Best Grants for Special Education in North Carolina

Early-stage U.S. PK–12 public education organizations supporting students with learning differences can apply for NewSchools Venture Fund’s Learning Differences Grant Program, awarding US $150,000 - US $250,000 in general operating support. With a mission to reimagine education, NewSchools provides expert coaching and a national peer community, which may benefit North Carolina special education initiatives.

Families of individuals with autism needing help with treatments, nutrition, personal needs, or enrichment activities in North Carolina can apply for this need-based support, which is awarded to primary caregivers for the benefit of the individual with ASD. Focused on special needs education and related supports, MyGOAL gives preference to first-time applicants.

Students pursuing post-secondary education in Rock Island County can apply for the Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship, awarding up to US $1,000 for college, university, or trade school costs. Those majoring in special education, journalism, theater arts, or attending accredited trade schools may be especially competitive, including applicants interested in special needs education.

North Carolina special education students cannot apply; this scholarship is only for graduating seniors from Ashland County, Ohio high schools planning to major in education, preferably special education, at a four-year college. Funding from Ashland County Community Foundation supports students with financial need who show leadership, community service, and extracurricular involvement.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing a degree in special education, including those in North Carolina, may be eligible for the Kathy, Russ and Jim Keller Scholarship. Grants from Crown Point Community Foundation use one common application to match students to over 100 scholarship opportunities, with this award limited to residents within the CPCF service area.

Students pursuing special education or speech, physical, or occupational therapy careers to support individuals with Down syndrome may be eligible for this scholarship in North Carolina and beyond. With a mission to empower generous people with meaningful giving opportunities, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region provides higher education support through a universal application covering multiple scholarships.

North Carolina students pursuing special education, pediatric medicine, or Christian ministry degrees may be eligible for the Kristin Lee Burry Memorial Scholarship, which supports higher education costs. This scholarship, administered by Decatur County Community Foundation, can benefit those focused on special needs education even though it is tied to a North Decatur High School graduate.

North Carolina special education teachers or students pursuing special education degrees can access funding through the Marietta Kiwanis Foundation for accredited college or university studies. This US $2,500 scholarship prioritizes strong academics and character, and may benefit those working to advance special needs education and teacher training in their communities.

Special education teachers seeking additional licensing or a master’s in special education can receive up to US $2,500 annually for tuition and related study costs; this scholarship is managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. While it serves Northeast Indiana educators, North Carolina special education professionals can use it as a model when exploring similar funding.

Students pursuing education degrees, especially in special needs or early childhood fields, can receive up to US $3,000 for one academic year through scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Residents of Hampshire or Franklin County studying education may be eligible, and scholarships can support various college attendance costs.

Special education and other nonprofits in North Carolina can seek US $5,000 - US $10,000 to support mobility, environment, or people-focused community programs. Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund help U.S. organizations improve transportation access, promote environmental conservation, and advance safer, healthier, and more inclusive education and communities.

Students pursuing higher education with special needs or learning disabilities in North Carolina may be eligible for the Ann Wall Scholarship, which supports study at a college, university, or business. With a mission to build a stronger community, Scranton Area Foundation gives preference to students who reside in Dalton and are active in a church or religious institution.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing careers teaching children with special needs and demonstrating financial need may be eligible for this scholarship, which supports higher education. With a mission to strengthen communities, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation provides special needs education students in North Carolina and beyond with support that may help fund their college studies.

Teachers, counselors, and administrators of programs for blind students in North Carolina can receive more than US $1,000 plus convention travel through this national special needs education award. With a mission to honor excellence in educating blind students, the National Federation of the Blind provides recognition, networking, and professional development opportunities at its National Convention.

North Carolina students pursuing special education, nursing, or physical therapy can receive scholarship support for higher education through the David Bruce Belcher Fund, administered by Benton Community Foundation. Applicants must be Benton County high school students with a strong desire to help people with developmental disabilities, making this a fit for future special education and related-service professionals.

Students pursuing technical or vocational training, including special education-related fields, may receive support for higher education or retraining through scholarships that can benefit North Carolina residents. St. Ignace Area Community Foundation provides assistance for studies in areas like special education, vocational and technical careers, law enforcement, and health care, based largely on responsibility and community involvement.

About Us

Driving Positive Change in Noble County!

At the Community Foundation of Noble County we are passionate about making Noble County an even better place to call home. Since 1991, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Noble County to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible, as we see it as our mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change. The Community Foundation of Noble County is a public charity 501 (c) 3 entity.

As a group of invested community members, we identify local current and emerging issues and stimulate resources to address those needs, helping our region prepare for the future. We then leverage gifts and bequests from generous donors like you to drive positive change through grants in such areas as arts and culture, education, health and human services, civic affairs and other charitable areas of interest.

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life in Noble County by serving as catalyst for positive change, enabling donors to carry out charitable intent, and making grants.

Donor Story – Joest, Brian H. Memorial Fund

Brian Henry Joest was born in Lagrange, Indiana in 1957. He grew up on the Atwood family farm that was settled by his ancestors in the mid-1800s. Now a historical Hoosier Homestead, the Atwood Farm provided him with all the outdoor activities possible for a farm boy in northern Indiana. Brian’s love of nature and the outdoors continued throughout his life. After high school, he attended Glen Oaks Community College and then Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics

For decades, Brian went on annual backcountry camping and canoeing trips across the US and Canada. He paddled some of the most beautiful rivers in North America. He took a road trip to remote northern Alaska. He camped out on an active volcano in Guatemala. He explored most of the US National Parks. In his later years, his travels were less rustic but still adventurous as he and his wife, Cindy, checked off many items on his bucket list. They traveled to Paris, Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Ireland, and all around the US and Canada.

Brian began his professional career with management positions at Many Glacier Hotel at Glacier National Park in Montana; the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan; the Mountain View Grand Resort in New Hampshire; and Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado. He also worked for Marriott Corporation where he opened new hotels across the Midwest.

Upon the birth of his first child, Brian moved his young family back to Lagrange County so his children could grow up on the Atwood Farm near their family. Brian worked for Life Care Center of Lagrange, was a substitute teacher for the Lakeland School District, and worked for fifteen years for East Noble School Corporation, most recently as an Instructional Assistant for high school students with special needs.

Brian enjoyed doing things for other people and took so much joy in their happiness. His career choices reflected his servant’s heart. He loved working in the hospitality industry and being able to make someone else’s vacation more memorable. He helped the patients and their families at Life Care Center. He spent years making a difference for students in our local schools.

Brian experienced first-hand the unique challenges faced by the families of individuals with special needs. He was a father, stepfather, and step-grandfather to children with different disabilities. He understood the difficulties of navigating support systems and knew there are gaps in these systems that result in unmet needs. At the end of his life, while he was fighting cancer, Brian dreamed of being able to return to the classroom to help special needs students. This was not to be. In 2022, his family created this fund in his honor with the intent of continuing his dream to help improve the lives of individuals with special needs.

Anne K. Petry Scholarship Fund

Established by Summit Education Partnership Foundation to provide scholarships for Akron Public Schools students studying special education.

Amount:

• $1,000

Number of awards:

• 1

Renewal:

• No

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers training programs through the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) to enhance special education research. For FY 2027, the focus is on Methods Training, particularly on analyzing large datasets related to learners with disabilities. This initiative supports early career researchers and current education researchers in developing rigorous methodologies to address significant educational challenges, aiming to inform policy and practice in special education.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

McCormick & Company, Inc. actively supports charitable contributions through its Charitable Donations Committee (CDC), which prioritizes donations to non-profit organizations that enhance education, health, environment, and culture. The CDC focuses on organizations that benefit communities where McCormick employees live and work, ensuring a positive impact. Eligible groups must be tax-exempt and demonstrate a commitment to non-discrimination. However, donations are not made to individuals, political organizations, or entities that conflict with corporate values.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting special needs education, youth with disabilities, or related services in North Carolina can seek funding for scholarships, school support, camps, and inclusive programs. With a mission to strengthen those in need, Von Voigtlander Family Foundation also considers projects in animal-assisted services, conservation, and veteran support, with national funding possible when no comparable local provider exists.

North Carolina special education nonprofits, especially 501(c)(3) organizations serving students with learning or communication disabilities, can access funding through the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation for programs in special needs education and related services. Grants up to US $10,000 may also support community preservation and values-based initiatives that include special education components.

The Robert F. Schumann Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability, education, and the arts. Founded by Robert F. Schumann, an environmentalist, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for both humans and animals. It prioritizes projects that would not have been pursued without its assistance, particularly in ornithology and open space habitats. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt to apply, ensuring a focus on impactful community initiatives.

The Kettering Family Foundation, established in 1956, supports diverse charitable activities across various sectors, including arts, education, health, and human services. Applicants must have a valid 501(c)(3) status and discuss proposals with foundation staff before applying. Only one application is allowed per year, and specific exclusions apply, such as for religious purposes and individual grants. The foundation emphasizes meaningful community impact, making it a vital resource for eligible organizations.