Best Grants for Community Centers in Northern Mariana Islands

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Jessie F. Dalman Scholarship

• Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public or private school within the primary service area of the Community Foundation or at Hudsonville High School or Hudsonville Unity Christian High School
• Enrolling in a 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• GPA of 3.8 or greater and ranked in the top 10 percent of graduating class
• United States citizen
• Leadership is an additional consideration

The Point Foundation Access Scholarship is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ and ally students who come from backgrounds historically facing limited opportunities. This scholarship provides essential financial assistance and access to leadership development, empowering recipients to achieve their educational goals. Eligible candidates include those enrolled in accredited U.S. postsecondary institutions, ensuring they can utilize funds effectively during their academic journey. By fostering inclusivity, the Point Foundation aims to cultivate future leaders in various fields.

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (SCSF) supports motivated individuals in need by providing financial assistance for education. Aimed at underserved youth and young adults, the SCSF helps cover tuition and related expenses, ensuring access to higher education. Eligible candidates include high school seniors, GED holders, and undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 2.0. The program encourages community service, fostering a spirit of giving back among its scholars.

The Sue & Ken Dyer Foundation Travel Scholarship, managed by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, offers financial support of up to $2,500 for students from select schools in South Central Pennsylvania. This scholarship aims to assist juniors and seniors with travel costs for educational or service-related trips. Recipients must demonstrate financial need and submit a report detailing their travel experiences. The fund supports the foundation's mission to enhance community development and educational opportunities.

The PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection recognizes an outstanding debut collection of short stories by a talented fiction writer. Awarded by PEN America, this prize highlights the literary achievements of new voices in fiction and offers a $25,000 cash prize to support the winner's future work. Established in memory of Robert W. Bingham, it honors his commitment to nurturing young writers and their contributions to literature.

The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers, awarded by PEN America, recognizes twelve emerging writers annually for their debut short story published in a literary outlet. Each winner receives a $2,000 cash prize, and their stories are published in an anthology by Catapult. The prize aims to foster new voices in fiction, inspired by Robert J. Dau's legacy, highlighting the importance of literary excellence and encouraging the next generation of writers.

The PEN Open Book Award, presented by PEN America, recognizes literary works by authors of color published in the U.S. during the year. With a focus on diversity, it awards a $10,000 prize and a residency in Italy to authors who have not yet garnered significant media attention. This award promotes underrepresented voices in literature, celebrating fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that challenge the norms and enrich the literary landscape.

The PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection, established by a bequest from Hunce Voelcker, is presented annually by PEN America to recognize a distinguished collection of poetry published in the calendar year. This award honors the importance of poetry collections as an art form and is open to all U.S. residents or citizens, regardless of age or poetic style, with a cash prize of $5,000. It aims to celebrate and expand the scope of American poetry.

The PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay, established by PEN America, honors a distinguished writer whose collection of essays expands their body of work. This prestigious award, with a cash prize of $15,000, recognizes books of individual essays that can explore a specific theme or a variety of subjects. Eligible candidates must be U.S. residents and cannot be debut authors, ensuring the award celebrates established voices in the literary community.

The PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award honors outstanding writing that effectively communicates complex scientific ideas in an accessible manner. Established by Dr. Edward O. Wilson and supported by notable figures, this award recognizes a single, living author for their work published within the calendar year. The winner receives a $10,000 cash prize, celebrating excellence in the literature of the physical and biological sciences.

The PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography, presented by PEN America, recognizes outstanding literary works in biography published in the U.S. during the previous year. With a prize of $5,000, this award celebrates authors who demonstrate exceptional narrative and artistic merit through scrupulous research. Since its inception, PEN America has awarded over $370,000 annually, supporting diverse voices in literature and promoting the freedom of expression.

The PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction, offered by PEN America, recognizes a distinguished book of nonfiction published annually. This prestigious award, which includes a $10,000 prize, honors works that exhibit notable literary merit and critical perspectives on contemporary issues. Eligible authors, regardless of citizenship, must have published their book in the previous calendar year. This award highlights the importance of intellectual rigor and stylistic elegance, echoing the legacy of economist John Kenneth Galbraith.

The PEN Award for Poetry in Translation, established in 1996, honors outstanding book-length translations of poetry into English. This prestigious award, conferred by PEN America, provides a $3,000 prize to the translator of the winning work. Eligible entries must be original translations published by U.S. trade publishers within the calendar year. The award not only recognizes the art of translation but also promotes cultural exchange and literary diversity.

The PEN Translation Prize, awarded annually by PEN America since 1963, recognizes outstanding book-length prose translations into English. A $3,000 prize is conferred to the winning translator, celebrating the art of literary translation. Eligible works must be original translations published by U.S. trade publishers within the calendar year. This award highlights the importance of cross-cultural literature by honoring translators who bridge language barriers, fostering appreciation for diverse voices in the literary community.

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) is inviting applications for the Project SAFE Grant Program, aimed at enhancing student safety and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program provides essential resources to local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement effective strategies in accordance with CDC guidelines. Eligible applicants are encouraged to participate to ensure the health and safety of students across the nation.

The Change Lab Research Fellow - Civic Engagement position at Forecast Public Art invites talented individuals to explore the intersection of public art and civic engagement. This six-month fellowship offers a $5,000 stipend for research aimed at fostering democratic participation through public art. The selected Fellow will conduct in-depth research, develop a public-facing report, and contribute to a national public art policy platform focused on justice and human dignity.

Carolyn L. Ballard & Beverly J. Schoch Scholarship

Graduating senior from a high school within the Community Foundation’s primary service area.

Brooks Family First Generation Scholarship

Graduating senior or graduating early college student from one of the following high schools: Black River, Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials.

The Sally Ann Forrester Scholarship

The Sally Ann Forrester College Scholarship is a $1,000 – $2,000 scholarship awarded to a female bluegrass musician. Students may be majoring in any subject, including bluegrass music. The IBMA Foundation administers the scholarship, which is funded by an endowment at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Sally Ann Forrester played accordion and sang as a member of Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys from 1943-1946, thus becoming the first female professional bluegrass musician in history.

Benjamin H. Van Andel Promise of Excellence Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes and supports exceptionally talented students in any field who exhibit the gifts and passion to be world class leaders, performers, or artists in their area of giftedness.

David M. Cordani Courage in Service Grant Program

The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), today announced the launch of the David M. Cordani Courage in Service Grant, a new $1.5 million, 10-year commitment to support the health and well-being of military and veteran communities by prioritizing social connection.

Each year, $150,000 will be awarded to one nonprofit serving military and veteran communities to support programs that strengthen connections, improve well-being, and increase stability for individuals and families navigating key life transitions.

How the Grant Supports Military Communities

The Courage in Service Grant will support nonprofit organizations that deliver:

• Programs that reduce isolation and strengthen resilience among military families through peer support
• Community-centered health and wellness hubs offering physical activity, wellness programming, and mental health support
• Transition-focused services that help individuals and families navigate key military life moments such as deployment, relocation, recovery, and reintegration

Zeeland Rotary – Donald Morgan Memorial Scholarship

Graduating senior who resides in the Zeeland Public School District (student does not have to attend Zeeland Public Schools to be eligible).

The Gloria Belle Memorial Scholarship, established by the IBMA Foundation, honors pioneering bluegrass musician Gloria Bernadette Flickinger. This $1,000 annual scholarship supports students engaged in the bluegrass music community, either as performers or in supportive roles. With over $25,000 raised since June 2024, the scholarship aims to expand funding to $2,000 annually by 2025, promoting education and participation in bluegrass music.

Batts Family Scholarship

Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation.

Crown Castle Scholarship

Benefiting Crown Castle interns OR dependents of Crown Castle employees.

Award Amount

• Three (3) scholarships awarded annually
• $10,000 divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters
• Recipients may reapply for up to 3 consecutive years.

What can this scholarship be used for?

• The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student's college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses.
• Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.

LeRoy T. Walker

LeRoy T. Walker (June 14, 1918 – April 23, 2012) was an icon. A noted author, professor, coach, and administrator in the disciplines of physical education and athletics, he was a barrier-breaking and remarkable human being who was dedicated to promoting and uplifting young people.

Walker was Chancellor Emeritus of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, NC. He was elected President of the Athletics Congress (now USA Track & Field), the national governing body of USA Track & Field. Walker was elected President Emeritus of the United States' Olympic Committee (the first and only American to hold this position) and was a former president of AAHPERD (from 1977-1978, also the first African American to be elected to this position). Walker was inducted as a member into 17 Halls of Fame, awarded 16 Honorary Doctorates from a variety of institutions, and received numerous awards, including the Luther H. Gulick Award (1982), SHAPE America's highest honor.

The LeRoy T. Walker Young Professional Award

The LeRoy T. Walker Young Professional Award is given to a minority member of SHAPE America who is 36 years old or younger who has demonstrated superior promise in the areas of service, teaching, scholarship and commitment to the goals of SHAPE America focusing specifically on under-represented and/or underserved populations and promotion of diversity and inclusiveness. Not more than one LeRoy Walker Young Professional award shall be given annually.

The Runschke Family Scholarship, established by Gernot and Anne Runschke, supports students from Northwest Ottawa County pursuing vocational or trades programs. It aims to empower local youth by easing educational costs, while emphasizing community involvement and academic potential. Financial need is not a primary consideration, allowing a diverse range of applicants to qualify. This scholarship reflects the Runschke family's commitment to enhancing education and workforce development in their community.