Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in South Carolina

The Big 33 Academic Scholarship Fund, managed by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, offers financial assistance to Pennsylvania high school seniors planning to pursue higher education. Eligible students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and demonstrate academic achievement, community service, and leadership. Since its inception in 1985, the fund has awarded over $3.9 million in scholarships, helping countless students achieve their academic goals and overcome obstacles.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is advancing Type 1 diabetes research by exploring the innate immune system's role in disease onset. This initiative aims to identify genetic and environmental factors contributing to Type 1 diabetes through multidisciplinary teams. By employing innovative methodologies, the program seeks to determine how immune responses affect pancreatic tissues, potentially leading to early detection and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program aims to enhance access to high-quality early education for low-income children. Funding up to $1.5 million is available for innovative proposals that improve professional development for early educators. Key priorities include scalable coaching models, leadership development for under-resourced communities, and community-wide substitute teacher pools. This initiative is designed to tackle significant gaps identified in early childhood education and support effective learning environments.

The PERF: CNS Bridge Grant Program aims to support emerging child neurology researchers by providing essential bridge funding while they seek independent research grants from NIH or CIHR. Established by the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Foundation in collaboration with the Child Neurology Society, this initiative seeks to retain talented investigators in the field of pediatric neurology. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $18 million to advance pediatric epilepsy research and related conditions.

The John H. and Ruby M. Laurie Charitable Scholarship offers a $1,000 scholarship to graduating seniors from Camdenton High School with a minimum GPA of 3.5. This renewable scholarship supports students enrolled in accredited colleges or vocational schools, encouraging academic achievement. Preference is given to those pursuing a Business degree. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare through educational support and resource development, fostering future leaders in the region.

The James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2011 by the Albuquerque Community Foundation, supports high school graduates from the Albuquerque Metro Area who have faced extraordinary challenges. This scholarship awards up to $2,000 to those pursuing post-secondary education while demonstrating hope, faith, and courage. Applicants must submit letters of reference and a personal essay outlining their life dreams and challenges. One to two scholarships are awarded annually, promoting resilience and personal growth in the face of adversity.

The US Department of Health & Human Services, through the FDA, is funding clinical trials targeting rare neurodegenerative diseases. This initiative aims to enhance treatment options by evaluating the efficacy and safety of new products for both children and adults. By fostering innovative and collaborative trial designs, the FDA seeks to accelerate the approval of new therapies, ultimately benefiting patients with rare conditions and advancing drug development in this critical area.

The Joette P. Delia Curiano Scholarship is designed for graduating high school seniors from specific schools in the Greater Capital Region who plan to pursue a degree in health care or nursing. Applicants must demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. This scholarship is part of a universal application process, allowing students to apply for multiple scholarships with one form, thereby increasing accessibility to educational funding.

The Brady Education Foundation offers grants aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for children, particularly in low-income areas. Through collaborations among researchers and educators, the foundation funds Research Projects and Program Evaluations that adhere to strength-based approaches. Eligible organizations include non-profits and academic institutions, with a focus on projects that evaluate effective educational strategies. The foundation emphasizes the importance of measurable outcomes and the potential to inform future educational practices and policies.

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.

A. Wlock and E. Woodruff Scholarship

The A. Wlock and E. Woodruff Scholarship was created by Emilee Woodruff and Autumn Wlock’s family and the W2 Foundation in loving memory of Emilee and Autumn. Emilee and Autumn passed away in February 2020 when a fire destroyed their home. Emilee was diagnosed with epilepsy as a preteen. Autumn was Emilee’s first child and love of her life. Emilee was a great mother and Autumn was a happy baby. This scholarship is aimed to help students attend college that have been affected by a fire or who have been diagnosed with epilepsy.  

The Mercer Vu Farms/Ron and Judy Hissong Scholarship for Agriculture Fund honors Ron Hissong, a dedicated dairy farmer. Established by his family, this scholarship supports students from the Tuscarora School District pursuing education in agriculture or related fields, ensuring they can continue Ron's legacy of community contribution. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to agriculture, making this opportunity vital for aspiring agricultural professionals.

The James Knott Memorial Scholarship, established by the New Mexico Manufactured Housing Association, supports graduating high school seniors residing in manufactured homes. Awards of up to $1,000 are given annually to students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who attend a nonprofit or public educational institution full-time. Applicants must provide proof of residency, a written statement of financial need, and a reference from a teacher or counselor. This scholarship aims to empower students to achieve their educational goals.

The EMF EMRA Resident Research Grant, funded by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Foundation, aims to enhance research in emergency medicine by providing up to $10,000 for residents in accredited programs. This grant promotes the development of future researchers, improves patient care, and supports effective health policy through rigorous scientific inquiry. Eligible applicants must be ACGME-approved residents and secure a faculty preceptor's support, ensuring a robust educational experience in research methodologies.

The Davis-Kozoll Scholarship, established in 2019 by the Sandia Foundation, supports students from northwest New Mexico pursuing higher education in science or human service disciplines. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and can be renewed annually based on academic progress. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, demonstrate community ties, and may pursue various degrees or vocational certificates. Priority is given to students from specific local communities, enhancing educational opportunities in the region.

The John D. Dixon and Louise A. Dixon Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of its namesakes by supporting graduating seniors from Cedar Cliff and Northern York High Schools. This scholarship aims to assist students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to volunteerism or extracurricular activities. It is a one-time award intended to help students pursue higher education at colleges or technical schools.

The National Parks Business Plan Internship aims to enhance the operational health of national parks through a graduate-level program that trains students in business management and NPS operations. Participants will engage in substantive analysis, gain insights into park management, and promote federal careers in conservation. This initiative seeks to involve underrepresented graduate students from disciplines such as business administration and public policy, fostering a commitment to stewardship of public lands.

The Culpeper Rotary Foundation Scholarship supports residents of Culpeper County pursuing a four-year degree. With a $1,000 award renewable for four years, applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process, emphasizing community involvement. This initiative reflects NPCF's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the region, ensuring that local students have the support they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.

The AFNGA AusArt Scholarship, offered by the American Australian Association, supports Australian graduate students in fine arts or related fields for one year of artistic development in the US. With funding of US $30,000, recipients can cover travel, living, and tuition costs. Eligible applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, emerging artists, and have a formal offer from an accredited US institution. This scholarship fosters cultural exchange and artistic growth between Australia and the US.

The Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship offers $3,000 to full-time graduate students in STEM-related fields at accredited U.S. institutions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, enrolled in their second semester, and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The scholarship supports tuition and course-related expenses, encouraging students with financial needs to further their education. Notably, the expected graduation date cannot coincide with the award year, ensuring students are committed to their studies.

Cures Within Reach

Cures Within Reach is the philanthropic leader in drug, device and nutraceutical repurposing research, which has the potential to transform the lives of patients with unsolved diseases by delivering treatments that can be used in the near-term. Our focus: we find and fund proof-of-concept clinical trials that, once successful, de-risk and catalyze follow-on funding, building the clinical evidence required for regulatory approval or to support off-label use by patients everywhere.

Clinical Repurposing Research to Impact US Veterans/Military

This Request for Proposals (RFP) from Cures Within Reach (CWR) is seeking clinical repurposing trials from US-based research institutions using already approved treatments to address unmet and high-priority medical needs of US veterans and/or active US military, such as mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries. Our strongest preference is for proof of concept, pivotal, Phase I or Phase IIA clinical repurposing trials. Eligible trials may be conducted at accredited US-based academic, nonprofit and governmental research institutions and/or health systems involved with medical research, including Veterans Administration (VA) health systems and hospitals. 

Repurposed therapies must be approved and/or generally recognized as safe for human use by some regulatory agency, such as the US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, Health Canada or Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, and may include drugs, devices, nutraceuticals or diagnostics, as well as combination therapies. These repurposed therapies must be tested in a new indication for which they are not already approved or used widely in clinical practice as standard of care. Repurposed therapies also may be added to current standard of care to improve patient outcomes and/or quality of life.

The Rod's Tire and Service Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, offers $2,500 to assist graduating Marion County high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. The foundation, established in 1994, focuses on enhancing community welfare through charitable giving and emphasizes support for students majoring in agricultural fields. This scholarship aims to empower local youth and strengthen the community by investing in their educational futures.

The Colin and Sally Rowell Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to graduating seniors from Butler County, KS high schools pursuing higher education or vocational training. This scholarship aims to support students with a demonstrated interest in education or agriculture, emphasizing financial need and potential for success in college. It reflects the foundation's mission to strengthen communities through charitable giving, promoting rural philanthropy in the central Kansas region.

The Clifford and Rubye Angleton Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors and college students from Butler County, Kansas, pursuing higher education. Scholarships are based on available funds and applicants' merit. Recipients may renew their scholarships for up to three years with satisfactory academic progress. This initiative emphasizes the importance of rural philanthropy and aims to empower local students to achieve their educational goals.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Robert J. O’Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Robert J. O’Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund was created as a way to honor his long-standing relationship with the Community Foundation and the passion he held for helping local students pursue their educational goals. Bob’s connection to the Community Foundation started when he was the recipient of a scholarship as a 1962 graduate of East Aurora High School. He would later serve nine years as a Foundation Board member.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship Fund

The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship Fund is responsive to workforce readiness needs. This scholarship will be available on a rolling basis, students may apply at any time. Randy, a member of the Board of Governors at The Community Foundation starting in June 2022, owned two businesses in the area until 2021, Ultimate Subaru and Ultimate Buick GMC. As an active businessperson, philanthropist and retiree, he seeks to give back to the community he calls home. Tina and Randy have been friends to the foundation through leadership and participation, also contributing to the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits and through the Randy and Tina Harris Family Charitable Fund. 

Apply for a Scholarship

While it is common for students to go to college after high school, earning a college degree isn’t the only option after high school, nor is it the right option for everyone.

The trades are vital, though often underappreciated, career fields that are essential for the functioning of society. Skilled trades are the backbone of our society and can be lucrative, stable career opportunities. In areas like construction, manufacturing, technology and medicine there are trades where people are able to make significant contributions to our world.

African Americans are very underrepresented in these fields. To ensure the brightest future possible, it’s crucial for African Americans interested in the trades to have the financial resources necessary to further their education.

Randy’s father, James Harris, had a successful career as a machinist and welder. He demonstrated that a college degree was not a necessity for a successful career. This scholarship was created for those African American students like James Harris, who are inspired to develop their talents in trades or taking non-traditional paths to further their education.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Weitz Company Scholarship Fund

Can go to college or vocational school with a major or emphasis in one of the following fields of study:

• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Construction Management
• Interior Design
• Other Construction-related fields (e.g., construction project management, mechanical/electrical engineering and trades).