Best Grants for Special Education in Nebraska

Early-stage U.S. PK–12 public education organizations supporting students with learning differences, including in Nebraska, can apply for NewSchools Venture Fund’s Learning Differences Grant Program, awarding US $150,000 - US $250,000 in one-year general operating support. With a mission to reimagine education, NewSchools provides funding, expert coaching, and peer community for innovative special needs education, teacher development, and postsecondary readiness solutions.

Families of individuals with autism seeking help for special needs education, medical, nutritional, or personal support in Nebraska can apply for the MyGOAL Autism Grant Program. Focused on autism-related needs, MyGOAL invites first-time applicants and others facing non-reimbursable expenses for enrichment, educational, and socialization services that support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Students pursuing post-secondary education in Nebraska may be eligible for scholarships supporting special needs education and related fields. The Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship from Quad Cities Community Foundation awards up to US $1,000 for Rock Island County residents with at least a 2.75 GPA, with preference for majors in special education, journalism, theater arts, or accredited trade schools.

Nebraska special education programs can access funding through Ashland County Community Foundation’s Judith Halama Ebert Scholarship only if their students are graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools. This award supports students with financial need who will major in education, preferably special education, at an accredited four-year college or university.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing a degree in special education and living within the Crown Point Community Foundation service area may be eligible for this scholarship. Grants from Crown Point Community Foundation help support higher education in special needs education and are awarded based on donor-established criteria through a single common application.

Students pursuing special education or speech, physical, or occupational therapy careers to support individuals with Down syndrome in Nebraska and nationwide may be eligible for this scholarship. With a mission to empower generous people with meaningful giving opportunities, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region offers this award through its universal scholarship application.

Nebraska students seeking scholarships for special education, pediatric medicine, or Christian ministry may be eligible for the Kristin Lee Burry Memorial Scholarship, administered by Decatur County Community Foundation. This award supports North Decatur High School graduates pursuing higher education in these fields and can help future special educators and related professionals reduce college costs.

Nebraska special needs education students or teachers pursuing special education degrees can access funding through the Marietta Kiwanis Foundation; awards US $2,500 for accredited college or university study. Applicants should demonstrate strong academics and character, with priority consideration given to current or former Cobb or Marietta students.

Special education teachers seeking additional licensing or a master’s in special education can receive up to US $2,500 annually for tuition and related study costs through this scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. Nebraska special needs education professionals may review eligibility, which is currently limited to specific Northeast Indiana public school counties.

Students pursuing education, especially special or early childhood education, may be eligible for scholarships supporting special needs education, including those in Nebraska. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ Little Red Schoolhouse Scholarship Fund offers up to US $3,000 for residents of Hampshire or Franklin County to offset college costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board.

Nebraska nonprofits providing special needs education, health, safety, or environmental programs can seek support for community initiatives. Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund help U.S. organizations advance mobility, environmental conservation, and people-focused services, which may include accessible and inclusive education for students with disabilities. Awards range from US $5,000 - US $10,000.

Students pursuing higher education in Nebraska, particularly those with learning disabilities or special needs, can apply for the Ann Wall Scholarship supporting college, university, or business studies. With a mission to build stronger communities, Scranton Area Foundation provides scholarships that may benefit special needs education students, especially those active in a church or religious institution and residents of Dalton.

Students pursuing careers teaching children with special needs and demonstrating financial need may benefit from this scholarship opportunity, though it is administered in northern Chautauqua County. With a mission to strengthen communities, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation supports higher education in special needs education through the St. Joseph School Scholarship.

Teachers, counselors, and program administrators serving blind students in Nebraska can receive recognition and support through the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award, including more than US $1,000 and convention expenses. With a mission to honor impactful educators, National Federation of the Blind provides special needs education professionals with national visibility and professional development opportunities.

Nebraska students pursuing special education, nursing, or physical therapy degrees can receive tuition support through the David Bruce Belcher Fund Scholarship, administered by Benton Community Foundation. This scholarship supports those dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities and may benefit future special education professionals serving Nebraska communities.

Students pursuing technical or vocational training, including special education-related fields, may be eligible for scholarships supporting higher education and career preparation in Nebraska and beyond. St. Ignace Area Community Foundation supports areas such as special needs education, vocational and trade education, law enforcement, and health care through its CTE Technical Scholarship program.

About Us

Driving Positive Change in Noble County!

At the Community Foundation of Noble County we are passionate about making Noble County an even better place to call home. Since 1991, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Noble County to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible, as we see it as our mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change. The Community Foundation of Noble County is a public charity 501 (c) 3 entity.

As a group of invested community members, we identify local current and emerging issues and stimulate resources to address those needs, helping our region prepare for the future. We then leverage gifts and bequests from generous donors like you to drive positive change through grants in such areas as arts and culture, education, health and human services, civic affairs and other charitable areas of interest.

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life in Noble County by serving as catalyst for positive change, enabling donors to carry out charitable intent, and making grants.

Donor Story – Joest, Brian H. Memorial Fund

Brian Henry Joest was born in Lagrange, Indiana in 1957. He grew up on the Atwood family farm that was settled by his ancestors in the mid-1800s. Now a historical Hoosier Homestead, the Atwood Farm provided him with all the outdoor activities possible for a farm boy in northern Indiana. Brian’s love of nature and the outdoors continued throughout his life. After high school, he attended Glen Oaks Community College and then Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics

For decades, Brian went on annual backcountry camping and canoeing trips across the US and Canada. He paddled some of the most beautiful rivers in North America. He took a road trip to remote northern Alaska. He camped out on an active volcano in Guatemala. He explored most of the US National Parks. In his later years, his travels were less rustic but still adventurous as he and his wife, Cindy, checked off many items on his bucket list. They traveled to Paris, Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Ireland, and all around the US and Canada.

Brian began his professional career with management positions at Many Glacier Hotel at Glacier National Park in Montana; the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan; the Mountain View Grand Resort in New Hampshire; and Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado. He also worked for Marriott Corporation where he opened new hotels across the Midwest.

Upon the birth of his first child, Brian moved his young family back to Lagrange County so his children could grow up on the Atwood Farm near their family. Brian worked for Life Care Center of Lagrange, was a substitute teacher for the Lakeland School District, and worked for fifteen years for East Noble School Corporation, most recently as an Instructional Assistant for high school students with special needs.

Brian enjoyed doing things for other people and took so much joy in their happiness. His career choices reflected his servant’s heart. He loved working in the hospitality industry and being able to make someone else’s vacation more memorable. He helped the patients and their families at Life Care Center. He spent years making a difference for students in our local schools.

Brian experienced first-hand the unique challenges faced by the families of individuals with special needs. He was a father, stepfather, and step-grandfather to children with different disabilities. He understood the difficulties of navigating support systems and knew there are gaps in these systems that result in unmet needs. At the end of his life, while he was fighting cancer, Brian dreamed of being able to return to the classroom to help special needs students. This was not to be. In 2022, his family created this fund in his honor with the intent of continuing his dream to help improve the lives of individuals with special needs.

Anne K. Petry Scholarship Fund

Established by Summit Education Partnership Foundation to provide scholarships for Akron Public Schools students studying special education.

Amount:

• $1,000

Number of awards:

• 1

Renewal:

• No

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

McCormick & Company, Inc. actively supports charitable contributions through its Charitable Donations Committee (CDC), which prioritizes donations to non-profit organizations that enhance education, health, environment, and culture. The CDC focuses on organizations that benefit communities where McCormick employees live and work, ensuring a positive impact. Eligible groups must be tax-exempt and demonstrate a commitment to non-discrimination. However, donations are not made to individuals, political organizations, or entities that conflict with corporate values.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting youth, special needs education, and related services in Nebraska and nationwide can seek funding for programs and scholarships. With a mission to strengthen those in need, Von Voigtlander Family Foundation provides grants prioritizing Michigan-based charities but also considers national requests when comparable local services are unavailable.

Nebraska special needs education nonprofits can access funding through the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation for programs serving students with learning, hearing, or reading disabilities. 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S., with a focus on Vermont, may receive up to US $10,000, especially for collaborative, pilot initiatives with strong plans for future funding.

The Robert F. Schumann Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability, education, and the arts. Founded by Robert F. Schumann, an environmentalist, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for both humans and animals. It prioritizes projects that would not have been pursued without its assistance, particularly in ornithology and open space habitats. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt to apply, ensuring a focus on impactful community initiatives.

The Kettering Family Foundation, established in 1956, supports diverse charitable activities across various sectors, including arts, education, health, and human services. Applicants must have a valid 501(c)(3) status and discuss proposals with foundation staff before applying. Only one application is allowed per year, and specific exclusions apply, such as for religious purposes and individual grants. The foundation emphasizes meaningful community impact, making it a vital resource for eligible organizations.

The Louder Than Words Grant Program, supported by the Finish Line Youth Foundation, focuses on empowering diverse and underserved communities in Indianapolis and beyond. With grant cycles addressing areas like health, workforce development, and safe communities, organizations can request up to $10,000 to support impactful programming. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to fostering positive change, particularly for communities of color, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.