Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation

Empowerment through Food Awareness, Access, and Education

We are a private, family-directed, not-for-profit philanthropic organization, established through the estate of Ann B. Zekauskas. We are dedicated to educating students, families, and communities, especially the underserved, on producing, preparing, and eating healthy foods, and to supporting organizations focused on hunger relief and careers in the culinary arts.

We perform our mission through collaborations with and support of approved non-profit organizations within these key areas of giving: nutrition education, food access, and culinary arts training.

Nutrition Education

Ann B. Zekauskas believed that individuals of all ages — especially school-aged children and their families — should be provided with an education to understand how food makes its way from seed to plate —from planting and growing, to harvesting and sourcing, to cooking and serving.

Nutrition education empowers people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to make healthy food choices, promoting overall mental well-being and physical wellness.

In carrying out Ann’s legacy, we work with schools, community groups, and other like-minded organizations across the country, supporting their programs that encourage a lifelong practice of healthy eating.

Request a Grant

The Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation is committed to supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that align with our mission and values. We welcome grant requests from nonprofit organizations seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities in the areas of nutritional education, food access, or the advancement of cuilnary arts careers.

The Indian Land Tenure Foundation's Legal Reform Grant Program aims to empower American Indian nations by addressing systemic barriers to land ownership and control. This initiative promotes collaboration on projects like estate planning, land policy reform, and engaging government leaders in discussions about tribal sovereignty. By focusing on legal reforms, the program seeks to rectify longstanding inequities and enhance the ability of tribes to manage their land effectively.

The Grant for Grassroots Exchange: Japan Festivals and Events supports cultural projects promoting understanding of Japan through local festivals and events. Aimed at community-driven initiatives, the grant encourages cross-cultural exchange and global perspectives while providing up to $7,000 in funding. Priority is given to projects reaching underserved communities in the Midwest, Mountain, and South regions, involving new participants in K-12 education, and demonstrating potential for replication in other areas.

Who We Are

Saginaw County is home. It is a beautiful community you’d be foolish to underestimate. We may have our challenges, but seeing its cities, villages and townships continue to grow and flourish gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride like none other.

Back in 1984, The Saginaw Community Foundation was founded to enhance the quality of life in our county by providing leadership, education, and support for philanthropy. Today, we still continue this mission of supporting the needs of our community through targeted grants, investments, and scholarships.

In addition to our grantmaking and scholarship programs, the Foundation also offers donor advised funds, which allow donors to recommend charitable grants to organizations of their choice. We also manage several endowed funds, which provide ongoing support for specific causes or organizations.

Saginaw Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. A staff of professionals oversee our day-to-day operations and work with donors and community organizations to identify and address community needs.

CTE Scholarships

Dreaming of a career in welding? Maybe managing your own auto mechanics garage fuels your thoughts or you would love to become an electrician. Perhaps studying to become a chef in a culinary arts program suits your tastes.

No matter what your career path may be, there is little doubt that in recent years interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) has grown. The increased need for workers skilled in the trades has resulted in larger numbers of students seeking out CTE programs.

Schools offering CTE encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology. In the past, financial assistance has been hard to come by for these areas of study, but that is no longer the case. Saginaw Community Foundation has several scholarship opportunities for those who have the desire to pursue CTE.

According to leading economists, not everyone needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.

For aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued skilled trade workers, there is great opportunity to take advantage of tailored CTE programs. The demand is massive as an estimated 3 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant.

Our CTE scholarship awards range between $500 – $4,000 typically.

Can-Amera Games Scholarship

The Can-Amera Games started in 1972 as an international goodwill sporting competition between Saginaw Township and Galt, Ontario. The games were centered on friendly competition in a variety of sports for youth ages 9-18. As the years progressed, the games expanded to include other townships in Saginaw County, as well as those communities, including Galt, that joined together to become the city of Cambridge, Ontario. The Can-Amera Games were the efforts of an all-volunteer organization that worked year-round to ensure that the games would be successful in meeting the purpose of this friendly international competition. Can-Amera Games ended in 2006 at the completion of the 35th annual event.

All past board members, volunteers, and athletes would like to honor a deserving high school senior who best represents the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, friendship and community involvement with the Can-Amera Scholarship as a way to symbolize the spirit and memory of the Can-Amera Games.

The Joanie Bostic Memorial Senior Pirate Spirit Award, established by the Decatur County Community Foundation, honors Joanie Bostic's passion for youth and Greensburg athletics. This scholarship recognizes a senior who exemplifies outstanding school spirit through participation in or support of athletics or music. Eligible candidates must be graduating seniors from Greensburg Community High School and submit a statement detailing their school experience and encouragement of Pirate spirit.

Spencer County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Spencer County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

Schmidt-Yeager Scholarship

Annual scholarship created by Phillip and Elaine Schmidt to facilitate adults continuing their college education.

Award Amount

• $1,470

The Barbara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship, offered by SHAPE America, is a $1,000 annual award for master's level students enrolled in accredited health education programs in the U.S. Recipients can use the funds as they wish and receive a complimentary one-year student membership with SHAPE America. The scholarship aims to support future educators and enhance the quality of health education, promoting research and professional practice in the field.

The Indian Land Tenure Foundation's Economic Opportunity Grant aims to empower American Indian nations by enhancing their control over reservation lands. This initiative addresses historical challenges in land ownership and economic development, providing essential resources and tools for communities to manage land effectively. By focusing on land acquisition and productive land use, the Foundation supports sustainable growth and cultural preservation, ultimately fostering economic self-sufficiency among Indigenous populations.

The Kristin Lee Burry Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Decatur County Community Foundation, supports North Decatur graduates pursuing degrees in special education, pediatric medicine, or Christian ministry. This scholarship honors Kristin's legacy and her family's deep roots in the community, as her mother and brother are NDHS alumni. By providing financial assistance, this scholarship aims to ease the educational burden for deserving students and contribute to a brighter future.

The Bill Kane Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded by SHAPE America, provides $1,000 annually to undergraduate students majoring in school-based health education at accredited institutions in the U.S. or territories. Eligible candidates must be full-time students with a GPA of at least 3.25. Alongside the scholarship, recipients receive a complimentary one-year membership with SHAPE America, promoting professional development in health and physical education.

The Josh Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, is designed to support students who are residents of Chaves, Lincoln, and Otero counties. It encourages applications from single parents demonstrating financial need. Eligible students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and can attend any higher education institution, including universities, community colleges, or vocational schools. This scholarship aims to empower various individuals on their educational journeys.

The Dale & Delores Willi Scholarship, offered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, provides financial support to students from Hudson High School or homeschool programs who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to pursue music in college. This scholarship awards $2,000 per year for up to two years, focusing on applicants who demonstrate financial need and a strong passion for music, thereby aiding their academic and musical development.

About Us

Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc. is a public, 501-C-3 charity. There are 30 community foundations in Wisconsin and more than 750 in the nation. The purpose of all community foundations is to accumulate charitable dollars that impact a specific geographic region in areas such as education, the arts, economic development, recreation, environmental protection, health care, and social services. They may be relatively small, as we are (assets of $14 million), or very large, as is the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (assets over $400 million).

Most people are familiar with private foundations, established by individuals, families, or corporations. Typically, in order to establish a private foundation, one has to have considerable wealth. You could say Community Foundations are much more democratic. We are, in a sense, an umbrella foundation containing many small foundations. We call those small foundations “funds.”

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Kenneth and Ardyce Heiting Scholarship (2025)

The Cody and Zach Skilled Trades Scholarship, offered by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports graduates from Merrill High School and the Great Lakes Bay Region pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE). With an emphasis on practical skills in various trades, this scholarship helps bridge the gap in financial assistance for students aiming for lucrative careers in fields like welding, carpentry, and more. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, promoting a skilled workforce in the community.

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Geographical Area

The official geographic service area of Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc., beginning to our west and traveling clockwise, includes the following communities in addition to Marshfield (It also includes towns and rural areas between these communities.): Chili, Granton, Neillsville, Loyal, Greenwood, Withee, Owen, Spencer, Unity, Colby, Curtiss, Pittsville, Abbotsford, Dorchester, Stetsonville, Medford, Stratford, Rozellville, Hewitt, Auburndale, Blenker, Milladore, Sherry, Arpin.

Adam D. Steiner Legacy Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is for a student within the Marshfield Area Community Foundation service area who will be majoring in agriculture, dairy science or industry, or veterinarian and attending school fulltime. Preference to students who grew up on a dairy farm.

The Gerry & Sherry Fortner Education Endowed Scholarship, established by former teachers Gerry and Sherry Fortner, supports Hamilton County students pursuing a degree in education. This scholarship reflects the Fortners' commitment to fostering educational opportunities for local youth, ensuring that every student has access to resources necessary for their academic success. Preference is given to students from Hamilton Heights, Noblesville, Sheridan, and Westfield High Schools, continuing the legacy of the Fortners' passion for education.

Dale and Tillie Jessup Scholarship

The Dale and Tillie Jessup Scholarship is intended for graduating high school seniors who have attended a Greene County high school for all four years and have been a resident of Greene County or Clay County for those four years. Applicant must be planning to major, on a full-time basis, in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. Dale and Tillie Jessup established a unique scholarship fund for Greene County high school graduating seniors. The Jessup’s donated 100 acres of farm land to the Foundation. The land is leased for farming and the proceeds are used to provide scholarships to students in financial need. Students awarded the Jessup scholarship as a graduating high school senior may re-apply in subsequent years for additional awards.

Gabby's Dream Scholarship honors the memory of Gabriella Garven, who tragically passed away but chose to be an organ donor, saving five lives. This scholarship aims to support Muskingum County high school seniors pursuing higher education. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate involvement in extracurricular activities. By providing financial assistance, this scholarship helps students achieve their dreams, reflecting Gabby's spirit of kindness and generosity, and empowering them to make a positive impact in their communities.

The Richard M. Fisher Memorial Scholarship, offered by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, supports students pursuing careers in construction trades and vocational fields. Established in memory of Richard Fisher, a dedicated public works inspector, this scholarship is open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and returning students. By providing vital financial assistance, the scholarship aims to empower local students to achieve their educational and career aspirations, fostering a brighter future for the community.

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is a sovereign nation and has three main branches of government – Judicial, Executive, and Legislative. One of our most important resources is our people.

Education

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz seeks to provide opportunities for Tribal members to reach potential, establish independence and improve quality of life through lifelong learning and education.

Siletz Scholarship

This scholarship is open to any field of study.

The Donald Stuart Corsaut Memorial Scholarship, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors a dedicated man who believed in helping others succeed. This scholarship supports residents of Saginaw County pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) or undergraduate degrees, with awards ranging from $500 to $4,000. Applicants must maintain a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 and demonstrate commitment to skilled trades, reflecting the growing demand for skilled workers in various fields.

The NIH grant focuses on elucidating the role of transporters in key perinatal barriers such as the placenta and blood-brain barrier. By establishing a multi-barrier transport network, the initiative aims to enhance understanding of maternal and infant health regarding nutrient and medication transport. This research will create essential resources and standards, fostering future studies on perinatal exposure and intervention strategies. Ultimately, it aims to advance knowledge in pediatric pharmacology and neurodevelopment.

The Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants Program aims to address the skilled trades labor shortage by investing $50 million over five years to train 50,000 job-ready workers. The program supports community and technical colleges, as well as community-based nonprofit organizations, to enhance their skilled trades education initiatives. Eligible organizations can apply for grants from March 1, 2025, to October 1, 2025, to foster workforce development in essential trades such as HVAC, plumbing, and construction.

Spencer Educational Foundation Inc

The Spencer Educational Foundation was founded by the Rims Atlanta Chapter in 1979. To this day, Spencer remains the premier organization funding the education of tomorrow's risk management and insurance leaders.

The Spencer Educational Foundation: awards merit-based scholarships and grants to university students pursuing careers in risk management, insurance, and/or actuarial science; provides grants that create experiential learning opportunities both on and off campus; funds the development of risk management and insurance curricula in colleges and universities; supports Risk Managers by creating internship opportunities within the risk management function of their companies; and operates across the United States and Canada. 

Spencer Educational Foundation: Spencer Success Stipend

The Spencer Success Stipend is a student support initiative created to help reduce financial barriers associated with internship opportunities in the risk management and insurance industry. The program provides funding to eligible students to assist with internship-related expenses that may otherwise make it difficult to participate in valuable experiential learning opportunities.

Through the Spencer Success Stipend, students may receive support for expenses such as housing, transportation, professional attire, technology, relocation costs, work-related meals, licensing or background check fees, and other direct internship participation costs. The goal of the program is to ensure students can fully engage in career-building experiences that strengthen their professional development, industry exposure, and long-term success.

Thanks to the generous support of Allied World and Munich Re, Spencer is proud to expand access to these opportunities and continue investing in the next generation of industry talent. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

PFund Foundation

PFund Foundation builds equity with LGBTQ+ communities across the Upper Midwest by providing grants and scholarships, developing leaders, and inspiring giving.

PFund Foundation Scholarship

PFund Scholarship Grants are for LGBTQ+ students of all ages who are either from or studying in the Upper Midwest. Grants range from $1,000-$12,000 and can be used for a wide variety of expenses and programs. Scholarships also include a lifetime membership to the PFund Scholar Alumni program which includes annual professional development and networking opportunities. There is one application window per year.

The Undergraduate Development Program Advisor Travel Award, hosted by the Society of Toxicology, enables faculty advisors to attend the Undergraduate Development Program from March 21-23, 2026. This initiative aims to familiarize advisors with toxicology and encourage them to guide students toward careers in biomedical sciences. Recipients of the award will participate in educational sessions, networking opportunities, and receive support for travel-related expenses, fostering diversity and innovation within the field.

The Great Lakes Safety Training Center Scholarship, established by local contractors and businesses, aims to support residents of Gratiot or Saginaw County pursuing careers in trades or construction with a focus on safety. This scholarship is available to individuals enrolled in degree or certification programs at accredited institutions in Michigan, emphasizing the importance of safety in skilled trades. With awards typically ranging from $500 to $4,000, this initiative addresses the growing demand for skilled workers in the community.