Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Texas

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Eugene "Babe" Fabrizi Fund to Educate Music Students

The Eugene “Babe” Fabrizi Fund to Educate Music Students of The Pittsburgh Foundation was created to support young or adult musicians.

Award Type: Single Year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.

Gainesville Symphony Orchestra Scholarship

This scholarship is for graduating seniors at public, private or homeschools in Hall County. Applicants must reside in Hall County and must play a musical instrument. In 2026, one scholarship award of $1,500 will be offered.

The James G. Hewlett Memorial Scholarship provides financial support to Franklin County residents pursuing degrees in nursing or medical support fields. Established through James G. Hewlett's estate, this fund aims to assist undergraduate students, while also considering graduate applicants if no eligible undergraduates are available. The scholarship is managed by the Franklin County Community Foundation, ensuring that local students have access to educational resources and opportunities to advance their careers in healthcare.

About Legacy Foundation

Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We connect people, knowledge, and funding to build an equitable, accessible, and inclusive Lake County, now and for generations to come.

Legacy Foundation is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, and businesses connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. With a growing portfolio of over 300 funds and approximately $80 million in assets, Legacy Foundation is a trusted source for philanthropic giving in the region.

For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and impactful philanthropic support to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Mission Statement

Transforming Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve.

Vision Statement

Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Mary Francis Book Scholarship

Use the chart below to see which scholarships are the best fit for you! You must complete the Legacy Universal Application to apply.

Scholarship eligibility requires students to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year public or private institution of higher learning. All scholarships are for full-time students, unless otherwise noted. Renewable awards are for 4 years of undergraduate study and cannot be used for post graduate coursework; all awards are paid directly to the school or may be used for book reimbursement.

The Evelyn Manning Potter and Vivian Grove Strunk Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, MD, supports students pursuing careers in the administrative professional field. Established in memory of two dedicated professionals, this scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to qualified individuals, promoting their educational and career aspirations. The foundation offers over 100 scholarships, reflecting its commitment to enhancing the community's quality of life and supporting local talent.

The Creative Capital Award, established in 1999, provides unrestricted project grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 for innovative artistic works in various disciplines. It supports artists in visual arts, performing arts, film, and literature through a democratic, open-call process. Awardees receive professional development resources and mentorship over a five-year relationship. Additionally, recipients are automatically considered for the State of the Art Prize, which offers a $10,000 grant to one artist from each U.S. state.

The Grief Reach Cycle 3 grant offers $15,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits dedicated to supporting grieving children and youth. This funding aims to enhance organizational capacity through strategic planning, volunteer engagement, and collaborative partnerships. Organizations must demonstrate a commitment to providing direct services and align their projects with the grant's focus areas. This competitive opportunity seeks to empower underserved communities by expanding access to vital grief support services.

The NIA Academic Leadership Career Award (K07) provides funding for established investigators to strengthen research capacity in aging and Alzheimer's Disease. The program supports the development of educational infrastructure, mentorship, and career development activities. Key deadlines for applications include February 12, June 12, and October 12 from 2025 to 2027. This award is specifically for research not involving independent clinical trials, allowing applicants to gain experience in trials led by others.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.Frank P. Husvar Memorial Scholarship FundFrank was a determined man. During a 21-year Army career, he saw action in WWII and Korea, and rose to the rank of 1st Sergeant. When he retired at a comparatively young age, he was far from ready for a life of leisure. He became a math and science teacher. When throat cancer forced Frank to have a laryngectomy, he refused to let the problem get him down. He learned esophageal speech and returned to his middle school students. Later, he went to the Mayo Clinic for training to become a certified speech teacher, resolving to help others with similar challenges.Frank was very interested in children and education,” Martha notes. “The scholarship fund is a way to carry on his name and to honor him.”

• Pursuing a degree in education in math or speech pathology.
• Student should be participating in extracurricular activities common to that field of study.

The Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes GYSD Grant supports youth-led projects for Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day. Open to U.S. and Canadian youth aged 5-25, grants of $250 or $500 are available, depending on volunteer engagement. Projects should address community needs and foster inclusivity among diverse youth volunteers. Successful applications will partner with local organizations and focus on relationship-building. A total of $50,000 in grants will be awarded, encouraging meaningful community service.

About Us

Who We Are

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

What We Do

Through our network of blind members, we coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.

What We Believe

We are the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power to transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people—from our democratically elected leaders to our diverse nationwide membership.

Scholarship Program

Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty $10,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. 

Jesse and Hertha Adams Charitable Trust Scholarship

The Jesse and Hertha Adams Trust Scholarship is made available for those individuals who wish to achieve their dreams. Success is acknowledged through hard work and the effort you put forth. And the Jesse and Hertha Adams Scholarship acknowledges both. In addition to funding this named scholarship, the trust generously contributes to our program travel expenditures for our winners and many of our National Federation of the Blind other scholarships.

The Ed Hiestand Memorial Veterinary Student Scholarship, awarded by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, invites current veterinary students to submit papers on wildlife rehabilitation topics. The scholarship includes a $1000 award, symposium registration, and a banquet ticket. Winners will present their findings at the NWRA Symposium, with eligibility requiring original, unpublished manuscripts. This initiative supports veterinary education and promotes wildlife conservation efforts.

Gainesville Chicken Scholarship

This scholarship supports college students pursuing a degree in poultry science or a related agricultural degree. Applicants should be graduating high school seniors or current college students pursuing a career in the poultry industry, majoring in Agricultural Business, Poultry Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Food Marketing, Agricultural Economics, etc. In 2026, one $2,000 scholarship will be offered.

The HVAC Skills Lab Grant aims to refurbish existing plumbing and HVAC skills labs in middle and high schools across the U.S. and Canada. With a focus on preparing students for vital trade careers, the grant provides $10,000 in equipment to enhance hands-on learning. This initiative supports schools with technical training resources, promoting the growth of skilled labor in these essential fields. Schools that have not received a Skills Lab award in the past 24 months are eligible to apply.

The HVAC Skills Lab Grant aims to support middle and high schools in the U.S. and Canada by providing equipment and resources to establish plumbing and HVAC skills labs. With a growing demand for skilled trades, this program encourages educational institutions to equip students with vital trade skills. Grant recipients will receive $25,000 worth of products and equipment, along with access to SkillCat's technical training platform, fostering a new generation of skilled professionals.

The John Jamison Iron Mountain Education Fund provides scholarships to encourage educational pursuits among the children of Iron Mountain employees. Established in 2004, it awards $2,000 to selected applicants and $4,000 to those majoring in STEM fields. Eligibility includes dependent children of full-time employees at the Director level and below, along with deceased employees' children. The number of scholarships varies annually based on available funds, supporting students in their quest for higher education.

Sony Corporation of America focuses its charitable giving on arts, culture, technology, and the environment, with a strong emphasis on education in these fields. It supports registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations while ensuring that their contributions encourage the development of the creative and technical skills essential for future workforce needs. Notably, multi-year requests and various exclusions, including those based on discrimination, are not considered.

The A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust supports organizations committed to enhancing the lives of children and young adults. They focus on educational institutions, health-related initiatives, and community services in the St. Marys, Pennsylvania area. Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations demonstrating accountability and measurable outcomes, with a preference for projects that benefit the community at large. The Trust encourages collaborative funding efforts and endeavors that inspire hope and vision.

About the Hertz Foundation

Empowering the Nation’s Most EXCEPTIONAL Innovators

The Hertz Foundation identifies and empowers the nation’s most exceptional innovators in science and technology, fueling a lifelong community dedicated to solving our most pressing problems.

Hertz Community

Awards & Recognition

We’ve established several awards to recognize and support Hertz community members who are accelerating solutions to significant real-world challenges, either through their individual careers or volunteering to strengthen the Hertz Foundation’s work. In addition to providing financial and professional support at a critical time, we also hope to generate more awareness within the Hertz community and inspire collaborations that build on the momentum.

Hertz Foundation Travel Fund

The Hertz Foundation Travel Fund provides financial support to Hertz Fellows to advance their professional growth through conference travel and interdisciplinary engagement. Awardees receive a lump sum of $2,000 for domestic or $5,000 for international travel.

Supporting professional development

Established in 2025, this funding provides Fellows with critical support to enhance their career and professional development. Funding is designated to support travel to attend technical conferences, interdisciplinary or entrepreneurial convenings and workshops or seminars that catalyze new career paths, research directions or cross-sector collaborations.

The Transport Phenomena (TP) program, supported by the National Science Foundation, aims to advance fundamental research in the transport of mass, momentum, energy, and species across various scales. This initiative focuses on innovative methodologies that enhance our understanding of single- and multiphase systems, thermodynamic processes, and combustion dynamics. By integrating theoretical, experimental, and computational approaches, TP seeks to connect microscale phenomena with broader engineering applications, ultimately contributing to national priorities in energy, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.

The Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs, offered by the NIH, supports the career development of new investigators in entrepreneurship. This funding opportunity focuses on enhancing their skills while conducting research within small businesses. Eligible applicants are typically scientists with expertise in research and technology but limited experience in entrepreneurial leadership. The goal is to foster innovation in health-related technologies that align with NIH’s mission to improve health outcomes.

The Native American Library Services Basic Grant (NAB) aims to enhance library services for Native Communities. By supporting the acquisition of materials, programming, and staff training, the program empowers Tribal libraries to adapt to evolving information needs. This initiative fosters knowledge centers that contribute to community wellness and cultural preservation. Through targeted project activities, the NAB program ensures that libraries effectively meet their users' diverse needs, promoting accessibility and engagement across the nation.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is launching a funding opportunity for research hubs focused on the health impacts of extreme weather. This initiative encourages multidisciplinary teams to engage with community partners on issues such as wildfire smoke and extreme heat. Emphasizing collaboration, the program aims to develop scalable solutions and measurable public health outcomes, leveraging resources and expertise across institutions to address climate-related health challenges effectively.

The United Way of Midland Innovative Grant supports new or expanded programs and one-time projects up to $15,000, focusing on key areas such as social, health, and well-being, educational success, and self-sufficiency. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life in Midland by connecting community resources with needs, empowering families across all generations through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts.

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) - Community Systems Development aims to enhance behavioral health systems in rural areas by providing funding for the development and expansion of services. This initiative supports the establishment of formalized networks to boost operational and clinical capacity, ensuring effective implementation of evidence-based substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services tailored to community needs.

The UCAR Next Generation Fellowship offers graduate students a unique opportunity to engage in Earth System Science research while addressing societal impacts. With a $40,000 fellowship over two years, participants can expect mentorship from UCAR leaders and professional development training. This program encourages interdisciplinary exploration, allowing fellows to collaborate closely with experts, attend conferences, and build lasting networks. It aims to empower diverse students as future change-makers in the field, fostering a commitment to equity and innovation.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Richard J. & Irma E. Larson Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Richard J. and Irma E. Larson Scholarship Endowment Fund was established to help Aurora area high school graduates attend colleges and universities to further their education in the fields of law, teaching, Christian ministry and agriculture.

Richard, better known as Dick, and Irma are both graduates of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Dick received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Irma earned her Master’s Degree from Northern Illinois University.

Irma has served on several community boards, including Child Welfare, the Aurora YWCA, P.E.O. Chapter DD, and The Mid-West Early American Pressed Glass Club. After retirement, she volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for nine years.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.