Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

The Peter Matthews Scholarship, established by the children of Peter Matthews, supports students from Southeastern Connecticut pursuing education at accredited four-year liberal arts colleges. With a generous fund of over $11.9 million awarded since 1983 by the Community Foundation, this scholarship offers approximately $500 to help cover educational expenses. Awards are paid directly to colleges by August 1, fostering a commitment to learning and career development.

About 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.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our community meet its needs and challenges. The Foundation invests and administers these funds.

Altrusa Club of Marion Scholarship I

The Altrusa Club of Marion Scholarship Fund I was established in memory of Lynda L. Williams, Ruth Kramer, and Clara J Walters. It supports life-long Marion County students pursuing higher education.

Brown County Community Foundation

BCCF operates as a 501 (c)(3) corporation. It professionally manages and distributes income from charitable bequests consistent with the donor’s wishes and interests. In other words, BCCF manages charitable funds, making grants to local, nonprofit organizations based on advice from donors. Donors can specify a specific organization or a general area of concern within the community to which their gift be directed.

Scholarships

The Foundation manages several academic scholarship funds, many established expressly for Brown County High School graduates. 

Additionally, through the Foundation’s affiliation with The Lilly Endowment Inc., over forty Brown County residents have received four-year full-tuition scholarships through the Endowment’s Community Scholars Program.

BCCF Scholarships are available to current high school graduates, students currently enrolled in college, past graduates planning to enroll, as well as G.E.D. graduates.

Shaffer Family Scholarship

Purpose

To provide educational scholarships for students who are accepted into and attending accredited two or four year public or private intuitions of higher learning.

The Smith Literary Scholarship, established in memory of Margaret P. Smith, supports literary and historical research for students majoring in History or English Literature. Award amounts range from $2,000 to $5,000, with funds disbursed to colleges by August 1. This scholarship is available to residents within the Community Foundation's 42-town service area, promoting educational opportunities for aspiring writers and researchers.

Brown County Community Foundation

BCCF operates as a 501 (c)(3) corporation. It professionally manages and distributes income from charitable bequests consistent with the donor’s wishes and interests. In other words, BCCF manages charitable funds, making grants to local, nonprofit organizations based on advice from donors. Donors can specify a specific organization or a general area of concern within the community to which their gift be directed.

Scholarships

The Foundation manages several academic scholarship funds, many established expressly for Brown County High School graduates. 

Additionally, through the Foundation’s affiliation with The Lilly Endowment Inc., over forty Brown County residents have received four-year full-tuition scholarships through the Endowment’s Community Scholars Program.

BCCF Scholarships are available to current high school graduates, students currently enrolled in college, past graduates planning to enroll, as well as G.E.D. graduates.

P.E.O Chapter CU Scholarship

Purpose

To provide a scholarship to a female Brown County resident who is graduating from high school or completing a G.E.D. and will be attending an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada, full-time or part-time, in the fall of the academic year following high school graduation.

Awards winners are chosen by P.E.O using the application process.

The Take Note! Antonia Brancia Memorial Scholarship, established in 2007, honors the legacy of Antonia Brancia, a dedicated pediatric audiologist and music lover. Offered by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, this scholarship supports students from multiple towns who actively participate in music and pursue post-secondary studies in related fields. With an approximate award of $1,000, it aims to foster future talent in music education and performance.

The Tri Kappa Scholarship - Women's Giving Circle, established by the Crown Point Community Foundation, aims to enhance life quality in South Lake County by providing financial assistance for various community needs. This non-renewable scholarship is open to residents over 21, with the next awards ceremony scheduled for May 7, 2026. The initiative reflects a commitment to maximize charitable impact while honoring donor intentions.

The Karen and Cornel Raab Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, offers financial support to graduating high school students from Crown Point, Cedar Lake, or Lowell with a minimum GPA of 2.8. This non-renewable scholarship aims to assist students in achieving their educational goals. The foundation oversees over 80 scholarship funds, ensuring resources are allocated to meet the diverse needs of the community.

The Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants support innovative projects aimed at enhancing the lifesaving efforts for cats and dogs in U.S. shelters. Eligible organizations, including public and private shelters and rescue groups, can apply for up to $50,000 to fund initiatives like intake prevention services, medical care for at-risk pets, and shelter enrichment programs. All projects must align with the mission of increasing adoption rates and improving animal welfare within the Best Friends Network.

The ETC Equipment Grant supports U.S.-based non-profit organizations, schools, and government entities by providing essential lighting technology. This initiative, part of ETC's Light the Way Program, aims to enhance training in performance arts through equipment grants. Recipients can choose from a variety of packages, including consoles and LED fixtures, tailored to their facility's needs. ETC also offers training for all awarded equipment, ensuring recipients maximize the impact of their grants.

This grant aims to address drug shortages by exploring the landscape of products susceptible to health fraud and finding ways for outsourcing facilities to fulfill these needs. By funding research and development, the initiative seeks to enhance the production of critical medications, thereby stabilizing the drug supply chain and protecting public health from fraud-related risks.

The Fern and Gladys Moyer Memorial Trust provides funding primarily for charitable organizations and municipal agencies in Northumberland and Snyder Counties, Pennsylvania. Grants support program development, special projects, and equipment enhancements but rarely cover total project costs. Eligible applicants include organizations exempt under the Internal Revenue Code. The Trust favors community support through local contributions and volunteerism, while ineligible requests include personal needs and religious or political activities.

The State Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance Program (U60) aims to enhance state-level occupational safety and health (OSH) surveillance capacity. Funded by NIOSH, this initiative supports various state programs, fostering partnerships among health departments and universities. By utilizing diverse data sources, these programs assess workplace health impacts and develop tailored interventions, ultimately ensuring better health and safety for workers across the U.S. This collaborative approach addresses critical gaps left by regulatory programs.

The Albert C. and Rose Turri Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students pursuing a degree in electronics or electrical engineering. Established in memory of Albert and Rose Turri, this scholarship awards two $1,000 grants to eligible students residing in NCCF's service area. It aims to empower local talents to achieve their educational goals while championing community causes through dedicated support.

The Helen and Mario Garbin Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students from NCCF's 20-town service area pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies. With an average award of $500, this scholarship reflects a commitment to fostering education and community engagement. The foundation emphasizes attentive grant-making and collaboration to address local needs, ensuring that donors and organizations effectively work together for impactful results.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials.

The Sally Ann Forrester Scholarship

The Sally Ann Forrester College Scholarship is a $1,000 – $2,000 scholarship awarded to a female bluegrass musician. Students may be majoring in any subject, including bluegrass music. The IBMA Foundation administers the scholarship, which is funded by an endowment at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Sally Ann Forrester played accordion and sang as a member of Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys from 1943-1946, thus becoming the first female professional bluegrass musician in history.

The Shepard Family Scholarship, administered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students residing in NCCF's service area who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate education. With awards ranging from $300 to $1,500, this scholarship is also available for individuals in non-degree, adult education, or private primary and secondary programs. It reflects a commitment to fostering educational opportunities and community engagement.

The SVNA Health Care Related Educational Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students pursuing careers in healthcare (excluding pre-med) from specific towns. This scholarship provides $10,000 annually, renewable for up to five years, making it a significant opportunity for local students committed to making a difference in the healthcare field. The foundation emphasizes community engagement and smart grant-making to address local issues.

The Tollar Family Scholarship, administered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students from NCCF's 20-town service area pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies. Offering a $4,000 award, this scholarship encourages local talent and fosters educational growth. It is designed for those dedicated to their academic journey, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder potential. This initiative exemplifies community support and commitment to education, empowering students to achieve their goals.

The Waneta Drake Miller Edmison Non-Traditional Student Scholarship is designed to support individuals aged 24 and older from Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, or McCook counties in South Dakota who are pursuing further education. Applicants must be enrolled in at least twelve credit hours at an accredited institution and have completed at least six credit hours in a degree program. This scholarship exemplifies the commitment to lifelong learning and community enrichment.

The World Trade Center Youth Research Coordinating Center aims to establish a research cohort to study the health impacts on youth exposed to the 9/11 events. This initiative, backed by the NIOSH, will focus on individuals aged 21 or younger at the time of exposure, including those in utero. The Center will integrate diverse expertise to assess long-term health and educational effects while enhancing community engagement and stakeholder communication throughout its activities.

The William and Sally Vaun Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports local students pursuing degrees in medicine or environmental studies with an emphasis on ecology and conservation sciences. This scholarship provides an average award of $1,500 to eligible applicants from the NCCF's 20-town service area. The foundation is dedicated to championing community causes through thoughtful grant-making and scholarships, ensuring impactful support for future leaders.

The Apolonia Stanulis Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports college students residing in NCCF's 20-town service area. With awards ranging from $300 to $1,500, this scholarship aims to empower students in their educational pursuits. NCCF is dedicated to fostering community development and connecting donors with local nonprofits, ensuring that the causes important to the community are championed effectively.

The Hovland Scholarship, offered by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, supports college students of Norwegian descent. Eligible applicants must be full-time students entering their third year at an accredited four-year institution in the U.S., maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and demonstrate financial need. Multiple renewable scholarships are available, contingent upon meeting requirements and funding availability. This scholarship aims to enrich the quality of life through education and philanthropy.

The ETC Performing Arts Funding Grant, established in 1975, aims to support non-profit performance groups across the United States. With grants up to $5,000, the initiative seeks to encourage artistic expression and innovation. Applicants must be U.S.-based organizations, including 501(c)(3) non-profits and accredited educational institutions. However, funding does not cover salaries, travel, or events. Preference is given to groups producing original work. The competitive nature of the grant means that meeting eligibility does not guarantee funding.

The Louisville Institute's Postdoctoral Fellowship offers early career theological educators a unique opportunity for vocational and professional growth through a two-year placement at ATS-accredited institutions in the U.S. and Canada. With a stipend of $30,000 annually, housing, and insurance benefits, fellows engage in a structured formation program, attend three annual gatherings in Louisville, KY, and receive peer mentorship, enhancing their journey towards becoming effective theological educators.

The Hendel Family Association Scholarship, established in 1983, offers a $2,500 award to New London High School students who have faced significant hardships. This scholarship aims to support students in their educational pursuits, with funds disbursed directly to colleges by August 1. The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut proudly administers this scholarship, contributing to its mission of enabling local students to achieve their academic goals.