Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Oregon

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative: University Scholarships, by the American Theatre Wing, supports high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds with a $10,000 annual scholarship for four years. This initiative addresses financial barriers for students pursuing theatre disciplines, including performance, design, and administration. Scholars are matched with mentors and gain exclusive opportunities such as master classes. This program aims to cultivate a diverse future in theatre, ensuring that talent is nurtured and accessible to all.

The Dermatology Foundation offers a Research Grant of $25,000 annually to support innovative projects in dermatology and cutaneous biology. This funding is aimed at junior investigators in the early stages of their academic careers who demonstrate a strong commitment to skin research. Eligible applicants must conduct research within ACGME-approved departments in the U.S. and must not have received funding from other sources for the same project.

Community Foundation of Wabash County

Since its creation in 1954, the Community Foundation has grown and continually adapted its priorities to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. Through these changes, challenges, and opportunities to grow as both a leader and provider, the Community Foundation has remained true to its mission and commitment to Wabash County citizens.

Our Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Wabash County offers a wide variety of post-secondary education scholarships to traditional, non-traditional, and graduate students. With nearly 70 different scholarship endowments created through the generosity of our donors, many students are eligible to apply.  

Custer Scholarship

Gene Custer is a lifelong Wabash County resident and farmer and a generous supporter of charitable causes. Gene established the Custer Scholarship Fund to help deserving students pursue post-secondary education. The award is given based on work experience or engagement in extra-curricular school, religious, or community activities; and a character of talent, ambition, initiative, and kindness.

The Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy Technologies (Scaleup) Ready initiative by ARPA-E invites applications for funding to advance transformative energy technologies. This program supports innovative projects that demonstrate potential for significant market disruption and emphasizes rigorous project management and technology risk mitigation. Eligible organizations must have inventions conceived during an ARPA-E award, reported in the iEdison system, and hold relevant U.S. patent applications. For further details, visit ARPA-E's website.

The Cognitive Neuroscience (CogNeuro) Program by the National Science Foundation aims to fund proposals that deepen our understanding of the neural mechanisms of cognition and behavior. Successful applications will connect physiology, cognition, and behavior while also promoting outreach and mentoring within the field. Research topics include action, perception, memory, and decision-making. The program encourages broader impacts such as STEM outreach and public engagement in research, with a focus on diverse communities.

Community Foundation of Wabash County

Since its creation in 1954, the Community Foundation has grown and continually adapted its priorities to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. Through these changes, challenges, and opportunities to grow as both a leader and provider, the Community Foundation has remained true to its mission and commitment to Wabash County citizens.

Our Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Wabash County offers a wide variety of post-secondary education scholarships to traditional, non-traditional, and graduate students. With nearly 70 different scholarship endowments created through the generosity of our donors, many students are eligible to apply.  

Beryl M. Klare Scholarship Endowment

Beryl Klare created a scholarship for residents of the City of Wabash, Indiana, who are accepted into and attend an accredited post-secondary educational institution, including career training and academic degrees. Having no children of her own, she used her will to fulfill her wishes to financially assist students who want to obtain a higher education, including academic degrees and vocational training. When she passed away in 1968, her scholarship became a reality.

Who We Are

We Need Diverse Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes a holistic approach in improving literacy and building compassion by affecting change across the entire reading pipeline — turning diverse manuscripts into published books and then donating diverse titles to readers nationwide.

Emergency Grants

WNDB provides emergency grants to diverse authors and illustrators, publishing workers, and educators who are experiencing dire financial need, whether due to loss of employment, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and more.

We aim to bolster the communities we serve by giving grants between $250 and $1,000 each. Since 2020, WNDB has provided more than 160 of these grants.

The Gerald M. Friedman Fund Grant, established in 2002, honors the contributions of Gerald M. Friedman to sedimentary geology. It supports graduate students in their research and travel for professional development. Eligible candidates must be in good academic standing and have completed at least one semester of graduate study. This fund, initiated by Friedman's former students, reflects his legacy in academia and the field of sedimentary geology.

The Walter Dean Myers Grant Program, established by We Need Diverse Books, offers $2,000 grants to promising unpublished diverse writers and illustrators. Aimed at enhancing their craft and supporting traditional publication pursuits, this initiative has awarded over 70 grants since 2015, resulting in nearly 60 published books and numerous literary accolades. Applicants must identify as diverse and be U.S. residents, working towards a career in children's literature.

The Johns Hopkins Merkin Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Regeneration Center offers Seed Grants for innovative research on peripheral neuropathy and nerve regeneration. These grants support high-risk, high-reward pilot projects addressing axon degeneration and Schwann cell dysfunction. Researchers may apply for funding of up to $75,000 per year for one or two years. The initiative aims to foster novel ideas and successful transitions to external funding, enhancing scientific understanding and therapeutic development.

The BRAIN Initiative's funding opportunity aims to support the establishment of facilities at minority-serving and IDeA-eligible institutions for the production and distribution of brain cell type-specific reagents. These reagents will enhance neuroscience research by enabling precise manipulation and access to brain cell types, facilitating advancements in understanding circuit functions in various species. The initiative encourages collaboration among awardees to optimize the use of these essential resources across the neuroscience community.

The AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship honors the legacy of A.T. Anderson, a founder of AISES. This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at accredited institutions who are members of AISES and demonstrate tribal affiliation. Eligible candidates must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and pursue any STEM degree. Enrollment documents are required to confirm eligibility, promoting educational opportunities for Native American students.

The AO North America VET Preceptorships Program offers surgical residents from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons the chance to enhance their skills in Veterinary Trauma and Orthopedics through a structured training experience. Participants can receive up to four weeks of advanced training in AO techniques at designated surgical centers, with funding available for housing and travel expenses, totaling up to $2,750. This initiative aims to foster professional development and improve patient care outcomes.

The James Madison Graduate Fellowship supports U.S. citizens pursuing master's degrees focused on the Constitution, enhancing their constitutional knowledge for teaching. Fellows are required to teach American history, government, or civics at the secondary level for one year per funding year. Financially, the fellowship awards up to $24,000, covering tuition and fees, and must be repaid if fellowship conditions are unmet. This program ensures future educators embody constitutional principles in their teaching.

The NICHD Resource Program Grants in Bioinformatics aim to support the operation and enhancement of vital bioinformatics databases for research on animal models of embryonic development. These grants promote user training, data curation, and interoperability with NIH resources, ensuring wide dissemination of critical tools and resources to the research community. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, with optional Letters of Intent encouraged 30 days prior to the proposal deadline.

The A. Allen Graffham Paleontology Research Grant, administered by the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences, provides $1000 annually to support researchers publishing on specimens collected by AAPS members. Established in honor of A. Allen Graffham, a pioneering figure in paleontology, this grant fosters collaboration and acknowledges contributions to the field. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with AAPS members and prioritize proper acknowledgment of fossil sources in their research.

The Boustany Foundation's Sport 4 Children Award aims to enhance children's lives through sports, fostering happiness, health, and social skills. Open to organizations globally, the award supports projects that utilize sports for children's well-being. With a funding of 50,000 Euros, it encourages innovative and inclusive initiatives that promote participation in sports, aiming to create positive behavioral changes and community engagement. The foundation believes in the transformative power of sports to build responsible and healthy adults.

The Combined Pilot Research Grants by the Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF) and the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS) aim to support innovative pilot studies in hand surgery and plastic surgery. Grants of up to $10,000 are provided for projects that enhance scientific knowledge and clinical practices. Eligibility requires applicants to be MDs, DOs, or PhDs in U.S. or Canadian institutions, and membership in AAPS is encouraged to facilitate collaboration and mentorship.

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Topical PCORI Funding aims to support high-quality, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) focusing on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This funding opportunity recognizes the diversity of conditions under IDD and the varying support needs among individuals. PCORI encourages the use of both person-first and identity-first language, acknowledging the preferences within the disability community, and aims to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery for these populations.

The Western Institute of Nursing Research Grant is designed to support registered nurses in advancing nursing through research. Funded jointly by the Sigma Foundation for Nursing and WIN, this grant offers $10,000 annually for pilot or developmental research projects. Eligible applicants must hold a current nursing license, possess a doctoral degree or be enrolled in a doctoral program, and be a member of Sigma and WIN. Applications are accepted through an online submission system.

Bill and Maria Hoekstra Dental Scholarship

Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student who permanently resides and attended high school, including home school, within the Foundation’s greater service area, including Fennville, Hamilton, Hudsonville, Saugatuck, and CTC students from any district.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance cancer research among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, focusing on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in rural areas. The initiative seeks to reduce cancer incidence and mortality rates while ensuring that research findings significantly improve health outcomes for these communities. Eligible organizations are invited to apply, with applications undergoing rigorous peer review to ensure only the most promising projects receive funding.

Charles and Beatrice Kulier Scholarship

Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of Marquette County distributes over $130,000 annually in scholarships to benefit aspiring students in Marquette County.

Brian Watson Scholarship

Awarded to a graduating senior of Gwinn Area Community Schools pursuing higher education, who is pursuing a degree in one of the STEM fields and demonstrates a financial need.

Distribution Process

• CFMC scholarship recipients will be contacted in June requesting student enrollment verification
• Scholarships can only be distributed once student’s information is received
• Scholarships will be distributed to the college/school/university indicated by student
• The scholarship must be used for tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the student at a qualifying educational institution; fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at such an educational institution; and room and board, within the first semester of first year of students enrollment
• That year’s recipient must claim the scholarship within that fiscal year to be distributed (by 12/31/xx)

The Wood Family Charitable Trust Grant, established in 2007, aims to provide support for educational, human services, and healthcare programs targeting underserved populations in Vale, Oregon, and nearby areas. The trust encourages grant requests for general operating support, while also considering program support and small capital expenses. Most grants are typically for one year, with occasional multi-year support available, making it a valuable resource for local nonprofit organizations.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

Brandon C. Reiley Scholarship Fund

Brandon was nothing if not a true adventurer and a friend to all. His laugh was almost always mischievous but also contagious. Brandon was a citizen of the world, living and visiting countless countries and maybe getting into a little trouble along the way. He loved meeting new people and roping them into projects and ideas or connecting them to like minded souls.

This scholarship, established in memory of Brandon C. Reiley, supports Alaskan students pursuing higher education degrees in the fields of science, sustainability, mathematics, education, or aviation. All of these areas were important to Brandon and it is the goal of this scholarship fund to support students with similar interests and goals.

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 – Robinson, John E. and Joan E. Scholarship Fund

Ever since John E. (Jack) and Joan E. Robinson established a scholarship fund with the community foundation in 1997 in memory of their deceased son, William, they have been building it the way some resourceful birds incorporate bits of just about anything into their nests.

The proceeds of catered dinners have gone into the fund, as have earnings from tutoring done by Joan, a retired teacher. The Robinsons have given many donations to the fund as memorials or honorariums and had others do the same, with honorariums in recognition of such things as birthdays and dedicated service to church.

In 2001 the Robinsons celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and asked that any gifts be to the scholarship fund. Several dozen donations were received.

Jack, a retired law enforcement officer (now deceased), and Joan have also talked up the fund at every opportunity and taken advantage of matches made available by the foundation and through the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Several scholarships are made available each year.

Robinson, John E. and Joan E. Scholarship Fund

In memory of their son, Bill Robinson.

A one time scholarship for residents of Noble County who are high school seniors (in particular students at Central Noble, Churubusco, East Noble and West Noble schools) pursuing any sort of post high school education. CFNC