Best Thornton Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Marie VanderVoort Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Marie VanderVoort, who established the Marie VanderVoort Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Marie VanderVoort was born in the Netherlands, came to the United States at age 14 and died in 1997 at the age of 100. Marie attended Hackley School of Nursing, graduating in their second class of students in 1922. She did private duty work at both Hackley and Mercy Hospitals until her retirement. She traveled extensively and loved exploring the diverse areas of the world. Marie enjoyed her family, particularly her nieces and nephews. One of her nieces, Maxine Hooper, as well as several others, encouraged her to leave a bequest to the Community Foundation to provide nursing scholarships in her name. 

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Leigh T. Prettyman Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the friends and family of Leigh T. Prettyman, who established the Leigh T. Prettyman Scholarship of the Muskegon County Community Foundation . Leigh Prettyman was a prominent and successful insurance executive at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. Scholarships from this fund are awarded to worthy Muskegon students planning to attend a four- year college. This ensures that Leigh Prettyman's dedication to his community and its youth will endure through the lasting gift of education.

ASPCA PRO

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA Research Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) research grants fund high-quality research with a clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend existing studies, focused on other disciplines, will also be considered if they can clearly demonstrate substantial potential benefit to animal welfare.

This year we are soliciting proposals in the following six research areas:

• Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research
• Applied Behavior Research
• Cruelty Research
• Farm Animal Welfare Research
• Psychological Trauma Research
• Shelter Research

Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge. Please view eligibility information for specific projects from the research area you are interested in. 

Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research

Proposals that address AVC for cats, dogs, and equines from any angle (e.g., medical, legal, impact, program delivery, community engagement, veterinary engagement). Ideally, the research will establish tools or guidelines that professionals and organizations can use to improve access to veterinary care.

Proposals that include a shelter-researcher partnership aspect are especially encouraged. Examples include, but are not limited to, inclusion of both shelter and academic staff on the study team, the creation of a shelter-facing deliverable, an implementation prospectus that includes a feasibility assessment and identified partner shelter.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Lewis and Eloise "Bud" Munz Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the family of Lewis and Eloise "Bud" Munz, who established the Lewis and Eloise "Bud" Munz Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Daughters Louise Munz Krill and Barbara Munz Peterman started this in their parents' memory to recognize an area student who wants to pursue an education while playing golf or tennis. Both graduates of University of Michigan, their parents, Lewie (an engineer) and Bud (a librarian) were avid golfers and tennis players. In fact, Lewie was the number one tennis player in college and ranked nationally. They were active members of the Muskegon Country Club and devoted to Muskegon.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Leonard and Edna K. Blomdahl Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Edna Blomdahl, who established the Leonard and Edna K. Blomdahl Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Through all their years together, both Leonard and Edna were known for their countless acts of hospitality, citizenship and service. Late in 1998, she established the fund, designating that it be used for scholarships to graduating seniors from the White Lake area of Muskegon County.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Louise M. Cryderman Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Louise M. Cryderman, who established the Louise M. Cryderman Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Louise Cryderman was Muskegon's first legal assistant and active in many women's groups during her career. She worked for Stephen H. Clink, founder of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and Landman, Latimer, Clink, and Robb law firm. She realized the importance and effectiveness of making a charitable gift that keeps on giving. Since she had no children and was a widow when she died in 1977, she left the bulk of her estate, including her house, to the Community Foundation. According to her wishes, this scholarship is to help worthy students with the cost of higher education.

ASPCA PRO

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA Research Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) research grants fund high-quality research with a clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend existing studies, focused on other disciplines, will also be considered if they can clearly demonstrate substantial potential benefit to animal welfare.

This year we are soliciting proposals in the following six research areas:

• Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research
• Applied Behavior Research
• Cruelty Research
• Farm Animal Welfare Research
• Psychological Trauma Research
• Shelter Research

Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge. Please view eligibility information for specific projects from the research area you are interested in. 

Applied Behavior Research

Proposals that inform the development, refinement, or validation of evidence-based shelter behavior protocols, or validation of applied shelter behavior research methodology. Proposed research must assess the impact of interventions for common behavior concerns in shelter populations that frequently lead to euthanasia of otherwise adoptable dogs and cats, such as excessive arousal, or validate methodologies to reliably assess behavior and/or welfare in the shelter environment. 

Proposals that include a shelter-researcher partnership aspect are especially encouraged. Examples include, but are not limited to, inclusion of both shelter and academic staff on the study team, the creation of a shelter-facing deliverable, an implementation prospectus that includes a feasibility assessment and identified partner shelter. 

ASPCA PRO

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA Research Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) research grants fund high-quality research with a clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend existing studies, focused on other disciplines, will also be considered if they can clearly demonstrate substantial potential benefit to animal welfare.

This year we are soliciting proposals in the following six research areas:

• Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research
• Applied Behavior Research
• Cruelty Research
• Farm Animal Welfare Research
• Psychological Trauma Research
• Shelter Research

Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge. Please view eligibility information for specific projects from the research area you are interested in. 

Cruelty Research

Proposals that address cruelty toward equines, cats, or dogs from any angle or relevant discipline (e.g., public policy, law, criminal justice, criminology, veterinary forensics, community engagement, prevention/intervention, human behavior change). Of particular interest is research that a) increases understanding of the perspectives of key stakeholder groups (e.g., law enforcement/animal control, veterinary professionals, animal shelters/rescues) or b) investigates the effectiveness of cruelty prevention/response efforts at the community or system level. Also of interest is research that heightens awareness of animal cruelty and builds knowledge that informs and engages key community stakeholders and allied professionals in preventing and responding to this animal welfare issue.

Proposals that include a shelter-researcher partnership aspect are especially encouraged. Examples include, but are not limited to, inclusion of both shelter and academic staff on the study team, the creation of a shelter-facing deliverable, an implementation prospectus that includes a feasibility assessment and identified partner shelter, etc.

ASPCA PRO

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA Research Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) research grants fund high-quality research with a clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend existing studies, focused on other disciplines, will also be considered if they can clearly demonstrate substantial potential benefit to animal welfare.

This year we are soliciting proposals in the following six research areas:

• Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research
• Applied Behavior Research
• Cruelty Research
• Farm Animal Welfare Research
• Psychological Trauma Research
• Shelter Research

Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge. Please view eligibility information for specific projects from the research area you are interested in. 

Farm Animal Welfare Research

Proposals exploring how farmers’ use of healthier, non-conventional broiler chicken breeds, intersects with the birds’ use of pasture, environmental outcomes, and/or chicken product nutritional content. Research may be conducted by farms or other businesses in addition to academic or research institutions. However, field studies must include an academic partner or follow established field trial protocols for design and data collection.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Louis S. and Nancy L. Rubinsky Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Nancy L. Rubinsky, who established the Louis S. and Nancy L. Rubinsky Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County in honor of Louis. Lifelong residents of Muskegon, Nancy and Louis Rubinsky, had been active members of the Muskegon community. Louis was a fixture on Western Avenue as a salesman at Vets Clothing. Nancy was active at the Muskegon Community College, first, as an instructor of nursing, and, then, as a Board Trustee. Grants from the fund will mirror the Rubinsky's individual passions. In honor of Louis, the fund will support community education projects in the visual and performing arts and Nancy's interests will be expressed by supporting adult/returning students pursuing nursing degrees.

ASPCA PRO

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA Research Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) research grants fund high-quality research with a clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend existing studies, focused on other disciplines, will also be considered if they can clearly demonstrate substantial potential benefit to animal welfare.

This year we are soliciting proposals in the following six research areas:

• Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research
• Applied Behavior Research
• Cruelty Research
• Farm Animal Welfare Research
• Psychological Trauma Research
• Shelter Research

Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge. Please view eligibility information for specific projects from the research area you are interested in. 

Psychological Trauma Research

Proposals related to developing and validating novel approaches to the objective documentation of animal cruelty and neglect in the absence of physical trauma (i.e., documenting psychological trauma) in dogs. Proposals are encouraged from any relevant discipline (e.g., physiology, psychology, ethology). Of particular interest is research that focuses on objective measures, including biomarkers and quantitative behavioral phenotyping.

The ASPCA Research Grants for Shelter Research invite proposals in six key areas including Access to Veterinary Care, Applied Behavior Research, and Shelter Research. These grants aim to fund high-quality research that can significantly benefit animal welfare. Eligible investigators from U.S. entities and certain Canadian organizations are encouraged to apply. The program emphasizes collaboration between shelters and researchers, fostering innovative solutions to improve the well-being of animals in shelter settings.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Margaret and Dr. Paul Borton Music Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Dr. Paul Borton, who established the Margaret and Dr. Paul Borton Music Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County in memory of his wife, Margaret Borton. Margaret "Maggie" Borton arrived in Muskegon in the late 40s, bringing with her the rich heritage and culture of South Carolina. Not having had the opportunity in her youth to pursue music, she sought ways to include it in her daily life, enjoying the many concerts and festivals available in our area. Maggie always admired the talented youth she met in Muskegon's musical community. Knowing of her dream, her love for people and her passion for music, Maggie's husband, Paul established the Margaret Borton Music Scholarship Fund in her memory to provide scholarship assistance to Muskegon County students who will major in music in college.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Marguerite C. Lucas Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by an anonymous donor, who established the Marquerite C. Lucas Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County in honor of Marquerite Lucas. Marguerite C. Lucas had great passion for education. She stressed the importance of perseverance and a "do what you have to do" attitude to pursue your dreams. Her legacy will continue through this scholarship geared towards helping women pursue an education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy

Unlike surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, cell and gene therapies harness the power of your immune system to destroy cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. We fund the research that will make this vision a reality.

Collaborating with partners and funding research fellows, we are transforming cancer treatments today while bringing the world closer to a cure for all cancers tomorrow.

ACGT Investigator Award in Cell and Gene Therapy for SOLID TUMOR CANCERS 

Purpose

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, Inc. (ACGT) funds breakthrough research that is transforming cancer treatment through cell and gene therapy. This ACGT grant award is for those conducting translational cell and gene therapy research specifically in solid tumor cancers.

Research Objectives

Cell and gene therapy for solid tumors poses major challenges driven by antigen heterogeneity, physical exclusion, immunosuppressive microenvironments, genomic instability, and safety limitations. This RFA seeks innovative, translational cell and gene therapy strategies that directly address these barriers.

Proposed approaches should demonstrate the capacity to: (1) overcome antigen escape through multi-targeted designs that broaden patient populations and account for heterogeneity and resistance due to antigen loss; (2) enhance trafficking, infiltration, and persistence within solid tumor sites; (3) resist or reprogram the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment; and (4) incorporate built-in safety and controllability mechanisms suitable for clinical translation. Successful proposals will integrate these elements to enable durable, precise, and scalable therapeutic impact in solid tumors.

Building on the priorities outlined above, this RFP encourages proposals spanning a broad range of cell and gene therapy (CGT) platforms and rational combinations, including but not limited to:

• Engineered T Cell Approaches
• Innate and Alternative Immune Cell Platforms
• Gene Editing & Synthetic Biology Strategies
• Microenvironment-Modulating Strategies
• Combinatorial Approaches

Proposals that integrate multiple strategies to overcome trafficking, suppression, antigen escape, and safety barriers in a coordinated manner are strongly encouraged. Preference will be given to approaches with clear mechanistic rationale and a credible path toward clinical translation in solid tumors.

The NIAID is dedicated to advancing research on medical countermeasures against chemical and radiation threats, focusing on innovative technologies to diagnose and treat exposure effects. The initiative promotes the development of models, biomarkers, and devices that enhance survival and reduce morbidity during public health emergencies. It supports preclinical efforts to address injuries from designated Chemicals of Concern, emphasizing the need for effective solutions in civilian mass casualty scenarios.

The NIAID is focused on advancing the research and development of next-generation malaria vaccines, aiming to leverage innovative vaccine design techniques. This initiative not only aims to enhance malaria prevention but also serves as a model for combating other mosquito-borne diseases. By utilizing cutting-edge methods such as structure-based immunogen design and combination vaccines, the program seeks to significantly reduce both parasite infection rates and the overall disease burden associated with malaria.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

MPS/Dietz Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Muskegon Public Schools, who established the MPS/Dietz Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. For many years Muskegon Public Schools has administered several scholarship s for the benefit of Muskegon County high school students. Following a review of these scholarships and recognizing the Foundation's considerable expertise not only in scholarship programming but also in investment management, the Board of Education approved a recommendation to transfer all scholarships held by Muskegon Public Schools to the Muskegon County Community Foundation. The Foundation is proud to receive this honor and looks forward to working with Muskegon Public Schools administrators to award scholarships to Muskegon-area high school seniors for many years to come.

The Terry Lee Kaylor Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, aims to assist graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. Preference is given to students from Douglass High School with a minimum GPA of 2.85 and a demonstrated financial need. The scholarship amount varies based on available funds, and recipients will be notified of their award status in May. This scholarship is not renewable and encourages all eligible students to apply.

The Cooley, Dearing And Rinker Foundation Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, supports graduates from public schools in Winchester, Frederick, Rappahannock, and Warren Counties. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and show commitment to their college education. Award amounts typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, helping students pursue their academic goals. The foundation has a strong history of addressing community needs since its establishment in 2000.

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is offering up to $2 million in grants to support adoption at shelters and rescues during the 2026 “The Rescue Effect”, a nationwide campaign that highlights the positive chain of events that occurs when people adopt, foster, volunteer, advocate and donate.

The Rescue Effect will run through the months of August, September, and October 2026, during which grantees must offer a minimum of two (2) fee-waived adoption days/events each month. 

Restrictions and Parameters

Grant funds may be used for any of the following:

• make-ready costs for cats/dogs available for adoption during the Campaign months covered by the grant term (e.g., s/n surgery, microchips, vaccinations, testing, dewormer, flea-tick treatment, heartworm preventative, bloodwork)
• marketing/advertising costs (e.g., adoption promotions, volunteer/foster recruitment)
• waived adoption fees for adoptions occurring during the Campaign months covered by the grant term
• foster program expansion/ramp up
• operating costs related to supporting participation in The Rescue Effect campaign

South James River Foundation Scholarship Fund

The purpose of this scholarship fund is to provide financial support of $1,000 per recipient to 10 high school seniors in Buckingham planning to attend an accredited two or four-year college/university, community or junior college, vocational technical, or trade school.  

Golden Garden Scholarship

The Golden Garden Scholarship supports Monticello, Buckingham and Louisa high school seniors who plan to attend a two‑year community college or a four‑year university as full‑time students. Established to support first‑generation college students—particularly students of color—with financial need, the award provides $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years, and seeks candidates who demonstrate an interest in the Arts & Humanities, have a minimum 2.75 high‑school GPA, and a commitment to healthy lifestyle choices. They must remain enrolled full‑time throughout the scholarship term, and uphold good character and citizenship.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Francine Bono-Neri Scholarship Fund

As a grateful 2019 NEF Scholar, in 2023, Francine Bono-Neri wanted other nurses to benefit from receiving a scholarship while focusing their master's or doctoral degree clinical study and research on the problem of human trafficking. As an experienced Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Bono-Neri's deep concern about the global reach of human trafficking inspired her to become the co-founder and serve as president of Nurses United Against Human Trafficking. Committed to education and clinical awareness about human trafficking for every nurse in all settings and countries, this scholarship will support the study of human trafficking as well as related clinical and research areas which include forensic nursing, sexual assault, child sexual assault/abuse, sexual exploitation, sextortion, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, adverse childhood experiences, and child maltreatment.

Charlottesville Promise Scholarship

The Charlottesville Promise Scholarship is a multi-year award that can fund up to $13,000 of the cost of a two or four year undergraduate degree, or a vocational training/professional certificate program at an accredited technical school. Charlottesville Scholarship Program typically awards nine new scholarships each year to seniors attending Charlottesville High School, one potential new scholarship each year to a graduating high school senior residing in Charlottesville City and attending an alternative or non-traditional learning centers listed here, and one potential new scholarship each year to an eligible adult student currently attending or planning to enroll in a post-secondary undergraduate program or vocational training/professional certification program at an accredited technical school.   

Health Services Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (HSR-ADRD) Program

The HSR-ADRD program seeks to support research that strengthens dementia detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care pathways along the care continuum. Projects may address a range of health services research questions, including, but not limited to, studies examining barriers and solutions to timely access, quality, and care coordination. By supporting rigorous and innovative research, this program aims to generate actionable evidence to improve person-centered, coordinated, and equitable brain health and dementia care.

Program overview

The program welcomes proposals that utilize rigorous methodologies to advance understanding and improvement of cognitive impairment, including MCI and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care.

This award is structured as an individual research grant, with funding administered through the recipient’s institution. Proposals should address one or more Areas of Focus. Areas of Focus represent high-priority research topics for which this program is actively seeking proposals and include: 

• The Value of Early Detection and Diagnosis: Studies should investigate outcomes associated with early detection and diagnosis on at least two levels of the dementia care ecosystem (i.e., individual/families, providers/clinicians, health systems/payers, and policy/society).
• Care Pathways for Individuals with MCI or Dementia: Studies should consider comorbidities and investigate how people are being screened and diagnosed in different settings, and the post-diagnosis pathways for care and treatment, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions or combinations thereof.

Funding overview

• Each HSR-ADRD award is limited to a total of $250,000 U.S. (direct and indirect costs) for a duration of up to two years (awards should be a minimum one year).
• Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of total direct costs and are inclusive of indirect costs for the implementing institution as well as for any subcontracts.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Geraldine Labecki Fund

Created in 2016, from the bequest of Geraldine Labecki, former Dean of Clemson University's School of Nursing from 1965 to 1980, Clemson University's first woman collegiate dean. This scholarship fund is dedicated to graduate nurses exhibiting exceptional leadership skills.