Best Wright County Grants for Nonprofits in Minnesota

David M. Cordani Courage in Service Grant Program

The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), today announced the launch of the David M. Cordani Courage in Service Grant, a new $1.5 million, 10-year commitment to support the health and well-being of military and veteran communities by prioritizing social connection.

Each year, $150,000 will be awarded to one nonprofit serving military and veteran communities to support programs that strengthen connections, improve well-being, and increase stability for individuals and families navigating key life transitions.

How the Grant Supports Military Communities

The Courage in Service Grant will support nonprofit organizations that deliver:

• Programs that reduce isolation and strengthen resilience among military families through peer support
• Community-centered health and wellness hubs offering physical activity, wellness programming, and mental health support
• Transition-focused services that help individuals and families navigate key military life moments such as deployment, relocation, recovery, and reintegration

About MNA

The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) stands strong for nurses, patients, and quality healthcare everywhere.

We are 22,000 dedicated RNs and other healthcare professionals in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Iowa, who promote the professional, economic, and personal well-being of nurses through collective action. Our members care for patients in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.

Since 1905, MNA members have effectively influenced healthcare policy and practice; advocating for social justice and public health, as well as nursing practice and policies that enable nurses to provide the quality care patients deserve.

MNA empowers members to use their collective strength, knowledge, and experience to advance and enhance safe and professional nursing practice, nursing leadership, and community health and well-being, including access to quality healthcare for all.

MNA Foundation Scholarships & Grants

The Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF), a non-profit corporation affiliated with the Minnesota Nurses Association, awards scholarships and grants each year to advance the nursing profession and create more opportunities for students to achieve their goals. 

MNA members, members’ dependents and grandchildren, nursing students, and veterans are eligible to apply for MNA Foundation Scholarships.  

40 & 8 Veterans Scholarships

The MNAF Linda Knauff Clinical Practice Project Grant supports Minnesota Nurses Association members in conducting research that aligns with MNA's organizational goals. It promotes best practices through literature reviews, workgroup convening, policy development, and quality improvement initiatives. Applicants must be MNA members engaged in direct patient care, complete their projects within two years, and submit periodic reports. Preference is given to first-time applicants whose projects meet quality standards.

The MNA Associate Member Scholarships provide financial assistance to MNA associate members who are typically undergraduate nursing students. Offered by the Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation, these scholarships aim to support the professional development and educational goals of nursing students, contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all. Eligible candidates include MNA members, their dependents, and veterans, fostering a commitment to nursing excellence.

The Mary Eliza Mahoney Scholarships, offered by the Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF), provide financial support to nursing students, members of healthcare unions, their dependents, and veterans. Each scholarship awards $2,500 per semester for a maximum of four semesters, totaling up to $10,000. This initiative aims to enhance nursing education and promote the professional growth of future nurses, ensuring access to quality healthcare for all.

Who We Are

Community foundations began nationally in 1914 and are publicly-supported, 501(c)(3) philanthropic organizations that hold, administer, invest and make grants from both endowed and non-endowed funds established by individuals, families and others. They were designed to be simple, flexible, convenient, tax-wise, cost-effective and perpetual charitable vehicles.  

Our Community Foundation was established in Roanoke in 1988. With our growth, we expanded into the Martinsville/Henry County area in 2005. Today, we administer many hundreds of named endowment funds ranging in size from a minimum of $10,000 to millions of dollars. To date, donors have also committed very significant resources to the Foundation through future estate gifts.

Information for Scholarship Seekers

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, the region’s community foundation, administers a variety of scholarships to reward and assist capable and deserving students based on the criteria established by the fund donors.

Specifics of the Foundation’s scholarship program may be subject to change from time to time. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Foundation at (276) 656-6223.

Ashby C. and John T. Pinkard Scholarship Fund

 Fund provides higher education scholarships to deserving young men and women.

The Benny Summerlin Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, offers financial assistance to deserving students from Franklin County High School pursuing undergraduate degrees. Established to support capable individuals, this scholarship emphasizes academic potential and financial need. The foundation, active since 1988, administers various scholarships to uplift the educational aspirations of local youth. For more information on eligibility and application processes, interested students should contact the foundation directly.

The Kelsey Nicole Cooper Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, offers scholarships to deserving students from the Martinsville Henry County community, emphasizing volunteerism. Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors or graduates from local high schools, enrolled or planning to enroll in accredited colleges, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Preference is given to those attending Virginia Tech or involved in the CHILL youth task force. For more information, contact the Foundation.

The John W. Wilks, M.D. Excellence in Science Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, provides financial assistance to deserving students pursuing careers in the medical field. Eligible applicants include graduating seniors from Roanoke Valley area high schools or individuals continuing medical studies at the graduate level, demonstrating financial need and academic merit. This scholarship aims to support educational pursuits and foster excellence in healthcare.

The Jean L. Price Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, supports underprivileged students from the Roanoke Valley. Eligible applicants include graduating seniors and full-time college students who demonstrate financial need. This scholarship aims to alleviate the financial burdens facing these deserving students, ensuring they have access to educational opportunities. As a vital resource, the scholarship reflects the Foundation's commitment to fostering academic success and community development.

The Hooker Educational Fund Community Scholarships support deserving undergraduate students in Henry County or Martinsville, Virginia. Established by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, these scholarships aim to assist students who demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and show capability for college-level studies. The foundation has been a key philanthropic organization since 1988, managing numerous endowment funds to benefit the local community.

The Frank W. (Bo) Rogers Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, offers scholarships to graduating seniors from Roanoke Valley high schools. Eligible students must enroll in accredited colleges, demonstrate financial need, and show commitment to community service. Special consideration is given to applicants with a parent employed by Woods Rogers, PLC. The Foundation aims to support deserving students and help them achieve their higher education goals.

The Frances Parker Rupert Memorial Fund for Music and the Performing Arts provides scholarships to talented students pursuing music or performing arts degrees. Established by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, this fund aims to support high school seniors from specific counties, considering their potential and financial need. Applicants must demonstrate their artistic abilities and articulate how this scholarship will aid their educational goals in a two-page essay.

The Edwin K. Mattern, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, supports graduating seniors from the Roanoke Valley pursuing higher education in engineering or architecture. This renewable scholarship emphasizes academic achievement and financial need, requiring recipients to maintain a minimum GPA. Established to empower deserving students, the fund reflects the foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities in the community.

The Dorothy and Julien Meyer, Sr., M.D. Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, provides scholarships to graduating seniors from Roanoke Valley high schools pursuing premedical studies. This fund aims to support deserving students with financial need, ensuring they can achieve their educational goals. The Foundation administers various scholarships and encourages students to inquire for detailed eligibility criteria and application processes.

The Dillon Family Scholarship Fund, established by James M. Dillon, provides financial assistance for higher education to deserving students from specific regions in Virginia. Administered by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, this scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need and academic potential. Eligible candidates must be graduating seniors from designated public high schools, enrolling in accredited colleges or trade schools. Preference is given to graduates from Alleghany High School, ensuring targeted support for local students.

The Davis B. and Barbara J. Francis Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, provides educational scholarships to deserving students in the Roanoke Valley. It aims to support graduating seniors or former graduates pursuing careers in technical theatre or performing arts. Applicants must demonstrate significant contributions to their school's theatre arts program and enroll in an accredited college or technical school. Financial need is considered but not the primary criterion.

The Clarence Lee Lester Educational Fund, administered by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, provides scholarships to deserving students pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA and a connection to First Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA. This scholarship aims to support capable individuals in their academic journeys, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder their educational aspirations. For more information, contact the Foundation directly.

The Carol D. Garling Scholarship, established by Carol D. Garling, provides financial assistance to students pursuing a post-secondary education who have completed at least 30 credit hours at an accredited institution. Offered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, MD, this scholarship is part of a larger initiative to support local students and promote educational advancement within the community. Applications are accepted annually from January to April 1st, encouraging both high school graduates and non-traditional students.

The Bill Dorsey Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Washington County, MD, offers scholarships to students at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA). Designed for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, this fund helps cover costs related to their arts discipline. Applications are available in the Fall, supporting the foundation's mission to enhance educational opportunities for local students and nurture their artistic talents.

The Hagerstown Garden Club Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, supports Washington County residents pursuing education in horticulture. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors and current college students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This scholarship honors the legacy of the Hagerstown Garden Club and is part of a broader initiative to enhance community life through educational opportunities, fostering both personal and professional growth in the horticultural field.

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program offers funding to eligible entities for developing local solutions to water management issues. This initiative supports watershed group development, restoration planning, and project design, promoting stakeholder cooperation and improving water reliability. It aligns with key priorities from the Trump administration, addressing complex water challenges and enhancing federal grant oversight. By facilitating these efforts, the program aims to stretch limited water resources and foster collaborative solutions among diverse stakeholders.

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

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

Lilly Foundation

To extend Lilly’s charitable reach and impact, the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation) was established in 1968 and is supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company.

The Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation supporting programs that align with its philanthropic priorities.

Grantmaking Approach

The Lilly Foundation’s work is guided by a charitable vision of a world where every person has an opportunity to live their healthiest life. Through grantmaking focused on Lilly Foundation’s charitable vision, grants can serve as a catalyst for closing gaps and empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

All proposals should demonstrate clear alignment with at least one focus area and include charitable outcomes that are measurable and consistent with the Foundation’s long-term charitable goals.

Global Health, K-12 STEM Education and Economic Mobility Grant

Focus Areas

Global Health

Lilly Foundation, through its charitable grants, aims to support permissible charitable efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for resource-limited communities in low- and lower-middleincome countries (L/LMICs) and in the United States. Strengthening access to care is essential for enhancing community well-being and supporting economic stability in resource-limited settings.

The Global Health focus area aims to close gaps in quality healthcare by supporting charitable solutions that improve access, bring care closer to where people live, and address the high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-limited settings. To the extent permissible, the Foundation prioritizes charitable efforts related to cardiometabolic health in resource-limited settings.

K-12 STEM Education

The K-12 STEM Education focus area aims to close the gaps for students from low-income communities by supporting programs that foster new pathways and pipelines to STEM education through focused K-12 efforts, concentrating on the critical middle school years. The Foundation’s K-12 STEM Education grants are focused on initiatives that benefit Marion County, Indiana.

Economic Mobility

The Economic Mobility focus area supports charitable and educational programs that strengthen workforce readiness, postsecondary and skills-based educational pathways, and housing stability to promote long-term prosperity. This support is focused on Marion County, Indiana, with the goal of improving economic opportunity for low-income communities and advancing community well-being.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through its Behavioral Health Administration (STATE), is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to address the opioid overdose crisis in communities and populations that have been historically underserved and disproportionately impacted by opioid-related overdose deaths. 

The DOJ FY 2026 BIDEN Program provides funding to support state and local agencies in addressing immigration-related crime. This initiative enables law enforcement to apprehend criminal illegal aliens, analyze gang activity, and enhance court operations related to trafficking crimes. The program facilitates temporary detention and transportation of offenders, promoting collaboration with Homeland Security Task Forces. Applications must be submitted via JustGrants by specified deadlines, with rounds of funding released throughout 2026.