Best Financial Assistance Grants in Ohio

The E.B. Henderson Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors minority members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy for ethnic minorities within health and physical education. Established in 1885, SHAPE America serves over 200,000 professionals, promoting high-quality education standards. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to increasing the participation of underserved populations in the field. Limited to two awards annually, it highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in health education.

All in Play: Empowering Inclusive Sports in K-12 Schools

Through the development of inclusive athletic programs in K–12 schools, this initiative empowers students with developmental disabilities—including those with severe disabilities—to actively participate in school sports by building the capacity of educators, coaches, and peers.

The project emphasizes a train-the-trainer model, equipping school staff and university partners with strategies to support students across the full spectrum of abilities. Special attention will be given to approaches that enable inclusion for students with significant support needs, ensuring that training covers adaptive techniques, individualized planning, and peer engagement strategies. 

Mary Elizabeth Betts Beattey Scholarship

Mary Elizabeth Betts Beattey graduated from high school at 17 in 1937, when the shadow of the Great Depression still darkened her home in Appalachian Ohio, so she put aside her desire to attend college and, for the next three decades, relied on her Gregg shorthand, typing, language arts, and general abilities in various secretarial positions. When her husband died just short of her 50th birthday, she found herself with the time and resources to pursue her dream of a college education. Within three years, she had a degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University, graduating cum laude.

For most of the next two decades, she taught fifth grade, reveling in finding the student who, with a little special service, extra attention, encouragement, or cajoling could and would do better academically. The goal of the scholarship is to support a student who has been helped, motivated, or cajoled into doing better and to continue on that path through their high school career.

Award Amount:

• $5,000, payable over four years as 10% awarded year one, 20% awarded year two, 30% awarded year three, and 40% year four.

The Delta Dental Foundation offers Community Mini-Grants of up to $10,000 for organizations in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana that promote oral health initiatives. This program supports local nonprofits engaged in activities that enhance access to care, advocacy, education, and workforce development. Grants are evaluated based on their alignment with strategic aims and the potential impact on community health. Certain exclusions apply, including projects for building construction or political activities.

The SFS Fellows Grant, awarded by the Society for Freshwater Science, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to freshwater science research, policy, or management. Each year, up to four fellows are selected based on their sustained excellence and leadership within the field. This initiative also encourages diversity by promoting nominations from underrepresented groups and mid-career professionals. The grant fosters collaboration and participation in SFS activities, enhancing the impact of freshwater science.

The WGPF: Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program celebrates and promotes local folklore, legends, and folklife as vital aspects of cultural heritage. Targeted at 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities across 14 US states, it aims to enhance cultural tourism by commemorating community stories. Successful applications typically focus on folktales, historical legends, and community traditions, while excluding purely literary works or personal folklore that lacks broader community significance.

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 Harry D. Callahan Educational Trust Fund

The Harry D. Callahan Educational Trust Fund assists residents of Stark County who are graduates or current graduating seniors of a Stark County high school, and plan to attend a college or university in the state of Ohio or within a 150-mile radius of Canton, Ohio. To qualify, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

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.

Marion Area Auxiliary Scholarship

The eldest of the scholarship funds at Marion Community Foundation, the Marion Area Auxiliary Scholarship was created in 2000 to support careers in medicine, in keeping with the earliest goals of the Foundation.

Marion Community Foundation was created in 1998 from the Mary Elizabeth Smith Foundation and sale of the assets of the former MedCenter Hospital. Supporting health care access and services and careers in medicine are long-standing goals of the Foundation.

This scholarship makes awards to Marion County students who score in the upper 50 percent of the ACT or SAT and are pursuing an education in health care or medical sciences.

About 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.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our community meet its needs and challenges. The Foundation invests and administers these funds.

Dr. Shelton & Becky Williams Scholarship

The Dr. Shelton & Becky Williams Scholarship Fund was created in 2017 by Becky Williams to honor her late husband.

The scholarship supports seniors and graduates from any school in Marion County pursuing a degree in psychology at The Ohio State University at Marion. 

The NCR-SARE Research and Education Grant Program supports innovative agricultural projects that are environmentally sound and socially responsible. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 are available for projects lasting up to 36 months, promoting collaboration among researchers, educators, and producers. This program emphasizes outreach, farmer involvement, and research on topics such as sustainable pest management, local food systems, and crop diversification, addressing the economic and environmental aspects of agriculture.

Emerine Memorial Scholarship Fund

The scholarship honors the memory of Janet and Erin Emerine, lovers of learning. Janet dedicated her life to teaching people of all ages. Erin dedicated her life to improving the community around her through volunteerism. They valued education as a tool to succeed in life, and they would have wanted others to have the opportunity offered by a scholarship.

Award Amount:

• $1,000

The Zack Smith MVL School Scholarship honors the legacy of Zack Smith, who was passionate about hunting and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others through law enforcement. This scholarship supports students who attended MVL schools, have athletic experience, and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. It aims to empower individuals pursuing their dreams in higher education, reflecting Zack's commitment to community and personal growth.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

W.A. and Margaret E. Buehler Scholarship

The scholarship was established by the Buehler family to assist students who have graduated from a high school in Franklin County to pursue a nursing degree.

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.

Adam Johnston Memorial Scholarship

The Adam Johnston Memorial Scholarship honors the young life of its namesake, son of Tom and Ruth Johnston of Marion. Adam passed away a few weeks prior to his 8th birthday, while a second grader at Ridgedale. He died following a surgical attempt to correct his congenital heart defect.

This scholarship was created in 2000 to preserve the memory of this cheerful, gregarious, and unflappable little boy who made everyone around him smile. It is his parents’ intent that the scholarship will help his former classmates and others remember their son.

Adam’s scholarship makes awards to Ridgedale High School graduating seniors scoring in the upper 50th percentile of the ACT or SAT. Recipients must have, at a minimum, attended Ridgedale their entire senior year.

The Bonnie Cardone Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Women Divers Hall of Fame, awards $1,500 to a woman diver enrolled in a U.S. or Canada degree program in journalism, graphic arts, photography, or videography. This scholarship aims to support those committed to using their education to benefit the ocean environment and community, promoting greater awareness and conservation efforts. Eligible applicants must demonstrate their dedication to these fields and their potential impact on marine ecosystems.

The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant supports K-12 public schools facing budget cuts that threaten their music and arts programs. Eligible applicants, who must be active employees of public K-12 schools and members of specified educator associations, can request grants of $250 for music or arts needs. This initiative aims to enhance creative education across the states, excluding AK, HI, MA, MI, NY, and WI. Applications received by July 15 will be notified by November 30.

The Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP), administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides crucial funding to tribal governments and intertribal consortia for developing environmental protection programs. Since 1992, GAP has focused on remediation of pollutants and, more recently, supports climate adaptation initiatives. The program emphasizes tribal sovereignty while aiding in capacity building, policymaking, and establishing joint EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans to effectively address environmental challenges faced by tribal communities.

The Volstead Holdings Scholarship, offered by The Columbus Foundation, aims to support residents of central and northeast Ohio pursuing technical post-secondary education in fields such as design, construction, manufacturing, and logistics. This scholarship emphasizes skilled trades and technical career pathways, prioritizing non-traditional students to enhance access to education. By connecting applicants with vital educational resources, the scholarship seeks to strengthen Ohio's workforce and manufacturing legacy, ensuring meaningful opportunities for future generations.

The Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) Scholarship, funded by The Columbus Foundation, aims to support Ohio residents pursuing careers in water resource-related fields. Eligible applicants must be full-time students at an Ohio public or nonprofit college, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.75. This initiative seeks to strengthen the future workforce in essential disciplines such as civil engineering, hydrogeology, and water policy, contributing to sustainable water management in the region.

Reducing Problem Gambling Harm on College Campuses RFA

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) releases this Request for Applications (RFA) for the purpose of soliciting applications to identify and support Ohio institutions of higher education (IHE) and coordinate with a non-profit organization and/or coalition to serve as a statewide partner in advancing collegiate gambling harm prevention and early intervention efforts across Ohio. Through this RFA, DBH seeks to expand the availability of evidence-informed prevention programming, strengthen campus capacity to recognize and respond to gambling related concerns, develop a coordinated network of IHEs committed to reducing gambling harm among students.

For the purpose of this RFA, the term “applicant” is defined as a state institution of higher education as defined by 3345.011 of the Ohio Revised Code or a nonprofit institution holding a certificate of authorization pursuant to Chapter 1713 of the Ohio Revised Code. The terms “application” and “response” may be used interchangeably to indicate materials submitted to DBH by an applicant in order to be considered for award of a grant for services described in this RFA. The terms “grantee” and “selected applicant” may be used interchangeably in reference to an organization selected by DBH through this RFA for award. DBH will award funding to only one applicant.

The DBH has released this RFA with the intent of awarding up to $500,000 in FY27 one eligible institution , which will in turn support this project.

The FDC Foundation, established in 2008, is a private non-profit dedicated to providing grants to 501(c)(3) public charities across three main areas: Health & Nutrition, Education, and Housing. The foundation supports initiatives that improve nutrition, assist diabetic individuals, enhance early childhood development, and promote housing opportunities for those in need. However, it does not fund for-profit entities or international organizations, nor does it provide grants for specific excluded purposes.

The Dogs for Joy Grant, funded by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, supports the integration of trained facility dogs in pediatric hospitals. These dogs provide emotional support, help children cope with medical procedures, and enhance overall well-being. The program aims to increase the presence of in-residence dogs, as research highlights their positive impact on reducing anxiety and improving patient outcomes. Grants typically cover multi-year funding, promoting innovative animal-assisted therapy approaches in healthcare settings.

The WGPF: Ohio Historical Markers Grant Program, initiated by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation in collaboration with Ohio History Connection, offers grants for historical markers that commemorate significant people, places, and events in Ohio's history from 1800 to 1900. Open to municipalities and nonprofit organizations, the program provides a total of 20 grants across various counties, fostering a deeper appreciation and recognition of Ohio's rich historical heritage.

The Ohio History Fund Grants: Bricks & Mortar Grant supports history-related projects through competitive matching funds. Eligible applicants include Ohio-based nonprofits and government entities, aiming to preserve historical properties and sites. Grants range from $2,000 to $20,000 with a 60/40 match requirement. Since 2013, over $1 million has been awarded across the state, highlighting significant community interest and need for historical preservation funding.