Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Oregon

The NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) supports talented postdoctoral researchers in transitioning to independent faculty positions. This program provides essential NCI research funding to facilitate the development of competitive, independent research careers. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant's organization, emphasizing the importance of timely submissions for prospective awardees.

The ASCAP Foundation's Jay Gorney Award honors songwriters who create original music with socially conscious themes. Established in 2009, this award commemorates composer Jay Gorney's legacy, particularly his iconic song 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?' Entrants are judged on their ability to convey powerful messages through artistry and lyrical excellence. The award includes a $1,000 monetary prize, fostering creativity and social awareness in the music community.

About the Awards

The Benton Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Achievement Awards brings together nonprofit leaders, business leaders, and community members to recognize outstanding achievements in philanthropy in Benton County.

The event showcases the hard work of our talented, generous community, and celebrates the people and organizations that volunteer, donate, and inspire others to create a bright future for families and children.

Outstanding Volunteer Group Award

The Benton Community Foundation Philanthropic Achievement Awards celebrate the power of generosity, honoring visionary leaders in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Outstanding Volunteer Group award goes to a group of volunteers who donates their time, expertise, and energy without compensation and shows significant dedication to advancing the mission of the organizations with whom they choose to partner. This award is open to nominees who have volunteered with organizations throughout Benton County and surrounding areas.

Daniel and Patrick McCarthy Scholarship

Given through the generosity of the Catherine M. Cridler Trust and named in honor of Daniel McCarthy, one of the founders of Olean Business Institute, this scholarship is available to students pursuing undergraduate business studies. The fund was renamed in 2023 to include Patrick McCarthy, son of Daniel, who also served as director of Olean Business Institute for many years.

Changing the Way America Thinks About Race Scholarship

Changing the Way America Thinks about Race Scholarship Fund (CHATR) provides scholarships to Black and Brown students in the state of Washington who are pursuing undergraduate studies. CHATR is particularly interested in supporting Black and Brown students from Bremerton High School, The Why Not You Academy, and those who are active in the Rainier Athletes Mentorship program in the Bellevue School District who are interested in using their college experience to help facilitate changing the way America thinks about race. Awarded funds may be used for tuition, books, room and board, and travel to/from school.

Amount

• 2 awards, $5,000 each

The Benton Community Foundation Annual Philanthropic Achievement Awards celebrate the power of generosity, honoring visionary leaders in philanthropy and volunteerism.

Outstanding Philanthropic Business Award

The Benton Community Foundation Philanthropic Achievement Awards celebrate the power of generosity, honoring visionary leaders in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Outstanding Philanthropic Business award goes to a community-minded business who donates their time, expertise, and energy without compensation and shows significant dedication to advancing the mission of the organizations with whom they choose to partner. This award is open to nominees who conduct business throughout Benton County and surrounding areas.

The James Paul Sutton Medical Research Fund Grant supports non-profit organizations engaged in cancer and medical research, established through a trust by the Sutton family. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt. Preference is given to cancer research initiatives, while grants are not available for individuals, political groups, or for-profit entities. This fund aims to sustain medical research efforts for the long term, continuing the legacy of the Sutton family.

The AAFP Foundation's Center for the History of Family Medicine Oral History Grant offers up to $3,000 annually for oral history interviews in family medicine. Aimed at researchers, physicians, and students, it encourages the documentation of family medicine's history in the U.S. The grant supports travel and research expenses to enhance the oral history collection, ensuring a diverse representation of experiences and perspectives in the field.

The Shared Decision Making in Hemophilia Patient Care grant program, funded by Pfizer, aims to enhance patient outcomes through Quality Improvement projects that integrate shared decision-making tools into hemophilia care. This initiative encourages multidisciplinary collaboration to address healthcare disparities and empower patients in their disease management. Eligible organizations include healthcare institutions and professional schools, fostering innovative approaches to improve care for individuals living with hemophilia.

The Lightfoot Foundation offers educational grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in Idaho. These funds are allocated at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board and are intended for environmental and classroom education, as well as necessary repairs and supplies for school buildings. This initiative aims to enhance the learning environment, ensuring safety and accessibility for students in the state.

The Make a SPLASH! Grant Contest invites municipal entities and non-profits in the U.S. to apply for the Inclusive Design Award. This award recognizes splash pads that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility. Winners will receive a customized Life Floor safety surface, valued at $50-65k, promoting community engagement and safety. With two opportunities to win, this initiative aims to enhance splash pad designs, ensuring they cater to all individuals. Join us in making splash pads safer and more accessible for everyone!

The purpose of America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is to improve access to healthy food in underserved areas, to support food supply chain resiliency, to create and preserve quality jobs, and torevitalize low-income communities by providing financial and technical assistance, either directly orthrough other partners and intermediaries, to eligible fresh, healthy food retailers and enterprises toovercome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved areas. HFFI offers fundingopportunities and technical assistance to eligible applicants.

The National Endowment for Financial Education Grant supports innovative research aimed at enhancing the public's financial well-being. This grant prioritizes studies that address financial literacy, systemic inequality, and the effectiveness of financial education among U.S. youth. Eligible applicants include researchers from nonprofit organizations or educational institutions. The funding process involves multiple phases, including evaluations and proposals, ensuring that impactful projects receive necessary support. NEFE aims to foster rigorous research that contributes significantly to financial education.

Chautauqua Cattaraugus Board of Realtors Scholarship 

This scholarship benefits students in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, in good academic standing, with a preference for those entering a business-related field of study. Two $500 awards are made to two students each from Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties.

About the Awards

The Benton Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Achievement Awards brings together nonprofit leaders, business leaders, and community members to recognize outstanding achievements in philanthropy in Benton County.

The event showcases the hard work of our talented, generous community, and celebrates the people and organizations that volunteer, donate, and inspire others to create a bright future for families and children.

Outstanding Volunteer 

The Benton Community Foundation Philanthropic Achievement Awards celebrate the power of generosity, honoring visionary leaders in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Outstanding Volunteer award goes to a volunteer who donates their time, expertise, and energy without compensation and shows significant dedication to advancing the mission of the organizations with whom they choose to partner. This award is open to nominees who have volunteered with organizations throughout Benton County and surrounding areas.

The Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Implementation Development and Maintenance initiative aims to foster a cohesive national animal food safety system. This funding opportunity supports state programs in implementing the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) and encourages mutual reliance between federal and state regulatory efforts. Key outcomes include enhanced operational standards and improved integration of regulatory processes, ultimately contributing to a safer food supply and better animal health across jurisdictions.

The Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation is committed to enhancing community awareness of hospice and palliative care services. It supports nonprofit organizations that provide end-of-life care and grief recovery resources. Through educational initiatives and financial grants, the Foundation aims to promote excellent hospice care and assist caregivers. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and the Foundation does not fund administrative costs or general funding. Grant applications are accepted once per year.

The FDA/ORA's Cooperative Agreement Program aims to enhance the national food safety system through collaboration among federal and state agencies. Key objectives include building an integrated animal food safety system, sharing best practices, and promoting training programs for animal food safety. This initiative supports the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) and ensures ongoing improvements to meet modern regulatory needs. Eligible applicants must represent state animal food regulatory programs at a national level.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, supports undergraduate journalism education with up to $700,000 in annual awards. The program includes multiple competitions in writing, photojournalism, audio, television, and multimedia categories. Each participating university can submit two student entries per competition, fostering excellence in journalism. Open to journalism majors or minors, the program encourages students to engage actively in campus media. The Hearst Foundation, founded by William Randolph Hearst, has contributed significantly to education and the arts nationwide.

The Tyndale House Foundation Grant supports faith-driven organizations that align with their mission to serve both Word and Deed. Focused on high-kingdom impact, this grant funds a variety of projects in areas like literature, training, education, compassion, and discipleship. Eligible applicants must be U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations or have a fiscal sponsor if based internationally. Grants are not available for individuals, scholarships, or political projects.

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Grant supports innovative visual arts projects through a diverse grantmaking program. It funds artists and organizations that challenge the status quo and promote inclusivity in the contemporary art landscape. Grants are available for curatorial research, exhibitions, and public programs, encouraging creativity and exploration. The foundation prioritizes projects that reflect the diverse population of the United States and reject bigotry, fostering an environment of free expression and artistic growth.

The Robert Lehman Foundation Grant supports visual arts initiatives, including exhibitions, art education programs, scholarly publications, and lectureships. It aims to enhance the role of visual arts in culture, particularly for underserved communities lacking access to art education. The Foundation also funds capital projects that advance cultural programming and broaden audience engagement. By promoting these endeavors, the Foundation seeks to improve lives through artistic access and education.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Tracy Houting Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student from one of the following high schools: Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West
• Enrolling/enrolled in a 2 or 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school (including vocational/technical school) within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 2.5 or greater
• Nominated by high school counselor based on traits like Tracy's (vivaciousness, positivity, and humbleness)
• All other selection criteria being equal, preference given to a student who is active in scouting, cheerleading and/or choral singing, and/or a student with strong interest in Native American culture and history.
• Potentially renewable for one additional year for recipients pursuing 2-year degrees and three additional years for recipients pursuing 4-year degrees.

The Fred Jones Family Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations in central Oklahoma, focusing on education, arts, and beautification projects. The foundation meets every 90 days to evaluate new donation requests. Eligible applicants must adhere to specific guidelines, including submitting a Board of Directors list with at least six members. The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance the quality of life and foster cultural growth in the region.

The Julius Axelrod Award in Pharmacology, established in 1991, honors the contributions of eminent pharmacologists in neuroscience and biochemistry. Awarded annually by ASPET, it recognizes significant advancements in understanding drug mechanisms and mentoring in pharmacology. Recipients receive a $5,000 honorarium, a medal, and travel expenses for the annual meeting. ASPET encourages nominations from diverse candidates to promote inclusion in the field of pharmacology.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, supports journalism education at the college level, offering scholarships for outstanding student work. With up to $700,000 in awards, it features various competitions in writing, photojournalism, audio, television, and multimedia. Open to undergraduate journalism majors at accredited institutions, the program encourages campus media participation. The Hearst Foundation, a philanthropic organization, has contributed over a billion dollars to education and the arts, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing future journalists.

The Combined Pilot Research Grants program, supported by the Plastic Surgery Foundation and various surgical organizations, aims to promote innovative research in hand and plastic surgery. With funding of up to $10,000 for one-year pilot projects, this initiative encourages the development of surgeon scientists and seeks to enhance research funding in the field. Eligible applicants must be medical professionals holding relevant positions in U.S. or Canadian institutions.