Best Terrell County Grants for Nonprofits in Georgia

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 Program Development Grants

Colleges and universities that are members of NetVUE are already committed to campus activities that encourage vocational exploration by students. These institutions are making significant investments of their own resources to develop and sustain vocational exploration initiatives. In order to support NetVUE member campuses in their work, Lilly Endowment Inc. has provided funding to CIC to be used for NetVUE Program Development Grants. Many NetVUE campus leaders have observed that grants for program development at even modest levels would enable their institutions to strengthen and expand existing programs significantly.

NetVUE Program Development Grants may be requested in amounts up to $100,000 for use over two years to deepen, expand, or otherwise strengthen programs that are already underway (including those planned or initiated through recently completed NetVUE Professional Development Awards) and supported by the institution itself. A wide range of proposals that augment existing programs in vocational reflection and discernment will be considered; examples include

• mini-grants to support released time for designing or revising courses to include greater engagement with vocational reflection;
• programming that brings faculty members and administrative staff (from, for example, career services, student life, or campus ministry) into partnership for advising, mentoring, and/or experiential learning opportunities; and
• projects that integrate reflection on calling and vocational discernment into an institution’s general education requirements or into their major or minor field requirements.

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 Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration

CIC is pleased to announce the first NetVUE grant program for individual projects by staff and faculty members. While NetVUE offers a number of grant programs for institutions, this new program—Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration—is its first program designed explicitly for individual projects by faculty members and staff at NetVUE member institutions.

Many employees at NetVUE member institutions engage and contribute to the exploration of vocation in undergraduate education through their scholarship, teaching, and practice. The NetVUE program seeks to support this work by offering them more resources to support new research and pedagogical innovation. Through the NetVUE Grants to Individuals for Vocational Exploration, CIC will offer funding and guidance to support projects that will generate artifacts or products (such as scholarly articles, course syllabi and learning activities, program designs, or other resources) that will develop and expand the existing field of scholarship, conversation, and pedagogy on vocation in undergraduate education.

This grant is intended to support innovative projects in the scholarship, pedagogy, leadership, and/or practice of vocation in undergraduate education. Proposals are welcome from both new and established scholars and practitioners. Particularly welcome are projects that seek to make vocational exploration and discernment available to all students, as well as projects that invite the NetVUE community toward fresh considerations and new frameworks in vocation as a lens for undergraduate education.

About

Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1981 as an executive branch agency, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is a statewide body established to build consensus and unity among the State's diverse and interdependent criminal justice system components. CJCC is legislatively charged with twelve areas of criminal justice coordination. Among those responsibilities is to serve as the statewide clearinghouse for criminal justice information and research, develop criminal justice legislative and executive policy proposals, and serve in an advisory capacity to the governor on issues impacting the criminal justice system.

FY27 State Crisis Intervention Program – Behavioral Health

The Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, provides formula funds to support gun violence reduction programs and initiatives. Grant funding will focus on behavioral health deflection, which refers to strategies and programs within the criminal justice system designed to redirect individuals with behavioral health needs away from traditional punitive measures (such as incarceration) and towards rehabilitative and supportive services. These strategies aim to address the underlying issues of behavioral health and reduce potential violence by providing alternatives to prosecution and promoting interventions that support recovery and reintegration into society.

Founded in 2016, this program supports nonfiction filmmakers or filmmaking teams working on their first or second feature-length documentary.

In this year-long program, 9 filmmakers will receive:

• $40,000 USD in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film
• Mentorship with Chicken & Egg Films team members
• Two creative retreats focused on career building and creative development
• Travel stipend for director and producer upon acceptance to a forum or market during program year
• Tailored industry meetings and funder connections
• Peer support from their cohort

You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply for the (Egg)celerator Lab. However, if you are selected for the Lab, you must secure a US fiscal sponsor, or be a 501(c)(3), to receive the funds. If granted, we can help advise on finding a fiscal sponsor. 

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 Law School Admission Council, Inc. (“LSAC”) is committed to promoting access in legal education and the legal profession. The LSAC Pathway Grant (the “Grant”) program makes awards to nonprofit institutions for programming focused on one or more of the following strategic goals:

• Goal 1: Early Access/Outreach - Introducing the law and careers in law to students, particularly students facing access and opportunity barriers to information and education, before high school graduation
• Goal 2: Supporting Admissions - Ensuring all applicants, including applicants facing access and opportunity barriers to information, education, and other supports/resources, have access, opportunity, and support in the law school admission process
• Goal 3: 1L Retention - Reducing attrition rates and increasing persistence for law students after the first year of law school, particularly students facing access and opportunity barriers to information, education, and other supports/resources

About

Chicken & Egg Films shapes a more equitable and just world with the catalytic power of documentary films by providing funding, mentorship and industry access to a global community of women and gender-expansive filmmakers. Founded in 2005 by Julie Parker Benello, Wendy Ettinger, and Judith Helfand, and helmed today by CEO Jenni Wolfson, our goal is to disrupt and dismantle barriers to filmmaking caused by gender bias.

Research & Development Grant

Now in its fourth year, the Research & Development Grant supports filmmakers from around the world who have directed at least one feature-length documentary and are in the research & development stage of their next feature-length film.

With continued grant-making support by Netflix, the Research & Development Grant supports directors to ideate and plan for their next feature-length film. Many filmmakers invest their personal resources into their films and face funding challenges when entering into the research & development stages of new projects. It is hard to secure funding for a new project without significant sample material, yet producing material without external funding can be almost impossible. To address this challenge, the Research & Development Grant provides financial support to directors during a filmmaking stage that is too often unpaid and unsupported. 

A total of $450,000 USD will be awarded in the following grant amounts:

• $10,000 USD grants for Research
• $20,000 USD grants for Development

The final number of Research Grants vs. Development Grants disbursed will be determined during the selection process, based on the characteristics and strength of the applicant pool for each category.

The purpose of the Research & Development Grant is to support projects at the early stages of their lifecycle. If you have already raised a significant amount of capital (over 35% of your film’s total budget) and have shot and/or edited a substantial amount of footage, you may not be competitive for this grant, unless you can demonstrate very specific needs for the project (such as previously overlooked research activity). 

We have separated the Research Grant from the Development Grant to allow early-stage projects to receive support without the need to submit all the deliverables required for projects in the development phase. 

We recognize that each documentary is unique and that processes for research and development, fundraising, and production can vary widely. The information provided here is not intended as strict eligibility criteria, but rather as general guidelines to help applicants understand the stage at which we aim to provide support for projects. 

The 2026 Chicken & Egg Films Research & Development Grant is generously supported by Netflix.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club’s Karl W. Schell Scholarship

The Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years.

The Marion Rotary Club Karl W. Schell Scholarship migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It honors the late Karl Schell and provides financial support for Marion County graduating seniors. Recipients will have been a resident of Marion County for at least two full years and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who intend to pursue an education and career in, or related to, business, management, or the real estate industry.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club’s Harold W. Hall Scholarship

The Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years.

The Marion Rotary Club Harold Hall Scholarship was created in 2024. It honors the late Harold Hall, philanthropist and businessman. His scholarship provides financial support for Marion County graduating seniors who have been a resident of Marion County for at least two full years and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club’s George Brown Scholarship

The Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years.

The Marion Rotary Club George K. Brown Scholarship was created in 2020. It honors the late George K. Brown, philanthropist, businessman, and a member of one of Marion’s founding families. His scholarship provides financial support for Marion County graduating seniors who have been a resident of Marion County for at least two full years and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Special consideration will be given to applicants who intend to pursue an education and career in or related to business or management.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club Scholarship

For more than 110 years, Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world. Rotary links 1.2 million members to form an organization of international scope. It started in 1905 with the vision of one man, Paul Harris, in Chicago. He formed Rotary so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. Rotary is truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today, members in nearly every country are committed to service.

Locally, the Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years. 

The Marion Rotary Club’s Scholarship Fund migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It provides scholarship support for Marion County high school seniors.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Marion Rotary Club’s Catherine Ferguson Scholarship

For more than 110 years, Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world. Rotary links 1.2 million members to form an organization of international scope. It started in 1905 with the vision of one man, Paul Harris, in Chicago. He formed Rotary so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. Rotary is truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today, members in nearly every country are committed to service.

Locally, the Marion Rotary Club was chartered in 1922, as club number 1051, with 23 charter members led by Fred Guthery, the first president. The Marion Rotary Club, along with the Marion Rotary Foundation, which was incorporated in 1959, has contributed to many organizations and scholarships over the years. 

The Marion Rotary Club Catherine Ferguson Scholarship migrated to Marion Community Foundation in 2017. It honors the late Catherine Ferguson, the first woman inducted into the Marion Rotary Club and its long-standing club secretary. It provides financial support for Marion County graduating seniors. Recipients will have been a resident of Marion County for at least two full years and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Lo Family Scholarship

The Lo Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2024 by Frank Lo, second generation owner of long-standing popular Marion restaurant House of Hunan. The Lo Family has been a part of the Marion community for almost 40 years.

The Lo Scholarship supports students who, like them, are first generation Americans and immigrants to the United States. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. This scholarship is open to students who have attended a high school in Marion County for at least two years and maintained a GPA or 2.5 or greater.

Special consideration is given to applicants pursuing a career in the fields of hospitality, culinary, or nursing and health care.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Kent A. & Diana C. Morgan Family Scholarship

The Kent A. & Diana C. Morgan Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 as a legacy fund. It will provide scholarships for Marion County high school seniors and graduates pursuing a degree in the field of education, with special consideration given to applicants who demonstrate, through the applicant’s application, extraordinary financial need.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

John T. & Lois Schmidt Scholarship

The John T. & Lois Schmidt Scholarship Fund was created in 2017 to support seniors and graduates of Marion County high schools who are also members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, or children or grandchildren of those on active duty or veterans. The Schmidt Fund favors applicants from Elgin High School and those with GPAs of 2.5 or better.

The Schmidt Scholarship honors John and his military service. John served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from January 1943 to January 1946 and was stationed in several overseas and exotic locales, including New Guinea, Netherland East Indies, Morotai, and Mindanao in the Philippine Islands. At the end of his service, he received an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant and had earned the Bronze Star for valor and the Bronze Arrowhead—awarded to those present on D-Day on the beaches of Normandy, France.

Prior to his military career, John graduated from Agosta High School (1941) and shortly after his service, married Lois (Kraner) in 1948. He was employed by Marion Power Shovel, Marion Industries, and retired after 29 years with Whirlpool. He was a member of the Marion County Farm Bureau, Disabled American Veterans, and VFW Post 7201. John passed in 2009 at the age of 86.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship

Dorothy Ellen Thew, a lifelong member of the Marion community, left, as part of her legacy, a gift to create three scholarship funds at Marion Community Foundation. Dorothy, a noteworthy person in her own right, designated that three scholarship funds be created from her estate to honor beloved members of her family. The Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship honors her sister’s love of music and dedication to education.

Well educated, Dorothy was a 1936 graduate of Marion Harding High School and attended Hunter College, and Indiana, East Carolina, and Toledo universities. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy Waves in 1943 and had a naval career which spanned 30 years. Dorothy worked at the selective service board from 1943-1955 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marion Depot until its closing in 1961. She retired from the Columbus Defense Supply Center in 1979.

Her civic involvements mirrored her military career. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion and a Plank-Owner of the Navy Lone Sailor Memorial Association and Fleet Reserve Association, as well as the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, American Association for Retired Persons, the American and Marion County Historical societies, Marion Senior Citizens and Central Christian Church of Marion.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Eddie Shelton Agricultural Scholarship

The Eddie Shelton Agricultural Scholarship was created in 2011 by M. Joan Shelton to memorialize her late husband, Eddie (1938-2010). Born in Kentucky, Eddie moved to Marion in the early 1940s. Following his graduation from Harding High School, he worked for the National Cash Register Company and Ohio Edison, as well as served in Army, before finding his true passion in farming.

In 1967, he married Joan, having met on a blind date, and helped work his father-in-law’s farm. This “city boy turned farmer” raised livestock and grain and the couple became the first family in Marion County to join the Ohio Farmland Preservation Act, ensuring that their farm could only be used for agricultural purposes.

Eddie was an enthusiast of Model A Fords and John Deere tractors. He loved travel, golfing, hunting, fishing, and “most everything” about farming and the outdoors. His scholarship supports students from any Marion area high school pursuing a career in agriculture.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Clifford & Frances Strine Family Scholarship

While still in high school himself, Josh Strine chose to use a Christmas gift honor his great grandparents and family legacy with a permanent scholarship fund at Marion Community Foundation, created in 2017.

The Strine Scholarship supports graduating seniors from any high school located in Marion County, including home and e-school students, who have lived in the Marion area throughout their high school experience and who are active in either 4-H or FFA. Recipients must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher and intend to pursue an education in the field of agriculture or education.

Special consideration is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need, as well as academic achievement, academic potential, community service, school citizenship, and communication skills.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Charles E. Orcena Scholarship

The late Charles Orcena was a longtime teacher in the mathematics department of Marion Technical College. This scholarship honors his memory and provides scholarships to seniors or graduates from any Marion County high school to attend Marion Technical College, with special consideration for students who have a learning or physical disability.

The fund was created in 2014 by Charles’ nephew and wife, Jason and Alycia Orcena, and supported by gifts from his family, as well as colleagues at Marion Technical College.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Catherine Amelia Thew Brown Scholarship

Dorothy Ellen Thew, a lifelong member of the Marion community, left, as part of her legacy, a gift to create three scholarship funds at Marion Community Foundation. Dorothy, a noteworthy person in her own right, designated that three scholarship funds be created from her estate to honor beloved members of her family.

The Catherine Amelia Thew Brown Memorial Scholarship honors Dorothy’s sister’s work at the former Silver Street Elementary School.

Well educated, Dorothy was a 1936 graduate of Marion Harding High School and attended Hunter College, and Indiana, East Carolina, and Toledo universities. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy Waves in 1943 and had a naval career which spanned 30 years. Dorothy worked at the selective service board from 1943-1955 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marion Depot until its closing in 1961. She retired from the Columbus Defense Supply Center in 1979.

Her civic involvements mirrored her military career. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion and a Plank-Owner of the Navy Lone Sailor Memorial Association and Fleet Reserve Association, as well as the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, American Association for Retired Persons, the American and Marion County Historical societies, Marion Senior Citizens and Central Christian Church of Marion.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Calvin H. & Elizabeth L. Topliff Scholarship

Georgia Mathews, mother to Marion Community Foundation board member, Spencer Mathews, created this endowed scholarship in 2023 in honor of her parents. The scholarship will be awarded to Marion County students who are pursuing a career in either education or engineering, with special consideration for students who will be attending Ohio Northern University, which is where Georgia’s parents met.

Betty Beatty Topliff was born in Pittsburgh but ended up in Marion after meeting Calvin at Ohio Northern and moving to his hometown of Marion. Betty (1928-2022) was a dedicated teacher for 30 years, most recently at Ridgedale High School. Calvin (1924-2009) was an Army veteran who served in Europe during WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star. Calvin retired from the marketing department of Ohio Edison Marion Division after 36 years of service.

Following retirement, Calvin and Betty were Florida snowbirds, but Betty returned to Marion after Calvin’s death to be with her beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund)

TREE Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to support scientific discovery and dissemination of new knowledge and best practices in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry.

TREE Fund’s research and education programs shape industry best practices, improve workforce safety and contribute to the long-term sustainability of our communities in the following crucial ways:

• Improving the quality of nursery grown trees and overall tree survival through the development of hardier, drought- and disease-resistant species.
• Stopping diseases and pests while reducing pesticide use with the evolution of integrated pest management programs.
• Enhancing public and workforce safety with advanced tree risk assessment techniques and greater knowledge about why and how trees fail.
• Quantifying the benefits of trees which makes it easier for governments and businesses to project their return on tree care investment.
• Revolutionizing global best practices for growing strong, healthy landscape trees.
• Connecting youth with nature to promote environmental stewardship in the next generation and inspire them to consider careers in green industries.

Lucas Tree Experts Integrated Vegetation Management Endowed Research Fund

Since 1926, John Lucas Tree Expert Co. has worked with investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, railroads, and pipeline customers throughout the United States and Canada. Innovation has always been a core value, and Lucas remains committed to innovation that makes the industry safer, greener, and more efficient. The Lucas Tree Experts Integrated Vegetation Management Endowed Research Fund is a new endowment fund of Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund created to support research in Integrated Vegetation Management in the United States and Canada.

This fund program was created in 2026 to help celebrate Lucas Tree’s 100th anniversary. Lucas Tree’s anniversary marks a century of innovation, safety, and stewardship in utility vegetation management.

Projects are expected to be completed within one to three years. No project may receive more than one award from this program.

Application Requirements can be found here.

The Center for Scholarship Administration

The Center for Scholarship Administration (CSA) provides corporations, foundations, trust funds, and individual philanthropists scholarship selection and administration management that is experienced, professional, and cost efficient while lending the program an integrity not inherent in internal selection committees.

Dudley West Scholarship

The Dudley West Scholarship is providing scholarships for deserving students. The Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc. (CSA), a non-profit, independent organization is the facilitator of the scholarship fund.

The recipients may attend any accredited public or private, two-year or four-year college, university, trade, technical, vocational, undergraduate, or graduate school, located in the United States, in any field of study leading to a degree, diploma or certificate. Recipients must be enrolled full-time each semester and working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree.

This scholarship is for one year only; however, current recipients may reapply and be considered for additional funding along with other new applicants. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time. Scholarship recipients are limited to four total years of scholarship award and are expected to have been enrolled consecutive years during that time. Students must reapply for additional scholarship awards each year. An award is not guaranteed, and students will be included in the pool of new scholarship applicants.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Alex Cooper Memorial Scholarship

The Alex Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2017 by Jonathan Culler, his high school classmate and teammate, Andrea Ault, his devoted mother who never left his side, and the River Valley Class of 2017, after he lost a 3-year battle to childhood cancer, osteosarcoma.     

The Cooper Fund supports seniors and graduates from the River Valley Local Schools district. Alex’s scholarship gives special consideration to students active in River Valley athletics, especially football or baseball, and/or music. To honor Alex’s untimely passing, the Cooper Fund seeks to assist students who have been diagnosed with cancer personally, those with an immediate family member with the disease, and those who demonstrate financial need resulting from cancer treatment.

About Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our community meet its needs and challenges. The Foundation invests and administers these funds.

Douglas & Elaine Waring Memorial Scholarship

The Douglas & Elaine Waring Memorial Scholarship Fund honors engineer Doug Waring and his wife of 49 years, Elaine. 

Created in 2002, the Waring scholarship supports the education of any Marion County high school student who scored in the upper 50th percentile of the ACT, SAT, or other national standardized test.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Quintin & Alice Linn ScholarshipThe Linn Fund is a scholarship, created in 2022, to support Marion County students pursing degrees and careers in economics, finance, mathematics, and statistics.

Mission: To continually improve the Marion Area community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Mountz Girls ScholarshipThe Mountz Girls Scholarship Fund was created in 2022 by Patricia Anne Chapman to honor her mother and aunts — Virginia M. Duffey, Glenna L. Rodman, and Jean A. Kibler, and her mother, Rachel F. Chapman. An inheritance from her Aunt Glenna Lou was the seed money to start the scholarship, to be awared to female students — seniors and graduates — of high schools in Marion County pursuing an education in the fine arts, visual arts, commercial art, or art education.