Best Grants for Charities in Ohio

The Garman Builders Phil Shatto Legacy Scholarship, established by the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Harrisburg, supports local youth pursuing education in construction-related fields. Annually, 5-10 scholarships of up to $2000 are awarded based on academic performance and career aspirations, with a focus on students entering the Building/Construction Industry. This initiative, active since 1987, encourages future workforce development in essential sectors like Architecture and Engineering.

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are not covered.

Terry & Wanda Wood Memorial Scholarship

Criteria evaluated:

• Work ethic and ambition, desire to pursue a trade, and financial need

Required materials: 

• Essay of up to 250 words describing the applicant’s career path plans, 
• 2 letters of recommendation from teachers and/or counselors, and 3) FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

• $7,500 | 1 scholarship

The Swantz Family Foundation Grant aims to support innovative nonprofit organizations that reconnect young people with nature. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt, and grants are typically awarded for one year, with some exceptions for multi-year funding. Recipients are required to submit a final report detailing project activities and the use of funds within 12 months. The foundation may recover funds if misused, ensuring accountability and effective use of resources.

Parkview Health Foundation

The Parkview Health Foundation plays a vital role in supporting Parkview Health and its ability to provide expert, specialized healthcare to our entire region. As the area’s largest health system, Parkview Health serves a population of more than 1.3 million in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio.

Since 1878, charitable giving has been an important part of Parkview’s ability to deliver excellent care for every person, every day. The Parkview Health Foundation helps ensure philanthropic donations are used to support Parkview patients and the community at large by enhancing the patient experience through comfort and healing.

Scholarships

Helping train and educate the next generation of Parkview caregivers is an important part of our purpose. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to offer scholarships to Parkview co-workers and area students who are pursuing their nursing degrees or EMT certifications — helping ensure the excellence in care continues.

Parkview Huntington Spirit of Service Scholarship

The Parkview Huntington Spirit of Service Scholarship – This scholarship was initially funded by a portion of a legacy gift from the Parkview Huntington Hospital Guild, which ceased operations in 2018. Scholarships have been awarded annually since 2019. The scholarship is sustained by proceeds from operation of the Parkview Huntington Hospital gift shop.

Who We Are & What We Do

On November 26, 1997, a small group of citizens with an abundance of enthusiasm embarked on a mission to secure the quality of life in our region now and forever. By yearend, they had a modest $1,050. Through commitment and vision, the Quincy Area Community Foundation expanded and grew to become the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri.

Serving 12 counties on both sides of the Mississippi River, we operate as a bridge between our donors’ charitable visions and the nonprofit organizations that bring those visions to life. 

Scholarship Opportunities

Community Foundation scholarships are offered annually for high school and college students throughout our region. Each scholarship has its own eligibility requirements.

John Petty Trade School Scholarship Fund

Grants Awarded

• Spring.
• $1,000 awarded, renewable for one additional year.

The PEDIGREE Foundation: Dogs Rule Grant aims to support innovative initiatives that enhance dog adoption rates in the U.S. Established in 2008, the foundation focuses on organizations that improve care for dogs in shelters and rescues. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations with a commitment to creating best practices for increasing adoptions. The program requires a manual or toolkit to be developed and shared with the animal welfare community to ensure sustainability and broader impact.

The Fisher Service Award, sponsored by the Fisher House Foundation and Military Times Foundation, recognizes innovative programs that enhance the lives of military and veteran communities. This annual award allocates $400,000 to top nonprofits, with each winner receiving an additional $50,000 advertising package from Military Times. Organizations must be 501(c) nonprofits and demonstrate the positive impact of their programs on veterans and their families. More details can be found in the FAQ.

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

Ingram-White Castle Team Member Scholarship 

The Ingram-White Castle Foundation established its scholarship in 1989 to honor founder Billy Ingram’s core belief in the importance of investment in learning and education. The scholarship may be used for any educational expenses for full-time or part-time study at any accredited public or independent college or university in the United States.

Award Amount:

• $2,500 to $3,500

The Bridge to Success Grant for Mid-Career/Senior Investigators, offered by the AASM Foundation, supports seasoned sleep and circadian science researchers seeking bridge funding while reapplying for larger grants. Eligible applicants include those with past NIH proposals that were not funded but scored. This initiative aims to retain experienced investigators in the field while ensuring a continued focus on vital research topics. The grant is a part of the AASM Foundation's commitment to advancing sleep research.

Kenneth B. Creasy Speech and Debate Scholarship

The scholarship was created to honor the late Kenneth B. Creasy, who died unexpectedly in June of 1992. Mr. Creasy was a former social studies teacher and speech and debate coach at Olentangy and Hayes high schools in Delaware County, Ohio.

Award Amount:

• One $5,000 scholarship for a graduating high school senior. 
• One $5,000 scholarship for a current college student.

Margaret Ford Smucker and Lloyd K. Smucker Scholarship Fund

The fund was established in memory of Margaret Ford and Lloyd K. Smucker by their son, John L. Smucker. Margaret and Lloyd Smucker lived most of their adult lives in Medina County, and Margaret Smucker taught in the Medina County public schools for many of those years. This fund provides scholarships annually to assist economically disadvantaged graduates of high schools in Medina County, Ohio to continue their education through college.

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.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

John and Margaret Humphris Veterinary Scholarship

Selection based upon (in order of priority):

Financial need, an eesay not to exceed 500 words: “Discuss your reasons for choosing to become a veterinarian and you plans after graduations.”, and recommendations.

Awards

• One $2,000 scholarship, renewable for up to three (3) additional years

The Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER) program is a 20-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) by the US Air Force aimed at advancing innovative aerospace technologies. This initiative encourages white papers and proposals for research and development to enhance technology readiness levels. It is designed to provide the warfighter with a decisive advantage through transformative technology solutions. Multiple awards are anticipated, allowing for a range of project durations and funding values.

Joseph A. Catrambone Trade & Vocational Scholarship

Anyone pursuing a degree or certification in a trade or vocation.

Award:

• Full need is taken into account – awards amounts are based on need.

Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations. 

Each year, Cumberland Community Foundation announces more than $1,000,000 in college scholarships to students from southeastern North Carolina.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity: The George L. Butler Memorial Scholarship

Graduating senior from any high school in Cumberland County or Fort Bragg area.

OREF/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Research Grant

Solicits investigator-initiated proposals focusing on research in the science of biologic – reconstruction, bone regeneration, transplantation - allografts, and including stem cells for graft transplantation.

Frazier Family Foundation

Lynn Frazier, together with his two sons, Garrett and Derrick, created The Frazier Family Foundation in 2018 with the mission to provide resources, education, and opportunities to foster on-ramps of excellence for future generations of innovators and creators.

The Frazier Family Foundation empowers young innovators and creators through grants, scholarships, and partner programs. Committed to its mission, the foundation partners with entities that make immediate, meaningful, and measurable impacts. Each year, the Frazier Family invests in initiatives that develop on-ramps of excellence at every stage of life.

Frazier Family Foundation Scholarship

The Frazier Family Foundation Scholarship is designed to provide "on-ramps of excellence" for the next generation of leaders, innovators, and thinkers in the Coastal Bend area by providing essential financial support to those with the grit and vision to succeed. Aimed at high school seniors and college students in Nueces County, this scholarship seeks to reduce the barriers to higher education and foster a community of driven individuals who are eager to push boundaries and exceed expectations. With a commitment to nurturing local talent and enhancing educational opportunities, the Frazier Family Foundation is dedicated to cultivating a legacy of empowerment and success in South Texas.

Eligible recipients can receive a scholarship up to $10,000 for tuition, books, registration, transportation, meal plan supplement, lab fees, and supplies.

Patrick J. Kiley / Houston AGC Scholarship

Benefiting employees, dependents of employees, and/or interns of AGC Houston member firms OR students involved in AGC Student Chapters.

Award Amounts

Multiple awards are given each year. Scholarship award amounts will vary for each selected scholarship recipient.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

High School Senior Scholarship

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in high school. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s college of choice. 

Senior Scholarship

The Senior Scholarship recognizes students for their academic performance, school activities, leadership, and community service. The $1,200 scholarship is available to high school seniors pursuing college degrees in any field of interest. Up to ten scholarships will be awarded.

Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa Challenge Grant

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a devastating chronic inflammatory disease that manifests as recurrent painful nodules under the skin in the intertriginous areas of the body. It is associated with significant impacts on quality of life, psychosocial well-being, and long-term health outcomes of patients as well as consequences for families and caregivers. HS is prevalent, affecting between 1 and 4% of the population beginning in adolescence and persisting into adulthood. Despite the impact of HS, it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied particularly in the pediatric and adolescent populations. Contributing to this dynamic are unknowns related to a complex disease etiology, stigma associated with HS symptoms (e.g., sweating, itching, and scarring commonly in the genital region), and limited treatment options to date with even fewer available for children under the age of 12.

To address the needs of children and adolescents living with HS, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), HS Connect, and the HS Foundation are offering the 2026 Pediatric HS Challenge Grant to support an early-to-mid career investigator for a one-year project focused on a high-priority, patient-centric research topic.

Focus

Proposals should address one or more of the following high-priority research topics:

• Predicting treatment effectiveness and risk utilizing real world evidence and/or experience
• Early disease and factors involved in severe disease development
• Optimizing surgical and procedural approaches to minimize pain, shorten healing time, and reduce recurrence
• Improving recruitment of diverse and representative populations for clinical studies, trials and advanced therapeutics

Funding:

• Up to $50,000 to support one year of research
• One award anticipated for this funding cycle

Southeast Ohio Health and Wellness Foundation Fund community grants

The Southeast Ohio Health and Wellness Foundation Fund community grants program supports health and wellness activities in the fund’s eight-county service area, which includes Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble and Tuscarawas counties.

About the fund

Established in 2023, the Southeast Ohio Health and Wellness Foundation Fund awards grants and scholarships that support health and wellness activities in the fund’s eight-county service area.

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 Don and Elsie Sickafoose Educational Trust Fund

The Don and Elsie Sickafoose Educational Trust Fund was established to assist students residing in Carroll County.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Margaret A. Wright Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Margaret Wright, who established the Margaret A. Wright Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Margaret worked as a secretary for the Norge Corporation, the County of Muskegon and Muskegon Construction. She enjoyed sewing, ice skating and exercising at the Y. When she passed, she left a gift through her estate to create a scholarship fund that will support will support Muskegon County graduates that are pursuing a specific trade or skill.

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 Alice J. Foit Scholarship Fund

The Alice J. Foit Scholarship Fund was established to assist high school graduates or seniors residing in Carroll County, Ohio or German Township, Harrison County, Ohio accepted or enrolled as full-time students at a two or four-year college or university program leading to a degree; and who have achieved a high school cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; and if attending college, a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must intend to live in or work in either Carroll or Harrison County, Ohio for a minimum of two years after completion of their education; demonstrate involvement in both extracurricular activities and community and religious activities.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Muskegon County Medical Society Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the members of the Muskegon County Medical Society, who established the Muskegon County Medical Society Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship provides assistance to individuals pursuing projects or programs relating to health, science education and/or service.