Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

Art League of Hilton Head Island

We are the community catalyst for the visual arts.

For over fifty years, the nonprofit Art League of Hilton Head has been the Lowcountry’s creative core for the visual arts with our innovative Gallery, teaching Academy and special community art events.

Art League sponsors satellite galleries, hosts the Gullah show and brings both traditional and cutting-edge works to our island with CraftHiltonHead, the Biennale National Juried Art Exhibition, special events, lectures, classes, workshops and so much more.

We award an annual scholarship to a local graduating High School senior to pursue a career in the visual arts in addition to sponsoring programs with local schools.

We partner with arts and cultural nonprofits and businesses to benefit residents, visitors and the artists who enrich our community.

Art League of Hilton Head Art Scholarship 

Since the year 2000, Art League of Hilton Head awards a $2000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior studying or living in Beaufort County, who has been accepted into an accredited art school or a college where he/she will be majoring in the visual arts. Only one scholarship will be awarded each year.

The successful applicant will be selected based on an interview, a review of a portfolio and completion of this application. 

The Great Performance Fund for Theater Grant, managed by Madison Community Foundation, supports professional theater at the Overture Center for the Arts. With an annual distribution of approximately $80,000, it aims to assist theater companies with production costs. Eligibility requires companies to meet specific criteria, including having an equity contract and a history of self-produced productions. This fund plays a vital role in fostering artistic innovation and cultural enrichment in the Madison community.

The Fredric Rosemore Low Vision Educational Grant, awarded by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation since 2012, aims to foster excellence in low vision education at North American optometry institutions. Each grant provides $1,000 to support various needs such as personnel, equipment, or care, aligning with the mission of the AAOF. Eligible applicants include members of the AAO, whether they are students, candidates, or Fellows.

The Community Care Grant, offered by the Banfield Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations and local/state government agencies in providing affordable veterinary care to owned pets. Since 2015, the foundation has aimed to enhance preventive care through grants and partnerships, helping pets in crisis and underserved communities across the U.S. This initiative ensures that essential veterinary services are accessible to all pet owners, fostering a better world for pets.

The Emergency Educational Grants offer vital financial support of up to $5,000 for undergraduate students who are children of deceased or totally disabled Elks. This grant is renewable for one year and is intended solely for educational purposes, helping cover costs such as tuition and books. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain full-time enrollment in an accredited U.S. college or university, while being unmarried and under 24 years old during the application year.

Tiderington Family Scholarship

The Tiderington Family Scholarship was established in 1996 by Dr. Robert H. and Charlotte Hughes Tiderington and their three sons, Robert III, James and Thomas, to provide funding for students pursuing a vocational career. Neither Dr. Tiderington nor his wife Charlotte graduated from college. Dr. Tiderington remarked: “It was important to us that our boys went to college. We always stressed education. When you give a gift of education, you give a gift for life.”

Saginaw Country Club Golf Scholarship

The Saginaw Country Club has been one of the premier private clubs in Michigan for over 116 years. In honor of its centennial year in 1998, the Club’s Board of Governors established the Saginaw Country Club Golf Scholarship.

The scholarship is offered to promote and reward golf playing among Saginaw County’s youth.

The Community Foundation of Chippewa County offers the Northwestern Bank Mini Grant to support innovative educational projects for 3rd to 8th grade teachers in Chippewa County. This initiative aims to foster creativity and motivation among students through diverse learning activities. By pooling resources and encouraging multigenerational giving, the foundation seeks to enhance the educational landscape and provide lasting benefits to the community. The grants reflect a commitment to nurturing the next generation of learners.

The Harry K. Wrench Jr. Memorial College Scholarship provides financial support to graduating high school seniors from the Manitowoc and Wausau areas who are pursuing a bachelor's degree. This scholarship honors the legacy of a prominent leader from the Wisconsin Fuel & Light Company. Over $300,000 is awarded annually to more than 200 students across north central Wisconsin, promoting academic excellence and community involvement.

The 21st Century Fellowship: Specialized Fellowship, offered by the Society for Ethnomusicology, aims to enhance ethnomusicological research by providing $7,500 awards to two Ph.D. students for dissertation fieldwork. Eligible applicants must achieve ABD status and conduct a minimum of six months of full-time research. Preference is given to onsite fieldwork and students from marginalized groups or those with limited funding for their research.

The Wausau Area Builders Association Scholarship provides vital financial support to graduating seniors from high schools in communities served by the WABA. With over $300,000 awarded annually to more than 200 students, this scholarship honors Shirley Kruesel's legacy and encourages community service and involvement. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.5, with a preference for those pursuing careers in the building trades or those with family ties to WABA members.

The OjO-Dor Scholarship offers post-secondary educational support to deserving high school seniors from the Lakeland School District in Minocqua, Wisconsin. With over $300,000 allocated across more than 200 scholarships, the program recognizes academic achievement, financial need, future potential, and leadership capabilities. Students may be invited for interviews during the selection process, fostering opportunities for local youth to pursue higher education and enhance their future prospects.

The Retail Food Safety Regulatory Association Collaboration CAP aims to enhance retail food protection in the U.S. by renewing a cooperative agreement that promotes collaboration among non-profit organizations and educational institutions. This initiative focuses on reducing food-borne illnesses through research and the advancement of best practices in retail food safety. By leveraging local and state resources, the program seeks to effectively mitigate food safety risks and improve public health outcomes.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an esteemed, achievement-based scholarship aimed at high school seniors committed to leadership and community service. Annually, 150 scholars receive $20,000 to support their college education. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $87 million in educational funding to more than 7,000 students. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, planning to attend an accredited college, and demonstrate strong community leadership and service.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

We work side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges our Valley faces.

Our Board and staff are completely dedicated to the people and causes of Napa Valley and represent communities from American Canyon to Calistoga. They share skills, perspectives and the collaborative spirit that define our Napa Valley diversity.

Judith B. Cutcomb Scholarship

The Judith B. Cutcomb Scholarship is offered by CalRTA Napa Valley and administered by Napa Valley Community Foundation. It is awarded in memory of Judith B. Cutcomb, a St. Helena educator. The Cutcomb Scholarship supports current St. Helena Unified School District teachers who are continuing their education or graduates of St. Helena High School studying to be educators. Previous recipients of the scholarship are eligible to reapply.

The Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Implementation Development and Maintenance initiative aims to foster a cohesive national animal food safety system. This funding opportunity supports state programs in implementing the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) and encourages mutual reliance between federal and state regulatory efforts. Key outcomes include enhanced operational standards and improved integration of regulatory processes, ultimately contributing to a safer food supply and better animal health across jurisdictions.

The NICHD Resource Program Grants in Bioinformatics aim to support the operation and enhancement of vital bioinformatics databases for research on animal models of embryonic development. These grants promote user training, data curation, and interoperability with NIH resources, ensuring wide dissemination of critical tools and resources to the research community. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, with optional Letters of Intent encouraged 30 days prior to the proposal deadline.

The Mental Health Support Fund Grants, provided by the Door County Community Foundation, aim to enhance mental health awareness and education in Door County, WI. Grants, averaging around $5,000, support programs that directly contribute to mental healthcare initiatives. Charities can apply for multiple projects if they are closely related, but only one application is allowed per grant cycle. Ineligible projects include debt repayment and fundraising expenses.

The Getty Foundation's Connecting Art Histories initiative enhances global art historical scholarship by fostering intellectual exchange among scholars, particularly in underrepresented regions. This ongoing grant program supports seminars and workshops that connect over 1,000 early to mid-career researchers from diverse areas, including Africa and Latin America, to promote collaborative research and career development. The initiative not only builds professional networks but also aims to strengthen the discipline of art history by addressing geographic and political barriers.

The Most Valuable Student Award, offered by the Elks National Foundation, provides scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 annually for U.S. high school seniors pursuing a four-year degree at accredited colleges or universities. This initiative aims to support students who demonstrate academic excellence and community involvement, ensuring they have access to education that fosters personal and professional growth. For more information, please visit the Elks Foundation website.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

We work side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges our Valley faces.

Our Board and staff are completely dedicated to the people and causes of Napa Valley and represent communities from American Canyon to Calistoga. They share skills, perspectives and the collaborative spirit that define our Napa Valley diversity.

Daisy Cavalli Scholarship Fund

The Daisy Cavalli Scholarship Fund benefits graduating seniors who attend a Napa Valley Unified School District high school and will be enrolling in a trade school, community college, or four-year college/university. Recipients will receive funding for each year that they are enrolled as a full-time student.

Consideration is given to first generation college students (i.e. neither parent has obtained a Bachelor’s Degree).

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) plans to publish a funding opportunity announcement for Community-Partnered Nursing Research Centers (P20 Clinical Trial Optional). This initiative aims to strengthen nursing-led programs that foster community-partnered research addressing significant health issues. By enhancing interdisciplinary research capacities, the program will establish centralized resources in nursing schools, build expertise in community partnerships, and support nurse-led teams in developing, implementing, and evaluating impactful research projects.

The American Guild of Musical Artists Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible performing arts professionals facing unexpected critical needs. This support aids in covering essential living expenses, including housing, healthcare, and utilities, to help prevent eviction or utility shut-offs. Applicants must be current members in good standing and provide necessary documentation to confirm their eligibility. This fund aims to ensure the well-being of artists during challenging times.

The FDA/ORA's Cooperative Agreement Program aims to enhance the national food safety system through collaboration among federal and state agencies. Key objectives include building an integrated animal food safety system, sharing best practices, and promoting training programs for animal food safety. This initiative supports the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) and ensures ongoing improvements to meet modern regulatory needs. Eligible applicants must represent state animal food regulatory programs at a national level.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

We work side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges our Valley faces.

Our Board and staff are completely dedicated to the people and causes of Napa Valley and represent communities from American Canyon to Calistoga. They share skills, perspectives and the collaborative spirit that define our Napa Valley diversity.

Edward W. Solomon Scholarship

The Edward W. Solomon Scholarship is offered by CalRTA Napa Valley and administered by Napa Valley Community Foundation. It is awarded in memory of Dr. Edward W. Solomon. The Solomon Scholarship is given to support current Napa County teachers/educators who are continuing their education. Previous recipients of the scholarship are eligible to reapply.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate the potential for academic success by having been accepted in an upcoming college or university upper division or graduate level education program or course. Community college courses are acceptable only for current teachers who want/need to supplement their credential authorizations, and if the community college course is acceptable to the CTC Credentialing Office.

The NIDDK is expanding its Gastroparesis Consortium into the Disorders of Gastrointestinal Interoception Consortium (DGIC) to explore various GI disorders linked to interoceptive processing. This initiative aims to include multiple Clinical Research Centers and a Scientific Data Research Center, focusing on multidisciplinary approaches to uncover mechanisms connecting GI function to symptoms. The effort seeks to identify biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for future clinical trials, enhancing understanding and treatment of complex gastrointestinal conditions.

The Elizabeth S. Peters Scholarship for the Advancement of Women aims to support female students from Marathon County pursuing higher education in accounting at the University of Wisconsin system. With over $300,000 awarded to more than 200 students annually, this scholarship fosters academic success and career development, ensuring that women have the resources needed to thrive in their educational journeys. The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin administers this initiative, reflecting its commitment to enhancing community quality of life.