Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

Youth Service America

Youth Service America believes that youth, communities, and our democracy thrive when we all work together for the common good. YSA is a leading global nonprofit that activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities. YSA supports its activation campaigns with grants, training and resources, and recognition programs for young people and their adult champions. Youth-led projects use Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) strategies to create social and environmental change.

We Serve To Remember Grants

Projects that Engage 100 Youth Volunteers

YSA’s We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants are for organizations, schools, and youth changemakers ages 5-25 to lead service projects on or around September 11, 2026. Programming efforts should also honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their families, and those who rose in service in response to that tragedy. (We suggest starting with eleven reflections about 9/11/01 and related ideas for service or service-learning projects.)

Grantees are required to engage at least 100 youth as volunteers in planning and implementing the service activities.

What are we looking for?

• Projects must be youth-led;
• Projects must include elements to honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, and those who rose in service in response;
• Projects must take place on or around September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance (Friday, September 11, 2026) – between Friday, September 4 and Friday, September 18;
• Project organizers must make their best effort to recruit and engage youth volunteers who are not usually asked to serve;

Grantees are also required to provide evidence of volunteer participation and number of hours served. Approved documention includes sign in sheets, copies of pre-and-post-surveys, or reports from school attendance or volunteer management system. These documents must contain a unique identifier for each volunteer, such as the volunteer’s full first and last name, their full first name and last initial, or a volunteer/student ID number.

Reflecting on the spirit of togetherness that brought people together in the days, weeks, and months after September 11th, we are especially looking for ideas that bring together all members of the community.

Manuel And Fillie Garcia Hispanic Scholarship

The Manuel & Fillie Garcia Hispanic Scholarship was established as a permanent fund of Taos Community Foundation in 2011.

The award is available to graduating seniors in Taos and western Colfax counties with preference to Hispanic students pursuing advancement of higher education. The scholarship is available to those applying to 4 year colleges and universities as well as 2 year vocational/trade schools.

The award amount will be determined at the time of committee review. This award is typically renewable for up to three years if a 2.5 GPA is maintained and all required paperwork is returned in accordance with the Scholarship Agreement.

The Terry Baucom Bluegrass Education Grant, established by the IBMA Foundation, honors the legacy of renowned bluegrass musician Terry Baucom. This grant supports musicians of all ages by providing funds for lessons, educational materials, and workshops. With awards beginning in January 2025, each grant can reach up to $500. Financial need is considered but not mandatory. This initiative aims to foster talent and ensure accessibility to bluegrass music education for a diverse range of applicants.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Part-Time Scholarship

The purpose of the PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Part-Time Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students from one of the nineteen Pueblo Nations of New Mexico who are pursuing a certificate, vocational trade, or degree.

This program will award six scholarships per academic year. This opportunity is a merit-based award.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation offers Infrastructure Awards to support institutions in enhancing their capacity for childhood cancer clinical trials. These grants are aimed at smaller entities lacking necessary resources, enabling them to hire personnel and acquire vital tools to increase participation. Since 2005, the Foundation has invested over $356 million in childhood cancer research, focusing on collaboration and innovation to find cures. Institutions in the U.S. are eligible, promoting broader access to crucial clinical trials.

The Clinical Scientist in Nephrology Fellowship, funded by the American Kidney Fund, supports nephrologists pursuing academic careers. This prestigious program enhances training and promotes clinical research aimed at improving patient care and outcomes for those with chronic kidney disease. With a funding maximum of $90,000 per year for two years, it covers salary and training-related expenses, fostering the next generation of leaders in nephrology.

This grant aims to enhance cooperation and regulatory standards among animal food safety programs by funding national feed associations. It promotes inter-agency collaboration, strengthens state regulatory frameworks, and supports the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS). By leveraging resources and aligning with federal and state initiatives, the program seeks to improve animal food safety and ensure comprehensive surveillance and protection.

The Grand Haven Rotary/Lynne Sherwood STRIVE Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Grand Haven Area Public Schools, especially Central High School, who have benefitted from a mentor's guidance while pursuing their diploma or GED. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and academic achievements, with a thorough selection process by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. Applicants can submit one application for multiple scholarships, streamlining access to financial support for their educational goals.

The ISTAART Grant Program for Conferences and Convenings (IGPCC) Grant, funded by the Alzheimer's Association, aims to support innovative initiatives that enhance research discussions among Professional Interest Areas (PIAs). This funding mechanism encourages collaboration and networking opportunities for ISTAART members, allowing for the organization of educational workshops and conferences. Grants of up to $20,000 are available, with a focus on new projects that haven't received funding in the last 24 months. Applications are reviewed year-round.

The FSR Early Career Fellowship Grant supports early-stage researchers in sarcoidosis, fostering skills and knowledge advancement. With $150,000 over two years, this grant aims to enhance medical care and scientific understanding of the disease. Eligible applicants, including international candidates, must present innovative study proposals and demonstrate a commitment to sarcoidosis research. FSR encourages transitions from fellowships to faculty positions, thereby strengthening academic credentials and promoting impactful research contributions.

The Eleanor B. and Henry H. Stroud, M.D. Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Delaware Community Foundation, provides a one-time award of $5,000 to Delaware residents pursuing medical degrees. This scholarship emphasizes excellence, ethics, and compassion in medicine, along with financial need and academic promise. Eligible applicants can reapply for up to four annual awards, with special consideration for those demonstrating innovation in medicine. The DCF awarded a record $850,000 in scholarships to 245 students for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Health Services Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (HSR-ADRD) Program

The HSR-ADRD program seeks to support research that strengthens dementia detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care pathways along the care continuum. Projects may address a range of health services research questions, including, but not limited to, studies examining barriers and solutions to timely access, quality, and care coordination. By supporting rigorous and innovative research, this program aims to generate actionable evidence to improve person-centered, coordinated, and equitable brain health and dementia care.

Program overview

The program welcomes proposals that utilize rigorous methodologies to advance understanding and improvement of cognitive impairment, including MCI and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care.

This award is structured as an individual research grant, with funding administered through the recipient’s institution. Proposals should address one or more Areas of Focus. Areas of Focus represent high-priority research topics for which this program is actively seeking proposals and include: 

• The Value of Early Detection and Diagnosis: Studies should investigate outcomes associated with early detection and diagnosis on at least two levels of the dementia care ecosystem (i.e., individual/families, providers/clinicians, health systems/payers, and policy/society).
• Care Pathways for Individuals with MCI or Dementia: Studies should consider comorbidities and investigate how people are being screened and diagnosed in different settings, and the post-diagnosis pathways for care and treatment, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions or combinations thereof.

Funding overview

• Each HSR-ADRD award is limited to a total of $250,000 U.S. (direct and indirect costs) for a duration of up to two years (awards should be a minimum one year).
• Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of total direct costs and are inclusive of indirect costs for the implementing institution as well as for any subcontracts.

The Dunkirk Community Funds: Marilee & Gayle Gaunt Scholarship, established in 2007 by The Dunkirk Foundation, honors the memory of Betty L. Gaunt's daughters, Marilee and Gayle, who tragically passed away in 1966. This scholarship aims to support residents of Dunkirk, IN, or those living within two miles of its boundary, by providing financial assistance for educational and vocational training at post-secondary institutions.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, offer over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students this year. These scholarships are primarily for individuals with ties to the tree fruit industry in Washington, with a special focus on the Danna Gebbers Guzman Memorial Scholarship, aimed at nursing students. Eligible recipients can use the funds at accredited institutions with nursing programs.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Liesel M. Hiemenz Scholarship

This permanent scholarship was established in memory of Ms. Hiemenz, a nurse from Germany. Preference is given to applicants interested in public health.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage offers Evolving Futures Grants to support organizations in implementing strategic changes to their operational models, enhancing viability and sustainability. These grants are for entities that have identified critical operational challenges and developed actionable plans. Eligible organizations must have a history of project grants from Pew, be located in the Philadelphia region, and primarily serve public audiences, among other criteria.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Lucy C. Perry Scholarship

Preference for funds from this scholarship is given to applicants studying at Indiana University and interested in public health.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) Program

Overview

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program is a formula grant program that enhances the capabilities of state, local, and tribal governments to provide residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment to adult and juvenile populations during detention or incarceration, initiate or continue evidence-based SUD treatment in jails, prepare individuals for reintegration into the community, and assist them and their communities throughout the reentry process by delivering community-based treatment and other recovery aftercare services.

The RSAT Program encourages the establishment and maintenance of drug-free prisons and jails and development and implementation of specialized residential SUD treatment for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The program also encourages the inclusion of medication-assisted treatment as part of any SUD treatment protocol.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The John C. Neal Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established by Union Bank and Trust in recognition of President John C. Neal on the occasion of his retirement. In recognition of his 25 years of service at the bank, Union and The Community Foundation intend for this new fund to reflect Mr. Neal's commitment and dedication to our region by supporting the further education of area students with a passion for service to their communities.

"If you were to look up the definition of a true community banker, you would most likely find a picture of John Neal as an example," said G. William Beale, president and CEO of Union Bankshares Corporation. "

John was instrumental in the growth of Union in the Fredericksburg region when he first joined in 1991 and later brought the same commitment and dedication to his role as bank president. John has always understood that in order for a community bank to grow, it has to help the community it serves grow."

The NIDCR Drug, Biologic, Device and/or Procedure Intervention Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3) is designed to support clinical trial planning and implementation for dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions. This funding opportunity encourages applications that propose innovative research strategies within the NIDCR mission. Key deadlines span from February 2025 to January 2028, with emphasis on milestone-driven planning phases leading into possible clinical trial phases.

Bureau of Justice Assistance

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system.

BJA strengthens the Nation’s criminal justice system and helps America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA focuses its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources, including training and technical assistance, to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. 

FY25 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance Program

Executive Summary

This NOFO will provide training and technical assistance (TTA) to state and local grantees of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program to enhance implementation of comprehensive residential substance use treatment during detention or incarceration and aftercare services to prepare individuals for successful reintegration into the community. The selected TTA provider will also maintain and update the RSAT TTA website to serve as single source of information for RSAT grantees that reflects evolving needs and emerging evidence-based approaches.

The Igor Gorin Memorial Award, established in 1993 by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, honors the legacy of Igor Gorin by supporting aspiring vocalists. With $382,000 awarded to 49 young talents, this fund provides unrestricted financial assistance for coaching, travel, and auditions. The 2026 award offers up to $12,000, aimed at those overcoming financial barriers to pursue operatic careers, ensuring that exceptional vocalists can thrive in their artistic journeys.

Community Collaboration Challenge

Applications for the 2026 Community Collaboration Challenge are now open! With support from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, the Challenge provides $5,000 – $10,000 awards to communities and is designed to support collaboration that expands and pilots evidence-based K-12 student supports in the form of high-impact tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and/or wraparound/integrated student supports.

The Henry C. Frick Educational Fund Grant, under the Buhl Foundation, aims to enhance public education in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Established in 1909, it supports grants for K-12 schools, focusing on disadvantaged populations. The fund prioritizes science, arts, and professional development in education, fostering innovation and community engagement. Grants are available for organizations recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) and are limited to specific counties. The fund does not support building funds, scholarships, or political activities.

The Delesky-Wetmore Scholarship, established in October 2025 by Cathy Delesky and Doug Wetmore through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, aims to support high school seniors in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, or Colleton Counties, South Carolina. This scholarship focuses on students with financial need pursuing a four-year degree in STEM, finance, or economics, requiring a minimum GPA of 3.5 and above-average ACT or SAT scores.

The Veterans Treatment Court Program Enhancement Grant aims to bolster the operations of veterans treatment courts (VTCs) that serve veterans involved in the justice system. By addressing substance use and mental health disorders, these courts facilitate access to essential treatment services, reducing recidivism and overdose fatalities. The grant supports jurisdictions in enhancing their VTC capacity, improving service quality, and ensuring veterans receive the necessary support for long-term recovery. Funding of up to $1,000,000 is available for eligible jurisdictions.

The American Fisheries Society…

• Includes 8,000+ members from around the world, including fisheries managers, biologists, professors, ecologists, aquaculturists, economists, engineers, geneticists, and social scientists
• Promotes scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources
• Publishes five of the world’s leading fish journals, and many renowned books
• Organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed
• Encourages comprehensive education and professional development for fisheries professionals

AFS Awards

Each year, AFS presents awards to its members and partners for unique contributions that directly or indirectly impact fisheries science. Each year there is a call for award nominations recognizing professional excellence and/or outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and service.

Distinguished Service Award

Recognizes outstanding contributions of time and energy for special projects or activities by AFS members. The number of recipients may vary. A single member, a group of members, and AFS staff are eligible candidates. Nominations should include description of the outstanding contributions by the candidate(s).