Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Virginia

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community.Barbara Golenda Forsberg ScholarshipA scholarship will be given to a graduate of Munising, Superior Central, or Burt Township Schools pursuing a higher degree in arts, education, or music. Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, good attendance, and a history of community involvement. Students must submit a completed Forsberg Scholarship application and as essay of 300-500 words that includes insights about why they chose their field of study.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community.Eric & Danielle Beverly Scholarship FundThe Eric and Danielle Beverly Scholarship Fund was established in 2006 to recognize outstanding student-athletes graduating from Munising High School and extended in 2018 to recognize outstanding student-athletes graduating from other Alger County high schools. The annual program awards two (2) one-time grants each academic year. The recipients must be student-athletes who have demonstrated leadership and academic excellence during their high school career. Preference is given to students who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree in a medical-related field. Awards will be sent to the applicant’s selected college/university on their behalf. Applications are available in the spring of each year.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships. ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community.Frank & Mary Hausler Scholarship FundApplicants must be planning to pursue educational advancement in medicine, law, dentistry, engineering or the priesthood.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.

ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community. Lloyd C. Artibee ScholarshipApplicants must be planning to attend a university, college, technical, or vocational institution, and have been involved in community and/or school activities. 

The White-Reinhardt Grant offers funding for projects that enhance agricultural literacy among K-12 students. With grants of up to $1,000 available, state and county Farm Bureaus can initiate new educational programs or expand existing ones. This initiative, supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation and its Women’s Leadership Committee, honors the contributions of Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, aiming to bolster agricultural knowledge across the nation.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community.Michael G. Lindquist, PhD ScholarshipA scholarship will be given to a graduate of any Alger County high school planning to pursue a degree in engineering, chemistry, math, or physics. Academic excellence coupled with financial need are prime considerations.

The Veterans' Scholarships, established by the American Australian Association, provide financial support to post-9/11 military veterans from Australia and the USA. Scholarships of up to $40,000 are available for those pursuing full-time undergraduate studies in the respective countries. Since 2017, over $2.8 million has been awarded, fostering educational opportunities that enhance skills and promote successful careers after military service. Eligibility criteria include being an honorably discharged veteran and planning to study full-time.

The RNomics Outreach and Coordination (ROC) Center, established by the NIH Common Fund, aims to enhance understanding of RNA molecules through integrated analysis. This center will serve as a hub for data management and community engagement, developing a central data portal, supporting data standards, and coordinating consortium-wide analyses. By fostering collaborations and providing training, the ROC Center seeks to ensure the long-term availability of essential RNomics resources, ultimately advancing health and disease research.

The RNomics Technology Enhancement Centers, supported by the NIH Common Fund, aim to enhance tools for comprehensive RNA analysis, facilitating insights into health and disease. This initiative focuses on developing technologies for RNA sequencing, modification mapping, and functional testing. By fostering collaborations and strengthening existing resources, RTECs will advance the study of RNA molecules, ensuring broad community access to improved experimental and computational methods.

The Russell Sage Foundation is launching the Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System Grant to support early-career scholars in conducting causal research related to the criminal justice system, including police, courts, and probation. This initiative aims to build a pipeline of researchers and enhance collaboration through a capstone conference. Eligible applicants must be tenure-track assistant professors in the U.S. The next deadline is expected in April 2026, with a budget limit of $100,000 for one-year projects.

The Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness Fellowship Program invites young individuals aged 14-24 to engage in community projects, bridging divides and tackling pressing issues nationwide. In 2025, 500 changemakers will form 100 teams, enhancing their civic skills through collaboration and discussions. Participants will receive stipends and reimbursement funding, while committing to regular meetings and project work. This initiative aims to empower diverse youth populations, providing equitable access to civic education and leadership opportunities as America approaches its 250th anniversary.

The Professional & Technical Training Scholarships-Mission San Rafael Scholarship, offered by 10,000 Degrees, aims to support Marin County students with financial need pursuing vocational programs that lead to a license or certificate. Eligible applicants include Marin residents or San Rafael Unified School District graduates, attending accredited training institutions. This initiative provides not only financial aid but also essential resources to ensure students' success in their educational journeys.

The Teaching Credential Scholarship, administered by 10,000 Degrees, offers two opportunities for aspiring educators. The Marin Retired Teachers Association Scholarship supports Marin County high school graduates pursuing fifth-year teaching credentials or master's degrees in education. Meanwhile, the Building Better Teachers Scholarship aids early care and education teachers in advancing their studies towards a bachelor's or master's degree. Both scholarships encourage applicants to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and are aimed at fostering the next generation of educators.

The Faye Lynn Deckard Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Brown County Community Foundation, aims to provide scholarships for students accepted into accredited two- or four-year institutions. This fund supports residents of Brown County pursuing degrees in early childhood education, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder their educational aspirations. Since its inception, the foundation has been dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for local students, reinforcing its commitment to community development and academic achievement.

The Harry D. Poling Scholarship, managed by the Brown County Community Foundation, supports current and former 4-H members pursuing higher education or vocational training. Established to assist students from Brown County, this scholarship prioritizes those seeking CDL or vocational training, emphasizing financial need. Since 1993, the Foundation has focused on educational initiatives, providing numerous scholarships to local graduates and working closely with The Lilly Endowment Inc. for enhanced educational opportunities.

The Spring Scholarships, offered by Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation (MVCF), provide vital tuition support for students pursuing higher education, including college and professional development programs. MVCF fosters community collaboration to enrich the cultural landscape and ensure the sustainability of the Island. Since 1982, their commitment has been to honor the past, support the present, and invest in the future of Martha’s Vineyard's diverse community.

The Dorothy Stewart Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Brown County Community Foundation, aims to foster interest in public and environmental affairs. It provides financial support to graduates of Brown County High School or G.E.D. recipients who demonstrate exceptional citizenship and community involvement. Eligible candidates must pursue a degree in relevant fields, ensuring that the scholarship contributes to the development of future leaders in these critical areas.

The Cindy Colglazier Scholarship, managed by the Brown County Community Foundation, aims to support students pursuing education in healthcare fields at accredited institutions. This scholarship is available to residents of Bartholomew, Brown, and Monroe Counties, including high school graduates, current college students, and G.E.D. graduates. The Foundation has a long-standing commitment to education and provides essential funding to help students achieve their academic goals.

The Data-Driven Reporting Project (DDRP) supports local news journalists and freelancers in the US and Canada, focusing on document-based investigative projects for underrepresented communities. It provides financial awards up to $35,000, covering 80% of project costs, along with specialized training on Google Journalist Studio tools. Recipients are encouraged to share their core source documents post-publication to benefit the journalism community. Applications are open to small to midsize newsrooms and freelance journalists with proven track records.

The Booker T. Jones Scholarship Fund offers $5,000 to students graduating from MINACT-run Job Corps programs who plan to attend college. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens with a high school diploma or GED, accepted at a four-year historically Black college or university, and have completed technical training at a MINACT Job Corps Center. This scholarship honors the legacy of Booker T. Jones, who dedicated his life to empowering disadvantaged communities through education.

The Bettye Smith Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund honors a dedicated advocate for education, offering two $10,000 scholarships annually to high school seniors in Warren County, MS. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens with strong academic records and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship celebrates the legacy of Ms. Brown, who inspired many to pursue their educational dreams, ensuring her commitment to academic excellence continues to impact future generations.

Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship

The Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship (supported by the George W. Bush Foundation) provides one or more annual scholarships for up to $10,000 to lawful permanent residents of the United States, U.S. citizens or refugees who were born in North Korea pursuing an educational program in the United States or its possessions. North Korean-born individuals pursuing a degree in accredited colleges and universities in the United States with South Korean citizenship are eligible to apply.

This scholarship may be renewed on an annual basis by completing the scholarship application in full. Renewal applications will be reviewed alongside first-time applicants.

The BETA Scholarship Fund, managed by the Brown County Community Foundation, provides financial support to residents of Brown County, Indiana, under the age of 25. This scholarship is designed for individuals pursuing education or certification at vocational, trade, or skills schools. Since its inception, the Foundation has focused on enhancing educational opportunities for local youth, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder their academic aspirations.

The FY 2027 State and Regional Primary Care Association (PCA) Cooperative Agreements aim to enhance the technical assistance provided to Health Center Program award recipients and look-alikes. This initiative focuses on improving access to preventive and primary health care, managing chronic diseases, and ensuring a capable health center workforce. By implementing value-based care strategies and leveraging data for operational improvements, the program seeks to support the health of vulnerable communities effectively.

The JUF Springboard Access Grant aims to make Jewish programming more accessible for teens in grades 8-12 in the Chicago area. This grant covers up to 50% of the tuition costs for first-time participants in multi-day programs organized by approved Jewish nonprofits. It encourages teens to engage with their community and explore new interests while ensuring financial barriers are lowered. Eligible teens are expected to share their experiences with the organization after participating.

The Veterans' Scholarships program, established by the American Australian Association, offers financial support to post-9/11 military veterans from Australia and the USA for graduate studies. With over $2.8 million awarded, eligible veterans can receive up to $40,000 for tuition, travel, and living expenses. This initiative fosters educational opportunities and career development, encouraging veterans to pursue their academic goals in each other's countries.

American Gastroenterological Association

The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, AGA represents members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice, and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research, and educational programs of the organization.

AGA-Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This award provides funding for three years to early-career faculty (i.e., investigator, instructor, research associate or equivalent) working toward an independent career in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research.

Objective

The objective of the AGA Research Foundation Research Scholar Award (RSA) is to support early-career investigators working toward independent and productive research careers in digestive diseases by ensuring that a major proportion of their time is protected for mentored research (i.e., a minimum of 50 percent effort dedicated to the proposed project). This award will support junior faculty (not fellows) who have demonstrated exceptional promise and have some record of accomplishment in research pertaining to inflammatory bowel disease.

Review all of the benefits AGA Research Scholar Award recipients are entitled to on the award policies page.

Application Requirements

• Maintain AGA membership throughout the three-year duration of the award.

• Applicants must self-assign their proposal to one of the following categories:
  • Clinical: Research involving direct contact with human subjects or using clinical data to address problems related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment or outcome of human diseases (e.g., clinical epidemiology). This category also includes research related to health care delivery (e.g., health services, health IT).
  • Basic/Translational: Research with a primary goal of understanding basic biology or disease mechanisms. This category can involve animal subjects, cell culture, human biospecimens or human data as resources for laboratory- or informatics-based investigation.

• Resources allocated through this award are intended to support the career development of the applicant. The applicant must allocate a minimum of 50 percent effort to the proposed project.

• Applicants are required to have a sponsor and mentor for the award; one individual may serve in the capacity of both positions. A sponsor (typically a division chief or department chair) is an individual who takes responsibility for the quality assessment of the proposed research project, the quality of the research environment within which the project will be undertaken, and the experience and expertise of the principal investigator and other key researchers involved. A mentor will supervise the principal investigator’s research activities ensuring timelines and deliverables and will work with the applicant to create a research career development plan.

• The intent of this award is to foster the scientific independence of junior investigators. Applicants whose research activities become incorporated into a grant application from a senior mentor will need to delineate clearly the scientific and experimental distinctions between their respective programs. This requirement applies both to pending applications submitted prior to review of this award and to applications submitted during the term of the RSA. It must also be clearly stated how the work submitted by the applicant is that of the applicant and not that of the senior mentor(s).

• A complete research facilities and resources form must be submitted.

• Biographical sketches for the applicant, mentor and other key personnel must be submitted.

• Applicants resubmitting a revised application from a prior cycle must include a resubmission report describing responses to reviewer feedback and other major changes since the most recent past submission.

• Upon notification of receipt of this award, the recipient must provide institutional approval from the appropriate committee(s) for use of human subjects or animals. If approval is not necessary, then the recipient must provide documentation from the appropriate regulatory committee.

• Recipients must submit scientific and financial progress reports to AGA annually and final reports 60 days after the end date of the award period. Report templates and instructions are provided to awardees at the time of acceptance. Second and third year funding are contingent upon the submission and accuracy of this documentation.

• All publications, presentations, abstracts, and patent applications arising from work funded by this program must acknowledge support of the AGA–Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Scholar Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

• Additional pre-award policies are available on the Research Award Policies page.

Award Overlap

• At the time of application submission, applicants may not hold, or have held, an NIH K01, K08, K23, K99, R00, R01, R21, R29, Veterans Affairs Career Development Award or any award with similar objectives from non-federal sources (e.g., the American Liver Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation).

• Applicants who have held a K12 or KL2 in the past are eligible to apply. Applicants with an active K12 or KL2 may apply in the final year of their active K12 or KL2 so long as the award will end before the Research Scholar Award term begins.

• If a applicant is granted the award and notified of a comparable award from another agency prior to the first payment of this award, then the recipient must select one of the two awards (i.e., the recipient may not retain both awards).

• If the recipient is notified that a comparable award has been granted after the first payment of this award, then the recipient may retain up to 50 percent of the remainder of his or her AGA award. AGA must be notified by the recipient via email within two weeks of receiving notification of additional funding.