Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in Vermont

The Bay Area Lyme Foundation's Emerging Leader Award supports innovative research in Lyme disease, offering two $150,000 grants to post-doctoral and early-career scientists. Applicants are encouraged to propose proof-of-concept projects that enhance diagnostics or therapeutics. The award seeks to attract talent and foster scientific leadership in biomedical sciences. Evaluation criteria include the potential for novel therapies, scientific rationale, and support from institutions. This opportunity is ideal for those new to tickborne disease research.

The American Epilepsy Society offers Seed Grants to support established researchers in exploring innovative research methodologies and collaborations. These grants aim to foster new lines of inquiry in epilepsy research. Notably, proposals that align with specific partner priorities may enjoy waived eligibility criteria, enhancing funding opportunities. This initiative seeks to advance understanding and treatment of epilepsy through novel research avenues.

The Roesler, Max and Elizabeth Memorial Scholarship Fund supports non-traditional students aged 25 and older in Noble County, Indiana, pursuing higher education or retraining. This fund awards $1,500 to applicants enrolled in any accredited college, university, or trade school. Applicants may be full-time or part-time students and may reapply. The scholarship reflects the commitment of generous donors to invest in local students' educational goals.

The SABIC Innovative Plastics Scholarship supports the children of employees at the Mt. Vernon, Indiana facility, providing financial aid for post-secondary education. Eligible students include graduating seniors from any U.S. high school who are dependents of active employees. Selection is based on academic performance, leadership, and community involvement. Applicants must also submit an essay detailing their goals and achievements, along with an official grade transcript. This scholarship fosters educational advancement for employee families.

The Laine - Casey Laine Armed Services Scholarship, established to honor Lieutenant Casey Laine Swakon, supports students from the Coastal Bend area who have participated in JROTC or are part of ROTC programs. Eligible candidates include high school seniors, current college students, and veterans. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and complete at least 12 credit hours per semester, ensuring they are well-prepared for their academic pursuits.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the validation of biomarkers and assays for cancer detection and treatment. This funding opportunity allows for biphasic or monophasic applications to support both analytical and clinical validation phases. Successful projects will leverage human specimens to develop assays that enhance cancer treatment and prevention, ensuring multidisciplinary collaboration among scientists and clinicians. This initiative aims to improve cancer management through reliable and clinically validated tools.

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.

In God We Trust, Mitchelle T. Savage Memorial Scholarship Fund

The In God We Trust, Mitchelle T. Savage Memorial Scholarship was established to provide educational opportunities beyond high school for Battle Creek area graduates or graduating seniors. Eligible recipients will be graduating seniors from Battle Creek area public and private schools who will be attending a college that is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Access Advocate for Clinical Research Participation

Objective:

This program will support implementation and evaluation of a Parkinson’s disease (PD) focused Access Advocate model designed to increase inclusive research participation. Funding will support Access Advocates at clinical sites to build practical, relationship based pathways to improving representative research enrollment and retention.

Funding Details:

• Duration: 24 months 
• Award Amount: $200,000 

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and its inclusive recruitment strategy has examined what barriers and motivators shape participation (e.g., FIRE-UP PD study3) as well as funded sites to pilot tactics that address those barriers (e.g., Black & African American Connections to Parkinson’s Disease study4). Now we aim to scale and validate approaches that show early promise by investing more deeply and measuring impact across settings.

This program will fund advocates at clinical sites to build practical, relationship-based pathways to improving representative research enrollment and retention. These support staff will help patients and care partners navigate health system complexity and everyday needs that often determine whether research participation is feasible. They will help address barriers such as transportation, caregiving responsibilities, language needs, and insurance and financial strains by connecting people to resources, coordinating logistics and providing consistent follow-up. These advocates also should discuss research participation opportunities with patients and connect them to recruiting studies.

The model is grounded in the idea that research participation is more feasible when (i) foundational practical needs are addressed first and (ii) raised by a trusted health care partner. By helping to reduce practical barriers, advocates are expected to increase screenings, enrollment conversion and retention across key trial milestones.

This program will test these hypotheses and further establish training, infrastructure needs and sustainability of such positions.

Program Goal

This program aims to:

• Support establishment of site-based Access Advocates to support potential participants and care partners across multiple active or planned PD studies.
• Evaluate needs and opportunities for onboarding and ongoing training for advocates in PD and clinical research fundamentals as well as site and local resources.
• Recommend repeatable workflows for identifying prospective participants, assessing barriers, connecting them to resources, coordinating logistics and supporting follow-up.
• Collect and report a core set of evaluation metrics across sites (reach, encounters, referrals, screened, enrolled, retained), including barrier tracking and resolution.
• Evaluate the impact of Access Advocates in recruiting and retaining underrepresented community individuals to/in Parkinson’s studies.
• Evaluate the impact of Access Advocates on “health system value” indicators (e.g., appointment adherence/show rates, medication access/adherence proxies) that could support funding sustainability from other sources.
• Establish a cross-site learning community that enables funded sites to share lessons, refine the Access Advocate model and inform broader adoption beyond the funding period.

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

Paul and Libby Kara Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Paul M. Kara, who established the Paul and Libby Kara Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The Paul and Libby Kara Scholarship Fund helps graduating seniors or adult/returning students with significant financial need. It is designed to help students with the "last dollars" needed to continue their education. Paul and Libby believe that every student should be able to achieve their educational goals.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

Gary Martin Swim Scholarship Fund

This is a scholarship established in memory of Gary Eugene Martin, and is open to Alaska students entering or enrolled in colleges or trade schools who have been involved in competitive swimming at the high school level in Alaska. 

The Gary Martin Swim Scholarship Fund was established with The Alaska Community Foundation in 2015. Gary Eugene Martin was a longtime resident of Soldotna, Alaska who lifted others up with his positivity and encouraging nature. His list of volunteer activities is long and reflects how much he cared about those he shared a community with. Gary was known to his family as someone who loved animals and spoiled his grandchildren. He showed his passion for helping youth through his involvement in competitive swimming. For years, he served as an official coach and mentor to many young swimmers.

His legacy carries on today through the awarding of the Gary Martin Swim Scholarship. 

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

Rocket Scholars Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the parents and alumni of Reeths Puffer Schools, who established the Rocket Scholars Foundation Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The Rocket Scholars Foundation was created by parents and alumni with two purposes in mind:

• To continue to foster within the school system a culture of rigorous academic achievement for all students and
• To offer those students who have demonstrated high achievement, scholarships to help defray the increasingly expensive tuition costs at colleges, universities and accredited post-secondary vocational and technical schools.

The Biocodex Microbiota Foundation invites early career researchers in the microbiome field from U.S. institutions to apply for the 2024 grant. This initiative focuses on groundbreaking research into gut microbiota's role in human health and disease, particularly in areas like circadian rhythms and metabolic disorders. The grant supports operational costs, allowing for innovative projects aimed at fostering independent research careers in microbiota studies.

About The Community Foundation of Hancock County

We are a nonprofit, public charity that encourages philanthropy, convenes and leads community initiatives, provides educational support, and supports nonprofit organizations. We are here to assist you in helping others…your friends, your neighbors, as well as some residents you’ve never met but need support.

Our Mission

We provide philanthropic leadership by encouraging giving, learning, community pride, and civic engagement. 

Our Vision

We envision a county in which each person has the opportunity to pursue dreams, enjoy daily life, and invest in meaningful causes. 

Scholarships for Adults & Non-Traditional Students

The Community Foundation of Hancock County offers educational support for Hancock County, Indiana adults who are seeking post-secondary training or schooling to improve their career prospects. There are also some opportunities provided by specific businesses in the area. The application is open year-round until all funds are used.

Helen Roath Memorial Fund

Established by Helen’s husband, Rollo, the fund is intended to help adult students return to the classroom.

About Us

Who We Are

The Wayne County Community Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community organization that works to strengthen the community we all share by helping donors make a lasting difference with their philanthropic endeavors – connecting their dreams and passions with causes that matter.

Established in 1978 with a single gift of $1,000, WCCF has become the steward of over 620 separate funds created from bequests and gifts, each with their own philanthropic purpose to support the future of our community now – and for many years to come.

The mission of Wayne County Community Foundation is to provide philanthropic leadership to our community.

Don and Teara Buren Scholarship

Eligibility:

This scholarship was established in memory of Sara Cottrel and is available to graduating or graduated high school students attending Congress Community Church located at 10691 Franchester Rd., West Salem, Ohio.

Applicant should demonstrate a balance among:

academic achievement of at least a 3.75 GPA if attending high school or at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA if attending an accredited college, university or technical school;

participation in extra-curricular activities; and

participation in community service and/or part-time employment.

Preference will be given to those with the greatest financial need.

If no eligible students from Congress Community Church qualify, then the scholarship will be available to any Northwestern High School graduating senior, based on the criteria listed above.

Past recipients may reapply, up to a maximum of four years. These applications will be included in the pool of candidates for the current year's selection process.

About Us

Who We Are

The Wayne County Community Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community organization that works to strengthen the community we all share by helping donors make a lasting difference with their philanthropic endeavors – connecting their dreams and passions with causes that matter.

Established in 1978 with a single gift of $1,000, WCCF has become the steward of over 620 separate funds created from bequests and gifts, each with their own philanthropic purpose to support the future of our community now – and for many years to come.

The mission of Wayne County Community Foundation is to provide philanthropic leadership to our community.

MIRK, Inc. Scholarship

Eligibility:

Applicant must be a current graduating seniors of any high school located in Wayne County, Ohio. Applicant musts have a demonstrated financial need, a drive for success, and a strong work ethic. Emphasis shall be given to students who have overcome great adversity or challenges, either academically or otherwise. Although not required, student with Individual Education Plans (IEP) and 504 Plans are encouraged to apply.

Two renewable scholarships shall be made:

• one to an applicant pursing a four-year degree at an accredited college or university;
• one to an applicant pursing a 2-year (or less) degree or a training certificate at an accredited or licensed trade, vocational, or technical school.

Renewable (up to 4 years)

Up to $5,000 each

Two (one 4-year degree, one 2- year degree/certificate or less)

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

Sherman R. Poppen Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Sherman R. Poppen, who established the Sherman R. Poppen Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Nancy Poppen was an artist who wanted children to explore and develop their talents in the fine arts. Prior to her death, in 1993, she established a fund in her name to provide "individualized arts opportunities" for Muskegon Public Schools students in grades three through 12. Her husband, Sherman Poppen, has watched the talents of over one hundred students develop over these last few years. Feeling the need to continue to support their talents, he established the Sherman R. Poppen Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships for Muskegon High School graduates who have participated in programs funded through the Nancy K. Poppen Fund. Now these students, pursuing arts studies at accredited colleges and universities or under the tutelage of master artists, can be assured of continued support and backing.

The NIH StrokeNet initiative invites applications for multi-site exploratory and confirmatory clinical trials targeting interventions for stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery. This includes biomarker validation studies and ancillary studies to enhance active research. Successful applicants will collaborate within the NIH StrokeNet framework, with support from the National Coordinating Center and Data Management Center to ensure efficient study implementation and robust statistical analysis. Key deadlines for application submissions span from March 2024 to November 2026.

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

Stanley C. and Maxine G. Sutherland Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Stanley Sutherland, Jr., who established the Stanley C. and Maxine G. Sutherland Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Education was important to Maxine Sutherland. She graduated from Muskegon Junior College in 1940, received her nursing degree from the Hackley School of Nursing in 1942, and continued her education over the years until she received a B.S. in Education from Western Michigan University. Nursing was also important to Maxine, and over the years she was employed by Hackley Hospital, Visiting Nurses, and the office of her brother, Dr. Griffith. In her memory, her husband, Stanley Sutherland, Jr., has established the Maxine G. Sutherland Memorial , a donor advised , which will assist Muskegon County residents to pursue careers in nursing and other health related fields as well as support other projects and programs that were equally important to her.

The AHA Quest for Quality Prize recognizes hospitals and health systems that demonstrate exceptional leadership in improving care quality and advancing health. Applicants should showcase innovative models of care and effective partnerships with community organizations. One winner and two finalists will be honored at the 2026 AHA Leadership Summit in Denver. This award aims to inspire hospitals to commit to patient-centered care and address healthcare disparities, ultimately enhancing community health outcomes.

The Nellie Mae Event Sponsorship Fund supports one-time events that promote education justice and racial equity in New England. Organizations targeting local communities, with annual budgets under $2 million, can apply for funding for events scheduled in 2025 or early 2026. The foundation prioritizes public entities and 501(c)3 educational organizations, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities for all students. Note that operational costs and online fundraising are not eligible for funding.

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

Lewis G. and Margaret R. Curtis Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Lewis and Margaret, who established the Lewis G. and Margaret R. Curtis Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Margaret Curtis wished to establish two scholarships; one for females pursuing careers in nursing or health care careers and the other for a male pursuing a vocational, technical or trade career scholarship. Mrs. Curtis, a nurse in the area, provided for this fund in her will in memory of her husband and herself. She stated that the income be used to award scholarships in two fields, nursing and vocational training.

The NESOT Fall Meeting Student Poster Awards, presented by the Society of Toxicology, recognize outstanding student presentations at the Northeast Regional Chapter Fall Meeting. Eligible candidates include undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students who are NESOT members. Awards include $750 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd, and $250 for 3rd, along with a separate $125 award for an undergraduate poster presentation, fostering engagement and excellence in the field of toxicology.

The NESOT Fall Meeting Postdoc Poster Award, established by the Society of Toxicology, recognizes Postdocs presenting posters at the Northeast Regional Chapter Fall Meeting. Eligible candidates must be NESOT members affiliated with institutions in the region, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The award of $500 will be presented at the NESOT Annual Meeting, where abstracts will be reviewed by judges prior to the event.

About the Awards

The late Dr. James F. Fries, formerly professor emeritus of medicine at Stanford University, came up with the idea for the James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health in a 1987 ascent of Nepal’s Makalu—one of the world’s highest peaks—when his party became trapped in a severe snowstorm and was ultimately unable to scale the mountain.

Following that experience, Dr. Fries returned to sea level and set about establishing a foundation to support a Nobel-like prize for health that now annually awards a $100,000 prize to an an outstanding leader judged by an expert panel to have done the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the field of health.

In 1992 the Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award was established in honor of Elizabeth Fries, daughter of James and Sarah Fries. The $50,000 prize is awarded annually to an individual judged to have made substantial contributions to their area of health education and health promotion. Sarah Fries remained active in the Fries Awards for Health program until her death in May 2017, and Jim Fries remained active in the awards until his death in November 2021.

The CDC Foundation is honored to partner with the James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation, which established and funds the award. As of 2016, the CDC Foundation manages and administers the Fries Awards for Health program, which include the James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health and the Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award.

The Fiscal Year 2026 Flood Mitigation Assistance program aims to enhance flood mitigation funding delivery, focusing on the needs of disaster survivors. This federal initiative, managed by FEMA, provides essential funds to states, territories, and local governments to mitigate flood risks and reduce repetitive damage to properties insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. The program supports various activities designed to lower the financial exposure of the NFIP while promoting community resilience against flooding.

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.

George Byelich Student Athletic Scholarship Fund

Participation in and enjoyment of sports and athletics were a big part of George's life. Growing up in Lansing, Michigan as the fifth child in a family of eight of immigrant parents, George somehow managed to learn how to play golf at an early age. Golf and the friendships he made in the sport were a very important and enjoyable part of his life. George also ran on the Track and Cross country teams at Lansing Eastern High School and ran Cross Country at Michigan State University. The Lakeview School District, its students and staff were also a very important part of George's life. By living across the street from Lakeview High School, having two sons graduate from there and by participating in many school-related activities over the course of thirty years, George made many cherished friends and acquaintances with the students, staff and coaches. Through his efforts over twenty years as a volunteer timer and referee for LHS, Kellogg Community College and Battle Creek Swim Club swim meets, George got to know several generations of swimmers and their families. George also volunteered as a timer for Cross Country meets, and for a number of years was a volunteer assistant tot he Boys' and Girls' Golf Teams. In these and other sports, George especially enjoyed seeing the development and progression of the athletes, both in sports and as individuals. As sports and athletics were so important to his development and enjoyment, George was always glad to see a child's interest in any type of sport of physical activity and did his best to encourage it. Accordingly, his family is very appreciative and proud that this Fund has been established in recognition of George, and may in some way assist in the growth and development of students through their participation in sports or athletics. 

The CTTSS Graduate Students Research Award, offered by the Society of Toxicology, recognizes outstanding research by current Ph.D. students in translational and clinical toxicology. Recipients are announced at the SOT Annual Meeting, with the first-place winner receiving a cash award and certificate. This award aims to encourage innovation and academic growth among graduate students in the field of toxicology, enhancing the impact of their research on human, animal, and environmental health.