Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits

About MCCF

Mission & Priorities

Our goal at Madison County Community Foundation is one we share with the entire community: improving the quality of life in Madison County. Specifically, our mission states that the Foundation exists “to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Madison County by attracting charitable gifts, making philanthropic grants, providing financial stewardship and community leadership.”

• Attracting charitable gifts: chiefly in the form of endowments
• Making philanthropic grants: in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and human services, economic development, and civic affairs
• Providing responsible financial stewardship: as evidenced by adherence to the national standards established by the Council on Foundations
• Providing community leadership: serving as convener and catalyst; identifying needs and opportunities and shaping effective responses to them

Elevate Madison Grant

Elevate Madison is a new grantmaking initiative designed to support current needs while building long-term opportunity and resilience. Over a three year period, we are investing $1,000,000 highlighting three of the most fundamental Social Determinants of Health; Economic Stability, Education Access & Quality, and Neighborhood & Built Environment. 

Funding must be used to serve residents living in Madison County townships: Duck, Creek, Boone, Van Buren, Pipe Creek, Monroe, Jackson, Richland, Union, Anderson, Lafayette.

The Kalamazoo Science Foundation Scholarship, offered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, supports high-achieving students from Kalamazoo County pursuing degrees in mathematics, science, or engineering. Established in 1958, this renewable scholarship assists eligible high school seniors and undergraduates with financial need and a minimum GPA requirement. Funds can be used for tuition, fees, housing, and other educational expenses, promoting educational equity and community advancement in the region.

The Leon A. Donald J. & Jean K. Schau Scholarship, offered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, supports nontraditional and returning students from Kalamazoo County. This renewable scholarship is designed for those who have experienced a significant break in their education, providing financial assistance for professional certifications, associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and have work history post-education break, ensuring they can enhance their self-sufficiency through higher education.

The Love Where You Live: Scholarship Fund, administered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, provides financial support to local high school seniors and undergraduate students from Kalamazoo County. This multiyear scholarship covers tuition, fees, and other educational costs for various post-secondary programs. It aims to enhance educational equity and opportunity, fostering community well-being and long-term impact. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and be residents or graduates from a high school within Kalamazoo County.

The Myra P. Whalen Scholarship, offered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, provides renewable support to graduate students from Kalamazoo County or its high schools pursuing full-time graduate degrees in various fields. This scholarship emphasizes financial need and can cover tuition, fees, housing, and other educational expenses. It honors Myra P. Whalen's legacy while empowering students to achieve their academic and professional goals through sustained financial assistance.

The Montague Myers Scholarship, established by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation in 1996, supports students from Kalamazoo County who have faced significant hardships in childhood. This multiyear scholarship aids high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduates in pursuing various educational paths. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and may use the funds for tuition, housing, and other essential costs. The scholarship is renewable annually for up to four years, fostering equitable access to education in the community.

The William R. Steers Kalamazoo Community Foundation Scholarship supports high school seniors from Kalamazoo County, Michigan, who plan to attend Albion College full-time. To qualify, applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and be residents of the area or graduates of its high schools. This renewable scholarship not only aids in educational expenses but also honors the legacy of William R. Steers, promoting academic success and community involvement.

The Carteret County Retired School Personnel Scholarship Endowment offers scholarships to graduating seniors from Carteret County public high schools with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Eligible students must apply for admission to an accredited college or university and plan to pursue a degree in education, demonstrating their commitment to serving as positive role models. Applications open on Dec. 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026.

The Carteret County Association of Home Builders Murdoch Scholarship offers financial assistance to graduating seniors and graduates from Carteret County high schools. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time in accredited technical schools or universities pursuing degrees in construction-related fields. Priority is given to those with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrated financial need. Applications open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026, making it essential for interested candidates to prepare their submissions accordingly.

What We Do

At the North Carolina Community Foundation, we bring together generous people and connect them to causes and organizations they care about.

Our mission is to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our Philanthropic Network

We believe in the power of permanent philanthropy to strengthen our communities and people. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, our philanthropic network makes a powerful impact through robust grants and scholarships programs.

Hobbs Family Scholarship Endowment

Criteria

High school graduates from Columbus and Brunswick counties who wish to attend an institution of higher learning, with initial preference given to students from Columbus County. Priority will be given to students demonstrating financial need. Students must also demonstrate sound academic performance and a record of service to the community.

The Bob Block Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors from Kalamazoo County who excel in competitive swimming or diving. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. This one-time scholarship can be applied towards education expenses at accredited institutions, honoring the legacy of Bob Block, a distinguished local athlete and coach. The Foundation's commitment to equity ensures that this scholarship makes a lasting impact in the community.

The Eleanor Friedberg Art Scholarship Fund, established by the Pittsburgh Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors from Pittsburgh Public Schools and nearby areas who aspire to study the arts. With a minimum GPA of 2.4, eligible students can pursue vocational, technical, or college education. This initiative, in collaboration with Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, showcases student talent through the MCG Invitational Arts Exhibition, fostering creativity and community engagement in the visual arts.

The Everett-Chia Li-Wilkerson Scholarship, administered by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports Pitt County high school graduates attending East Carolina University. This scholarship aims to facilitate higher education for eligible students, promoting educational access and equity. The Foundation, established in 1988, focuses on enhancing community resources and addressing local needs through philanthropy, ensuring a lasting impact across North Carolina.

The George and Bonnie Siek Memorial Scholarship Endowment, managed by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports graduates from Macon County high schools, particularly from the Town of Highlands, who wish to pursue higher education. Selection criteria include academic performance and extracurricular activities, with a focus on students studying English, Linguistics, or Education. This scholarship may be renewed for up to four years for undergraduates maintaining a 2.8 GPA, honoring the Sieks' commitment to education and community enrichment.

The Jecholiah Dinkins Hollar Legacy Scholarship, offered by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports high school graduates from Yadkin County pursuing undergraduate degrees at private colleges in North Carolina. Preference is given to those attending Duke University. Selection is based on academic achievement, moral character, and community service. Established in honor of Jecholiah Dinkins Hollar, this scholarship emphasizes the importance of education and fostering a love of learning for future generations.

About PA IOLTA

The core mission of the Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Board is to support the provision of civil legal services to the Commonwealth’s poor and disadvantaged. The IOLTA Board is a not-for-profit organization operating under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

How Does the IOLTA Program Work?

The IOLTA program is simple. Clients and others frequently transfer moneys to attorneys to hold. When the amount is large or if the funds will be held for an extended period of time, attorneys invest them for the benefit of the client. But when the funds are small or expected to be held for a short time, they cannot practically be invested to benefit the client. Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15 requires attorneys to deposit nominal and short-term fiduciary funds in interest-bearing IOLTA accounts. The attorneys’ banks transfer the interest earned on IOLTA accounts to the Pennsylvania IOLTA Board.

How is the Money Used?

Upon approval of the Supreme Court of PA, the Board makes grants annually to non-profit organizations, law school clinical programs, and administration of justice projects that provide civil legal services free of charge to the poor and disadvantaged.

Grants

The Pennsylvania IOLTA Board carries out its mission to financially support the delivery of civil legal aid to low-income and disadvantaged Pennsylvanians through the careful administration of various revenue sources, both court-directed and legislatively-directed. Upon approval of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the IOLTA Board makes grants annually to qualified legal aid organizations across the state, Pennsylvania’s nine law school clinical and externship programs, and administration of justice projects, all of which provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families facing a civil legal crisis where basic human needs, such as shelter, food, medicine and safety, are at stake.

Specialized Legal Services Grant Program

These discretionary grants – often referred to as “zone grants” – support the delivery of specialized legal services to targeted groups of people such as the disabled, non-English speaking communities, and victims of domestic violence. Funding is allocated to geographic zones based on the proportion of people living in poverty throughout the state. Applicants compete with one another in the zone where the proposed services would be delivered. Learn more about the geographic boundaries of our funding zones by viewing the IOLTA Funding Zone Map.

The Brainerd Lakes Area Difference Maker Grants, offered by the CommunityGiving foundation, aim to support impactful community initiatives in Crow Wing and southern Cass Counties, Minnesota. These grants are designed for 501(c)3 nonprofits, schools, and government entities, focusing on projects that enhance economic vitality, bridge opportunity gaps for disadvantaged youth, and foster community engagement. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that promise long-term, positive change, while excluding funding for individuals, political campaigns, and completed projects.

About Us

Let’s look forward, together.

Wisconsin is known for forward thinking. We’re home to momentum builders, change creators, and what’s next-ers who all have their own visions of success. Starting new businesses. Making the world a better place. Expanding their reach. Revitalizing their communities. Transforming their operations. WEDC is here to help them make it all happen by providing resources, operational support, and financial assistance, and working with more than 600 partners across the state. Our partners include regional economic development organizations, academic institutions and industry clusters.

To strategically invest in Wisconsin to enhance the economic well-being of people and their businesses and communities

An Economy for All, where every Wisconsinite has the opportunity to thrive

Small Business Technical Assistance Program

Strengthening the organizations that support small business

By funding organizations that provide business training, community building, mentorship, and connections to networking, the Small Business Technical Assistance Program from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) seeks to increase traditional small business activity across Wisconsin.

The Butler Family Foundation's Community Grants Program offers two-year grants focusing on arts accessibility in the Twin Cities. It supports 501(c)(3) organizations that provide musical instruction and access to visual arts for low-income residents. With minimum grant sizes of $30,000 for general support or $20,000 for specific projects, this initiative aims to enhance community engagement in the arts, ensuring that diverse audiences can participate in cultural experiences.

Wyoming County Community Health

The Community Health Foundation identifies, selects and invests in programs and organizations that will improve the health and wellness of people in Wyoming County, PA and surrounding communities.

Our Guiding Principles

• Support collaborative approaches to address unmet community needs
• Promote proven health care techniques and understanding
• Encourage innovative approaches to health care and understanding
• Identify and advocate for underserved and vulnerable populations

Wyoming County Health Grants

Our grants focus on programs and organizations that will improve the health and wellness of people in Wyoming County, PA and surrounding communities.

Our vision is to be recognized as a collaborative and important funding source for programs that provide for enhanced health -- and the understanding of health and wellness -- in our communities.

The Service Club Alliance Grant, initiated by the Exchange Club of Midland, Michigan, is designed to enhance collaboration among local service clubs. This unique partnership streamlines the grant application process for nonprofit organizations in Midland County, ensuring that essential resources are allocated effectively. Organizations can submit applications freely, with their proposals reviewed collectively by all participating clubs, fostering impactful community support and engagement.

The John & Ruth Blue Scholarship Endowment, established in 2001 by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports graduates from Watauga County high schools and residents from specialized academic institutions. This scholarship aims to empower students who excel academically, demonstrate physical vigor, and exhibit leadership in their communities. Recipients can receive up to four annual distributions if they maintain strong academic performance while pursuing a four-year college degree, fostering a legacy of educational excellence.

The Shumaker Family Foundation's Environmental Justice Grants support organizations focusing on conservation, sustainability, and animal welfare. Priority is given to projects addressing environmental issues in communities disproportionately affected by systemic challenges. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate respect for human diversity. While the foundation prefers not to be the sole funder, they may offer multi-year grants and renewal options to organizations showing progress. The focus area includes the Kansas City region, but national initiatives may also be considered.

The Lane Meyer Scholarship Fund, managed by the North Carolina Community Foundation, honors students from Wake Forest and Rolesville High Schools who exemplify excellence in academics, athletics, and community service. Applicants must be members of the Wake Forest-Rolesville High School Soccer Team and demonstrate leadership and spirit in both school and community activities. This scholarship aims to support those who embody Lane Meyer’s legacy and contribute positively to their peers and communities.

The Larry and Diane Stone Scholarship Endowment, established by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports Wilkes County high school seniors pursuing higher education within the University of North Carolina system. This initiative aims to empower local students by providing them with essential financial assistance, thereby fostering academic achievement and community development. The Foundation's commitment to philanthropy ensures that resources are allocated effectively to meet the educational needs of students across North Carolina.

The Amy Young Barrier Removal Program provides one-time grants to Persons with Disabilities in a Household qualified as Low-Income. Grants are for home modifications that increase accessibility and eliminate life-threatening hazards, and correct substandard conditions.