Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Vermont

Big 30 Athletic Fund

This scholarship is for four graduating high school seniors from Big 30 participant schools. One award overall from any Big 30 school, one for a student from Cattaraugus County, one for a student from Allegany County, and one for a student from Pennsylvania. Students must have participated in at least two sports for all four years of high school. Emphasis will be placed on involvement in sports, but academic achievement will also be considered. Financial need may be considered.

Carroll Swanson Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts

This fund was established to provide a scholarship for a student at the following schools: Allegany-Limestone, Olean and Portville who has participated in a school music program (band or choral).

Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin gives everyone the opportunity to make significant and lasting gifts to their community. We manage over 320 funds that enhance Portage and Waushara counties. Together with our generous donors, we create a strong culture of philanthropy in Central Wisconsin.

We are a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and grants to organizations and projects that improve the quality of life in Portage and Waushara counties.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation proudly supports students in Portage and Waushara counties with over $325,000 in scholarships annually, thanks to the generosity of local individuals and families. Award amounts range from $500 to $40,000, opening doors to educational opportunities.

Whether you're a student seeking financial support or a donor looking to grow a scholarship fund, we invite you to explore available opportunities and learn how you can be involved.

Don & Mary Hamerski Memorial Scholarship Fund

Qualifications: Graduating High School seniors from a Central Wisconsin high school.

The Edna Mae Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, aims to support women from rural communities in their pursuit of higher education at vocational community colleges or universities. This scholarship is open to applicants actively enrolled in any form of higher education, including undergraduate and vocational programs, with a special focus on assisting those in need. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled students.

Betsy L. Bertoli Scholarship

Academic Focus:

• Accounting or business administration/management

Award Average:

• $250

For Torrington High School graduating seniors who plan to pursue a career in accounting or business administration/management at the university level and have had at least one successful high school semester of accounting.

The Everett C. Fox, MD, Memorial Lectureship honors a distinguished dermatologist and offers a $10,000 award to the selected lecturer, who will present a 30-minute lecture at the AAD's Innovation Academy. Nominations are open until June 15 for the upcoming selection cycle, with entries held for five years. Candidates must be practicing clinical dermatologists with proven communication skills, ensuring the recognition of expertise within the field.

The Batten Disease Clinical Research Consortium (BDCRC) Early Career Investigator Grant aims to enhance the training of emerging clinician-scientists in rare disease research, particularly neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). This grant supports two post-graduate clinician investigators in conducting innovative research to improve care for individuals with NCLs. The program emphasizes the importance of community partnership, operational efficiency, and high-quality data to advance the development of new therapies and improve existing care standards.

The DoW Spinal Cord Injury Translational Research Award supports innovative research to transform promising spinal cord injury findings into clinical applications. It features an Early-Career Partnership Option, requiring at least one early-career principal investigator. Collaborations with SCI community partners are essential for providing guidance throughout the project. This funding opportunity aims to enhance the effectiveness of spinal cord injury interventions and improve patient outcomes.

Knights of Pythias Scholarship Fund

In 1950, the membership roster for the Corvallis lodge of the Knights of Pythias, Valley Lodge No. 11 had more than 250 names, but membership declined over the years and the club subsequently disbanded. In 1992, as remaining members began discussions about how to distribute the assets of the lodge, Benton Community Foundation (BCF) emerged as a natural choice.

“We felt it would be best to keep the money in the community where our members lived and worked,” said Bob Bareinger, a member in the organization since 1943 and an officer since 1954. The lodge tried to give BCF the entirety of assets, including the deed to the building, but the Oregon Chapter that has jurisdiction over it stepped in and required the assets to be distributed differently. BCF received one-third of the lodge assets, which means that the Knights of Pythias will continue to serve the youth of Benton County in perpetuity by providing annual scholarships to graduates of Benton County high schools.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Clinical Translation Research Award funds innovative clinical research aimed at bridging the gap to larger clinical trials. It focuses on accelerating the application of new techniques and improving patient outcomes through effective diagnosis and rehabilitation strategies. Key features include an Early-Career Partnership Option for principal investigators and a requirement for community partner involvement, ensuring collaborative research that meets real-world needs.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Clinical Trial Award supports innovative clinical trials aimed at significantly improving spinal cord injury treatment. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration by allowing two Principal Investigators, including an early-career investigator, to drive the research forward. Applicants must partner with at least two SCI community members, ensuring that the project is informed by lived experiences and community needs throughout its development and implementation.

The FY26 Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports innovative research aimed at enhancing patient care and quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries. This award encourages collaboration, allowing an Early-Career Partnership Option for two Principal Investigators, where one must be an early-career investigator. Focused on impactful research from basic to translational science, this opportunity is crucial for advancing SCI knowledge and interventions.

The Clarence S. Livingood, MD, Memorial Award and Lectureship recognizes outstanding contributions to dermatology. Established by the Department of Dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital, it honors Dr. Livingood's legacy. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize and the opportunity to present a lecture at the AAD Annual Meeting. Nominations are accepted annually until January 15, remaining active for five years, and are open to experts beyond dermatologists, emphasizing communication and expertise in relevant issues.

The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business Scholarship, offered by the Connecticut Community Foundation, provides a one-time award to first-year or transfer students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree at Post University in Waterbury, CT. Established in 1923, the Foundation supports local residents through scholarships, aiming to help students achieve their educational dreams. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the region, it reflects the commitment of numerous donors dedicated to fostering academic success.

The Melvin Arthur Peters Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Melvin Peters, a self-taught tradesman and entrepreneur from Shawano County. This scholarship supports high school seniors pursuing education in trades, reflecting Mel's commitment to hard work and skill development. Award amounts vary based on attendance costs, with disbursement in the first semester of college. Eligibility requires enrollment as a part-time or full-time student, emphasizing Mel's values of education and practical skills.

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Walter H. Meyer — Garry L. White Memorial Scholarship

This $5,000 scholarship is available to non-traditional students working towards an undergraduate (must be over 24 years old) or graduate (must be over 30 years old) degree.

The Dr. and Mrs. Arthur F. Sullivan Scholarship, established in 1923 by the Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students entering or currently enrolled in accredited medical schools. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region, this scholarship is available only in even years (2026, 2028, 2030), helping students achieve their educational aspirations through the generosity of local donors.

The Barbara and Frank Quadrato Veterinary Scholarship, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation, supports students pursuing veterinary medicine, prioritizing those from Woodbury or Bethlehem. Founded in 1923, the Foundation addresses critical community issues and provides scholarships to help students achieve their educational aspirations. As one of the largest scholarship providers in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills area, it has a long history of generosity from donors committed to fostering educational opportunities.

The Lawrence M. Brass, MD Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Stroke supports early career investigators focused on stroke and neurocritical care research. This award offers $65,000 annually for two years and an additional $10,000 yearly for educational costs, totaling $150,000. Eligibility requires applicants to be AAN members with MD, PhD, or equivalent degrees, and research must be conducted in accredited non-profit institutions in the U.S. Applications are assessed on research quality, innovation, and significance.

The Soros Justice Fellowships support innovative individuals dedicated to reforming the U.S. criminal justice system. These fellowships, available in two tracks, offer funding for 12 or 18 months to projects that inspire dialogue, influence policy, and drive change. Track I is aimed at emerging leaders, while Track II is for seasoned professionals. With grants of $100,000 and $140,000 respectively, the program emphasizes collaboration and aims to foster a network of leaders committed to addressing injustice and inequality.

The AAD Annual Meeting Registration Scholarship Program offers scholarships to international dermatologists, excluding those from the U.S. and Canada, to support their attendance at the AAD's Annual Meeting. Each country can nominate up to two applicants, who will receive complimentary registration, access to a post-graduate session, and an invitation to the International Scholarship Recipient Reception. This initiative promotes global participation in dermatology.

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Nora Stone Smith Scholarship

The Nora Stone Smith Scholarship honors and gives financial support to deserving immigrant high school seniors and students who have graduated in the past year and have participated in an ESL/ELL program at some point in their lives. This scholarship is available for all ESL/ELL students, regardless of their citizenship status. Undocumented students are encouraged to apply. This scholarship is $2,000 and renewable for 2 or 4 years.

The Bill and Joyce Coborn Memorial Scholarship supports Coborn's employees and their dependents pursuing private high school or post-secondary education. Offered by CommunityGiving, this scholarship provides up to 20 awards of $1,000 each, fostering educational advancement and community empowerment. Eligible applicants include high school seniors, college students, and graduate students who are children of Coborn's employees with at least one year of service. This initiative honors the legacy of Bill and Joyce Coborn while promoting lifelong learning.

The National Register Internship Travel Scholarship, funded by the American Psychological Foundation, offers financial assistance to psychology doctoral students for relocation to their predoctoral internship sites. This scholarship supports diverse applicants who are in good standing in accredited programs and have secured internships recognized by the APA or CPA. By alleviating relocation costs, the scholarship aims to facilitate the professional development of future psychologists.

The DOJ's FY 2026 BIDEN Program aims to address immigration-related challenges by providing funding to eligible state and local governments. This initiative focuses on enhancing law enforcement's capacity to apprehend criminal aliens, investigate gang activities, and manage court operations related to crimes committed by aliens. By supporting these critical efforts, the program aims to improve public safety and uphold the rule of law in communities across the nation.

The Frank D. Stella Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), supports outstanding undergraduate students of Italian descent pursuing business-related fields. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and hold an active NIAF membership, which can also be from a parent or grandparent. This initiative encourages the preservation of Italian culture and heritage while fostering academic excellence among Italian American students.

The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers are offering supplemental funding for Special Interest Projects (SIPs) aimed at enhancing public health practices. These projects will focus on innovative health promotion and disease prevention strategies to mitigate leading health risks in the U.S. The initiative supports ten specific SIPs, including studies on cancer care, alcohol use reduction, and emergency preparedness, thereby fostering research that translates into real-world health improvements.