Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Vermont

About Us

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a resource for local charitable giving. Created by and for the people of San Luis Obispo County, The Community Foundation is an enduring source of charitable funds to meet the changing needs and interests of the region. We envision San Luis Obispo County as an inclusive haven where everyone, regardless of background, feels free to fully participate. In collaboration with our community partners and donors, we seek to foster a safe, respectful environment with ample opportunity for all to reach their potential and contribute to the success of our community. We invite you to join us in celebrating diversity, making sure all of our neighbors feel seen, and free from dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, as we shape a future where all residents can flourish. 

2025-2026 Scholarship Applications

Big dreams start here! With support from generous individuals, families, and businesses, the Community Foundation offers scholarships that help San Luis Obispo County students reach new heights in their education and careers.

Garris Family Scholarship

The Garris Family Scholarship was established to support deserving students from public high schools or home-schooled programs in San Luis Obispo County in achieving post-secondary education. 

The Dorsi Blastervold Family Scholarship, offered by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors and graduate students from the Lucia Mar Unified School District with a minimum GPA of 2.9. This scholarship aims to help students achieve their educational goals and foster a diverse and inclusive community. Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now open, encouraging students to reach new heights in their education and careers.

The TPC Group Mark of Excellence Scholarship Program, administered by Scholarship America Inc, supports the children of full-time employees pursuing higher education. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers and promote educational access for students aged 24 and under. The program encourages academic achievement and assists those planning to enroll in accredited colleges or vocational schools, ensuring that eligible applicants receive the necessary support to realize their educational aspirations.

The Undergraduate Winner's Circle Scholarships, offered by the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement, support Iowa youth pursuing agricultural studies at 2- or 4-year institutions. Eligible applicants must be graduates of Iowa high schools or members of 4-H or FFA chapters and maintain full-time status. This initiative aims to encourage students to excel in agricultural careers by providing financial assistance tailored to their educational needs.

The Aden, Jane and Roger Scholarship, offered by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, provides a $500 financial award to Beatrice High School graduating seniors actively involved in a Christian church. With a focus on financial need, applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Established in 1987, the Foundation supports educational opportunities within the Beatrice School District, managing a $3.8 million Endowment Fund and providing over $55,000 in scholarships annually.

The Bar Success Intervention Grant Program, funded by AccessLex Institute, aims to enhance bar exam passage rates for at-risk law students and graduates. With grants ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 for programs lasting 12 to 24 months, the initiative seeks data-driven solutions that are scalable and replicable. Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations and law schools. Programs should feature clear goals, measurable objectives, and a robust evaluation plan to ensure effectiveness and sustainability.

Alkermes Medical Education Grants support educational initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care through continuing medical education. Proposals are invited for activities related to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, narcolepsy, and idiopathic hypersomnia. Funding is available for various CME formats, focusing on practical training and understanding treatment complexities. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based organizations that are either non-profit or accredited CME providers. This initiative prioritizes innovative strategies to improve healthcare outcomes and knowledge dissemination.

The Parkinson's Foundation offers Community Grants to support impactful programs for people with Parkinson's disease across the U.S. With over $5 million awarded in the last three years, the Foundation aims to enhance health, wellness, and education. Eligible applicants include local non-profits and healthcare facilities focusing on mental health, care partner support, and exercise programs tailored for PD. This initiative promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in service delivery.

The Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) Grant Program, managed by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), provides urgent funding for research addressing unexpected threats to the food supply. This program supports diverse projects related to pest and pathogen outbreaks, facilitating quicker responses than traditional funding avenues. With grants up to $150,000, ROAR aims to enhance agricultural resilience by fostering collaborations among researchers, institutions, and organizations to combat emerging challenges in the food and agriculture sector.

The Prader-Willi Syndrome Mini-Fellowship Grant aims to enhance understanding of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) through clinical proctorships. Offering up to $25,000 USD, this grant supports providers in shadowing experts in PWS while engaging in an academic project. PWSA | USA, dedicated to advancing research since 1983, focuses on high-impact projects that translate biomedical knowledge into effective treatments, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by PWS.

The Dale A. Nordquist Family Scholarship, offered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, supports students from Clayton, Amery, or Clear Lake High Schools pursuing degrees or training in tech or trade fields. With a commitment to fostering local talent, this scholarship aims to empower future generations by investing in their education and career aspirations. The Foundation has a rich history of connecting local generosity with impactful initiatives that enhance community well-being across the St. Croix Valley.

The Frank Chaney Memorial Scholarship, offered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Hudson or Stillwater area high schools pursuing any field within the arts. This scholarship aims to empower young artists and facilitate their educational journeys at any college of their choice, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to enhancing community impact through local generosity and support for the arts.

The Hudson Physicians Scholarship, offered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, supports graduating seniors from high schools in St. Croix or Pierce Counties who are pursuing a career in healthcare. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and financial need will be considered. This scholarship reflects the Foundation's commitment to fostering local talent and enhancing community well-being by investing in future healthcare professionals.

The Kevin & Rita Vance Family Scholarship, offered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, supports students from St. Croix County, WI, pursuing trade degrees. This scholarship is aimed at individuals demonstrating financial need and a commitment to vocational training. The Foundation, a key philanthropic organization in the region, aims to foster community growth and prosperity through support for educational initiatives and charitable funds. This scholarship exemplifies their dedication to investing in local talent and future careers.

The Stinn & Oebser Scholarship, offered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, supports students from Pierce Counties (Wisconsin) and the Harlan Community School District (Iowa) pursuing trade schools, colleges, or universities. Eligible applicants are high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Selection is based on financial need, work experience, and extracurricular involvement. This scholarship aims to empower local students to achieve their educational goals and contribute positively to their communities.

The PCC Rapid Response Grants provide support for cultural initiatives that aim to shape narratives during critical cultural moments. These grants prioritize projects that engage communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized groups, focusing on intersectionality, gender justice, and social equity. Eligible projects include pop culture campaigns, research, and public spectacles that respond to urgent political and cultural events, aiming to reach mass audiences and disrupt harmful narratives.

The MASOT Student Poster Awards, organized by the Society of Toxicology, invite graduate and undergraduate students to showcase their research at the annual meeting on November 5, 2025. Participants can win cash awards for their presentations. Eligible students must submit an extended abstract of up to 500 words and be members of MASOT. This event promotes scientific engagement and recognition for emerging toxicology scholars.

The MASOT Student Achievement Award, established by the Society of Toxicology, honors exceptional doctoral student members with a $1,000 prize. This award recognizes academic excellence, significant contributions to toxicology, and leadership within the Society and their institutions. Eligible candidates must be current members enrolled in a Toxicology or Pharmacology Doctoral Program and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5. Recipients cannot reapply in subsequent years, ensuring new talents are acknowledged.

The Alliance Global Partners Scholarship, established in August 2022 by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, offers post-secondary financial aid to graduating students from southern Beaufort County high schools. This scholarship aims to support those pursuing business education at accredited institutions. With a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities, this initiative reflects the foundation's mission to empower local communities and ensure that students can thrive in their academic and professional pursuits.

The Can'd Aid: Crush It Crusade Grant empowers nonprofits, local education, and government organizations to enhance recycling efforts. With grants ranging from $3,000 to $8,000, the program supports initiatives that promote recycling at community events, engage volunteers, and foster inclusive outreach. Since 2014, over 125 organizations have benefited from this funding, driving impactful change through community engagement and environmental stewardship.

The Palmetto Bluff Inspiring The Arts Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, aims to support talented high school seniors from Beaufort, Jasper, or Chatham County in pursuing post-secondary education in the arts. With a minimum GPA requirement of 3.5, this scholarship encourages students dedicated to artistic fields to further their education and career aspirations, empowering them to make a significant impact in the creative community.

The Sarah Creech Performing Arts Scholarship, established in 2013 by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, honors the memory of Sarah Creech. This scholarship aims to support high school seniors and college students from Beaufort County pursuing post-secondary education in the performing arts. With a mission to strengthen community ties and provide educational opportunities, the foundation plays a vital role in enhancing the lives of Lowcountry residents through philanthropic leadership.

The Whole Foods Market Store Giving Program supports local communities by providing financial assistance to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that focus on food access and environmental stewardship. This biannual program allows eligible organizations to apply via the Community Engagement Portal, although not all requests can be fulfilled due to high demand. Priority is given to those without recent funding, promoting sustainable community engagement.

The Child Well-Being Grant Program, established by the Doris Duke Foundation, focuses on promoting the healthy development of children and preventing abuse. With a commitment to addressing systemic inequities, the program supports initiatives that strengthen social service systems and foster partnerships to enhance access to services. It prioritizes funding for projects that encourage community-based interventions and the development of future leaders dedicated to improving child welfare, ensuring all children have the opportunity to thrive in safe and supportive environments.

The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission is inviting research proposals aimed at apple crop protection, emphasizing organic practices and pollinator protection. Key areas of focus include the management of pests like Codling Moth and Fire Blight, testing new crop protection products, enhancing soil health, and developing efficient monitoring techniques. Collaboration among institutions is encouraged, and projects should aim for practical industry applications to ensure sustainable and profitable tree fruit production.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks to enhance the validation of biomarkers and assays for cancer detection and treatment through its UH3 funding mechanism. This initiative supports multi-disciplinary collaborations to validate existing assays over three years using clinical trial specimens. Emphasis is placed on harmonizing laboratory tests and validating pharmacodynamic markers. Projects should not focus on early-stage technology development but aim for integration into clinical studies as investigational assays.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the validation of molecular, cellular, and imaging markers for cancer detection and treatment. This funding opportunity supports both analytical and clinical validation phases, emphasizing multi-disciplinary collaboration. The UH2 phase focuses on analytical validation, while the UH3 phase extends to clinical validation using well-annotated biospecimens. Proposals should justify the relevance of assays for clinical use and may include harmonization efforts across laboratories.