Best Large Grants for Nonprofit Organizations in Wisconsin

The Culpeper Rotary Foundation Scholarship supports residents of Culpeper County pursuing a four-year degree. With a $1,000 award renewable for four years, applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process, emphasizing community involvement. This initiative reflects NPCF's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the region, ensuring that local students have the support they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.

Cures Within Reach

Cures Within Reach is the philanthropic leader in drug, device and nutraceutical repurposing research, which has the potential to transform the lives of patients with unsolved diseases by delivering treatments that can be used in the near-term. Our focus: we find and fund proof-of-concept clinical trials that, once successful, de-risk and catalyze follow-on funding, building the clinical evidence required for regulatory approval or to support off-label use by patients everywhere.

Clinical Repurposing Research to Impact US Veterans/Military

This Request for Proposals (RFP) from Cures Within Reach (CWR) is seeking clinical repurposing trials from US-based research institutions using already approved treatments to address unmet and high-priority medical needs of US veterans and/or active US military, such as mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries. Our strongest preference is for proof of concept, pivotal, Phase I or Phase IIA clinical repurposing trials. Eligible trials may be conducted at accredited US-based academic, nonprofit and governmental research institutions and/or health systems involved with medical research, including Veterans Administration (VA) health systems and hospitals. 

Repurposed therapies must be approved and/or generally recognized as safe for human use by some regulatory agency, such as the US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, Health Canada or Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, and may include drugs, devices, nutraceuticals or diagnostics, as well as combination therapies. These repurposed therapies must be tested in a new indication for which they are not already approved or used widely in clinical practice as standard of care. Repurposed therapies also may be added to current standard of care to improve patient outcomes and/or quality of life.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a student who is matriculating in a performing arts program, has demonstrated commitment to their art, and has demonstrated evidence of community involvement and service to others.

The Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing family support, women's and children's health, and animal welfare. It aims to fund programs that promote beneficial human-animal interactions and early intervention in addiction prevention. Eligible organizations must have a valid 501(c)(3) designation. Grants align with at least one of the foundation's focus areas, ensuring impactful contributions to community welfare and well-being.

The Retail Merchants Association of Tyler Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports graduating seniors planning to major in Business. Eligible students must be from specific Smith County high schools and demonstrate financial need through FASFA. This scholarship, amounting to $1,000, can be used for tuition, fees, and educational supplies. The unique application process matches students with scholarships, ensuring they apply only once and receive consideration for multiple opportunities.

The Dr. Gary King Sharp Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, aims to support students with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Priority is given to those connected with Hospice services or in the foster care system, and to first-generation college students. This scholarship serves as a vital resource to empower students in their educational pursuits and enhance community life.

The GMAR Youth Foundation Grant, managed by the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®, aims to enhance the welfare of children and young people up to 25 years old. Established in 1951, this foundation focuses on supporting educational, social, and artistic initiatives in the Metro Milwaukee Area. Nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) are encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate a significant impact on local youth development. Grants are awarded for one-year periods.

The AISES RISE Scholarship offers $2,000 annually to support Indigenous students pursuing careers in STEM, particularly in the casino gaming industry. This initiative, powered by Aristocrat Gaming, aims to empower Indigenous talent through exposure, resources, and programming. Eligible applicants must be full-time students and current AISES members, demonstrating a commitment to their education and community. The scholarship seeks to enhance diversity in STEM fields by providing critical financial support to deserving students.

The Harry Sudakoff Foundation Grant supports qualified charities in Sarasota, Florida, focusing on arts, community, education for youth, environment, human services, and science. Established by builder Harry Sudakoff, the foundation prioritizes organizations with a history of support. Grants are restricted to 501(c)(3) entities, excluding individuals and certain funding types like endowments and operating expenses. A commitment to impactful contributions is central to the foundation's mission.

Patagonia supports environmental organisations with bold, direct-action agendas and a commitment to long-term change.

We support innovative work that addresses the root causes of the environmental crisis and seeks to protect both the environment and affected communities. We focus on places where we’ve built connections through outdoor recreation and through our network of retail stores, nationally and internationally.

We believe local battles to protect a specific stand of forest, a stretch of river, an indigenous wild species or a community from a polluting refinery build public support and confront larger, more complex issues like climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental justice.

We encourage work that brings underrepresented communities to the forefront of the environmental movement and defends communities whose health and livelihoods are threatened by environmental exploitation.

We support multipronged campaigns that push for greater environmental protections and force the government to abide by its own laws.

We fund work that:

• builds an equitable, inclusive and diverse environmental movement
• confronts systemic bias, discrimination and injustice in environmental policy or outdoor spaces
• is action-oriented
• focuses on root causes
• has a clear strategy
• identifies specific goals and objectives that can be effectively measured to evaluate success
• builds public involvement and civic engagement

Patagonia believes that the most direct path to real change is through building grassroots momentum.

Our funding focuses on organisations that have or can create a strong base of support. Because we’re a privately held company, we have the freedom to fund risk-taking, off-the-beaten-track groups, and that’s where we believe our small grants are most effective.

The Municipal Workforce Learning Lab, initiated by the National League of Cities in partnership with the American Institutes for Research, aims to tackle workforce challenges faced by city governments. The program seeks three cities to engage in an 8-month action planning process focused on recruiting, training, and retaining skilled workers. Participants will receive free coaching and technical assistance, helping them enhance their workforce policies and potentially serve as national models for effective local government employment strategies.

The R. Don Cowan Music & Performing Arts Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports students pursuing studies in music and performing arts, including musical theater and dance. Applicants must be graduating seniors or current college students from Smith County, with no specific financial need requirement. This scholarship is available for one year and allows recipients to major in any subject while continuing their performing arts education.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for studies on mechanisms by which bariatric surgery influences cancer risk. This funding opportunity encourages exploration beyond short-term outcomes like weight loss and diabetes. The goal is to support innovative proof of concept studies, emphasizing feasibility without prior development in the literature. Unpublished data is not allowed, but references from preprints with a DOI are acceptable. Deadlines for applications span from February 2025 to November 2027.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is seeking applications for studies that explore how bariatric surgery influences cancer risk, emphasizing the need for innovative research in this area. This funding opportunity encourages the participation of researchers who focus on the long-term impacts of bariatric surgery beyond weight loss and diabetes, addressing critical gaps in understanding the disease mechanisms involved. Key deadlines for application submissions span from February 2025 to October 2027.

The John D. Dixon and Louise A. Dixon Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of its namesakes by supporting graduating seniors from Cedar Cliff and Northern York High Schools. This scholarship aims to assist students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to volunteerism or extracurricular activities. It is a one-time award intended to help students pursue higher education at colleges or technical schools.

The Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship, established by the American Fisheries Society in 2007, honors a dedicated fisheries scientist. This $15,000 award supports graduate students engaged in thesis research on marine conservation topics. Applicants must be enrolled in a North American university's M.S. or Ph.D. program and be AFS members in good standing. The fellowship encourages innovative research addressing various conservation issues, not limited to fisheries.

The Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky High School STEM Scholarship Fund provides financial support to female high school seniors from Erie, Huron, or Ottawa County, Ohio, who plan to pursue a degree in STEM or medical fields at accredited institutions. Established by the Zonta Club, this scholarship aims to empower young women to contribute positively to their communities by facilitating access to higher education opportunities. Since its inception, it has fostered academic growth and leadership among recipients.

The Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship offers up to four years of college tuition assistance for graduating seniors from Coral Gables High School, Miami Senior High School, or ISPA. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in communications, journalism, leadership, or historic preservation, and must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Established in 2022 by Jeannett and Don Slesnick, this scholarship honors Jeannett's commitment to community service and education, supporting local high school graduates in their academic pursuits.

Purpose

The purpose of this request for applications is to seek local partner organizations to provide in-home asthma education services as part of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ (WI-DHS) Asthma-Safe Homes Program. This program is available through a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) health services initiative (HSI) funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).

WI-DHS will select organizations with capacity to provide outreach, in-home asthma self-management education, and home asthma trigger assessment for children and pregnant individuals with uncontrolled asthma. 

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for Winter Sports awards up to 126 scholarships of $10,000 annually to outstanding student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. Eligible candidates are in their final year of NCAA competition and must have a minimum GPA of 3.2. The scholarships are available for men and women in various winter sports and are intended for use in accredited graduate programs, emphasizing the importance of academic achievement and community involvement.

The O'Jays Scholarship Fund, established by the Stark Community Foundation, supports Stark County seniors graduating high school or residents with a GED pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. This initiative reflects the Foundation's long-standing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and addressing community challenges since its inception in 1963. The program aims to empower students to achieve their academic goals and improve their futures.

The Rotary Works Foundation Grant supports charitable projects primarily focused on children, youth, and families, emphasizing active Rotarian involvement. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, awarded prior to events. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(1) organizations. Preference is given to projects engaging Rotarians. The application deadline is the 2nd Wednesday of each month, and all grantees must report outcomes post-project.

Herold and Retta Reuss Public Safety Scholarship

Applicants must demonstrate the drive and ability to be successful in pursuing a college education and/or a certification process in the fields aforementioned. Financial information is requested, but not necessarily a determining factor. Students who receive this scholarship may apply for further support in subsequent years.

The Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Aftercare program aims to combat substance abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native populations. It focuses on enhancing care coordination, expanding culturally competent behavioral health services, and implementing early intervention strategies for at-risk youth. By supporting Tribal and community-led initiatives, the program fosters collaboration among families, youth, and community partners to create effective prevention, treatment, and recovery solutions.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

There are more than 800 Community Foundations in the US, each devoted to a specific region. We operate independently, with a common goal in mind: to be a platform for local people who want to pay it forward. To deliver resources to effective charitable programs. And to make our communities stronger and more successful by doing these two things.

Among our peers, Napa Valley Community Foundation ranks first on several key measures of donor satisfaction and impact, according to a recent donor survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Our donors say that we deeply understand their interests, and deeply understand the needs of Napa Valley. That, in a nutshell, is our job.

Ted Kohler Music Scholarship

The Ted Kohler Music Scholarship benefits Calistoga students who are committed to music and wish to advance their musical development. The scholarship can be used to pay for activities such as music lessons or summer camp, or for college tuition (where the student demonstrates their desire to continue their musical education). The Ted Kohler Scholarship was established in 1997 to promote musical participation and aspirations in honor of Ted, who upon retirement from San Francisco State University, became a full-time musician and leader of the Napa Valley Jazz Band. He encouraged people of all ages to express themselves musically.

Erin Marie Masling Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship encourages students who have the potential and desire to pursue a post-secondary education despite the effects of an ongoing medical condition or illness.

Number and Size of Awards

Number of recipients and award amounts vary; minimum award $500. Award paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund

For a high school senior from Central Noble, East Noble, Wawasee, West Noble or homeschool (homeschooled student must live in Noble County) who will be pursuing advanced education in emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Awards Per Year:

• 1 scholarship

Applicant High School:

• Central Noble, East Noble, Homeschooled, Wawasee, West Noble

Colleges:

• Any accredited college or university

Areas of Study:

• Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Services, Emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.