Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Virginia

Stars, Stripes & Skilled Trades

General Motors invites eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to submit proposals for Stars, Stripes & Skilled Trades, a workforce development initiative designed to support veterans, transitioning service members, and military-connected family members—including spouses—in building lasting careers in manufacturing, automotive, and skilled trades. GM is seeking scalable, results-driven programs that create clear pathways to quality careers while recognizing the experience and leadership that veterans and military families bring to American industry. 

We're looking for existing initiatives that:

• Serve career-transitioning service members, veterans, and military-connected family members
• Provide industry-recognized training, certifications, or credentials
• Connect participants to mentorships, quality jobs, and long-term career pathways in manufacturing, automotive technician roles, or skilled trades.

Grant Range

• $100,000 | $250,000 | $500,000

The Justin J. Watt Foundation Grant supports after-school athletic opportunities for middle school children, focusing on programs that promote teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. Applications are accepted at specific times throughout the year, depending on the sport. Funding is available for essential uniforms and equipment but excludes non-essential items. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, ensuring they serve students in need and provide safe environments for athletic activities.

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to animal welfare in the U.S. It aims to maximize the benefit to animals through education, spay and neuter initiatives, and positive advocacy. The foundation focuses on impactful programs, encouraging grants that align with their mission to end animal overpopulation and cruelty. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while individuals and political lobbying efforts are excluded from funding.

The Health Policy Research Scholars program, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, aims to develop leadership among doctoral students from diverse, nonclinical disciplines. This four-year initiative focuses on aligning research with community health needs, emphasizing equity and collaboration across sectors. Scholars will receive $30,000 annually for up to four years, complemented by mentorship and training. The program targets second-year doctoral students who are committed to influencing health policy and fostering a Culture of Health in their communities.

The Center for Scholarship Administration

The Center for Scholarship Administration (CSA) provides corporations, foundations, trust funds, and individual philanthropists scholarship selection and administration management that is experienced, professional, and cost efficient while lending the program an integrity not inherent in internal selection committees.

Wickam, Ivie Frances scholarship

The Ivie Frances Wickam Scholarship Trust is providing scholarships for deserving students. The Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc. (CSA), a non-profit, independent organization is the facilitator of the scholarship fund.

This scholarship is for one year only; however, current recipients may reapply and be considered for additional funding along with other new applicants. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time. Scholarship recipients are limited to four total years of scholarship award and are expected to have been enrolled consecutive years during that time. Students must reapply for additional scholarship awards each year.

The Leifur Eiríksson Foundation Fellowship supports U.S. and Icelandic scholars in graduate research or study exchanges between the two countries. Applicants must be enrolled in accredited institutions and demonstrate a well-defined research project. The fellowship covers up to $25,000 in costs, including travel. The program promotes academic collaboration and cultural exchange, helping scholars enhance their education while fostering international relationships. Applications must be submitted by the deadline with all required documentation.

The Creative Economy Fund offers vital support to digital creators and entertainment professionals affected by the LA Wildfires. Catering to individuals in film, music, and performing arts, this fund provides assistance for those who have experienced home loss or damage. Eligible applicants include direct creators, employees of talent agencies, and other creative professionals, ensuring a broad reach within the entertainment community. With a focus on personalized resources and guidance, the fund aims to foster resilience in a challenging industry.

The James P Geiss And Margaret Y Hsu Foundation offers subvention awards to support not-for-profit academic presses in publishing books that align with its mission. Awards range from $5,000 to $7,500, with the possibility of exceeding this for projects requiring additional resources. Eligible applicants include publishers with not-for-profit tax status. The Foundation prioritizes applications that support first-time authors and enhance publications with visual elements like maps or illustrations.

Sanofi Genzyme offers support for medical contributions aimed at Health Care Professionals and Scientific Experts, ensuring no direct benefits to the company. The program includes financial contributions for independent medical education, scholarships, fellowships, and research projects in therapeutic areas of interest. Sanofi maintains a hands-off approach, emphasizing the autonomy of recipients and the integrity of educational content. For more details, please refer to the Sanofi website.

The KONG Toy Grant, offered by the Petfinder Foundation in collaboration with KONG, aims to enhance the adoptability of shelter pets by providing enriching toys. This initiative supports animal shelters and adopters throughout North America, helping to keep pets mentally stimulated and happy. By focusing on pet enrichment, the grant seeks to increase the chances of successful adoptions, thereby reducing the euthanasia of adoptable animals. Organizations that are Petfinder.com members can apply for these valuable resources.

Our Mission

We strengthen our community for current and future generations by helping people make a difference in the lives of all.

We believe in our community’s lasting goodness. In fact, making sure our community is always a special place for us to live is why we’re here.

Scholarships

Through the generosity of our donors, we have more than $2 million in scholarships available in 2025 to students from more than 60 high schools. We offer scholarships to high school seniors, college and nontraditional students, and K-12 art and music camps and lessons.

The Academy Martial Arts Leadership Scholarship

Background

The Academy Martial Arts Leadership has been serving families in the Fox Cities since 1995. As the founders/owners, Jeff & Amanda Denu have been passionate about making our community stronger one Black Belt at a time teaching martial arts, while reinforcing respect, self-discipline, integrity, and excellence. Their passion with community involvement and creating a positive learning environment inspires others to be their personal best, and to make a difference every day.

The AAPD Foundation provides Access to Care Grants aimed at ensuring dental care is accessible for all children. As the largest dentist-led charity, it supports community programs that deliver essential dental services. With a focus on innovative ideas and effective grant utilization, the foundation works tirelessly to promote healthy smiles for every child. By partnering with pediatric dentists, it strives to make a meaningful impact in communities nationwide.

Community Foundation of the North State

The Community Foundation builds trust through relationship, integrity, and by providing safe places for donors to give their resources.

We are a nonprofit, public charity serving the people of Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties, with a mission to impact the region through the power of giving.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of the North State manages many scholarship funds that are awarded to graduating high school seniors as well as students already in an undergraduate program. Some scholarships were started by families or individuals; others by businesses or organizations. All scholarships share one important focus: helping young people reach their educational goals.

Columbia Bank Kenneth R. Gifford, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program

The Columbia Bank Kenneth R. Gifford, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program (formerly Columbia Bank) awards ten, $1,000.00 scholarships each year. High school seniors attending school in Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama, Glenn, Colusa, Placer, Sacramento counties may apply.

Columbia Bank recognizes that our continued success is contingent upon the health and vitality of the communities we serve. Taking action to improve the well-being of others is a community responsibility and commitment we fully believe in and commit to. We value the opportunity to provide financial support to the youth in our communities.

The Onyx & Breezy Foundation Grant provides financial support to animal welfare organizations in need. By leveraging funds from generous donors, the foundation aims to help various initiatives, including medical treatment, spay and neuter services, and providing pet food. Eligible applicants must demonstrate non-profit status, while capital improvements and previously covered medical care are excluded from funding. For more details, please refer to the FAQs on their website.

The Petfinder Foundation's Disaster Response and Recovery Grants provide crucial support to Petfinder members affected by natural disasters. These grants assist organizations in recovering from events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, ensuring that adoptable pets receive necessary care. Eligible applicants must be active Petfinder members and demonstrate a need due to disasters occurring within the past 60 days. The initiative aims to enhance the resilience of shelters and rescue groups in challenging times.

Community Foundation of the North State

The Community Foundation builds trust through relationship, integrity, and by providing safe places for donors to give their resources.

We are a nonprofit, public charity serving the people of Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties, with a mission to impact the region through the power of giving.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of the North State manages many scholarship funds that are awarded to graduating high school seniors as well as students already in an undergraduate program. Some scholarships were started by families or individuals; others by businesses or organizations. All scholarships share one important focus: helping young people reach their educational goals.

Don & Debbie Bankson Scholarship Endowment Fund

This opportunity allows the donors to fulfill their desire to help Shasta County youth, with excellent academics and a strong community-service background, pursue a college education.

Don and Debbie Bankson are longtime residents of Shasta County with a passion to support the community they love. Through a donation of real property to the Shasta Regional Community Real Estate Foundation, the Banksons seeded the Don and Debbie Scholarship Fund to fulfill their desire to help Shasta County youth, with excellent academics and a strong community-service background, pursue a college education.

Gibson County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Gibson County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

Make a difference where it matters

Invest in the future of the community you love

Create greater good together

Lura and Doyle Skelton Family Memorial Scholarship

Annual, renewable scholarship created by the Hillside United Methodist Church and Lawrence F. Skelton in memory of his parents.

Award Amount

• $1,680

Renewal Details

May be renewable for up to four years. Renewal applications may be considered provided the recipient continues to meet his or her college or university’s academic standards. Renewal award amounts may differ from original award. A new recipient for the award will be identified once every four years. Renewal applications will be assigned to renewal candidates in their online student account.

Gibson County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Gibson County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

George and Dorothy Eykamp Scholarship (College Scholarship Award)

Annual, renewable scholarship created by Dorothy M. Eykamp to encourage Gibson County residents and the children of employees of Mid-States Rubber Products to further their education, to recognize academic achievement of those graduating from high school and continuing their education, and to motivate recipients to achieve maximum scholastic and vocational potential.

Award Amount

• $1,000

Renewal Details

May be renewable for consecutive junior and senior years. Renewal applications may be considered provided recipient has maintained a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) during the sophomore and junior years. Total awards will not exceed $3,500. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award (anticipated renewal award amount for junior year is $1,000 and anticipated renewal award amount for senior year is $1,500). Renewal applications will be assigned to renewal candidates in their online student account.

Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi 

The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi manages 314 donor-established funds and has disbursed over $48 million to support more than 1,000 charitable organizations and activities recommended by its donors, as well as charitable programs established by the foundation. Established in 2002 with a generous grant from the Maddox Foundation, the Community Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 charitable organization. The Foundation serves Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Leflore, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica and Yalobusha counties. 

Cindy Lipscomb Scholarship

To recognize an outstanding senior in DeSoto County, the DeSoto County Prayer Council established the DeSoto County Prayer Council Scholarship., now the Cindy Lipscomb Scholarship. The first scholarship was offered in Spring 2007 and continues to be open to all seniors in DeSoto County Schools each year.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Follow Your Dreams Scholarship

The Follow Your Dreams Scholarship, established in 2025, supports students from Cashmere High School who are pursuing post-secondary education through a trade school, apprenticeship, or certificate program. This scholarship is designed to encourage and assist students as they take the next step toward building practical skills, meaningful careers, and a future aligned with their goals.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Andrew J. Lavagnino Scholarship of Kindness

The Andrew J. Lavagnino Scholarship of Kindness honors Andrew Jonathan Lavagnino, a 2014 graduate of Eastmont High School. Andrew was known for the kindness, compassion, and joy that he brought to those around him. He was passionate about physical fitness, food, sports, music, and movies and loved his family, friends, and pets. This scholarship aims to support students who embody kindness and compassion to all those around them.

The Meyer Foundation's Restoration Fund aims to empower historically under-resourced communities in the Greater Washington, D.C. area by addressing systemic racial and economic inequities. The Sabbatical Grant Program offers four to eight weeks of restorative leave for eligible staff, ensuring they can continue their vital work in social justice. This initiative supports grassroots organizations, promotes well-being, and strengthens community leadership, with funding available for sabbatical activities and interim staffing needs.

The Woody and Gayle Hunt - Aspen Institute Fellowship aims to empower exceptional leaders from the Borderplex Region by providing financial support for participation in leadership development programs. This initiative focuses on expanding Latino prosperity and fostering economic connections between the U.S., Latin America, and Spain. Fellows gain vital skills and networks through public events and seminars, positioning them to make significant contributions to their communities and advance the common good.

The Learning & Leadership Grants support educators in enhancing their professional development and leadership skills. With funding up to $5,000, these grants are available for individual educators or groups pursuing high-quality learning experiences such as conferences and seminars. Eligible applicants must be current members of the National Education Association. These grants aim to empower educators to implement innovative practices in their classrooms, ultimately benefiting students and the educational community.

The Martinson Global Grants provide funding for students admitted to the John Martinson Honors Program at Northeastern University. These grants support participation in approved global experiences, including study abroad and alternative spring break programs. Internal admits can apply for funding to cover various expenses such as program fees, airfare, and housing. It's essential to submit the MGG Request Form and apply before the term's deadline. Note that tuition and personal travel costs are not covered.

The Global Support Fund offers up to $6,000 for First-Year/Direct admits at Northeastern University, enabling them to participate in various approved global experiences. Eligible students must complete the GSF Request Form after acceptance into a program, ensuring they meet deadlines. The funding can cover program fees, airfare, housing, meals, and required course materials, but cannot be used for tuition or personal travel. This initiative encourages exploration and cultural immersion for students.

The Mentored Clinician Scientist Grant, funded by the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, supports the career development of clinician scientists by providing dedicated research time for up to five years. Eligible applicants must have a proven track record in research, evidenced by receiving NIH K08 or K23 funding. This grant is renewable annually based on scientific progress and available funding, fostering a strong future in academic surgery.