Best San Francisco County Grants for Nonprofits in California

The Council of Independent Colleges

Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.

CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility.

NetVUE Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration

CIC is pleased to announce the first NetVUE grant program for individual projects by staff and faculty members. While NetVUE offers a number of grant programs for institutions, this new program—Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration—is its first program designed explicitly for individual projects by faculty members and staff at NetVUE member institutions.

Many employees at NetVUE member institutions engage and contribute to the exploration of vocation in undergraduate education through their scholarship, teaching, and practice. The NetVUE program seeks to support this work by offering them more resources to support new research and pedagogical innovation. Through the NetVUE Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration, CIC will offer funding and guidance to support projects that will generate artifacts or products (such as scholarly articles, course syllabi and learning activities, program designs, or other resources) that will develop and expand the existing field of scholarship, conversation, and pedagogy on vocation in undergraduate education.

This grant is intended to support innovative projects in the scholarship, pedagogy, leadership, and/or practice of vocation in undergraduate education. Proposals are welcome from both new and established scholars and practitioners. Particularly welcome are projects that seek to make vocational exploration and discernment available to all students, as well as projects that invite the NetVUE community toward fresh considerations and new frameworks in vocation as a lens for undergraduate education.

Founded in 2016, this program supports nonfiction filmmakers or filmmaking teams working on their first or second feature-length documentary.

In this year-long program, 9 filmmakers will receive:

• $40,000 USD in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film
• Mentorship with Chicken & Egg Films team members
• Two creative retreats focused on career building and creative development
• Travel stipend for director and producer upon acceptance to a forum or market during program year
• Tailored industry meetings and funder connections
• Peer support from their cohort

You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply for the (Egg)celerator Lab. However, if you are selected for the Lab, you must secure a US fiscal sponsor, or be a 501(c)(3), to receive the funds. If granted, we can help advise on finding a fiscal sponsor. 

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

At Syndax, we are determined to realize a future in which people with cancer live longer and better than ever before. We believe that it takes a community to build a great medicine, and that is why we are working to set the new standard for developing medicines in the field of oncology – one that revolves around collaboration, shared learning, and excellence.

Syndax’s mission is to obtain regulatory approval and commercialize drugs that extend and improve the lives of cancer patients by drawing on the newest scientific research and advances, collaborating with determined problem solvers, and identifying value in overlooked aspects of science.

Educational Funding

At Syndax, we are committed to the goal of supporting objective, balanced and scientifically rigorous education that furthers improvements in science, medicine, and patient care. We accomplish this goal, in part, by providing grants for independent medical education (IME) programs. These can include live, online, and/or enduring programs that educate healthcare providers (HCPs), patients, or caregivers. Programs that are funded via Syndax medical education grants must be primarily dedicated, in both effort and time, to medical, health or scientific topics that are objective, balanced, unbiased, and scientifically rigorous. Medical education grants must never be made with the intent to directly or indirectly reward, influence or encourage the recipient to prescribe, purchase, sell or arrange for any Syndax product.

Joseph G Markoly Foundation Inc

When Joseph Markoly originally established the foundation more than thirty years ago, its focus was on Alzheimer’s and heart disease support, funded through a number of the larger national disease-related organizations. Over time the focus has shifted to helping small to mid-size organizations in our local communities which support children and seniors in a variety of effective ways. 

Markoly Foundation was established in honor of Joseph G. Markoly, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who wanted to make a positive impact in people’s lives. Joseph’s family was affected directly by both Alzheimer’s and heart disease having lost a family member to each condition. For that reason, the foundation dedicates a majority of their resources to providing grants to organizations that focus on the treatment of each of these diseases. In addition, Markoly Foundation supports a variety of programs dedicated to helping children and seniors by providing services, supplies, programs and research in areas impacting these demographics.

Joseph G. Markoly Foundation Grant Support for Children’s Organizations

Children are the future of this world and the Markoly Foundation is proud to fund local programs dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families. From providing vision services for school kids to classes on parenting, we are proud to do our part to help fund critical community programs for families.

We are dedicated to providing funding for local nonprofit programs that improve the quality of life for all, but particularly for the children and elders in our community.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) supports state agencies in utilizing their longitudinal data systems to inform educational policies and program decisions. This grant aims to enhance access to high-quality education and improve academic performance among learners. By empowering local education agencies with data-driven insights, IES fosters evidence-based practices that can lead to significant advancements in educational outcomes. This initiative is essential for shaping effective education strategies across states.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers the Statistical and Research Methodology in Education grant (84.305D) to enhance education research through improved statistical methods and tools. This program invites applications focused on Core Grants for developing new methodologies or Toolkits for compiling existing research into user-friendly resources. The initiative aims to ensure these products are rigorously tested and disseminated widely to support effective education research practices.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers a grant to support state education agencies in utilizing longitudinal data systems to inform policies and programs for learners with disabilities. This initiative aims to enhance evidence-based decision-making at both state and local levels, ensuring better educational outcomes for at-risk students. The grant encourages collaboration and effective use of data to promote informed policymaking in special education.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers training programs through the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) to enhance special education research. For FY 2027, the focus is on Methods Training, particularly on analyzing large datasets related to learners with disabilities. This initiative supports early career researchers and current education researchers in developing rigorous methodologies to address significant educational challenges, aiming to inform policy and practice in special education.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers research training programs aimed at advancing education research through two key initiatives: the Early Career Development and Mentoring Program and the Methods Training Program. These programs support emerging researchers in developing their skills and enhancing their research capabilities to address vital education issues. The funding is designed for early career investigators and current education researchers, fostering rigorous and relevant research that informs education policy and practice.

The NSF State and Regional AI Infrastructure Hubs program seeks to enhance access to computational resources essential for AI-driven scientific exploration. By forming flexible consortia among government, academia, and industry, these hubs aim to foster innovation and workforce development in AI. The initiative aligns with national R&D priorities, emphasizing the critical role of AI in advancing scientific discovery and expanding infrastructure to support this mission across various disciplines.

The Development of Fiscal Year 2027 Commercial Vehicle Safety Plans aims to enhance national safety goals by reducing incidents involving commercial motor vehicles. This initiative, funded by the US Department of Transportation's FMCSA, provides crucial financial support to states and territories. Through the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, the focus is on minimizing crashes, injuries, and fatalities associated with commercial vehicle operations, ensuring safer roads for all.

The DARPA PINPOINT program seeks innovative proposals focused on the physics and nonlinear control of inertial measurement units (IMUs) for tactical and unmanned missions. The initiative aims to break the performance plateau of MEMS IMUs by exploring novel sensor architectures like electromagnetically levitated proof masses and non-linear resonators. This program emphasizes co-designing sensor packages with advanced adaptive control systems to manage complex dynamics, encouraging revolutionary advances in science and technology.

The National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers funding to support administrative expenses that bolster CDC's mission. This initiative enhances partnerships to address health threats both domestically and globally. Projects funded through this grant align with CDC's strategic goals, focusing on measurable outcomes such as program support and participation from various CDC Centers and Offices. Importantly, this grant only supports non-research activities.

The Domestic Violence Prevention grant aims to enhance access to forensic healthcare services for American Indian and Alaska Native victims of domestic violence and related issues. By fostering multidisciplinary partnerships, this initiative promotes trauma-informed care and improves victim support across IHS Areas. The focus is on developing comprehensive, culturally sensitive services that ensure timely interventions and coordinated responses to vulnerable populations, thereby enhancing overall victim well-being and safety.

The Tribal Epidemiology Centers initiative aims to support currently unserved areas through a new cohort of TEC sites. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services: Indian Health Service, this program seeks to enhance public health capacity within tribal communities, ensuring access to essential health services and resources. The initiative underscores a commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting wellness among Native populations.

The Public Health Nursing initiative aims to enhance the health and wellness of American Indian and Alaska Native men by implementing a culturally sensitive case management model. Through this program, Public Health Nurses will provide preventive health services, facilitate access to care, and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. By promoting early identification and management of health issues, the initiative strives to improve overall community health outcomes through targeted, collaborative interventions.

The National Urban Indian Health Program aims to enhance behavioral health services for Urban Indian communities by fostering awareness, advocacy, and collaboration across the nation. By providing technical assistance and training to Urban Indian Organizations, the program seeks to improve access to culturally relevant behavioral health care for American Indian and Alaska Native populations residing in urban areas, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and community support.

The NIH Common Fund Data Ecosystem aims to enhance the reusability of biomedical data through collaboration between Common Fund programs and external data resources. This funding opportunity encourages projects that connect various biomedical data ecosystems, including the HEAL Data Ecosystem and the BRAIN Initiative. By fostering partnerships, the initiative seeks to improve the accessibility and interoperability of valuable datasets, ultimately advancing research efforts. Note that clinical trials are excluded from this funding opportunity.

The Domestic Violence Prevention (DVP) grant from the IHS aims to enhance the capacity of Tribes and Urban Indian Organizations to combat domestic and sexual violence. This initiative promotes culturally appropriate, trauma-informed services, focusing on victim advocacy and collaboration across sectors. It addresses critical issues like human trafficking and child maltreatment, ensuring long-term sustainability through evidence-based practices and data sharing, ultimately improving community health and safety for AI/AN populations.

The Urban Indian Health 4-in-1 Program is designed to enhance the health and well-being of urban Native Americans through targeted initiatives in immunization, health promotion, disease prevention, mental health support, and addressing alcohol and substance abuse issues. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, this program aims to improve access to essential health services and foster healthier communities among urban Indian populations.

The Youth Regional Treatment Center Aftercare Program aims to support American Indian and Alaska Native youth in maintaining safety, sobriety, and success post-discharge from Youth Regional Treatment Centers. This initiative enhances culturally relevant, community-based aftercare by fostering care coordination, building partnerships, and addressing barriers to improve youth outcomes.

The Urban Indian Health Program - Education & Research collaborates with the US Dept. of Health & Human Services to enhance educational and research opportunities for urban Indian populations. This initiative aims to address health disparities and ensure that urban Indians have access to quality health services and information. By partnering with various urban Indian organizations, the program fosters community engagement and empowers individuals through education and research, ultimately improving health outcomes.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Mountz Girls ScholarshipThe Mountz Girls Scholarship Fund was created in 2022 by Patricia Anne Chapman to honor her mother and aunts — Virginia M. Duffey, Glenna L. Rodman, and Jean A. Kibler, and her mother, Rachel F. Chapman. An inheritance from her Aunt Glenna Lou was the seed money to start the scholarship, to be awared to female students — seniors and graduates — of high schools in Marion County pursuing an education in the fine arts, visual arts, commercial art, or art education.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Community’s Memorial Scholarship

Memorial scholarships are one of the top categories of funds created at Marion Community Foundation, but not all donors who wish to memorialize a loved one in this distinctive and perpetual way start their own fund. The Community’s Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to memorialize a number of individuals collectively. All of the persons memorialized are recognized during Marion Community Foundation’s annual Scholarship Program.

The Mary H. Hollaway Trust provided seed money for this special purpose. Mary was well known in Marion, due to her long career with Fahey Bank. Upon her passing, she had arranged for several funds to be created from her estate, this scholarship among them. Other organizations she chose to support include the Marion Area Humane Society, Marion Palace Theatre, and the Marion Family YMCA.

The Community’s Memorial Scholarship is available to graduates and seniors from any Marion County high school who rank in the upper 50 percent of their class.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Cornell Goodman Scholarship

Adam and Gina Goodman created this scholarship fund in 2011 to honor the memory of Adam’s grandfathers Maurice V. Cornell and Bertram Goodman, longtime residents of the Marion area.

Maurice (1912-2001) was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School and The Ohio State University. He held membership in Lombda Chi Alpha fraternity, Elks Lodge #32, 32nd degree Mason, Rotary, First Presbyterian Church, the Marion Country Club, and Symposiarchs. He served in the US Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He was vice president of Marion Power Shovel for eight years and retired as the regional manager of Bucyrus-Erie Co. after 10 years.

Bertram (1921-2003) was an orthodontist in Marion from 1946-1980. He was a US Navy veteran who served in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Marion Lions Club and Temple Israel.

The scholarship supports students who have attended a high school in Marion County. The fund gives special consideration to students pursuing a college degree in a business-oriented field, such as accounting, economics, finance, or marketing. Recipients must rank in the upper 25th percentile of their high school graduating class, or, if in college, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. McBride Family Scholarship

Created in memory of the late Doris Elaine McBride (1928-2022), the McBride Family Scholarship Fund was created by Russ & Marilyn McBride in 2023.  Applicant should have attended any Marion County high school and will major in education, medicine, or health care.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Max Ross Memorial ScholarshipThe Max Ross Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2018, shortly after his passing, by his family to support Marion students pursuing degrees in the field of education. Max was well known in Marion, having served as Marion County Sheriff, educator, businessman, and coach.