Best Orange County Grants for Nonprofits in Vermont

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation

The American Academy of Optometry (AAOF) is an association of optometric professionals who strive to stay at the top of their field. You will find like-minded colleagues within the American Academy of Optometry, an organization committed to promoting the art and science of vision care through lifelong learning.

The Academy’s membership is comprised of optometrists, vision scientists, and other qualified professionals who have committed themselves to the rigorous process required to achieve its prestigious designation, Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).

For more than a century, the Academy has provided Fellows access to the best minds in optometry, vision science, research, and more. Today’s Fellows welcome the opportunity to attend the Academy’s premiere event, its annual meeting. Other members include students, residents, and Candidates for Fellowship.

Each fall attendees from around the world gather for thousands of hours of continuing education and exposure to the most recent research, networking, and latest products and services. Fellows particularly value the opportunity to connect with colleagues and mentors while enjoying an exceptional level of camaraderie.

OD to PhD Scholarship Program

The OD/PhD Scholarship Program funds optometrists receiving a PhD in eye and vision related fields. Examples of appropriate PhD programs include but are not limited to: Vision Science, Physiological Optics, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Education (emphasis on Optometric Education), Neuroscience, and Psychology. The program provides vital support to those who will teach and lead the next generation of optometry students and advance the profession’s cutting-edge research.

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation is proud to partner with EssilorLuxottica to offer the OD to PhD Fellowship, an opportunity created to support optometrists who are ready to take the next step into vision science research. This fellowship is open to individuals who have completed or are completing the clinical training required for the optometry degree and who are enrolling in a PhD program in vision science or a related biomedical discipline.

This competitive fellowship provides financial support during the early years of doctoral training. Awardees receive funding in their first year and may receive additional support in the second year based on successful academic and research progress as detailed in their annual progress report.

Note, awardees may receive the fellowship for up to one successive, two-year period. 

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 Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist graduates of Conotton Valley or Carrollton High Schools planning to enroll, or currently enrolled, at an accredited college or university to pursue further education in the following fields: History, Writing (not limited to, English, Journalism, Language Arts, Communications and programs in Mass Media), Graphic Arts, Music (which shall include but not limited to, vocal music, instrumental music, music history, music education, and music performance) and any other program or field of study approved by the Selection Committee. 

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

David L. and Frances G. Ray Scholarship

Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence (minimum GPA 2.5) and must also be good citizens of the community, as demonstrated by participation in community activities, school activities or employment.

Preference will be given to students who are pursuing education in medical or medical-related fields and those with limited financial assistance from other sources. Previous David L. and Frances G. Ray Scholarship recipients who maintain a 3.2 college GPA (4.0 scale) may re-apply to the program. 

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Cultivating Potential Scholarship Fund

This program provides assistance to individuals in Innovia service region in Eastern Washington who, through uncertain circumstances, have struggled and want a better life, but lack the resources to get started. Students must be nominated in order to apply and will receive a scholarship to their accredited school and program of choice to help offset tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, housing and other related costs associated with supporting their educational endeavors. Program requires a mentor and mentor/applicant participation in a cohort of scholarship recipients.

Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply. 

The All of Us Research Program seeks to advance its mission by enabling access to biospecimens stored in the All of Us supported Biobank for researchers to conduct assays to evaluate associations between biomarkers and chronic diseases and add data to the All of Us resource for broad use by researchers. Biomarker analysis includes, but is not limited to, biomarker discovery; biomarker validation; novel disease stratification; and multiomics integration for disease risk, diagnosis, and prognosis, in support of advancing precision medicine. The All of Us Research Program is a historic effort to enroll 1 million participants who share data to accelerate research and medical breakthroughs, and enable individualized prevention, treatment, and care. Researchers use data from the program to learn more about how individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics can influence health and disease.Grant authorities that allow the All of Us Research Program to forecast this opportunity are as follows: 42 USC 241 and 284.

Margaret B. Moeller Memorial Fund for Alzheimer's Home Care Companions

Grants support families in the Boyertown Area School District with members who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.

The Margaret B. Moeller Fund for Alzheimer's Home Care Companions provides grants for families in the Boyertown Area School District with individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia to obtain the services of in-home care companions, aides or other providers of respite care. Grants generally pay for several days of care for a specified period of time. The fund was created to help families who are not eligible for any other form of reimbursement for such services. Decisions are generally made within 15 days of receiving a complete application, including the referral.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Edwin P. and Patricia A. Pedersen Scholarship Fund

Students from Jupiter, Florida and graduated (or are graduating) from Jupiter High School.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ferro Scholars Fund

The applicant must demonstrate a desire to make a positive social impact after graduation within their field of study, or demonstrate a desire to become involved on a volunteer basis.

This is not a need based scholarship.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Esther Sheehy McShurley Scholarship Fund

For Esther Sheehy McShurley, giving back has always meant investing in young lives. Whether volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Port Salerno or raising funds through its annual events, Esther has seen firsthand how early support can change a child’s path.

“It provides a wonderful start for the boys and girls,” she says. “If we can get to children while they’re young, they can become better citizens when they get older.”

Wanting to extend her impact beyond today, Esther created the Esther Sheehy McShurley Scholarship Fund through a charitable remainder unitrust with the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The scholarship will help graduating seniors from Martin County high schools, with a preference for students pursuing vocational or technical education.

She hopes the fund will empower students who are ready to learn skills, launch careers, and build better futures — especially those who dream of starting their own businesses. “There is a great need for scholarships for young people who want to apply their knowledge directly to making a living,” she says.

Esther sees her scholarship as an extension of the work she loves most: encouraging young people to believe in their potential and take their first steps toward independence.

“This is my legacy,” she says. “It’s nice to know that the children who receive this scholarship will know who I am and what I cared about. It’s a good feeling to know that someone will have an opportunity to make something of themselves — and make this a better world.”

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Jacob Branen Memorial Scholarship Fund

Jacob was joyful and determined; two traits that helped him overcome the learning and physical challenges presented by his cerebral palsy. He exceeded all expectations and successfully completed his senior year without an IEP for the first time in his education. He went on to achieve a BA in Anthropology from FAU, focused on archaeology. He followed his passion by completing a “dig school” with Boston and Hebrew Universities at Tel Dor in Israel. His family was heartbroken when he was killed in an accident on his way to work at age 29. The memory of his gregarious laugh, kind heartedness and generous spirit lives on. He would have been deeply gratified to know another overcoming student would be helped in his name.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Irving R. and Carol Rutkin Scholarship Fund

• High school senior attending a public or private High school in the southern part of Palm Beach County (Delray Beach to Boca Raton).
• The student must exhibit integrity and initiative.
• This is a need based scholarship.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Student must major in secondary education, English literature or history
• Demonstrate financial need

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Ellington Scholarship Fund

Founded by Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Lovett Ellington, this scholarship is available to African-American graduating senior from any Palm Beach County high school who will be pursuing a career in elementary education.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund Created in Memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond

The Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond, a beloved neighbor and dear friend whose life embodied kindness, warmth and unwavering grace. Created by Ernest Frank, who considered Arlene a surrogate mother, the fund honors her legacy by supporting educational opportunities — something she deeply valued.

The scholarship fund serves as a lasting expression of love, respect and friendship, ensuring that Arlene’s spirit lives on by helping students pursue brighter futures — just as she would have wanted.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Heather and Patrick Henry Scholarship Fund

• Must demonstrate academic achievement or academic potential.
• Must demonstrate financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

H. David Faust Memorial Scholarship Fund

A native of Philadelphia, David made his home in West Palm Beach for more than 20 years. He was the administrative partner of Steel, Hector, Davis, Burns & Middleton (now Steel Hector & Davis), as well as attorney for the towns of Ocean Ridge and South Palm Beach. Additionally, he taught law courses at Palm Beach Community College. David was extremely active in his church, and served as a board member of the Community Foundation for six years. He was instrumental in starting the scholarship program.

Dave always said that he was content with his life, that it had been a good and satisfying one, and it surely seems to have been – a successful career, a prestigious and challenging practice, a prominence in the community, the bar, his church and his firm, blessed with a healthy and accomplished family, with a wife whose love, strength and enormous depth have been demonstrated so magnificently over this past year – all these were David’s. And perhaps, most important of all to him, was his deep and abiding faith in God. David’s life is an exemplar to all of us – the perfect partner, the great counselor, the outstanding lawyer, the effortlessly skilled leader, the caring father and husband. While he was here, he set a course for all of us in our daily lives which we will be proud to point to and should hope to emulate.”

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harry and Bertha Bronstein Memorial Scholarship Fund

For Students in Martin County.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

George and Arlene F. Lepeska Scholarship Fund

• Student should demonstrate strong extracurricular activities, academic excellence.
• Must show financial need.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harrington Scholarship Fund for Martin County

For Students in Martin County.

Rotary Club of Portsmouth

For more than a century, the Rotary Club of Portsmouth, NH has improved homes, shelters and parks, fed and provided medical aid to those in need, and funded student education — locally and abroad.

Scholarships

Each year the Rotary Club of Portsmouth seeks scholarship applications from high school seniors scheduled to graduate this spring and will be beginning study at a post-secondary institution (either a 2 or 4 year program) in the fall.  

The scholarships are one-time non-recurring awards and are made on a non-discriminatory basis to individuals demonstrating excellence in scholastic, extracurricular, and/or community service activities. A family’s financial need may also be taken into consideration by the reviewing committee. Individuals with special learning circumstances, who have worked to overcome these circumstances, are encouraged to apply for the scholarship.

Once all applications have been received, the Portsmouth Rotary Scholarship Committee will select a pool of finalists to be interviewed individually in April. The scholarships are awarded to the students during a Rotary meeting in May or June.

Newport Priest River Rotary & Howard Wildin Education Scholarship

Scholarships and individual awards to achieve a specific objective will be made in the form of grants to students, apprentices or interns participating in a training program, internship, or apprenticeship to prepare them for gainful employment in a recognized occupation that is not prohibited under federal or state law. Such grants will be awarded to individuals to improve or enhance a vocational skill; and develop specialized skills or knowledge in literary, artistic, musical, scientific, teaching or other similar skills or talents.

Mondovi Grange/Wilson Farm Scholarship

Applicants must be graduating seniors or graduates of schools in Lincoln County, Washington, or from that part of Spokane County in the Reardan-Edwall School District, or a direct descendant of someone previously employed by Dale D. Wilson, regardless of their current residence location.

Previous recipients are eligible to re-apply. 

Mark and Kay Burkett Scholarship

Applicants must be American citizens demonstrating financial need and academic achievement, and must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA. Students must reside in or have attended high school within the geographic region served by Innovia Foundation.

Previous recipients are eligible to re-apply. 

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Lucille I. Hudon Scholarship

Financial need, academic merit, and extra-curricular and community involvement and work experience are taken into consideration.

All scholarship grant funds must be used for tuition, books, fees and school-related expenses for the upcoming school year only. Any other use is contrary to the intended purpose of the scholarship and would make your scholarship award taxable and could lead to a revocation of funds.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Lillian M. Bailey Scholarship

Applicants must be graduating seniors of the Selkirk School District who have demonstrated good citizenship, appreciation of American heritage and the American way of life, have displayed upstanding moral character, strong academic progress and responsibility toward others.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

John Granville Marshall Memorial Scholarship

Applicants must upload a portfolio of design work from the Mead Design Studio OR an essay of 500- words or less describing their journey pursuing a passion or curiosity.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Idaho Panhandle Dental Society Memorial Scholarship

Applicants must be accepted or enrolled full-time at a post-high school program in the field of dentistry or dental hygiene as a dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental business assistant or dentist. Financial need, academic achievement, and community service are factors for selection.

Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply.