Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in South Dakota

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Community Foundation of Henderson County was incorporated in 1982 by a group of fourteen dedicated and compassionate local leaders with the immediate need to manage two funds - the William C. Armstrong Scholarship Fund and the Charlie Renfrow Scholarship Fund, in addition to providing a permanent vehicle for citizens to give back to their community.

Our Mission is to help people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. The Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

Jan F. and Harry J. Nolan Women’s Educational Scholarship

Applicant must be a female resident of the Henderson County area who wishes to pursue a college education. Applicant must be twenty-two years of age or older.

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Community Foundation of Henderson County was incorporated in 1982 by a group of fourteen dedicated and compassionate local leaders with the immediate need to manage two funds - the William C. Armstrong Scholarship Fund and the Charlie Renfrow Scholarship Fund, in addition to providing a permanent vehicle for citizens to give back to their community.

Our Mission is to help people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. The Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

Jay and Linda Casselberry Scholarship

The purpose of the Fund is to provide a scholarship for higher education at accredited institutions including but not limited to: vocational, technical, college, or university levels of education. Assistance is for a graduating senior or a graduate of Henderson County or the surrounding counties served by the Foundation in North Carolina public schools, leading to a degree. The student must have good academic potential, show a need for financial support to continue his/her education, exhibit personal hardship and demonstrate the initiative to better one’s self.

The scholarship is renewable.

The Arnold D. Ducanes, MD Scholarship, administered by the Decatur County Community Foundation, supports Greensburg Community High School graduates pursuing post-secondary education in Allied Health. The scholarship aims to ease educational financial burdens while fostering community health professionals. If no qualified applicants are found, it may extend to deserving Decatur County residents already enrolled in the field. Notably, members of the Ducanes family are ineligible for this award.

The Wenatchee Valley Medical Group and Confluence Health Employee Scholarship supports employees and their families pursuing higher education in healthcare. Offered by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, this scholarship is available for various educational paths, including trade schools, community colleges, and four-year universities. Preference is given to employees, their children, and first-degree relatives, emphasizing those aiming for healthcare-related training. This initiative fosters educational advancement within the community.

About Decatur County Community Foundation

Decatur County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter. 

Our Mission

To inspire the generosity of our community to create a lasting impact.

​We help visionary donors practice highly effective charitable giving; award grants to not-for-profits doing good in the community; award scholarships to ease the financial burden of education for students; provide leadership to make Decatur County a better community.

Online Scholarships

The following scholarships are managed by the Decatur County Community Foundation. Complete details for each scholarship are available on the individual online scholarship application.

Colleen Bray Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is for students seeking certification in dog grooming, vet tech, or any secondary education in animal sciences. 

The Gil and Kay Sparks Scholarship, established in 2020 by friends of the couple, honors their contributions to the Wenatchee Valley community. This scholarship supports graduating seniors from Westside High School or similar non-traditional schools in Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties, aiming to aid students pursuing further education. Recipients should demonstrate resilience in overcoming life challenges, reflecting the legacy of Gil and Kay, who exemplified community building with humility.

Edith Wiskind English Literacy Scholarship Fund

Established in memory of Edith Wiskind, a former English teacher, to provide scholarships for Summit County students, with preference given to those pursuing a degree in English.

Amount:

• $2,500

Number of awards:

• 1

Renewal:

• No

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 GE Transportation AAF "Raymond Clarke" Dare to Dream Scholarship, administered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Erie High School who have a minimum GPA of 2.2 and are accepted to accredited universities or trade schools. This scholarship aims to facilitate access to higher education for deserving students, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to educational advancement in the community.

The Martin Family Scholarship, sponsored by the Erie Community Foundation, provides financial assistance to graduating seniors from Erie County High Schools. With over $800,000 awarded in 2023, this scholarship prioritizes students with at least a 3.0 GPA who demonstrate financial need and have engaged in extracurricular activities. Eligible applicants must have completed two years of a foreign language and participated in school sports or clubs, promoting a well-rounded educational experience.

The Douglas & Deborah Murphy Scholarship, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Erie High School who aspire to continue their education or training. To be eligible, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. In 2023, the foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to more than 500 students, helping them pursue diverse career paths beyond high school.

The Gary & Helen Howell Family Scholarship Fund, established by the Erie Community Foundation, offers financial support to high school seniors from local schools such as McDowell and Cathedral Prep who demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In 2023, the foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to more than 500 students pursuing post-secondary education, showcasing its commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the community.

The Judith A. Dormann “Good Apple” Scholarship, awarded by the Erie Community Foundation, aims to support students who may not consider post-secondary education. With over $800,000 allocated to scholarships in 2023, this initiative seeks to recognize hard-working individuals demonstrating strong personal initiative and a commendable work ethic. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, ensuring that the scholarship reaches those who are committed to their educational goals.

The NWPA Food Council Scholarship, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports Erie County high school graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA pursuing post-secondary education or training. With over $800,000 awarded in 2023, this scholarship is particularly aimed at those entering the food, grocery, or convenience store industries. This initiative underscores the Foundation's commitment to empowering local students and enhancing workforce development in essential sectors.

The Stazer Sisters’ Scholarship, provided by the Erie Community Foundation, supports U.S. citizens graduating from the Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy who are entering a four-year college. In 2023, over $800,000 was awarded to more than 500 students, based on their academic achievements, financial need, and extracurricular involvement. This scholarship aims to empower deserving students to achieve their educational goals and contribute positively to their communities.

The PEN Prison Writing Awards, initiated after the 1971 Attica Prison Riots, invites incarcerated writers in the U.S. to submit unpublished works across various genres including Poetry, Fiction, and Memoir. Winners receive cash prizes and their works are published in an annual anthology. This program not only recognizes talent within carceral facilities but also supports writers through mentorship, fostering creativity and expression in challenging circumstances.

The American Association of University Women Scholarship supports women who are resuming their education after interruptions, specifically targeting adult students aiming to complete a 4-year degree. Applications open on November 1 and close on February 1. This scholarship encourages women, particularly sophomores at Corning Community College planning to transfer to a 4-year institution, to pursue their academic goals without financial barriers, thereby enhancing educational opportunities in the community.

Margaret Jones Irvin Scholarship Fund

Fund provides higher education scholarship assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree.

Amount

$1,000+

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Noble Arent Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Ludington Area School District, which established the Noble Arent Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

This fund shall provide scholarships to a graduating Ludington High School senior member of the National Honor Society. This student must pursue a degree in the Field of Education at any four-year accredited college or university.

Fund provides scholarships to further the education of young men and women who appear to be able, deserving, and in real need of financial assistance in their post high school education in the fields of either technical, vocational, academic, or professional education.

Amount

• $1,000+

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Oriole Foundation / Paula & Art Janousek Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Paula and Art Janousec. The Paula and Art Janousec Memorial Scholarship was established with funds donated by the Janousecs and the scholarship was named in their honor by former superintendent Cal DeKuiper who knew the Janousecs as his neighbors. Living next to the superintendent, the Janousecs were inspired and impressed by Ludington's staff and administration's dedication to education and students and cooperative spirit. Their wish was to create a legacy of support as friends of Ludington's educational community.

Sterling High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in Memory of Dwight David Huggins

Dwight David Huggins (Class of 1962) contributed to this scholarship with a gift from his estate in 2024. His intent was to assist deserving African American/Black students residing in Greenville County, in need of financial assistance to be able to attend institutions of higher learning while seeking to become lifelong learners and productive, self-sufficient members of our society. The preference for descendants of Sterling High School Alumni and Israel Metropolitan AME church is in recognition of him being a former member of both organizations.

John I. Smith Charities Scholarship

Established in 1989 by John I. Smith Charities to provide educational incentives and financial assistance to individuals residing in government-subsidized housing with the goal of helping students achieve self-sufficiency and become contributing citizens of the community through educational attainment.

Funding Amount

• $800.00 per semester for up to 4 years.
• At least one scholarship will be awarded annually.
• Award amount and number of awards are determined annually based on the Community Foundation of Greenville’s Spending Policy for Endowment Funds.
• Scholarship funds will be paid per semester to the approved educational institution in the name of the student and applied only to the costs of tuition, room, and board, or required fees.

The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Scholarship Program, established by the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation in partnership with UNCF, supports students attending UNCF member institutions, HBCUs, or other accredited four-year colleges. This renewable merit-based scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities for residents of specific counties in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, particularly focusing on those majoring in education or STEM fields.

Greenville County Fire Chiefs’ Association Scholarship

In 1995, the Greenville County Fire Chiefs’ Association established a scholarship fund to promote higher education for firefighters and their spouses or children.

Funding

• A minimum of $5,000 will be awarded annually and the number and amount of each award will be determined annually.
• Scholarship funds are paid to an approved educational institution in the name of the student.
• Scholarship funds are awarded for one academic year and are not subject to automatic renewal. 

The Lou & Carol Calcagno Memorial Scholarship offers a $1,000 award for students pursuing degrees in agriculture, Political Science, History, Marine Biology, Wildlife Management, or Culinary Arts. To be eligible, applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and reside in Santa Cruz or Monterey County, or be members of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. The scholarship is awarded upon proof of college enrollment.

Clarinet Scholarship & Education Program

The Clarinet Scholarship & Education Program seeks to honor Renna Clarinet Thornton’s philosophy and enthusiasm for education.

After graduating from Coppin State College with her degree in special education in 1972, Renna started her 40-year teaching journey with Baltimore City Public Schools as a science teacher and special educator.

Through the Clarinet Program, the Claude C. Thornton Foundation offers workforce development training, a $1,000 scholarship to collegiate students, as well as parent coaching 1:1s and workshops.

Mission

The Clarinet Scholarship provides awardees with unrestricted monetary and mentorship support to empower minority students through their academic journey, ultimately promoting exceptional achievement. The Clarinet Scholarship also serves to encourage awardees to continue utilizing inquiry-based strategies to gain the academics and skills needed to be victorious and productive within the community.