Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Virginia

The Heistand Family Foundation Grant aims to empower children in poverty through impactful programs and partnerships. The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance human health, community well-being, and education, focusing on practical applications. Nonprofit organizations and governmental entities are encouraged to apply, particularly those located in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area or western Iowa. This grant supports initiatives that foster job skills and improve the quality of life for disadvantaged children.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is issuing this announcement for various research and development topic areas. The ERDC consists of the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), the Environmental Laboratory (EL) and the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire, the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign, Illinois, and the Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL) in Alexandria, Virginia.

The ERDC is responsible for conducting research in the broad fields of hydraulics, dredging, coastal engineering, instrumentation, oceanography, remote sensing, geotechnical engineering, earthquake engineering, soil effects, vehicle mobility, self-contained munitions, military engineering, geophysics, pavements, protective structures, aquatic plants, water quality, dredged material, treatment of hazardous waste, wetlands, physical/mechanical/ chemical properties of snow and other frozen precipitation, infrastructure and environmental issues for installations, computer science, telecommunications management, energy, facilities maintenance, materials and structures, engineering processes, environmental processes, land and heritage conservation, and ecological processes.

The Rosenstiel Scholarship, part of the New Mexico Press Women Scholarship Fund, aims to support graduate students in journalism, communications, or law. Established in 2023, it encourages recipients to engage in investigative journalism and uphold First Amendment rights. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit relevant publications, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. This scholarship not only fosters academic excellence but also promotes ethical standards among future media professionals.

Levine Impact Lab

The Levine Impact Lab powers equitable transformation by investing in nonprofit leadership, building community organizations’ capacities, and building their capacity to accelerate positive social and environmental change.

We combine venture-capital expertise and inspired philanthropic thinking to radically amplify the value of giving.

Levine Impact Lab Operational Support Program

The Levine Impact Lab’s Operational Support Program is an 18-month, high-engagement operational partnership designed to help environmental organizations move strategic and financial priorities forward.

At the core of the program is hands-on operational support: our team works side-by-side with your leaders to drive progress on a critical project, whether it’s strengthening your financial infrastructure, increasing earned revenue, or planning for growth.

This is a working partnership. The grant funding and peer-learning community are designed to support and accelerate your momentum.

We are the best fit for organizations that:

• Operate at the intersection of environmental impact and social enterprise
• Are past the startup phase but still in a critical growth stage
• See LIL as a thought partner in unlocking strategy, scale, and sustainability
• Show up with clear goals and a commitment to moving the work forward

More information about participation commitments here.

What is Operational Support?

To get the most out of this program, organizations must come prepared with a specific project, workstream, or organizational challenge they want to tackle over the 18 months with operational support. 

Potential Area(s) of Support: 

• Financial strategy and planning
• Fundraising, development and donor engagement strategy
• Cost structure analysis
• Program development or expansion
• Corporate partnership strategy 
• New location or geographic expansion
• RFP support/capital planning
• Strategic planning
• Board engagement

Find examples of what past cohorts have worked on here.

People

The success of this program relies on having the right organizational leaders at the table. Each organization must commit two senior staff members who are equipped to make key decisions, drive implementation, and stay closely involved throughout the 18-month engagement. These leaders must:

• Have clear decision-making authority and/or strong backing from the Executive Director or CEO
• Be directly involved in the project or challenge the organization is addressing
• Be able to commit time, energy, and focus to move the work forward

There will also be opportunities to include additional staff members in operational projects, as needed, to ensure the right voices and expertise are present. 

Who this might include: Executive Director and Finance Director, Business Development Manager and Operations Lead, or Marketing Manager and Development Director, depending on the nature of your project.

What We Offer

• Tailored 1:1 operational support and strategic advising
• A national cohort of up to 10 organizations
• Peer network of strategic thought partners
• Virtual and in-person workshops and events
• Private Slack channel
• Exclusive alumni programming
• Grant funds over two years
• Supportive peer-learning community
• Accelerated organizational growth and momentum through strategic partnership with LIL

View Program Flyer here.

The Petit Family Foundation offers General Project Support Grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 to support local communities. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate programmatic capacity and leadership. The foundation prioritizes measurable outcomes and sustainability, focusing on projects that have a clear impact. Preference is given to local New England-based non-profits, while ineligible requests include funding for individuals, endowments, and political organizations. This initiative emphasizes collaboration and community alignment.

About Us

The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) is the leading professional membership organization for ob-gyns. ACOG champions ob-gyns in providing equitable, evidence-based care for patients today and into the future.

ACOG comprises more than 62,000 members across 12 Districts, representing regions in the United States, Canada, and Central and South America. These members maintain the highest professional standards and are united in their delivery of exceptional, respectful, science-backed care for patients. ACOG members include medical students, residents, practicing and retired physicians, and health professionals in related fields.

For nearly 75 years, ACOG has strengthened members with comprehensive, expert-reviewed practice guidelines; management tools; career development resources; and lifelong learning opportunities.

Pete and Weesie Hollis Community Service Award

The Pete and Weesie Hollis Community Service Award (formerly the President’s Community Service Award) was established by then President Richard “Pete” Hollis. The award was an outgrowth of Dr. Hollis’ presidential theme of caring for patients. Dr. Hollis felt strongly that many of the Fellows of ACOG gave hours of care and support within their community to underserved or poorly served patient populations, often with little or no remuneration or recognition.

The award is not to be given as a recognition of activities related to service to ACOG or activities that are based on support of the specialty in legislative or regulatory decisions. Recipients of the award will receive a $1,000 honorarium plus complimentary registration to the Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting where the award is presented.

The NIAID aims to support four Clinical Trials Networks (CTNs) by funding Statistical and Data Management Centers (SDMCs) to enhance HIV research. These SDMCs will oversee study designs, data collection, and compliance with regulatory standards while ensuring data quality and integration. This initiative is a crucial step toward ending the HIV epidemic, fostering innovative methods, and adhering to NIH data sharing policies. Applications for the SDMCs are now being solicited.

The Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation Grant aims to support projects that promote environmental restoration, preservation, and education, with a focus on sustainable resource use and community development. This grant encourages innovative approaches that connect urban and rural settings, enhance biodiversity, and foster creativity in addressing societal challenges. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated non-profits that align with the foundation's vision. The foundation also supports small presses and periodicals that creatively address sustainability issues.

The Goodyear Community Support Grant aims to empower nonprofit organizations that align with Goodyear's community engagement focus areas. With a strong commitment to safe, smart, and sustainable initiatives, Goodyear supports programs fostering safe mobility, inspiring students through education, and addressing environmental and societal needs. This grant serves as a catalyst for positive change, helping communities thrive by focusing on volunteerism and impactful partnerships.

The Mary E. Kwiatkowski Social Services Scholarship Fund, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports female and LGBTQIA+ students pursuing social sciences and public service careers. In 2023, over $800,000 was awarded to more than 500 students for post-secondary education. This scholarship aims to eliminate financial barriers for diverse talents in Erie County's social services sector, requiring applicants to submit an essay on their public service aspirations and challenges in the Erie region.

The Stark County Dairy Promoters Scholarship Fund, established by the Stark Community Foundation, provides financial assistance to students from Stark County, Ohio. Eligible applicants must be pursuing college-level studies in dairy science, large animal veterinary medicine, human nutrition, or food science, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. This scholarship aims to support the next generation of leaders in these essential fields, fostering educational growth and community development.

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Grants & Fellowships

Dissertation Mini-Grant

The Mensa Foundation empowers the next generation of researchers through its Dissertation Mini-Grant program.

Designed to support advanced doctoral students, this grant funds innovative studies that broaden our understanding of intelligence, creativity, gifted education, and related fields.

Details

The Mensa Foundation Dissertation Mini-Grant provides $2,500 to advanced doctoral students conducting research on intelligence and gifted education. By funding innovative studies, the grant promotes research that addresses the complexities of intelligence, creativity, and related fields.

Grant Components

The Professional Formation of Engineers: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) program aims to foster research in the Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) while expanding the community of researchers in this field. It targets early-career Principal Investigators (PIs) with limited experience in social science or education research, enabling them to develop expertise in engineering education research and address critical challenges in engineering formation.

The Marion Maccarrell Scott Scholarship, established by Gertrude F. Straub in memory of her father, supports students from Hawai'i public high schools planning to attend college on the mainland. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, possess good character, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8. This scholarship encourages studies in fields related to history, government, and international relations, promoting an understanding of world cooperation and peace.

About Us

Who We Are

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

What We Do

Through our network of blind members, we coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.

What We Believe

We are the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power to transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people—from our democratically elected leaders to our diverse nationwide membership.

Scholarship Program

Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty $10,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. 

Handid Braille Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an individual studying social science, international relations, or governmental affairs. Handid’s mission is to provide Braille and other forms of accessible media to organizations and individuals. The nonprofit specializes in Braille production in languages other than English, especially languages that do not use the Latin alphabet, and wishes to support a student with unique perspectives.

The Grief Reach: Changemaker Supported Community Expansion Cycle offers up to $110,000 to enhance community programs for grieving children. Organizations are encouraged to innovate and expand their services to better meet community needs. The initiative, in partnership with the Judi’s House/JAG Institute, emphasizes training and resources for effective program evaluation over a three-year period, culminating in impactful community expansion projects.

• Innovative: An approach that brings fresh thinking, tools, or models to homeownership in ways that challenge the status quo and demonstrate a disruptive, future-oriented vision with potential to inspire or shift broader field practice.
• Impactful: A solution with meaningful potential to expand homeownership through knowledge and action, featuring clear and measurable progress indicators that demonstrate capacity to shift trajectories for low- and moderate-income households.
• Bridge-Building: An initiative that effectively connects and unifies a wide range of stakeholders, fostering meaningful collaboration across sectors or perspectives. The strongest submissions will reflect strong community partnerships across the housing ecosystem.
• Durable: A sustainable pathway that addresses root causes of homeownership barriers rather than just symptoms, with compelling evidence of potential to elicit robust support from broad private, philanthropic, and public funding sources over time.

The Wild Animal Initiative offers Seed Grants to support innovative projects in wild animal welfare research. These grants aim to facilitate early-career researchers and established scientists in testing new techniques and approaches that incorporate welfare assessments into ecological studies. The program emphasizes cost-effective solutions, focusing on improving the welfare of wild animals. Successful proposals will explore diverse themes such as wild fish welfare and near-term welfare interventions to address urgent animal welfare challenges.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation Olin Fellowships support individuals aiming to enhance their knowledge and skills in salmon conservation and management. These fellowships are available annually for various pursuits, including research and graduate studies, without the requirement of being enrolled in a degree program. Eligible applicants must be legal residents of the U.S. or Canada, and the fellowships can be conducted at accredited institutions or active management programs.

The Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation offers Single Program Grants to support impactful programs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. These grants, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, prioritize initiatives that enhance independence and service delivery. Eligible organizations must be US 501(c)(3) non-profits, and unsolicited proposals are not accepted. The foundation emphasizes community-based solutions and invites qualified applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry followed by a full proposal.

About

With deep roots in California’s Central Valley, The Save Mart Companies and its family of stores prides itself in being a part of neighborhoods and putting people first. Our dedication to customers is reflected in the connections we’ve made in the communities we’ve served for more than 70 years.

The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation

In 2000, we established The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation, our philanthropic, non-profit organization, supporting programs and organizations that provide vital resources for children and families in the communities we serve. The CARES Foundation focuses on building stronger communities through fresh foods, accessibility, and programs that support youth and helping them to thrive. Annually, The CARES Foundation contributes approximately $500,000 in small grants to support community-based, non-profit organizations.

The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation Grant

The CARES Foundation’s focus is building stronger communities through fresh foods, access to food, and programs that support youth and helping them thrive.

The CARES Foundation will review, on a quarterly basis, among other things, the breadth of the audience served; the likely impact in the community; the importance of the need to be addressed in the community; and the community reputation, service history, and financial stability of the group or program seeking funds. No one of these or other factors will necessarily be weighted more heavily than another. Instead, each group or program will be measured against all groups and 2 programs seeking funding at the time. For example, a program serving a small segment of the community but that addresses an especially important community need, and thus has the potential for a strong and meaningful impact, would be favored over a group serving a wider clientele but that fills a less important community need. Requests for Grants should be a minimum of $500.00 up to $10,000.00. Programs and organizations requesting smaller grants should contact the Store Manager of the nearest Save Mart Companies’ store location for request consideration.

Recipients that receive grants for more than one year must demonstrate meaningful outcomes for the previous investment made by The CARES Foundation.

The Eastern Bird Banding Association is offering the Memorial Fund Research Grants to support research utilizing avian marking techniques, such as banding. Applicants must submit a detailed project proposal, including significance and budget, alongside their background in ornithology. Grants are open to all, particularly encouraging student applications, with no lifetime award limit per individual. Projects must focus on species within EBBA territory, ensuring marking techniques are integral to the research.

This funding opportunity aims to support Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) in conducting preclinical HIV/AIDS research using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) models. Eligible applicants must have at least two years of postdoctoral experience and be within ten years of their terminal degree. The initiative aligns with the NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research, targeting the reduction of HIV incidence, development of therapies, and advancement in research areas related to HIV.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is launching a funding opportunity for Exploratory Clinical Trials Grants. This program aims to support innovative clinical trials that enhance the understanding and treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal and skin conditions. Research proposals should focus on early-stage trials, including first-in-human studies, dose-finding, and biomarker evaluation. The initiative encourages the translation of promising laboratory findings into effective clinical practices, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is inviting applications for the Clinical Trial Cooperative Agreement Program. This funding opportunity supports investigator-initiated, interventional clinical trials at various phases. Initial funding will facilitate the preparation needed to start trials, with successful milestones leading to further support. NIAMS emphasizes hypothesis-driven trials that promise significant clinical impact within its research mission.

The Colon Cancer Coalition offers the Get Your Rear in Gear Grants to support local programs aimed at improving colon cancer screening and awareness. Open year-round, applications are reviewed biannually in February and August. Grants fund initiatives that educate the public about colon cancer and alleviate the financial burden on patients. By applying, organizations commit to promoting local events that raise funds for these important community programs.

The upcoming National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funding opportunity aims to explore the effects of HIV immunotherapies on central nervous system (CNS) outcomes. It seeks to identify mechanisms, benefits, and risks associated with these therapies, focusing on overcoming CNS-specific barriers. The initiative encourages collaborations to develop strategies for achieving sustained virologic remission and improving neurological outcomes for individuals with HIV, particularly targeting neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation.