Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in Oregon

The ASPCA Fund to End Factory Farming Grant Program aims to transform the U.S. food system by promoting humane practices and reducing reliance on factory farming. By funding eligible projects, the program seeks to improve animal welfare, support farmers, and enhance public health. Projects must include educational components to raise awareness about their impact. This initiative reflects ASPCA's commitment to ethical treatment of animals and fostering a culture of compassion and inclusion.

The BJA FY 2026 Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program aims to enhance school safety by funding initiatives that train staff and students, develop threat assessment teams, and implement technology solutions like anonymous reporting systems. This program supports effective strategies to identify and mitigate risks of school violence, ensuring students have the tools necessary to foster a secure learning environment while adhering to the guidelines set forth by the STOP School Violence Act.

Leadership through Scholarship Fellowship

The yearlong Leadership through Scholarship Fellowship offers training and mentorship for early-career and mid-career faculty with a focus on developing scholarly writing skills for academic advancement and leadership.

Mid-Career Fellows

Mid-career fellows will benefit from tailored mentorship and guidance to reach the next milestone in their careers, including:

• Receive 1:1 mentorship specific to their challenges or roadblocks to promotion or leadership
• Participate in a detailed CV review to determine edits for promotion
• Work as a group with mentor faculty on challenges in scholarship to move forward with stuck projects
• Learn how to navigate mid-career leadership challenges

The tuition cost for fellows is $1200. A limited number of scholarships are available to cover the fellowship tuition due to a generous gift from Drs Marjorie Bowman and Robert Choplin.

Benefits of the Fellowship

The BJS FY 2026 Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program is designed to enhance the quality and accessibility of criminal history records, ensuring effective background checks for both criminal and non-criminal justice purposes. With significant funding allocated to programs like NCHIP and NARIP, the initiative aims to bolster public safety by improving the accuracy of background information and supporting state and tribal updates to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Deb & John Quirk Memorial Scholarship

The Hastings Community Foundation is excited to announce the creation of the Deb and John Quirk Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will provide a $10,000 annual scholarship and is renewable for a total award of up to $40,000. One scholarship will be awarded each year. This scholarship is only available to graduating seniors from Hastings High, Adams Central, or Hastings Catholic Schools. Applicants must be focused on impacting social justice through their education and future employment, as illustrated through an essay submitted to the scholarship committee.

The Pittsburgh Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four–year universities, graduate schools, and career/technical schools.

Lightbown Family Scholarship Fund

The Lightbown Family Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for students from Allegheny County pursuing a career in education. Corinne Elsie Lightbown passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2017 at the age of 86 having lived a full and rewarding life. Connie, as she was known to friends, loved life, people, friends and family as well as traveling and discussing movies, political issues and literature. She was an English teacher for 34 years with the Mt. Lebanon High School and taught in London, England, and Japan. A firm believer in the value of a good education, she established this scholarship fund in her name to support students in their academic studies. She never married so had no children of her own, yet her many students became a part of her extended family through the years. Many remained in touch with her and considered her as a mentor and friend. It was her wish that this scholarship would continue beyond her life in this same spirit.

• Award varies
• Award Type: Single Year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.

The XENO PRIZE for Artists’ Books offers a $5000 grant to support the publication of an artist's book addressing the themes of book banning and burning. Open to independent artists in the U.S., the prize will be awarded based on submissions to be accepted starting March 1, 2025. A minimum of 100 copies must be printed, with winners announced in September 2025. This initiative aims to highlight and preserve avant-garde art forms and their cultural significance.

The ISF Narrative Film Grant, established by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, supports emerging Muslim filmmakers by providing funding for narrative films in production or post-production stages. With a focus on compelling storytelling and positive portrayals of the Muslim community, the grant offers mentorship and networking opportunities to enhance the filmmakers' projects. Since its inception in 2014, it has awarded $625,000 to over 111 filmmakers, promoting diverse narratives that resonate with audiences.

The Leadership through Scholarship Fellowship is a yearlong program designed for early-career and mid-career faculty to enhance their scholarly writing and leadership skills. Participants will receive mentorship and training to develop personalized career roadmaps, navigate challenges, and create impactful research questions. The fellowship, costing $1200, also offers limited scholarships thanks to generous donations. It equips fellows with vital skills for academic advancement, promoting their potential for leadership roles in their institutions.

The Smith Richardson Foundation's Domestic Public Policy Grant supports initiatives that help address critical challenges in the U.S. It funds research and evaluations of public policies while promoting innovative solutions to enhance education, fiscal practices, and the criminal justice system. The Foundation aims to foster effective policies that improve economic opportunities and public services, ensuring a prosperous future for all citizens.

About

ASAE Research Foundation exists to advance the development of current and next-generation association professionals through scholarships and awards, and by providing relevant resources that all of us can use.

ASAE Research Foundation Mission

The ASAE Research Foundation transforms the association community through research, scholarships, and practical tools critical to our profession.

Sal Martino Foresight Award

The Sal Martino Foresight Award recognizes trailblazers who foster a culture of foresight in their organization.

Summary

The Sal Martino Foresight Award recognizes trailblazers who demonstrate exceptional creativity in fostering a culture of foresight, embedding foresight into their organizational strategy and operations, and effectively utilizing ASAE’s ForesightWorks and other futures-focused materials.

Award Details

The Sal Martino Foresight Award honors a visionary organization and its leaders who push boundaries, challenge conventional thinking, and pioneer groundbreaking use of foresight to build resilience and prepare for the future. This prestigious award recognizes trailblazers who demonstrate exceptional creativity in fostering a culture of foresight, embedding foresight into their organizational strategy and operations and effectively utilize foresight and other future-focused materials.

Each year, one organization will receive a cash award of up to $7,000 to advance the awardee’s foresight efforts. Awardees receive acknowledgement during an ASAE Research Foundation signature event, as well as participation in an ASAE Research Foundation webinar, logo recognition on the ASAE Research Foundation website, a formal press release citing the awardee’s foresight achievements, and a featured case study or article on the awardee’s foresight implementation efforts.

The Detter Family Foundation Education Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, aims to support residents of Allendale Charter Township pursuing post-secondary education. This competitive scholarship considers various criteria including financial need, academic achievement, and personal goals. Applicants can apply just once to be eligible for all applicable foundation scholarships, ensuring a streamlined process for securing educational funding.

The Northeast Asia Council Japan Studies Grants support American citizens and permanent residents conducting scholarly research on Japan within the U.S. Offering up to $2,500, including daily expenses, these grants aim to enhance the quality of teaching and research in Japanese studies. Eligibility includes being an AAS member and not having received funding in the last three years. Applications are reviewed based on project merit and financial need, prioritizing those with limited access to institutional funding.

The Learning Engineering Tools Competition is a significant funding opportunity aimed at fostering educational technology innovations. It seeks to leverage digital tools, big data, and learning science to improve learner outcomes globally. This competition encourages diverse participants, from students to established companies, to develop solutions that can generate valuable learning data. By promoting collaboration among educators, researchers, and tech innovators, the initiative aims to advance the field of learning engineering and enhance educational practices.

Jane Burns DeWitt Baumann Scholarship

Jane Burns DeWitt Baumann was a life-long resident and educator from Columbus. She attended Columbus City Schools from elementary school through graduation from South High School in 1949, subsequently majoring in Fine Arts and Education at Ohio University. She taught English for twenty years at Linden-McKinley high school and influenced hundreds of students with her passion for reading and writing, inspiring many to pursue their college educations despite trying circumstances. She was a committed advocate of public education. This scholarship honors her service and commitment to public education by supporting a future educator who would not otherwise have the means to attend college.

Award Amount:

• $20,000 payable over four years at $5,000 per academic year

The Don and Anne Ward Scholarship, offered by the Delaware Community Foundation, provides a one-time award of $500 for graduating seniors at Sussex Tech high school. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing a degree in Education, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and equity in Delaware. In the 2024-2025 school year, the DCF awarded a total of $850,000 in scholarships to help students achieve their academic goals.

The Mifflin Memorial Fund Grant supports nonprofit organizations in human services and education, particularly those serving low-income and minority populations. This private fund also contributes to environmental and conservation initiatives, and occasionally cultural organizations for specific projects. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofits, ensuring that grants are directed towards impactful community services and educational opportunities.

The Rev. Robert L. Browning Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Decatur County Community Foundation, supports students from Decatur County pursuing careers in ministry or social services, as well as those planning to attend Anderson University. This scholarship is renewable for up to three years and is aimed at graduating high school seniors residing in Decatur County, IN. Preference is given to applicants who attend the Church of God.

The Northeast Asia Council Japan Studies Grants provide funding for small scholarly conferences on Japanese studies in the U.S. These grants, up to $5,000, support events that foster collaboration among scholars, focusing on cutting-edge research. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or Japanese nationals and current AAS members. Priority is given to those securing matching funds and for projects not previously funded by NEAC. Ineligible costs include stipends for organizers and travel to unrelated seminars.

The Northeast Asia Council Japan Studies Grants support seminars that enhance knowledge of Japan and improve Japanese language pedagogy. With grants up to $5,000, these projects are aimed at educators and scholars, emphasizing the importance of teaching Japan in academic disciplines. Eligibility includes a detailed project proposal, budget, and current membership in AAS. Preference is given to new projects and those not recently funded by NEAC, ensuring a broad impact on Japanese studies in the U.S.

The ISF Policy Scholarship Program offers financial assistance ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 for scholars dedicated to improving Muslim representation in media and government. Since 2009, ISF has awarded 747 scholarships to students in fields that influence public policy and opinion, such as political science and international relations. With a commitment to mentorship and real-world experience, ISF aims to foster positive narratives about American Muslims and encourage their involvement in the policymaking process.

Holcomb Family Education Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2008 by the Hall County Optimist Club to honor long-time educators, J.H. Holcomb and his sisters, Margaret, Mildred, and Nell. Applicants must have demonstrated financial need and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. In 2026, one scholarship award of $1,000 will be offered.

The Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant, provided by the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, supports U.S. educational institutions in acquiring resources for Japanese language courses. Grants, not exceeding $1,000, can be used for textbooks, audio-visual aids, and other teaching materials. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and Japanese heritage schools. However, the grant does not cover electronics or consumable supplies, and materials purchased become institutional property, not personal.

The Schilling Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides six $3,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors from select schools. Renewable for up to three years, recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA, enroll in 12 credit hours, and major in Agriculture. An essay submission is required, and applicants must demonstrate financial need by submitting their FAFSA-SAI. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing degrees in various Agriculture fields.

The JAMS Foundation / NAFCM Mini-Grant Program offers funding to support innovative community mediation programs that foster sustainability and growth. This initiative emphasizes conflict resolution training for local leaders, enabling them to effectively address community issues. Through structured peer interactions, grantees share best practices and insights. Resources generated by the program are freely accessible to enhance the wider community mediation field, ensuring shared knowledge and enhanced practices across the nation.

The Vilcek Foundation's 2026 Prizes for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design and Fashion & Culture will award six $50,000 prizes to young immigrant professionals. This initiative recognizes early- and mid-career creatives in fields such as fashion design, writing, and styling, highlighting the vital contributions of immigrants to the arts in the U.S. Eligible applicants must have at least five years of experience and intend to pursue their careers in the country.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

John Masus Memorial Scholarship Fund

Originally the Masus Financial Group Scholarship Fund, the fund was renamed the John Masus Memorial Scholarship Fund as a memorial to John Masus at the time of his passing.

The Fund supports scholarships to graduating high school seniors who reside within the 60510 zip code in Kane County. 

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.