Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Vermont

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries offers financial support to underfunded schools to enhance their library collections, promoting literacy and a passion for reading. Eligible applicants include Title 1 public schools and private institutions with at least 50% of students qualifying for financial aid. The grant funds can be utilized exclusively for books, periodicals, and subscriptions, ensuring that all students have access to diverse reading materials. Applications require a designated librarian and completion of necessary documentation.

The Jack E. Leisch Fellowship, established by the American Society of Civil Engineers, supports full-time graduate students in transportation planning and traffic operations. This fellowship honors Jack E. Leisch's contributions to civil engineering and offers approximately $5,000 to deserving candidates. Selection criteria include academic performance, leadership potential, and financial need, ensuring support for future leaders in the field.

The URM Travel Grants, established by the American Economic Association (AEA), support junior faculty from underrepresented minority groups in economics, including American Indian, Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander individuals. These grants cover up to $1,000 in expenses for meals, travel, lodging, and conference registration to attend the annual ASSA meetings. The initiative aims to enhance the professional development of URM junior faculty and promote diversity within the economics field.

The NIH is set to release a funding opportunity for pragmatic and implementation trials aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of interventions in real-world healthcare settings. This initiative encourages collaborations across various health systems to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of interventions. By focusing on commonly encountered conditions in everyday clinical care, the trials aim to provide actionable insights for patients, clinicians, and policymakers. Interested investigators are encouraged to start developing their project proposals.

The Joseph E. and Marjorie B. Jones Foundation is a private philanthropic organization committed to enhancing life quality in the greater Washington, D.C. area. The foundation focuses on human services, healthcare, and educational initiatives, believing in the inherent dignity of all individuals. It supports projects that foster community trust and partnership while avoiding funding for basic research, scholarships, or sectarian activities. The foundation aims to inspire and uplift communities through strategic partnerships.

The Huston Foundation Grants support both Protestant Evangelical Christian and secular needs, emphasizing humanitarian efforts since 1957. Applicants must demonstrate evangelism and provide a doctrinal statement of faith for Christian grants, while secular projects must show unique community needs and measurable goals. All applicants must also possess 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This dual-focus ensures diverse community support, fostering personal development and innovative solutions to pressing issues.

The Freeman Fellowship, established by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1924, supports young engineers pursuing graduate studies in hydraulic engineering. Awarded annually to up to three deserving students, it covers tuition, research, and living expenses. This fellowship encourages the next generation of civil engineers to excel in their education and contributes to the advancement of the field, reflecting ASCE's commitment to fostering talent within the profession.

The Fred and Tana Moses Bridge Engineering Fellowship, established by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), aims to advance the field of bridge engineering. This annual fellowship is awarded to a graduate student pursuing an advanced degree in the discipline, providing vital support for their studies. ASCE, representing over 160,000 civil engineers worldwide, is committed to fostering professional excellence and innovation in the civil engineering community.

The Development of Fiscal Year 2027 Commercial Vehicle Safety Plans aims to enhance national safety goals by reducing incidents involving commercial motor vehicles. This initiative, funded by the US Department of Transportation's FMCSA, provides crucial financial support to states and territories. Through the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, the focus is on minimizing crashes, injuries, and fatalities associated with commercial vehicle operations, ensuring safer roads for all.

The NSF Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 Program supports projects that enhance research capabilities in science and engineering. This program provides funding for both design and implementation of mid-scale research infrastructure, emphasizing the development of a diverse workforce. By addressing specific community needs and promoting competitive research environments, the program encourages innovative approaches to infrastructure development. Proposals may involve upgrades, new acquisitions, or design efforts aimed at successful implementation of vital research tools.

The FY 2027 Service Area Competition (SAC) aims to enhance health services in underserved communities across the U.S. and its territories. This funding opportunity supports comprehensive preventive and primary health care delivery. Each SAC announcement details service areas available for competition, with potential additional areas announced throughout the year. This initiative is crucial for ensuring continuous access to quality health care for vulnerable populations.

The Remote Biomarker Measurements in Microphysiological Systems Grant seeks innovative proposals to enhance remote biomarker analysis technologies for microphysiological systems, crucial for deep space missions. It prioritizes non-invasive, adaptable methods that allow for continuous monitoring of biomarkers without sample return. This initiative aims to advance personalized healthcare and biological research, addressing astronaut health in challenging environments. Eligible entities include U.S. institutions and collaborations with foreign entities under specific conditions.

Bengier Foundation

After lots of hard work and more than a bit of luck, Gary and Cynthia were able to retire from professional business careers at an early age. They decided then to try to give back a little to their community and to others less lucky than they. So the Bengier Foundation was formed in 2004 to give a helping hand to bright, hardworking young people who need a little help to find their own success.

One of our goals is to help – in a small way – to focus attention on the need to increase our American educational capital. The dropout rate statistics are shocking. We must do more to help the next generation prepare for the increasing demands of our ever-more sophisticated information economy. The Bengier Foundation believes that we must give everyone a chance to achieve their potential.

Bengier Foundation Grants

The foundation's mission is to provide educational experiences that motivate, broaden and qualify bright, hard working young people who have limited means and limited opportunities to enlarge their expectations of what they can accomplish in life.

• By motivate we mean to change a young person’s expectations about themself, by providing experiences which pique their interest, or that let them see themself in a role or career that they never previously imagined.
• By broaden we mean to allow a young person to have experiences that broaden their perspective of the world or cause them to view it and their role in it differently.
• By qualify we mean to help a young person gain the experiences and education that will allow them to succeed in college and in life.

ASPCA Reimagining Racers: Grants for Adopting Out Retired Racehorses Grant

ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Partners, ASPCA Right Horse Industry Partners, and organizations actively participating in the warm-up ring (defined as groups that are actively working to achieve the 13 criteria for Partnership and are participating on myrighthorse.org) are invited to apply for a grant to support an increase in capacity and/or efficiency of programs aimed at adopting out retired Thoroughbred racehorses. 

Funding requests for this grant initiative should focus on:

Activities that increase capacity, decrease length of stay, reduce cost of care or increase efficiencies, and/or improve humane outcomes in other ways. Examples:

• Training programs
• Programs that engage new adopters and grow the market share for adoption
• Medical make-ready or rehabilitation with a focus on innovation and/or sustainability
• Collaborations with other equine industry organizations to increase support for retired racehorses

Proposals will be evaluated on their potential (within the 12-month grant term) to: 

• Increase capacity (the number of horses that can be rehabilitated, trained, and placed)
• Decrease length of stay
• Decrease cost of care
• Reduce risk, harm or suffering for retired racehorses

Requests may be for the creation of new programs or the expansion of existing programs. Programs that test innovative ideas are welcome.

Grant Amounts

Grants will generally range from $10,000-$40,000, with a maximum individual grant amount of $60,000. The total funding amount available for this grant opportunity is $200,000. 

Eligibility

ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Partners, ASPCA Right Horse Industry Partners, and active Warm-Up Ring participants (defined as groups that are actively working to achieve the 13 criteria for Partnership and are participating on myrighthorse.org) whose mission or operations focus significantly on serving retired Thoroughbred racehorses are eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. Adoption organizations must be up to date on reporting data biannually to the Equine Welfare Data Collective (EWDC). If you’re unsure about your eligibility, you may contact therighthorse@aspca.org to confirm before applying.   

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans. We invite all voices to join us in working together to improve the lives of animals in need.

The FY 2027 Service Area Competition (SAC) funding aims to enhance healthcare access in underserved communities across the U.S. by providing grants for comprehensive primary and preventive health services. This initiative addresses essential health needs through competitive funding opportunities, ensuring that health centers can effectively serve their designated areas. Additional service areas may be announced as needed if current centers are unable to continue their operations, thus maintaining service continuity.

The Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program, administered by the USDA's NIFA, aims to enhance the capabilities of eligible institutions in agriculture and related fields. By providing financial support, the program encourages institutions to compete for federal funding, disseminate vital information, and foster community engagement in educational and research initiatives. This initiative is crucial for developing infrastructure, promoting faculty development, and establishing graduate assistantships to address national and regional agricultural priorities.

The Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Program, funded by the US HHS: Health Resources & Services Administration, aims to enhance the quality of care for adolescents and young adults. By establishing graduate training programs, LEAH prepares healthcare professionals to effectively address chronic disease prevention and improve access to team-based healthcare services for this population, ultimately fostering better health outcomes and empowering future leaders in adolescent health.

The Limited Competition Research Education Program for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program aims to enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation's biomedical and clinical research needs. It supports educational activities that facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into practical health interventions. Funded by the NIH, this program invites applications from eligible organizations, and only those with meritorious proposals will be considered for funding.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Knowles Future Teacher Scholarship Fund

The Knowles family has a history of being in the education field, and greatly values the teaching profession. The Knowles Future teacher Scholarship was established by the Knowles family and friends to encourage the next generation of teachers to continue their education past high school. Selection is based on acceptance to a college or university with a major in Education and a 3.0 GPA minimum. Evidence of good character, volunteer service, and demonstrated commitment to youth in a school setting area also selection considerations.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Improving Undergraduate Physics Education (IUPE) Award

The American Physical Society's (APS) Committee on Education (COE) seeks to recognize improvement in undergraduate physics education and support effective practices in education at the undergraduate level with the COE Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education.

This award will recognize up to three undergraduate physics programs, organizations, alliances, and networks each year and will focus on the entire undergraduate physics institution, organization, alliance, and/or network, rather than individual members of a department.

• Applicants may submit only one application per year.
• We encourage applicants not recognized in a particular year, to submit new applications after the award period has ended.
• To encourage broad participation and to motivate programs, organizations, alliances, and networks to commit to sustained improvement and achievement, awardees may submit new applications after three years.

The HRE USA 2025 Edmonds Summer Fellowship honors the legacy of Kirby Edmonds by offering young leaders hands-on experience in human rights education. This fellowship provides mentorship and learning opportunities to engage youth in creating human rights-friendly schools and communities. Supported by the Dorothy Cotton Institute, it aims to nurture future leaders committed to human rights advocacy. Eligible candidates must be 18 or older, reside in the U.S., and commit to 100 hours of work between June and August 2025.

The Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32) supports early-stage postdoctoral scholars through rigorous research and career development over three years. Applicants must submit their proposals up to a year before or two years after starting their postdoctoral positions. This award emphasizes innovative research ideas and strategic planning for training and mentorship, aiming to cultivate independent investigators in research fields aligned with the missions of NIH Institutes and Centers.

Stanislaus Community Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals. We believe that by investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter future for Stanislaus. 

Robert Woolley Scholarship

Open to graduating seniors from Stanislaus County attending a four-year university to study horticulture.

Award Amount:

• $10,000

The ASPCA Right Horse Grants aim to enhance equine adoptions and support community equines by funding programs that boost shelter capacity or assist in keeping owned equines in their homes. Grants between $5,000 and $50,000 are available, with a total funding pool of up to $750,000. Eligible applicants include ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Partners and organizations committed to the welfare of retired Thoroughbred racehorses. Proposals should clearly outline the objectives and expected impacts.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Sue Aplington Kreutz Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established in 2020 to support first-year college students accepted into a four-year college or university.

Stanislaus Community Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals. We believe that by investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter future for Stanislaus. 

Dr. Grant E. & Colleen Bare Scholarship

Open to current Modesto Junior College students and Stanislaus County students planning to transfer to a four-year college and pursue a degree in the fields of science, medical sciences and/or mathematics. 

Award Amount:

• Up to $3,500

The Zyne Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance and support Catholic faith-based organizations and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits dedicated to education, medical research, and family values. The foundation's mission focuses on making a direct impact on individuals' daily lives, ensuring that these initiatives can thrive both now and in the future, promoting community well-being and development.