Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Rhode Island

The Delano & Aldrich/Emerson Fellowship, established by the Architects Foundation, provides a unique opportunity for a young French architect to travel and study in the U.S. for three months. With a budget of $20,000, the fellowship emphasizes contemporary issues in architecture, including sustainability and inclusive design. Candidates aged 23 to 35, holding a degree in architecture, are eligible. This program aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and inspire future architects through immersive experiences.

York County Community Foundation

York County Community Foundation was founded in 1961 by generous visionaries who saw an opportunity to perpetually support their community by pooling charitable giving, investing it to grow over time and make grants to charity from the earnings on the pooled fund. It wasn’t until 1991 that the Community Foundation made a real push to build its assets so that it could become the kind of leading organization it is today. Donors are the crux of our existence; they are the reason we have been so successful over the years. Today, thanks to encouragement from many community leaders, we have enhanced our mission to include being a community leader and changemaker by working with community stakeholders to leverage our grantmaking and expertise for powerful community improvement.

Field of Study Scholarships

Through the Community Foundation, our donors have established scholarship funds focused on a specific field of study. Each scholarship expresses our donors' deep commitment to helping York County students achieve their educational goals.

Tom Adams, Jo Hunger, George Lamotte Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was created for York County students studying to become a dentist, a dental specialist, or a dental hygienist.

The Salute to Citizens Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Abilene, honors individuals who enhance their communities through active citizenship. Open to Taylor County graduates pursuing higher education or trade certifications, applicants must demonstrate past contributions to society and outline their future commitment to community service. Established by Hannah Durbin, a dedicated Air Force veteran and educator, this scholarship aims to empower students with awards ranging from $500 to over $5,000.

The NIAF Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Scholarship, awarded by the National Italian American Foundation, supports outstanding Italian American students pursuing higher education. Eligible candidates include incoming freshmen, undergraduates, or graduate students, preferably with a permanent residence in Florida and a minimum GPA of 3.5. This scholarship emphasizes the importance of maintaining Italian heritage, encouraging students to engage with their cultural roots while pursuing academic excellence.

The Massachusetts Italian American Charitable Society Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation, supports outstanding Italian American students residing in Massachusetts. To qualify, applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and hold an active NIAF membership, which can be through a parent or grandparent. This scholarship aims to foster the cultural heritage of Italian Americans while aiding students in their academic pursuits.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Rintoul Family Fund

To support students from Hampden or Hampshire County attending a two- or four-year college, studying agriculture or other related majors.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

College Students Scholarships 

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in college. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s school of choice. The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s school to be applied toward college costs. 

Medical Scholarship

The Medical Scholarship program provides funds for students pursuing medical degrees. The scholarship is available to students studying to become physicians, veterinarians, optometrists, nurses, dentists, and other medical professions. To be eligible a student must currently be in medical school, accepted to medical school or a four-year nursing program. Two, $2,000 scholarships will be awarded annually.

The FWW Research Awards support short-term studies focused on critical women’s health issues such as cardiovascular disease, female cancers, and hormonal influences on health. Eligible applicants include MDs or PhDs affiliated with accredited institutions. Research proposals must align with FWW's priority areas, and financial support must be confirmed to ensure project completion. Note that sociological studies are not funded, and only one application per Principal Investigator is allowed.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Christine Balch Memorial Scholarship Fund

Supporting Hampden County residents attending medical school

The EEF High School Graduate Scholarship, offered by the Environmental Education Foundation, supports students from the Geneva Lake area pursuing environmentally-focused college degrees. Applicants must demonstrate a passion for conservation, have a solid high school record, and plan to attend an accredited four-year college. Financial need is considered alongside the fulfillment of other criteria. This scholarship encourages students to continue seeking additional funding for their education.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Environmental Education Foundation is to award educational scholarships and grants to area students and schools for environmental-centered studies and to promote environmental awareness to all ages of the Geneva Lake area.

Thomas E. Reynolds (TER) Foundation Scholarship

The scholarship was established to support the college education of students who are pursing a career goal related to the conservation or protection of the environment.​ Financial need will be considered if all other criteria are met.

Annual renewal requires that the student stay in touch with the EEF, provide term grade point averages, any change in his/her college program or professional goals, and maintain a 3.0 grade point average while actively working toward an appropriate degree.

The FWW Fellowship Award supports emerging physicians and scientists dedicated to advancing women’s health research. Awardees, pursuing MD or PhD programs at U.S. institutions, explore critical health topics such as cardiovascular disease, leading female cancers, and the role of hormones. This initiative encourages diverse applicants and promotes innovative proposals that address health concerns disproportionately affecting women. With a commitment to fostering research excellence, the FWW Fellowship Award empowers the next generation of health leaders.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Veronica Zerrer and Michelle Dungan Scholarship Fund

The Veronica Zerrer and Michelle Dungan Scholarship Fund applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Plan to enroll full-time at a four-year university, graduate school, community college, or career/technical school in the United States
• Have an unweighted GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Have a demonstrated financial need
• Open to all San Diego County applicants, with an effort to reduce educational disparities for those who have faced barriers related to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The SD2 Scholarship

The SD2 Scholarship applicants should:

• Be graduating high school seniors or current community college students
• Plan to enroll or transfer to an accredited four-year university in the US in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (with rare exceptions for extenuating circumstances)
• Plan to major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics
• Demonstrate an interest in the advancement of historically underrepresented populations in the sciences and related fields
• Students from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply
• Have a demonstrated financial need
• Open to those applicants above with a focus on reducing historical educational disparities for those furthest from opportunity

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Randy Williams Scholarship

The Randy Williams Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating high school seniors who have participated in high school and/or club competitive swimming programs and plan to attend an accredited four-year university, community college or licensed career/technical school in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The John C. Berray Foundation - Celebrating a Passion Scholarship

The John C. Berray Foundation - Celebrating a Passion Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating high school seniors from Grossmont Union High School District
• Plan to enroll in an accredited community college, four-year university or trade/vocational school in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Eleanor and Simon Weissberger Scholarship

The Eleanor and Simon Weissberger Scholarship applicants should:

• Reside within the 92113 zip code
• Be graduating high school seniors
• Plan to enroll full-time at a four-year college or university, community college, or licensed career/technical school in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Have parents who did not attend college
• Show a strong commitment to their community as demonstrated by their involvement in extra-curricular activities and/or community or faith-based service
• Not major in political, social, ethnic studies, and advocacy work

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Bumble Bee Seafood Company Foundation Scholarship 

The Bumble Bee Seafood Company Foundation Scholarship applicants should:

• Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
• Be graduating high school seniors, current four-year, community college or trade/vocational school students
• Plan to enroll or are currently enrolled in an accredited four-year undergraduate university, community college or trade/vocational school in the United States in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Have a demonstrated financial need
• This opportunity is open to all applicants, with a focus on those furthest from opportunity and having a demonstrated financial need.

The SCI Research on the Translational Spectrum (SCIRTS) portfolio aims to promote innovative research that enhances function and alleviates complications following spinal cord injuries. It encourages studies that involve individuals with SCI, emphasizing translational significance in research designs. SCIRTS grants support diverse research areas, including mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical studies, to develop effective interventions. Funding categories include Postdoctoral Fellowships, Pilot Research Grants, and Senior Research Grants, targeting early-career and senior investigators to advance spinal cord injury research.

The Barbara and Frank Quadrato Veterinary Scholarship, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students pursuing veterinary medicine, prioritizing those from Woodbury or Bethlehem. Founded in 1923, the Foundation addresses critical community issues and provides scholarships to help students achieve their educational aspirations. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills area, it has a long history of generosity from donors committed to fostering educational opportunities.

The Dr. and Mrs. Arthur F. Sullivan Scholarship, established in 1923 by the Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students entering or currently enrolled in accredited medical schools. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region, this scholarship is available only in even years (2026, 2028, 2030), helping students achieve their educational aspirations through the generosity of local donors.

The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business Scholarship, offered by the Connecticut Community Foundation, provides a one-time award to first-year or transfer students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree at Post University in Waterbury, CT. Established in 1923, the Foundation supports local residents through scholarships, aiming to help students achieve their educational dreams. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the region, it reflects the commitment of numerous donors dedicated to fostering academic success.

The Harris Family Scholarship, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation in 1923, supports local students pursuing post-secondary degrees in agriculture-related fields. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region, the Foundation aims to address community needs and enhance educational opportunities. This scholarship reflects the generosity of many donors dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals and contribute to the community.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Vocational Education Merit Award Fund

The Vocational Education Merit Scholarship was created to provide scholarships to two graduating high school seniors who have excelled academically and is a nomination based award.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

The Arthur A. Cater Scholarship, administered by CommunityGiving, aims to empower high school seniors pursuing full-time education at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. This scholarship supports students from various high schools in the region, emphasizing the importance of local philanthropy and community engagement. By fostering educational opportunities, it helps create a lasting impact on students' lives and encourages future generations to give back to their communities.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Grandview Heights Marble Cliff Arts Council (GHMCAC) Nancy E. Kukla Fund

The Grandview Heights/Marble Cliff Arts Council (GHMCAC) established this scholarship as a way to assist graduating high school seniors, who are residents of Grandview Heights or Marble Cliff, pursue post-secondary education. The award is given in honor of Nancy E. Kukla.

The Bernick Family Foundation Scholarship, provided by CommunityGiving, aims to support high school seniors in their pursuit of higher education. This scholarship recognizes well-rounded students from the Bernick Service Area who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better. With 10 scholarships available, each worth $2,000, the foundation seeks to inspire philanthropy and empower local communities through education. Applications are accepted online, and candidates must have or create a Scholarship Management System account to apply.