Best Washington County Grants for Nonprofits in Maine

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Tracy Houting Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student from one of the following high schools: Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West
• Enrolling/enrolled in a 2 or 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school (including vocational/technical school) within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 2.5 or greater
• Nominated by high school counselor based on traits like Tracy's (vivaciousness, positivity, and humbleness)
• All other selection criteria being equal, preference given to a student who is active in scouting, cheerleading and/or choral singing, and/or a student with strong interest in Native American culture and history.
• Potentially renewable for one additional year for recipients pursuing 2-year degrees and three additional years for recipients pursuing 4-year degrees.

The Jenna’s Rainbow Moving Forward Grant, offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, provides crucial financial assistance to adult survivors of brain or spinal cord tumors. Aimed at fostering independence, this grant supports costs associated with job transitions, new living situations, and resources to enhance self-sufficiency. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, diagnosed before 21, and not have received recent funding from CBTF or JRF. This initiative empowers survivors to overcome challenges and move forward in their lives.

The Amazing Grace Scholarship, established by the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, honors Grace Fulcher, a brain tumor survivor. This scholarship supports students diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors before age 21, who reside in the U.S. and are pursuing higher education. With a $1000 award, the scholarship aims to empower survivors to achieve their educational goals, inspired by Grace's resilience and academic success despite her challenges.

The Lakken’s Legacy Survivor Scholarship, offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, awards $1,000 to brain tumor survivors pursuing education beyond high school. This initiative honors Lakken, who faced challenges during her cancer journey yet remained passionate about education. The scholarship aims to support individuals diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors before age 21, ensuring they have the opportunity to continue their studies in various educational institutions. It's a commitment to empower survivors and foster their dreams.

The Lakken’s Legacy Sibling Scholarship, established by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, honors Lakken Burzynski's courage and resilience in her battle with cancer. This $1,000 scholarship is designed for siblings of children diagnosed with brain tumors, emphasizing support for families impacted by such challenges. Eligible applicants must be 21 or younger at diagnosis and reside in the U.S. This initiative promotes positivity and hope, continuing Lakken's legacy of strength and family support.

The Carson Bailey Memorial Scholarship for Siblings, established by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, honors the memory of Carson Bailey. This scholarship aims to support brain tumor survivors pursuing their educational goals. Eligible applicants must have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before age 21, reside in the U.S., maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and be at least a senior in high school. A $1000 scholarship is available for those attending various educational institutions.

The Carson Bailey Memorial Scholarship, established by the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, honors the memory of Carson Bailey, a dedicated student and beloved family member. This scholarship is aimed at brain tumor survivors who have been diagnosed before the age of 21 and seek to pursue higher education. It provides $1000 to eligible applicants, supporting their educational aspirations while promoting inclusiveness and respect for all backgrounds within the brain tumor community.

The Wagner Catholic Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, supports graduating seniors from local Catholic parishes who are pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and faith commitment through a personal essay. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, with a decreasing award amount after the first year. This initiative aims to empower students to further their education while fostering community values.

About

Our Strong Community Framework — the first-ever philanthropic vision for the Adirondack region — guides our approach to investing in promising opportunities across our five "whole community" focus areas. In partnership with generous donors and capable nonprofits, we bring all the tools of a community foundation to bear to meet today's pressing needs and build charitable resources for the needs of tomorrow. 

Scholarships

What could be more important for the future of the Adirondack region than to educate our children? As one of five key interest areas for what we fund, creating educational pathways helps to ensure all students in the Adirondacks have meaningful opportunities to pursue post-secondary education, career training, and pathways to gainful employment and fulfilling lives. Scholarships can play a pivotal role in helping students better themselves, no matter their life stage or path.

Scholarship funds at Adirondack Community Foundation have been created to benefit specific educational institutions or fields of study. The most common way we distribute scholarships is in partnership with schools across our region that manage scholarship committees that select recipients based on guidelines set forth by fundholders. We also have some scholarship funds to which students can apply directly for support. All scholarship funds use a competitive application process to make decisions.

Sean P. McCullough Memorial Scholarship

The Sean P. McCullough Memorial Scholarship Fund was named after Sean McCullough, a Plattsburgh High School senior who died tragically on May 14, 2005. Learn more about Sean here or watch the video above.

The scholarship supports outstanding graduating seniors from any New York State Section VII high school that plans to continue their education at the college level. Students must be a member of the school track team, embody school spirit, demonstrate academic strength, dedication, competitive spirit, and good leadership skills.

There is no student application for this scholarship. Students must be nominated by their track coach.

Scholarship amounts are up to $1,750.

Geographic Focus

New York State Section VII schools

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Ruth Westerman Oren Nursing Scholarship

• Recent graduate of an Ottawa County high school or technical school or Ottawa County adult resident making a career transition to nursing
• Pursuing a nursing degree to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through an accredited nursing program within the United States
• Priority given to past recipients who have a strong performance record in their nursing studies

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Shelley Speet-Mills Creative Arts Scholarship

• Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation
• Enrolling at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Planning to pursue a career in the arts
• Recommended by applicant’s high school art teacher
• This scholarship is potentially renewable and supports one student at a time. 

The Gloria Anderson Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, honors a beloved music teacher and the founder of the Singing Dutchmen Men’s Chorus. This scholarship, amounting to approximately $1,000, is available to high school seniors pursuing degrees in music education or performance, particularly those from areas served by the Singing Dutchmen. It reflects the Foundation's commitment to supporting local students in their educational endeavors.

The IUE-CWA Local 88502 Union Scholarship, established by union members, supports students pursuing vocational studies. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors with a parent or grandparent who are union members or retirees. Candidates must be enrolled in a post-secondary vocational degree or certification program and submit an essay explaining their career aspirations. The award amount is determined annually, reflecting the commitment to fostering vocational education within the community.

The Austin Education Foundation Scholarship, established by a committee from the Austin School District, aims to support local high school seniors in their pursuit of post-secondary education. With an estimated total award of $3,500 over four years, the scholarship is designed to honor the legacy of Austin High School Alumni. To be eligible, applicants must belong to the Austin School District and submit an activity resume, facilitating a pathway for deserving students to achieve their educational dreams.

The Cooley, Dearing And Rinker Foundation Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, supports graduates from public schools in Winchester, Frederick, Rappahannock, and Warren Counties. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and show commitment to their college education. Award amounts typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, helping students pursue their academic goals. The foundation has a strong history of addressing community needs since its establishment in 2000.

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA The Rescue Effect Campaign Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is offering up to $2 million in grants to support adoption at shelters and rescues during the 2026 “The Rescue Effect”, a nationwide campaign that highlights the positive chain of events that occurs when people adopt, foster, volunteer, advocate and donate.

The Rescue Effect will run through the months of August, September, and October 2026, during which grantees must offer a minimum of two (2) fee-waived adoption days/events each month. 

Restrictions and Parameters

Grant funds may be used for any of the following:

• make-ready costs for cats/dogs available for adoption during the Campaign months covered by the grant term (e.g., s/n surgery, microchips, vaccinations, testing, dewormer, flea-tick treatment, heartworm preventative, bloodwork)
• marketing/advertising costs (e.g., adoption promotions, volunteer/foster recruitment)
• waived adoption fees for adoptions occurring during the Campaign months covered by the grant term
• foster program expansion/ramp up
• operating costs related to supporting participation in The Rescue Effect campaign

Preston Coiner Scholarship

The Preston Coiner Scholarship is a multi-year award administered through the Charlottesville Scholarship Program. Based on funding availability, the award may be used for a two or four year undergraduate program. Only one award is given every four years. 

South James River Foundation Scholarship Fund

The purpose of this scholarship fund is to provide financial support of $1,000 per recipient to 10 high school seniors in Buckingham planning to attend an accredited two or four-year college/university, community or junior college, vocational technical, or trade school.  

Golden Garden Scholarship

The Golden Garden Scholarship supports Buckingham and Louisa highschool seniors who plan to attend a two‑year community college or a four‑year university as full‑time students. Established to support first‑generation college students—particularly students of color—with financial need, the award provides $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years, and seeks candidates who demonstrate an interest in the Arts & Humanities, have a minimum 2.75 high‑school GPA, and a commitment to healthy lifestyle choices. Recipients must reside in Buckingham or Louisa County, remain enrolled full‑time throughout the scholarship term, and uphold good character and citizenship.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Francine Bono-Neri Scholarship Fund

As a grateful 2019 NEF Scholar, in 2023, Francine Bono-Neri wanted other nurses to benefit from receiving a scholarship while focusing their master's or doctoral degree clinical study and research on the problem of human trafficking. As an experienced Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Bono-Neri's deep concern about the global reach of human trafficking inspired her to become the co-founder and serve as president of Nurses United Against Human Trafficking. Committed to education and clinical awareness about human trafficking for every nurse in all settings and countries, this scholarship will support the study of human trafficking as well as related clinical and research areas which include forensic nursing, sexual assault, child sexual assault/abuse, sexual exploitation, sextortion, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, adverse childhood experiences, and child maltreatment.

Health Services Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (HSR-ADRD) Program

The HSR-ADRD program seeks to support research that strengthens dementia detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care pathways along the care continuum. Projects may address a range of health services research questions, including, but not limited to, studies examining barriers and solutions to timely access, quality, and care coordination. By supporting rigorous and innovative research, this program aims to generate actionable evidence to improve person-centered, coordinated, and equitable brain health and dementia care.

Program overview

The program welcomes proposals that utilize rigorous methodologies to advance understanding and improvement of cognitive impairment, including MCI and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care.

This award is structured as an individual research grant, with funding administered through the recipient’s institution. Proposals should address one or more Areas of Focus. Areas of Focus represent high-priority research topics for which this program is actively seeking proposals and include: 

• The Value of Early Detection and Diagnosis: Studies should investigate outcomes associated with early detection and diagnosis on at least two levels of the dementia care ecosystem (i.e., individual/families, providers/clinicians, health systems/payers, and policy/society).
• Care Pathways for Individuals with MCI or Dementia: Studies should consider comorbidities and investigate how people are being screened and diagnosed in different settings, and the post-diagnosis pathways for care and treatment, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions or combinations thereof.

Funding overview

• Each HSR-ADRD award is limited to a total of $250,000 U.S. (direct and indirect costs) for a duration of up to two years (awards should be a minimum one year).
• Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of total direct costs and are inclusive of indirect costs for the implementing institution as well as for any subcontracts.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Geraldine Labecki Fund

Created in 2016, from the bequest of Geraldine Labecki, former Dean of Clemson University's School of Nursing from 1965 to 1980, Clemson University's first woman collegiate dean. This scholarship fund is dedicated to graduate nurses exhibiting exceptional leadership skills.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Laura D. Smith National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) Scholarship

The NSNA Scholarship honors Laura D. Smith. Ms Smith was initially a clinical nurse and after earning her master’s degree joined the staff of the American Journal of Nursing ultimately becoming Senior Editor in 1959. Her particular interest was in championing the accomplishments of student nurses by means of the “Student Page” in the AJN. She was instrumental in the birth and early development of the NSNA. The award is given to an applicant enrolled in a master's in nursing education, a PhD or EdD nursing program, who was an NSNA member in their pre-licensure nursing program and has proven excellence in nursing scholarship and service.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Liesel M. Hiemenz Scholarship

This permanent scholarship was established in memory of Ms. Hiemenz, a nurse from Germany. Preference is given to applicants interested in public health.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Lucy C. Perry Scholarship

Preference for funds from this scholarship is given to applicants studying at Indiana University and interested in public health.

The National Science Foundation's FINDERS FOUNDRY program fosters collaboration among K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers to address challenges in learning and workforce development. By creating innovative, evidence-based solutions, the program enhances educational outcomes and prepares students for a digital future driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). It emphasizes early exposure to AI, encouraging partnerships across various sectors to co-design responsive, technology-based solutions. The program includes phases for planning and development, aligning with national priorities.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Madeline A. Naegle Scholarship for Mental Health Nursing

In 2018, Madeline A. Naegle, PhD, CNS-PMH, RN, BC, FAAN, a national and international nursing leader in mental health/substance abuse education, research, and practice together with NEF created this scholarship with a preference to graduate nurses specializing in mental health nursing.