Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in North Carolina

Taka Domingo HLP Vocational Scholarship

The HLP Hamakua Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed to benefit the people of Hamakua. Taka Domingo was one of the original board members when HLP was established after the closure of sugar. He was an electrician and County Councilman representing the Hamakua District. The Taka Domingo HLP Vocational Scholarship was established after his death in August 2016. 

Individual award amount: $2,000. 

Possible trades include: welding, tourism, fire science, electrical, early childhood education, agriculture, auto body, auto mechanics, diesel mechanics, carpentry, culinary and others not listed.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation's Leadership Achievement Award recognizes alumni who have exemplified exceptional leadership, integrity, and character in their professional endeavors. This prestigious honor is awarded to graduates who have achieved notable accomplishments 16 to 39 years post-graduation, thereby enriching the legacy of the Long Blue Line. Nominations must be submitted by fellow graduates and reapplication is necessary for previous nominees.

The Pharmacy Residency Excellence Award: Preceptor Award recognizes exceptional pharmacy residency preceptors with over ten years of contributions in training and mentoring. Established in 2006, this award promotes innovation and excellence in pharmacy education. Recipients are acknowledged at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, highlighting their achievements and serving as role models for future preceptors. This award aims to inspire others in the pharmacy field to enhance resident training and support optimal medication use.

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is offering up to $2 million in grants to support adoption at shelters and rescues during the 2026 “The Rescue Effect”, a nationwide campaign that highlights the positive chain of events that occurs when people adopt, foster, volunteer, advocate and donate.

The Rescue Effect will run through the months of August, September, and October 2026, during which grantees must offer a minimum of two (2) fee-waived adoption days/events each month. 

Restrictions and Parameters

Grant funds may be used for any of the following:

• make-ready costs for cats/dogs available for adoption during the Campaign months covered by the grant term (e.g., s/n surgery, microchips, vaccinations, testing, dewormer, flea-tick treatment, heartworm preventative, bloodwork)
• marketing/advertising costs (e.g., adoption promotions, volunteer/foster recruitment)
• waived adoption fees for adoptions occurring during the Campaign months covered by the grant term
• foster program expansion/ramp up
• operating costs related to supporting participation in The Rescue Effect campaign

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

College Students Scholarships 

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in college. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s school of choice. The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s school to be applied toward college costs. 

George W. “Bill” and Ann Marie Stanley Scholarship

To honor Bill and Ann Marie Stanley, family members created this scholarship in their memory. This scholarship is for sophomores, juniors and seniors in college majoring in any field of study. One, $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually.

The Guy Marshall Scholarship Fund, established in 2008 by the advisors of the Cecil G. Marshall Fund, aims to support students from Hawaii pursuing their undergraduate education in the continental U.S. This scholarship emphasizes financial need and requires a minimum GPA of 3.0. Eligible applicants must be high school seniors or entering freshmen from Hawaii and intend to maintain support throughout their four years of study.

The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation offers Kit Grants for teachers and community members to enhance materials science education through outreach projects. Applicants can request various science kits, including Materials Science Classroom Kits, Mini Kits, and Glass Kits, while adhering to specific limitations. The foundation aims to inspire the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals, ensuring all projects align with educational goals and promote student engagement with science.

The Transition to Aging Research Award for Predoctoral Students, funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), invites exceptional graduate students to pursue aging-related postdoctoral training. This two-phase award supports late-stage doctoral candidates in completing dissertation projects across diverse research areas. It aims to facilitate smooth transitions into competitive aging-focused postdoctoral roles, fostering the development of future investigators in aging research. This initiative is designed to enhance collaboration and impactful research in the field of aging.

The Morris Animal Foundation invites proposals for the Feline Health Fellowship Training Award, aimed at advancing the health and welfare of domesticated cats. This program supports new investigators by providing salary funds in a mentoring environment. Proposals should focus on hypothesis-driven research with high scientific merit, targeting community and pet cats (Felis catus). The maximum award duration is 24 months, with budgets not exceeding $145,000. Join us in making impactful contributions to feline health.

The Hew-Shinn Scholarship Fund honors A.K. Hew's parents and emphasizes education's importance. This scholarship is available to Maui County residents enrolled in accredited vocational programs, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 required. Preference is given to previous recipients who continue to meet eligibility criteria. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and submit a letter of recommendation. The application deadline aligns with the pre-proposal deadline, ensuring timely consideration for interested students.

About Us

Leadership. Collaboration. Impact.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley helps philanthropists support the causes closest to their heart while connecting local residents to the resources they need for a better quality of life.

Our Mission

To serve as a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy, partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your Community, Your Support System

Our community members support hundreds of local students every year through various scholarships facilitated by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

Awarded to women living in Mahoning, Trumbull or Columbiana County who were born outside of the United States of America attending college.

Crown Castle Scholarship

Benefiting Crown Castle interns OR dependents of Crown Castle employees.

Award Amount

• Three (3) scholarships awarded annually
• $10,000 divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters
• Recipients may reapply for up to 3 consecutive years.

What can this scholarship be used for?

• The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student's college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses.
• Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.

The American Urological Association Rising Stars in Urology Research Award supports physician-scientists in their journey to become independent researchers in urology. By providing supplemental salary support for up to five years, the program ensures awardees maintain protected research time while receiving competitive compensation. This initiative encourages promising researchers to compete for further funding and enhances their training in urologic research, ultimately advancing the field and improving patient care.

The Dr. Hans and Clara Zimmerman Foundation Health Scholarships offer financial assistance to Hawaii residents pursuing education in health-related fields. Established by Dr. Zimmerman, the foundation supports college seniors and graduate students demonstrating financial need and maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to past recipients who continue to meet eligibility criteria. This scholarship is part of one of Hawaii's largest scholarship funds, promoting careers in healthcare.

The AUA Data Research Grant Program, funded by the American Urological Association Inc, aims to enhance urologic research by fostering a diverse group of dedicated professionals. This initiative focuses on bridging knowledge gaps in urology care and cultivating physician scientists through access to comprehensive data sources and mentorship from AUA Data Committee experts. By supporting innovative research, the program contributes significantly to the advancement of patient care in urology.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds. 

Captain John Maloney Scholarship Fund

To support residents of Hampden County with at least one award to a graduating high school senior from Chicopee High School.

Additional Guidelines

• Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation.
• Scholarship awards could impact the financial aid offered by a college, and students are advised to check with their college financial aid offices about this.
• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. Some part and/or all the award could be considered taxable income. It is advisable students check with the college or tax accountant regarding this matter.

OREF/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Research Grant

Solicits investigator-initiated proposals focusing on research in the science of biologic – reconstruction, bone regeneration, transplantation - allografts, and including stem cells for graft transplantation.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

High School Senior Scholarship

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in high school. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s college of choice. 

Senior Scholarship

The Senior Scholarship recognizes students for their academic performance, school activities, leadership, and community service. The $1,200 scholarship is available to high school seniors pursuing college degrees in any field of interest. Up to ten scholarships will be awarded.

U.S. Venture Sponsorships, supported by the Us Venture Schmidt Family Foundation, aim to enhance community engagement by addressing the root causes of poverty through collaboration and social innovation. Grants typically do not exceed $10,000, ensuring that eligible public charities, especially those with 501(c)(3) status, can benefit. Each organization can receive one sponsorship grant annually, reflecting U.S. Venture's commitment to giving back and fostering meaningful partnerships.

Patrick J. Kiley / Houston AGC Scholarship

Benefiting employees, dependents of employees, and/or interns of AGC Houston member firms OR students involved in AGC Student Chapters.

Award Amounts

Multiple awards are given each year. Scholarship award amounts will vary for each selected scholarship recipient.

The Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation (CSSI) program by the National Science Foundation aims to provide flexible funding opportunities to address evolving needs in cyberinfrastructure. It supports various award classes, including Elements for small groups, Framework Implementations for larger interdisciplinary teams, and Transition to Sustainability for established CI projects. These initiatives focus on developing integrated CI services, ensuring sustainable impact, and promoting collaboration across scientific disciplines to enhance research and innovation.

The Mentored Clinician Scientist Grant, funded by the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, supports the career development of clinician scientists by providing dedicated research time for up to five years. Eligible applicants must have a proven track record in research, evidenced by receiving NIH K08 or K23 funding. This grant is renewable annually based on scientific progress and available funding, fostering a strong future in academic surgery.

Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa Challenge Grant

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a devastating chronic inflammatory disease that manifests as recurrent painful nodules under the skin in the intertriginous areas of the body. It is associated with significant impacts on quality of life, psychosocial well-being, and long-term health outcomes of patients as well as consequences for families and caregivers. HS is prevalent, affecting between 1 and 4% of the population beginning in adolescence and persisting into adulthood. Despite the impact of HS, it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied particularly in the pediatric and adolescent populations. Contributing to this dynamic are unknowns related to a complex disease etiology, stigma associated with HS symptoms (e.g., sweating, itching, and scarring commonly in the genital region), and limited treatment options to date with even fewer available for children under the age of 12.

To address the needs of children and adolescents living with HS, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), HS Connect, and the HS Foundation are offering the 2026 Pediatric HS Challenge Grant to support an early-to-mid career investigator for a one-year project focused on a high-priority, patient-centric research topic.

Focus

Proposals should address one or more of the following high-priority research topics:

• Predicting treatment effectiveness and risk utilizing real world evidence and/or experience
• Early disease and factors involved in severe disease development
• Optimizing surgical and procedural approaches to minimize pain, shorten healing time, and reduce recurrence
• Improving recruitment of diverse and representative populations for clinical studies, trials and advanced therapeutics

Funding:

• Up to $50,000 to support one year of research
• One award anticipated for this funding cycle

The OREF Resident Clinician Scientist Training Grant aims to prepare residents for research-intensive careers in orthopaedic surgery. Grants up to $20,000 are available for one year, covering research expenses without salary. Projects must demonstrate clinical relevance and be feasible for residents as independent studies. Both laboratory and clinical research are encouraged, with potential for publication. Progress reports and annual reviews are required to ensure funding compliance.

The AO North America Long-Term Fellowship Program offers vital support for the education and training of orthopedic trauma surgeons. This initiative connects experienced mentors with trauma fellows, ensuring a high standard of educational content and methods. The program focuses on continuous improvement, networking opportunities, and access to valuable resources such as workshops and grants. Administered by AO North America, it aims to enhance postgraduate education in orthopedic trauma surgery.

The ASPB Innovation Prize for Agricultural Technology honors industry scientists who successfully translate research into practical agricultural advancements. Established in 2015, this biennial award not only recognizes outstanding contributions but also promotes awareness of high-quality scientific work within the industry. Recipients receive a monetary reward and a one-year membership in the American Society of Plant Biologists, highlighting the career opportunities available in this vital field.

UCHealth Employee Scholarships

With thanks to our generous donors, UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation is pleased to offer academic scholarships to UCHealth employees in northern Colorado.

Scholarships are available to support permanent and relief employees’ academic pursuits toward an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate program. Applicants will be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible via the completion of a single application.

Awards are typically paid-out in August, 2026. Scholarship award amounts may vary from $500-$2,000.