Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Oregon

The Ordóñez Family Scholarship aims to support graduates from Detroit Public Schools or accredited private high schools in southwest Detroit. This renewable scholarship offers $1,250 annually for up to four years, totaling $5,000. Applicants must have resided in southwest Detroit throughout high school and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in college. Renewal is contingent upon reapplication and meeting academic criteria, ensuring continued support for eligible students.

The Common Ground Scholarship, awarded by the Foundation for Rural Service, supports high school seniors from rural communities across America with two $9,000 scholarships. Preference is given to students pursuing studies in environmental sustainability, social justice, telecommunications, or economic development. This initiative has provided over $1 million in scholarships, empowering rural students to enhance their communities with vital skills and experiences, thus fostering future leaders in various fields.

The nccPA Health Foundation: Kathy J. Pedersen Grant aims to promote equitable health care by providing up to $5,000 for innovative projects that address health disparities. This grant honors Kathy J. Pedersen's legacy and encourages applicants to develop actionable strategies that foster cultural humility, advocate for underserved populations, and improve public health. Grantees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and social accountability in their proposed initiatives.

The nccPA Health Foundation: Equitable Care - Be the Change Grant supports PAs and PA students in implementing projects that improve health access and promote equity in their communities. With a focus on addressing health disparities, applicants can receive up to $2,500 to fund innovative initiatives. Applications are accepted year-round, enabling ongoing support for transformative health solutions aimed at fostering equitable care for underserved populations.

The nccPA Health Foundation's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - PAs STEP Up Grant aims to empower PAs and PA students to create initiatives that enhance diversity and foster inclusive practices within the PA profession. With funding up to $2,500, this grant encourages projects that raise awareness of the PA profession among underrepresented groups, ultimately striving to reduce health disparities and promote equity. Applications are accepted year-round, providing ongoing support for impactful community-driven efforts.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship

Dorothy Ellen Thew, a lifelong member of the Marion community, left, as part of her legacy, a gift to create three scholarship funds at Marion Community Foundation. Dorothy, a noteworthy person in her own right, designated that three scholarship funds be created from her estate to honor beloved members of her family. The Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship honors her sister’s love of music and dedication to education.

Well educated, Dorothy was a 1936 graduate of Marion Harding High School and attended Hunter College, and Indiana, East Carolina, and Toledo universities. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy Waves in 1943 and had a naval career which spanned 30 years. Dorothy worked at the selective service board from 1943-1955 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marion Depot until its closing in 1961. She retired from the Columbus Defense Supply Center in 1979.

Her civic involvements mirrored her military career. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion and a Plank-Owner of the Navy Lone Sailor Memorial Association and Fleet Reserve Association, as well as the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, American Association for Retired Persons, the American and Marion County Historical societies, Marion Senior Citizens and Central Christian Church of Marion.

The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Scholarship Program, established by the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation in partnership with UNCF, supports students attending UNCF member institutions, HBCUs, or other accredited four-year colleges. This renewable merit-based scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities for residents of specific counties in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, particularly focusing on those majoring in education or STEM fields.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club’s Catherine Ferguson Scholarship

For more than 110 years, Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world. Rotary links 1.2 million members to form an organization of international scope. It started in 1905 with the vision of one man, Paul Harris, in Chicago. He formed Rotary so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. Rotary is truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today, members in nearly every country are committed to service.

Locally, the Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years. 

The Marion Rotary Club Catherine Ferguson Scholarship migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It honors the late Catherine Ferguson, the first woman inducted into the Marion Rotary Club and its long-standing club secretary. It provides financial support for Marion County graduating seniors. Recipients will have been a resident of Marion County for at least two full years and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Rocco Nicolosi Memorial ScholarshipIndividuals selected for the Nicolosi Scholarship must have attended a high school located in Marion County throughout his or her entire high school experience and have ranked in the upper 25th percentile of his or her high school senior class.To preserve Rocco’s memory and discourage future tragedies, applicants must write an essay on the topic of “Why Young People in Marion Need to be Drug, Alcohol, and Substance Free.”

The Leigh Carter Scholarship Fund, established by the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, honors Leigh Carter's dedication to learning. This scholarship provides financial support to full-time students pursuing chiropractic education at accredited colleges. Applicants must show a strong interest in health care, and preference is given to Tennessee residents. Recipients can reapply throughout their four-year degree program, ensuring continued support for their educational journey in the chiropractic field.

The NCI CURE Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) aims to support individuals with clinical doctoral degrees in developing research careers that address national health-related needs. This program focuses on enhancing the research capabilities of underrepresented clinical scientists in cancer research, including health disparities. Awardees receive protected time for supervised research training, preparing them to compete for future research project grants. Key deadlines for applications span from February 2025 to October 2027.

The NIH Career Transition Award (K22) aims to support outstanding clinician-scientists in developing independent research skills. This grant facilitates a two-phase program, starting with an intramural appointment at the NIH followed by support at an extramural institution. Designed for NINDS intramural neurologist- and neurosurgeon-scientists, it helps them transition to independent academic faculty roles, enabling them to engage in funded scientific research alongside clinical activities.

The Ernest B. and Marie H. Graham Scholarship, offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports current high school seniors pursuing studies in Mathematics or STEM fields. This renewable scholarship, available to students from select San Antonio school districts, covers tuition and fees for up to three years. Applicants must maintain a C average and enroll full-time in an accredited U.S. institution. This initiative aims to empower the next generation of innovators and leaders in STEM.

The Erin Wilson McMahon Memorial Scholarship, offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports students from Bexar County pursuing higher education outside Texas. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and current college students seeking a Bachelor's or technical degree. The scholarship aims to foster educational growth and community development. With awards limited to one student, recipients can utilize funds for tuition, fees, and other educational expenses, promoting academic achievement and leadership.

The Emo Jean Cottrell Scholarship Fund, administered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports students pursuing various degrees, including Associate, Bachelor's, and vocational certificates. Open to high school seniors, current college students, and adult learners in the USA, it encourages academic excellence with a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5. This renewable scholarship, available for up to three years, aims to enhance educational opportunities and foster community growth, reflecting the foundation's commitment to improving lives in San Antonio.

The NIH Career Transition Award (K22) supports exceptional basic and clinical investigators in developing independent research skills through a two-phase program: an intramural appointment at NIH followed by support at an extramural institution. This award specifically aids NINDS intramural neurologist and neurosurgeon scientists in transitioning to independent academic faculty roles, fostering the engagement of clinician-scientists in both funded scientific research and clinical practices.

The NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K22) supports early-career independent researchers to transition from postdoctoral positions to assistant professor roles. This award aims to enhance diversity in the biomedical workforce, offering funding opportunities for innovative research projects. Key application deadlines span from February 2025 to October 2027. The program is funded by the US Department of Health & Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This funding opportunity aims to enhance the participation of older adults in the Senior Nutrition Program by focusing on preventative health initiatives. The project seeks to build capacity through statewide efforts, develop shared resources for program sustainability, and foster collaboration among senior nutrition programs and key organizations. By achieving these goals, the initiative will improve health outcomes and strengthen community ties for older adults.

The Leonard Litz Foundation supports LGBTQ+ organizations through grants that promote health, wellness, crisis intervention, racial justice, advocacy, and social assistance. Priority is given to organizations in the northeast U.S. and those serving communities of color and transgender individuals. Applications that clearly link funding requests to specific needs will receive stronger consideration. The foundation aims to foster a supportive environment for the LGBTQ+ community to thrive.

The Wilson Rawls Scholarship, offered by The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, supports literary-minded students graduating from local high schools. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities for students from Edgerton, Evansville, Hillcrest, Idaho Falls, Janesville, and Skyline High Schools. With a commitment to fostering talent in the arts, the scholarship enables recipients to pursue their academic goals at four-year colleges or universities, promoting the growth of creativity and literature in the community.

The Early Career Research Development Grant from the Emergency Medicine Foundation supports early career faculty in developing comprehensive career plans and leading impactful research projects. With over $20 million awarded since its inception, EMF aims to enhance emergency medicine research and improve health policy. This grant encourages partnerships between research universities and community emergency departments, fostering collaboration that promotes patient care and effective health policy.

The Leonard-Litz Foundation's LGBTQ+ Advocacy Fund Grant aims to empower LGBTQ+ individuals by funding organizations that advocate for their rights and well-being. With a focus on health, wellness, and racial justice, the fund supports projects that require significant investment for impactful change. Prioritizing partnerships that serve vulnerable communities, including people of color and transgender individuals, this grant fosters equality and addresses systemic inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ people, especially in the northeast U.S.

The Gianforte Family Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in Montana that empower individuals and families to achieve sustainable improvements in their lives. With a focus on education, family strengthening, and relationship restoration, the foundation encourages projects that directly benefit Montanans. Since its inception in 2004, it has contributed over $130 million to various initiatives. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and reapply annually, as the foundation does not automatically renew grants.

The NRF Foundation Student Ambassador Program offers NRF University Members the chance to appoint a student as their campus representative for a year. This role allows ambassadors to connect the NRF Foundation with their campus, fostering a community of retail advocates. Responsibilities include promoting NRF programs and events, enhancing student participation in the NRF Student Association, and cultivating leadership skills. Ideal candidates are motivated, resourceful, and ready to lead their peers in engagement activities.

The Steve Rolland Youth Peacemaker Award Fund recognizes high school students in Duluth who exemplify community service and peacemaking qualities. Named after a respected Duluth Police officer, the fund offers a $2,500 award to support youth who volunteer in their communities and embody the values of compassion and justice as articulated by Martin Luther King Jr. This award aims to inspire the next generation of leaders dedicated to making a positive impact.

The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, established in 1992, focuses on enhancing education and literacy in the San Francisco community. It supports organizations classified as public charities with 501(c)(3) status, prioritizing projects that strengthen public education and promote civic education for grades K-12. Grant requests are by invitation only and are considered quarterly. The fund seeks to make informed, flexible grants that align with its mission to support impactful charitable projects.

The Cushing Scholarship was created in 2014. According to Marsha, “We are not as interested in a student’s financial status as we are on how they look at life.”