Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Rhode Island

The James R. Herdzik Memorial Scholarship Award, administered by the Erie Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to Erie School District graduating seniors who plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university. This need-based scholarship aims to support students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. In 2023, over $800,000 in scholarships was awarded to help deserving students pursue their educational goals.

The Goodwine Scholarship, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from public or private high schools in Erie County pursuing a two-year associate degree or certificate. In 2023, the foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to more than 500 students, ensuring they have the opportunity to further their education and skills. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to qualify for this valuable support.

The Student Research Grant in Audiology, offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, supports doctoral students conducting research in clinical and rehabilitative audiology. Up to three grants of $2,000 each are available for eligible students enrolled in accredited programs in the U.S. This initiative honors the legacies of Ira Ventry and Brad Friedrich, who made significant contributions to the field of audiology. Interested candidates must submit proposals for research projects to be initiated in this vital area.

About Us

The Elk County Community Foundation was started in the late 1990’s by a group of business and civic leaders, with the support of the Stackpole-Hall Foundation, who recognized the need for creating a perpetual funding stream to support Elk County—now and in the future. The Foundation was incorporated in 2000 and a year later was classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The Foundation provides donors with a simple but powerful and highly personal approach to achieving their philanthropic goals while enhancing the quality of life for the people of Elk County.

The Community Foundation makes it easy for individuals, businesses, and organizations to establish a scholarship fund. Your fund can be created in as little as one meeting, with a short fund agreement, and a single gift. Or your fund can be set up with an initial gift that is added to in the future. We manage all the administrative details of your fund for you.

By establishing a uniquely-named scholarship, you have the ability to designate eligibility requirements including education level, the field of study, geographic area, etc. Many scholarships are established to honor parents, a family member, or someone who influenced your life.

Most scholarship funds at the Foundation are permanent endowments, with the annual earnings used to provide the scholarships

Tyler Bender EMS Scholarship Fund

Tyler Bender recently graduated from the Center for Emergency Medicine, and he felt compelled to give back by starting this scholarship to encourage other individuals to consider the EMS field. There is a constant demand for well-trained and qualified EMS professionals. Tyler hopes that this scholarship fund will help attract individuals to the field and alleviate a shortage of EMS personnel.

Amount: $500 annually

The Mary L. Fenker Scholarship, established in memory of a dedicated educator, supports graduating seniors from Erie County, Ohio, pursuing undergraduate degrees. Since 1995, the Erie County Community Foundation has prioritized community needs, offering this scholarship to enhance the quality of life in the region. Preference is given to African American students from Sandusky High School, with financial need considered. Renewable for up to three years, the scholarship aims to empower students to achieve their educational goals.

The William T. Grant Foundation offers Research Grants on Improving the Use of Research Evidence, aimed at enhancing research strategies that benefit youth aged 5-25 in the U.S. Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 over one to two years, including up to 15% for indirect costs. The program emphasizes capacity-building for grantees, fostering connections among scholars and practitioners, and creating collaborative learning environments to address challenges and share insights.

The Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky offers a scholarship fund aimed at supporting female residents of Erie, Huron, Ottawa, or Sandusky Counties, Ohio. This fund is specifically for women aged 23 and older who are returning to education after a break. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a 2-4 year undergraduate program at an accredited institution, empowering them to enhance their educational and professional prospects.

The Henry D. and Ruth G. Swartz Family Fund Scholarship, established in 1996, supports high school seniors from North Ottawa County pursuing post-secondary education in engineering, computer science, pre-law, or medicine. Awarded competitively by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, applicants must demonstrate financial need and provide necessary documentation, including transcripts and recommendation letters. This scholarship honors the legacy of local residents Hank and Ruth Swartz, encouraging students to achieve their educational goals.

The PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship offers a renewable $5,000 award for undergraduate students from marginalized ethnic backgrounds or genders pursuing engineering at a U.S. university. Established in 2024 in partnership with PAE, the scholarship aims to enhance diversity in engineering fields, focusing on candidates committed to climate justice. Awardees benefit from mentorship and networking opportunities with industry professionals, fostering both academic success and community impact.

The NIHCM Foundation's Trade Journalism Award honors outstanding reporting aimed at specialty audiences, focusing on enhancing the affordability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare in the U.S. A $15,000 prize will be awarded to the winner. Entries, which can be individual stories or series published in 2025, must provide valuable insights relevant to health plans, policymakers, and stakeholders, addressing the critical issues of rising healthcare costs and access.

The NIHCM Foundation's Policy Research Award honors outstanding research published in peer-reviewed journals that significantly contributes to improving the affordability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare in the U.S. The winner will receive a $20,000 prize. Eligible entries must address healthcare affordability and be published in 2025, with a maximum of three submissions per author. This award aims to recognize innovative insights that can inform policymakers and stakeholders in the healthcare sector.

The H. Wayne VanAgtmael Cosmetology Scholarship, established in 2005 by Wayne Van Agtmael's family, honors his legacy in the cosmetology field. This scholarship supports high school graduates from the Tri-Cities pursuing a cosmetology degree, focusing on financial need and academic achievement. Applicants must provide transcripts and additional required documents. The scholarship aims to empower students, particularly those who are the first in their families to succeed beyond high school, in their educational journeys.

About Us

Mission Statement

The Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies offers a unique environment for the study, appreciation, use, and promotion of a wide range of keyboard instruments. To serve an increasingly diverse audience, the Center presents keyboard-related conferences, workshops, concerts, masterclasses, educational programs, and publishes scholarly work at regular intervals; longstanding priorities have included the intersections of historical practices and technologies with larger social and artistic developments. In its activities and governance, the Center seeks to foster inclusion and equity among artists, builders, scholars, educators, students, enthusiasts, and partner organizations.

Since its founding in 1979, the Center has sponsored over one hundred events, including workshops, research conferences and symposia, tours to historic instruments, solo recitals and early music concerts, and educational programs designed to interest the general public in keyboard instruments and their repertoire.

Members include highly acclaimed artists, noted scholars, some of the world’s greatest instrument builders, and music lovers.

The Barbara Owen Research Grant

A lifelong member of the Westfield Center, Barbara Owen made immense contributions to our understanding of the organ and its music. She was especially known for her scholarship on the American organ and organists, and she co-wrote the Grove Dictionary article on the organ, a standard reference work. To honor her memory, the Westfield Center will award a $2000 grant for research into historical keyboard instruments (organ, harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano). The research may culminate in a scholarly article or other format for presenting the information.

The James W. Junior and Jane T. Brown Scholarship, established by Jane and James Brown in 2006, offers financial support to adult students over 21 in the Tri-Cities. This scholarship aims to ease the financial burdens faced by those returning to education. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and provide necessary documentation, including transcripts and a Student Aid Report. The program encourages recipients to assist others in their educational journeys, fostering a cycle of support in the community.

The D.K. Shroyer & Alma Davenport Shroyer Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Beckley Area Foundation, aims to support students from Raleigh County, WV, who have completed two semesters of college with a strong academic standing. This need-based scholarship provides opportunities for students pursuing higher education in accredited institutions. The foundation is dedicated to fostering charitable giving to enhance educational success and community growth across Southern West Virginia.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. Scholarship award amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000 for a single year.

Robert and Judy Dreiling Scholarship

This scholarship offered to northern Nevada residents who are high school graduates or who have earned a high school equivalency certificate and adults seeking education to attain better employment.

The ideal candidates will be enrolled in an Associate's Degree track or certificate program at the school of their choice; the degree track or certificate program should result in a good lead to a good job. 

The scholarship will pay up to $5,000 for an Associate’s Degree or certificate program at private trade schools or community colleges for one or more candidates. You will be asked to write brief essays discussing: your life, your plans for the future, why you chose your certificate program, and how your education will impact your life and your family.

National Collegiate Cancer Foundation

The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation (NCCF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young adults diagnosed with or impacted by cancer. Its mission is to provide services, resources, and need-based financial assistance that empower survivors and their families to adopt a resilient “Will Win” mindset throughout treatment and beyond. NCCF is one of the few national organizations that provides direct financial support to young adult cancer survivors, primarily through its Survivor and Legacy Scholarships, which assist students pursuing higher education during or after treatment. The Foundation also promotes cancer awareness and prevention within the young adult community. Recognizing that adolescents and young adults (ages 15–39) face unique challenges—including delayed diagnoses, limited access to insurance and clinical trials, fertility concerns, employment disruption, and social isolation—NCCF prioritizes addressing the significant service gaps affecting this underserved population. Operated entirely by volunteers, NCCF remains committed to advancing educational access, financial relief, and hope for young adult cancer survivors nationwide.

NCCF: Legacy Scholarship Program

The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation (NCCF) offers $1,000 competitive scholarships to young adults pursuing higher education who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer. The award is designed to provide financial assistance and encouragement to students continuing their education despite personal loss. Applications are evaluated based on the applicant’s personal journey, sources of encouragement, demonstrated financial need, notable accomplishments, and the quality of recommendations. The scholarship recognizes resilience, perseverance, and academic commitment in the face of cancer-related loss.

National Collegiate Cancer Foundation

The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation (NCCF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young adults diagnosed with or impacted by cancer. Its mission is to provide services, resources, and need-based financial assistance that empower survivors and their families to adopt a resilient “Will Win” mindset throughout treatment and beyond. NCCF is one of the few national organizations that provides direct financial support to young adult cancer survivors, primarily through its Survivor and Legacy Scholarships, which assist students pursuing higher education during or after treatment. The Foundation also promotes cancer awareness and prevention within the young adult community. Recognizing that adolescents and young adults (ages 15–39) face unique challenges—including delayed diagnoses, limited access to insurance and clinical trials, fertility concerns, employment disruption, and social isolation—NCCF prioritizes addressing the significant service gaps affecting this underserved population. Operated entirely by volunteers, NCCF remains committed to advancing educational access, financial relief, and hope for young adult cancer survivors nationwide.

NCCF: Survivor Scholarship Program

The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation (NCCF) Survivor Scholarship Program provides a competitive scholarships to young adults who are cancer survivors or current patients and are pursuing higher education during or after treatment. The program supports students who have demonstrated resilience and continued their educational journey despite the challenges of cancer. Applications are evaluated based on six criteria: demonstration of a strong “Will Win” attitude, quality of essays, financial need, overall cancer survivorship story, commitment to education, and the quality of recommendations. The scholarship recognizes perseverance, hope, and dedication to academic and personal growth.

The Altrusa International of Grand Rapids Scholarship, supported by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, aims to empower students from Allegan, Kent, Ionia, Muskegon, Montcalm, and Ottawa Counties. This scholarship is intended for individuals returning to college or entering after a two-year hiatus, emphasizing inclusivity and support for those with financial need. Recipients can benefit from awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, which are directly applied to educational costs, enhancing opportunities for academic and career advancement.

Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains

Our mission at the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains is to improve the region’s quality of life through the power of philanthropy. We do this by offering individuals, families, and businesses the most effective charitable giving tools available in the marketplace today. Founded in 1998, the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains is honored to work with hundreds of donors, nonprofits, advisors, and civic leaders to achieve dreams for making the Endless Mountains region of Northeastern Pennsylvania an even better place to live for everyone.

Scholarships

Many generous individuals, families, and businesses have established scholarship funds to provide support to graduates in our region. Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors.

Cody Albert Memorial Scholarship

Established by Dale and Linda Albert in memory of their son Cody to provide a college scholarship to students from Susquehanna County who will major in the Visual Arts, Psychology, or Physical Therapy and who have overcome anxiety, depression, or other adversity.

Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains

Our mission at the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains is to improve the region’s quality of life through the power of philanthropy. We do this by offering individuals, families, and businesses the most effective charitable giving tools available in the marketplace today. Founded in 1998, the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains is honored to work with hundreds of donors, nonprofits, advisors, and civic leaders to achieve dreams for making the Endless Mountains region of Northeastern Pennsylvania an even better place to live for everyone.

Scholarships

Many generous individuals, families, and businesses have established scholarship funds to provide support to graduates in our region. Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors.

Lawrence & Phyllis DeWolfe Scholarship

Established by the family and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence DeWolfe to provide college scholarships to graduating seniors from Blue Ridge, Lackawanna Trail, and Mountain View school districts who will major in agriculture, education, a STEM field or law enforcement.

The Island Foundation's Womxn and Girls Grant aims to support organizations that address the root causes of inequality for womxn and girls in the U.S. By focusing on innovative, community-driven solutions, the Foundation seeks to empower womxn and girls of color through initiatives that enhance access to healthcare, economic security, and political representation. With a commitment to systemic change, this grant fosters intergenerational collaborations and prioritizes sustainable organizations working towards gender equity.

The JADE Learning Electrical Technologies Scholarship supports students enrolled in North Carolina technical or occupational schools focused on electrical systems technologies. Eligible candidates include undergraduates, graduates, and apprentices who demonstrate financial need and strong academic performance. The scholarship application requires careful attention to specific donor-defined eligibility criteria. Applications open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026, with preference given to those pursuing a two-year associate’s degree.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Connecting people, passion and resources

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Our Mission is to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people.

We envision a magnetic and interconnected West Michigan community.

Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Sustainability and Bold Aspirations

Give and Receive Openly, Build Trust with Each Other, Create Brave and Safe Space, Embrace Vulnerability, Accountability

Our North Star

For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.

Opportunities for students

Apply for scholarships to support your ambitions

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Scholarship Fund Details

Support for West Michigan Students

Attending college or trade school increases opportunity and opens doors to careers. Donor partners who establish a scholarship fund give students a boost on their path to higher education. Students who complete the general scholarship application are considered for these scholarships.

Open to full time students who are residents of Kent County and graduates of a GRPS high school studying healthcare with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference for Challenge Scholar students through 2032.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Connecting people, passion and resources

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Our Mission is to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people.

We envision a magnetic and interconnected West Michigan community.

Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Sustainability and Bold Aspirations

Give and Receive Openly, Build Trust with Each Other, Create Brave and Safe Space, Embrace Vulnerability, Accountability

Our North Star

For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.

Opportunities for students

Apply for scholarships to support your ambitions

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Scholarship Fund Details

Support for West Michigan Students

Attending college or trade school increases opportunity and opens doors to careers. Donor partners who establish a scholarship fund give students a boost on their path to higher education. Students who complete the general scholarship application are considered for these scholarships.

Open to full time, third-year or higher undergraduate students who are 2+ year residents of Kent County enrolled in a STEM major.

The Growing Convergence Research (GCR) initiative by the National Science Foundation (NSF) promotes innovative solutions to complex societal and scientific challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration. By integrating diverse expertise, GCR aims to address specific problems and foster new research paradigms. Proposals must outline a five-year plan, divided into two phases, with budgets not exceeding $1.2 million for Phase I and $2.4 million for Phase II. Successful projects are expected to lead to transformative advances in science and technology.

The Kidney Health Equity Community Engagement Award by the National Kidney Foundation aims to enhance health equity in kidney care. This award encourages innovative proposals that address disparities in access to kidney care, education, and treatment. With a funding of $75,000 for one year, it supports healthcare professionals and researchers in implementing community-based solutions to improve outcomes for individuals affected by kidney disease. The initiative seeks to dismantle barriers and foster equitable health practices.