Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

The Guitar Center Music Foundation is an independent 501c3 organization. Through instrument grants and donations, we help ensure schools and music education programs get the resources they need to keep music alive and accessible. We believe in a world in which music is cherished and respected for the immense value it brings to humanity, where every person who seeks to pursue music has the means to do so.

Our mission is to give everyone the power to create and express themselves through music. Since 2005, we have supported hundreds of music education and therapy programs and reached over 300,000 people. With your generous support, we aim to assist many more.

Guitar Center Music Foundation Grants

The Guitar Center Music Foundation awards musical instruments and equipment in-kind to public schools and music programs in need. 

Instrument grants range from up to $1,000 to $5,000 based upon need.

The Harry A. Saunders III Memorial Fund, established in 2025 by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, supports Hawaii high school graduates pursuing higher education. This fund aims to empower students demonstrating financial need and maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to recipients who were awarded in the previous year, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements. The fund embodies a commitment to fostering educational opportunities and enriching the lives of young Hawaiians.

The IATSE Local 700 Hardship Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible members of the performing arts and entertainment industry during critical times. This support helps cover essential living expenses, such as housing and healthcare, to prevent eviction and utility shut-offs. To qualify, members must have met minimum dues requirements or be officially retired. The fund does not cover expenses like credit cards, loans, or business-related costs.

The IATSE Local 600: Traditional Hardship Fund Grant provides emergency financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals in times of unexpected need. This grant supports basic living expenses like healthcare and housing, aiming to prevent eviction or shut-offs. Eligible members must have been in good standing for at least two years and have faced work loss due to illness or disasters. The fund ensures support during critical times, promoting stability within the community.

The Arthur and Hazel Auer Scholarship Fund, established by Hazel Auer's will, provides financial support to two East Noble seniors each year as they prepare for 4-year bachelor's programs at accredited colleges. Each recipient receives about $500 per semester for the first two years, totaling $2,000. This fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Noble County, which aims to enhance the quality of life in the region through philanthropic efforts.

The Hans-Olaf Pfannkuch & E. Calvin Alexander, Jr. Hydrogeology Field Camp Award, provided by the Minnesota Ground Water Association Foundation, offers two $1,500 scholarships for the summer of 2025. This award aims to support students enrolled in hydrogeology or related fields by alleviating educational costs associated with field camps. It seeks to foster a diverse learning environment and build a stronger community of hydrogeology professionals through shared life experiences.

The Victory Project - Emerging Sports Leaders Scholarship Fund

Five (5) Emerging Sports Leaders Scholarships will provide financial assistance to students whose lives have been impacted by the sport of soccer. This scholarship is available for high school seniors with post-secondary education plans at a university, college, trade, or vocational school. Participation in collegiate soccer is not required. Payment will be made directly to the school.

Award

• $5,000.00

The Local Filmmaker Fund by the People's Media Fund supports filmmakers in Greater Philadelphia, enhancing their skills and film projects through a 12-month cohort program. This initiative prioritizes under-resourced filmmakers committed to social justice, offering funding up to $400,000. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, live in designated areas, and either direct their film or secure fiscal sponsorship. The program fosters community storytelling and aims to amplify diverse voices in media.

CultureSource

CultureSource is a member association for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Southeast Michigan serving Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe and St. Clair counties. As a regional service organization, we do this work through hosting professional development workshops that grow creative and leadership capacities, presenting programs that provide space for exchanging ideas about arts and culture, and leading initiatives that bring together stakeholders interested in the public accessing creative expression.

Our MISSION is to advance and cultivate creative and cultural expression in Southeast Michigan.

The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists

The Spector Craft Prize (the “Prize”) is an annual initiative launched in 2025 to champion excellence in American craft. Founded by Abigail Klem Spector and Warren Spector through the Spector Family Foundation, the program supports craft artists at pivotal moments in their careers through awards, mentorship, and community-building.

In an era dominated by rapid technological advancement, the Spector Craft Prize stands as a vital counterbalance by preserving material connections in an increasingly virtual world, supporting creative expression amid declining public funding for arts education, and reconnecting makers and the public to our shared heritage of craft. By championing craft artists at pivotal moments in their careers, the Spector Family Foundation aims to strengthen the role of craft in contemporary American culture.

Aim of the Prize

The Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists seeks to identify and support exceptional emerging craft artists whose work demonstrates technical mastery, innovative vision, and deep engagement with American culture. The Prize aims to recognize artists who show significant potential for contributing to the field and who would benefit from the comprehensive support provided by the program.

Selected artists represent the future of American craft and demonstrate a commitment to strengthening craft's role in contemporary American culture through their practice, community engagement, and artistic vision. 

The ILSG Student Research Fund, established by the Institute on Lake Superior Geology, aims to support student research in the Lake Superior region with annual awards totaling US$1,000. This initiative encourages the presentation of research findings at ILSG meetings, fostering academic growth and collaboration. The fund originated from a US$10,000 contribution by the Board of Directors in 2005, with ongoing financial support from annual meeting proceeds, ensuring its sustainability for future student researchers.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Church of Christ (Christian Disciples) Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Church of Christ (Christian Disciples) Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to help students who have permanent residence in Carroll County, Ohio or had a permanent residence on the date they began their post high school education.

Coral Gables Community Foundation

Led by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation provides the philanthropic conduit to connect individuals and corporations looking to positively impact the success of the community. Now in its 33rd year, the Foundation has been at the forefront of the evolving needs of Coral Gables while effectively bringing together beneficiaries and benefactors to fund programs with the greatest impact and benefit to “The City Beautiful.”

Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Scholarships Program

Coral Gables Community Foundation is honored to partner with our fundholders to administer generous scholarships as well as manage the Foundation’s own scholarship funds.

The Foundation and its fundholders have proudly awarded over $6.7 million in scholarships in just the last decade.

High-Achieving Four-Year Scholarship

This 4-year scholarship is given annually to students who have demonstrated overall academic achievement and dedication to service within the school and in his/her community, and have low family income. The Foundation also considers applicants’ motivation, financial need, and personal experiences.

Maintenance

In order to maintain the scholarship each year, the recipient must maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA throughout his/her college studies.

Outreach Foundation Helen Bonser Scholarship

This scholarship supports the educational aspirations of individuals from Spokane and Kootenai Counties who identify as LGBTQA+ or Allies, helping them achieve their academic and career goals while fostering a sense of community engagement. 

Applicants should demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, and/or LGBTQA+ community involvement. Recipients are eligible to re-apply and compete for the Outreach Foundation Helen Bonser Scholarship after a waiting period of 5 years.

Newport Priest River Rotary & Howard Wildin Education Scholarship

Scholarships and individual awards to achieve a specific objective will be made in the form of grants to students, apprentices or interns participating in a training program, internship, or apprenticeship to prepare them for gainful employment in a recognized occupation that is not prohibited under federal or state law. Such grants will be awarded to individuals to improve or enhance a vocational skill; and develop specialized skills or knowledge in literary, artistic, musical, scientific, teaching or other similar skills or talents.

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Topical PCORI Funding aims to support high-quality, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) focusing on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This funding opportunity recognizes the diversity of conditions under IDD and the varying support needs among individuals. PCORI encourages the use of both person-first and identity-first language, acknowledging the preferences within the disability community, and aims to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery for these populations.

The Implementation Awards by PCORI aim to fund projects that translate patient-centered research into real-world practices. With budgets up to $2.5 million for implementation projects lasting up to 48 months, applicants must present a clear plan for broad evidence uptake. Additionally, those proposing implementation projects need an accepted Draft Final Research Report related to their original PCORI-funded research to qualify for funding.

The James Madison Graduate Fellowship supports U.S. citizens pursuing master's degrees focused on the Constitution, enhancing their constitutional knowledge for teaching. Fellows are required to teach American history, government, or civics at the secondary level for one year per funding year. Financially, the fellowship awards up to $24,000, covering tuition and fees, and must be repaid if fellowship conditions are unmet. This program ensures future educators embody constitutional principles in their teaching.

The AO North America VET Preceptorships Program offers surgical residents from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons the chance to enhance their skills in Veterinary Trauma and Orthopedics through a structured training experience. Participants can receive up to four weeks of advanced training in AO techniques at designated surgical centers, with funding available for housing and travel expenses, totaling up to $2,750. This initiative aims to foster professional development and improve patient care outcomes.

The Johns Hopkins Merkin Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Regeneration Center offers Seed Grants for innovative research on peripheral neuropathy and nerve regeneration. These grants support high-risk, high-reward pilot projects addressing axon degeneration and Schwann cell dysfunction. Researchers may apply for funding of up to $75,000 per year for one or two years. The initiative aims to foster novel ideas and successful transitions to external funding, enhancing scientific understanding and therapeutic development.

The Karl A. Bickel and Madira Bickel Journalistic Scholarship Fund supports journalism education by providing grants to accredited colleges and universities with journalism programs. Established from Karl A. Bickel's Last Will and Testament, the fund aims to assist deserving students in their pursuit of journalism, ensuring they receive the necessary financial backing to succeed in their studies and future careers.

The Excellence Annual Scholarship, offered by the CIRI Foundation, supports full-time undergraduate and graduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.5. This merit-based scholarship recognizes academic excellence and community service, providing up to $10,000 for one academic year. Funding covers direct educational expenses and personal expenses, ensuring Alaska Native beneficiaries can pursue their educational and career aspirations while preserving their rich cultural heritage.

The EMF SAMFund Financial Assistance Grants support young adult cancer survivors facing financial hardships due to their diagnosis. With 80,000 young adults diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S., these grants provide critical assistance for essential living expenses like rent, car payments, and education. By prioritizing applicants who demonstrate financial need and articulate how the grant will aid their recovery, the program aims to alleviate financial toxicity and empower survivors to move forward with their lives.

The Raven Fund Career Technical Education Scholarships, offered by the CIRI Foundation, aim to support CIRI voting shareholders pursuing technical skill training. With awards up to $9,000 per year, eligible applicants must be enrolled in recognized programs and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. The scholarships cover essential educational expenses, including tuition and fees, and also allow for personal expenses under certain conditions. This initiative fosters economic self-sufficiency and educational advancement among Alaska Native beneficiaries.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Native Forward Student Relief Funding

Native Forward Scholars Fund established the Student Relief Funding to assist Native students who are facing financial hardships and challenges by providing them with a one-time relief award. The fund will be utilized to help support students in emergency situations that includes, but is not limited to, food insecurity, emergency travel costs, emergency housing costs, educational technology or technology-related resources, or other educational expenses.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Dr Don Fager Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to current or previous Wenatchee Valley College nursing students seeking further education in a nursing program at an accredited school in the United States of America.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Douglas County Waste Management Environmental Studies College Scholarship

The Douglas County Waste Management Environmental Studies College Scholarship was established in 2005 to support Douglas County students seeking further education in environmental engineering or the area of environmental sciences. The committee seeks to award students who plan to major in one of these fields at an accredited educational program in the United States.

The Raven Fund Jump Start Award, established by the CIRI Foundation, provides scholarships of up to $2,000 per year for CIRI voting shareholders who are high school students. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a recognized post-secondary education program, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0. The funding covers direct educational costs such as tuition, books, and housing. The award allows for multiple applications within the year, encouraging ongoing educational pursuits.