a trade school or college in the U.S. The scholarship seeks applicants who reflect the family's commitment to activity and service. Required criteria include lettering in athletics, participating in a school club or activity, and having a consistent record of community service.

The Jean Theodore Lacordaire Prize, awarded by the Coleopterists Society, recognizes exceptional doctoral research in beetle biology and systematics. This annual prize is open to nominations for the best published paper derived from Ph.D. dissertations, focusing on Coleoptera. Eligible works must be published in widely available journals or books in any language using the Latin alphabet. Nominations are submitted by the scientific community, ensuring a prestigious selection process.

The HEEF: Hispanic Education Endowment Fund Scholarship provides academic financial support to US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Dream Act/AB 540 students residing in Orange County, California. With awards starting at $2,500, this fund assists high school and community college transfers who demonstrate financial need and plan to enroll in a four-year college or university in Fall 2025. Additional donor-specific sub-funds offer varying amounts, enhancing accessibility to higher education.

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 Emily Trussell Stupak Scholarship Fund, established by the Maine Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from high schools in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Hancock Counties. It aims to assist those pursuing higher education at accredited colleges or universities, particularly those who have shown dedication and talent in their chosen athletic pursuits. This fund exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities and community support, making a positive impact on students' futures.

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 Avel Louise Gordly Scholarship supports Black women graduates of Oregon high schools who wish to pursue post-secondary education in Oregon or at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Award amounts vary, with the possibility of renewal for up to four years. Eligible applicants must be Oregon residents, identify as Black and female, and enroll at least half-time in a public or nonprofit private college or university in the United States.

The Braly Trade / Vocational Scholarship, offered by the Longmont Community Foundation, supports individuals over 21 pursuing a trade or vocational education. This one-time award of $5,000 is allocated for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses. The scholarship honors the Braly family’s legacy in trades and aims to empower recipients to positively impact their communities. Applicants must be high school graduates or hold a GED and plan to attend an accredited institution in the U.S.

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.

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 CTTSS Postdoctoral Scholars Research Award, established by the Society of Toxicology (SOT), invites current postdoctoral scholars attending the SOT Annual Meeting to apply if they have submitted an abstract for presentation. The award includes a monetary prize and a recognition certificate for the 1st place winner, with potential additional awards. This prestigious recognition highlights innovative research in toxicology, emphasizing the Society's commitment to enhancing human, animal, and environmental health.

The 1Fur1 Foundation Grant supports U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charities that engage in animal-assisted programs. Eligible organizations can apply for grants ranging from $500 to $7,500 to support Animal Assisted Therapy, Activity, and Service Dog programs. The foundation focuses on charities that align with its mission and does not fund individual requests, for-profit businesses, or initiatives that promote animal cruelty. Applications are reviewed within 90 days.