Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Puerto Rico

The Alvin & Kathryn Schmidt Scholarship, managed by the Crown Point Community Foundation, supports adult learners, particularly women aged 21 and older returning to education. This non-renewable scholarship emphasizes the importance of education for residents of Crown Point, IN, and aims to enhance their quality of life by providing essential financial assistance. The scholarship committee evaluates applications based on criteria set by generous community donors, ensuring tailored support for individual needs.

The Grossman-Sada Scholarship Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports full-time college students engaged in international exchange programs between Mexico and the U.S. This scholarship covers the cost of attendance for students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in any field. Since 1964, the foundation has played a vital role in enhancing community life through various grants and scholarships, emphasizing meaningful contributions for future generations.

The Ida V. Holland Educational Scholarship, offered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports full-time students pursuing various degrees. Eligible candidates must be Bexar County residents facing financial challenges. The scholarship, renewable for up to three years, aims to assist parentless or low-income students, ensuring they receive the necessary educational funding to thrive. Since its inception in 1964, the foundation has significantly impacted the community through grants and scholarships.

The Charles and Marjorie Quickle Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, supports South Lake County residents pursuing degrees in divinity, theology, or religious ministry. This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors, college students, and adult learners, with the ability to reapply annually. It aims to enhance educational opportunities while fostering community growth and engagement.

The Crown Point Community Foundation Scholarships support graduating high school seniors, college students, and adult learners from Crown Point, Winfield, Cedar Lake, or Lowell. With over 80 scholarship funds established by local donors, the foundation ensures financial assistance is tailored to community needs. Eligible applicants may attend colleges, universities, or vocational schools, but the scholarships are non-renewable. This initiative enriches the quality of life in South Lake County by maximizing charitable giving.

The Crown Point Youth Baseball Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, supports graduating high school students from Crown Point who have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and have participated in Crown Point Cal Ripken Baseball for at least three years. This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to enhance educational opportunities for local youth, fostering community engagement and growth through sports participation and academic achievement.

The APA Foundation's Helping Hands Grants provide up to $5,000 to medical schools for projects aimed at improving mental health education and assistance in under-served communities. Initiated in 2005, this program empowers medical students to lead initiatives that promote awareness of mental illness and encourage community service, particularly among minority populations. By partnering with community agencies, these projects foster a deeper interest in psychiatry while addressing critical mental health needs.

The Walter J. Bernacki Memorial Scholarship, established by the Crown Point Community Foundation, aims to support graduating high school seniors from Lake Central, Portage, or Crown Point High Schools. Eligible applicants must be senior football players with a minimum GPA of 3.25 and are encouraged to have work experience during high school. This non-renewable scholarship promotes community engagement and academic achievement, culminating in an awards ceremony on May 7, 2026.

The Macy Faculty Scholars Program, funded by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, supports early-career educators in medicine and nursing, promoting their development as future leaders. Scholars receive substantial financial support, mentorship, and access to educational resources, including funding for professional development activities and participation in a Harvard Macy Institute course. This initiative aims to enhance the educational landscape by nurturing diverse talent in the healthcare education field.

The Tri Kappa Scholarship, established by the Crown Point Community Foundation, aims to enrich the quality of life in South Lake County by providing financial assistance to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Crown Point, IN, and involved in community service. This non-renewable scholarship invites awardees to a special Scholarship Awards Night on May 7, 2026, at the Halls of St. George.

The St. Mary Catholic Community School Scholarship, established in 1989 by Dr. John Birdzell and the Crown Point Rotary, aims to enrich the quality of life in South Lake County. This non-renewable scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who are alumni of St. Mary's Catholic Community School and actively involved in religious activities. Award recipients are invited to a special Scholarship Awards Night on May 7, 2026.

The Baptist Foundation of South Carolina supports churches and ministries with grants aimed at 'Kingdom Growth' projects. Their mission focuses on utilizing God-given resources to enhance community impact. Grant requests are open to religious and charitable organizations that align with their purpose. Priority is given to local Baptist associations and convention entities. Eligible projects can receive up to 80% funding, ensuring that impactful ministry initiatives thrive within the community.

The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) offers a Pre-doctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Ataxia Research, a competitive, non-renewable award aimed at enhancing the training of students in health professional programs. This fellowship provides partial funding of $50,000 over two years for research related to ataxia. Applicants must identify as underrepresented minorities and aim for careers in research or clinical science. The fellowship promotes diversity and supports innovative research in the field.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Perry Township School Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Perry Township School Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist high school graduates or high school seniors who have permanent residency in Perry Township in Carroll County, Ohio or who had a permanent residence on the date they began their post high school education. Applicants must have been accepted at and are planning to enroll, or are currently enrolled, at an accredited college, university, or technical school with at least a two-year course of study to pursue further education.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

The NMDP Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program Grant supports early-career researchers in hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy. With a maximum funding of $400,000 over five years, it aims to address complications post-transplant, such as infection and relapse. This prestigious grant encourages innovative research proposals, particularly those targeting HLA-mismatched donor outcomes. By fostering new talent in the field, the program is essential for advancing our understanding of critical post-transplant challenges.

The National Pride Grant for LGBTQIA+ Small Businesses, opening for applications on April 22, 2025, offers $25,000 in funding distributed as $1,000 micro grants to 25 eligible LGBTQIA+ business owners. Designed to support diverse founder-led enterprises, this initiative encourages professional development and aids in achieving over $1 million in revenue. Eligible participants must have a U.S.-based business and meet specific criteria regarding ownership, revenue, and employee count.

The All Kids Play: Youth Sports Grant aims to support families and community-based organizations in low-income areas, ensuring access to recreational sports for children in grades K-12. This grant assists those who struggle to afford youth sports, providing essential funding on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible organizations must demonstrate budget constraints and operate in areas with high low-income student percentages, promoting inclusivity in youth sports participation.

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation

The American Academy of Optometry (AAOF) is an association of optometric professionals who strive to stay at the top of their field. You will find like-minded colleagues within the American Academy of Optometry, an organization committed to promoting the art and science of vision care through lifelong learning.

The Academy’s membership is comprised of optometrists, vision scientists, and other qualified professionals who have committed themselves to the rigorous process required to achieve its prestigious designation, Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).

For more than a century, the Academy has provided Fellows access to the best minds in optometry, vision science, research, and more. Today’s Fellows welcome the opportunity to attend the Academy’s premiere event, its annual meeting. Other members include students, residents, and Candidates for Fellowship.

Each fall attendees from around the world gather for thousands of hours of continuing education and exposure to the most recent research, networking, and latest products and services. Fellows particularly value the opportunity to connect with colleagues and mentors while enjoying an exceptional level of camaraderie.

OD to PhD Scholarship Program

The OD/PhD Scholarship Program funds optometrists receiving a PhD in eye and vision related fields. Examples of appropriate PhD programs include but are not limited to: Vision Science, Physiological Optics, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Education (emphasis on Optometric Education), Neuroscience, and Psychology. The program provides vital support to those who will teach and lead the next generation of optometry students and advance the profession’s cutting-edge research.

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation is proud to partner with EssilorLuxottica to offer the OD to PhD Fellowship, an opportunity created to support optometrists who are ready to take the next step into vision science research. This fellowship is open to individuals who have completed or are completing the clinical training required for the optometry degree and who are enrolling in a PhD program in vision science or a related biomedical discipline.

This competitive fellowship provides financial support during the early years of doctoral training. Awardees receive funding in their first year and may receive additional support in the second year based on successful academic and research progress as detailed in their annual progress report.

Note, awardees may receive the fellowship for up to one successive, two-year period. 

The Extramural Discovery Science Accelerator Award supports the commercialization of ongoing cancer research projects, focusing on experiments that facilitate technology validation and de-risking. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a budget of up to $75,000 for one year. This award encourages independent investigators at any career stage to advance their technologies, with a strong emphasis on commercial viability and collaboration within a learning community.

The USA Swimming Foundation's Youth Learn-to-Swim Grant aims to increase access to swim lessons for children across the nation. By providing funding to swim lesson programs, the foundation ensures that financial barriers do not prevent children from learning this vital life skill. Grants can be used for free or reduced-cost lessons, addressing the needs of underserved communities and promoting safety through swimming education.

The Puffin Foundation's Annual Artist Grant Program, focused on odd years, supports individual artists and non-profit organizations in the genres of video/film and theater. Grants, typically around $1,750, aim to uplift marginalized voices in the arts. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with an SSN. The program excludes proposals in other disciplines and projects involving AI. This initiative prioritizes diverse artistic expression and aims to maximize funding impact for those with limited financial resources.

The NARMS Cooperative Agreement Program aims to enhance antibiotic resistance surveillance in retail food specimens, building on the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System initiated by the FDA in 1996. This program seeks to improve detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food commodities and expand sampling sites. By strengthening monitoring efforts, it aims to protect public health and achieve measurable outcomes aligned with NARMS objectives, contributing to national efforts against antibiotic resistance.

The Betsy & Ryan Colwell Mentorship Scholarships for Women in Thoracic Surgery support early-career female cardiothoracic surgeons by facilitating mentor relationships and networking opportunities at the WTS Annual Conference. Each scholarship, valued at $2,500, covers conference registration, lodging, and travel expenses. Two scholarships will be awarded annually starting in 2025, aiming to empower women in a specialty where they are underrepresented and help them navigate their challenging career path.

The Future of Work program by the Russell Sage Foundation investigates the decline in quality of low-wage jobs in the U.S. It explores factors such as outsourcing, immigration, union decline, and technological changes. Current research focuses on minimum wage impacts, offshoring effects, and job search behaviors influencing employment outcomes, particularly for women and minorities in the post-recession labor market. This grant aims to enhance understanding of these critical issues affecting low-education workers.

The Read Across America State Affiliate Event Grant supports NEA state affiliates in enhancing coordinated events that celebrate diverse reading. This grant encourages proposals aimed at providing students with access to diverse books, addressing challenges such as curriculum bans. Activities may include guest readings, establishing diverse book clubs, and promoting literacy through community engagement. Applications are open only to state affiliates, with a strong emphasis on year-round reading awareness.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, supports journalism education by awarding scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students. With $700,000 available, this program includes competitions across writing, photojournalism, audio, television, and multimedia categories. Each participating university can submit two entries per competition, fostering excellence in journalism. The Hearst Foundation, a long-standing supporter of educational initiatives, underlines the importance of quality journalism and supports students actively engaged in media.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, supports journalism education at the collegiate level by offering scholarships for outstanding performance. The 2024-2025 program includes 14 competitions across various media forms, with awards totaling up to $700,000. Participation is open to undergraduate journalism majors and minors at ACEJMC-accredited institutions. The program aims to encourage excellence in journalism and provides financial support to both students and their schools.