Best Grants for New Nonprofits in North Carolina

The FY26 Autism Research Program's Idea Development Award from the US DOD aims to support groundbreaking research that improves outcomes for Autistic individuals. This award encourages innovative, high-risk projects that can lead to significant advancements in autism research. Applications must address specific areas of interest or justify the importance of the research problem. A unique Partnering Principal Investigator option allows two researchers to collaborate on a single project, enhancing the potential for impactful discoveries.

The Burrell Family Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, supports South Lake County residents pursuing degrees in visual or performing arts. This non-renewable scholarship is aimed at graduating high school seniors and college students, ensuring that the funds reach those who demonstrate a commitment to arts education. The scholarship committee evaluates applications based on specific donor criteria, promoting educational opportunities within the community.

The Shirley Mudy Scholarship Fund, managed by the Crown Point Community Foundation, offers financial assistance for graduating high school seniors from Lake, Porter, Jasper, or Newton County. Eligible students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, have participated in the Cedar Lake Girls Softball League or Riptide Travel Ball for at least four years, and plan to attend an accredited college, university, or trade school. An additional essay is required for application.

The Daniel DiSylvester Memorial Soccer Scholarship offers two scholarships of $2,300 each to graduating high school seniors who have played organized soccer for four years. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.2 or above and demonstrate financial need by submitting a FAFSA-SAI. This scholarship promotes academic success and recognizes the dedication of student-athletes pursuing higher education at accredited institutions.

The Diane and Peter Christodoulou Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, aims to support students with learning disabilities. Offering two scholarships of $1,250 each, eligibility requires a GPA of 2.5 or higher and proof of disability. High school seniors must submit their IEP, while undergraduates need a verification letter from their Disability Service Coordinator. This initiative promotes academic achievement and community engagement among students facing learning challenges.

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are not covered.

Bonnie & Printis Shelton Scholarship

Criteria evaluated:

• Academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and financial need

Required materials:

• FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

• $7,000 | 1 scholarship, renewable at $3,500 in each freshman & sophomore years

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are not covered.

Meyers-Hoefling Scholarship

Criteria evaluated:

• Academic achievement and financial need

Required materials:

• FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

• TBD | 1 scholarship - First Year for Award

The Jean Penny Scholarship, established by The Dayton Foundation in 2022, aims to assist students from the Miami Valley in completing their college degrees. This scholarship honors Jean Penny, a Miami University graduate and co-founder of Penny and Penny Advertising, known for her love of education and generous spirit. The foundation, committed to strengthening local communities through philanthropy, emphasizes support for education, workforce development, and equitable opportunities.

The Ken Broo Memorial Scholarship, offered by The Dayton Foundation, recognizes exemplary graduating seniors who are accepted into a two- or four-year institution and plan to major in business or accounting. This scholarship aims to honor Ken Broo's legacy of hard work and mentorship, encouraging students to demonstrate their commitment through community service and volunteerism. The Dayton Foundation, established in 1921, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Greater Dayton, Ohio.

American Headache Society

The American Headache Society (AHS) is a professional society of healthcare providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. The Mission of the AHS is to improve the lives of people impacted by migraine and other headache disorders. AHS advocates for those impacted by headache and the headache field, to meet our core objectives. AHS provides educational courses, scientific meetings, a journal, research support, career development opportunities, Special Interest Groups, advocacy training, and a professional community. The AHS strives to meet its objectives while fostering an inclusive sense of belonging and community.

AHS Investigator-Initiated Research Awards

Empowering Innovation in Headache Research

The American Headache Society (AHS) Investigator-Initiated Research Awards support AHS members conducting pre-clinical and clinical research in headache and migraine. With a focus on early-career investigators, the program funds investigator-driven projects that advance scientific understanding and improve patient care.

Projects should contribute to the core goal of the AHS – improving the lives of people impacted by migraine and other headache disorders. 

Funding may be used for:

• Investigator effort (limited to 25% of the budget for PI salary support).
• Experimental costs, data collection, supplies, and statistical analysis.
• Other research-related expenses as appropriately justifie

The Alexander-Bickley Scholarship, established in 2016, supports female graduating seniors from Dayton Public Schools pursuing STEM degrees at accredited colleges. Inspired by Manuel Bickley's entrepreneurial spirit, this scholarship aims to empower recipients to achieve academic excellence and pursue their aspirations. Preference is given to applicants who have participated in band, emphasizing the importance of creativity alongside academic goals. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering educational opportunities and honoring the legacy of the Bickley family.

Scholarships and Awards

The National Federation of the Blind offers several scholarships and awards that honor blind individuals as well as teachers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and organizations whose work benefits the blind community.

Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award

Honor a teacher who provides exemplary education, experiences, and opportunities for their blind students.

Every year, the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award recognizes an outstanding teacher of blind students. The education of blind children is one of the National Federation of the Blind's highest priorities. Please help us recognize dedicated and innovative teachers who provide quality education and meaningful experiences and opportunities for their blind students.

The Award

The Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award is presented at the NFB National Convention. Honorees receive: 

• An expense-paid trip to attend the convention
• A check for $1,000
• A commemorative plaque
• A place on the agenda of the annual meeting of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
• The opportunity to attend seminars and workshops that address the current state of education of blind students, as well as a chance to meet and network with hundreds of blind individuals, teachers, parents, and other professionals in the field

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA: Capital Improvement Grants

Any request to support a project that seeks to improve a facility is considered a capital improvement. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Range improvements
• Berm improvements
• Clubhouse/Classroom facility improvements
• Shelter structures/covered firing lines/pavilions
• Road improvements
• Commercial-grade trap machines (see section regarding trap machines, below)
• Any other permanent improvement to an organization’s property or facility

The Grant Program considers requests for certain trap machines to be a capital improvement to the facility. Specifically, requests for commercial grade trap machines that have a capacity of 300 clays and up.

Judge Richard S. (Stan) Gault Education Scholarship

The Judge Richard S. (Stan) Gault Education Scholarship was established in 2010 by his family to honor his memory and support residents of his hometown, Forsyth County, Georgia, in pursuing their educational goals. The Honorable Richard S. Gault was a distinguished Georgian, a highly respected jurist, a dedicated community leader, and a lifelong advocate for education.

This scholarship is available to non-traditional students or graduating high school seniors who attend Forsyth Central High School, North Forsyth High School, or East Forsyth High School. Applicants must be a resident of Forsyth County, Georgia. Students must be planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, technical school, or secondary training program. In 2026, one scholarship award of $2,500 will be offered.

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.

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 TPC Group Mark of Excellence Scholarship Program, administered by Scholarship America Inc, supports the children of full-time employees pursuing higher education. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers and promote educational access for students aged 24 and under. The program encourages academic achievement and assists those planning to enroll in accredited colleges or vocational schools, ensuring that eligible applicants receive the necessary support to realize their educational aspirations.

The Wellroot Family Services Scholarship Program, administered by Scholarship America Inc., supports students in financial need who exhibit academic excellence, leadership, and personal growth. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and current undergraduates with a minimum GPA of 2.0, planning to enroll full-time in accredited institutions. The program emphasizes holistic evaluation, considering academic performance, community involvement, and personal challenges overcome, ensuring that deserving candidates receive the support they need to succeed.

The New Britain-Berlin Rotary Club Scholarships, managed by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, support graduating seniors from local high schools, including technical schools. Priority is given to INTERACT Club members who demonstrate leadership and community service. This initiative aims to encourage youth to actively engage in their communities and make a positive impact through volunteerism. The scholarship reflects the Foundation's commitment to fostering educational attainment and community development.

Scholarships

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation scholarships are awarded competitively based on criteria set by donors. These criteria could include financial need, the school the applicant is attending, academic achievement, as well as personal or career goals. The Community Foundation has a rigorous internal selection process for each scholarship decision, and each applicant is reviewed in depth, and considered thoroughly.

Our scholarship program is simple. You are able to apply once for all foundation scholarships you may be eligible for. Once your application is submitted, you will be eligible for all those for which you meet the requirement.

David and Jinny Schultz Family Fund

Grand Haven resident David Schultz did not go to college. In fact, he never graduated from High School. He started working for his father when he was fifteen and began his tool and die apprenticeship when he was only eighteen years old, becoming president of a tool and die firm when he was 27, turning the company into a successful productions shop. Schultz always had the desire to succeed, but not the formal education. From personal experience, he knew the world would be a better place if a young person's desire could be harnessed with education. This scholarship, established by David and his wife Jinny, is awarded to a student who demonstrates commitment and a strong motivation to succeed.

Scholarships

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation scholarships are awarded competitively based on criteria set by donors. These criteria could include financial need, the school the applicant is attending, academic achievement, as well as personal or career goals. The Community Foundation has a rigorous internal selection process for each scholarship decision, and each applicant is reviewed in depth, and considered thoroughly.

Our scholarship program is simple. You are able to apply once for all foundation scholarships you may be eligible for. Once your application is submitted, you will be eligible for all those for which you meet the requirement.

Dake Community Manufacturing Scholarship Fund

This fund was established in 2007 for the 120th Anniversary Celebration of Dake Corporation, a former local manufacturing company. It was started by employees and management to encourage and support students that want to further their education in manufacturing education. The Dake entrepreneurial spirit lives on through this scholarship by empowering the next generation.

The Goodridge Brothers Scholarship, offered by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports residents of Saginaw County pursuing careers in technical education, such as welding or auto mechanics. This initiative recognizes the growing demand for skilled tradespeople and aims to alleviate financial barriers for students. Scholarships typically range from $500 to $4,000, promoting educational opportunities in urban and regional planning and enhancing the community's workforce capabilities.

American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation

The AAFP Foundation focuses on improving health for everyone, and your support makes an immediate impact on the good work we do—from leadership development and education scholarships to funding social and health care services.

The AAFP Foundation strives to create a sense of belonging through an inclusive environment that embraces the family medicine community by recognizing individual uniqueness and contributions to family medicine.

Richard D. Feldman, M.D. Student and Resident Essay Contest

Each year, the Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) sponsors a contest to encourage medical students and family medicine residents to write scholarly essays relevant to the history of family medicine in the United States. The first-place winner will receive $2,000 and the second-place winner will receive a $1,000 award.

We encourage all to apply and are committed to developing scholarly essays relevant to the history of Family Medicine in the United States by medical students and residents who reflect the rich diversity of the specialty and the patients served.

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.

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 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 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.