Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

The Dollie Lane Harp Memorial Scholarship Fund for Classical Music, established by Ruth Harp Gibson, honors her mother’s legacy through music. This scholarship is available for students majoring in classical music at accredited U.S. universities or conservatories. Eligible candidates include graduating seniors from specific Texas high schools who have participated in music during their studies. Awards range from $500 to over $5,000, with payments made directly to educational institutions.

The Ross Scholarship Fund provides financial support to graduating high school seniors from Franklin County who plan to pursue higher education. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement (minimum GPA of 2.5) and financial need. The scholarship renews for up to four years, contingent upon maintaining eligibility requirements. Extra consideration is given to students from the Chambersburg Area School District, ensuring that deserving local students receive the support they need to succeed in their higher education endeavors.

The NIDCD Research Fellowship for Audiologists provides clinical audiologists enrolled in Ph.D. programs with essential research training. This initiative encourages the integration of clinical and translational research, fostering strong research foundations vital for advancing audiology and hearing healthcare. Although applications are not currently being solicited, the program aims to prepare potential candidates for meaningful collaborations and impactful research projects in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences.

The Blackstock Family Foundation Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, offers scholarships to Georgia students pursuing degrees in healthcare, special education, or STEM fields. With a focus on supporting individuals with special needs, the fund provides at least one award annually, with renewal options for prior recipients. Eligible candidates must be Georgia residents, high school seniors or currently enrolled students, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7. Preference is given to students from Upson County.

The Tillie Odam Memorial Scholarship, established by John Odam in honor of his mother, supports Big Country high school seniors and alumni pursuing Health Information Technology or Allied Health programs. This scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Abilene, provides financial assistance to students enrolling in accredited vocational or college programs. Awards range from $500 to over $5,000, with payments sent directly to educational institutions for the fall and spring semesters.

The Grant for Grassroots Exchange: Japan Festivals and Events supports cultural projects promoting understanding of Japan through local festivals and events. Aimed at community-driven initiatives, the grant encourages cross-cultural exchange and global perspectives while providing up to $7,000 in funding. Priority is given to projects reaching underserved communities in the Midwest, Mountain, and South regions, involving new participants in K-12 education, and demonstrating potential for replication in other areas.

The Dr. Marshall H. Layton Memorial Scholarship honors Dr. Rock's dedication to education by supporting graduating seniors from the Harrisburg School District. This one-time award aims to help students with financial need who plan to pursue higher education or trade school. Applicants must demonstrate a desire for success through an essay, reflecting Dr. Rock's lifelong commitment to fostering learning and achievement.

The BJA FY 2026 Crisis Response Training Program aims to enhance public safety and law enforcement effectiveness by providing critical training for officers in responding to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. This funding opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments in developing programs to improve responses to those with mental health conditions, intellectual disabilities, and other challenges. By equipping officers with essential skills and strategies, the program seeks to ensure safer interventions and better outcomes in crisis situations.

The Great Lakes Bay Community Resource Association Scholarship, founded in May 2023, aims to enhance health outcomes and educational opportunities for underserved individuals. With a focus on human medical-related fields, this scholarship supports students pursuing careers in nursing, psychology, and more. Beneficiaries will engage with professional mentors and gain hands-on experience in community health initiatives. The scholarship reflects a commitment to addressing healthcare disparities and empowering future professionals in the medical field.

The BJA FY 2026 Byrne State Crisis Intervention Formula Program aims to enhance state crisis intervention court proceedings and related initiatives. Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, the program focuses on addressing public safety challenges such as violent crime, human trafficking, and the opioid crisis. Grants will support the development of mental health courts, drug courts, and extreme risk protection order programs, providing critical resources to improve community safety and support law enforcement efforts.

The African-American Community Foundation - Waverly Glover Scholarship, offered by The Dayton Foundation, supports African-American students pursuing higher education at Central State University or Wilberforce University. Eligible candidates must be business or accounting majors with junior or senior status, enrolled full-time, and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. This scholarship honors Waverly Glover's legacy, promoting educational opportunities and empowering the next generation of leaders in the community.

The Twin Tiers Youth for Christ Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc., supports high school seniors and adult learners in Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania. Applicants must secure a recommendation from a pastor of a Christian Church and complete the necessary application materials. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers to education, ensuring that deserving candidates can pursue their academic and vocational aspirations.

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.

Holland Doctors of Audiology Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student who attends/attended public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation or in Hamilton or Saugatuck
• Enrolling/enrolled at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• Hard of hearing and hearing aid user and/or admitted and enrolling/enrolled at an accredited program in audiology (graduate-level candidates)
• Hard of hearing and hearing aid user and/or interested in studying audiology or hearing science (undergraduate-level candidates)
• Involvement in the school’s music program preferred.
• Potentially renewable for three additional years.

Newman’s Own Foundation is offering the Food Justice for Kids Prize, providing up to $100,000 in grant funding over two years for organizations promoting food justice for children in the U.S. This initiative focuses on Indigenous Food Justice and Nutrition Education, addressing the high rates of food insecurity among children, particularly in marginalized communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public schools, and tribes that serve children under 18. The foundation aims to ensure all kids have access to nutritious food and education on sustainable food systems.

The PERF: Infrastructure/Registry Research Grant focuses on developing new multicenter infrastructures or enhancing existing programs in pediatric neurology. It aims to advance clinical research, particularly in pediatric epilepsy, supporting projects that train and mentor young investigators. The grant offers up to $300,000 for a duration of three years, with an emphasis on mentorship for both senior and early-stage investigators, ensuring the growth of expertise in the field.

The Helen T. Bianca Nursing Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, supports high school seniors from New Britain and Berlin who are pursuing nursing degrees at accredited institutions. Applicants must show financial need and commitment to community service through volunteer work. A personal essay detailing their dedication to nursing and community impact is required. This scholarship aims to foster future nurses dedicated to improving healthcare in their communities.

The Louis J. (Mattioli) Matt Music Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, supports graduating seniors from public high schools in New Britain, Newington, or Plainville. Eligible students must pursue a bachelor's degree in music education or performance, demonstrate outstanding musical talent, and rank in the top 25% of their class. Financial need is also a key consideration, encouraging talented young musicians to further their education and hone their skills.

Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM)

The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) is dedicated to promoting high-value care and achieving optimal outcomes for acutely ill patients. As part of this mission, SHM seeks to address inequities in acute patient care and contribute to a greater dialogue on this important issue. As the home for hospitalists, SHM activates and engages our community to

• Advocate for our specialty, our members, and the diverse patients we serve.
• Promote high-value care and optimal outcomes for acutely ill patients.
• Meet the evolving educational needs of a dynamic specialty.
• Cultivate an inclusive community for hospitalists and support career growth and wellbeing.
• Advance the research and innovation of healthcare delivery, quality, safety, and experience across the care continuum.

Society of Hospital Medicine Travel Grant

The SHM Global and Rural Health Foundation brings our mission directly to patients in rural and underserved regions of the United States and abroad by offering small travel grants to hospital-based clinicians and practice administrators involved in this work. The Foundation also aims to amplify the stories of inequitable patient care and celebrate hospital medicine professionals enhancing outcomes.

The SHM Global and Rural Health Foundation awards travel grants of up to $2,000 per person for travel to qualifying relief programs. Travel grants will be awarded to support travel for work conducted through established nonprofits, such as Doctors Without Borders, or a program run by a nonprofit academic health center.

The Dale & Delores Willi Scholarship, offered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, provides financial support to students from Hudson High School or homeschool programs who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to pursue music in college. This scholarship awards $2,000 per year for up to two years, focusing on applicants who demonstrate financial need and a strong passion for music, thereby aiding their academic and musical development.

About the Emporia Community Foundation

Our Mission

To connect caring people with causes that build stronger communities within the Emporia area which includes Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties.

Pink Gravel Fund

The purpose of the Pink Gravel Fund is to provide funds to qualified individuals to cover expenses related to the treatment and recovery of breast cancer. 

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize, awarded by The J.M. Kaplan Fund, supports early-stage social innovators tackling critical issues in environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. With up to $175,000 in funding and tailored support over three years, it empowers organizations to pilot transformative solutions. The Prize fosters collaboration among awardees, providing resources and mentorship to enhance their impact. Open to both non-profit and mission-driven for-profit entities, it addresses the funding gap for innovative, high-potential projects.

The Jon Christopher Gauss, Jr. Wrestling Scholarship Fund, established by his parents, supports high school wrestlers pursuing post-secondary education at accredited institutions. This initiative, part of the Community Foundation of Washington County MD, aims to honor Jon's legacy while empowering students to achieve their educational goals. The scholarship enhances community engagement and provides vital financial assistance to promising athletes, ensuring that their dedication to wrestling translates into academic success.

The Polk Foundation Grant supports initiatives that enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Established by Patricia Hillman Miller, the Foundation prioritizes programs focusing on health, human services, and community inclusion. It seeks to empower people with disabilities through collaborative efforts, innovative technology, and impactful research. While Merakey AVS remains a primary beneficiary, the Foundation welcomes applications from other nonprofits aligned with its mission, ensuring accessibility and support for diverse needs.

The American Bach Society Diversity Grant, established in 1972, supports initiatives that enhance diversity in the study and performance of J.S. Bach's music. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for projects that explore diverse perspectives in Bach's history, teaching, and performance. Priority is given to early-career applicants. This grant aims to widen participation and representation in Bach-related scholarship and performance, fostering a more inclusive community around this classical music heritage.

The American Bach Society offers the Language Study Grant to support Ph.D. students in the US or Canada who need language training for Bach-related research. Grants can cover tuition and ancillary costs, with awards up to $6,000. Applicants must demonstrate that they have sought additional financial aid from their institutions. This initiative aims to encourage diverse research topics and new voices in Bach studies, fostering a deeper appreciation of this important field.

The Food and Farm Communications Fund's Wildseed Grants program supports grassroots organizations in the U.S. that aim to bring transformative change to food and agricultural systems. With grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for one year, and up to $75,000 for two years, the program emphasizes strategic communications, community engagement, and racial equity. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with the Fund’s mission and have a revenue of less than $3 million.

The Southwest Airlines® Founders Scholarship, administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, offers financial support to dependents of Southwest Airlines employees pursuing their first post-secondary degree. Established in 1981, this renewable scholarship awards up to $20,000 over four years, contingent on meeting GPA and enrollment criteria. Eligible applicants must demonstrate community service and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5. This scholarship underscores the commitment to empowering educated communities.