Best Grants for New Nonprofits in North Carolina

The Burt W. and Virginia Polin ELKS Bureau Scholarship, offered by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, supports high school seniors, undergraduates, and returning students in their educational pursuits. This scholarship honors the legacy of the Polins and the values of the Elks Club, promoting charity, justice, and community service. With the foundation's commitment to inclusivity and support, applicants are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to help achieve their academic and career goals.

Oncology Nursing Foundation

The mission of the Oncology Nursing Foundation is to support cancer nursing excellence.

Since 1981, the Oncology Nursing Foundation(ONF), through generous contributions from individuals and institutions, has provided more than $33 million in funding to support oncology nursing education, research and leadership development. This funding has translated to career development awards, academic scholarships, research grants, a myriad of specialized educational initiatives, as well as nurse resiliency support. The Foundation’s activities have played a critical role in improving patient care and advancing the oncology nursing profession.

Radiation Oncology Certified Nurse (ROCN™) Exam Scholarship

Recipients receive funding to cover the ONCC ROCN™ Certification exam fee.

Purpose

To support registered oncology nurses who specialize in providing care for adult or pediatric patients with cancer undergoing radiation therapy by providing funding support to cover the ROCN™ Certification exam fee. 

The Bernhard H. Singsen Scholarship, offered by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, supports young men from local high schools in pursuing a full-time liberal arts education. This scholarship aims to foster careers in education, civil or social service, and medicine. Open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and returning students, it embodies the foundation's commitment to empowering youth and enhancing community engagement in San Luis Obispo County.

The Richard I. Stessel Waste Management Award, presented annually by the Air & Waste Management Association, honors outstanding achievements in waste management. This prestigious award acknowledges individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the science and practice of waste management, including technological advancements, waste regulation, and educational excellence. Named after Professor Richard I. Stessel, the award promotes innovative solutions for environmental sustainability, encouraging professionals to serve as role models in the field.

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 public charity to help donors support their favorite charities while receiving maximum tax advantage.

We serve as a vehicle for charitable giving, helping donors give to the causes they care about. Donor gifts will strengthen nonprofits increasing programs and services. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to establish a fund with us. 

St Joseph School District Foundation Tarpley, Bill Scholarship

This fund was established in honor of Bill Tarpley, who served as Principal of Central High School by his family and friends. The fund provides graduating seniors with a learning disability an opportunity to attend vocational school or college.

Guidelines:

• One scholarship will be awarded on a one-time basis and disbursed in August.

Amount:

• No less than $300 depending on available funds.

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 public charity to help donors support their favorite charities while receiving maximum tax advantage.

We serve as a vehicle for charitable giving, helping donors give to the causes they care about. Donor gifts will strengthen nonprofits increasing programs and services. 

McLaughlin, Delbert & Mary Teaching Scholarship

This fund was established in memory of Delbert and Mary McLaughlin by their son, Bill McLaughlin to provide academic scholarships to graduating seniors of the St. Joseph School District pursing a degree in Education.

This grant mechanism will focus on furthering the development of novel strategies towards improving the treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Work supported through this mechanism will address important areas of need across the entire care continuum and have the immediate potential to increase survivorship. It is expected that correlative translational research will be proposed that will enhance the understanding of SCLC.The overarching theme of the proposals should be centered around understanding the biology of SCLC and developing strategies toward improving outcomes for patients with SCLC. We will encourage applications on a wide variety of topics related to SCLC, including but not limited to the following:

• Advanced Screening and Diagnostic Technologies
  • Utilize liquid biopsies and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to enhance early detection and monitoring of SCLC, providing non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic solutions
  • Investigate the clinical utility of blood-based biomarkers for improving SCLC diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and predicting outcomes
  • Leverage artificial intelligence for the early detection of SCLC

• Disease Progression and Acquired Resistance
  • Study of molecular + clinical characteristics of rapid progressors vs. long-term responders in SCLC to tailor personalized treatment approaches
  • Leverage radiomics to identify predictive or prognostic factors such as treatment response, risk of pneumonitis, and likelihood of brain metastases
  • Investigate the underlying mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy in SCLC
  • Identify and validate biomarkers indicative of disease progression and/or therapeutic resistance

• Biomarkers and Immuno-Oncology
  • Identify and validate biomarkers that can predict greater responses to immunotherapy treatments in SCLC, enhancing patient selection and treatment efficacy

• Biospecimen-based research
  • Leverage real-world patient tissue and/or blood samples to enable:
    • Longitudinal studies of SCLC progression from limited-stage to extensive-stage disease
    • Investigation of tumor and microenvironmental changes before, during, and after treatment to understand the evolution of resistance
  • Develop a centralized infrastructure for biospecimen collection, with standardized protocols and accessible repositories to facilitate broad research collaboration

These awards provide a maximum of $500,000 in funding over a period of three years.

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Community Foundation of Henderson County was incorporated in 1982 by a group of fourteen dedicated and compassionate local leaders with the immediate need to manage two funds - the William C. Armstrong Scholarship Fund and the Charlie Renfrow Scholarship Fund, in addition to providing a permanent vehicle for citizens to give back to their community.

Our Mission is to help people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. The Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

John P. and Mary Ann Wold Scholarship

The scholarship is to provide financial support to a student seeking to further his or her education beyond high school and who wishes to pursue a degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math, or health care at Blue Ridge Community College. Applicant must demonstrate financial need, be a resident of Henderson County and maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA. Non-traditional students are encouraged to apply.

The scholarship is renewable for up to two years only.

The BRAIN Initiative's BBQS Program aims to revolutionize the study of brain function by facilitating high-resolution tracking of complex behaviors alongside neural activity. This transformative research opportunity seeks to develop innovative tools for minimally intrusive measurements of various biobehavioral functions while accounting for environmental variables. Emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration, it focuses on creating new analytical frameworks that model neurobehavioral function as dynamic systems influenced by an organism's surroundings, thereby advancing our understanding of behavior at the organismal level.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Eleanor C. Hungar Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was established to administer a bequest from the estate of Eleanor Hungar.

Miss Hungar (1905-2005) attended Greenman Elementary School. She was a graduate of West Aurora High School and Illinois State University at Normal. Miss Hungar was a beloved and greatly admired teacher. She had a profound influence on the children whose lives she touched.

To this day, former students fondly recall her extraordinary kindness to those who had the good fortune to learn at her side.

In keeping with her lifelong devotion to children, she bequeathed a portion of her estate to provide scholarships for students entering the field of elementary education.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

Nearly a decade ago, HCLTech Grant was launched by the HCLFoundation to enable cross-sector collaboration and empower non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to play a decisive role in building a stronger, future-ready India. Today, HCLTech Grant has invested nearly $18 million in groundbreaking projects and is recognized as one of the largest grant programs in India—impacting over 27,000+ villages across 22 states and 2 UT's

HCLTech Grant for Climate Action in Americas Edition III

The future of cross-sector climate collaboration

We’re proud to bring our learnings and innovations from India to the Americas. As part of our global CSR strategy, we’ll start by investing $5 million over five years to impact-focused, Americas-based NGOs to supercharge their replicable, scalable and sustainable climate action projects. As a $13.7 billion technology company with over 218,000 people worldwide, our mission is to bring together the best of technology and people to supercharge progress for our clients, our people, our communities and our planet.

We’re looking to supercharge innovative, replicable, scalable and sustainable climate solutions. If the work you do fits the following criteria, our mission is to amplify your impact:

Prerequisites

• The organization’s bylaws should expressly permit engagement in purpose-driven projects and, where relevant, climate action initiatives, in accordance with the legal regulations of the country of registration.
• The proposed project must be designed for direct implementation by the applicant organization. Sub-granting of HCLTech funds is not allowed.
• The grant amount must not be used solely for infrastructure development / purchase of fixed assets like land, buildings, and vehicles, among others. Further, proposed infrastructure development costs must be spent in line with project objectives and activities defined.
• The applicant organization, including its governing body members, must not have any pending litigations.
• The applicant organization must not be blacklisted by any government agency, department, ministry, donor or international agency.
• The organization must not have faced cancellation of its license, registration or membership from the country-specific regulatory or statutory body.
• The applicant organization or its board members or employees must not have any political or religious affiliations.

Three organizations will be selected each year—first place will receive $500,000 and two runners-up will receive $250,000 each for a two-year project.

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.

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Community Foundation of Henderson County was incorporated in 1982 by a group of fourteen dedicated and compassionate local leaders with the immediate need to manage two funds - the William C. Armstrong Scholarship Fund and the Charlie Renfrow Scholarship Fund, in addition to providing a permanent vehicle for citizens to give back to their community.

Our Mission is to help people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. The Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

Bryce A. Malsbary (BAM) Scholarship

The purpose of the Fund is to provide a scholarship for a person seeking higher education at an accredited institution, including but not limited to: vocational, technical, trade, college, or university levels of education. Assistance is for a resident of Henderson County or Polk County, North Carolina, leading to a degree. Candidate must show financial need, GPA 3.0 or higher, and have community service, work, or school activities. Student must be a legal resident of North Carolina.

Our History

In late 1993, a group of Cobb business leaders recognized the community’s need for a vehicle to invest in its future. The group was led by Jim Rhoden, owner of Futren Corporation (now Futren Hospitality) and included the late Otis Brumby Jr., Bobbi Burruss, Murray Homan, Judge Conley Ingram, Senator Johnny Isakson, Bob Prillaman, Bob Russell, the late Lanie Shipp Hoover, the late Roy Simmons, Deborah Wallace, the late John Williams, Jack Wilson and Diane Woods. Their solution was the creation of the Cobb Community Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

Fourteen years later, we obtained our own 501(c)(3) designation. Now, we are Cobb Community Foundation. In 2017 alone, we made $1.4 million in grants, $900,000 of which were distributed to charitable organizations right here in Cobb County.

Our Mission

Be a catalyst for a thriving community—mobilizing people, ideas, and resources to improve quality of life in and around Cobb.

Apply for a Scholarship

Each Cobb Community Foundation Scholarship Fund was created by a donor or group of donors with a specific objective in mind. In some cases, scholarships were created to honor someone’s memory, and in others, they were created to ensure opportunities would be available to certain groups of people. In all cases, they were established by individuals who want to help you pursue your dream.

Metro Marietta Kiwanis Morgan Thomas Scholarship Fund

The Morgan Thomas Scholarship was established by the Metro Marietta Kiwanis Club as an appropriate way to perpetuate the name and ideals of Mr. Morgan Thomas, a founding member. Mr. Thomas was a man who devoted his life to helping others through Kiwanis, his church and his profession. The scholarship will help others in the tradition of Mr. Thomas by providing financial assistance to deserving Cobb County students.

The estimated scholarship award will be $1,000-$2,500 with an estimated number of 3-4 scholarships available.

The Fostering Education Scholarship Fund, established by Village Connection and Innovative Fitness, provides scholarships of $2,000-$3,000 to eligible students who have aged out of Georgia's foster care system. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents, high school seniors or recent graduates, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative aims to empower these students with the financial support they need to pursue higher education, fostering a brighter future for the community.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Layton Family Foundation Scholarship

Selection based upon (in order of priority):

• Academic ability and an additional essay on a designated topic, and recommendations.

Awards

• One $1,200 scholarship

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Schmiesing Homeschool Scholarship

Selection based, in order of priority:

• Demonstrated church participation, employment history, recommendations, academic ability, and financial need.

Awards

• One $1,000 scholarship

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

Shelby County Youth Soccer Scholarship

Selection based upon (in order of priority): 

• Soccer involvement as a player, referee, and/or coach, demonstrated passion for soccer, a recommendation letter from a soccer coach or soccer mentor is REQUIRED, and an additional essay of no less than 100 words and no more than 200 words on a designated topic.

Awards

• Two $1,000 scholarships – One to a male applicant and one to a female applicant.

The Bowman Family Swimming Scholarship, provided by the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, aims to support graduating high school seniors in Hardin County who are active swimmers. Eligible applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be involved with their school's swim team. This scholarship embodies the Foundation's mission to enhance community life by empowering students to pursue their educational goals in athletics.

Scholarships

We partner with donors to administer scholarships for students across the state. Most NCCF scholarships open for applications on Dec. 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026.

Undergraduates, graduates, medical and professional school students and adult re-entry students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities, career/technical schools, teaching credential programs and graduate, medical or professional schools in the United States are eligible for scholarships offered at NCCF.

Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements defined by the donor when the scholarship was established. Be sure to read the requirements of each scholarship carefully as directed through the universal application and address those elements as needed in your application.

Baronowski Family STEM Scholarship

Female graduates of a Brunswick County, NC, high school who plan to attend or currently attend a qualified institution of higher learning, including a college, university or community college, to pursue a degree in one of the STEM disciplines (Science, Engineering, Technology, or Math).

Marshall Community Foundation

The Marshall Community Foundation is a partnership of endowed funds established by individuals and organizations. A Board of Trustees, comprised of local community leaders, invest the pooled endowments. Income generated is then available for grants that address charitable needs in our community. Staff and trained volunteers monitor the grants to ensure fulfillment of the grant agreements.

The full circle of philanthropy is poetry in motion. The Foundation receives your gifts, grants to local non-profits, who in turn, give back by providing services to the community. Truly, the Foundation is all about improving the quality of life and making this a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Zink Family Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to residents of Marshall and surrounding townships pursuing an education or advanced training in skilled trades, as defined by the Committee and reflective of current industry needs, including but not limited to the fields of:

• healthcare technician,
• agriculture,
• information technology,
• manufacturing,
• construction or
• automotive.

Mission & Vision

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission:

We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Our Vision:

We envision a Greater Rochester region transformed by enduring philanthropy, where every person, neighborhood, and future generation can thrive.

Joseph and Lorraine Finley Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide financial support to high school seniors who are residents of the Wayne County town of Walworth and continuing their education at any accredited two-year, four-year, or technical school.

Number and Size of Awards

Four awards of $7,000 each; paid as $1,750 per year for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study. Award paid in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Donor Information

This scholarship was established by a couple who believed in education and in helping their community.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

William B. and Bonnie Z. Swonger Nursing Scholarship

A Shelby County resident who is a graduate of any high school within Shelby County and is pursuing a Registered Nursing degree. 

Selection based upon:

• Financial need and academic ability.

Awards

• Four $1,250 scholarships available

The Ross Wagner Foundation Scholarship offers significant financial support for students pursuing degrees in various engineering fields, including civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. With awards up to $25,000 annually, students can receive up to $100,000 over four years. Applicants must maintain a B average, work in engineering labs, and be enrolled in top-ranked engineering schools in the U.S. and Canada. This scholarship honors Ross Wagner's legacy, promoting excellence in engineering education.

Community Foundation of the North State

The Community Foundation builds trust through relationship, integrity, and by providing safe places for donors to give their resources.

We are a nonprofit, public charity serving the people of Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties, with a mission to impact the region through the power of giving.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of the North State manages many scholarship funds that are awarded to graduating high school seniors as well as students already in an undergraduate program. Some scholarships were started by families or individuals; others by businesses or organizations. All scholarships share one important focus: helping young people reach their educational goals.

Dr. Donald and Ann Gleason Memorial Scholarship

Provides scholarships for qualified Shasta County students with financial needs seeking a college education in the medical field.

Dr. and Mrs. Gleason had no heirs but still had a strong desire to help students with a financial need who were seeking a degree in the medical field. The Dr. Donald and Ann Gleason Memorial Scholarship will assist those pursuing an education in mental health, psychiatry, or pre-med studies.

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Community Foundation of Henderson County was incorporated in 1982 by a group of fourteen dedicated and compassionate local leaders with the immediate need to manage two funds - the William C. Armstrong Scholarship Fund and the Charlie Renfrow Scholarship Fund, in addition to providing a permanent vehicle for citizens to give back to their community.

Our Mission is to help people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. The Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

George F. and Asha W. McMillan Scholarship

This scholarship is to provide financial support to an individual in order for him or her to receive a degree in Christian education or related studies or to advance his or her Christian vocation.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

J. Martin Diggs Memorial Scholarship

• 2 yr., 4yr., Community College, College or University (U.S.)