Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

The Wausau Area Builders Association Scholarship provides vital financial support to graduating seniors from high schools in communities served by the WABA. With over $300,000 awarded annually to more than 200 students, this scholarship honors Shirley Kruesel's legacy and encourages community service and involvement. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.5, with a preference for those pursuing careers in the building trades or those with family ties to WABA members.

The Harry K. Wrench Jr. Memorial College Scholarship provides financial support to graduating high school seniors from the Manitowoc and Wausau areas who are pursuing a bachelor's degree. This scholarship honors the legacy of a prominent leader from the Wisconsin Fuel & Light Company. Over $300,000 is awarded annually to more than 200 students across north central Wisconsin, promoting academic excellence and community involvement.

The Community Foundation of Chippewa County offers the Northwestern Bank Mini Grant to support innovative educational projects for 3rd to 8th grade teachers in Chippewa County. This initiative aims to foster creativity and motivation among students through diverse learning activities. By pooling resources and encouraging multigenerational giving, the foundation seeks to enhance the educational landscape and provide lasting benefits to the community. The grants reflect a commitment to nurturing the next generation of learners.

The William K. Gottschalk Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, supports second-year or higher students at UWSP at Wausau or Northcentral Technical College pursuing degrees in accounting or engineering. Over 200 scholarships are awarded annually, totaling more than $300,000. Applicants must be Wisconsin residents with a strong commitment to their chosen field and plan to attend NTC or UWSP for at least two years.

The Strengthening Communities- Caring and Connected NWA Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Benton and Washington counties, Arkansas. Funded by Walmart, the initiative focuses on promoting community connections through improved access to arts and recreation spaces. By fostering a sense of belonging among residents, the grant seeks to create a vibrant, interconnected community where everyone thrives together. This initiative reflects Walmart's commitment to supporting the region that has contributed to its growth.

The Oahu Filipino Community Council Golf Scholarship Fund, established in 2003, supports Hawaii residents of Filipino ancestry. Applicants must maintain a 2.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and be residents of Hawaii. Preference is given to previous recipients who continue to meet eligibility criteria. This initiative fosters educational advancement within the Filipino community, encouraging academic excellence and financial support to eligible students pursuing their goals.

The Neil Tepper Scholarship Fund, established in 2012, aims to support Hawai'i residents facing financial need while pursuing a four-year college degree. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, demonstrate academic merit, and attend an accredited institution. The fund also favors recipients who were awarded the scholarship in the previous year, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This initiative reflects Neil Tepper's legacy in fostering education and personal growth in the community.

The Harry and Kathern Lovejoy Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, supports WSU students in agriculture-related studies who demonstrate financial need and academic commitment. Ideal candidates are third-year or graduate students from Central Washington, particularly those from Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Ferry, and Grant counties. This scholarship honors Jane Lovejoy's dedication to education and her father's legacy, aiming to empower students striving for agricultural advancements.

The Carolina Bird Club offers ongoing Conservation Grants aimed at supporting the research, education, and conservation of birds and their habitats in the Carolinas. Grants are awarded for specific purposes, and recipients must obtain permission for any reallocation of funds. Applications must include detailed project plans, budgets, and identification of conservation needs, ensuring that the protection of birds and their environments is prioritized.

Reforestation of Timberlands Program

Trees are good for you and good for Virginia. In addition to their monetary value, trees provide useful wood, jobs and homes for wildlife. Trees hold the soil, yield fresh air, and are simply beautiful. If you have land (cutover land or worn out fields) that just aren’t producing for you, an investment in pine trees can yield many benefits.

The Reforestation of Timberlands (RT) Program, managed by the Virginia Department of Forestry, provides cost-share assistance to landowners for pine reforestation, and is funded by the forest industry in Virginia (Virginia Forest Products Tax) with matching funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s General Fund.

The program has been helping Virginia landowners grow pines for more than 50 years. It can cost between $100 to $250 per acre to put in a crop of pines. The RT program reimburses landowners for a portion of the costs associated with getting pines started right. Your DOF forester can help you identify and apply for the forest management practices that are best suited for your property.

The BISCUITS Grant, offered by Southern Vision Alliance, provides up to $5,000 to organizations with budgets under $300,000 that focus on building power through organizing and collective action. Recipients gain access to a supportive cohort and networking opportunities. Participation in two virtual gatherings and a $500 wellness stipend is included. This grant is aimed at new applicants or those who have submitted their final QMF reports, ensuring support for emerging grassroots organizations.

The DTRF + Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarship, offered by the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation, provides annual need-based scholarships of up to $10,000 for Certified Descendants of Jesuit slaveholding. This initiative aims to support educational advancement at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other post-secondary institutions, while promoting racial healing and minimizing the wealth gap within the Descendant community.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) facilitates, supports and encourages the growth and viability of agriculture in Vermont while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment.

Farm Agronomic Practices Program

Program Overview

The Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) Program provides Vermont farms with grants to install soil conservation practices. 

Grants are limited to $10,000 per farm operation per calendar year [January 1- December 31]. There is no competitive review process: funding is awarded in the order that applications are received. 

Applying does not guarantee that you will receive funding.

The FAP program also provides farms and service providers with Agronomic Training grants to attend trainings on agricultural water quality regulations and/or the impacts of agricultural practices on water quality. 

Practices that are installed before applying to FAP cannot be reimbursed.

Practice Requirements and Payment Rates

1) Cover Crop

Payment Rate: $55 per acre if planted before Oct 1, or $40 per acre if planted before Oct 10.

Practice Requirements: Cover Crop payment supports annual cropland to be planted to cover crops for erosion protection during the non-growing season. All cover crops must be seeded at highest recommended rate to provide effective soil coverage and minimize nutrient runoff during the non-growing season. “Early” cover crops must be planted prior to October 1 and may be planted using any method. Regular season cover crops must be planted prior to October 10 and must be drilled or incorporated. Cover crops planted after October 10 will not be reimbursed.

2) Crop to Hay Rotation

Payment Rate: $60 per acre. 

Practice Requirements: Crop to Hay payment supports annual crop land to be seeded down into perennial forages for pasture or hay production as part of a crop rotation. This practice does not apply to the establishment of annually planted and harvested food, fiber, or oilseed crops. Fields are only eligible for payment in the year they are seeded down. Nurse crops such as oats, barley, or peas are recommended to quickly establish soil cover and protect the crop during the early stages of establishment. Planting method and seeding rate must be appropriate for the seed type and provide full soil coverage.

3) Rotational Grazing

Payment Rate: $30 per acre. 

Practice Requirements: Rotational grazing payment supports well managed rotational grazing of perennial pastures with ruminant livestock. Livestock must be rotated at least twice per week and excluded from surface water, and at least three inches residual vegetation must be maintained after grazing. Livestock access to surface water at well-managed discrete watering areas and livestock crossings are allowable only when no other available options exist. Grazing plans, grazing maps, and records that indicate livestock are rotated at least twice per week to adequately rested pastures are required. Land planted to annual crops within the past year or land cleared of forest within the last five years are not eligible.

4) No Till Crop Planting

Payment Rate: $15 per acre. 

Practice Requirements: No Till payment supports the planting of annual crops without the use of tillage. A minimum of 30 percent of the soil surface must be covered by uniformly distributed plant residue after planting. There must not be any full-width soil disturbance performed from the time immediately following harvest or termination of one cash crop through harvest or termination of the next cash crop in the rotation, regardless of the depth of the tillage operation. Full-width harrowing, chisel plowing, field cultivating, tandem disking, or vertical tillage is not allowable under this practice. Cover crop planting must be drilled or broadcast, not otherwise incorporated. Manure injection with soil surface closure at time of injection is allowable under this practice.

5) No-Till Pasture and Hayland Renovation

Payment Rate: $30 per acre. 

Practice Requirements: No-Till Pasture and Hayland Renovation payment supports the use of no-till drill equipment and/or frost seeding to improve pastures and/or hayland without the use of tillage. Planting method should provide reasonable expectation of seed to soil contact. Seeding rates must provide full soil coverage and be adequate to accomplish improvement of forage/stands in pasture and hayland. Frost seeding must occur on non-snow-covered ground in March or April and include legumes in seed mix.

6) Manure Injection

Payment Rate: $30 per acre. 

Practice Requirements: Manure Injection payment supports subsurface injection including disk, shank, and grassland manure injection, injected below soil surface with a single implement. Chisel plowing or disk harrowing fields within two weeks of practice installation is not allowable. All injection must follow manure application standards of the Vermont Required Agricultural Practices rule including application of nutrients within agronomic recommendations.

The Hawai'i Forest Legacy Grant Program aims to protect vital forest lands from development while supporting landowners in preserving their properties. This federal initiative, overseen by the State of Hawai'i Division of Forestry and Wildlife, encourages sustainable practices, safeguards endangered species, and promotes watershed health. By purchasing conservation easements, the program helps landowners manage costs without sacrificing their land's ecological and cultural value. Interested parties should consult with the program manager well ahead of the July application deadline.

The Cohen Gordon B Great Scholarship Fund honors Judy Gordon's legacy as a dedicated social worker and educator in Duluth. This fund supports students overcoming adversity, encouraging their pursuit of two-year or four-year degrees. Eligible applicants are graduates from any Duluth high school, with a preference for ESL or non-native English speakers. The scholarship awards $2,000 for one academic year, emphasizing the importance of resilience and belief in every student's potential.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) facilitates, supports and encourages the growth and viability of agriculture in Vermont while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment.

Historic Preservation Barn Grants

Established in 1992, the State-funded Barn Preservation Grant program helps individuals, municipalities, and non-profit organizations to rehabilitate the historic agricultural buildings that are a symbol of Vermont’s rural landscape. This is the oldest state-funded agricultural-based grant program in the United States.

Since its inception, the program has provided over $5 million towards the preservation of over 525 historic barns and agricultural outbuildings around the state. Preservation of these buildings not only protects Vermont's agricultural and architectural legacies, but it also generates jobs, supports independent businesses, increase civic participation, and bolsters a community's sense of place while enhancing the experience of visitors.

This is a reimbursement grant program. Grant recipients are responsible for paying for the full amount of the project. The state will then reimburse grant recipients once work is complete and paid for.

The Margaret Follett Haskins (Maui) Scholarship Fund, established in honor of a dedicated educator, aims to support Hawaii residents pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants include undergraduate juniors or seniors at the University of Hawaii Maui College with a minimum 3.0 GPA and financial need. Preference is given to past recipients who maintain eligibility. This initiative reflects Haskins' belief in the transformative power of education, providing vital assistance to deserving students in their academic journeys.

The Margaret Follett Haskins Scholarship, established in memory of a dedicated educator, supports residents of Hawai‘i who have graduated from a community college and plan to further their studies at a University of Hawaii campus. This scholarship prioritizes applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstrated financial need. Recipients from the previous year are given preference if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. This initiative fosters educational advancement and honors Margaret's commitment to learning.

The Archie C. Towle Aviation Scholarship, funded by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, offers financial assistance to students within a 50-mile radius of Wausau pursuing careers in aviation. With over $300,000 in scholarships available, it supports those demonstrating financial need and a passion for aviation. Eligible fields include Airline Pilot, Aircraft Mechanic, and Air Traffic Controller, among others, ensuring opportunities for future aviation professionals.

The Kimberly A. Van Den Elzen Memorial Scholarship supports individuals from central Wisconsin pursuing or advancing careers in Human Resources. Open to high school seniors, college students, and adults seeking further education, this scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities. Over 200 scholarships totaling more than $300,000 are awarded annually through the Community Foundation, fostering community growth and empowering future HR professionals.

The Marvin C. Schuette Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, offers financial assistance to children of Wausau Homes' employees pursuing post-secondary education. With a focus on inclusivity, the scholarship aims to support individuals who may not qualify for traditional scholarships. It requires a minimum GPA of 2.0, but academic achievement is not the primary selection criterion, allowing a diverse range of applicants to benefit from this funding.

The Connexus Association Scholarship provides over $300,000 in scholarships to more than 200 students in north central Wisconsin, targeting high school seniors from specific districts. Eligible candidates must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and plan to pursue post-secondary education in Business or Education. The scholarship prioritizes applicants aiming for bachelor's degrees and those studying Education, Finance, or Accounting. The initiative is managed by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, fostering community growth through educational support.

The Hmong Community Higher Education Scholarship supports Hmong students from Marathon, Lincoln, or Shawano Counties in Wisconsin. It awards scholarships to high school seniors and current college students pursuing any undergraduate degree. Over 200 students will benefit from more than $300,000 in scholarships, emphasizing academic achievement and community commitment. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a GPA of 3.2 or higher for high school seniors and 2.8 for college students, and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The Allen Johnson Scholarship & Grants for Skilled Construction Trades aims to support students in north central Wisconsin pursuing careers in skilled trades such as plumbing, carpentry, and welding. With over $300,000 available, this initiative assists more than 200 students from various educational backgrounds, ensuring they receive the necessary financial aid to enhance their skills and gain valuable qualifications in their respective fields.

The Carol Verhasselt Legacy Scholarship, funded by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, supports graduating high school seniors from the greater Wausau area who are passionate about the arts. Awarded annually, this scholarship encourages students pursuing post-secondary education in art, promoting their academic and personal growth. With over $300,000 in scholarships available, it fosters a commitment to education and community enhancement, ensuring a positive impact on the lives of local students.

The Coenen Family Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, aims to support graduating seniors from the Wausau or D.C. Everest School Districts pursuing higher education. This initiative reflects a commitment to enhance community quality of life through education. More than 200 students will benefit from over $300,000 in scholarships, enabling them to pursue various fields of study at technical schools, colleges, and universities.

The Community Health Care Physicians Legacy Scholarship offers financial support to graduating high school seniors from Marathon County pursuing an education in a medically related field. With over $300,000 available from 125 endowed scholarship funds, this initiative aims to enhance the quality of life in the community by fostering future healthcare professionals. Eligibility includes a minimum GPA of 3.5 and enrollment at an accredited college or university.