Best Sierra County Grants for Nonprofits in California

The DoW Toxic Exposures Translational Research Award aims to foster translational research that bridges military-related toxic exposure studies and clinical applications. This program encourages innovative collaborations by allowing for a Partnering Principal Investigator Option, enhancing interdisciplinary partnerships. By integrating basic science with clinical insights, the initiative seeks to expedite the development of impactful health care products and interventions to address toxic exposures faced by military personnel.

The FY26 Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Clinical Trial Award supports clinical trials aimed at addressing health issues from military-related toxic exposures. This initiative encourages collaboration through a Partnering Principal Investigator Option, enhancing interdisciplinary research efforts. Projects range from early-phase trials to large-scale studies, focusing on innovative treatments and management strategies for affected populations. The goal is to expedite the translation of research findings into effective clinical applications.

The DoW Toxic Exposures Investigator Initiated Research Award aims to fund critical studies addressing diseases linked to military-related toxic exposures. This award supports a wide range of research phases, from basic laboratory investigations to translational research involving both animal models and human subjects. Projects may also explore New Approach Methodologies, enhancing our understanding and treatment options for affected individuals. By facilitating innovative research, this initiative seeks to improve patient care and outcomes.

The NIH Blueprint Initiative aims to enhance neuroscience research by funding the development and application of germline and somatic gene-editing techniques. This initiative builds on existing marmoset gene-editing frameworks and integrates New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to improve understanding of human brain function and disease. High-priority areas include complex conditions like autism and schizophrenia. The initiative emphasizes the use of appropriate models to address critical questions in neuroanatomy, cognition, and behavior related to human brain health.

The Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (IRINAH), led by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, focuses on enhancing health outcomes in Native populations. It supports research to identify causes of health issues, develop and test effective interventions, and implement strategies that promote sustainability. Emphasizing community strengths, the initiative aims to rigorously evaluate solutions to reduce health disparities, ensuring interventions can be adapted and shared across diverse communities.

Who We Are

Saginaw County is home. It is a beautiful community you’d be foolish to underestimate. We may have our challenges, but seeing its cities, villages and townships continue to grow and flourish gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride like none other.

Back in 1984, The Saginaw Community Foundation was founded to enhance the quality of life in our county by providing leadership, education, and support for philanthropy. Today, we still continue this mission of supporting the needs of our community through targeted grants, investments, and scholarships.

In addition to our grantmaking and scholarship programs, the Foundation also offers donor advised funds, which allow donors to recommend charitable grants to organizations of their choice. We also manage several endowed funds, which provide ongoing support for specific causes or organizations.

Saginaw Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. A staff of professionals oversee our day-to-day operations and work with donors and community organizations to identify and address community needs.

CTE Scholarships

Dreaming of a career in welding? Maybe managing your own auto mechanics garage fuels your thoughts or you would love to become an electrician. Perhaps studying to become a chef in a culinary arts program suits your tastes.

No matter what your career path may be, there is little doubt that in recent years interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) has grown. The increased need for workers skilled in the trades has resulted in larger numbers of students seeking out CTE programs.

Schools offering CTE encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology. In the past, financial assistance has been hard to come by for these areas of study, but that is no longer the case. Saginaw Community Foundation has several scholarship opportunities for those who have the desire to pursue CTE.

According to leading economists, not everyone needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.

For aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued skilled trade workers, there is great opportunity to take advantage of tailored CTE programs. The demand is massive as an estimated 3 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant.

Our CTE scholarship awards range between $500 – $4,000 typically.

Reverend William D. Aldridge, Sr., Scholarship

The Reverend William Desmond Aldridge, the second oldest of five children, was born May 1, 1927, in Europa, Miss. The Reverend Aldridge was called to the ministry in 1944 at the age of 17. He completed three years of study at Rusk College before accepting his first pastorship in 1948. The Reverend Aldridge was named pastor of Christ Community Church on Easter Sunday in 1954, making him one of the longest-serving pastors in Saginaw County.

The Reverend Aldridge taught in the Buena Vista School District for nearly 10 years and has always placed a high priority on encouraging youth to seek academic excellence. Mary Viola “Jean” Aldridge, his wife of 50 years, was a teacher in the Buena Vista School District as well.

The Reverend Aldridge also worked at the General Motors Malleable Iron Plant and retired in 1981 after 28 years of service.

Unlikely Collaborators Inc

We exist to help people RESOLVE CONFLICT. What kind of conflict are we talking about? The inside kind.

It's our perspective that most of the EXTERNAL conflict in the world is the result of unconscious, unresolved INTERNAL conflict in each and every one of us.

Unlikely Collaborators is an organization that exists to help people resolve conflict by making them aware of and helping them work with their Perception Box.

RFP To Fund Transformative Projects Rooted in the Perception Box™ Framework

This RFP is designed for organizations creating meaningful shifts in how people interpret their experiences, beliefs, and perspectives.

All requests must be project-specific and aligned with the Perception Box framework.

At Unlikely Collaborators, we support people and organizations who are helping others see something about themselves they couldn’t see before. Our work is grounded in the Perception Box, a framework developed by our founder, Elizabeth R. Koch.

The Perception Box is the internal lens through which each of us experiences the world. It is shaped by our beliefs, our past experiences, our identity, and the stories we carry, often without realizing it.

Most of the time, we don’t see this lens. We experience our perspective as reality. But when people begin to notice it, something shifts. There is often more curiosity, less certainty, and more openness to others and new possibilities.

We are not a fit for projects focused primarily on advocacy, external blame, or telling people what to think. We support work that helps people examine how they think.

What this looks like in practice

We are most interested in projects where participants are actively engaged in noticing and questioning their own assumptions. This might include:

• Structured experiences where people reflect on their beliefs and how those beliefs were formed
• Encounters with perspectives that challenge their existing worldview
• Moments of realization where someone recognizes their interpretation may not be the only one
• Practices that build curiosity, self-awareness, and the ability to stay open in the face of difference

Before you get started on your RFP grant application, here’s what to expect:

• At Unlikely Collaborators, we support people and organizations that create meaningful shifts in how individuals see themselves.
• We are not looking for surface-level awareness. We are looking for work that leads to a real moment of recognition, when someone begins to question their own assumptions, reconsider their perspective, or see others differently.
• We prioritize leaders working from lived experience, not distance—people who understand the challenge from the inside and are translating that insight into something others can directly experience.
• The strongest projects are designed to create these moments of reflection in a tangible way. They bring people together in environments that are thoughtful, human, and often unexpected, where insight is felt, not just discussed.

The Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects, funded by the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, invites proposals for innovative water reuse solutions. This program enhances water supply reliability and supports sustainable practices for urban and agricultural communities. By leveraging Federal and non-Federal resources, the initiative aims to address water scarcity and improve hydropower reliability, aligning with national priorities for energy and resource management.

The WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects program invites eligible entities to secure funding for initiatives that enhance water resource management across various sectors, including conservation, infrastructure improvement, and watershed restoration. Priority is given to projects that collaboratively address community needs and yield significant environmental benefits. This funding opportunity aligns with federal priorities aimed at optimizing resource use and improving grant oversight, as outlined in recent executive orders.

The WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects initiative by the Bureau of Reclamation aims to enhance water supply reliability through cooperative funding and support for desalination facilities. This program aligns with federal priorities to improve energy and resource management, encouraging proposals that diversify local water sources. By focusing on innovative solutions to water scarcity, the initiative promotes sustainable water management practices, especially for growing communities facing water shortages.

The EDU Core Research (ECR) program by the National Science Foundation invites proposals for fundamental research that enhances STEM education. Focused on various research areas, including STEM learning and workforce development, it supports diverse educational activities for all age groups. The funding ranges from $500,000 to $2,500,000, with project durations of 3 to 5 years, emphasizing the importance of justifying funding levels in proposals to ensure alignment with research maturity.

The United Advisory Scholarship Commission Scholarship, established in 1982 by William and Cordula Freese, supports students with visual or physical impairments in Saginaw County. This scholarship aims to aid those who are graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled in college, ensuring they can pursue higher education full-time. Preference may be given to previous recipients, reinforcing the foundation's commitment to supporting the community's unique needs.

Who We Are

Saginaw County is home. It is a beautiful community you’d be foolish to underestimate. We may have our challenges, but seeing its cities, villages and townships continue to grow and flourish gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride like none other.

Back in 1984, The Saginaw Community Foundation was founded to enhance the quality of life in our county by providing leadership, education, and support for philanthropy. Today, we still continue this mission of supporting the needs of our community through targeted grants, investments, and scholarships.

In addition to our grantmaking and scholarship programs, the Foundation also offers donor advised funds, which allow donors to recommend charitable grants to organizations of their choice. We also manage several endowed funds, which provide ongoing support for specific causes or organizations.

Saginaw Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. A staff of professionals oversee our day-to-day operations and work with donors and community organizations to identify and address community needs.

CTE Scholarships

Dreaming of a career in welding? Maybe managing your own auto mechanics garage fuels your thoughts or you would love to become an electrician. Perhaps studying to become a chef in a culinary arts program suits your tastes.

No matter what your career path may be, there is little doubt that in recent years interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) has grown. The increased need for workers skilled in the trades has resulted in larger numbers of students seeking out CTE programs.

Schools offering CTE encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology. In the past, financial assistance has been hard to come by for these areas of study, but that is no longer the case. Saginaw Community Foundation has several scholarship opportunities for those who have the desire to pursue CTE.

According to leading economists, not everyone needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.

For aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued skilled trade workers, there is great opportunity to take advantage of tailored CTE programs. The demand is massive as an estimated 3 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant.

Our CTE scholarship awards range between $500 – $4,000 typically.

The Patricia and William Hendrick Memorial Scholarship

Long-time Saginaw residents Pat and Bill Hendrick were graduates of St. Mary’s High School in Saginaw. They supported Catholic education their entire lives at the primary, secondary, and higher education level. Pat and Bill believed in and helped further the cause of Catholic education with enthusiasm and financial support all their lives.

To honor Pat and Bill, their family and many friends established this scholarship to help Saginaw County residents who are going on to attend Catholic higher education. Special preference will be given to graduates of Nouvel Catholic Central High School and/or those attending the University of Notre Dame – two organizations which held a special place in their hearts.

The Ruth Regina Halcli Memorial Scholarship, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors a remarkable woman known for her strength and generosity. This scholarship aims to encourage individuals to give back to their community while pursuing their educational goals. Eligible applicants must be Saginaw County residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA, enrolled in high school or college, and pursuing various degrees, including Career and Technical Education. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000.

The Ruth Mitchell Hanson Scholarship is designed to support talented students from Saginaw County pursuing a career in music. Established in memory of Ruth Mitchell Hanson, a passionate composer and music instructor, this scholarship aims to honor her legacy and encourage future musicians. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.25, be high school seniors, and be enrolled full-time in a music program at an accredited college or university. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000.

The Alma Gilmore Doud Memorial Scholarship honors a dedicated community servant from Saginaw. Established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, this scholarship supports students pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs or undergraduate degrees. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and reside in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Priority is given to members of the First Congregational Church. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, addressing the growing demand for skilled trades in today's workforce.

The Balcueva Family Memorial Scholarship, established in 1998, honors the memory of four sons lost to congenital heart defects. This scholarship supports students pursuing environmental sciences, reflecting the family's commitment to environmental stewardship. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it aims to inspire future generations to protect our natural resources. Applicants must be Saginaw County residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA, enrolled full-time in undergraduate studies. This initiative reflects the community's values and dedication to environmental preservation.

The Bernice Barlow NAACP Scholarship, awarded by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be current members or children of members of the Saginaw NAACP Branch. This scholarship honors Bernice Barlow, a dedicated educator and NAACP leader, providing financial assistance to foster educational opportunities in the community. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, helping students achieve their career goals.

The CAC/Robert L. Viera Community Service Scholarship, established in 1998, supports Saginaw County high school seniors pursuing higher education. This award assists students demonstrating financial need and recognizes those with special circumstances allowing part-time college enrollment. The scholarship honors Robert Viera's legacy of leadership in the minority and low-income communities, aiming to empower future leaders through education and community service. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, ensuring accessibility to higher education for deserving students.

Who We Are

Saginaw County is home. It is a beautiful community you’d be foolish to underestimate. We may have our challenges, but seeing its cities, villages and townships continue to grow and flourish gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride like none other.

Back in 1984, The Saginaw Community Foundation was founded to enhance the quality of life in our county by providing leadership, education, and support for philanthropy. Today, we still continue this mission of supporting the needs of our community through targeted grants, investments, and scholarships.

In addition to our grantmaking and scholarship programs, the Foundation also offers donor advised funds, which allow donors to recommend charitable grants to organizations of their choice. We also manage several endowed funds, which provide ongoing support for specific causes or organizations.

Saginaw Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. A staff of professionals oversee our day-to-day operations and work with donors and community organizations to identify and address community needs.

CTE Scholarships

Dreaming of a career in welding? Maybe managing your own auto mechanics garage fuels your thoughts or you would love to become an electrician. Perhaps studying to become a chef in a culinary arts program suits your tastes.

No matter what your career path may be, there is little doubt that in recent years interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) has grown. The increased need for workers skilled in the trades has resulted in larger numbers of students seeking out CTE programs.

Schools offering CTE encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology. In the past, financial assistance has been hard to come by for these areas of study, but that is no longer the case. Saginaw Community Foundation has several scholarship opportunities for those who have the desire to pursue CTE.

According to leading economists, not everyone needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.

For aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued skilled trade workers, there is great opportunity to take advantage of tailored CTE programs. The demand is massive as an estimated 3 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant.

Our CTE scholarship awards range between $500 – $4,000 typically.

Can-Amera Games Scholarship

The Can-Amera Games started in 1972 as an international goodwill sporting competition between Saginaw Township and Galt, Ontario. The games were centered on friendly competition in a variety of sports for youth ages 9-18. As the years progressed, the games expanded to include other townships in Saginaw County, as well as those communities, including Galt, that joined together to become the city of Cambridge, Ontario. The Can-Amera Games were the efforts of an all-volunteer organization that worked year-round to ensure that the games would be successful in meeting the purpose of this friendly international competition. Can-Amera Games ended in 2006 at the completion of the 35th annual event.

All past board members, volunteers, and athletes would like to honor a deserving high school senior who best represents the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, friendship and community involvement with the Can-Amera Scholarship as a way to symbolize the spirit and memory of the Can-Amera Games.

The Cody and Zach Skilled Trades Scholarship, offered by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports graduates from Merrill High School and the Great Lakes Bay Region pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE). With an emphasis on practical skills in various trades, this scholarship helps bridge the gap in financial assistance for students aiming for lucrative careers in fields like welding, carpentry, and more. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, promoting a skilled workforce in the community.

The Donald Stuart Corsaut Memorial Scholarship, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors a dedicated man who believed in helping others succeed. This scholarship supports residents of Saginaw County pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) or undergraduate degrees, with awards ranging from $500 to $4,000. Applicants must maintain a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 and demonstrate commitment to skilled trades, reflecting the growing demand for skilled workers in various fields.

The Dr. Louis G. Economou Memorial Scholarship, established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors the legacy of Dr. Economou, a dedicated educator and community leader. This scholarship supports high school seniors in Saginaw County with a minimum GPA of 2.8 who demonstrate commitment to academics and extracurricular activities, particularly in varsity sports. Awards range from $500 to $4,000, aiming to assist students pursuing higher education or Career and Technical Education. The foundation emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and community service.

The Emily Anne Dressler Memorial Scholarship, established in 1993 by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honors a remarkable young woman whose joyful spirit touched many lives. This scholarship aims to support high school seniors from Saginaw County pursuing their educational goals, particularly in Career and Technical Education (CTE) fields. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it empowers students to achieve their dreams while tackling the growing demand for skilled trades in today's job market.

The Family Unification Program (FUP) aims to assist families and youth at risk of homelessness by providing Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance. It targets families facing housing issues that could lead to out-of-home placement for children and youth aged 18-24 who have aged out of foster care. The program offers flexible voucher durations, with extensions available under specific conditions, ensuring support for those in need of stable housing.

Who We Are

Our Mission

UNCF envisions a nation where all Americans have equal access to a college education that prepares them for rich intellectual lives, competitive and fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship and service to our nation.

UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally-recognized pipeline of under-represented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly-qualified college graduates and to ensure that our network of member institutions is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and through college.

UNCF’s North Star is to increase the total annual number of African American college graduates by focusing on activities that ensure more students are college-ready, enroll in college and persist to graduation. This is done through a three-pillar strategy. Positioning member institutions as a viable college option for students and investing in institutional capacity to improve student outcomes; creating transformational support programs to ensure students are enrolling and persisting through college completion; building awareness of educational attainment and cultivating college-going behaviors within the African American community.

For Students

UNCF is more than just scholarships. We’re the nation’s leading minority education organization and our goal is to help you get to and through college.

Our support takes many different forms. From merit scholarships to financial assistance, on-campus assistance to professional development, emergency financial aid to community support, UNCF is committed to getting more students like you to and through college.

2026-2027 The Edward and Sandra Meyer Family Scholarship

The Edward and Sandra Meyer Family Scholarship is directed towards current talented high school seniors within the Class of 2026 from the state of New York, who will be enrolling at any accredited UNCF member institution or other accredited Historically Black College/University.

The Edward and Sandra Meyer Family Scholarship is directed towards academically achieving high school seniors, who are seeking enrollment at any accredited UNCF member institution or other Historically Black College/University. 

The Edward and Sandra Meyer Foundation, Inc. is a social impactful philanthropic organization based in New York. The foundation actively focuses on funding critical initiatives in the arts and culture, education, health and religion.

The Edward and Sandra Meyer Foundation, Inc. has partnered with UNCF to establish the Edward and Sandra Meyer Family Scholarship. This scholarship is focused on providing vital financial assistance to ensure that high school seniors within the state of New York have access to a quality college education.

The candidates will have the opportunity to enroll in any accredited field of study at their selected institution. The candidates must be enrolled as first-time freshman within the 2026-27 Academic year. The eligible candidates must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 throughout the entire application process. 

The selected recipients will be eligible for renewal awards upon their continual adherence to the program guidelines and have established financial need by their institution each year.

About Us

We are a philanthropic organization committed to catalyzing the impact of social entrepreneurs who are expanding access and opportunity in America. 

At New Profit, we partner with social innovators, philanthropists, and other impact leaders who are creating a more inclusive and prosperous America. We invest in and support leaders and organizations that are transforming our education, economic, and democratic systems. And we are guided by the belief that those who are most proximate to the communities we serve are the best positioned to develop effective and sustainable solutions.

We seek and support leaders and organizations with scalable solutions that match the size of the problems we face and expansive visions that match the scale of our ambitions for America.

Connected Futures Cohort Grant

New Profit is launching Connected Futures, a Catalyze cohort for organizations that bridge divides and bring people together to solve problems collectively. Submit a Discovery Form to signal your interest and to be considered to submit an application for this funding cycle. 

New Profit’s Catalyze cohorts support innovative social impact organizations expanding access and opportunity in America. This model brings together cohorts of organizations with similar focus areas and stages, providing each with a one-year $100,000 unrestricted grant, a $10,000 grant for leadership development, and strategic advisory support.

Social Entrepreneurs* participate in a year-long cohort experience designed to build community, facilitate peer learning, and provide capacity-building support, including workshops on topics such as board development, fundraising, scenario planning, and storytelling. 

About Connected Futures

Connected Futures is a new Catalyze cohort for organizations that help people move across active divides to take action toward common goals. We are looking for organizations that build trust, strengthen collaboration, and create ways for people to act together when mistrust, polarization, exclusion, or disconnection would otherwise keep them apart and prevent them from solving problems together.

These organizations may work in the health, economic mobility, democracy, and/or education sectors. What connects them is not a single issue area, but a common approach to bridgebuilding: creating the relationships, skills, and structures people need to work together toward positive change.

Catalyze cohorts are at their best when cohort members are fully engaged. The Social Entrepreneurs that lead selected organizations are expected to participate in the Catalyze support model and peer learning community in the following ways:

• Social Entrepreneurs attend three in-person convenings, each of which are held over 3-4 days in cities across the United States. Convening dates for this cohort will be shared with organizations invited to complete a full application.
• Social Entrepreneurs attend three virtual learning sessions, each lasting 2-3 hours. Webinar dates for this cohort will be shared with organizations invited to complete a full application.
• Social Entrepreneurs engage with the New Profit team via 1:1 strategic advising, including a minimum of six virtual sessions over the yearlong cohort.
• Entrepreneurs receive a $10,000 stipend specifically to support their own leadership development goals.
• Programming requires a commitment of 6-8 hours per month on average. New Profit covers the cost of travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for each in-person convening.