Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Virginia

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Edwin P. and Patricia A. Pedersen Scholarship Fund

Students from Jupiter, Florida and graduated (or are graduating) from Jupiter High School.

The American Italian Benevolent Society Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors and college students of Italian descent residing in Lake or Porter County. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and can re-apply annually. Preference is given to those with family ties to the Society, ensuring that community values are upheld while providing essential financial assistance for education.

The DAV Charitable Service Trust provides essential support to empower veterans in leading dignified lives. This private funder focuses on rehabilitation programs, mobility enhancements for veterans with disabilities, and assistance for aging and homeless veterans. Additionally, it addresses the needs of veterans affected by recent conflicts and supports their caregivers and families. Grants are available to eligible organizations recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt, ensuring that the trust's mission effectively reaches those who have served.

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

Ravenna Community Educational Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of many people in the Ravenna Community, who established the Ravenna Community Educational Foundation Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Dolores E. (Dee) Swanson gave the initial gift to start this back in December 2006. At that time it was a Build A Fund, but a gift from Rudolph and Ruth Lonnee put it over the top late in 2007. The Ravenna Community Educational Foundation intends to use it to enhance the quality of education through educational opportunities by generating and distributing financial and other resources for the benefit of the students and staff of the Ravenna Community Schools.

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

Reverend Moses J. Jones Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Reverend Moses J. Jones, who established the Reverend Moses J. Jones Endowment Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Born in 1898, Reverend Moses J. Jones was one of Muskegon's most beloved ministers. The Pastor of John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church of Muskegon for 36 years, he founded the Urban League of Muskegon and received numerous honors including the Ambassador of Goodwill Award. Reverend Jones committed his life to building racial harmony in Muskegon. He helped establish this Scholarship in 1982 to make awards to deserving youths based on their contributions to their community, school, and church. Through this, Reverend Moses J. Jones continues to support the values of community awareness and harmony by granting the lasting gift of education to Muskegon-area youth. Reverend Jones died in 1989. His legacy lives on through this fund.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Cherokee Nation Foundation Scholarship

The Cherokee Nation Foundation scholarship is available to Cherokee Nation students who have attended one of CNF’s immersive preparatory programs (College Prep Camp or CCPI) in the summer before their 11th or 12th grade year. The scholarship is eligible for renewal for up to four years and awarded upon high school graduation and enrollment in a higher education institution.

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.

John "Jack" and Jo Schils Scholarship Fund

The John "Jack" and Jo Schils Scholarship Fund was established by the Schils family in 2020 as a memorial tribute to John "Jack" Schils, a multi-sports coach, athletic director, teacher, principal, father, grandfather, husband and friend to many. This fund supports students from the Battle Creek Public Schools District where Jack was employed from 1958 until his retirement in 1986.

About

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is an independent, public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of local civic leaders to gather permanent funds to support our area.

The Foundation’s service area now includes Danville, Pittsylvania and Halifax counties in Virginia as well as Caswell County, NC.

Scholarship Information

Currently, The Community Foundation administers 75 separate endowed scholarship funds. Established by individuals or organizations, these funds help area students achieve their academic and career-oriented goals.

Scholarships through the Community Foundation support individuals of all ages who reside within the Dan River Region – Danville, VA; Pittsylvania and Halifax counties, VA; and Caswell County, NC. In 2025, we awarded more than $370,000 to 152 students.

Frank S. Dillon Scholarship

Open applications for graduates in Danville, Pittsylvania, Halifax or Caswell County pursuing training recognized as career, technical, or vocational education.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Cherokee Nation Freedman Descendants Scholarship

Applicant must be a Cherokee Nation citizen, may live in or outside of the Cherokee Nation Reservation and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

The Basil L. King Scholarship Foundation offers two-year scholarships to St. Lucie County residents pursuing careers in health sciences. Established in 1978, the Foundation supports students with financial needs and encourages local talent to return to the Treasure Coast after graduation. To qualify, applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be accepted into a Health Science program. Awards are determined annually, ensuring support for future healthcare professionals.

The Falls Church Community Services Fund Grant supports human service programs for the residents of Falls Church, Virginia. Administered by the Housing and Human Services unit, it offers competitive grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Oversight is provided by the Human Services Advisory Council, ensuring community needs are addressed effectively. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for local residents through various essential services.

The Dynamics, Control and Systems Diagnostics (DCSD) program focuses on advancing dynamic systems engineering to tackle critical societal challenges. It encourages innovative research proposals that enhance understanding and applications in areas such as climate change, infrastructure resilience, and healthcare. The program emphasizes both scientific merit and broader societal impacts, promoting inclusivity and evidence-based approaches. Proposals should align with NSF's Merit Review Principles and seek adequate funding to successfully achieve project goals.

The Next Generation of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program Trial Innovation Network aims to tackle significant challenges in multi-center clinical trials. By enhancing trial efficiency and safety through innovative solutions, the initiative seeks to improve the design and execution of these studies. Key areas of focus include safety monitoring tools, trial leader mentorship, and advancements in digital health technologies. This program invites eligible organizations to apply for funding to promote groundbreaking clinical research.

Digital Promise

Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. Working with a wide range of partners and practitioners in the U.S. and around the world, our initiatives have impacted over 4.4 million students and 180,000 teachers across 173 districts and in 27 countries to date.

Digital Promise was authorized by Congress in 2008, signed into law by President George W. Bush, and formally launched by President Barack Obama in September 2011. Startup support came from the U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Corporation of New York, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since then, Digital Promise has grown rapidly with support from both original and new funders.

AIMS EduData Initiative

The Advancing Innovative Math Solutions (AIMS) EduData Initiative, funded by the Gates Foundation, seeks to build sustainable and scalable research infrastructure to advance math learning. AIMS EduData especially encourages applications from graduate students and early career professionals, educators with research roles, such as those working in district research offices, and researchers located at minority serving institutions or Title I school districts. Successful applicants will conduct original research using datasets provided by leading digital learning platforms (DLPs) and participate in a growing community.

RightOn Education and Teachley Math RFP

For education researchers and practitioners

Benefits for successful applicants:

• Opportunity to investigate associations between features of a Digital Learning Platform and mechanisms supporting student learning, engagement, motivation, and instructional practice.
• Opportunity to contribute to the education R&D movement by expanding its capacity and skills, providing feedback to DLPs about the utility of their datasets and insights about their features, and demonstrating the affordances and value of conducting research through DLPs.
• Involvement in a dynamic, supportive community of digital learning providers and researchers
• Two proposals will be funded

This solicitation offers opportunities to run experiments in two DLPs. One enables research with Teachley Math, an intervention that includes interactive digital games and problem-solving modeling tools, lessons and formative assessment data for students in grades K-5. The second enables research with RightOn Education, an online digital learning platform for grades 7-10 that allows teachers to create or select math games, engage students in feedback and reflection on their thinking, and access real-time information about student misconceptions. 

Teachley Math

Teachley Math is particularly interested in research investigating:

• Through what mechanisms does feedback shape outcomes?
• What sequences of tool actions best predict eventual correctness?
• What are common error patterns and do they vary by grade level?
• Do process measures add predictive validity beyond final-answer accuracy?

Nikon USA is dedicated to supporting innovative initiatives that align with its marketing strategies and community impact. They seek sponsorship proposals that demonstrate unique ideas, enhancing brand engagement and consumer reach. However, applicants must be over 18 and submit requests at least six months prior to their program. Nikon prioritizes USA-based entities and cannot support individual projects or certain causes. For more details, please submit your request through their designated online form.

The FY26 Community Policing Development (CPD) Accreditation Program aims to enhance law enforcement accreditation by supporting state, local, territorial, and Tribal agencies. Managed by the COPS Office, this initiative provides funding for technical assistance, accreditation cost support, and development of user-friendly policy templates. Applications must be submitted via JustGrants by September 3, 2026. This funding opportunity promotes community policing as a vital strategy for public safety.

The Civic and Community Organizations Funding program in Harrisonburg supports qualified non-profit organizations that provide essential services to residents. This initiative, governed by City Code Section 4-2-9, requires applicants to be 501(c)(3) organizations and to submit applications by January 30 each year. The program aims to enhance community welfare by granting financial contributions to organizations meeting specific eligibility criteria.

The Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet) aims to establish a Data Coordination and Integration Center (DCIC) to enhance data management and accessibility within the NIH Common Fund. This initiative focuses on the submission, harmonization, and dissemination of SenNet-generated data, ensuring high-quality integration and usability. The DCIC will support both Stage 1 and Stage 2 outputs, fostering organizational outreach activities and promoting cross-study comparability through robust data infrastructure and tools.

The Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Grant Program supports emerging nonprofit founders in creating sustainable growth and impact. The program includes eight live workshops on nonprofit management, fundraising, and access to resources from Givebutter. Selected organizations receive scholarships and the chance to apply for $4,000 in grant funds. Eligibility is limited to 501c3 nonprofits or those under fiscal sponsorship with budgets under $500,000, fostering a community of committed leaders ready to make a difference.

The DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) supports U.S. citizens and permanent residents pursuing Ph.D. degrees in high-performance computing fields. Established in 1991, this fellowship offers financial aid, professional development, and practical research experiences. It aims to cultivate a diverse community of scientists who contribute to national workforce needs and encourages students to engage in impactful research at DOE laboratories and institutions. Eligible candidates can focus on computational sciences, applied mathematics, and related disciplines.

Digital Promise

Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. Working with a wide range of partners and practitioners in the U.S. and around the world, our initiatives have impacted over 4.4 million students and 180,000 teachers across 173 districts and in 27 countries to date.

Digital Promise was authorized by Congress in 2008, signed into law by President George W. Bush, and formally launched by President Barack Obama in September 2011. Startup support came from the U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Corporation of New York, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since then, Digital Promise has grown rapidly with support from both original and new funders.

AIMS EduData Initiative

The Advancing Innovative Math Solutions (AIMS) EduData Initiative, funded by the Gates Foundation, seeks to build sustainable and scalable research infrastructure to advance math learning. AIMS EduData especially encourages applications from graduate students and early career professionals, educators with research roles, such as those working in district research offices, and researchers located at minority serving institutions or Title I school districts. Successful applicants will conduct original research using datasets provided by leading digital learning platforms (DLPs) and participate in a growing community.

RightOn Education and Teachley Math RFP

For education researchers and practitioners

Benefits for successful applicants:

• Opportunity to investigate associations between features of a Digital Learning Platform and mechanisms supporting student learning, engagement, motivation, and instructional practice.
• Opportunity to contribute to the education R&D movement by expanding its capacity and skills, providing feedback to DLPs about the utility of their datasets and insights about their features, and demonstrating the affordances and value of conducting research through DLPs.
• Involvement in a dynamic, supportive community of digital learning providers and researchers
• Two proposals will be funded

This solicitation offers opportunities to run experiments in two DLPs. One enables research with Teachley Math, an intervention that includes interactive digital games and problem-solving modeling tools, lessons and formative assessment data for students in grades K-5. The second enables research with RightOn Education, an online digital learning platform for grades 7-10 that allows teachers to create or select math games, engage students in feedback and reflection on their thinking, and access real-time information about student misconceptions. 

RightOn Education

RightOn Education is particularly interested in research investigating questions related to the following areas (illustrative research questions are provided below):

• Student confidence and math self-efficacy: How do patterns of student confidence differ across correct and incorrect responses, and how do they vary by question or Common Core standard?
• Productive struggle, metacognition, and learning from misconceptions: How do different types of reflection prompts (e.g., self-directed vs. peer-directed explanations) affect the likelihood of optional hint submission and the length of student-generated hints?
• Student motivation and engagement: How do different incentive conditions influence student participation in optional activities, and how are they associated with student correctness and confidence?

The ASNT Foundation offers the Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship, a $3,000 cash award aimed at encouraging undergraduate students in U.S. universities to specialize in nondestructive testing (NDT/NDE). This initiative supports students committed to advancing their education in engineering programs and demonstrates a strong interest in the NDT field. The foundation aims to enhance workforce development through scholarships and educational grants, thereby fostering a skilled workforce in nondestructive testing.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT)." This initiative aims to support financial assistance applications from entities focusing on innovative chemical technologies that enhance supply chain resiliency and reduce costs. The program seeks to advance the production of chemicals from alternative and waste feedstocks, fostering domestic manufacturing and improving environmental safety.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is set to announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for multi-site investigator-initiated clinical trials. This initiative aims to support a range of clinical trials addressing efficacy and implementation research. The funding mechanism includes a two-phase approach (UG3/UH3), with a total award duration of up to seven years. Investigators are encouraged to prepare proposals that demonstrate scientific rationale and operational plans for these important studies.

The NIH Instrumentation Grant Program for Resource-Limited Institutions supports the acquisition of advanced scientific instruments. This initiative aims to bolster biomedical research capabilities and educational opportunities at institutions that typically receive limited NIH Research Project Grant funding. By facilitating access to modern technology, the program enhances research quality and fosters innovation in healthcare and related fields.

The NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award supports individual scientists or groups of scientists proposing bold, groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, original, and/or unconventional research with the potential to create new scientific paradigms, establish entirely new and improved clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies. Applications in any area within the biomedical sciences are welcome. No preliminary data are required. Projects must clearly demonstrate, based on the strength of the logic, a compelling potential to produce a major impact in a broad area of relevance to the NIH. The NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program of the NIH Common Fund.

The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Grant supports U.S. public charities dedicated to advancing aviation science and technology through research and development of improved aircraft. Established in 1984 by Emil Buehler, a visionary in aeronautical science, the trust perpetuates his passion for flight. Proposals should align with the foundation's mission to enhance the aviation field. Deadlines for submissions are June 1 for September meetings and December 1 for April meetings.