Best West Palm Beach Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

Central Alabama Community Foundation

Established in 1987 by community leaders, the Central Alabama Community Foundation serves the River Region counties of Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery. CACF was created to provide a permanent charitable resource dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and meeting local needs in the Montgomery area.

Through a variety of funds, CACF supports projects and programs in education, health, human services, cultural arts, recreation, historic preservation, and other civic concerns.

Every year, CACF awards grants to nonprofit projects and programs providing services in Lee, Macon, and Montgomery counties.

National Village Ladies Club Scholarship

The National Village Ladies Club Scholarship benefits female graduating high school seniors of Opelika high schools who have demonstrated leadership and community service. Eligible applicants must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and plan to attend two-year or four-year college, university, or trade school.

The Paul Easterling Dixie Youth Scholarship, established by the Central Alabama Community Foundation in 1987, supports graduating seniors from any Autauga County school who have participated in Dixie Youth Baseball. This scholarship honors Paul Easterling's legacy by recognizing students exemplifying sportsmanship both on and off the field. The Central Alabama Community Foundation, dedicated to enhancing local nonprofit efforts, awards annual grants for various community needs, making a positive impact in the region.

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.

Central Alabama Community Foundation

Established in 1987 by community leaders, the Central Alabama Community Foundation serves the River Region counties of Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery. CACF was created to provide a permanent charitable resource dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and meeting local needs in the Montgomery area.

Through a variety of funds, CACF supports projects and programs in education, health, human services, cultural arts, recreation, historic preservation, and other civic concerns.

Every year, CACF awards grants to nonprofit projects and programs providing services in Lee, Macon, and Montgomery counties.

Ronnie Mendheim Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2005 to honor Ronnie Mendheim’s legacy of helping youth, this scholarship benefits graduating seniors of any high school located in Dothan, Alabama. Selection criteria include academic achievement and school/community activities that demonstrate leadership abilities. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and minimum ACT score of 21.

Central Alabama Community Foundation

Established in 1987 by community leaders, the Central Alabama Community Foundation serves the River Region counties of Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery. CACF was created to provide a permanent charitable resource dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and meeting local needs in the Montgomery area.

Through a variety of funds, CACF supports projects and programs in education, health, human services, cultural arts, recreation, historic preservation, and other civic concerns.

Every year, CACF awards grants to nonprofit projects and programs providing services in Lee, Macon, and Montgomery counties.

Shirley Ann Mesher Scholarship

The Shirley Ann Mesher Scholarship shall provide scholarships to students attending, or planning to attend, or are already enrolled in an accredited junior college, a four-year college or university, or a graduate or professional degree program. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, be of African American or Native American descent. Preference for applicants with a history of participating in community service and who provide at least one letter of recommendation.

Central Alabama Community Foundation

Established in 1987 by community leaders, the Central Alabama Community Foundation serves the River Region counties of Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery. CACF was created to provide a permanent charitable resource dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and meeting local needs in the Montgomery area.

Through a variety of funds, CACF supports projects and programs in education, health, human services, cultural arts, recreation, historic preservation, and other civic concerns.

Every year, CACF awards grants to nonprofit projects and programs providing services in Lee, Macon, and Montgomery counties.

The Hawkins Educational Foundation Scholarship

The Hawkins Educational Foundation Scholarship assists students who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs. Applicants must be a high school senior residing in Baldwin County for at least one (1) year prior to the application deadline date. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and plan to enroll in full-time study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year. Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, and are based on satisfactory academic performance and fulltime enrollment. Awards are for undergraduate study only.

The Learning Tree Scholarship, established by The Learning Tree, Inc. through the Central Alabama Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors from select counties with a minimum ACT score of 20. This renewable scholarship offers up to $2,000 annually for students pursuing degrees in education, healthcare, and related fields. The foundation, active since 1987, aims to enhance local nonprofit initiatives and educational opportunities in the River Region, serving counties including Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery.

About

The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) was established in 1919 for the purpose of promoting interest in the study of mammals.

ASM Mission Statement

The mission of the American Society of Mammalogists is to advance the scientific understanding of mammals globally, to diversify the profession of mammalogy, and to promote science as the basis for the conservation and management of mammals. The Society achieves these goals through publications, grants and fellowships, annual meetings, and other education and outreach activities.

Stephen Jenkins Scholarship in Mammalogy

One of Steve Jenkins’ most meaningful legacies is found in the hundreds of students he taught and mentored over his 37 years in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. He taught a wide range of classes including introductory biology, ecology, mammalogy and research design, and served as graduate advisor to more than 30 students. His research focused on beavers, wolves, wild horses, and ground squirrels. Steve worked to pass on his own belief that critical thinking is not just a fundamental tenet of sound science, but a force for good. He wrote the book How Science Works, an effort to demystify the scientific process for nonspecialists. In his retirement he wrote a second book, Tools for Critical Thinking in Biology. Steve has been a member of American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) since 1974.

Scope and Rationale of the Award

The new Stephen Jenkins Scholarship Award would be available to a graduate student in a North American university whose research is focused on one or more mammalian species. This would include field research (and lab research that supports and augments field research) in such fields as animal behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. ASM supports research on all aspects of mammalian biology, and the award will provide support for early career mammalogists. 

Use of Funds:

The award may be used only for research expenses, in the field or in the laboratory, research related travel, laboratory supplies, equipment, and attendance at professional meetings.  The current award is for $5000.

Hemophilia Alliance Foundation

Our Mission

The Hemophilia Alliance Foundation is dedicated to receiving and administering funds to enable eligible organizations in the inherited bleeding and thrombotic disorders community to build capacity in order to achieve their mission and to support direct consumer financial assistance programs.

Project Grant Guidance and Application

The goal of this grant is to enable eligible organizations to build capacity in order to achieve their mission, and to support direct consumer financial assistance programs in eligible organizations. The ceiling for local patient organizations and hemophilia treatment and sickle cell centers is $8,000; the ceiling for national organizations and the eight HHS-designated federally designated and funded regional core coordinating centers is $10,000.

Examples include:

1) projects that strengthen the organization’s ability to better serve its constituents;

2) patient/consumer financial assistance grants; and

3) regional hemophilia treatment centers’ annual meetings.

Young Health Programme

The Young Health Programme (YHP) is a global disease prevention initiative, aiming to provide education for young people to feel empowered to make informed choices about their health and catalyse a global, youth-led advocacy movement.

The programme operates in over 40 countries and partners with more than 60 non-profit organisations, including UNICEF and Plan International. The YHP combines community programmes, research, advocacy, and the development of young leaders, with a focus on underserved communities.

Since its launch in 2010, the YHP has directly reached over 23 million young people, trained over 1 million, and engaged more than 23,000 AstraZeneca employees, who have volunteered their time with more than 140,000 hours.

The YHP aims to prevent the most common non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease, by addressing five main risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution. Additionally, the programme tackles climate-health impacts to build healthier communities, recognising, as projected in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, that children born after 2010 will be the first generation to enter adulthood in a world where the average temperature will reach 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and are expected to experience a +2°C rise within their lifetime.1

AstraZeneca Young Health Programme Impact Fellowship 2026

AstraZeneca is looking for passionate, driven young leaders to join their 2026 Young Health Programme (YHP) Impact Fellowship. The Fellowship supports young advocates to create actionable change to: 

• Advance health equity – with a focus on acting early to prevent non-communicable diseases among young people, or supporting young people living with rare diseases.
• Take action on climate and nature – advocating for the mitigation of the harmful effects of climate change on the health and well-being of young people.
• Build health systems resilience – contributing to stronger health systems that prioritise earlier intervention to meet today’s needs and mitigate tomorrow’s disease burden.

Benefits

The selected Fellows will gain access to networks, funding and development opportunities, enabling them to drive a global health movement led by and for young people:

A fully-funded scholarship to attend the 2026 One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa (3–6 November 2026) as well as access to the One Young World Ambassador Network and the Young Health Programme (YHP) Alumni group of other young changemakers working to improve youth health.

Structured learning and development offerings to enable them to scale their impact, including both self-directed and live learning. This includes access to the One Young World Academy, an award-winning mini-MBA programme, mentorship from AstraZeneca colleagues and professional training.

Each selected Fellow will receive a grant of either USD $10,000 or USD $50,000 (if selected as the Lead2030 winner** for Sustainable Development Goal 3, for which applicants will be automatically considered) from AstraZeneca, through their non-profit organisation. Fellows are expected to use the grant to implement a project focused on either (1) advancing health equity (2) taking action on climate and nature (3) building health systems resilience.

Beyond the Net Grant Program

The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Grant Program offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters to implement innovative projects that make a local impact by providing meaningful access to an open, trusted, and globally-connected Internet, as well as strengthening the Chapters’ presence in the surrounding community. 

Program Objectives

• Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities. 
• Develop new and strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level.

Focus Areas

The Foundation will support Internet Society Chapters to implement initiatives within one or more of the following thematic areas:

Projects that support community-centered connectivity for unconnected and under-connected populations by providing easy, sustainable solutions, and training on productive use of the Internet.

Projects that make access affordable and resilient for unconnected and under-connected populations by improving, supporting, or advocating for the development of local Internet interconnection infrastructure (e.g., IXPs).

Projects that equip recently connected people with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and their communities online.

Projects that advocate for and educate policy makers, courts, decision makers, and commercial entities about threats to the Internet as an open and accessible platform for free expression and the exchange of ideas, safeguarding fundamental rights, ensuring the well-being of users, and fostering trust in digital technologies.

 About NPCF

The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF) began in December 2000 when nine concerned citizens from Virginia’s Piedmont region were searching for solutions to the charitable needs in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties. With modest beginnings, our funds have grown to over $39 million in support of local charities, scholarships and community need in our northern Piedmont region.

NPCF manages a wide variety of funds established by local individuals, families, businesses, or charitable institutions. Through our investment strategies, the returns from these funds are put back into the community through grant cycles, and scholarships, along with the personal causes the fund holder holds dear. 

On the nonprofit side, the staff at NPCF is committed to building deep bonds with our region’s nonprofits, educating and supporting them in their health as businesses and their resilience in their missions of supporting our most vulnerable. 

We believe that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. By working on both sides of the equation — growing our citizens’ resources while maximizing local nonprofits’ use of those resources — NPCF is ensuring that each link in the chain is healthy, strong, and contributing to the wellness of the Northern Piedmont community. 

Scholarships

Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process for dozens of scholarships for students in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties (as well as a handful serving students from surrounding counties too). 

St. Luke’s Foundation Scholarship Fund (Universal Application)

The St. Luke’s Foundation Scholarship is open to seniors who are residents of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, or Rappahannock counties, and are alumni of any private school in Culpeper County, although priority is given to St. Luke’s alumni. The qualifying candidate should possess a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrate good academic standing, have community service experience and possess an academic record that displays leadership and initiative. Up to three scholarships are available for $1,000 – $2,000 depending on GPA. This award is renewable for all four years provided the student maintains a GPA of 3.0 and submits transcripts annually to NPCF

The Sallie Morgan Behavioral Health Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, supports students pursuing careers in behavioral health. Open to high school graduates or current students in accredited mental health programs from Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties, the scholarship awards $1,000 to candidates demonstrating academic excellence, community service, leadership, and financial need. This initiative aims to foster future professionals in the vital field of mental health.

The Rodgers Family Civil Engineering Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Fauquier County pursuing civil engineering degrees. Candidates must demonstrate financial need, initiative, motivation, and leadership qualities. With a history of over $39 million in community support since 2000, this scholarship exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities. Award amounts may vary and are renewable, making it a valuable resource for aspiring engineers in the region.

The Martha Mae Giles Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, supports graduating high school students from Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties who plan to attend college. This renewable scholarship honors Martha Mae Giles and prioritizes applicants who are members of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, although it is open to all students. The foundation has grown substantially since 2000, emphasizing community support and educational opportunities.

The Rodgers Family Agricultural Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Fauquier County pursuing degrees in agricultural fields at accredited institutions. Candidates must demonstrate financial need, initiative, motivation, and leadership. This scholarship not only offers financial assistance but also presents opportunities for renewal, fostering academic growth and community involvement among students dedicated to agriculture in the region.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

NAFC Response & Emergency Needs Fund

The NAFC Response & Emergency Needs Fund is designed to address urgent and unforeseen challenges that threaten operations or patient access to care within NAFC member organizations. These organizations often operate with limited reserves, making them especially vulnerable to unexpected repairs, equipment failures, workforce disruptions, or community emergencies. This fund provides rapid, flexible support to help stabilize operations and ensure continuity of care for uninsured and underserved patients.

Jack and Jill of America Foundation Scholarship

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation Scholarship will provide need-based scholarships of up to $2,500 to service-oriented college freshmen who have completed a minimum of 60 hours of community service within the last 12 months. Awards will be issued in the 2025-2026 academic year, and may be renewed annually through the senior year.

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation is committed to the positive development of youth and future leaders. Through providing programs focused on financial literacy, education, mentoring, health and wellness, and early childhood development, the Foundation promotes the preparation of succeeding generations of leaders.

Community Foundation of New Jersey

Over our 46-year history, the Community Foundation of New Jersey has collaborated with individuals, families, organizations, and businesses to design charitable funds and implement the philanthropic solutions they want to see in their communities. We leverage $1.17 billion in assets and 1,200 funds to help our partners think boldly and creatively about ways to give.

Scholarship Fund Overview

Beyond a shared commitment to educational opportunity, families establish scholarship funds with a variety of goals and purposes in mind. They may offer traditional scholarships or customize fund awards for alternative scholarships.

Currently, CFNJ administers more than 135 scholarship funds. Our scholarship opportunities run the gamut, from those exclusive to a local high school or geographic region to those supporting specific majors or career pursuits. Last year, we awarded over $2 million in scholarship assistance to 271 scholars.

Applicants may be evaluated on academic performance; extracurricular activities; community involvement; paid or unpaid work; and a statement of their personal aspirations, educational goals, and demonstrated unmet financial need in our scholarship review process.

Wilhelmina Holder Student Assistance Emergency Fund

Nurturing the brilliance of Newark’s youth

Wilhelmina Holder believed that we all have a role to play in changing the world around us. As a Newark resident, education advocate, parent organizer, and co-director of an after-school college access and prep program, her no-nonsense and energizing approach made her a “community mom” to many. She encouraged those around her to live with purpose and nurtured the brilliance of Newark’s youth.

In 2023, an emergency fund was created in honor of Wilhelmina’s life’s work. It’s maintained, funded, and distributed by Newark residents who value and embody her spirit of aspiring to greatness through postsecondary success and uplifting the community through advocacy. 

Emergency Support

This emergency fund focuses on Newark residents currently enrolled in postsecondary programs — including colleges, universities, and certification programs — who need assistance with daily and unexpected costs that financial aid doesn’t cover. Covered costs include books, fees, transportation, food, etc., along with any unexpected emergencies that might derail students’ chances of earning a postsecondary degree or certificate.

If your home address is located in Newark, fill out a fund application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and awards are given four times a year in January, May, August, and November. Students may apply for any amount up to $5,000 and must demonstrate a documented need.

Jack and Jill - Jacqueline Moore Bowles Scholarship

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation is committed to the positive development of youth and future leaders. Through providing programs focused on financial literacy, education, mentoring, health and wellness, and early childhood development, the Foundation promotes the preparation of succeeding generations of leaders.

In partnership with UNCF, the Jack and Jill of America Foundation - Jacqueline Moore Bowles Scholarship was developed to provide a one-time need-based scholarship of up to $2,500 to service-oriented undergraduate students majoring in Communications. 

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 hours of volunteer and community service within 12 months preceding the application deadline. Awards will be issued in the 2025-2026 spring term.

Northern Piedmont Community Foundation

The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF) began in December 2000 when nine concerned citizens from Virginia’s Piedmont region were searching for solutions to the charitable needs in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties. With modest beginnings, our funds have grown to over $39 million in support of local charities, scholarships and community need in our northern Piedmont region.

Scholarships

Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process for dozens of scholarships for students in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties (as well as a handful serving students from surrounding counties too). 

Dr. Eric J. Maybach Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of a local family practitioner, Dr. Eric J. Maybach. Dr. Maybach treated countless residents of Fauquier County, and in his honor, a scholarship was created. Qualifying applicants must be a resident of Fauquier County and pursuing a degree in medicine – medical school, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant. Award amount varies.

Northern Piedmont Community Foundation

The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF) began in December 2000 when nine concerned citizens from Virginia’s Piedmont region were searching for solutions to the charitable needs in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties. With modest beginnings, our funds have grown to over $39 million in support of local charities, scholarships and community need in our northern Piedmont region.

Scholarships

Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process for dozens of scholarships for students in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties (as well as a handful serving students from surrounding counties too). 

Fauquier County Chamber Of Commerce Max Tufts, Sr. Memorial

This scholarship was created in memory of Maximilian A. Tufts Sr. who was an energetic community volunteer. He was committed to many organizations including the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce, Highland School, Fauquier Community Action Committee, Fauquier Human Relation Committee, Warrenton Rescue Squad, the Meadows Outdoors Foundation and the Airlie Foundation. Eligible students should be college or university bound graduating seniors from any Fauquier County public or private high school. Scholarship recipients should demonstrate involvement in both school and community. 

Northern Piedmont Community Foundation

The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF) began in December 2000 when nine concerned citizens from Virginia’s Piedmont region were searching for solutions to the charitable needs in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties. With modest beginnings, our funds have grown to over $39 million in support of local charities, scholarships and community need in our northern Piedmont region.

Scholarships

Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process for dozens of scholarships for students in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties (as well as a handful serving students from surrounding counties too). 

Fauquier NAACP – Dr. Ellsworth Weaver Education Scholarship

The Dr. Ellsworth Weaver Education Scholarship celebrates the legacy of Dr. Ellsworth Weaver, a former president of the Fauquier County NAACP Branch 7059 and a dedicated advocate for education and equality. Each year, a $1,000 scholarship is awarded to one graduating senior from each of Fauquier County’s three public high schools. Eligible applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and plan to attend an accredited trade, technical, or vocational school, community college, or four-year university. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, service, citizenship, and extracurricular involvement.

Minority students, those facing financial or personal hardships, and individuals committed to improving their communities are strongly encouraged to apply. As part of the required essay, applicants should describe a significant challenge or barrier they encountered during their educational journey and explain how they overcame that difficulty.

Gantt-McColl Scholarship Fund

In honor of Harvey Gantt and Hugh McColl, UNCF established the Gantt-McColl Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance in an annually renewable, need-based scholarship to students who are permanent residents of North Carolina to get to and through college.

Individual Award

• Up to $30,000 over 4-Years ($7,500) per school year

Early Talent Opportunity Program

The UNCF Early Talent Opportunity Program (ETOP) is a summer experience comprised of workshops and individual sessions designed to offer customized support for undergraduate college students who are interested in securing a valuable internship experience.

The UNCF Early Talent Opportunity Program (ETOP) is a FREE summer experience comprised of a series of workshops and individual career coaching designed to offer personalized support for rising college sophomores and juniors who are interested in securing an internship for the following summer. Over 5 weeks, students participate in 1 hour 15-minute virtual workshops designed to take a deeper dive into specific topics for career development and student success. 

Early Career Talent Development General Application

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) Department works closely with some of the nation’s leading corporations and foundations to shape and execute internship programs, including both stand-alone internship programs and internship-and-scholarship programs

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) Department works closely with some of the nation’s leading corporations and foundations to shape and execute internship programs, including both stand-alone internship programs and internship-and-scholarship programs with two goals – 

• To help companies build a more diverse workforce; 
• To provide diverse students with the preparation they need to succeed in college, familiarize themselves with professional career paths, and prepare to be competitive candidates for internships and future employers after graduation.

UNCF’s SPDP partners include The Walt Disney Company, Toyota, Papa Johns, United Health Foundation, Wells Fargo, and the Walton Family Foundation. We currently serve over 1500 students annually through internship, leadership, and professional development services.

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) offer career readiness, success coaching, and paid summer and semester internships to college students. Students participating in SPDP will be exposed to career pathways and opportunities and have access to leadership and personal development training. 

SPDP students will:

• Prepare to navigate from college to early-stage careers
• Enhance professional experiences through meaningful internships
• Develop stronger project management skills
• Improve networking and communication skills
• Strengthen interviewing techniques 

Currently, the SPDP is sourcing candidates to fill for summer 2026 internships!! The Early Career Talent Development General Application is used to establish an applicant pool of potentially eligible students for these ongoing internship/student professional development opportunities that are published/unpublished. Internship or professional development opportunities using the Early Career Talent Development General Application, are restricted to students who are enrolled full time at an accredited institution within the U.S. during the 2025-2026 academic year. 

Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We focus on improving systems where outcomes are falling short, incentives are misaligned, and the time is right for change.

To advance this mission, we invest in rigorous research to better understand the root causes of problems and strengthen the evidence base on what works to solve them. Using this evidence, we advocate for policy reforms at all levels of government and help build durable, bipartisan coalitions for lasting change.

Causal Research on the Impacts of Cell Phone Policies in K-12 Schools

The Opportunity

Smartphones are nearly universal among children and adolescents in the United States: 95% of teens reported having access to a smartphone, giving them regular exposure to social media, gaming, and video streaming platforms. While smartphones can support learning and social connection, emerging evidence suggests that using phones during school may also interfere with important educational goals, including student engagement, attendance, and academic performance.

In response, more than 30 states have passed laws restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools in recent years. These policies vary widely, ranging from “bell-to-bell” policies to classroom-level bans on phones only during instructional time. Despite the rapid adoption of these policies, rigorous evidence on academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts remains limited. In the absence of strong research, federal and state policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, lack the information needed to make informed decisions that effectively support student success. Building a robust evidence base is critical for shaping policies and practices that improve learning and well-being in both the short- and long-term.

This RFP seeks to address these gaps by supporting rigorous, causal research on the academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts of cell phone policies in K-12 schools in the United States. We seek studies that generate actionable insights for policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, who are deciding whether and how to implement or refine such policies. This RFP will support both Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs) that can credibly estimate causal effects. While we are open to a range of research questions, we highlight 2 areas of particular interest below.

What are the overall impacts of policies restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on student-level outcomes, including academic achievement and attainment (e.g., standardized test scores, graduation rates), behaviors (e.g., engagement, attendance, disciplinary actions), and/or mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness)?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on school-level outcomes, including school safety (e.g., reported incidents), school climate (e.g., bullying, social connections), and administrative factors (e.g., costs, logistics, communications with parents)?

• Do initial impacts persist, fade, or grow as schools refine their practices over time?

What factors explain variation in the impacts of cell phone policies?

• Which students, schools, and districts are most impacted by cell phone policies?

• Which policy design features (e.g., what devices are banned, when devices are banned, how devices are stored/locked) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• Which implementation strategies (e.g., training and supports for school staff, consistent approaches for enforcement) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• How do the resource and operational implications of different policy approaches (e.g., costs, staff time, infrastructure needs) influence their effectiveness? How do these factors affect the scalability and sustainability of effective approaches?