Best Quality of Life Grants in North Carolina

The Stanley and Claudie Wilson Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Abilene, supports deserving students from Taylor County and surrounding areas who aim to pursue higher education, particularly in legal or literary fields. Applicants must be graduates in the top 20% of their class or possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. Scholarships range from $500 to over $5,000, with awards sent directly to educational institutions for fall and spring semesters.

The Todd Moore Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of Abilene, honors a passionate golfer and student. This scholarship supports high school seniors from select schools who have played varsity golf. Awards range from $500 to over $5,000, with payments made directly to educational institutions. Todd's legacy lives on through this scholarship, reflecting his love for golf and education. Eligible students must demonstrate academic commitment and athletic participation in golf during high school.

The WesTex Drilling Co – Robt. B. Cockrell Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Abilene, supports graduating seniors from select Abilene high schools. Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA and plan to pursue careers in engineering, science, or math. Scholarships range from $500 to over $5,000, with payments directed to educational institutions in August and January. This fund is part of a larger initiative to assist students in achieving their educational goals.

Udall Foundation

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships, and internships for study in fields related to the environment and to American Indians and Alaska Natives in fields related to health care and tribal public policy; provides funding to the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and to the Native Nations Institute to conduct environmental policy research, research on American Indian and Alaska Native health care issues and tribal public policy issues, and training; and provides assessment, mediation, training, and other related services through the John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution (National Center or NCECR).

Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III Native American Graduate Fellowship in Tribal Policy

The Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III Native American Graduate Fellowship in Tribal Policy (Native American Graduate Fellowship) recognizes outstanding Native American and Alaska Native graduate students who are currently pursuing advanced degrees in health care fields—including, but not limited to, health administration, health education, public health, medical practice, policy, research, or related-degrees—and who have demonstrated a commitment to Native health care. The Native American Graduate Fellowship Program honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Rocco Nicolosi Memorial ScholarshipIndividuals selected for the Nicolosi Scholarship must have attended a high school located in Marion County throughout his or her entire high school experience and have ranked in the upper 25th percentile of his or her high school senior class.To preserve Rocco’s memory and discourage future tragedies, applicants must write an essay on the topic of “Why Young People in Marion Need to be Drug, Alcohol, and Substance Free.”

The Second Chances Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Abilene, supports non-traditional students seeking to complete their degrees. With awards ranging from $500 to over $5,000, this scholarship aims to make education accessible for those returning to school. Payments are made directly to institutions in August and January, ensuring that funds are available when needed. This initiative honors Kay Billings, who dedicated her life to education and fostering student success.

The Ruth Hatcher and Joe Williamson Music Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Abilene, provides financial support for McMurry junior or senior students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Bachelor of Music Education. This scholarship, honoring the legacy of Ruth Williamson's parents, is part of a broader initiative that supports various students with awards ranging from $500 to over $5,000, ensuring accessibility to music education.

The Ruth and Bill Burton Memorial Scholarship, established by Shellie B. Evans, honors her parents' legacy of community service and education. This scholarship supports Abilene ISD seniors and alumni with a minimum GPA of 3.2. Awards range from $500 to over $5,000, providing financial assistance to those pursuing higher education or vocational training in the U.S. Payments are made directly to institutions in August and January, promoting educational advancement for deserving students.

The Rodney Holder Memorial Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation of Abilene, honors the legacy of a dedicated police veteran who served his community for 28 years. This scholarship supports graduating high school seniors and current college students, particularly children of Taylor County first responders. With awards ranging from $500 to over $5,000, it aims to ease educational expenses and ensure that Rodney Holder's commitment to service continues to inspire future generations.

The Perry Bentley Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Abilene, awards a four-year scholarship to a high school senior selected as the winner of the annual art show at McMurry University. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing higher education and is part of a broader initiative that provides various scholarships to deserving candidates. Eligible applicants must plan to attend McMurry University to qualify for this prestigious award.

The Freda B. Kirby Scholarship, established by The Dayton Foundation, provides financial support for graduating high school students from the Miami Valley to pursue higher education at community colleges or universities. This renewable scholarship emphasizes the importance of academic achievement, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA. The Dayton Foundation, a leading philanthropic organization since 1921, is dedicated to enhancing the community's social and economic well-being through strategic grantmaking and support for education, workforce development, and other vital initiatives.

The Elaine M. Hothem Memorial Scholarship, established by friends and family in 2023, honors the legacy of Elaine Hothem, a passionate advocate for education and literature. Administered by The Dayton Foundation, this scholarship supports graduating high school seniors and current college students from Centerville or Washington Township, Ohio, who plan to major in history, education, or library science. Recipients are expected to have a history of community involvement and extracurricular participation.

The Excellence in Community Practice Award, presented by the Society for Vascular Surgery, honors members demonstrating exceptional leadership in their communities as practicing vascular surgeons. This prestigious award recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to patient care and community health, showcasing their commitment to advancing vascular surgery. Nominees must have a minimum of 20 years of experience and be SVS members for at least 5 years, highlighting their dedication to the field.

The Gusto Impact Awards, launched by Gusto, honor small businesses making significant contributions to their communities. With $325,000 in prizes across five regions, winners will receive advertising and cash rewards to enhance their impact. Eligible candidates are small businesses in the U.S. with under 75 employees and less than $7 million in revenue. This initiative celebrates local heroes, from baristas to nonprofits, showcasing the vital role of small enterprises in driving community progress.

The Beachler Family Scholarship, established by the Beachler Family, supports students from Northmont High School in pursuing a business administration degree. Eligible candidates include graduating seniors or college students from Northmont who are accepted into an accredited college or trade school. The scholarship awards $3,500 to assist with educational expenses, promoting further education and career development in business.

The Cecilia Hollis Memorial Scholarship, established in 1995, supports students from the Miami Valley, Ohio, pursuing degrees in engineering, technology, or industrial technology. This renewable scholarship offers $2,000 to both graduating high school seniors and current college students. Eligible applicants must be accepted to or enrolled in a two-year or four-year college or university and should aim to major in the specified fields, ensuring a bright future in technical careers.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Max Ross Memorial ScholarshipThe Max Ross Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2018, shortly after his passing, by his family to support Marion students pursuing degrees in the field of education. Max was well known in Marion, having served as Marion County Sheriff, educator, businessman, and coach.

The Dayton Daily News Community Solutions Scholarship, established in 2005 in honor of Mike Peters, aims to support graduating seniors from Miami Valley high schools. This $1000 scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate academic success and a commitment to solving community issues. Applicants must have been accepted into an accredited college or university and provide insights into their community contributions and future plans for impact. This initiative fosters civic engagement and supports future leaders.

The Dayton Catholic Women's Club Scholarship, established in 2010, supports female high school graduates of the Roman Catholic faith in their pursuit of higher education. With a commitment to promoting unity and cooperation among Catholic women since 1923, this scholarship awards $1,000 to eligible applicants who demonstrate financial need and are members of a Dayton area Roman Catholic Church. This initiative reflects the organization's dedication to educational advancement and community support.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. McBride Family Scholarship

Created in memory of the late Doris Elaine McBride (1928-2022), the McBride Family Scholarship Fund was created by Russ & Marilyn McBride in 2023.  Applicant should have attended any Marion County high school and will major in education, medicine, or health care.

The APA Foundation's Helping Hands Grants provide up to $5,000 to medical schools for projects aimed at improving mental health education and assistance in under-served communities. Initiated in 2005, this program empowers medical students to lead initiatives that promote awareness of mental illness and encourage community service, particularly among minority populations. By partnering with community agencies, these projects foster a deeper interest in psychiatry while addressing critical mental health needs.

The Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards, established by the National PTA, recognize excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion among PTAs. These awards honor outstanding efforts to foster inclusivity and end discrimination, celebrating PTAs that actively promote these values. Each year, three awards are granted to state, district, and local PTAs, with winners receiving cash awards, plaques, and recognition at the National PTA Convention, enhancing community engagement and commitment to educational equity.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Cornell Goodman Scholarship

Adam and Gina Goodman created this scholarship fund in 2011 to honor the memory of Adam’s grandfathers Maurice V. Cornell and Bertram Goodman, longtime residents of the Marion area.

Maurice (1912-2001) was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School and The Ohio State University. He held membership in Lombda Chi Alpha fraternity, Elks Lodge #32, 32nd degree Mason, Rotary, First Presbyterian Church, the Marion Country Club, and Symposiarchs. He served in the US Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He was vice president of Marion Power Shovel for eight years and retired as the regional manager of Bucyrus-Erie Co. after 10 years.

Bertram (1921-2003) was an orthodontist in Marion from 1946-1980. He was a US Navy veteran who served in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Marion Lions Club and Temple Israel.

The scholarship supports students who have attended a high school in Marion County. The fund gives special consideration to students pursuing a college degree in a business-oriented field, such as accounting, economics, finance, or marketing. Recipients must rank in the upper 25th percentile of their high school graduating class, or, if in college, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.

About the Community Foundation

Our mission:

To inspire people and communities to build and distribute charitable funds for good, for Adams County, for ever.

Our vision:

To be a leading resource in promoting philanthropy among people of all means who wish to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to Adams County, and creating opportunities to develop and strengthen our communities.

Barbara B. Ernico Fund for Leadership Development

Barbara B. Ernico, the Community Foundation’s founding Executive Director, created the Fund for Leadership Development to help strengthen Adams County’s nonprofits.

Objective

Enable Adams County nonprofit executive directors and boards of directors to participate in training opportunities that increase their knowledge and effectiveness. Consideration may be given to training for strategic planning, reorganization, leadership development of staff and/or board members, and any other activities that will strengthen the nonprofit’s ability to carry out their mission.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Quintin & Alice Linn ScholarshipThe Linn Fund is a scholarship, created in 2022, to support Marion County students pursing degrees and careers in economics, finance, mathematics, and statistics.

The Dunbar High School - Carson/Byars Scholarship Fund, established by The Dayton Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Dayton Public Schools who have participated in varsity sports. This scholarship aims to recognize scholar-athletes who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement, and personal growth. By providing financial assistance, the fund encourages these students to pursue higher education and continue their journey of success. The Dayton Foundation, a key philanthropic partner in Greater Dayton, has a long history of supporting education and community development.