Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in Puerto Rico

About Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford the care they need—while improving the healthcare system for all.

Who we are and our impact

Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health. Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped 3.8 million patients navigate and access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, served 350,000 people through personalized case management and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.

Cushing’s disease or syndrome

Help with healthcare costs for Cushing's disease or syndrome

This TotalAssist fund helps you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other expenses.

About the disease

Cushing’s Disease or Syndrome, also known as Cushing’s Syndrome, hypercortisolism and hyperadrenalism, is a condition where the pituitary gland releases high levels of the hormone cortisol. It is a rare disease that affects the endocrine system.

The ENF Community Investments Program offers Gratitude Grants between $3,000 and $5,000 to Elks Lodges that have met the GER’s per-member-giving goal. These grants empower Lodges to enhance community service and foster local engagement, supporting initiatives that promote health, education, and welfare. The program exemplifies the Elks' commitment to charity and community improvement, showcasing their dedication to building stronger neighborhoods and helping those in need.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Claude V. Simmons Scholarship

The Claude V. Simmons Scholarship Fund was established to support post-secondary educational opportunities for qualifying members of the Church of Francis de Sales in Mathews County, Virginia.

Awards

• $6,600

The Mitchell Patrick Mielnik Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, honors the legacy of Mitchell Mielnik, a passionate hockey player who exemplified integrity. This scholarship supports scholastic hockey players demonstrating excellence in athletics and academics. By fostering Mitchell's spirit of generosity, the foundation aims to empower young athletes to excel in their personal and professional lives, ensuring a positive impact on the community for years to come.

The NRF Foundation Rising Stars Scholarship aims to inspire high school students to explore diverse career paths in the retail industry. By encouraging early participation in the NRF Foundation Student Program, the scholarship allows nominated freshmen and sophomores to gain invaluable insights. Eligible students, nominated by university members, receive a $1,000 travel stipend for the program held in New York City from January 8-11, 2026, fostering their academic and professional growth.

The Native Forward Student Access Funding supports American Indian and Alaska Native students by providing financial assistance for graduate and professional examination costs. With over 50 years of experience, Native Forward has empowered more than 22,000 students across the United States. This funding not only covers exam fees but also related preparatory expenses, ensuring that students can pursue their educational goals without financial barriers. The initiative aims to enhance representation and visibility of Native scholars in higher education.

Gainesville Chicken Scholarship

This scholarship supports college students pursuing a degree in poultry science or a related agricultural degree. Applicants should be graduating high school seniors or current college students pursuing a career in the poultry industry, majoring in Agricultural Business, Poultry Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Food Marketing, Agricultural Economics, etc. In 2026, one $2,000 scholarship will be offered.

Gainesville Symphony Orchestra Scholarship

This scholarship is for graduating seniors at public, private or homeschools in Hall County. Applicants must reside in Hall County and must play a musical instrument. In 2026, one scholarship award of $1,500 will be offered.

The Home Depot Foundation's Veteran Housing Grants Program aims to enhance the lives of U.S. veterans by funding the construction or rehabilitation of supportive housing. Grants, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, are awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with experience in veteran housing. Since 2011, the Foundation has committed over $550 million to veteran causes and seeks to invest an additional $750 million by 2030, focusing on projects in major cities across the U.S.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) funding opportunity aims to enhance safety on roads for all users by supporting planning, infrastructure, and operational initiatives. For fiscal year 2026, funds will be awarded competitively to projects that prevent fatalities and serious injuries among pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators. This initiative underscores the commitment to creating safer road environments.

The Butler County Scholarship, established by the Central Alabama Community Foundation, aims to support graduating African American seniors from Georgiana School, Greenville High School, and McKenzie School. Annually, one scholarship is awarded, with the amount determined each year. Recipients may renew the scholarship for up to three additional years, provided they submit a high school transcript and references during the application process. This initiative underscores a commitment to educational advancement in the community.

The Dean B. Albritton Memorial Scholarship, established by the Central Alabama Community Foundation, honors the legacy of Dean B. Albritton, emphasizing education as a path to empowerment. This scholarship supports graduating seniors from Autauga, Elmore, or Montgomery County, with a focus on minority students associated with New Walk of Life Church in Montgomery. Since its inception in 1987, the scholarship aims to uplift individuals and foster community development through educational opportunities.

The Alfred M. Aseel Legacy Scholarship honors the memory of Alfred Aseel’s parents and supports non-traditional students from Tupper Lake and surrounding areas in their pursuit of higher education. With a grant maximum of $5,000 annually, this scholarship aims to empower students to reinvent their futures through accredited colleges, universities, trade schools, or certification programs in the U.S. Eligibility includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a commitment to personal growth and integrity.

The Mike Cox Internship Scholarship, established by the Duncan Aviation Family Trust, honors the late Mike Cox's legacy of mentorship. This scholarship supports students at accredited institutions who demonstrate a passion for growth and excellence. A maximum of two scholarships are awarded annually, providing $1,000 per recipient for educational expenses. Eligible candidates must be full-time students and have completed or participated in the Duncan Aviation internship program, ensuring a commitment to education and the aviation industry.

The Allen Family Career Advancement Grant (AFCAG) offers financial support for credentialing, licensure, internships, degrees, or certificates for working residents in Essex, Elizabethtown, Lewis, Westport, or Willsboro, NY. Award amounts range from $250 to $3,000 annually, with renewal options available based on academic progress. This grant aims to enhance career opportunities and foster educational pathways, ensuring that eligible residents can pursue their professional goals effectively.

The Dr. U.R. Plante Medical Scholarship, established by the Adirondack Foundation, honors the legacy of Dr. U.R. Plante, a dedicated physician in rural New York. This scholarship aims to support students from the Adirondack region pursuing medical education, with amounts up to $10,000. Eligible applicants must be accepted into an accredited medical school and demonstrate a commitment to serving their community post-graduation. This initiative not only fosters education but also encourages the return of healthcare professionals to underserved areas.

About

Our Strong Community Framework — the first-ever philanthropic vision for the Adirondack region — guides our approach to investing in promising opportunities across our five "whole community" focus areas. In partnership with generous donors and capable nonprofits, we bring all the tools of a community foundation to bear to meet today's pressing needs and build charitable resources for the needs of tomorrow. 

Scholarships

What could be more important for the future of the Adirondack region than to educate our children? As one of five key interest areas for what we fund, creating educational pathways helps to ensure all students in the Adirondacks have meaningful opportunities to pursue post-secondary education, career training, and pathways to gainful employment and fulfilling lives. Scholarships can play a pivotal role in helping students better themselves, no matter their life stage or path.

Scholarship funds at Adirondack Community Foundation have been created to benefit specific educational institutions or fields of study. The most common way we distribute scholarships is in partnership with schools across our region that manage scholarship committees that select recipients based on guidelines set forth by fundholders. We also have some scholarship funds to which students can apply directly for support. All scholarship funds use a competitive application process to make decisions.

Sean P. McCullough Memorial Scholarship

The Sean P. McCullough Memorial Scholarship Fund was named after Sean McCullough, a Plattsburgh High School senior who died tragically on May 14, 2005. Learn more about Sean here or watch the video above.

The scholarship supports outstanding graduating seniors from any New York State Section VII high school that plans to continue their education at the college level. Students must be a member of the school track team, embody school spirit, demonstrate academic strength, dedication, competitive spirit, and good leadership skills.

There is no student application for this scholarship. Students must be nominated by their track coach.

Scholarship amounts are up to $1,750.

Geographic Focus

New York State Section VII schools

The SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), are designed to promote early-career independence by supporting research and training goals in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences. Applicants can choose between two tracks: Fundamental Research and Broadening Participation. This initiative addresses significant scientific questions, aligning with NSF's mission to enhance the scientific workforce and foster diversity in research fields.

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.

Madeline A. Naegle Scholarship for Mental Health Nursing

In 2018, Madeline A. Naegle, PhD, CNS-PMH, RN, BC, FAAN, a national and international nursing leader in mental health/substance abuse education, research, and practice together with NEF created this scholarship with a preference to graduate nurses specializing in mental health nursing.

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.

Francine Bono-Neri Scholarship Fund

As a grateful 2019 NEF Scholar, in 2023, Francine Bono-Neri wanted other nurses to benefit from receiving a scholarship while focusing their master's or doctoral degree clinical study and research on the problem of human trafficking. As an experienced Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Bono-Neri's deep concern about the global reach of human trafficking inspired her to become the co-founder and serve as president of Nurses United Against Human Trafficking. Committed to education and clinical awareness about human trafficking for every nurse in all settings and countries, this scholarship will support the study of human trafficking as well as related clinical and research areas which include forensic nursing, sexual assault, child sexual assault/abuse, sexual exploitation, sextortion, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, adverse childhood experiences, and child maltreatment.

The IUE-CWA Local 88502 Union Scholarship, established by union members, supports students pursuing vocational studies. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors with a parent or grandparent who are union members or retirees. Candidates must be enrolled in a post-secondary vocational degree or certification program and submit an essay explaining their career aspirations. The award amount is determined annually, reflecting the commitment to fostering vocational education within the community.

The Gilbert “Gibby” Buerk Memorial Scholarship is aimed at Elk County high school seniors and non-traditional students pursuing careers in EMT or paramedic fields. Established by the Elk County Community Foundation, this scholarship honors the legacy of Gilbert J. Buerk, a dedicated EMT. Applicants must demonstrate community involvement and financial need. This fund provides a lasting opportunity for students to advance their education and serve their community, reflecting Gibby's commitment to helping others.

The APMI West Penn Chapter Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, supports graduating seniors from specific school districts pursuing degrees in STEM fields related to the powdered metal industry. With an annual amount of $1,000, this scholarship fosters academic growth and career development for students in Ridgway, Johnsonburg, St. Marys, and surrounding areas. The fund aims to enhance educational opportunities and encourage future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The Kelley Hritz Memorial Arts Scholarship, established in memory of Kelley Hritz, supports high school seniors from Elk, McKean, and Cameron Counties, as well as Chestnut Ridge High School, pursuing post-secondary education in an art-related field. Applicants must be active in school and community activities and submit two pieces of artwork. This scholarship, valued at $1,000 annually, aims to inspire future artists to create and share their passion for the arts.

The Charles E. Crow Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 1953, supports graduates of Big Pasture High School in Randlett, Oklahoma, by providing a one-year scholarship up to $5,000. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities for students pursuing college, community college, or trade school certifications. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8. By investing in the potential of local youth, this fund contributes to building thriving communities and advancing equity in education.

The Carter Creech Scholarship offers financial support up to $8,000 for graduating seniors of Troy Buchanan High School in Missouri who aim to pursue a four-year degree. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, achieve an ACT score of 27 or higher, and rank in the top 10% of their class. This scholarship encourages academic excellence and allows recipients to reapply annually for up to $32,000 over four years, fostering educational opportunities in the community.

The AAUW Branch and State Affiliate Community Action Grants aim to empower AAUW branches and state organizations by providing up to $10,000 for innovative STEM programming targeted at girls in grades K-12. This initiative is designed to foster hands-on learning experiences, expand local impact, and showcase AAUW's commitment to gender equity in STEM. By collaborating with other organizations, AAUW seeks to build confidence and inspire the next generation of female STEM leaders.