Best Youth Sports Grants in South Dakota

Scholarships and Awards

The National Federation of the Blind offers several scholarships and awards that honor blind individuals as well as teachers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and organizations whose work benefits the blind community.

Blind Educator of the Year Award

Recognize a blind educator who strives to guide, uplift, and advocate for their blind students and the needs of blind people.

The Blind Educator of the Year Award was established by the National Organization of Blind Educators, a division of the National Federation of the Blind, in 1991 to recognize outstanding blind teachers.

Every year, the award pays tribute to a blind teacher whose exceptional classroom performance, notable community service, and uncommon commitment to the NFB merit national recognition. A teacher not only provides information but also guidance, advocacy, and love. The recipient of the Blind Educator of the Year Award must exhibit all of these traits and must advance the cause of blind people in the spirit and philosophy of the NFB.

The Award

The Blind Educator of the Year Award is presented at the NFB National Convention.

Who We Are

Our Mission

“The mission of the National Federation of the Blind is to achieve widespread emotional acceptance and intellectual understanding that the real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight but the misconceptions and lack of information which exist. We do this by bringing blind people together to share successes, to support each other in times of failure, and to create imaginative solutions.”

The NFB of Colorado, a state affiliate of the national organization, shares this mission and works as a whole and in concert with its state-wide chapters to accomplish it.

Announcing the Scott C LaBarre Memorial Scholarship Program for Colorado blind and low-vision post-secondary students

This year the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado will be awarding up to $10,000 in scholarship funds for deserving students. We have decided to expand the eligibility to students attending an accredited technical educational program. Technical programs must be appropriately accredited and at least one year in duration. For questions on whether the program qualifies please reach out to the scholarship committee chairs (contact info below) for a determination.

Each year at its state convention, the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado (NFBCO) gives a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars. The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for all blind persons. Recipients of Federation scholarships need not be members of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado nor the National Federation of the Blind.

All scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, service to the community, and financial need.

Deputy Patrick Mayfield Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a North Georgia First Responder, their child or spouse who are pursuing their post-secondary education. For this scholarship, a first responder is defined as Police (including local and state), Fire, EMS workers, and Communications officers. In 2026, one scholarship award of $500 will be offered.

The Mildred Soefer Scholarship Fund Award offers financial support to Jewish students from Burlington, Camden, or Gloucester Counties who are pursuing higher education or vocational training. Applicants are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship may cover tuition, books, and living expenses. This fund aims to foster educational growth within the community and encourages applicants to apply for multiple awards they may qualify for.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Milton & Leona Lindell Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates of the Veblen area who are approved by the local committee.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Norm & Margo Meriweather Veterinarian Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates of the Miller area pursuing a degree in veterinary science.

This scholarship was established to help South Dakota students, reach their goal to becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Preference will be given to a student who has been admitted to or is currently attending a School of Veterinary Medicine and plans to practice in South Dakota following graduation. 

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Perry & Doreen Evans Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates of South Dakota high schools with preference to high schools within Clark and Codington counties.

The Perry & Doreen Evans Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to students pursuing post-secondary education. First preference will be given to students residing in Clark County, with secondary preference given to students residing in Codington County.

Four $5,000 renewable scholarships for a maximum of four years to students attending a college or university. Student must maintain and provide proof of a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and enrolled as a full-time student.

Four $2,500 renewable scholarships for a maximum of two years to students attending a technical college. Student must maintain and provide proof of a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (based on 4.0 scale) and enrolled as a full-time student. 

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Quint Family Scholarship

To provide financial support to high school graduates pursuing a degree in the medical field.

The Quint Family Scholarship was created to commemorate and honor the legacy of the four daughters of Anton & Bertha Quint. Each of these sisters graduated with a 3-year Registered Nurse (RN) diploma from the Dominican School of Nursing in Great Bend, Kansas—Dolores in 1952, Julia in 1956, Alverna in 1961, and Carol in 1963. Collectively, they accumulated 150 years of experience in the healthcare industry.

This need-based scholarship is designed to support high school graduates from the Black Hills region who are pursuing further education in healthcare. The scholarship's founder, Alverna Quint Kopsky, has lived in the Black Hills since 1971, spending much of her career with the Department of Veterans Affairs and providing care to veterans.

This is a two-year scholarship.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 Scholarship

To provide financial support to high school graduates with first preference to students who are residents of the original New Effington, SD school district.

The Ruth D. Frick Ames Scholarship, established by Robert Ames to honor his wife, supports students pursuing a nursing degree. Managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation, this scholarship aims to ease the financial burden for those aged 18-32 with a GPA of 2.9 or higher. Applicants should demonstrate financial need, strong academic performance, and community involvement. This initiative reflects Ruth's legacy of compassion, service, and commitment to helping others in the nursing field.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available for students who graduate from Mexico High School and who plan to attend an accredited college or university in the United States.

The Traditional scholarship will be $7,500.00 per year payable in the amount of $3,750.00 per semester for students who plan to attend an accredited college or university. The scholarship is renewable for a total of four years. Summer school sessions will not be considered as a semester. In the event the recipient attends a college that is based on the trimester system the scholarship will be in the amount of $2,500.00 per trimester

Subject to the other rules of the scholarship program, once a recipient receives a scholarship, the recipient may continue to receive the scholarship if the student maintains a first year grade point average of 2.5 or better, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and is a full time student.

The scholarship award will be paid directly to the college, university or technical school to be applied toward the recipient’s tuition, books, educational fees, and on campus resident costs.

Regional Core Centers Grant

The goal of this grant is to enable eligible organizations to build capacity in order to achieve their mission, and to support direct consumer financial assistance programs in eligible organizations. The ceiling for local patient organizations and hemophilia treatment and sickle cell centers is $8,000; the ceiling for national organizations and the eight HHS-designated federally designated and funded regional core coordinating centers is $10,000. 

Types of Grants Considered

Three types of grants will be considered:

• Project Grants that strengthen the organization’s ability to better serve its constituents
• Patient Financial Assistance Grants
• Project Grants for supplemental funding of the HHS-Designated Federally-Funded Regional Core Coordinating Centers’ annual meetings

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

South Dakota American Legion Scholarship

To provide financial support to South Dakota high school graduates that are children or grandchildren of United States veterans.

This scholarship is funded through voluntary contributions from legion posts, private individuals, and businesses. It is designated to provide educational opportunities beyond high school to eligible veterans, their children, and their grandchildren.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

South Dakota Farm Bureau Scholarship

To provide financial support for scholarships as recommended by the South Dakota Farm Bureau.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau is committed to supporting agriculture across our state. This scholarship is designed to honor young people with a passion for agriculture and a dedication to their rural communities. It aims to provide scholarships to youth who plan to return to rural areas to work and contribute to the continued vitality of these communities.

Hemophilia Alliance Joe Pugliese Educational Award

The Hemophilia Alliance, The Alliance Pharmacy, and the Hemophilia Alliance Foundation are pleased to support the 2026-2027 Joe Pugliese Educational Award. This award is a scholarship provided annually to individuals diagnosed with an inherited bleeding or inherited thrombotic disorder who are active patients in a federally funded Hemophilia Treatment Center, in support of post-secondary educational pursuits.

The 2026-2027 education award will provide each of four recipients with $12,500 for tuition and/or any qualified educational expense to be used within one academic year of award receipt. 

It is a shared goal of the Hemophilia Alliance and the Hemophilia Alliance Foundation that this scholarship program continues for many years to help support individuals with inherited bleeding or inherited thrombotic disorders throughout their education.

Qualified Expenses:

• Tuition
• Housing or food expenses
• Tools or instruments required for educational program
• Books, computers or other supplies

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Spearfish Volunteer Firefighters' Association Scholarship

To provide financial support to individuals pursuing an education and training in the public safety industry.

The Spearfish Fire Department, established in the late 1880s as a volunteer organization, serves the northern Black Hills in western South Dakota. Its mission is to protect lives and property within the fire protection district and mutual aid area. Additionally, the department advocates for fire safety and provides fire safety education in local schools and the wider community.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Stanley Nase Family Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates of Hot Springs High School or a current resident of Fall River County pursuing a business degree.

Applicants must be graduates of Hot Springs High School or residents of Fall River County with an interest in pursuing a business-related degree, such as accounting, business management, business education, or economics who demonstrate a financial need. The selection committee wants to understand why you are interested in pursuing a business degree as part of the application process.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Wilmer & Esther Werner Family Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates who plan to attend a college or technical school.

IBEW/Charles Sandberg Scholarship

To provide financial support to family members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 426.

Jeff & Marcia Sveen Scholarship

To provide financial support to South Dakota graduates with preference given to Dakota Provisions, LLC personnel in Huron, SD.

Governor George S. Mickelson Leadership Endowment

To provide financial support for continuing education to selected individuals who have successfully completed the State of South Dakota Leadership Development Program.

The National Cancer Institute's STRIPE program aims to advance cancer therapy by investigating the effects of radionuclide-emitted radiation. This initiative encourages multidisciplinary research to understand how radiation impacts normal tissues and tumor cells, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes. By consolidating various funding mechanisms, STRIPE seeks to lower entry barriers for researchers, enhance the scientific foundation of radiopharmaceutical therapy, and foster innovative treatment strategies. Projects can be exploratory or research-focused, with flexible timelines for completion.

The BRAIN Initiative aims to create web-accessible data archives to enhance research on brain science by offering tools for data analysis and visualization. This effort, led by the National Institute of Mental Health in collaboration with other NIH Institutes, seeks to establish a framework for rigorous data sharing and collaboration across various sub-domains. The initiative will enable the scientific community to access standardized and comprehensive data archives to support innovative neurotechnology research.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) aims to fund research on how environmental factors influence Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD). This includes studying toxins, sleep patterns, and stress in relation to ADRD pathology and resilience. Applicants should explore synergistic effects of these factors and their impact on neurobiological mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on lifespan studies and health disparities. Collaboration among experts in exposomics, neuroscience, and community engagement is encouraged to advance understanding in this critical area.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) aims to support innovative research for validating therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD). This initiative focuses on overcoming barriers in treatment development by ensuring well-validated targets linked to disease mechanisms. By employing a phased award mechanism, NINDS seeks to enhance the rigor of target validation, facilitating the transition from basic discoveries to clinical applications, ultimately accelerating the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

City of Chicago's UNCF Workplace Campaign Scholarship

The City of Chicago's UNCF Workplace Campaign Scholarship will provide a one-time, merit-based scholarship of $5,000 for students of any classification who have a parent or guardian employed by the City of Chicago and its affiliate agencies. Students must be enrolled full time at any U.S. four-year, accredited college or university in the 2026-2027 school year.

The City of Chicago’s UNCF Workplace Campaign Scholarship was created in partnership with the City of Chicago and UNCF to ensure that dependents of City of Chicago employees can earn a college degree.

This merit-based scholarship is open to full-time, four-year university students of any classification who have a parent or guardian employed by the City of Chicago and its affiliate agencies.

Chris & Gene Smith "Get and Education" Memorial

To provide financial support to graduates who reside in Hand County.

Chris and Gene were born and raised in Hand County. They encouraged their children with what could be referred to as their family motto, “get an education” as that is something that cannot be taken away from you. As a result, all their children and grandchildren have received post-secondary educations.