Best Grants for Small Nonprofits in Ohio

The Jacquilyn Billey Memorial Scholarship, offered by the National Federation of the Blind, provides thirty merit-based scholarships of $10,000 each to legally blind students pursuing post-secondary education in the U.S. The scholarship emphasizes academic excellence, community service, and leadership. Finalists are selected in spring and must attend the NFB National Convention in July for the award announcement. This initiative empowers blind individuals to pursue their educational and career aspirations, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and opportunity.

The National Book Fund (NBF) offers grants to support adult education and literacy programs across the U.S. by providing New Readers Press materials. Grants typically range from $500 to $2,000, with applications considered for higher amounts if justified. Eligible applicants must have a defined project and use materials directly with learners. Priority is given to nonprofit organizations providing free literacy instruction. Note that individuals and lending libraries are not eligible for funding.

The Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship, offered by the National Federation of the Blind, honors the legacy of Jacquilyn Billey, a dedicated advocate for the blind. With thirty merit-based scholarships of $10,000 each available, applicants must be legally blind, reside in the U.S., and plan to pursue full-time post-secondary education. Awards are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership, with finalists attending the NFB National Convention in July for selection.

The Graduate Student Scholarship: Student With a Disability Scholarship, offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, supports graduate students with disabilities pursuing degrees in communication sciences and disorders. Eligible applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited program. This scholarship aims to foster academic achievement and provide financial assistance for educational expenses. Applicants may also consider additional scholarship categories but can only receive one award. Up to 15 scholarships of $5,000 are available.

Gainesville Symphony Orchestra Scholarship

This scholarship is for graduating seniors at public, private or homeschools in Hall County. Applicants must reside in Hall County and must play a musical instrument. In 2026, one scholarship award of $1,500 will be offered.

Gainesville Chicken Scholarship

This scholarship supports college students pursuing a degree in poultry science or a related agricultural degree. Applicants should be graduating high school seniors or current college students pursuing a career in the poultry industry, majoring in Agricultural Business, Poultry Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Food Marketing, Agricultural Economics, etc. In 2026, one $2,000 scholarship will be offered.

Scholarships

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation scholarships are awarded competitively based on criteria set by donors. These criteria could include financial need, the school the applicant is attending, academic achievement, as well as personal or career goals. The Community Foundation has a rigorous internal selection process for each scholarship decision, and each applicant is reviewed in depth, and considered thoroughly.

Our scholarship program is simple. You are able to apply once for all foundation scholarships you may be eligible for. Once your application is submitted, you will be eligible for all those for which you meet the requirement.

Charles and Eleanor Rycenga Education Fund

Charles Rycenga and his wife Eleanor were well known in the Tri-Cities area for their philanthropy and community involvement.

In 1991, Mr. and Mrs. Rycenga established this scholarship fund to assist graduates of Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Western Michigan Christian High Schools to continue their education.

Scholarships

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation scholarships are awarded competitively based on criteria set by donors. These criteria could include financial need, the school the applicant is attending, academic achievement, as well as personal or career goals. The Community Foundation has a rigorous internal selection process for each scholarship decision, and each applicant is reviewed in depth, and considered thoroughly.

Our scholarship program is simple. You are able to apply once for all foundation scholarships you may be eligible for. Once your application is submitted, you will be eligible for all those for which you meet the requirement.

Arlyn J. Walt Memorical Scholarship Fund

Arlyn J. Walt was a farmer who worked hard to provide, a husband who loved his wife, Kathy, and a good neighbor - always willing to help a friend. He was a third-generation dairy farmer and was known for his kindness and generosity, his love for God, and his passion for the farm. He was a member of the Farm Bureau and active in the Michigan Milk Producers Association. Kathy hopes to continue to inspire future farmers to enable their work to nourish generations with this scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students from the Coopersville area interested in studying agriculture.

The Student Research Grant in Early Childhood Language Development, funded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, supports master's and doctoral students conducting research on early language development. With up to three grants of $2,000 each available, this initiative honors Arlene M. and Noel D. Matkin. Eligible candidates must be enrolled full-time in accredited programs, focusing on research that benefits young children facing language delays or disorders.

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.

Kenneth E. & Mary Lou Dunbar Scholarship to Honor Perry & Dunbar Employees

Amount:

• $1,500 | 1 scholarship

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.

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 June Bacon-Bercey Scholarship in Atmospheric Sciences for Women supports women pursuing careers in atmospheric sciences and meteorology. Established in 1978 and reintroduced in 2021, it offers a $1,000 scholarship, mentorship opportunities, and networking through AccuWeather. Eligible applicants must identify as women and belong to underrepresented groups in STEM, including Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and must be graduate or undergraduate students in relevant programs.

The American Geophysical Union Jerome M. Paros Scholarship Award supports graduate students pursuing geophysical instrumentation and precise field measurements in seismology, atmospheric sciences, or ocean sciences. Established by Jerome M. Paros, the scholarship awards up to $5,000 to three students annually, fostering talent in this critical field. Eligibility includes being a graduate student at an accredited institution, with a focus on geophysical measurements. AGU student members are encouraged to apply.

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 Yass Prize & STOP Awards Initiative aims to revolutionize education by recognizing and supporting exceptional education providers focused on Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless (STOP) education. Established in 2021, the initiative awards funds to organizations serving Pre-K to 12th grade students across the United States, fostering impactful partnerships and innovative practices. With a commitment to transforming educational experiences, the initiative celebrates the vital work of educators in response to contemporary challenges.

The NCCIH Natural Product Mid Phase Clinical Trial (R01 Clinical Trial Required) invites applications for mid-phase clinical trials involving natural products like botanicals and dietary supplements. The goal is to advance clinical testing through robust preliminary data, ensuring these products demonstrate measurable impacts on target engagement. Submission deadlines span from March 2024 to October 2026. Applications must focus on optimizing doses and identifying patient responders to inform future efficacy trials, aligning with NCCIH's research priorities.

Achievement Scholarship for Students with a History of Chronic Illness (FN)

Essay:

• Tell us about your experiences/struggles with your chronic illness and what you have done to overcome it.

Awards:

• One time award of $1,500.

The ARS Sue Ann and John L. Weinberg Foundation Cystic Fibrosis Chronic Rhinosinusitis Grant offers $20,000 for one year to support emerging researchers in the study of cystic fibrosis-related chronic rhinosinusitis. Eligible applicants must be members of the American Rhinologic Society with no significant prior funding. The grant encourages collaboration with experienced CF researchers and requires proper acknowledgment in publications. It prioritizes innovative research projects and fosters career development in the field.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Homer FFA Alumni Scholarship Fund

Established in 1983 the Homer FFA Alumni is a support group for the Homer FFA chapter. The Homer FFA chapter was established in 1948. The Homer FFA Alumni Chapter focuses on premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Homer FFA Alumnus have received national recognition as an Outstanding Alumni Affiliate. The Homer FFA Alumni Scholarship was established in 2002. The Homer FFA Alumni highly encourage current FFA members to reach their fullest potential through furthering their education, beyond high school.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Kristin & Michael Bauman Scholarship Fund

Kristin Bauman, as a teacher and consultant, taught hearing impaired students in Pennsylvania and Calhoun County, Michigan for over 30 years. She had lost the majority of her own hearing in her youth which served to motivate her to help others with this disability. After retiring, she was approached by a former hearing impaired student who as an adult, wished to return to college. Kristin was reminded of how difficult it was to find the financial resources to go to college. In researching the scholarships available to students with disabilities, she found there were few scholarships offered for students with disabilities especially within the Calhoun County, Michigan area. Students with hearing impairments have to work harder than most to not only obtain but succeed in higher education. Kristin and her family would like to help hearing impaired students, as well as their future teachers, make higher education a reality through this scholarship.

The Systems-Based Approaches to Improve Patient Safety program aims to enhance patient safety by prioritizing healthcare worker safety and well-being. By focusing on systemic improvements, this initiative seeks to create a safer healthcare environment, recognizing that worker safety is integral to patient safety. The funding opportunity encourages innovative proposals that bring new insights from healthcare professionals, ultimately supporting AHRQ's mission to strengthen the patient safety movement.

The NEI Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Cooperative Agreement aims to support small businesses in conducting early-stage clinical trials that pose greater than minimal risk. The program focuses on Phase I and II trials designed to evaluate interventions for vision disorders. Key deadlines for applications include January 30, 2024, and May 24, 2024, among others. Applicants are encouraged to consult with NEI staff prior to submission to ensure alignment with funding opportunities.

The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Network aims to enhance foundational research on human consciousness, addressing critical biomedical issues such as coma and dementia. By fostering a collaborative framework among 14 NIH institutes, the initiative seeks to improve diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders through interdisciplinary approaches. Key objectives include detecting consciousness in minimally responsive patients, enhancing understanding of sleep disorders, and exploring new methodologies. This effort will ultimately strengthen U.S. leadership in neuroscience and improve patient outcomes.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Raymond J. Pontoni Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund

The fund was established in Honor of the memory of Raymond J. Pontoni, past CEO of Nottawa Gardens Corporation and Athens Community Leader to assist Athens graduating seniors and adults seeking to further their education and business needs, through training programs in the skilled trades, associate degrees, apprenticeships, or certificate programs, and to help aid the creation and development of their Entrepreneural Goals and economic ventures.

American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation: Vic Matthews Cleveland Section Grant

The American Welding Society Foundation is committed to supporting welding education on the local level through its Welding Workforce Grant program.

AWS Sections sponsor annual grants for welding schools to purchase equipment or expand facilities to train more welders. 

Funds will be distributed only to the education/training institution. A grant recipient may not apply again for three years following selection.

Grant Amount

• $10,000

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

The Ryan Legacy Scholarship

Melanie Ryan was an incredible mother, wife, friend, and nurse for almost 30 years. Her kindness, generosity, and compassion will be remembered forever by those who had the honor to know and love her. She passed away from Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer in June of 2024. Her husband Tom was the love of her life and also and incredibly kind and caring husband, father, manager and friend. He passed away from Hodgkins Lymphoma in November of 2022. This scholarship remembers this beautiful couple by assisting graduating high school seniors and current college students in pursuing a college degree. Preference will be given to student athletes in memory of Tom’s love of sports and students pursuing a healthcare related degree in memory of Melanie’s incredible nursing skills and heart.

Kothari Family Fund Healthcare Scholarship

This scholarship, made in memory of Kathy Jowsey, is for graduates of Ten Broeck Academy/Franklinville High School who demonstrate financial need, have worked hard academically, and exemplify school spirit through extracurricular activities, sports and/or volunteerism. Preference for this scholarship will be given to students majoring in business, accounting, sports management or journalism.