Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in South Carolina

The Drops of Hope Giving Program, initiated by Vapur, aims to enhance environmental sustainability by reducing single-use plastics. This initiative collaborates with organizations to donate thousands of reusable bottles globally, promoting access to clean water. Eligible applicants include registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations or those offering marketing opportunities in exchange for contributions. The program reflects Vapur's commitment to innovative, portable products that inspire active lifestyles, fostering a healthier planet.

Outride's Community Impact Grants aim to enhance access to cycling, empowering individuals, particularly youth and seniors, to experience its social, emotional, and cognitive benefits. The grants support non-profits and schools in creating inclusive cycling programs, emphasizing equity and measurable goals. Although the application window is currently closed, Outride remains committed to promoting diverse cycling communities through strategic funding. For further guidelines, please refer to their FAQs.

The TKoster’s Charitable Innovated Health Care Award, established by Teresa Koster, aims to enhance students' access to quality health care. With a funding amount of $3,500, this award supports innovative practices in student health centers. It addresses critical areas such as understanding health care needs, improving service delivery, and leveraging technology. Eligible applicants include members of the American College Health Association, encouraged to demonstrate partnerships and financial support in their proposals.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Tracy Houting Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student from one of the following high schools: Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West
• Enrolling/enrolled in a 2 or 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school (including vocational/technical school) within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 2.5 or greater
• Nominated by high school counselor based on traits like Tracy's (vivaciousness, positivity, and humbleness)
• All other selection criteria being equal, preference given to a student who is active in scouting, cheerleading and/or choral singing, and/or a student with strong interest in Native American culture and history.
• Potentially renewable for one additional year for recipients pursuing 2-year degrees and three additional years for recipients pursuing 4-year degrees.

Food insecurity impacts every town in America — rural, urban, and all the communities on every road in between. It affects all age groups — from children through seniors — including about one-third of college students. It happens for different reasons — a lost job, a natural disaster, a pandemic, and more.

Ann B. Zekauskas saw this food insecurity first-hand while volunteering in New York City soup kitchens, often on Thanksgiving. She knew that people go hungry every day — and that many food-insecure people are prone to obesity. Limited options often lead to food choices that are higher in calories, but lower in nutrition.

Whether it’s to aid a family that has fallen on hard times or to assist a community or a country during a crisis, we support food banks, neighborhood kitchens, and other hunger relief organizations to provide the next healthy meal to those in need.

The Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation is committed to supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that align with our mission and values. We welcome grant requests from nonprofit organizations seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities in the areas of nutritional education, food access, or the advancement of cuilnary arts careers. 

The Ittleson Foundation, established in 1932, focuses on enhancing mental health, AIDS prevention, and environmental initiatives. It funds not-for-profit organizations aiming to improve public policy and the lives of citizens. The Foundation is particularly interested in innovative projects addressing mental health stigma, advancing preventative efforts, and supporting underserved populations. While it funds new initiatives, it does not typically support capital projects, endowments, or direct service programs outside New York City.

The PVA Education Foundation Grant Program, offered by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, supports innovative projects aimed at improving the lives of individuals with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D). Grants of up to $75,000 are available for initiatives in consumer education, professional development for healthcare providers, and research translation. This funding enables the development of essential educational tools and resources to enhance health, independence, and quality of life for the SCI/D community.

The CSS Dharm V. Singh Carcinogenesis Graduate Student Endowment Award, established by the Society of Toxicology, encourages graduate students to submit abstracts for competition. The award, which includes a $750 cash prize for the first-place winner, aims to promote research in carcinogenesis. Additional prizes of $500 and $350 are awarded for second and third place. This initiative strengthens the commitment to diversity and inclusion in scientific research, fostering a healthier and safer world.

The Kevin Flanagan Student Travel Award offers up to $800 for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing diving science to attend AAUS scientific meetings. This competitive, merit-based award honors Kevin Flanagan's legacy in scientific diving and support for AAUS. Established in collaboration with his family, it aims to encourage the development of safe and effective scientific divers through education and research, while promoting standards in scientific diving practices.

The Rural Health Value Program aims to fund one recipient to provide essential analysis and technical assistance for rural stakeholders. This initiative helps them navigate the value-based care landscape in rural healthcare settings. By supporting rural providers, the program seeks to enhance their participation and success in innovative payment and delivery models that emphasize quality care and value-driven strategies. This funding opportunity ultimately aims to strengthen rural healthcare systems.

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) offers grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing the welfare of children across the United States. Established in 1954, CWF prioritizes projects that address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of youth. Grants are available annually from May 1st to July 15th, supporting initiatives that demonstrate a broad geographical impact. This foundation seeks to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children facing various challenges.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Terry Adler Memorial Scholarship

The applicant must be a graduating senior in Hardin County.

Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship

The Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

Scholarship amount:

• $3,000

This a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

The SVS Student Research Fellowship, offered by the Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation, supports undergraduate and medical students in the U.S. and Canada conducting vascular research. The fellowship emphasizes hypothesis-driven projects, providing a $3,000 award and a complimentary Journal of Vascular Surgery subscription. It aims to enhance students' education while fostering innovative solutions in vascular health, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in applicant eligibility.

The Women’s Shelters Grant, provided by the AKC Humane Fund, offers financial assistance to domestic abuse shelters that accommodate pets. This grant aims to empower shelters to break the cycle of domestic violence by allowing women to keep their beloved pets during difficult times. By supporting organizations that facilitate this, the AKC Humane Fund fosters a community where both women and animals can find safety and solace together.

Edward E. Ford Foundation

The Edward E. Ford Foundation seeks to improve secondary education by supporting U.S. independent schools and encouraging promising practices. 

• We make Traditional Grants to eligible schools and Associations to help them grow and develop in pursuit of their own missions.
• We make Educational Leadership Grants to eligible schools or groups of schools that consist of larger dollar awards to fewer recipients.
• We encourage collaboration with others in both grant cycles.
• Occasionally, we may make larger, multi-­year Collaborative Innovation Grants in support of projects that have the potential to influence secondary education more broadly and positively affect our democratic society.
• Beyond grant-making, we share what we learn, sponsor strategic meetings, and work with others to identify and respond to the most pressing challenges facing the field of secondary education.

Traditional Grant for Associations

These grants are made in response to requests that can range from $25,000 to $100,000 and that must be matched by additional funds raised by the association at least 1:1.

Associations seeking placement on a Traditional Grant Agenda should be prepared to specify the anticipated dollar value of their proposal when they request placement. This can be months in advance of the date the final version of the proposal will be due, depending on the length of the queue. 

Traditional Grants are awarded based on the quality of the proposal and other considerations in terms of the association’s operation, but it does not identify certain areas of independent school work as favored. That is, you can seek guidance as to what sort of proposals have been funded in the past but association should identify their own greatest institutional need that they think the Foundation can help address.

Step-by-Step Process

• Request Agenda Placement — Please fill out the Agenda Placement form to tell the Foundation a bit more about your association and to help us determine if it is eligible for EE Ford funding.

• Agenda Placement Phone Call — If your association is eligible for Agenda Placement, we will schedule a phone call between your association’s Executive Director and the Executive Director of the EE Ford Foundation. This phone call will serve as an informal introduction and it will determine if Agenda placement is right for your association. No proposal can be considered from associations that have not reserved a place on an upcoming Agenda. If your association is placed on an Agenda, you will receive an Agenda Placement Confirmation email with further instruction.

• Executive Director Meeting — Schedule a 2-3 hour meeting between your association’s Executive Director and our foundation’s Executive Director to be held in our Brooklyn office. The Preliminary Materials will be due one week prior to this meeting (see “Preliminary Materials” under "Required Materials"). 

• Final Submission — Deadline for submission of final materials is January 30 for the April Agenda or April 1 for the June Agenda. When the Board makes its decision about a proposal, the Executive Director communicates this decision within days.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation

Established in 1960 as North Central Education Foundation, Central Kentucky Community Foundation is one of more than 780 community foundations in the United States today. We serve the Lincoln Trail Region, offering our donors and partners a variety of ways to touch our community through philanthropic giving.

Rodney and Elizabeth Grusy Vocational Continuing Education Scholarship

Applicant must reside in Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Washington, Green or Taylor County.

Applicant must a considered a non-traditional student

AISD 125th Anniversary Consolidated Scholarship

Attending four-year university, two-year college or trade school.

Awards

• (16) $1,200.00

The DOJ's FY 2026 BIDEN Program aims to address immigration-related challenges by providing funding to eligible state and local governments. This initiative focuses on enhancing law enforcement's capacity to apprehend criminal aliens, investigate gang activities, and manage court operations related to crimes committed by aliens. By supporting these critical efforts, the program aims to improve public safety and uphold the rule of law in communities across the nation.

The Wish You Well Foundation Grant supports U.S. non-profit organizations focused on adult literacy. Grants typically range from $200 to $10,000 and require proof of 501(c)(3) status. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster adult and family literacy. Organizations are encouraged to apply for funding that aligns with their specific needs. The Foundation communicates via email regarding proposal receipt and funding decisions, ensuring timely updates to applicants.

LRPenn.com is home to the novels, plays, and screenplays of LR Penn. His books specializes in Thrillers, Dramatic Comedies, and Film Noir. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, grants may be available to nonprofit theater companies in the United States with 501(c)(3) status that are staging productions of plays written by LR Penn.  

The Louisville Institute's Dissertation Fellowship provides $35,000 to Ph.D. and Th.D. students in the final year of dissertation writing, focusing on Christian faith and related disciplines. It encourages projects that bridge the church and academia, fostering new knowledge for the church's enrichment. Recipients must attend a mandatory Winter Seminar in Louisville, KY, for collaboration and sharing of ideas. Applicants should complete their dissertations within the following year, adhering to specific eligibility criteria.

Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge

The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge is a charitable organization that has served the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and the counties of Augusta, Highland and Nelson since 1992. 

Martin Lightsey Scholarship for Technical Education

The Martin Lightsey Scholarship for Technical Education was established to honor Martin Lightsey and all he achieved in the creation and subsequent success of Specialty Blades, Inc. (Cadence, Inc.), upon his stepping down as CEO of the company in 2002.

Description

The Martin Lightsey Scholarship for Technical Education was established in 2002 to provide funds for college scholarships to seniors residing in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County, who intend to pursue or are currently pursuing technical education at a two-year or four-year college. Examples of technical education include but are not limited to degrees in engineering, math, chemistry, physics, computer sciences, statistics, and architecture and associate studies in areas such as quality control, process technology, manufacturing technology, machining, electrical and mechanical operations, and information technology.

Cadence, Inc. and the honoree of this scholarship, Martin Lightsey, value the many possible choices in the pursuit of technical education and careers. Many professional roles in the manufacturing sector require highly-specialized training, much of which can be obtained through community colleges. As such, Cadence Inc. and Mr. Lightsey welcome scholarship applications from students pursuing specific industry credentials, associate degrees, and bachelor degrees.

Selection Criteria Used by the Selection Committee

• Academic Merit
• Financial need
• Community service activities
• Leadership ability

The Community Foundation of Marquette County distributes over $130,000 annually in scholarships to benefit aspiring students in Marquette County.

Brian Watson Scholarship

Awarded to a graduating senior of Gwinn Area Community Schools pursuing higher education, who is pursuing a degree in one of the STEM fields and demonstrates a financial need.

Distribution Process

• CFMC scholarship recipients will be contacted in June requesting student enrollment verification
• Scholarships can only be distributed once student’s information is received
• Scholarships will be distributed to the college/school/university indicated by student
• The scholarship must be used for tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the student at a qualifying educational institution; fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at such an educational institution; and room and board, within the first semester of first year of students enrollment
• That year’s recipient must claim the scholarship within that fiscal year to be distributed (by 12/31/xx)

The Louisville Institute's Pastoral Study Project Grant supports clergy and lay leaders with grants up to $20,000 for independent studies on Christian life. It aims to provide leaders with time and resources to explore meaningful questions in ministry and faith. The program encourages innovative research and community engagement, ultimately enriching the vitality of North American Christianity. Eligible candidates include those with theological training employed in diverse ministry contexts across the U.S. and Canada.

Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Marstacimab and TFPI Pathways

This competitive grant encompasses research aimed at elucidating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying marstacimab-TFPI interactions, including but not limited to differential expression of tissue factor and TFPI in various tissues, binding kinetics, and other biochemical properties. Projects should seek to advance foundational understanding of these interactions through innovative approaches in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related disciplines.

Funding Range and Project Length

Individual projects requesting up to $50,000 USD will be considered.

Request for study drug or compound is allowed (max $50,000 USD), additionally to the study project costs.

Maximum project length is 1 year.

About CKCF

Our Mission

Central Kentucky Community Foundation is the philanthropic focal point in the region, serving as a resource, leader and catalyst to people who wish to improve life in their community.

Available Scholarships

2026 Rylee Marie Razon Memorial Equine Scholarship