Best Private Grants for Nonprofits

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Oregon provide crucial funding to organizations that assist low-income families in constructing their homes through cooperative effort. Grant recipients aid these families by offering technical and supervisory support, ensuring they can successfully build homes in rural areas. This initiative not only fosters community engagement but also empowers families by allowing them to take an active role in the construction process.

The Strange/Midkiff Families Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation, offered by the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR), provide four scholarships of $2,000 each for members participating in ASOR-affiliated archaeological projects. Established in 2014, this scholarship aims to support ASOR members' active involvement in excavation projects, reflecting a commitment to research and public understanding of the Near East and Mediterranean cultures. Preference is given to applicants lacking prior funding support.

The Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program supports educators with innovative class projects that enhance student learning. Annually, 50 selected educators receive $2,000 each, with three top awards of $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000. This initiative, backed by Voya Financial, aims to empower teachers in accredited K-12 schools across the U.S. to transform their ideas into impactful educational experiences, fostering creativity and engagement in the classroom.

The Sheeler Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation, offered by the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR), provide $2,000 scholarships to support ASOR members in archaeological fieldwork. Established in 2014, these scholarships honor Harva L. Sheeler and are aimed at facilitating volunteer or staff participation in the Hesi Regional Project. This year, ASOR plans to award one scholarship to enhance research experiences for individuals passionate about the history and cultures of the Near East and Mediterranean.

The Platt Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation, offered by the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR), provide $2,000 scholarships for members involved in ASOR-affiliated archaeological projects. This year, ASOR plans to award nine scholarships to support participation in fieldwork across the Mediterranean and Western Asia. Scholarships aim to facilitate research endeavors while prioritizing applicants who have not previously received funding from ASOR or other sources for this summer.

The American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR) offers Member-Supported Scholarships for Fieldwork Participation, awarding 43 scholarships of $2,000 each to support student and early-career members in archaeological projects. Funded by member contributions, these scholarships enable participation in ASOR-affiliated projects in the Near East and Mediterranean. Since 2007, ASOR has awarded over $1 million to more than 900 researchers and students, fostering research in archaeology and related fields.

The Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund, established in 2001, supports innovative initiatives that enhance the mission of Orthodoxy in the U.S. This fund, part of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, prioritizes proposals addressing critical needs within the Orthodox Church. Grants, while modest, can catalyze impactful projects, such as educational programs for clergy and resources for community outreach. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) entities, ensuring a focus on effective and mission-driven projects.

First Generation College Scholarship

Taos Community Foundation is offering a premier scholarship award to High School Graduates from Taos County wishing to pursue advancement of higher education. This scholarship is to enable a student as a first- generation learner in their family to seek higher education.

The First Generation College Scholarship is a comprehensive college scholarship that pays towards the costs of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies. It is a supplemental or last dollar scholarship and therefore secondary to all other grants /scholarships awarded to the scholar. After considering the student’s other community or academic institutional awards, the First Generation Scholarship Fund will pay toward the remaining costs of the scholar’s education. The amount of the scholarship is unique to each scholar and can vary from year to year, and could be up to an annual award of $15,000.00 per year for 4 years.

This is a 4 year award provided a 3.0 GPA is maintained during the award period and that all required paperwork is submitted in accordance with the Scholarship Agreement that will be presented at the time of selection.

This scholarship also allows for students to enroll at a University that is part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), as administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (www.wiche.edu). This regional tuition-reciprocity agreement enables students from WICHE states to enroll in some 145 participating public institutions at 150 percent of the enrolling institution’s resident tuition.

The Harvard Charles Warren Center Dissertation Completion Grant offers a ten-month stipend for PhD candidates in American history to complete their dissertations without teaching obligations. Eligible applicants must have completed two chapters and be in the G-5 to G-7 stages of their program. This grant covers health insurance and facilities fees, ensuring that students can focus fully on their research without financial distractions.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in North Carolina provide essential funding to organizations that aid low-income families in constructing their homes. Through local self-help projects, families work together under the guidance of grant recipients, who offer technical assistance. This initiative not only empowers communities but also promotes affordable housing in rural areas, ensuring that families have the support needed for successful home construction.

The Harvard Charles Warren Center Term Time Research Grant supports Ph.D. candidates in American history, allowing them to conduct focused dissertation research without teaching duties for one semester. Eligible candidates must have passed their general examination, be enrolled as G-6 or below, and employ a historical methodology in their projects. Annually, 6-8 grants are awarded, offering a stipend to aid research efforts, though tuition may not be covered for all candidates.

Friedman Family Scholarship

The Friedman Family Scholarship was established in 1998. The award is available to graduating seniors in Taos and western Colfax counties for 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 is up to $ 8,000.00 paid out at $2,000 annually for up to four years if a 3.0 GPA is maintained.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Minnesota provide essential funding to qualified organizations for managing self-help housing projects. This initiative supports very-low- and low-income families as they collaboratively build homes in rural areas, fostering community involvement and skill development. Eligible organizations include government non-profits and tribes, while grant funds can be utilized for technical assistance and family recruitment. This program plays a crucial role in addressing housing needs in underserved communities.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Mississippi support organizations that assist low-income families in constructing their own homes. This program empowers participants to collaborate in building homes in rural areas, providing them with essential technical and supervisory assistance. Eligible applicants include government non-profits and tribes, while funds cannot be used for hiring construction workers or purchasing materials. This initiative aims to foster community involvement and self-sufficiency among participants.

The Rewarding Responders Grant, offered by the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, supports emergency response agencies in their safety initiatives. Since 2014, over $500,000 has been awarded to enhance public safety through equipment purchases and professional development. Each project can receive up to $2,000, with applications open to local, county, and volunteer fire, law enforcement, and rescue agencies within the service area. Grants should be utilized within two years to ensure impactful and sustainable safety efforts.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants program in Missouri provides vital funding to support organizations that assist low-income families in constructing their own homes. By enabling participants to contribute labor under professional supervision, the program fosters community engagement and skill development. Eligible organizations include government non-profits and federally recognized tribes. The grants aim to enhance self-sufficiency while addressing housing needs in rural areas, ultimately empowering families to achieve homeownership.

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

The Mark Ulrickson Memorial Scholarship Fund

Provides scholarships to graduating seniors in Marquette County who are enrolled at a college or university, and who demonstrate 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 Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Michigan provide funding to organizations assisting low-income families in constructing their own homes. These grants facilitate technical and supervisory support, enabling participants to contribute labor on each other's homes. Eligible applicants include non-profits and federally-recognized tribes. Funds cannot be used for hiring construction workers or purchasing materials. The program aims to improve housing accessibility in rural areas, promoting community involvement and self-reliance.

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

William B. Larson Memorial Scholarship

Provides scholarships for graduating seniors of Ishpeming, Negaunee, and Westwood High Schools. The Fund aims to award three scholarships of equal amount annually to eligible applicants based on the following criteria: Students must be graduating seniors pursuing higher education in the field of business administration, they must demonstrate financial need, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

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 Richard C. MacDonald Iliad Endowment for Archaeological Research Grant supports innovative projects that explore the context of Troy and the Trojan War's influence on ancient Mediterranean civilization. Open to PhD holders in archaeology, the grant encourages the use of advanced technologies such as GIS and LiDAR. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the mission, project feasibility, and potential impact. AIA promotes inclusivity and does not discriminate based on personal attributes, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants.

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

Coach Dion Brown Memorial Scholarship

Be a graduating senior of Gwinn Area Community Schools pursuing higher education, and who demonstrates school and/or community leadership through involvement in extracurricular activities (not limited to athletic).

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 DAI Fellowship for Study in Berlin offers two post-doctoral research fellowships to North American AIA members. Each fellowship lasts up to two months and covers travel, a daily allowance, and accommodation at the DAI guest house. Selected fellows must have a Ph.D. and submit a detailed research proposal. The program emphasizes scholarly merit and encourages family accommodations, supporting equal opportunity in its selection process.

The Archaeology of Portugal Fellowship, offered by the Archaeological Institute of America, supports research on the archaeology of Portugal, including its Autonomous Regions. It is open to Portuguese nationals for study in the US and encourages diverse archaeological inquiries. Applicants must provide evidence of citizenship, project plans, and transcripts as needed. The fellowship aligns with AIA's mission to promote archaeological understanding and preserve cultural heritage, fostering appreciation of diverse cultures.

The Alaska Office of History and Archaeology offers Historic Preservation Grants to support the rehabilitation of historic properties. Eligible applicants include individuals, non-profits, and local governments. The program provides up to 60% funding with a 40% cost-sharing match for various projects such as surveys, inventory, and planning. All work must adhere to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties, ensuring the preservation of the property's historic character.

The Olivia James Traveling Fellowship, offered by the Archaeological Institute of America, supports U.S. citizens in conducting travel and research in Greece and surrounding regions. The fellowship emphasizes archaeological inquiry and understanding while requiring recipients to submit reports and abstracts post-tenure. Preference is given to dissertation research and projects lasting at least six months. The fellowship promotes inclusivity, ensuring equal opportunity for applicants from diverse backgrounds, while explicitly prohibiting major concurrent fellowships.

The Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) Grant supports Arab American organizations in arts, culture, media, and human services. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to U.S.-based nonprofits that serve the Arab American community and hold valid 501(c)(3) status. CAAP aims to strengthen community organizations and foster philanthropy, ensuring impactful support for eligible groups dedicated to empowering the Arab American population across the nation.

The John R. Coleman Traveling Fellowship, awarded by the Archaeological Institute of America, supports U.S. graduate students engaged in dissertation research. It honors John R. Coleman’s legacy, facilitating travel and study in Italy and the western Mediterranean. Candidates must submit a report post-fellowship and are encouraged to present at the AIA Annual Meeting. The fellowship fosters inclusivity and does not support excavation projects or administrative costs, ensuring a focus on academic advancement and cultural appreciation.