Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

At Syndax, we are determined to realize a future in which people with cancer live longer and better than ever before. We believe that it takes a community to build a great medicine, and that is why we are working to set the new standard for developing medicines in the field of oncology – one that revolves around collaboration, shared learning, and excellence.

Syndax’s mission is to obtain regulatory approval and commercialize drugs that extend and improve the lives of cancer patients by drawing on the newest scientific research and advances, collaborating with determined problem solvers, and identifying value in overlooked aspects of science.

Educational Funding

At Syndax, we are committed to the goal of supporting objective, balanced and scientifically rigorous education that furthers improvements in science, medicine, and patient care. We accomplish this goal, in part, by providing grants for independent medical education (IME) programs. These can include live, online, and/or enduring programs that educate healthcare providers (HCPs), patients, or caregivers. Programs that are funded via Syndax medical education grants must be primarily dedicated, in both effort and time, to medical, health or scientific topics that are objective, balanced, unbiased, and scientifically rigorous. Medical education grants must never be made with the intent to directly or indirectly reward, influence or encourage the recipient to prescribe, purchase, sell or arrange for any Syndax product.

The Council of Independent Colleges

Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.

CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility.

NetVUE Vocation across the Academy Grants

​One major purpose of an undergraduate education in the liberal arts is to help students shape a philosophy of life. At the same time, undergraduates today are increasingly preoccupied with postgraduate employment. The purpose of this grant program is to help colleges and universities develop more effective ways to strengthen the link between these two purposes of undergraduate education. It is designed to support institutions in their efforts to expand vocational exploration and discernment programs across the curriculum and co-curricular programs, with the following goals:

• to help students develop more effective links between developing a philosophy of life and preparing for a career;
• to include more faculty and students in the work of vocational exploration and discernment; and, in some cases,
• to build connections with community partners, such as local businesses, nonprofits, and other community organizations.

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 National Cancer Institute (NCI) is seeking applications for studies that explore how bariatric surgery influences cancer risk, emphasizing the need for innovative research in this area. This funding opportunity encourages the participation of researchers who focus on the long-term impacts of bariatric surgery beyond weight loss and diabetes, addressing critical gaps in understanding the disease mechanisms involved. Key deadlines for application submissions span from February 2025 to October 2027.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for studies on mechanisms by which bariatric surgery influences cancer risk. This funding opportunity encourages exploration beyond short-term outcomes like weight loss and diabetes. The goal is to support innovative proof of concept studies, emphasizing feasibility without prior development in the literature. Unpublished data is not allowed, but references from preprints with a DOI are acceptable. Deadlines for applications span from February 2025 to November 2027.

The Public Health Nursing initiative aims to enhance the health and wellness of American Indian and Alaska Native men by implementing a culturally sensitive case management model. Through this program, Public Health Nurses will provide preventive health services, facilitate access to care, and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. By promoting early identification and management of health issues, the initiative strives to improve overall community health outcomes through targeted, collaborative interventions.

The JA Community Foundation focuses on funding solutions that address the needs of the Japanese American and broader Asian American communities. They prioritize programs that enhance senior health, promote history, arts, culture, and support youth. Eligible applicants must be registered 501c3 organizations and can apply from all 50 states. However, organizations with open grants cannot submit new applications until their current grants are closed.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

Advancing the science and practice of supporting children to thrive

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative supporting researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Spanning disciplines from education and psychology to public health, data science, and humanitarian studies, the fellowship brings together early- and mid-career scholars whose work has the potential to generate evidence that matters for children’s lives.

Fellows receive three years of flexible support to pursue rigorous, practically relevant research, and join a cohort of peers working across the fellowship’s themes. In addition to funding research, the program fosters a community of scholars engaged in meaningful exchange with one another and with research, policy, and practice audiences.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is developed in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, and administered by SSRC as part of its commitment to supporting scholars whose work bridges research and real-world impact.

Research themes

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship welcomes research proposals that advance understanding of children’s thriving through one of the following three themes: the youngest children in crisis and conflict settings; inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children; and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world. Applicants may explore the role of play where it is relevant to the research question. The consideration of play is optional and not a condition of eligibility.

The Hypercholesterolemia Grant by the Patient Advocate Foundation offers financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia, helping cover out-of-pocket healthcare costs such as medication copays and insurance premiums. This nonprofit aims to improve patient access to necessary care while supporting over 3.8 million patients since its inception. Eligible applicants must have health insurance and meet specific income requirements to receive assistance in managing their healthcare expenses effectively.

The Hyperkalemia Grant, provided by the Patient Advocate Foundation, offers crucial financial assistance to patients struggling with hyperkalemia. This grant covers out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays and health insurance premiums. Eligible applicants must have a confirmed diagnosis and meet specific income and residency requirements. Since its inception, the foundation has supported millions of patients, ensuring they can access the necessary treatment and resources for their health needs.

The DGF Bridge Grants provide essential financial support of $500 to professional dramatists facing hardships. This one-time award helps cover non-emergency daily expenses such as housing, utilities, and healthcare. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based dramatists with limited financial resources and have not previously received a DGF Bridge Grant. By nurturing today's creators, DGF ensures the continuation of impactful storytelling in the theater community.

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) offers grants to support Native farmers and ranchers through business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services. Established from the Keepseagle v. Vilsack settlement, NAAF is committed to providing essential resources to eligible organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and tribal governments. Special focuses include inflation assistance and market access, ensuring a holistic approach to agricultural support.

The U.S. Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism, awarded by the Sidney Hillman Foundation, recognizes outstanding journalism that serves the common good. Open to global journalists, the contest honors work accessible to U.S. audiences, with no entry limits per outlet. Winners receive a $5,000 honorarium and a certificate at a ceremony in New York City. This prestigious award highlights impactful stories across various media platforms, emphasizing the importance of journalism in addressing social issues.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for Winter Sports awards up to 126 scholarships of $10,000 annually to outstanding student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. Eligible candidates are in their final year of NCAA competition and must have a minimum GPA of 3.2. The scholarships are available for men and women in various winter sports and are intended for use in accredited graduate programs, emphasizing the importance of academic achievement and community involvement.

The Limited Competition: Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program's Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award aims to enhance translational research by fostering collaboration in developing and implementing innovative solutions. This funding opportunity invites applications focused on new approaches and technologies that will improve research impact across various diseases and expedite treatment availability. Eligible applicants include organizations with active CTSA hub prime or partnering awards.

The DHQP Global NOFO aims to enhance the CDC's mission against antimicrobial resistance (AR) by integrating non-research implementation with focused research. This initiative addresses urgent global threats posed by various pathogens and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). By leveraging existing CDC networks, the NOFO seeks to improve detection, surveillance, and infection control measures, ultimately reducing illness and mortality while protecting healthcare workers and patients, especially in low and middle-income countries.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

There are more than 800 Community Foundations in the US, each devoted to a specific region. We operate independently, with a common goal in mind: to be a platform for local people who want to pay it forward. To deliver resources to effective charitable programs. And to make our communities stronger and more successful by doing these two things.

Among our peers, Napa Valley Community Foundation ranks first on several key measures of donor satisfaction and impact, according to a recent donor survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Our donors say that we deeply understand their interests, and deeply understand the needs of Napa Valley. That, in a nutshell, is our job.

Ted Kohler Music Scholarship

The Ted Kohler Music Scholarship benefits Calistoga students who are committed to music and wish to advance their musical development. The scholarship can be used to pay for activities such as music lessons or summer camp, or for college tuition (where the student demonstrates their desire to continue their musical education). The Ted Kohler Scholarship was established in 1997 to promote musical participation and aspirations in honor of Ted, who upon retirement from San Francisco State University, became a full-time musician and leader of the Napa Valley Jazz Band. He encouraged people of all ages to express themselves musically.

The Robert W. and Martha D. Casciani Scholarship, managed by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and are pursuing degrees in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering at accredited colleges outside the county. This scholarship honors the legacy of Robert and Martha Casciani, who were committed to their community and education, encouraging future generations to achieve their academic goals.

The Newton E. & Hester G. Dilgard Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools with a minimum GPA of 2.75. This scholarship honors the legacy of Newton E. Dilgard, a self-made business leader and advocate for education, promoting the pursuit of excellence in chosen fields. It aims to assist students in attending accredited colleges or universities, reinforcing the foundation's commitment to community development.

The Judith Halama Ebert Scholarship aims to support graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, pursuing Education, particularly in Special Education. Established by Judy Ebert, a passionate advocate for education, the scholarship reflects her commitment to assist students demonstrating leadership and community engagement. This initiative not only honors Judy's educational legacy but also fosters future educators who will positively impact the community.

The Ashland County Farm Bureau Scholarship supports high school seniors and college students from Ashland County pursuing degrees in agriculture. Established in partnership with the Ashland County Community Foundation, the scholarship emphasizes academic excellence, requiring a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative reflects the Farm Bureau's long-standing commitment to empowering youth interested in agriculture, ensuring they have the financial resources to further their education and contribute to the agricultural community.

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness of behavioral health strategies in rural settings. By developing evaluation tools and resources, this initiative seeks to empower local communities in their health initiatives, ensuring that future programs are informed by comprehensive evaluations. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the program highlights the importance of tailored approaches to address opioid-related challenges in rural areas.

The Child Neurology Foundation offers a Summer Scholarship for first, second, or third-year medical students interested in neurodevelopmental disabilities or child neurology. This scholarship provides $3,500 for clinical research focused on neurodevelopmental disabilities in children or young adults, conducted under the supervision of a qualified subspecialist. Applications are evaluated based on their importance, originality, and contribution to the medical student's development.

The Debra Slater Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Ashland County Community Foundation, assists graduating seniors from Hillsdale High School and continuing college students pursuing accredited two or four-year degrees. Eligible applicants must major in Agriculture or Animal Sciences and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, with preference given to current or former members of FFA or 4-H. This scholarship aims to support future leaders in agriculture and contribute to the community's growth.

National Community Care Corps Grant

Community Care Corps encourages organizations across the country to apply for 18-month grants ($30,000–$200,000) to develop and scale innovative volunteer programs that provide nonmedical assistance to older adults, adults age 18 and older with disabilities and family caregivers.

Projects funded through this initiative will increase the number of community-based volunteer programs available to provide nonmedical assistance while decreasing the number of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers who need assistance in maintaining independence in the community but are unable to obtain help. In doing so, the initiative will strengthen community-based supports that help people maintain independence, reduce unmet needs, and improve overall well-being.

Focus Areas

Proposals must include one or more of the following focus areas:

• Integrate principles of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
• Support grandparent/kinship-led households
• Use off-the-shelf materials. Off-the-shelf materials are products, components, or resources that are readily available for purchase and immediate use, without the need for custom development, modification, or special ordering
• Engage college students/interns for intergenerational connections
• Expand virtual or low-tech access
• Provide volunteer chaperone programs for non-emergency medical appointments
• Increase access to respite programs
• Build opportunities for volunteer skill-building

The Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of a dedicated nursing professional who inspired many through her passion for healthcare. This scholarship encourages aspiring nurses at various educational levels to pursue their dreams in nursing. It supports individuals planning to attend accredited nursing institutions, fostering a new generation of compassionate caregivers, just as Dashanna did throughout her impactful career.

The NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award for Established Investigators (K18) program supports established researchers in enhancing their skills and redirecting their research towards critical areas such as hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language sciences. This program is crucial for fostering innovation and advancing the understanding of these fields. Important deadlines for applications include June 10, 2024, and October 8, 2024, among others.