Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in North Carolina

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Patricia Fisher Endowed Scholarship

The Seattle Association of Black Journalists (SABJ) established this scholarship in honor of Patricia Fisher, a Puget Sound native, journalist, educator and role model for her support of young people and her community. Scholarships of $5,000 help students of African descent who are from or attending college in Washington and who are pursuing college careers in communications, such as print, photo, broadcast journalism or multimedia and online journalism. Scholarships are awarded based on scholastic achievement, financial need, community service and a serious interest in communications. Recipient(s) will be matched with a mentor who is a SABJ member.

The Walters Services, Inc. Fabe & Beverly Walters Scholarship Fund, established by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, aims to alleviate the financial burden of higher education for children and spouses of employees under 26. This scholarship supports full-time or part-time students, emphasizing academic achievement, community volunteerism, financial need, and an essay submission. The initiative embodies core values of love, integrity, and teamwork, fostering educational opportunities for future generations.

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) Grant supports US-based projects aimed at enhancing community resilience against climate change. With a budget of $1.5-2 million, grants typically range from $75,000 to $115,000. CSCI prioritizes projects that focus on historically disinvested populations facing climate vulnerabilities, emphasizing equity, nature-based solutions, and community capacity building. The initiative encourages collaboration between climate adaptation practitioners and local government entities to address climate impacts effectively.

Ethan’s Coffee Fund Scholarship aims to support graduating seniors from Benton County pursuing degrees in STEM or philosophy, who demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.5 and financial need. This fund honors Ethan Daley's passion for learning, encouraging students to share their unique interests and humor. Examples of suitable candidates include those with diverse experiences and a zest for life, as the scholarship seeks to foster creativity and community engagement among aspiring scholars.

The SOT Undergraduate Research Award supports outstanding undergraduate students presenting original toxicology research at the SOT Annual Meeting. Awardees receive recognition, complimentary registration, lodging, and travel funding up to $800. This award encourages students to pursue graduate studies in toxicology or related fields and includes mentorship opportunities during the meeting, fostering their academic and professional growth.

Ezekiel Hennessey Mitchel Scholarship Fund

The Ezekiel Hennessey Mitchel Memorial Scholarship is designated for graduating high school seniors from Benton, Polk, Lincoln, and Linn Counties pursuing careers in vocations such as the following:

• Home building trades
• Tile setting
• Carpentry
• General contracting
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Welding
• Entrepreneurship and/or small business development
• Other trades defined by Benton Community Foundation

Students must attain certificates or degrees from accredited trade schools, technical schools, or community colleges. 

The Mabel M. Witmer Scholarship Fund, managed by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, supports students pursuing education in trade or technical schools. This fund aims to assist residents of Cumberland or Franklin County with financial need, especially those who have relevant work experience in their chosen field. By investing in education and skills development, the scholarship contributes to community empowerment and long-term economic growth in South Central Pennsylvania.

The Bernick Family Trades Scholarship, offered by CommunityGiving, aims to support high school seniors pursuing advanced education in technical or community college programs. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each are available. Eligible applicants must live in the Bernick Service Area and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference is given to students in fields related to the Bernick business, such as Mechanics, Transportation, and Accounting. This initiative seeks to empower local youth and foster community growth.

The Gresham Scholarship Fund offers a $1,000 non-renewable scholarship to support students from the Gresham Community who have been residents for at least three years. Applicants must have completed one semester at an accredited post-secondary institution and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance for college attendance, ensuring that local students can pursue higher education and contribute positively to the community.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

MidAmerica National Bank’s Employees Children Scholarship Fund

The MidAmerica National Bank’s Employees Children Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 by MidAmerica National Bank to provide scholarship support to the children of bank employees. It is open to students graduating from high school or currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or vocational program.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is set to announce a funding opportunity for research on the cerebellum's role in cognitive and emotional functions during aging and Alzheimer's disease. This initiative emphasizes the need for studies that enhance understanding of cerebellar physiology and neuroanatomy in these contexts, welcoming diverse research approaches. Researchers are encouraged to prepare for this new opportunity to investigate potential interventions aimed at cognitive preservation and delaying Alzheimer's onset.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall Fund

The Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall Fund Scholarship was established to support the children of local veterans who served in the Vietnam War or subsequent conflicts. It was created in 1990 by the Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall Committee using remaining funds originally raised to bring the National Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall Exhibit to Glen Oak Park in Peoria, Illinois. The exhibit honors the 58,126 Americans who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

Contractors for Implementation and Evaluation of Healthy Native Babies Project (HNBP) Materials

The CDC Foundation is re-releasing this RFP to allow for additional applicants to partner with us in this work. The CDC Foundation invites proposals from Tribes, Tribal Serving Organizations (TSOs), and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) [T/TSOs/UIOs] to implement and evaluate the updated Healthy Native Babies Project (HNBP) materials within their service areas. This initiative aims to strengthen culturally relevant infant safe sleep education, increase community awareness, and support Native families in reducing -sleep related- infant deaths. Selected T/TSOs/UIOs will adapt, disseminate, and assess the use of HNBP materials in ways that reflect the cultural, linguistic, and community-specific needs of the Native populations they serve. This project is a rapid turnaround project to support

T/TSOs/UIOs in:

• Implementing HNBP materials in clinical, community, and family setting.
• Training staff and community partners.
• Evaluating reach, effectiveness, and community feedback.
• Identifying barriers, facilitators, lessons learned, and best practices for future replication.

Funding Amount:

• Up to $100,000

Performance Period:

• May 18, 2026 to September 29, 2026

 Advancing Markets for Producers Grants

ALB has received a USDA AMP (Advancing Markets for Producers) grant, and we’re excited to invite sheep producers to be part of this opportunity to help grow the US sheep industry. This grant will integrate new technology and sustainable management strategies to boost productivity, open new markets, and strengthen opportunities for the next generation of producers.

Producer Program

The project will provide an opportunity for 150 sheep producers to identify production inefficiencies and to develop conservation plans. Producers will also modify management plans through technology implementation to mitigate emissions and improve their overall productivity. Enrolled producers will work with a Technical Service Provider (TSP) to establish operational plans, implement recommended changes and organize farm data to identify best management practices for productivity improvements. 

Enrollment Benefits

Producers enrolled in the program will be paid up to $23,000 to develop and implement improved sheep and land stewardship management plans. Additional enrollment benefits:

• Technical Service Provider
• Electronic livestock identification system
• Soil sampling
• NSIP ultrasound and genetic consulting services

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 NHLBI Catalyze program aims to transition basic science discoveries into effective treatments for diseases under the NHLBI mission. This initiative supports early-stage product definition, prototype design, and assay development for HLBS disorders. The R61 phase focuses on initial designs and experimental setups, while the R33 phase extends support for prototype testing and user feedback. Successful completion prepares products for in vivo testing, enhancing health and societal outcomes with NIH and other support.

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.

The Walter J. Weber, Jr. AEESP Frontier in Research Award recognizes outstanding professors in environmental engineering or science for their innovative research contributions. Awardees receive a plaque, a cash prize of $500, and a $750 travel allotment for attending the ceremony. Nominations are valid for three years and must include a complete package of materials, ensuring strong endorsement of the nominee's pioneering work in the field.

The Bev Sellers Memorial Scholarship, established by Sweet Adelines International, aims to support young singers pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Pedagogy, Music Education, or Music Composition. Named after a cherished former president, this scholarship provides $5,000 USD to assist with tuition and fees. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to barbershop music, maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, and provide letters of reference. This initiative reflects the organization's dedication to fostering musical talent and education within the community.

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.

JFS–David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship

The JFS–David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship, established by Dr. Robert Rubenstein and Marie Raftery, honors the memory of Dr. Robert’s son, David. The program provides financial support to students from San Diego’s Jewish community pursuing college or vocational education, and encourages them to cultivate intellectual curiosity, reflect on Jewish values, and give back to their community.

Scholarships of up to $10,000 will be awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need.

Students are eligible to receive up to a total of four (4) years of JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship funding, and the funding years do not have to be consecutive. Scholarships are made on a year-to-year basis and are not automatically renewed. Scholarship recipients must submit a new application and the required documentation in compliance with the application deadlines, stated herein, for each year that they seek funding.

Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the academic institution the student is attending solely for use toward qualifying academic expenses, including tuition, school-provided housing, books, school fees, or required academic supplies/equipment. Should the recipient not matriculate college by the date listed in the award, he or she agrees to forfeit the scholarship award.

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.

The Frederick George Pohland Medal, awarded by the AEESP Foundation, recognizes outstanding contributions in environmental engineering and science. Nominations are open only to AEESP and AAEES members, with specific submission guidelines including a cover letter, CV, and letters of recommendation. This prestigious award honors the legacy of Dr. Frederick G. Pohland, known for his significant advancements in anaerobic processes and dedication to the field.

The Jefferies-Park Scholarship, established in 1988 by Evelyn Jefferies-Park, honors her commitment to education. It supports graduating seniors from Ord High School, Nebraska, who are in the top 15% of their class and plan to pursue a four-year degree. This scholarship reflects the legacy of generosity fostered by the Lincoln Community Foundation, which has provided over $606,000 in scholarships to local students in 2025 alone.

Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation

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.

Russell F. Bruno Scholarship

For Torrington High School graduating seniors who have excelled in the study of English and are planning to major in writing, literature, journalism or a related field.

The SMART Scholarship Program, managed by Scholarship America, provides substantial support to STEM students, offering full tuition, stipends between $30,000 and $46,000, and summer internships at DoD facilities. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers for high school seniors and current college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With applications opening annually on August 1, the program fosters a strong community of scholars dedicated to innovation and research in STEM fields.