Best Grants for Special Education in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico animal welfare nonprofits with annual income under $200,000 can access funding through Cold Noses Foundation for projects involving humane treatment, rehoming, non-lethal alternatives to euthanasia, veterinary care, or humane education for domestic pets, wildlife, or farm animals. Organizations working with special education students through animal-related programs may be eligible.

Students pursuing post-secondary education in special needs education, journalism, theater arts, or trade programs can receive up to US $1,000 if they meet the Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship criteria. Quad Cities Community Foundation supports these academic paths; while residency is limited to Rock Island County, programs may include special education-related studies in Puerto Rico.

Families of individuals with autism needing help covering medical, nutritional, personal, or enrichment expenses can apply for MyGOAL’s MyGOAL Autism Grant Program; awards $25,000 in grants to 25 families. Puerto Rico families seeking support for special needs education and related autism services may be eligible when costs are not covered by schools, insurance, or other funders.

Early-stage U.S. PK–12 education organizations developing innovative supports for students with learning differences can apply for NewSchools Venture Fund’s Learning Differences Grant Program, awarding US $150,000 - US $250,000 in one-year general operating support. With a mission to reimagine public education, NewSchools provides funding, expert coaching, and national peer connections, which may benefit Puerto Rico special needs education initiatives.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing education, preferably special education, can receive scholarship support for four-year college study through this program, though it is limited to Ashland County students. Ashland County Community Foundation’s Judith Halama Ebert Scholarship aids students with financial need, leadership experience, community service, and strong school involvement preparing for careers in special needs education.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing a degree in special education can receive scholarship support, administered by Crown Point Community Foundation. Applicants must reside within the CPCF service area. One common application is used to determine eligibility for this and many other donor-created scholarship funds.

Students pursuing special education or speech, physical, or occupational therapy careers to support individuals with Down syndrome in Puerto Rico may be eligible for this scholarship. The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region uses a universal application so applicants can be considered for the Down Syndrome – Aim High Scholarship and other academic awards.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting special needs education, youth with disabilities, and related services in Puerto Rico can seek funding for scholarships, school programs, and inclusive camps. The Von Voigtlander Family Foundation prioritizes Michigan-based charities but may fund national requests, including Puerto Rico, when comparable local services are unavailable.

North Decatur High School graduates pursuing degrees in special education, pediatric medicine, or Christian ministry can apply for the Kristin Lee Burry Memorial Scholarship, administered by Decatur County Community Foundation. Students focused on special needs education, including those from or serving Puerto Rico communities, may benefit if they meet these study-area and school-specific criteria.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering special needs or disability-focused education and services, including in Puerto Rico, can seek funding for programs such as learning disability support, hearing impairment services, or community preservation. Alma Gibbs Donchian favors collaborative, pilot initiatives with clear future funding plans and active, financially responsible boards; typical awards are up to US $10,000.

Teachers or students pursuing special education majors or certifications can apply for the Mack Henderson Special Education Scholarship, awarding US $2,500 toward accredited college or university study. While based in Georgia, applicants with special education career goals in Puerto Rico may be eligible if they meet the academic and enrollment requirements.

Special educators pursuing additional licensing can receive up to US $2,500 annually for special needs education training through a scholarship managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. While teaching eligibility is tied to specific Northeast Indiana public schools, Puerto Rico special education professionals considering similar development paths may find this opportunity informative.

Students pursuing education degrees, especially in special or early childhood education, may receive up to US $3,000 for one academic year to offset college costs. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts supports residents of Hampshire or Franklin County; special needs education students in Puerto Rico may be interested in similar scholarship opportunities.

Nonprofit organizations working on special needs education, health, environment, or community safety in Puerto Rico can apply for US $5,000 - US $10,000 from the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund. Funding supports mobility, environmental conservation, and people-focused initiatives, and may also benefit groups engaging Bridgestone volunteers or previously funded partners.

Students planning to enroll at a college, university, or business school and needing support for special needs education may be eligible for the Ann Wall Scholarship, including those from Puerto Rico. With a mission to build a stronger, more vibrant community, Scranton Area Foundation gives preference to students from Dalton with learning disabilities, special needs, and active religious participation.

Graduating high school seniors in northern Chautauqua County who plan to teach children with special needs and demonstrate financial need can apply for the St. Joseph School Scholarship. This scholarship from Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation may benefit students interested in special education careers, including those connected to programs similar to those in Puerto Rico.

Teachers, counselors, and administrators of programs for blind students, including those serving Puerto Rico, can apply for the National Federation of the Blind’s Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award; awards more than US $1,000 plus convention travel. This national recognition supports special needs education and professional development for educators of blind students.

Benton County high school students planning to study special education, nursing, or physical therapy and who want to help people with developmental disabilities can receive tuition support through the David Bruce Belcher Fund Scholarship. Administered by Benton Community Foundation, this scholarship supports professional training that may benefit future special education services in places like Puerto Rico.

St. Ignace Area Community Foundation: CTE Technical Scholarship

The St. Ignace Community Fund annually awards scholarships assisting students with higher education, technical training, vocational training or retraining based largely on acknowledgement of student responsibility, community service, and civic involvement. These Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of donors to the various accounts within the St. Ignace Area Community Fund. Some accounts specifically are awarded to recognize higher education in the areas of special education, vocational/technical careers, teaching, law enforcement, and health care.

About Us

Driving Positive Change in Noble County!

At the Community Foundation of Noble County we are passionate about making Noble County an even better place to call home. Since 1991, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Noble County to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible, as we see it as our mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change. The Community Foundation of Noble County is a public charity 501 (c) 3 entity.

As a group of invested community members, we identify local current and emerging issues and stimulate resources to address those needs, helping our region prepare for the future. We then leverage gifts and bequests from generous donors like you to drive positive change through grants in such areas as arts and culture, education, health and human services, civic affairs and other charitable areas of interest.

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life in Noble County by serving as catalyst for positive change, enabling donors to carry out charitable intent, and making grants.

Donor Story – Joest, Brian H. Memorial Fund

Brian Henry Joest was born in Lagrange, Indiana in 1957. He grew up on the Atwood family farm that was settled by his ancestors in the mid-1800s. Now a historical Hoosier Homestead, the Atwood Farm provided him with all the outdoor activities possible for a farm boy in northern Indiana. Brian’s love of nature and the outdoors continued throughout his life. After high school, he attended Glen Oaks Community College and then Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics

For decades, Brian went on annual backcountry camping and canoeing trips across the US and Canada. He paddled some of the most beautiful rivers in North America. He took a road trip to remote northern Alaska. He camped out on an active volcano in Guatemala. He explored most of the US National Parks. In his later years, his travels were less rustic but still adventurous as he and his wife, Cindy, checked off many items on his bucket list. They traveled to Paris, Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Ireland, and all around the US and Canada.

Brian began his professional career with management positions at Many Glacier Hotel at Glacier National Park in Montana; the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan; the Mountain View Grand Resort in New Hampshire; and Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado. He also worked for Marriott Corporation where he opened new hotels across the Midwest.

Upon the birth of his first child, Brian moved his young family back to Lagrange County so his children could grow up on the Atwood Farm near their family. Brian worked for Life Care Center of Lagrange, was a substitute teacher for the Lakeland School District, and worked for fifteen years for East Noble School Corporation, most recently as an Instructional Assistant for high school students with special needs.

Brian enjoyed doing things for other people and took so much joy in their happiness. His career choices reflected his servant’s heart. He loved working in the hospitality industry and being able to make someone else’s vacation more memorable. He helped the patients and their families at Life Care Center. He spent years making a difference for students in our local schools.

Brian experienced first-hand the unique challenges faced by the families of individuals with special needs. He was a father, stepfather, and step-grandfather to children with different disabilities. He understood the difficulties of navigating support systems and knew there are gaps in these systems that result in unmet needs. At the end of his life, while he was fighting cancer, Brian dreamed of being able to return to the classroom to help special needs students. This was not to be. In 2022, his family created this fund in his honor with the intent of continuing his dream to help improve the lives of individuals with special needs.

Anne K. Petry Scholarship Fund

Established by Summit Education Partnership Foundation to provide scholarships for Akron Public Schools students studying special education.

Amount:

• $1,000

Number of awards:

• 1

Renewal:

• No

McCormick & Company, Inc. actively supports charitable contributions through its Charitable Donations Committee (CDC), which prioritizes donations to non-profit organizations that enhance education, health, environment, and culture. The CDC focuses on organizations that benefit communities where McCormick employees live and work, ensuring a positive impact. Eligible groups must be tax-exempt and demonstrate a commitment to non-discrimination. However, donations are not made to individuals, political organizations, or entities that conflict with corporate values.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.

The Robert F. Schumann Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability, education, and the arts. Founded by Robert F. Schumann, an environmentalist, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for both humans and animals. It prioritizes projects that would not have been pursued without its assistance, particularly in ornithology and open space habitats. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt to apply, ensuring a focus on impactful community initiatives.

The Kettering Family Foundation, established in 1956, supports diverse charitable activities across various sectors, including arts, education, health, and human services. Applicants must have a valid 501(c)(3) status and discuss proposals with foundation staff before applying. Only one application is allowed per year, and specific exclusions apply, such as for religious purposes and individual grants. The foundation emphasizes meaningful community impact, making it a vital resource for eligible organizations.