Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in South Carolina

The Faerie L. Angle Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, provides scholarships to aspiring lawyers from Franklin County, PA. Eligible candidates must have been accepted into a three-year J.D. program, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.5, and demonstrate financial need. This initiative aims to support local talent in pursuing legal education and fostering community engagement through the legal profession.

The Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams, funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports integrated teams of researchers tackling ambitious projects that individual efforts cannot achieve. This program promotes collaboration among experts with complementary skills, aiming for significant advancements in their fields. Teams are encouraged to pursue innovative objectives that have the potential to transform research landscapes.

The Saw Island Foundation offers grants focusing on education, science, and health, primarily targeting nonprofit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their education grants support scholarships and program partnerships, while science and health grants aim to enhance life experiences through improved health outcomes. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, and the foundation emphasizes innovative collaborations that demonstrate measurable impact in their communities.

The Schneider Electric SkillPointe Scholarship aims to close the skills gap in America by providing $3,000 scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in building automation and related fields. Funded by the SkillPointe Foundation, this initiative is designed for students enrolled in relevant training programs who are passionate about energy and sustainability. With a proven success rate of 95% in training completion and 97% employment, this scholarship empowers workers to thrive in high-demand industries without requiring a four-year degree.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

The Stewart C. Watson Memorial Scholarship, offered by the ACI Foundation, provides a $5,000 stipend to graduate students focusing on joints, bearings, or seismic systems in concrete structures. This scholarship supports educational pursuits and recognizes recipients in Concrete International magazine. Eligible candidates must be full-time master's or PhD students and should not have exceeded their second year of a master's or fourth year of a PhD program. This initiative promotes innovation in the concrete industry.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Jeffrey A. Trail Memorial Fund

Created in memory of Lt. Jeffrey A. Trail in honor of his military service and accomplishments, this Fund offers scholarships to DeKalb County residents who are graduating seniors and continuing their education immediately following high school graduation at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university studying aviation technology (a.k.a. professional flight or similar degree) for pilot training only; or at an independent certified flight training program working toward flight/pilot certifications.

The Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) program by the Legal Services Corporation aims to enhance legal services for low-income populations through innovative technology. It encourages partnerships with justice organizations and supports projects that improve service delivery and efficiency. With a minimum funding request of $40,000, the program seeks to implement new strategies or enhance existing technologies to provide high-quality legal assistance. The initiative fosters replication of successful methodologies from previous projects and other sectors.

The Willson Center Faculty Research Fellowship at the University of Georgia supports tenured and tenure-track faculty in their arts and humanities research. This fellowship, awarded every five years, encourages interdisciplinary work and provides course release from two assigned courses. It aims to foster excellence in creative practice and scholarly activities, ensuring a conducive environment for faculty to pursue their research goals effectively.

The Junior and Senior Faculty Research Grants in Humanities and Arts Program at the University of Georgia supports tenured or tenure-track faculty in developing impactful research or creative projects. These grants serve as seed funding, fostering growth towards external awards and significant recognition through various forms of creative output. Proposals are welcomed annually, with eligibility limited to one submission per individual per year, ensuring focused and meaningful contributions to the humanities and arts.

The Graduate Student Conference Support Fund, provided by the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, aims to assist ABDs and recent PhDs in attending the Annual Meeting. This fund offers free or reduced registration for eligible students. Each year, the number of awards depends on contributions to the fund. Membership in ASECS is required for eligibility, and only one award can be granted to each recipient, ensuring broad access to this valuable support.

The Josephine de Karman Fellowship, managed by the Pasadena Community Foundation, supports final-year PhD students from select California universities with a $28,000 award for the 2025-2026 academic year. This prestigious fellowship, established in memory of Josephine de Karman, aims to honor academic excellence and encourages applicants from diverse disciplines, particularly within the Humanities. Eligible candidates must defend their dissertations around June 2026 and demonstrate exceptional academic achievements.

The Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation provides crucial support for early-stage biomedical researchers in the first four years of their tenure-track positions at American institutions. With grants of $75,000 annually for up to three years, this funding aims to help investigators advance their projects towards securing independent funding. The foundation emphasizes the importance of a clear project description and requires a one to two-page lay summary, making it accessible to both scientific and non-scientific board members.

The Global Micro-Residencies Grant, sponsored by the Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts, supports tenure-line faculty from the College of Arts & Letters in pursuing scholarly micro-residencies abroad. With grants up to $7,000, faculty can engage in international collaboration and enhance their scholarship through prestigious host institutions outside the U.S. Additional funding is available for graduate research assistants. The program emphasizes collaborative scholarly exchange and requires prior arrangement with host institutions.

The Fujieki Family Foundation Scholarship Fund supports graduates of Hawaii public high schools, established in 2018. Eligible applicants must be Hawaii residents with financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, and plan to attend an accredited college or university in the U.S. Preference is given to those pursuing an AAS degree. This scholarship empowers local youth by providing essential financial support for their higher education.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Scholarships

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Joshua Esch Mitchell Aviation Scholarship

Open to graduating high school seniors from West Michigan Aviation Academy, or to second year undergraduates from any high school, studying Aviation/Flight Science and have a pilot’s license, with a minimum 2.75 GPA.

The Donald W. F. Ching Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Donald Ching, a dedicated Hawaiian Airlines employee. This scholarship is aimed at students in Hawaii who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to first-generation college students and those with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in Aviation at an accredited institution in the U.S. The fund supports educational advancement for future aviation professionals.

The Como Charitable Foundation Grants support various programs in human services and education, prioritizing organizations with proven community service records. Funding is available for projects that demonstrate genuine need and a solid fundraising plan. While operating support is a lower priority, proposals are reviewed year-round. The Foundation particularly favors projects benefiting Franklin Parish and surrounding areas, with a focus on capital projects and human resource improvements that promise broad public benefits.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

The Waltman - Howard Scholarship Fund

The Waltman – Howard Scholarship Fund was established by Kevin Howard, a 2015 graduate of Harper Creek, in honor of Sharon Waltman’s distinguished teaching career at Harper Creek Community Schools. Mrs. Waltman was Kevin’s 4th-grade teacher at Beadle Lake Elementary. She has made a tremendous impact on his life as she has done for countless other students in our community. Since finishing a successful 4th-grade year, Kevin and Mrs. Waltman have maintained a friendship to this day. Mrs. Waltman’s class helped inspire Kevin’s career in social impact. Mrs. Waltman is within a few years of retirement and is excited to see where the next chapter takes her. This scholarship is intended to recognize and support a Harper Creek student who embodies Mrs. Waltman’s dedication to education and her commitment to making a positive impact in one’s community.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Urban League of Battle Creek Scholarship Fund

The Southwestern Michigan Urban League is an affiliate of the National Urban League, a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The NUL was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in New York City. The Southwestern Michigan Urban League, founded in 1966, is proud to support minority students from the Battle Creek Area who are actively involved in the community and pursuing their academic goals. This is one way in which the Urban League is working to support the dreams of our youth.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) offers Program Development Grants to support the initiatives of SWE Organizations. These micro-grants range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5,000 and are available in three application cycles. To qualify, organizations must be in good standing, and the event must occur at least 45 days post-application deadline. Active SWE membership for the event manager and treasurer is also required for grant submission.

The ISF Judicial Internship Scholarship provides a $3,000 stipend for law students interning with judges for a minimum of 8 weeks. It aims to prepare American Muslim students for careers in public interest law by offering real-world courtroom experience. Eligible applicants include first and second-year law students who have received internship offers from judges or are ISF Law Scholarship recipients. Preference may be given to applicants not receiving other funding.

The American Bar Endowment's Opportunity Grant Program provides funding for innovative, boots-on-the-ground initiatives that address urgent legal needs of the public. This grant focuses on increasing access to justice for underserved populations, improving the justice system, and enhancing public understanding of legal rights. Eligible applicants include public charities and organizations directly impacting local communities, with a strong emphasis on projects that leverage technology and address immediate legal challenges.

The ISF Law Scholarship Program, established by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, aims to improve access to justice for Muslims in America. Since 2009, it has provided scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to support students in law and public interest fields. The program seeks to enhance American Muslim representation in policy-making and media, ensuring their voices are heard. Eligible applicants include full-time students or part-time students working in ISF-supported fields, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Awards

Cooper Black Award for Creativity

The Copper Black Award for Creative Achievement honors Mensa members whose innovative solutions and practical creativity have brought meaningful benefits to the world.

Details

The Copper Black Award annually recognizes Mensa International members who have demonstrated a specific creative achievement with practical value. This award honors innovations that have been implemented, at least in part, to benefit others.

Award Components

The Brabson Family Foundation Grant is a philanthropic opportunity that supports innovative projects in education, sciences, and the arts. Proposals are accepted annually from September through March 1st. Applicants must be 501c3 non-profits and demonstrate novel ideas with clear problem statements. Successful applications reflect a commitment to impactful, long-term change. This grant encourages creative solutions and is open to various projects that align with the foundation's mission.

The Affiliate Grant – Kenneth B. Cummins Grant for Partner Affiliates, offered by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, supports creative projects that enhance the visibility of mathematics teachers and their affiliates. Eligible applicants must be NCTM associate affiliates in good standing and address significant needs in their mathematical communities. Projects should be innovative and completed within a specified timeframe. This grant fosters collaboration and engagement in mathematics education.