Best Ripley County Grants for Nonprofits in Indiana

About

Six Decades of Human(e) Progress

At IHS, we build bridges across coalitions working to renew the liberal project—creating a 21st century that's freer, more tolerant, and more prosperous than any in human history.

This work takes on new urgency in a world of rising illiberalism and authoritarianism. Thanks to the generosity of over a thousand individual donors and foundations, IHS continues to find new ways to support the thinkers and leaders who are carrying liberal principles forward.

Impact

IHS works where ideas take root. We place smart bets on the people and research projects that are redrawing the boundaries of human potential in classrooms, in policy, and in public life.

Free Society Grants

For Faculty

Free Society Grants support faculty seeking to develop or expand undergraduate programming grounded in the liberal tradition. Grants are awarded based on project scope and need. The next application cycle opens March 13, 2026; the deadline is June 15, 2026. Funding decisions will be announced by August 7, 2026.

Support for Undergraduate Programming

These grants are designed for faculty who want to cultivate sustained intellectual engagement through mentorship, structured reading, and rigorous discussion—inside and beyond the classroom. The goal is not simply exposure to ideas, but intellectual formation.

All grants include access to ScholarsEdge digital tools, including registration support, to help ensure smooth execution and sustained engagement.

The NSF SBIR/STTR programs are launching a pilot emphasis on advancing scientific instrumentation and enabling technologies to drive innovation and economic growth in the U.S. This initiative supports startups and small businesses developing critical scientific equipment and platforms, with funding opportunities up to $2 million for R&D. By prioritizing next-generation instrumentation, NSF aims to enhance the scientific enterprise and foster breakthroughs essential for the future of AI-driven discoveries and broader scientific advancements.

The Goodridge Brothers Scholarship, offered by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports residents of Saginaw County pursuing careers in technical education, such as welding or auto mechanics. This initiative recognizes the growing demand for skilled tradespeople and aims to alleviate financial barriers for students. Scholarships typically range from $500 to $4,000, promoting educational opportunities in urban and regional planning and enhancing the community's workforce capabilities.

The Ken and Eileen Gross Memorial Scholarship, established by friends of the couple, supports Saginaw County high school seniors pursuing a teaching degree. With a focus on fostering education, this scholarship honors Ken, a dedicated educator, and Eileen, a successful property manager. Eligible students must demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA and financial need, ensuring that those committed to teaching can pursue their aspirations. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, empowering the next generation of educators.

About Us

Indiana Humanities sparks curiosity, connects people, and explores the human experience through programs, grants, and storytelling.

Indiana Humanities is a statewide nonprofit that infuses the humanities into our daily lives. We do this by providing grants, convening discussions, uplifting humanities scholars, spotlighting humanities organizations and activities, and creating our own programs that help Hoosiers think, read and talk.

Mission

Indiana Humanities sparks curiosity, connects people, and explores the human experience through programs, grants, and storytelling.

Vision

An Indiana where community grows from conversation, knowledge expands understanding, and stories celebrate our shared humanity.

Mini-Grants

Indiana Humanities Mini-Grants provide tax-exempt organizations with funds to present humanities programs for their communities.

Goals and Timeline

Indiana Humanities Mini-Grants support programs in the areas of history, literature, archaeology, ethics, philosophy, world cultures, and other subjects. The programs can come in a variety of formats—workshops, presentations, reading/discussion programs, exhibitions, podcasts, film documentaries, and more—as long as they’re open to the public and utilize the humanities as a tool for engagement.

The Indiana Court Alcohol & Drug Grant Program, administered by the Indiana Office of Court Services, aims to enhance the effectiveness of Court-Administered Alcohol and Drug Programs throughout Indiana. With grants up to $2,500, this initiative focuses on activities such as curriculum development and technology upgrades. Applicants must contribute at least 20% of the project cost. This program reflects the Indiana Judicial Branch's commitment to improving justice and public safety through innovative and accessible solutions.

The Court Alcohol & Drug Scholarship Program, managed by the Indiana Judicial Branch, aims to enhance the professional skills of judges and staff involved in court-administered treatment programs. By funding up to 80% of eligible expenses for seminars and training not covered by standard budgets, this initiative supports the effective delivery of alcohol and drug services. With a maximum award of $1,000, the program seeks to improve knowledge and efficiency within Indiana's judicial framework.

William L. & Mary Ann Brown STEM Endowment Scholarship Program

The William L. & Mary Ann Brown STEM Endowed Scholarship Program was established by William L. and Mary Ann Brown to provide need-based scholarship support to seniors graduating from a high school in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, enrolled at a UNCF member institution, four-year HBCUs, and four-year institutions.

Successful applicants must be graduating high school seniors entering their first year of college, pursuing a STEM degree, including, but not limited to, fields in physical sciences, mathematics, the biological sciences, the chemical sciences, computer sciences, and engineering. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student.

ASEEES Internship Grant Program

Funded by an external grant, ASEEES’s Internship Grant Program provides incoming, current, and recent (i.e. those who have graduated no more than two years prior to the competition deadline) MA, PhD, and professional school students with grants that make it possible for them to accept unpaid or underpaid internships in areas broadly related to Russia, including Russia’s relations with other regions/countries.

The grant offers $2,000 a month, to be paid directly to the grantee (intern) during their internship. In the case of underpaid internships, ASEEES will work with the host institutions and the grantees to make sure the grantee receives a combined stipend of $2,000 per month or has an extended duration for the internship.

LaFrancine Stallings Math & Science College Scholars

The LaFrancine Stallings Math & Science College Scholarship will provide renewable need-based scholarships of up to $6,375 to undergraduate juniors enrolled full-time pursuing a Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) major at any four-year accredited HBCU in the 2026-2027 school year.

ASTS-iMDx Research Grant for Understanding the Health Economics of in-house vs send-out diagnostics

As new diagnostics become available to the transplant community, the development of in-house expertise and infrastructure vs send out testing becomes a critical decision. In-house diagnostic testing provides faster results, improving immediate patient care and reducing follow-up visits, while send-out testing (reference labs) is better for complex, rare, or high-volume specialized tests. This grant will support health econometric research projects comparing in-house vs outsourced testing and the potential impact on patient care. The output of this research would show a model of the costs and benefits of diagnostic testing in transplantation to educate transplant centers and labs on their choice of assays.

Amount:

• $100,000 fpr 12 months.

Funds Support:

No more than 25% of grant can go towards the individual applicant’s salary; no indirect costs, but salary support for post-docs and collaborators are permitted at the NIH cap. Funds for this grant are being supplied by Insight Molecular Diagnostics (iMDx).

The Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010, in memory of Freeland resident and business owner Bernie Smillie. Bernie passed away in 2000, due to complications from a lung transplant he had received in 1994. In 2005, family and friends of Bernie established the Bernie Smillie Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds of this outing has helped to promote organ donor support and awareness and establish this scholarship fund.

Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship - Medical

Evaluation Criteria

• Leadership ability
• Financial need
• Academic performance
• Standardized test scores
• Special skills
• Awards and honors
• Community service
• Work experience
• Extracurricular school activities
• Overall involvement
• Career goals as demonstrated in essay
• Letter of recommendation.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invites applications for the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42 Clinical Trial Optional). This program supports interdisciplinary research centers focused on biomedical and environmental science. Eligible institutions must be accredited higher education establishments. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, and successful submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process to ensure quality and relevance in addressing hazardous substance issues.

The F26AS00085 Aquatic Invasive Species Interjurisdictional Grants, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aim to support interjurisdictional projects addressing aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes. Eligible applicants include Great Lakes states and tribes, focusing on action-oriented projects that enhance regional priorities. The initiative will fund both sustaining projects, which build on previous efforts, and new projects that present innovative solutions for effective management and prevention of aquatic invasive species.

This funding opportunity aims to advance HIV/AIDS research by implementing human new approach methodologies (NAMs) to reduce the reliance on specific pathogen free (SPF) animal models. It emphasizes the integration of NAMs-enabled frameworks for in vitro testing while supporting essential SPF colony resources. The initiative seeks to enhance research rigor and reproducibility through innovative strategies that prioritize human-relevant models, ultimately improving HIV research outcomes and facilitating collaborative development in the field.

The Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010, in memory of Freeland resident and business owner Bernie Smillie. Bernie passed away in 2000, due to complications from a lung transplant he had received in 1994. In 2005, family and friends of Bernie established the Bernie Smillie Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds of this outing has helped to promote organ donor support and awareness and establish this scholarship fund.

Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship - Michigan Resident

Evaluation Criteria

• Financial need (20)
• Work experience (20)
• Overall involvement at work, school and community activities (20)
• Career goals as demonstrated in essay (20)
• Letters of recommendation

Yellow Dog Studio Memorial Scholarship

The Yellow Dog Studios Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Mari Zimmerman-Thompson and Christopher Thompson. Mari and Chris became husband and wife in May of 2002. They lived their remaining years together as kindred spirits until July 2, 2015 when a tragic automobile accident took them from their family and friends.

Evaluation Criteria

• Special skills/interests (30)
• Career goals (20)
• Essay (15)
• Letters of recommendation (15)
• Extracurricular activities (5)
• Awards and honors (5)
• Overall involvement in work, school and community activities (5)
• Academic performance (5)

Women of Colors Scholarship

Women of Colors (WOC) was founded in 1993 by a group of women that believed it would take a cooperative effort of women of all nationalities, ages and socioeconomic status to address issues plaguing the Saginaw Community. The founders believed that women should take a more active role in addressing issues of crime, blight and poverty. WOC began by providing support, community outreach services and facilitating discussions within the community. WOC’s mission promotes multi-cultural diversity and enhances community relations in Saginaw County by performing community service, mentoring youth, and collaborating with other organizations.

The Women of Colors Scholarship will be awarded each year to a Great Empowering Motivational Sessions (GEMS) member that is an area high school senior actively involved in efforts to empower young women and in activities that address issues affecting young women in the Saginaw Community. If no GEMS members are high school seniors, applications will be accepted from non-GEMS applicants.

Women Giving to Women Scholarship

Women Giving To Women (WGTW) provides intellectual and emotional support for women of diverse backgrounds. WGTW scholarship was established to empower women to complete a bachelor’s degree and become leaders in the community. WGTW also provides financial support for the following community endeavors: The Child Abuse and Neglect Council (CAN) Great Lakes Bay Region, The McNally House of Covenant Hospital, Underground Railroad of Saginaw and The Women’s Studies Section of the Frankenmuth Wickson District Library.

Evaluation Criteria

• Scholastic record (25)
• Community involvement (15)
• Leadership (10)
• Essay (25)
• References (15)
• Non-traditional field of study (10)

Village of the Living Dead Kenneth Fulton Memorial Scholarship

Kenneth Fulton was a member of the St. Charles Haunted House since its very beginning in 1985 until his passing at the haunted house in 1998. He volunteered and also brought along with him his kids and brothers to volunteer as well. Ken was a quiet gentle man that loved what the haunted house stood for and who it was all about – the kids. His favorite character to play was Michael Myers. He was tall and quiet and was able to scare the patrons with his eerie silence. He loved the members of the haunted house as his own family. He is greatly missed and would be so proud to be a part of this scholarship.  

Evaluation Criteria

• Community service (50)
• Financial need (25)
• Letters of recommendation from two volunteer organizations (13)
• Extracurricular/school activities (12)

Tiderington Family Scholarship

The Tiderington Family Scholarship was established in 1996 by Dr. Robert H. and Charlotte Hughes Tiderington and their three sons, Robert III, James and Thomas, to provide funding for students pursuing a vocational career. Neither Dr. Tiderington nor his wife Charlotte graduated from college. Dr. Tiderington remarked: “It was important to us that our boys went to college. We always stressed education. When you give a gift of education, you give a gift for life.”

Team One Credit Union Scholarship

Team One Credit Union established its scholarship program as a way to help make a college education more affordable for its members children. Since its inception in 1978, the program has grown to award 14 $1,000 scholarships.

Team One prides itself as a leader in the credit union industry and feels a strong commitment to helping people grow, both as individuals and as credit union members. In addition to its scholarship program, Team One Credit Union offers student loans and tuition savings programs.

Steve Wagner Scholarship

Steve Wagner retired as executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) in 2003 after 34 years of service. As a member of the Capitol Club and Michigan Society of Association Executives, Steve was well respected by his peers and colleagues and is known for his honesty and integrity.

Steve and his wife, Lana, were married in 1965 and have two daughters, Shelley and Whitney. Throughout his career, Steve has been a proponent of community service and has given many hours himself to church and community programs. Steve also has been a strong proponent of education. ACEC/M has established this scholarship in honor of Steve Wagner to award engineering and surveying students who, like Steve, are active in the community and find it important and necessary to give something back.

Saginaw Country Club Golf Scholarship

The Saginaw Country Club has been one of the premier private clubs in Michigan for over 116 years. In honor of its centennial year in 1998, the Club’s Board of Governors established the Saginaw Country Club Golf Scholarship.

The scholarship is offered to promote and reward golf playing among Saginaw County’s youth.

Our Littlest Angels – Callie M. Wilson Memorial Scholarship

The “Our Littlest Angels – Callie M. Wilson Memorial Scholarship” was established in 2011 to assist students interested in the field of Nursing.

Callie Wilson was born on December 20, 1981 and was a patient in the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw. After 46 days of wonderful care, Callie passed away. Her parents, Byron and Mickey Wilson, along with several of their friends started the Our Littlest Angels Fund in 1982. The fund has raised $1.3 million through its golf tournament and bowl-a-thons for the purchase of specialized equipment for the RNICU.

Covenant HealthCare’s RNICU is truly a live saving service for distressed infants throughout the East-Central Region of Michigan. Several thousands of critically ill newborns have been cared for in this unit since its inception.

The golf tournament and bowling event have now been retired and the remaining funds are being used to establish this scholarship to honor all those associated with the RNICU in Callie’s memory. This scholarship will be awarded to students wishing to enter education in nursing. They must demonstrate strong leadership skills and a passion for infants and nursing.

Louis R. & Helen E. Schwartz FFA Agricultural Scholarship

The Louis R. and Helen E. Schwartz FFA Agricultural Scholarship was established to help prepare Saginaw County students for a future in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. Both Lou and Helen Schwartz were raised on farms in Iowa, so they knew from first-hand experience that farming can be a difficult business. They moved to Frankenmuth when Lou opened area S&H Stores in 1962. The stores were sold to Quality Farm and Fleet in 1982.

Scholarships are awarded to students from Saginaw County, Michigan; Lyon County, Minnesota and Muscatine County, Iowa.

The Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32) supports early-stage postdoctoral scholars through rigorous research and career development over three years. Applicants must submit their proposals up to a year before or two years after starting their postdoctoral positions. This award emphasizes innovative research ideas and strategic planning for training and mentorship, aiming to cultivate independent investigators in research fields aligned with the missions of NIH Institutes and Centers.